MSC CRUISES ADDS TAMPA AS NEW YEAR-ROUND HOMEPORT IN THE U.S.

12/09/2019

• Following an extensive dry-dock refresh, MSC Armonia to become the first MSC Cruises ship to homeport in Tampa as of November 2020

• Winter 2019/20: four MSC Cruises ships dedicated to the Caribbean region for first time, as further evidence of the Company’s focus on the region

Geneva, Switzerland, 12 September 2019 – MSC Cruises today announced that, following an extensive dry-dock refresh for the ship, Tampa, FL will become the new year-round homeport for MSC Armonia from November 2020 as the cruise line continues to develop its presence in the North American market.

Guest demand for cruise options from Tampa has led to MSC Armonia’s move from Miami next year and the first sailing from her new homeport will be on 1 November 2020 when she begins a 4-night Caribbean mini cruise to Cozumel in Mexico. MSC Armonia will offer 4- to 5-night short cruises for the 2020/21 winter season and for summer 2021 week-long cruises will be available.

A major highlight in all of MSC Armonia’s itineraries from Tampa will be calls to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the new breathtaking private island destination in the Bahamas that opens in November 2019 and will be exclusive to MSC Cruises guests. The ship’s new itineraries will also feature MSC Cruises’ exclusive partnership with U.S. home and lifestyle expert Martha Stewart, including exclusive culinary and discovery experiences on board and ashore.

MSC Meraviglia will join MSC Seaside, MSC Divina and MSC Armonia in North America for winter 2019/20. As a result, MSC Cruises will have four ships for the first time serve this market in another tangible measure of its expanding presence in the region.

Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO, said: “The introduction of Tampa as a homeport is another important milestone as we continue to grow our presence and profile in North America to meet the growing demand for our product.

“MSC Armonia’s short cruises will be perfect for first time U.S. guests to experience our European heritage and I’m sure that our seven-night product will appeal greatly to families. With every sailing from Tampa including our exclusive Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve private island, all of the ship’s itineraries should also be extremely attractive for large U.S. groups and charters.”

For winter 2021/21 MSC Armonia will offer a variety of destinations, including Key West in Florida and the Mexican resorts of Cozumel, Costa Maya and Progreso, as well as the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Following its inaugural season in Tampa, from May 2021 MSC Armonia will then switch to 7-night sailings with calls at Key West, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel and Progreso.

With options for guests to book back-to-back cruises with new destinations on each sailing, travelers also have the ability to extend the length of their holiday to 9 or 10 nights.