MSC Cruises passengers sailing from the Dominican Republic will soon have a new private-island-style destination to explore. Catalina Sugar Beach is being developed on Catalina Island, a protected island just off the coast of La Romana. The upgraded beach destination will combine the island’s white sand, clear Caribbean water and coral reefs with new dining, bar and recreational facilities. The project is especially notable because it gives MSC Cruises another purpose-built Caribbean beach experience. However, unlike Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas, Catalina Sugar Beach will not be an MSC-exclusive private island. It is being developed through a…
Author: MSC Cruise Fan
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MSC Foundation has put new attention on Posidonia oceanica, the seagrass that plays a major role in the health of the Mediterranean Sea. The Foundation’s is working with Asociacion Vellmari on Shallow Bays of the Mediterranean, a program focused on restoring Posidonia seagrass meadows. For MSC cruisers, this is not an itinerary change or a new onboard feature. It is part of MSC’s broader conservation story, and it helps explain why the company keeps linking its brand to marine restoration projects in places where cruise guests also experience the sea. What Posidonia Is And Why It Matters Posidonia oceanica is…
MSC Cruises has opened bookings for its third Alaska season, confirming that MSC Poesia will return to Seattle for another summer of seven-night voyages in 2028. The newly announced season will run from April 24 through September 18, 2028, with weekly round-trip cruises visiting Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Tracy Arm, Juneau and Victoria, British Columbia. At the same time, MSC Cruises is adding a conservation and research component to its growing Alaska operation. Marine Mammal Observer Maria Snell has joined MSC Poesia during the 2026 season through the cruise line’s partnership with marine conservation organization ORCA. Together, the two announcements…
MSC World Asia has taken another big step toward welcoming guests. According to Cruise Industry News, the new MSC Cruises flagship began its first sea trials after leaving the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard on July 15, 2026. That does not mean the ship is ready for passengers yet, but it is one of the most important milestones before delivery. Sea trials are when a new cruise ship gets tested in real operating conditions, including propulsion, maneuvering, safety systems, fuel efficiency, and other technical performance checks. For MSC fans, this is the point where MSC World Asia starts to feel less…
MSC World Asia is already shaping up to be one of the most food-focused ships in MSC Cruises’ next wave of newbuilds. Now there is another sweet reason to keep an eye on her: the ship will feature the largest Venchi Chocolate Experience at sea. For MSC fans, that is a pretty specific kind of good news. Venchi is already familiar to many MSC cruisers through chocolate, gelato, coffee, and dessert venues on several ships. A larger Venchi presence on MSC World Asia suggests MSC is leaning even harder into the Italian-style treats and specialty dining moments that make its…
Carnival Cruise Line has officially started construction on its next generation of mega-ships, beginning with Carnival Destiny in 2029. The name was revealed during the ship’s steel-cutting ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, on July 10, 2026. Carnival Destiny will be the first vessel in the new Ace Class, followed by two sister ships scheduled for 2031 and 2033. Although Carnival has only shared a limited number of details, its first announcement makes the company’s ambitions clear. Destiny is expected to be larger than Carnival’s current Excel Class, carry nearly 8,000 guests at maximum capacity and introduce a…
MSC Cruises is introducing a new digital remote check-in process for guests embarking in Seattle, with the goal of making the beginning of an MSC cruise faster and more convenient. The cruise line announced the new service on July 8, 2026, describing it as a way to streamline the guest embarkation experience in Seattle. The announcement is currently tied specifically to the Seattle cruise terminal rather than being presented as a fleetwide change. A New Embarkation Option for MSC’s First Alaska Season The timing makes sense. MSC Cruises began its first Alaska season from Seattle in May 2026, with MSC…
MSC World Europa had a very different kind of pre-cruise spotlight in Barcelona this week. Instead of a typical shipboard ceremony or destination announcement, MSC Cruises hosted the Tudor Pro Cycling Team onboard ahead of the Grand Depart of the 2026 Tour de France. The event took place while MSC World Europa was in Barcelona, giving the Swiss cycling team a shipboard stage before one of the biggest sporting events in the world. For MSC fans, it is another sign that the cruise line is leaning hard into global sports partnerships, high-visibility events, and big-brand moments that reach well beyond…
MSC World Asia is getting another ship-specific twist, and this one is all about food. MSC Cruises has unveiled a new Pan-Asian dining concept for MSC World Asia, giving the upcoming World Class ship a venue that leans into street food, bold flavors, and a more immersive onboard dining experience. That is a smart fit for a ship named World Asia. MSC World Asia is scheduled to debut in December 2026, sailing 7-night Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona. As the third ship in MSC’s World Class, she will share plenty of DNA with MSC World Europa and MSC World America, but…
MSC Foundation is helping lead a regional effort to respond to a serious coral disease threatening reefs across the Caribbean, including areas near Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. The effort centers around Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, often shortened to SCTLD. It is one of the most serious coral diseases affecting reefs in the Caribbean, and it has been spreading across Florida, The Bahamas, and other parts of the region. For MSC cruisers, this story matters because Ocean Cay is not just a beach stop. It is also part of MSC’s broader marine conservation work in The Bahamas. The island…