The Caribbean continues to grow in popularity as a holiday destination with its white sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, tropical weather and rich cultural heritage. During the winter season 2024/2025, five of MSC Cruises’ ships will cruise in the Caribbean. Some of the highlights include calls at MSC Cruises’ own island Ocean Cay in the Bahamas, San Juan in Puerto Rico and Cozumel in Mexico. In total, MSC Cruises will offer more than 127 sailings between October 2024 and March 2025.
MSC Cruises has a total of five ships sailing the Caribbean during the 2024/2025 winter season, sailing from Miami, Port Canaveral and New York, calling at some of the region’s most sought-after and sun-soaked destinations, including the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Mexico.
For those travelers seeking the ultimate in comfort and personalized service, MSC Yacht Club, the company’s more luxurious concept, is available to book on all five ships calling at the Caribbean this winter – MSC Seashore, MSC Seaside, MSC Seascape, MSC Divina and MSC Meraviglia. With 24-hour butler and concierge service, elegant and spacious accommodations, an exclusive restaurant and beverage selection, lounge and pool, MSC Yacht Club offers a unique cruising experience.
Caribbean cruise highlights this winter
1. Ocean Cay, MSC Marine Reserve
The tropical paradise of Ocean Cay boasts more than three kilometres of white sand on eight beaches and crystal-clear waters, and is one of MSC Cruises’ most popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean. A wide range of activities await the whole family during their stay, including snorkeling, diving, jet skiing, relaxing spa experiences, and several beach bars and food trucks. With a 166 square kilometre living marine reserve, Ocean Cay is also home to the MSC Foundation’s Super Coral Program, which aims to restore nearby coral reefs. All five ships sailing to the Caribbean this winter will call at Ocean Cay. Read more about Ocean Cay here.
2. San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, offers a charming atmosphere with its pastel-colored colonial facades and wrought-iron balconies, narrow cobblestone streets and small squares. Here, visitors can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old San Juan (Viejo San Juan), known for the fortresses of Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal. For coffee enthusiasts, coffee tasting tours await, providing an insight into Puerto Rico's rich coffee culture, where its volcanic soil and climate have contributed to the emergence of coffee as one of its main crops. Nature lovers can enjoy El Yunque, a tropical rainforest with waterfalls and giant ferns.
3. Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel offers a variety of restaurants, historical sites, museums and stunning natural scenery. Cozumel is also known for its fantastic snorkeling and natural reefs. Here, visitors can enjoy plenty of water activities such as a catamaran excursion. Travelers can also visit the historic Mayan ruins dating back to around 1000 AD. San Gervasio is the only excavated Mayan site on Cozumel with several small temples.
4. George Town, Cayman Islands
Beautiful landscapes, abundant wildlife and colorful streets embody this Caribbean paradise. Here, guests can swim, feed and interact with stingrays or watch the turtles that return each year to lay their eggs on the beaches. To learn more about Cayman Islands’ past, guests can explore the Cayman Heritage House and Government House, the governor’s residence built in 1964 and located in front of Seven Mile Beach, one of the most prestigious beaches on Grand Cayman.
5. Nassau, Bahamas
The capital of the Bahamas, Nassau, has a rich history and is famous for being a notorious pirate capital. Today, Nassau offers an endless array of attractions worth exploring, including charming colonial-style buildings, pastel-colored shops, and tranquil paradise beaches. Cable Beach, a six-kilometer stretch of white sand not far from Nassau, offers guests a chance to take a dip in the crystal-clear waters.
Popular choices for Swedish travelers:
During the winter season 2024/2025, we are already seeing a clear booking trend in Sweden when it comes to choosing ships, routes and cabin categories:
- Most popular ships: MSC Seascape and MSC Seaside
- Most popular route: Miami – Ocho Rios – George Town – Cozumel – Ocean Cay – Miami
- Most booked departure port: Miami
- Most popular cabin category: Balcony cabin (44 percent)
According to the press release.
