Miami reveals MSC Yacht Club for the Marina by MSC Cruises in 2026

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 30 January 2026 30 January 2026

The FORMULA 1® CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX has revealed an all-new hospitality centerpiece for the 2026 event: a spectacular MSC Yacht Club experience, presented by MSC Cruises, is set to debut at the Miami International Autodrome for the Formula 1 weekend across May 1-3, 2026.

The MSC Yacht Club will become the highlight of the Marina on the inside of Turns 5-9, representing a bold evolution of one of the most recognizable areas of the FORMULA 1® CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX. Designed to reflect the scale, sophistication and energy of the event itself, the lifelike super yacht will measure 264ft in length, have a width of 96ft and will be 50ft tall at its highest point. It will stand as a premier trackside hospitality destination, offering guests a multi-level experience unlike anything else on the Formula 1 calendar.

Since its debut in 2022, the Marina presented by MSC Cruises has become synonymous with the FORMULA 1® CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX, and the MSC Yacht Club builds on that legacy, bringing together successful elements of the Marina into one striking, purpose-built structure. Positioned at one of the circuit’s most dynamic sections, the MSC Yacht Club will place guests directly alongside one of the most exciting corners on the track’s layout, delivering dramatic views of up to five turns (Turns 5-9). The structure is the event’s biggest new offering since 2023 when a brand-new Paddock Club building was constructed.

The MSC Yacht Club at the FORMULA 1® CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX is inspired by MSC Cruises’ luxury “ship-within-a-ship” onboard experience, aptly named the MSC Yacht Club. It is an exclusive area onboard MSC Cruises’ ships, featuring private suites, 24/7 butler and concierge services and exclusives areas on board. The Miami Grand Prix version will feature five levels totaling 32,000 square feet, with each deck offering a different guest experience.

Every detail of the MSC Yacht Club at the Miami International Autodrome has been carefully tailored to blend modern luxury with elite race views, from multiple decks, lounges and viewing platforms to shaded seating, open-air terraces and signature pools. At the heart of the experience is an exceptional culinary program curated by Bagatelle, the celebrated hospitality brand where restaurant-level execution meets high-energy, French Riviera-inspired joie de vivre. Serving as the culinary anchor of the MSC Yacht Club, Bagatelle sets the tone for dining throughout the weekend, delivering a destination-worthy experience as elevated as the race itself.

The reimagined Marina presented by MSC Cruises will also feature a new general admission area with an elevated viewing platform inside Turn 7, allowing any ticketed guest an opportunity to get up close to see and feel Formula 1 cars at one of the most challenging corners on the circuit.

“From the very beginning, the Marina presented by MSC Cruises has been one of the defining features of our race,” said Katharina Nowak, President of the FORMULA 1® CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX. “In creating the MSC Yacht Club, we wanted to elevate that iconic space by providing something even more immersive, refined and connected to racing. With a great partner in MSC Cruises, we have curated an outstanding guest experience while staying true to the energy of Miami that makes our race so unique.”

“MSC Cruises’ partnership with Formula 1 continues to grow and evolve, and the MSC Yacht Club at the Miami Grand Prix is a perfect expression of who we are as a brand — combining innovation, luxury hospitality and world-class experiences in one extraordinary setting,” said Suzanne Salas, EVP, Marketing, eCommerce & Sales for MSC Cruises. “Formula 1 represents the very best in performance, spectacle and international appeal, which makes this the perfect venue for MSC Cruises to offer fans the seamless blend of European style and American comfort guests enjoy onboard our ships. Miami is the Cruise Capital of the World and we’re incredibly proud to create something so iconic for fans and guests in our own backyard.”

Private Cabanas: Nine exclusive cabanas located on the MSC Yacht Club deck offer premium comfort and privacy just feet from the Formula 1 action.

Deck 1: A calmer, open-air space featuring a striking pool and plush lounge seating — ideal for unwinding while staying fully connected to the race.

Deck 2: Enjoy reserved shaded seating with prime track views, complemented by a refined dining experience curated by Bagatelle, the globally renowned French hospitality brand. Inspired by the fresh farmers’ markets of the French Riviera, Bagatelle will offer an all-day dining experience that guests can enjoy in rhythm with the energy of race weekend. For guests who want an even more exclusive culinary experience aboard the MSC Yacht Club, Bagatelle will offer a seated Chef’s Table experience, available by reservation, with a curated taste of the elevated menu and a more intimate expression of the brand’s iconic dining ritual.

Deck 3: Elevate your experience with shaded seating from a higher vantage point and convenient access to a full-service bar in this relaxed, yet vibrant viewing environment.

Captain’s deck: The highest viewpoint on board, offering 360-degree panoramic views across the track and surrounding campus, this private, elevated space has a commanding view of the on-track action.

Royal Caribbean Group orders new Discovery-class ships from Chantiers de l'Atlantique

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 29 January 2026 29 January 2026

Royal Caribbean Group today announced a series of agreements with the Chantiers de l'Atlantique (CdA) shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France to secure the construction of its highly anticipated Discovery Class ships that will redefine how Royal’s guests experience the world. The agreements include two firm ship orders with options for four additional ships. The first ship in the class is set to debut in 2029, while the second ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2032.

“The Discovery Class represents our continued commitment to shaping the future of vacations. These ships will be a showcase of what’s possible when design meets purpose, ultimately bringing the world closer to our guests,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Through our partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, we are leveraging France’s world‑class shipbuilding ecosystem and new technology to, once again, reimagine the industry for decades to come.”

This partnership builds on a legacy that began in 1985, when Chantiers de l’Atlantique constructed Royal Caribbean Group’s original Sovereign Class ships – Sovereign of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas – and continues today with groundbreaking ship classes, including Oasis Class, from game changing Harmony of the Seas, as well as Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series, and now, Royal Caribbean’s new Discovery Class.

“The Discovery Class introduces a bold new concept that puts our guests at the center of it all. It will deliver extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experiences — from cutting edge design to immersive moments — every detail crafted to surprise and delight guests in ways they’ve never imagined, all while visiting truly breathtaking destinations around the world,” added Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean.

Chantiers de l’Atlantique, one of the world’s most renowned shipyards, has a long history of building industry leading ships. Over the past four decades, the shipyard has built a total of 21 ships for Royal Caribbean Group, and the yard is currently building two more ships with Oasis 7 and Celebrity Xcite.

“Royal Caribbean Group has been keenly focused on disrupting the vacation industry with their innovative and bold vacation offerings. Partnering with Jason and Michael to bring the Discovery Class to life is an opportunity to showcase the future of shipbuilding. Together, we are shaping a new generation of ocean vacations that will lead the industry toward a more innovative future,” said Laurent Castaing, Chief Executive Officer, Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

With a differentiated ecosystem that includes a pipeline of multiple ocean and river ships over the next three years plus eight total land based destinations by 2028, unique vacation experiences, an innovative loyalty program, and a seamless digital ecosystem, Royal Caribbean Group is in the midst of revealing its multiyear portfolio of new vacation offerings that span ocean, river and land based vacations, solidifying its position as a vacation innovator.

This collaboration strengthens Royal Caribbean Group’s global shipbuilding network and reinforces its commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology. The ship orders are contingent upon customary conditions.

Celebrity River Cruises announces 10 more ships, opens 2028 European deployment with more destinations

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 29 January 2026 29 January 2026

Celebrity River Cruises today announced a commitment for 10 new ships that will expand its European river cruise fleet to 20 vessels by 2031. The announcement marks the start of construction, with the first steel cut for Celebrity Compass – the line's debut river ship. The expansion will make Celebrity River Cruises one of the largest European river cruise operators, offering more itineraries and destinations than ever before. The 2028 season is now open for booking, featuring an 80% increase in European destinations compared to the brand's inaugural 2027 deployment.

To celebrate these milestones, Celebrity River Cruises opened its highly anticipated 2028 season for booking – offering more than 160 sailings to over 50 destinations across Europe. Guests can sail the Rhine to the vineyards of Alsace, follow the Danube to Budapest's centuries-old market halls, or wake up in Prague and end the day at a café in the heart of Vienna. Celebrity River Cruises launches in 2027 with Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, followed by Celebrity Wanderer, Celebrity Roamer, and Celebrity Boundless joining the fleet in 2028.

“Guest demand for Celebrity River Cruises has exceeded our expectations, and expanding the fleet allows us to bring this highly anticipated experience to even more travelers,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, parent company of Celebrity Cruises. “Whether guests already love the Celebrity experience or are discovering it for the first time, they now have new ways to enjoy it along some of Europe’s most iconic rivers. With Celebrity’s expansion into river, we’re strengthening our connected vacation ecosystem, offering more choice, more access, and more reasons for guests to stay with us — turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.”

“Our inaugural 2027 Celebrity River Cruises season sold out in under six minutes – a testament to how much guests value the unmatched hospitality and service Celebrity delivers,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “To meet this extraordinary demand, we're thrilled to open 2028 sailings featuring 80% more European destinations, five ships, and more than 160 itineraries. There are now more ways than ever to experience Europe's rivers The Celebrity Way.”

MSC Group's Cruise Division opens new North American headquarters in Miami

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 27 January 2026 27 January 2026

MSC Group's Cruise Division marked a major milestone today with the ribbon cutting of its new North American Cruise Division headquarters in the heart of downtown Miami, occupying the entire seventh floor at Block 55 at Sawyer’s Walk, launching a new chapter for the company’s presence in North America.

The ribbon cutting ceremony brought together elected officials, including Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and City of Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Group leadership, business and community partners and key stakeholders to commemorate the opening of the 130,000-square-foot space at Block 55 at Sawyer’s Walk, a transformative 1.5 million-square-foot mixed-use development by SG Holdings.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, CEO of MSC Group’s North America Cruise Division, said: “Our new North American Cruise Division headquarters reflects the scale of our ambitions for both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys. By bringing our teams together under one roof, we are creating an environment that fosters collaboration, innovation and shared purpose as we continue expanding our footprint, deploying more ships, welcoming more guests and strengthening our presence across U.S. homeports.”

The project represents an approximately $100 million direct investment by MSC Group and underscores the company’s long-term commitment to Miami as a strategic gateway for North America and a global hub for cruising, trade and logistics.

Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor, Miami-Dade County, said: “I am thrilled to welcome MSC Group’s North American Cruise Division headquarters to Miami-Dade County, just a few miles from PortMiami—the Cruise Capital of the World® and Cargo Gateway of the Americas®. This exciting investment will create hundreds of new jobs, generate meaningful economic impact, and further strengthen Miami-Dade’s position as a global hub for cruise and cargo operations. It also reflects MSC Group’s confidence in our community and our shared commitment to building a more sustainable and resilient future. I’m proud to partner with MSC Group as they continue to grow and invest in our region.”

According to an analysis conducted by the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the new office will support an additional 1,500 jobs over the next three years and $300 million annually in recurring direct economic impact in Miami-Dade County, contributing meaningful growth to the local economy across hospitality, infrastructure and logistic sectors.

The event also highlighted MSC Group’s continued collaboration with Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, PortMiami and key development and project partners, reinforcing the shared vision of Miami as a global center for cruise tourism, logistics and international business.

Eileen Higgins, Mayor, City of Miami, said: "MSC Group’s decision to establish its North American Cruise Division headquarters in Miami reflects the city’s unmatched position as a global gateway for trade, travel, and maritime commerce. The message is clear: We welcome global companies, encourage relocation and expansion, and foster an environment where innovation, collaboration, and prosperity can flourish.”

The Miami headquarters opening follows a series of major investments by MSC Group in South Florida, including the recent opening of the North America’s largest cruise terminal at PortMiami and the launch of its flagship MSC World America from the homeport, further solidifying the region’s role at the center of the company’s North American operations.