MSC Cruises, best-known for its Europe-based cruises, is making bigger inroads into the North America market, which accounts for well more than 70% of the world’s ocean cruise business.
For next year’s winter through spring season, MSC will operate seven ships from four U.S. ports, including its newest port, Galveston, Texas and its newest ship, tailored for the U.S. market, MSC World America. All the ships will operate Caribbean or Bahamas cruises including stops at the line’s private island.
Industry-wide, the easy access to the Caribbean has been a key factor in growth of cruises based in North America. Carnival, the world’s largest cruise operator with nine different brands, has moved to take advantage of high demand by shifting three ships from its Costa line in Italy to U.S. bases, and will soon move part of its Australia-based P&O fleet to more profitable waters.
