MSC Cruises has announced special events and activities for cruises during Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s on three of the cruise line’s cruise ships sailing to the Caribbean.
Joining the iconic MSC Seaside — sailing the Caribbean year-round from Miami — and MSC Divina —returning to Miami in October 2018 — MSC Armonia will kick off her first journey from Miami to Cuba just in time for the holidays on December 10, 2018. MSC Cruises will be the only cruise line regularly offering a 7-night program including two days in Havana over the weekend.
Highlights of MSC Cruises’ Caribbean holiday seasonal voyages include:
Thanksgiving
Guests will be thankful for stunning sea views and the shimmering Caribbean sun while spending Thanksgiving Day at sea. Guests will enjoy a traditional Turkey dinner and the modern tradition of all-day football cast on various large screen TVs, particularly in MSC Seaside’s dedicated Sports Bar.
- MSC Seaside – Departing November 17, 2018: 7-night sailing from Miami to Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and Costa Maya, Mexico. Prices start at $849 per person for a balcony stateroom.
- MSC Divina – Departing November 18, 2018: 11-night sailing from Miami to Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico. Prices start at $999 per person for a balcony stateroom.
Hanukkah
During the holiday which begins December 2, guests on board MSC Seaside and MSC Divina can participate in a nightly Menorah lighting as well as an on board daily prayer service to celebrate the festival of lights. Additionally, in the ships’ buffets, guests can munch on the most classic of Hanukkah fare, Latkes, or fried potato pancakes. A menorah will also be on display in the atrium, and special Kosher meals can be ordered in advance.
- MSC Seaside – Departing December 1, 2018: 7-night sailing from Miami to Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and Nassau Bahamas. Prices start at $689 per person for a balcony stateroom.
- MSC Divina – Departing November 29, 2018: 10-night sailing from Miami to Road Town, British Virgin Islands; Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis; St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda; Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Prices start at $869 per person for a balcony stateroom.
Christmas
MSC Seaside, MSC Armonia and MSC Divina’s Christmas 2018 sailings will ring in the holiday with a variety of activities and themed culinary creations. The ships and their staff will be decked out in festive holiday costumes and décor, with sparkling lights and decorations, stunning Christmas trees, and, of course, Santa Hats.
On board, guests can participate in activities like holiday-themed trivia, a photo opportunity with Santa himself, a Christmas parade, and a special evening Christmas show. Santa’s arrival will also come with special gifts for the little ones, and a Christmas mass will also be available on board.
In addition, cruisers can take a bite out of Christmas with a special dinner in the dining rooms on Christmas Day, including traditional roast turkey, Panettone, and a Yule Log. The buffet will offer special sweets like Christmas cookies and a “Happy Holidays” cake, as well as a special holiday brunch buffet.
- MSC Seaside – Departing December 22, 2018: 7-night sailing from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico (late-night stay); Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Nassau, Bahamas. Prices start at $1,158 per person for a balcony stateroom.
- MSC Divina – Departing December 20, 2018: 10-night sailing from Miami to St. John’s Antigua and Barbuda; Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis; Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe; Road Town, British Virgin Islands; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Prices start at $1,039 per person for a balcony stateroom.
- MSC Armonia – Departing December 24, 2018: 7-night sailing from Miami to Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and Havana, Cuba (overnight). Balcony staterooms are sold out, but interior, ocean view and suites are still available.
New Year’s
Travelers will welcome the New Year on all three ships with events as sparkling as the Swarovski crystal staircases on MSC Seaside and MSC Divina. Guests will bid farewell to 2018 with themed trivia games, bingo, and a special New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner. Then guests will head to the New Year’s Eve dance party on the ship’s pool deck, with a countdown to midnight and, of course, a champagne toast.
Guests will also enjoy a special New Year’s lunch as well as special cocktails to toast the occasion. For those traveling with kids, MSC Cruises is extending the kids club hours and offering babysitting in the kids club for free so that parents can enjoy New Year’s celebrations.
- MSC Seaside – Departing December 29, 2018: 7-night sailing from Miami to Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and Nassau, Bahamas. Prices start at $1,408 per person for a balcony stateroom.
- MSC Divina – Departing December 30, 2018: 11-night sailing from Miami to Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Oranjestad, Aruba; Colon, Panama; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico. Prices start at $2,139 per person for a balcony stateroom.
- MSC Armonia – Departing December 31, 2018: 7-night sailing from Miami to Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and Havana, Cuba (overnight). While this cruise is mostly sold out, travelers can still snag a suite for $2,158 per person.
