The highly anticipated new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal welcomed its first official guests on Saturday as MSC Seascape docked at the state-of-the-art facility. This moment marks a major milestone for the cruise industry, as the terminal is now the largest in the world, capable of hosting three ships simultaneously and accommodating up to 36,000 passengers daily.
The massive infrastructure project is a collaboration between the Cruise Division of MSC Group, PortMiami and Miami-Dade County. The terminal’s striking design is the work of Arquitectonica, with construction handled by Fincantieri Infrastructure.
Looking ahead, MSC Cruises plans to homeport four ships at the new terminal throughout 2025, alongside vessels from its luxury sister brand, Explora Journeys. The Italian-owned company’s presence in Miami signals its continued commitment to strengthening its ties to South Florida’s bustling cruise industry and expanding its overall footprint in the U.S. market.
Adding to the excitement, MSC Cruises will celebrate the launch of its newest World Class ship, MSC World America, at the terminal in April. The occasion will feature a grand naming ceremony and an inaugural sailing. Once in service, MSC World America will offer seven-night itineraries exploring both the Eastern and Western Caribbean, all departing from Miami’s cutting-edge new terminal.
However, it’s worth noting that the terminal—now the largest in North America—is not yet fully operational. This long-awaited project has seen significant delays, with initial construction breaking ground on March 10, 2022 . While the terminal was originally projected to open in December 2023, it is only now beginning operations in 2025—more than a year behind schedule.
The project’s cost has also increased beyond initial estimates, according to Cruise Hive. While early projections put the price tag at $350 million, more recent reports indicate that the final figure is closer to $450 million.
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