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Shipping up to boston in style: massive cruise ship arrives in city.

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Thousands of tourists sailed into Boston on Tuesday on the largest cruise ship of the season.

“Especially cool coming up in the North Atlantic like this. We've always sailed the Caribbean,” passenger Jason Carlucci said.

The MSC Meraviglia arrived in Boston during a voyage that started in Brooklyn, New York, and has a multi-day itinerary exploring coastal cities in New England and Canada.

"This ship is 1,000 feet long. It's more than 200 feet high, 19 decks. We can fit close to 6,000 passengers,” said Stephen Schuler, vice president of communications for MSC Cruises.

To put the size of the ship in perspective, at 1,000 feet long, the Meravigilia is 150 feet longer than the Titanic and nearly three times the length of the football field at Gillette Stadium.

The cruise line said the experience onboard is like a resort on the water.

“The ship has everything you could imagine — spas, kids club, 20 bars, 12 restaurants, three theatres,” Schuler said.

Once the ship docked at Flynn Cruiseport, thousands of passengers from all over the world disembarked to enjoy a day in Boston — on foot or aboard Duck Boats and tour buses.

“Right now, I think we're going to check out Quincy Market. We're going to check out a bunch of the bakeries,” Carlucci said.

The impact of a ship this size goes far beyond its wake. The boost to Boston's economy is another benefit.

"We expect these guests to spend about $1 million today in Boston, so great economic impact,” Schuler said.

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• East Coast USA and Canada New England Cruise Ports

Boston (Massachusetts)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region East Coast USA and Canada New England

Local Time 2024-05-11 20:33

Port Boston cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Boston, Massachusetts. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Port Boston is owned and operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority (abbrev MASSPORT). Boston is a major cargo port (the largest in Massachusetts USA), one of the principal East Coast USA ports, and also New England's largest city, with population around 680,000. Flynn Cruiseport Boston supports ~2200 local jobs and annually generates ~USD 136 million in economic activities.

Port Boston (locode USBOS) has been historically important for the city's growth. It was built in the early-18th-century (1710-21) and was originally positioned downtown (the current Long Wharf Pier). After major land reclamation projects, this area is no longer open to commercial shipping traffic, excluding the ferries . Port's main cargo handling facilities are now in the neighborhoods Charlestown, South Boston, East Boston, and also in Everett MA.

MassPort (1956-established) maintains its own police force. Its officers are responsible for law enforcement and physical security at all port terminals and MassPort-owned properties. In 2010, Massport invested USD 11 million to renovate Black Falcon Cruise Terminal.

Port Boston is approx 3 km (2 mi) from Faneuil Hall (Government Center) and Freedom Trail (4 km / 2,5 mi long pathway passing by 16 historic locations). The annual number of visiting/mainly domestic tourists is 16+ million, many of whom arrive on cruise ships. Among the big-ship cruise companies with scheduled calls at Port Boston are RCI-Royal Caribbean, HAL-Holland America, NCL-Norwegian, Cunard, Princess, Celebrity, Oceania. The USA-flagged ACL-American Cruise Lines is among Boston's regular homeporting companies. ACL offers from the city two very popular roundtrip itineraries:

• 7-night "The Cape Codder Cruise" that visits ports in Oregon (Portland), Maine (Rockland), New Jersey (Camden), Maine (Rockland, Bucksport, Bar Harbor, Bucksport, Boothbay Harbor, Bath), Massachusetts (Gloucester), Rhode Island (Newport), Massachusetts (Oak Bluffs/Martha's Vineyard Island, Provincetown).
• 10-night "Grand New England Cruise" that visits only ports in Massachusetts (Gloucester, Plymouth, Cape Cod Canal, Martha's Vineyard Island, Falmouth, New Bedford, Provincetown).

Port's cruising industry supports 8000+ state jobs and generates ~USD 480 million (annual income). In 2012, the Port handled 117 cruise ship calls (9% increase over 2011) and ~274,000 passengers (plus 100,000+ crew). Of all itineraries, 63 were roundtrips by Boston-homeported liners. In 2013, it handled 116 calls and 382,885 passengers, with economic impact ~USD 50 million (USD 0,94 million in state taxes). In 2014 were handled 113 ship calls, in 2015 - 115 ship calls and nearly 300,000 tourists.

Following the 2-year cruise shipping pause due to the COVID crisis, for season 2022 Flynn Cruiseport Boston handled 128 ship calls (berthings booked by 19 different lines/companies), of which 12 were maiden port calls (first-time visiting vessels) and 310,767 passengers. The homeported vessels were 5 (Norwegian Pearl, MS Zaandam, MS Nieuw Statendam, Celebrity Summit, Voyager of the Seas, Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, Carnival Legend). Prior to the global pandemic (season 2019/record year), the Port handled 138 ship calls and 402,346 tourists.

On January 16-17, 2022, at Conley Container Terminal docked the Port's largest container ship (so far) - Ever Fortune (2020-built, IMO 9850563, cargo capacity 12000 TEU-containers, owned by EVERGREEN Marine ). The call followed the completion of a USD 850 million project that included Conley Terminal's modernization and expansion, Boston Harbor's dredging/deepening, adding 3x large STS gantry cranes (ship-to-shore), and a new berth. Currently, Conley Terminal can handle large boxships (with max capacity 14000 TEUs) and is New England’s only full-service container terminal that serves 2500+ local traders (importers/exporters).

In 2023, MASSPORT received 149 cruise calls (~16% increase over 2022), of which 58 homeporting and 91 transiting. Flynn Cruiseport Boston reported a 20% increase in cruise passenger numbers (~373000).

For season 2024 (May-November), Flynn Cruiseport reported a total of 169 booked berthings (15% increase over 2023) made by 24 different cruise companies. Of those, 90x were from transiting vessels, 13x maiden visits, 8x homeporting vessels (6x different companies), 16x 3-ship days.

Cruise itineraries to and from Boston MA

Follows a list of destinations visited by cruise ships leaving out of Boston:

• 7-day Boston to Canada cruises are one-way itineraries visiting ports in both Canada and USA's New England. The list of visited USA and Canadian ports includes Maine (Bar Harbor), Nova Scotia (Halifax, Sydney), New Brunswick (Saint John), Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown), Quebec (Gaspe, Saguenay, Quebec City, Montreal).
• 7-day Bermuda cruises from Boston visit Kings Wharf exclusively, with 2 overnight stays in port.
• Ships repositioning to the Caribbean depart from Boston and dock in turnaround USA ports in Florida ( Fort Lauderdale ) or Louisiana ( New Orleans ).
• Ship relocation voyages (RepositionCruises.com) - Transatlantic crossings between USA and Europe often visit ports in the UK (including British Isles), Iceland, Greenland, Canada-New England, or Bermuda, combined with Southern European ports (Portugal's Azores, Spain's Canaries, Mediterranean).

Today, 100+ voyages start here each year. The most popular destinations are Europe, Bermuda, throughout the USA East Coast (Eastern Seaboard). Boston port's cruise terminals welcome 250,000+ tourists per year.

Boston cruise terminal

Boston cruise port terminal is called Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. Boston has a great geographical location and a deepwater harbor, which has made it a commercial port since the early-17th-century.

Black Falcon cruise terminal

Boston’s Black Falcon terminal is located in South Boston Waterfront, 2 mi / 3 km away from Boston downtown. The terminal is named after a 440-ft / 134 m long Norwegian merchant ship Black Falcon which caught fire on Nov 2, 1953. At the time, the terminal was a US Army Base. The building is large, converted to a terminal in 1986. The 2010 refurbishment doubled the terminal's capacity by simultaneous handling embarking/disembarking passengers.

In November 2021, at the Terminal was installed a new PBB/passenger boarding bridge (enclosed passageway extending from the terminal gate to the cruise liner). Since 2017, Boston Harbor is annually dredged (by the US Army Corps of Engineers), thus deepening the Reserved Channel (depth 8 m / 27 ft, width 305 m / 1000 ft, length ~4,8 km / 3 mi) and expanding the Turning/Swinging Basin (radius 526 m / 1725 ft).

• address: "1 Black Falcon Ave, Boston, MA 02210, United States"
• location - 10 min drive distance from BOS (Boston Logan International Airport, via Ted Williams Tunnel), and 3 mi / 5 km (within 15 min drive distance) from Boston’s Back Bay shopping areas.
• GPS coordinates - 42°20'35.0"N+71°02'01.1"W
• phone number +1 617-330-1500
• Parking: indoor parking garage with 5 levels, $15.00 per day (Port Authority subject to change). There is no need of long-term parking advance reservations.

Statistics show that ~70% of all Canada and New England cruise ship tourists leaving from Boston arrive here by air. Approximately 95% of Bermuda cruise passengers or repositioning cruise ship passengers (going to the Caribbean) live in or near Boston (within a 4-hour drive).

Flynn Cruiseport Boston can be accessed from the airport, the subway, also via taxis, buses and even ferries . If you prefer walking to the facility, the distance is ~30 minutes via Northern Avenue, Boston Harborwalk (a scenic esplanade that follows Boston Harbor's shoreline/beaches, piers, wharves) and the Old Northern Avenue Bridge.

Means of transportation at the Passenger Terminal include taxis and buses, as well as the cruise line's bus shuttle service.

Cruise ship terminal directions & parking

From North (driving south on I-93) - drive Inside Tip O’Neill Tunnel, take Exit 23 (Purchase Street). Turn left onto Seaport Blvd and continue straight (changes to Northern Ave). At the end of Northern Ave, turn right on Tide Street, then make an immediate left onto Drydock Ave. Follow Drydock Ave and turn right on Black Falcon Ave. Follow the signs to the cruise ship terminal.

From South (driving north on I-93) - take Exit 20 to I-90 (Logan Airport). Inside the tunnel, take Exit 25 (to South Boston). At the traffic lights continue forward onto East Service Drive. At the next traffic light turn right onto Seaport Blvd (changes to Northern Ave). At the end of Northern Ave, turn right on Tide Street, then make an immediate left onto Drydock Ave. Follow Drydock Ave and turn right on Black Falcon Ave. Follow the signs to the cruise ship terminal.

From West (Turnpike MA, driving eastbound on I-90) - follow the Turnpike MA toward Logan Airport. In the tunnel take Exit 25 (to South Boston). At the traffic lights continue forward onto East Service Drive. At the next traffic light turn right onto Seaport Blvd (changes to Northern Ave). At the end of Northern Ave, turn right on Tide Street, then make an immediate left onto Drydock Ave. Follow Drydock Ave and turn right on Black Falcon Ave. Follow the signs to the cruise ship terminal.

From Logan Airport (driving westbound on I-90) - when exiting the airport, follow the signs to enter Ted Williams Tunnel (toll charge). Take Exit 25 (to South Boston), stay in the right lane. Turn right onto Congress Street, then turn left onto B Street. At the next traffic light turn right onto Seaport Blvd (changes to Northern Ave). At the end of Northern Ave, turn right on Tide Street, then make an immediate left onto Drydock Ave. Follow Drydock Ave and turn right on Black Falcon Ave. Follow the signs to the cruise ship terminal.

Convenient parking is available at the BRA-EDIC garage (close location to the terminal).

Boston port also has facilities to handle cargo ships ( container carriers and bulk vessels).

• UN-LOCODE (United Nations location code) - USBOS.
• opened in 1986 (first season - 13 cruise ships, 11,723 passengers)
• supported by excellent road, rail and air infrastructure
• deepwater berths

The cruising season runs from late April through late October/November.

Cruise ships usually arrive in Boston in the early morning (7 or 8 am) and depart from Boston in the late afternoon (4, 4:30 or 5 pm).

The State House: the red-bricked house designed by the first professional architect in America, Charles Bulfinch.

Park Street Church: part of the abolitionist history, built in 1810.

Old South Meeting House: the place where Benjamin Franklin was baptized.

King’s Chapel Burying Ground: the first cemetery of Boston, dates from 1630. Mary Chilton, John Winthrop and Hezekia Usher (famous colonists) are buried there.

Old Corner Bookstore: built as an apoth ecary shop in 1712. The place where Thoreau, Emerson, Hawthorne and Stowe books were printed.

Paul Revere House: the oldest Downtown Boston house, dates from 1680. Home of Paul Revere from from 1770 to 1800.

Old State House, Boston Massacre Site: enjoy great exhibitions of historic artifacts in those famous museums in Boston.

Old North Church: dates from 1723, the oldest worship place in Boston.

Old Granary Burying Ground: Paul Revere, John Hancock, James Otis and Samuel Adams are buried there.

Boston Red Sox: the legend Boston team, founded in 1901.

Harvard Square: a place that you have to visit on your trip to Cambridge.

Faneuil Hall: a historic complex that comprises buildings and serves as a mall.

Boston tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

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Worldwide msc international, largest cruise ship of the season sails into boston as msc cruises launches canada & new england itineraries.

• Guests will enjoy a day exploring Boston during 10- and 11-night Canada & New England itineraries sailing from New York City
• Local economic impact up sharply over 2019 and growing more in 2024
• MSC Meraviglia is the largest cruise ship to call in Boston this season*
• MSC Cruises is the world’s third largest and fastest-growing cruise line, with a fleet of 22 ships offering itineraries across the globe

Boston, Massachusetts – September 26, 2023 – MSC Meraviglia arrived in Boston this morning on her inaugural Canada & New England itinerary, marking her first visit to the region since 2019. MSC Cruises’ award-winning ship is offering 10- and 11-night itineraries this fall, visiting coveted destinations in Canada & New England just in time for the changing of the leaves and Boston’s crisp New England autumn.

MSC Meraviglia sails from her homeport in New York City and is one of the world’s largest cruise ships at 1,036 feet long and 171,598 gross tons. She will be the largest vessel to dock in Boston this season.* According to data from Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), her new Canada & New England itineraries are expected to generate a significant economic impact for the region, including approximately $2 million in local Boston spending. MSC Cruises continues to increase its footprint and associated financial contribution to the region with MSC Meraviglia ’s 2023 sailings representing capacity growth of 50% compared to 2019, which will then double in 2024.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said : “MSC Meraviglia’s arrival in Boston is a great milestone for MSC Cruises as we continue expanding our presence in the North American market. When we launched year-round cruises from New York City, one of our goals was to allow guests to visit a wider variety of destinations. MSC Meraviglia’s first trip to the U.S. started with a visit to the northeast, and we’re happy to be back now with regularly-scheduled visits to Boston as we keep growing. The response to these itineraries has been strong, which means we’ll bring thousands of visitors to Boston this season. We look forward to continuing to work with leaders here to provide our guests with a distinctive and immersive cruising experience.”

MSC Meraviglia ’s Canada & New England itineraries allow guests to visit a variety of picturesque ports, see world-famous historical sites and stand in awe of the vibrant autumn leaves. Boston’s colonial architecture and modern design will make it a highly anticipated stop on the itinerary, with highlights including strolling down Freedom Trail, taking a trip to Quincy Market, and discovering the Boston Harbor Islands Recreational Area. 

Lisa Wieland, Massport CEO, said: “We are pleased to welcome the MSC Meraviglia back to Boston for the first time since 2019, offering scenic and memorable experiences to the Canada/New England region. Cruising plays a very important role in our visitor economy, supporting thousands of jobs and serving as an economic engine for the Commonwealth. We appreciate our strong relationship with MSC   and look forward to the thousands of visitors who will have the opportunity to explore everything Boston has to offer.”

MSC Cruises’ Canada and New England itinerary is available seasonally, with cruises now on sale for this fall, spring 2024, and fall 2024. In addition to Boston, itineraries include Newport, Rhode Island; Portland, Maine; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and Saint John, New Brunswick.

During other parts of the year, MSC Meraviglia sails from New York City to Bermuda, Florida and The Bahamas. To learn more about the wide variety of itineraries MSC Cruises offers from the northeast, click here .

About MSC Meraviglia  

At 1,036 feet long and 213 feet tall, with an impressive 19 decks and capacity of more than 5,700 guests,  MSC   Meraviglia  is a vacation destination in its own right—packed with innovative features to provide an unforgettable experience, including: 

• 10 different types of staterooms to choose from, including solo cabins, popular balcony cabins, and stylish suite accommodations in the MSC Yacht Club – the premium ‘ship within a ship’ featuring butler service, along with an exclusive restaurant, lounge, and pool area. 
• Galleria Meraviglia , a promenade lined with shops, restaurants and bars that stretches more than 315 feet and is lined with an impressive LED sky screen. 
• 20 bars and 12 restaurants, including the popular Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Ocean Cay, HOLA! Tacos and Cantina, and Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki. 
• Indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, together with o ne of the most intricate water parks at sea, featuring three twisting slides and an intricate ropes course—the Himalayan Bridge .
• Seven different shows in the 985-seat Broadway Theatre and the famous Carousel Lounge. 
• The extensive MSC Aurea Spa, providing massage therapy, body treatments, facial treatments, and a dedicated thermal area. 
• The 6,000 square-foot gym featuring state-of-the-art equipment from Technogym™ framed with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, overlooking the main pool deck.
• Entertainment area including the MSC Formula Racer, a full-sized bowling alley with two lanes, an interactive XD cinema, a flight simulator, and a video games arcade.
• Sportsplex with facilities for basketball, tennis, squash, volleyball, Pickle Ball, mini golf and five-a-side soccer.
• MSC Kids’ Club for children 0-17 years old, with dedicated areas for babies, toddlers, children and teenagers, plus the Lego® Experience.

Environmental Features

MSC Meraviglia is fitted with innovative technology and solutions to minimize her environmental footprint. These include an exhaust gas cleaning system for cleaner emissions; an advanced wastewater treatment system; smart heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to recover heat from machinery spaces; and LED lighting and smart devices to significantly save energy. This is part of MSC Cruises’ commitment to provide its guests with the best holiday experiences at sea in a sustainable manner. 

To learn more about MSC Meraviglia, click  here

*As measured by published maximum capacity for all ships scheduled to call during the 2023 fall season. 

About MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is the world’s third largest cruise brand as well as the market leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf region and Southern Africa. It is also the fastest growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and the Far East markets.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is one of the two brands that sit within the Cruise Division of MSC Group, the world’s leading and privately held shipping and logistics conglomerate with over 300 years of maritime heritage. MSC Cruises – the contemporary brand - has a modern fleet of 22 vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new vessels, terminals and other assets. The fleet is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025, with options for six more vessel orders in place through 2030.

MSC Cruises offers its guests an enriching, immersive and safe cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage, where they can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programs, and the very latest user-friendly technology on board. To learn more about MSC Cruises’ itineraries and experience on board its ships, click here .

The line’s number one priority has always been the health and safety of its guests and crew, as well as the communities at the destinations its ships serve.  In August 2020, MSC Cruises implemented a new comprehensive and robust health and safety protocol to become the first major line to return to sea. To learn more about MSC Cruises’ health & safety protocol, click here .

MSC Cruises has long been committed to environmental stewardship, with a long-term goal to achieve net zero emissions for its operations by 2050. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, with the objective to support their accelerated development and availability industry-wide. To learn more about the Company’s environmental commitment, click here . 

Finally, to learn more about the MSC Foundation, MSC Group’s own vehicle to lead, focus and advance its conservation, humanitarian and cultural commitments, click here .

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MSC MERAVIGLIA

CRUISES FROM NEW YORK

From the picture-perfect beaches of Bermuda, and The Bahamas and Florida (with late-night stays in Miami and Port Canaveral), to the breathtaking fall foliage of Canada and New England, brand-new itineraries aboard MSC Meraviglia are  now ready to book.  

MSC Meraviglia is packed with extraordinary features for the perfect experience at sea. Enjoy gourmet dining and out-of-this-world entertainment with new panoramic areas, an innovative ocean-view lounge, a two-deck "inside promenade" with an LED dome and a spectacular amusement area connected to an outdoor water park. Best of all, MSC Meraviglia features late night and overnight stays on our exclusive private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve , in The Bahamas .

ITINERARIES

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND

Cruises From $199 With Free Balcony Upgrades

MAIN features

Galleria meraviglia.

This 315-foot central promenade is filled with boutiques, restaurants and tranquil spots for shopping, eating and relaxing... as well as socializing with friends and family. And in the evening, it comes alive with music, parties and entertainment.

Horizon pool

The Horizon pool offers superb sea views and more open-air deck space for sun worshipers during the daylight hours. At night, the area will be transformed into a stunning outdoor spot for dancing and all kinds of entertainment under the stars.

The Broadway Theatre

Every cruise offers at least 6 different shows - even on a 7-night cruise - featuring innovative world-class and standing ovation entertainment.

Carousel Productions at Sea

Enjoy an all-new entertainment concept blending breathtaking acrobatics, dance and live music to create exclusive original productions specially designed for MSC Meraviglia Class ships. It offers avant-garde artistic and immersive performances combined with the innovative technology in a surprising mix of new expressions and experimentation that will make you feel part of the show.

On board MSC Meraviglia, you'll have the unique opportunity to admire two spectacular productions: ROCK CIRCUS, featuring acrobats, musicians and the greatest rock hits, and HOUSE OF HOUDINI, a celebration of some of the most wondrous illusions of Harry Houdini.

The shows take place twice a night, six nights a week, only at the Carousel Lounge, a glamorous, modern, technology-packed venue. Taste our Signature Cocktail while you enjoy a pre-show followed by this unique entertainment experience.

(not included in the cruise fare, limited spaces, a signature cocktail package needs to be booked)

DISCOVER MORE

MSC Aurea Spa

The MSC Aurea Spa is a luxurious Balinese spa offering signature relaxation treatments to revitalize body and soul. Complete with a thermal area, beauty salon and nail boutique, the MSC Aurea Spa will leave you feeling pampered from head to toe.

MSC Gym by Technogym®

Equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym cardio and strength-training equipment, the panoramic gym on board MSC Meraviglia gym offers a wide range of innovative fitness courses and training programs designed to suit guests of all ages and abilities.

MSC Yacht Club

Discover a place where you can savor exclusivity and privacy in a world of choice. Indulge in the luxury of a private club, while enjoying access to the myriad recreation and entertainment possibilities that the rest of the ship affords.

STATEROOMS & SUITES

MSC Meraviglia has a variety of elegant staterooms including family options, luxurious duplex suites, balcony staterooms and ocean view staterooms.

• Comfortable king bed that can be converted into two single beds on request
• Balcony 
• Sitting area with single sofa bed
• Spacious closet
• Bathroom with shower or bathtub, vanity area and hairdryer
• Interactive TV, telephone, safe and minibar
• Wi-Fi access available ($)
• Approx. 129 – 237 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 22 – 151 ft 2 Choose the stateroom type that best suits you: Balcony Aurea (best location, approx. 182 ft 2 , decks 10 - 13)   Premium Balcony (approx. 237 ft 2 , decks 10 - 14)   Deluxe Balcony (approx. 183 ft 2 , decks 8 - 14) Deluxe Balcony with Partial View (approx. 183 – 215 ft 2 , decks 8 - 14) Studio Balcony (single occupancy, approx. 129 ft 2 , decks 13 - 14) * Including staterooms for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility, which are larger. The image is representative only; the size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same stateroom category).
• Window with sea view
• Relaxing armchair
• Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer
• Approx. 129 – 237 ft 2
• Located on decks 5 - 11 Choose the stateroom type that best suits you: Premium Ocean View (approx. 237 ft 2 , decks 9 - 11) Deluxe Ocean View (approx. 172 ft 2 , deck 5)  Junior Ocean View (approx. 129 ft 2 , deck 8)  Junior Ocean View with Obstructed View (approx. 129 ft 2 , deck 8)  The image is representative only; the size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same stateroom category).

Entertainment

Enjoy exclusive shows performed in innovative venues like the Carousel Lounge and the multi-purpose karaoke bar, comedy club, TV studio & bar. Younger guests will love our amusement park and sports center. The whole family can have hours of fun in one of the most exciting water parks at sea.

Polar Aquapark

RESTAURANTS & BUFFET

MSC Meraviglia's main restaurants serve freshly prepared Mediterranean and international cuisine, while the ship’s specialty restaurants serve up Italian delicacies, succulent steaks, superb sushi and more.

Panorama Restaurant

Hola tacos & cantina.

The new fast-casual street food dining concept, offers a selection of Latin American and Mexican-inspired dishes and drinks to be shared and enjoyed in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, open for lunch and dinner. Choose from a tantalizing array of dishes from blue corn tacos and nachos, authentic beef empanadas and tasty tamales through to tortilla soup or vegetarian tacos, all to be savored with our selection of Top 10 Tequilas and Mezcals!

A mouthwatering Seafood menu of fish dishes including oven-baked rock salt crust whole Mediterranean seabass, steam king crabs, Boston lobster, brown crabs, oyster, tiger prawns seafood platter to share and so much more, made with the freshest ingredients and complemented by a wonderful international fine wines list: these are the magic ingredients of our fish Seafood restaurant on MSC Meraviglia.

Butcher's Cut

This American-style steak house serves select Linz Heritage Angus beef, the gold standard in high-end Angus beef thanks to the best genetics in breed. The highest quality product custom cut by master butchers and aged to perfection. The menu is inspired by the great plains and it is accompanied by bold New World wines and cocktails with swagger.

Kaito Teppanyaki

Tradition and modernity go hand in hand in this stylish teppanyaki restaurant and sushi restaurant. This charming venue offers deliciously authentic Asian cuisine prepared on the spot with only the freshest, highest quality ingredients.

Waves Restaurant

L'olive dorée - l'olivo d'oro, kaito sushi bar, marketplace buffet.

A Mediterranean dining experience with a spectacular sea view. Visible kitchens and a Mozzarella-making area allow guests to watch our chefs preparing fresh food. The extensive buffet area includes various multifunction corners serving international dishes, ethnic cuisine, healthy options and a multitude of other tastes.

BARS & LOUNGES

There’s a wide range of glamorous bars and lounges onboard, offering refreshment and relaxation in the ideal atmosphere for every moment. So whether you’re looking for champagne, classic cocktails or freshly prepared patisserie, you won’t have far to go.

Carousel Lounge

Sit back and enjoy the fun with an exclusive Signature Cocktail at the Carousel Lounge, a glamorous and modern, technology-packed venue specifically designed to meet the needs of Carousel Productions at Sea. This custom-built lounge covers 1,000 sq.m. and can accommodate up to 400 guests. Taste our Signature Cocktail while you enjoy a pre-show followed by this immersive entertainment experience.

(Not included in the cruise fare. Limited spaces; a signature cocktail package needs to be booked).

Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café

French master pâtissier Chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury brings his award-winning touch to this coffee and chocolate bar boutique. As well as choosing from a variety of exquisite Chef created chocolate candies, guests can also create their very own chocolate bar right at the tablet stations. The boutique offers a wide assortment of delectable French macaroons and freshly roasted coffee.

Edge - Cocktail Bar

Our pre-dinner bar is the ideal spot to join friends for an evening cocktail or for a refreshing drink at any time of day. From traditional drinks, our signature cocktails to the contemporary classics, there is something to suit your taste.

Champagne Bar

With an array of first-rate champagne, bubblies, fresh oysters, caviar and fish, the chic Champagne Bar is a place to indulge in the finer things in life.

Infinity Bar

There are infinite choices in this ideal spot to join friends for an aperitif before a meal, or for a refreshing drink at any time of day. From traditional cocktails, our signature cocktails to the contemporary classics, there is something to suit your taste.

Jean-Philippe Crêpes & Gelato

A gourmet ice cream parlor and French-style crêperie dreamed up by award-winning master pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury. Located in the impressive indoor promenade, it's the perfect place to enjoy a mouth-watering made-to-order crêpe, with your choice of delicious sweet or savory fillings.

Meraviglia Bar & Lounge

Choose from a list of MSC signature cocktails and contemporary classics. Or put yourself in the capable hands of our expert mixologists who will concoct something special just for you.

Brass Anchor Pub

The atmosphere and menu of a traditional English pub await you at the Brass Anchor Pub.

Dance away into the early hours in our chic nightclub. Grab yourself a drink from our extensive list of cocktails, mocktails, Spritz, Mojito’s, classic cocktails, beers or ciders and dance the night away.

Imperial Casino Bar

Hit the jackpot at our spacious bar in Le Grand Casino. Order a drink from our wide variety of selected cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine and fine spirits to refresh yourself while you take a break from play.

TV Studio & Bar

Broadcasting live throughout the ship, our TV Studio and radio suite air live games, quizzes, talent contests and other fun content. An excellent selection of cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks are available to get you ready for your big performance.

Atmosphere Bar South

Hunger can strike at any time and at the Atmosphere Bar South our expert chefs serve up fresh and tasty specialties hot off the grill. Satisfy your cravings from our menu of freshly grilled food while you enjoy yourself by the pool.

Atmosphere Bar North

Relax at the poolside with friends and family, with a refreshing drink from the Atmosphere Bar North. From Signature Cocktails, beers, Coladas, soft drinks, coffee and tea there is something to suit everyone’s taste.

Atmosphere Ice Cream Bar

This pool-side ice-cream bar offers six flavors of delicious soft ice-cream and fresh fruit treats, as well as tropical and frozen drinks and Coladas.

A fresh juice bar serving a colorful selection of delicious fresh fruit drinks. In the poolside comfort of the Bamboo Bar, you'll find a tempting selection of exotic fruit cocktails, smoothies, coolers and fruit lassis. You can add an extra energy or protein shot for an added boost.

Catch the big game, enjoy quality entertainment, or relax with a cocktail at the convivial Sports Bar. Enjoy a selection of cold beer, cocktails, energy drinks, protein shakes or juices and complimentary hot dogs.

Top Sail Lounge

Reserved exclusively for MSC Yacht Club Guests, this elegant lounge with its panoramic views offers the Yacht Club bar list of craft cocktails, beer, fine wine, soft drinks and coffee drinks in addition to a selection of gourmet finger food throughout the day.

Horizon Bar

Magnificent views of the sea, fantastic cocktails, The Horizon Bar is the place to be. Gaze out over the stunning panorama of the ocean while you sip on a cocktail at the Horizon Bar. 

The luxurious surroundings of the Sky Lounge make it a fantastic meeting place. While you listen to live piano music, enjoy a drink after a long day exploring onshore. Or meet up with friends for an after-dinner cocktail. This multipurpose bar is ideal for any number of sociable moments throughout your cruise. There's a smoking room with a humidor. And a selection of complimentary hot and cold snacks will keep hunger at bay.

Discover a world of frozen delights at a pool-side ice cream bar dedicated to kids and their families.Delicious ice-cream, plus easy-to-eat frozen treats and a range of fun snacks. It's heaven for kids!

MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Bar

Exclusive to MSC Yacht Club Guests, the MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Bar, offers a luxurious and tranquil place to enjoy a cocktail. Surround yourself in the lap of luxury and let our artful bartenders prepare something special for you! For the connoisseur, there is a handpicked selection of premium drinks available.

MEDITERRANEAN

Use the deck plans to select your ideal stateroom. The plan allows you to pinpoint the locations, while the colors distinguish the stateroom category.

{{deckPlanInfoHeader}}

{{deckPlanInfoText}}

• 5. Colosseo
• 7. Taj Mahal
• 8. Machu Picchu
• 9. Alhambra
• 10. Hagia Sophia
• 11. Acropolis
• 12. Grand Canyon
• 13. Kilimanjaro
• 14. Angkor Wat
• 15. Tour Eiffel
• 18. Pyramids
• 19. Babylon
• Studio Interior
• Deluxe Interior
• Junior Ocean View with Obstructed View
• Junior Ocean View
• Deluxe Ocean View
• Premium Ocean View
• Studio Balcony
• Deluxe Balcony with Partial View
• Deluxe Balcony
• Premium Balcony with Ocean View
• Deluxe Balcony Aurea
• Premium Suite Aurea with terrace & whirlpool
• Grand Suite Aurea with terrace & whirlpool
• MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite with whirlpool
• MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite

° Reduced size bed (140x200cm)

• Our ships offer the possibility of combining 2 or 3 connecting cabins based on the ship class. Call our Contact Center to choose the best accommodation for you.

• All cabins have one double bed convertible to two single beds except for Studio Interior.

• 3rd and 4th bed available in all categories except for Studio Interior, Junior Ocean View with obstructed view °, Junior Ocean View °, Studio Balcony and MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite.

• Cabins 13245, 13342, 14213, 14256 have only sofa bed.

Ship configuration, data and descriptions may be subject to change depending on the season and on the destination and must be verified at the time of booking.

• Gross Tonnage: 171,598 tons
• Passengers: 5,642
• Crew members: 1,608
• Number of staterooms: 2,214
• Length/Beam/Height: 1,036 ft. / 141 ft. / 248 ft.
• Maximum speed: 22.89 knots

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MSC Cruises

Passengers say their 7-day Caribbean cruise became a trip to Boston and Canada because of a storm

• Due to weather, passengers say MSC Cruises changed the itinerary of a Caribbean-bound ship.
• Instead of the Bahamas, cruisers said they learned they'd be heading to Boston and Canada.
• A passenger told BI they were informed of the change the day before setting sail.

On Friday night, hours before their cruise was scheduled to set sail to the Bahamas, MSC Cruises passengers said they received a disappointing email: Due to harsh weather conditions, their ship would no longer be heading to the Caribbean.

Instead, they'd be heading north from New York City to Boston and then to Canada.

Brad, a passenger who spoke to Business Insider and asked to go by his first name, said he and his family received the email at 8 p.m. on Friday — and had a flight to New York at 4 a.m. on Saturday. BI viewed the email Brad said MSC sent to guests , which was also posted widely to social media, including Reddit.

Pissed and Shocked by u/Heretohavesomefunplz in Cruise

Instead of a tropical December vacation, passengers aboard the MSC Meraviglia will be traveling from New York City to Boston, Portland, and St. John, Canada, before returning to the US, according to the email.

On CruiseMapper , a cruise-tracking website, BI was able to find an MSC Meraviglia ship that appeared to be docked in Boston as of Sunday.

MSC Cruises did not respond to a request for comment sent outside regular working hours.

Brad, who lives in Canada, said the family got the email two hours after MSC Cruises' Canadian offices closed, which meant they couldn't speak to a customer service representative.

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"We definitely don't want to go to Boston," Brad told BI. "Our suitcases are packed for a beach, not for Canada and Boston."

"We weren't able to speak to anybody, so we were left in the dust hoping that they would do the right thing," he continued.

The email said the company "significantly altered the itinerary" due to "adverse weather conditions expected across Florida and the Bahamas." The Weather Channel predicted heavy rain and wind from Florida to New England on Sunday.

"Heavy rain is expected across most of the destinations that we planned to visit, as well as wind gusts surpassing 40 knots which would render our maneuvers to enter destination ports unsafe," the email reads.

If passengers "are not satisfied with this change," they can cancel their sailing and receive credit for a future cruise, the email said.

Brad told BI his family decided not to go — they live close enough to Boston to drive there, hoping to receive a refund.

"In this particular situation, I feel like MSC should have done something a little more than just, 'Sorry, here's a future cruise credit,'" Brad said. "I understand they can't control the weather, but I'm sure they could have sent out something quicker than 8 p.m."

Now, he said he's unsure if he wants to use the credit, telling BI: "I don't know how I would take this future cruise credit with this bad taste for this company in my mouth."

Industry publication Cruise Hive reported on Sunday that the storm affected the itineraries of several other cruise ships , including ships from Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian.

Those changes meant staying on board for some passengers instead of docking at a port and disembarking. Others rerouted from the Bahamas to Mexico, per the outlet.

Some cruisers described being "stuck at sea" because they couldn't dock at some ports along their intended route, according to Orlando news outlet WOFL.

Watch: The rise and fall of the cruise industry

• Main content

Guide to the MSC Meraviglia Cruise Ship and Things to Do

Posted on Published: 10/05/2023

While Boston isn’t necessarily thought of as a cruise ship destination, it is a popular port of call in the summer and fall months. Last week, Boston welcomed the largest ship to visit the Flynn Boston Cruiseport this year – the MSC Meraviglia. The ship, which originated in Brooklyn, visited Boston on the way to Canada as part of a New England/Canada itinerary.

While I didn’t sail on the MSC Meraviglia, I did have the opportunity to visit the ship for the day at the Flynn Cruiseport to see all of the activities on board. I also enjoyed lunch at the Butchers Cut Steak restaurant on board.

Disclosure: My day and lunch on the MSC Meraviglia were at no cost. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links and a purchase/click through this post may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you.

Find prices on your next MSC sailing here .

About the MSC Meraviglia Cruise Ship

MSC cruise line, which is headquartered in Switzerland, is the third-largest cruise brand in the world and has been growing in North America. The MSC Meraviglia, which was first introduced in 2017, has a passenger capacity of 5,700 guests across 19 passenger decks.

She’s 1,036 feet long and 213 feet tall (one of the largest cruise ships) and has a current home port in New York City (Brooklyn Cruise Terminal). The MSC Meraviglia is the first of the Meraviglia class ships.

When I talk to people about large cruise ships, they are often concerned about getting lost. I felt comfortable in the Meraviglia right away, however, and already had a good sense of direction after a few hours on board. Maps and deck plans by the elevators can help aid in directions as you try to find different destinations on the ship.

The centerpiece of the ship is the Galleria Meraviglia, a 315-foot atrium/indoor promenade with an LED domed ceiling. I loved the open atmosphere of this area, where you’ll find many of the shops and restaurants on board.

Activities on the MSC Meraviglia

As someone who was very new to the MSC brand, and who is very focused on family travel, I wasn’t sure what type of kid-friendly activities to expect about the ship. I was very impressed by the amount and quality of family entertainment on board, however. There’s a lot for a family to enjoy in between port stops.

Water Park: The Meraviglia actually offers a water park at sea, right on the top deck. This water park has three twisty slides and is a great place to hang out during days at sea between port stops.

Ropes Course: Located along the water park is the Himalayan Bridge ropes course, the centerpiece of which is a bridge walk. Be sure to pack the appropriate footwear if you plan to take advantage of the ropes course.

Swimming Pools: The pool deck is always one of the most popular destinations during a family cruise. MSC offers several pools, including an indoor pool with a retractable roof – the Bamboo Pool (perfect for cooler weather itineraries). There’s also an adult-only pool.

MSC Aurea Spa: In recent years, I’ve been finding myself spending more and more time in spas on board ships. So, while I was on board the ship, I made sure to take a quick tour of the Aurea spa, including the thermal suite.

This area includes saunas, steam rooms, a Himalayan salt room, hot tubs, and much more. You can also choose to book a spa treatment. An additional fee applies for the spa.

Kids’ Club : My kids always enjoyed spending time in cruise ship kids’ clubs, so I was eager to see the offerings on the MSC Meraviglia. There are five different kids’ clubs for different ages/stages, from 0-17 years old. MSC has a partnership with LEGO, and that can easily be seen as soon as you enter the Doremiland Kids’ Club area.

Sportsplex and Gym: You don’t have to worry about skipping your workouts when you are on board the MSC Meraviglia. In addition to a TechnoGym with loads of fitness equipment, there’s also a Sportsplex area. In this indoor area, you can play basketball, pickleball, volleyball, and more, away from the elements.

Entertainment Area: One of the most impressive areas on the ship for families, in my opinion, is the small entertainment area overlooking the Sportsplex. Here, you’ll find a 4D theater, an F1 racing simulator, a flight simulator, and a bowling alley. I think this area of the ship will be especially appealing to teens.

Theaters: Want to see a show while onboard? There are two different entertainment venues. The Carousel, which requires an additional fee, offers two dynamic shows – Rock Circus and House of Houdini. There’s also the Broadway Theater, which offers six different shows during every sailing.

Casino : There’s a large casino on board, as well as a separate area with just slot machines.

Restaurants on the MSC Meraviglia

With 20 bars and 12 restaurants, you’ll never go hungry or thirsty. Here are some of the venues (including bars and specialty restaurants) you’ll find on board:

Butchers Cut: This high-end steakhouse is a splurge, but it’s absolutely delicious. I enjoyed a burrata and beet appetizer and a small filet mignon entree. Another highlight is the bacon cheese bread.

Kaito Teppanyaki: Enjoy Japanese food cooked right in front of you in this Teppanyaki restaurant located on the ship.

Kaito Sushi Bar: Sushi is one of my favorite foods, so I’m always happy to see a sushi restaurant on board a ship. Kaito Sushi Bar is located adjacent to Kaito Teppanyaki.

L’Olivio d’Oro and L’Olive Doree – two separate sides of a restaurant that is included as two of the main dining rooms. They are open for dinner.

Waves Restaurant: Another included restaurant is Waves Restaurant. It offers all three meals.

Panorama Restaurant: A restaurant offered exclusively to guests booked in the Aurea Class.

Marketplace Buffet: This is your typical cruise ship buffet, but it also offers pizza as well as freshly made mozzarella.

Ocean Cay: If you want to have some seafood while you are onboard, you’ll want to make a reservation at this specialty restaurant.

Hola! Tacos and Cantina: This is a newer concept for MSC and is extremely popular.

There’s also the Jean Philippe Chocolat and Cafe, (by French chocolatier Jean Philippe Maury), Jean Philippe Crepes and Gelato, the Carousel Lounge, Edge cocktail bar, the Champagne Bar, the Brass Anchor Pub, the Meravilglia Bar and Lounge, the TV Studio and Bar, the Attic Club nightclub, Atmosphere North and South bars, the Bamboo Bar, the Sports Bar, the Sky Lounge, the Horizon Bar, the Top Sail Lounge (exclusive to MSC Yacht Club sailors), and the Polar Bar.

Shops on the MSC Meraviglia

While you are on board the ship, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do some shopping. Like all cruise shops, these stores are not open when the cruise ship is in port.

Shops include an MSC merchandise shop, a duty-free shop, a jewelry shop, an accessory shop, and a clothing shop.

Yacht Club on the MSC Meraviglia

Guests booking a cruise on the MSC Meraviglia (and every MSC ship) have the option to book the MSC Yacht Club. This premium experience does cost more but offers a “ship within a ship” experience.

Benefits of the Yacht Club include:

• A premium stateroom in this exclusive section of the ship
• Access to the Top Sail Lounge
• Priority elevator access
• Priority embarkation and disembarkation
• Access to the Thermal Spa
• Exclusive access to the private pool deck just for Yacht Club guests
• An exclusive Yacht Club restaurant
• A premium beverage package
• 24-hour room service

MSC Meraviglia Itineraries

Ready to set sail on the Meraviglia? There are some great itineraries offered on the ship, including some that stop at MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay. These include (not a complete list):

• The Bahamas and Florida: 7-night sailings stopping at Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Ocean Cay, 8-night sailings stopping in Miami , Nassau, and Ocean Cay, 9-night sailings shopping in Port Canaveral, Miami, Nassau, and Ocean Cay, 16-night sailings going to Port Canaveral, Miami, Nassau, and Ocean Cay, and 10-night sailings stopping in Puerto Plata , San Juan, USVI, and St. Maarten.
• Bermuda: 5 and 6-night sailings going to Bermuda, 12-night sailings going to Bermuda , Port Canaveral, Ocean Cay, and Nassau, and 14-night sailings going to Bermuda, Miami, Ocean Cay, and Nassau
• Caribbean and Bahamas: 11 and 20-night sailings stopping in Port Canaveral , Miami, Ocean Cay, Cozumel, and Costa Maya
• Canada and New England: 10-night sailings stopping in Newport, RI, Boston, MA, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, and St. John, and 11-night sailings stopping in Newport, RI, Boston, MA, Portland, ME, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, and St. John

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David Perlman

Friday 6th of October 2023

Nicely written, informative article. My best friend from high school and his wife are onboard for the Oct 4th, 2023 sailing and this article lets me know more than he will! Thanks.

'Devastated': Passengers speak out after Bahamas-bound cruise diverted to New England, Canada over weather

Passengers had the option to cancel for future credit, the cruise line said.

Passengers of a cruise who were expecting a sunny getaway in the Bahamas this week were instead sailed to a much colder climate due to severe weather .

The MSC Meraviglia was forced to sail from Brooklyn, New York, to ports in New England and Canada on Saturday instead of its original destination in the Bahamas "due to unseasonable and rapidly worsening weather that would have made it impossible to safely reach the southern Atlantic Ocean from New York City," the MSC cruise line said in a statement to ABC News.

The move came after heavy storms struck the East Coast and the Bahamas causing flooding, power outages and several deaths.

MORE: 3 dead, 600,000 without power after monster storm tears up the East Coast

"The only alternative would have been to take the more extreme step of canceling the cruise -- and thousands of people's vacations -- outright," MSC said.

"The complexities involved in obtaining last-minute berths for unplanned stops and provisioning the ship along its new route left sailing to Canada and New England as the only viable option," the cruise line added.

MORE: Northeast storm: Maine police searching for 2 missing people swept away in floodwaters

MSC also said it offered passengers a choice of sailing to the new destinations or canceling for future credit, "which allows them to put the full value paid for this cruise toward another at their convenience."

The MSC Meraviglia is slated to arrive in the Port of Saint John in Canada on Thursday, the port wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Speaking to "Good Morning America," Lakeya Allen, who said she arranged the trip with her best friend Val Montgomery as a joint family holiday to the Bahamas, said she was "devastated" by the divergence of the course.

"Good Morning America" airs at 7 a.m. ET on ABC.

"So this is some of my kids' Christmas gifts," she said. "[T]his was like, 'Hey, you guys, you got to go to [the] Bahamas.' We're from Chicago, so we wanted to change the weather. I never fathomed that we will be back in cold weather."

Allen and Montgomery said they have been planning for the trip for almost a year, since last February.

"When they first sent out that message, I wish they would have given us options right in that message and we could at least have a choice," Montgomery told ABC News. "We didn't have a choice at all."

Allen also said they were given such short notice about the decision to change course, saying, "It was beyond short. Yeah, it was unexpected."

As for the cruise, Montgomery said it's getting "a little depressing because you can imagine as we’re making the most of it, but most people are walking around in coats, gloves and hats."

The cruise ship can accommodate up to 5,624 passengers and 1,608 crew members, the cruise line says on its website . It was unclear how many passengers were aboard the rerouted Bahamas cruise.

Chris Gray Faust, executive editor of review site Cruise Critic, told ABC News this kind of scenario and decision to change the cruise's itinerary is "not necessarily out of the question," and that some other cruise lines were reportedly impacted by the inclement weather.

Faust said that cruise lines typically have a "contract of carriage" clause that doesn't guarantee the ports the ship will travel to and allows the cruise operator to change the itinerary for various issues, including weather.

"Generally weather in December is fairly stable in Florida and the Bahamas, but it has been rough last weekend in particular," she said.

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Cruise Bound for Bahamas Rerouted to Boston and Canada, Passengers 'Devastated'

An MSC cruise ship did a 180 after severe weather forced a last-minute switch in the itinerary

Mackenzie Schmidt is the Home and Travel Editor for PEOPLE. She's worked at PEOPLE for over five years as a writer and editor on the Lifestyle team.

Cruise passengers who booked a holiday trip to the Bahamas are instead en route to Boston.

The MSC Meraviglia had been scheduled to sail from New York City to the Bahamas, but severe weather forced a last minute change to the ship's itinerary. Instead of heading south for the winter, passengers were notified they'd be heading in the opposite direction to Boston, New England and Canada.

The switch was made "due to unseasonable and rapidly worsening weather that would have made it impossible to safely reach the southern Atlantic Ocean from New York City. The only alternative would have been to take the more extreme step of cancelling the cruise—and thousands of people’s vacations—outright," MSC Cruises said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

The statement explained that "the complexities involved in obtaining last-minute berths for unplanned stops and provisioning the ship along its new route left a sailing to Canada and New England as the only viable option." MSC gave passengers a choice between "sailing to a different region or cancelling for a future cruise credit."

However, according to ABC News , the alternative was only presented 24 hours before they were scheduled to set sail, leaving many vacationers who'd traveled to the departure city with a difficult decision.

One passenger, Lakeya Allen, has been sharing her experience aboard on Tiktok .

She told ABC, she and her group — including her best friend Val Montgomery and both of their children — was "devastated" by the change to their Christmas plans. "So this is some of my kids' Christmas gifts . . . We're from Chicago, so we wanted to change the weather. I never fathomed that we will be back in cold weather," she said.

Montgomery added that the voyage is "a little depressing because you can imagine we’re making the most of it, but most people are walking around in coats, gloves and hats."

The friends also said the time they had to make a decision about the "unexpected" change to their plans was "beyond short" and they felt it wasn't clear they had options.

"When they first sent out that message, I wish they would have given us options right in that message and we could at least have a choice," Montgomery told ABC. "We didn't have a choice at all."

Still, the group has been trying to make the most of their vacation, which so far has included hot cocoa on board, an indoor jacuzzi and a trip to the Cambridge Mall in Massachusetts.

Allen has documented their decidedly un-tropical activities. "When I say, MSC Cruises, baby, we are packed in here in one pool area because it’s cold out. Literally cold. Families are squishing. What a way to cruise for Christmas. We were supposed to be in the Bahamas," she said in one video while panning around a crowded indoor deck that included several hot tubs and a heated pool.

Some daring young passengers were even taking a dip in the outdoor pool, she showed.

"Here we are still in Boston. We have kids in the pool still. It is cold outside," she narrated in a video of the mostly empty pool area including a "bundled up" employee in a ski jacket. "The pool is not heated," she added. "It’s not heated. It is not a heated pool. We are in Boston right now. Not heated."

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Cruise ship arrives in NYC port with 44-foot dead endangered whale caught on its bow

Updated on: May 9, 2024 / 11:41 AM EDT / CBS/AP

A cruise ship sailed into a New York City port with a 44-foot dead whale across its bow, marine authorities said.

The whale, identified as an endangered sei whale , was caught on the ship's bow when it arrived at the Port of Brooklyn on Saturday, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries spokesperson Andrea Gomez said. A necropsy conducted later confirmed the whale's species and determined that the creature was a mature female, said the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, a nonprofit organization that conducted the exam on an marine mammal.

A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said the whale was on the MSC Meraviglia, which docked at Brooklyn before sailing to ports in New England and Canada.

"We immediately notified the relevant authorities, who are now conducting an examination of the whale," officials with the cruise line said in a statement.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of any marine life," the officials said, adding that the Geneva-based MSC Cruises follows all regulations designed to protect whales, such as altering itineraries in certain regions to avoid hitting the animals .

The dead whale was relocated to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and towed to shore there to allow for better access to equipment and to conduct a necropsy, Gomez said.

The necropsy, an autopsy on an animal, was conducted on Tuesday, Gomez said. Samples collected from the whale will help biologists determine whether it was already dead when it was struck by the ship, she said.

Basic results of that exam showed evidence of tissue trauma in the area of the whale's right shoulder blade and a fractured right flipper, said the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society. In a post shared Wednesday to its Facebook page, the organization also said those tests revealed the whale's gastrointestinal tract was "full of food." Samples of its organs will undergo toxicology reviews and analyses to identify any potential tissue diseases.

"The tissue and bone samples collected will help biologists determine if the vessel interaction occurred pre or post mortem," said the conservation society.

Sei whales are typically observed in deeper waters far from the coastline, Gomez said. They are one of the largest whale species and are internationally protected.

According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation , sei whales eat 2,000 pounds of fish and plankton per day. They can grow up to 60 feet long, weigh as much as 50 tons and live on average between 50-70 years.

The incident marks the latest endangered whale to be found dead along the East Coast.  Last month, federal authorities said a North Atlantic right whale that was found floating 50 miles offshore east of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was killed in a collision with a ship .

In March, NOAA said the first  North Atlantic right whale  baby born this season had  died after being hit by a vessel .

Environmental groups have called for tighter regulations on commercial fishing and shipping to try to save the whales.

In Massachusetts, there's a proposal to put  speed limits on fast ferries  to Cape Cod and the Islands to protect whales. The ferry companies counter that this would drastically reduce service, and say their captains have never seen a right whale on the job. 

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From the Bahamas to Boston: Passengers say they felt 'punked' after holiday beach cruise was rerouted over weather

Passengers aboard a Bahamas-bound cruise trip had their holiday beach vacation dreams turned upside down when they were rerouted to Boston, Maine and Canada instead because of weather concerns. 

The cruise ship, the MSC Meraviglia, was supposed to set sail for sunny, sandy Caribbean beaches over the weekend. Instead, one day before its departure from New York on Saturday, passengers were informed about a last-minute itinerary change due to “unseasonable and rapidly worsening weather.”

The sudden change was a shock to some passengers already in New York for the cruise.

“We thought we were being punked. But it’s just, like, Bahamas, Boston … it’s a huge difference,” passenger Val Montgomery told NBC’s “TODAY” show.

MSC Cruises said the weather would have made it “impossible to safely reach the southern Atlantic Ocean from New York City.”

“The only alternative would have been to take the more extreme step of cancelling the cruise—and thousands of people’s vacations—outright,” MSC Cruises added. Guests were given a choice between sailing to the new stops or canceling for future cruise credit. 

Under the new schedule, the cruise left New York City on Saturday and docked in Boston for three days, and it was scheduled to stop in Portland, Maine, on Wednesday and Canada on Thursday before it returns to New York on Saturday. 

It's unclear how many guests decided to board the rerouted cruise. The ship can accommodate over 5,000 passengers and 1,600 crew members.

The itinerary change left guests scrambling to repack for winter cold instead of tropical heat.

“Imagine me having three kids to pack up. They were all packed with summer clothes. We immediately ran to Walmart, because all our bags are already packed, to repack all of the winter stuff,” Lakeya Allen said in an interview with "TODAY."

Once she was on board, she shared a TikTok video showing kids swimming in an outdoor deck pool on the ship in chilly New York weather.

“It’s cold cold — like wind-blowing cold. Like officially cold,” Allan said in the clip .

She shared other videos enjoying the indoor pool and hot tub, the casino and dining options on board. In the comments section, Allen said it was a “beautiful ship.”

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44-foot whale found dead on bow of cruise ship as it came into New York

Sei whale discovered on bow of cruise ship FILE PHOTO: A sei whale, like the one shown here, was found on the bow of a cruise ship as it docked in New York. (Photo by Sanka Vidanagama/NurPhoto via Getty Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A 44-foot endangered whale was found dead on the bow of a cruise ship as it sailed into New York City on Saturday.

>> Read more trending news

The whale — a female Sei whale — was discovered as MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia docked at the Port of Brooklyn, according to The Associated Press.

“We can confirm with deep regret that on Saturday a whale was discovered on the bow of our ship as the vessel approached the port of New York,” an MSC spokesperson said in a statement.

“We immediately notified the relevant authorities, who are now conducting an examination of the whale,” they added.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of any marine life. We have comprehensive measures in place to help avoid collisions, such as training all our deck officers with the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) and we follow regulations designed to protect whales and other marine life,” the statement continued.

“This includes altering itineraries in certain regions to avoid whales and we will continue to evaluate and update our procedures with our partners and the authorities,” the company said.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , Sei whales are endangered. They are typically found in deeper waters far from the coastline, the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society said on Facebook.

The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society performed a necropsy on the whale, but has not yet determined if the animal was dead when the ship hit it or whether it was killed by the impact.

The whale was towed to shore at Sandy Hook, New Jersey.

The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society said in a Facebook post that a “necropsy examination (animal autopsy) revealed evidence of tissue trauma along the right shoulder blade region and a right flipper fracture. The whale’s gastrointestinal tract was also full of food.”

“Most of the other organs were sampled as well for toxicology and other life history studies,” the message added. “The tissue and bone samples collected will help biologists determine if the vessel interaction occurred pre or post mortem,”

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Cruise ship sails into NYC port with 44-foot dead whale across its bow

A spokesperson for msc cruises said the whale was on the msc meraviglia, which docked at brooklyn before sailing to ports in new england and canada, published may 8, 2024 • updated on may 9, 2024 at 11:12 am.

A cruise ship sailed into a New York City port with a dead 44-foot endangered whale across its bow, marine authorities said.

The whale, identified as a sei whale, was caught on the ship's bow when it arrived at the Port of Brooklyn on Saturday, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries spokesperson Andrea Gomez said.

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A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said the whale was on the MSC Meraviglia, which docked at Brooklyn before sailing to ports in New England and Canada.

“We immediately notified the relevant authorities, who are now conducting an examination of the whale,” officials with the cruise line said in a statement.

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“We are deeply saddened by the loss of any marine life,” the officials said, adding that the Geneva-based MSC Cruises follows all regulations designed to protect whales, such as altering itineraries in certain regions to avoid hitting the animals.

The dead whale was relocated to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and towed to shore there to allow for better access to equipment and to conduct a necropsy, Gomez said.

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The necropsy, an autopsy on an animal, was conducted on Tuesday, Gomez said. Samples collected from the whale will help biologists determine whether it was already dead when it was struck by the ship, she said.

Sei whales are typically observed in deeper waters far from the coastline, Gomez said. They are one of the largest whale species and are internationally protected.

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Icon of the seas: the best dining, amenities and more on royal caribbean's new ship.

This family-friendly megaship features plenty of activities, entertainment and restaurants.

Icon of the Seas

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Key Takeaways

• Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, with 18 passenger-accessible decks, eight different neighborhoods and 2,805 staterooms.
• Think of Icon of the Seas as an all-in-one adventure vacation contained on a ship. Young families and energetic travelers will enjoy it most.
• Itineraries originate from Miami , sail to destinations around the Caribbean and include a stop at Royal Caribbean's private island , Perfect Day at CocoCay.

If you have any degree of interest in traveling or cruising, chances are you've heard the buzz around Icon of the Seas. Another record-breaking ship by Royal Caribbean International , Icon of the Seas debuted on Jan. 27, 2024, as the largest cruise ship in the world. It is epic in every sense, featuring 18 cruiser-accessible decks and stretching 1,196 feet from bow to stern.

With greatest-of-all-time soccer player Lionel Messi as the ship's godfather, the Icon of the Seas is truly iconic. Messi brought the entire Inter Miami team along for the opening ceremony and the big reveal of the team's new Royal Caribbean-sponsored jerseys. I was fortunate enough to attend this star-studded ceremony as part of the press preview sailing in the days leading up to the ship's grand debut to the public. It was everything I thought it would be and more, and nobody could have been more appropriate than Messi to send this ship on her maiden voyage.

Boarding a ship of this size can seem overwhelming, but not when you understand the layout. Icon of the Seas is broken up into eight distinct neighborhoods: AquaDome, Central Park, Thrill Island, Chill Island, Royal Promenade, The Hideaway, Suite Neighborhood and Surfside, a neighborhood built for young families looking for nonstop fun and kid-approved eats and treats.

In addition to these public areas, there are 2,805 staterooms spread across 12 decks. Icon of the Seas' capacity maxes out at 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members, but with the plethora of public spaces and variety of things to do and see, you can choose your own adventure without encountering more crowds than you want to.

Find your perfect cruise

Skye Sherman

Icon of the Seas itinerary

During its inaugural 2024-2025 cruising season, Icon of the Seas offers seven-night eastern or western Caribbean adventures from Miami, stopping at a variety of tropical destinations. All sailings include a stop at Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas . Other destinations include Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis ; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico .

During the 2025-2026 cruising season, new destinations will include Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic ; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; Labadee, Haiti; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (part of the U.S. Virgin Islands ). All sailings will originate from Miami.

No matter your Icon of the Seas itinerary, you'll visit beautiful places – but you can expect to feel torn about spending any time off the ship, because it's just that jampacked with things to do.

Who should sail on Icon of the Seas?

Icon of the Seas appeals not so much to a demographic as to a psychographic; you're going to need to be someone who likes to live life in all caps. Royal Caribbean set out to create "the world's best vacation" contained on a ship, so Icon of the Seas is for anyone who would enjoy the combination of a beach trip, a resort stay, a water park adventure and island-hopping.

Fun-loving travelers and families with kids of varying ages will do best on this ship; it feels a little bit like Disney World with over-the-top everything and a truly massive sprawl. Older travelers who prefer a more quiet, refined experience may want to opt for a less kid-friendly ship. Still, even couples without children will find plenty of fun adult-friendly things to do and romantic places to tuck in.

The Royal Promenade can be quite loud and buzzy, but simply relocating to another onboard neighborhood can completely shift the vibe. Also, keep in mind that the ship really is huge, and walking from end to end can be a hike, so those with limited mobility or endurance might want to look into a smaller ship.

Icon of the Seas prices are high in its opening season, but cruisers with big dreams and small budgets can expect rates to drop by the time the next ship in the series debuts.

The stateroom

With a ship this overstimulating, it's imperative that your stateroom is a haven. Luckily, Icon of the Seas offers peaceful rooms, many of which feature ocean or Central Park neighborhood views. Cruise ship accommodations are stereotypically compact – even cramped – but the floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in Icon of the Seas' cabins (with the exception of the windowless interior rooms) lend an airy, open feel. The cabin layouts are also optimized to provide the maximum amount of storage, floor space and comfort.

Stateroom decor is mildly nautical- and tropical-themed, with calming hues that mimic the scenery outside your window (think blues, beiges and whites). High-tech elements include smart TVs, LED mirrors and the ability to control many aspects of your room from an app.

My husband and I stayed in an Ocean View Large Balcony Stateroom, a 204-square-foot refuge from the hustle and bustle of the ship (the balcony adds another 65 to 70 square feet). This room type can sleep up to four people with a sofa bed for one or two; the room also features twin beds that convert to a king bed for couples.

My husband is 6 feet, 3 inches tall, and we were comfortable in our room, even though our quarters included a large bed, a bathroom, a sofa and a desk. We loved sitting on our private balcony and watching the deep blues of the Atlantic Ocean flow by.

If money is no object, the Ultimate Family Townhouse – an over-the-top eight-guest, three-story pad with a private whirlpool on the balcony, three bathrooms, a slide that connects the second and main levels, an in-suite cinema, a dining room and a kitchenette – looks epic. But keep in mind, it costs nearly $100,000 for the week.

The Sunset Corner Suites (about one-fifth of the cost of the Ultimate Family Townhouse, but still expensive) are also pretty sweet, with a wraparound balcony and a bed facing the sea.

Luckily, not all rooms break the bank; with four main stateroom categories (suite, balcony, ocean view and inside) and 28 subcategories, there's something for everyone.

Best amenities on Icon of the Seas

It's almost impossible to run out of things to do aboard Icon of the Seas.

For thrill-seekers, the largest water park at sea – Category 6 – features the Frightening Bolt (the tallest waterslide on a ship) and the Pressure Drop (the first open freefall waterslide on a cruise vessel).

If you've tired of the seven swimming pools, six waterslides, laser tag, mini-golf, rock climbing wall, escape room, sports courts, outdoor decks, theater, spa and all-day programming, simply take a stroll down the Royal Promenade for Las Vegas -style people-watching. The Royal Promenade has 15 restaurants, bars and lounges, as well as a Starbucks that seems to have a line no matter what time you go. The neighborhood feels a bit like a shopping mall … if a shopping mall had floor-to-ceiling ocean views made possible by the world's largest kinetic art sculpture.

The Pearl, a feat of engineering, is one of the most unique aspects of the ship's design. This art piece is actually a load-bearing structure supporting three decks, but it looks and feels like an interactive art experience designed solely for the enjoyment of guests. The multisensory immersive structure has 3,000 kinetic panels and moody ever-changing lighting. It is one of the first things guests will see when they walk on board, as it stretches from the Royal Promenade up to Central Park.

My husband and I spent most of our time at the FlowRider surf simulator – his favorite amenity – but we made sure to leave time for Taylor Swift trivia at Spotlight Karaoke and the superhuman stunts of the Aqua Theater show, a must on any Icon of the Seas voyage. The ship even has a massive ice arena called Absolute Zero for ice skating (the 20-minute sessions are complimentary) and impressive shows.

We also loved lounging in The Overlook Bar & Pods, an area at the very front of the ship (behind the AquaDome) that features two levels of floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows. It felt airy and open, which can't be said about many cruise ship interiors.

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Best dining venues on Icon of the Seas

There are more dining options aboard Icon of the Seas than you can fit in on a seven-night cruise – but you can give it the old college try. Thirteen of the dining venues are complimentary, while 14 are specialty restaurants (which cost extra; fees vary). There are also 18 bars and lounges.

The best meal we experienced on the ship was at the Chops Grille specialty eatery. When we spotted Royal Caribbean CEO Jason Liberty and a group of bigwigs at a table next to us, we knew we were in the right place. We loved sitting outside and enjoying the breezes of Central Park while we chowed down, but you can eat indoors for an elegant steakhouse experience and a view of the open kitchen and butcher's display, which shows off specialty cuts like high-grade wagyu and bone-in tomahawks.

While I'd never turn down a swanky steak dinner, grabbing quick poolside bites at El Loco Fresh and indulging in some food hall-style grazing at AquaDome Market were equally enjoyable. We also had no complaints eating several meals at Windjammer, the classic complimentary cruise ship buffet.

Even though we don't have children, we stopped into Surfside Bites for a very kid-friendly meal, complete with soft serve ice cream cones from Sprinkles (because no cruise is complete without soft serve). We didn't try anything from the open-air, lemonade stand-inspired Lemon Post bar, but its menu of cocktails and mocktails looked delicious.

And since you're on vacation, be sure to check out the milkshake bar Desserted, where the sugary creations are as photo-worthy as they are decadent. They're worth the upcharge.

Best excursions on Icon of the Seas

Depending on what's on your Icon of the Seas itinerary, you may be able to book activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, tropical jungle adventures, visits to Mayan ruins, volcano hikes, rainforest zip lining, relaxing beach days or cultural immersion tours.

Note that Royal Caribbean features the same options on many of its other Caribbean cruises; none of the excursions on offer are exclusive to Icon of the Seas.

Because our press preview sailing only visited Perfect Day at CocoCay, we did not experience any of the shore excursions. Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas was plenty of fun, even though we didn't plan anything in advance.

If we had made plans, we would have liked to check out the Up, Up and Away tethered hot air balloon, which wasn't running that day, and the overwater cabanas at Coco Beach Club, which were all booked. Thrill Waterpark (which features the tallest waterslide in North America), Oasis Lagoon (the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean) and the adults-only Hideaway Beach are other highlights of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Overall impressions of Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean seems to be focused on superlatives. It has the biggest, best, tallest, largest and most of everything – especially when it comes to Icon of the Seas. If you like jampacked, adventurous vacations that squeeze a lot of adventure and relaxation into one memorable week, Icon of the Seas is probably for you.

While I love seeing Royal Caribbean push the limits of what cruises can be, the ship may almost be too big for some. It's an all-out Vegas-esque vessel that feels more like a floating city; you will probably forget (more than once) that you're not on dry land.

That's not necessarily a bad thing – if Icon of the Seas looks fun to you, it probably will be – but my husband and I tend to gravitate more toward authentic, immersive, on-the-ground cultural experiences when we travel. While Icon of the Seas is a lot of things, it's not that. We had a fantastic time and have already started planning a future Royal Caribbean cruise with a group of friends and family, but we also sympathize with the anticruisers of the world. Vacationing does not a traveler make.

Still, the shows are entertaining, the service is attentive, the music is jamming, and the architecture and design are incredibly impressive. I have no real complaints and suspect that most cruisers will have the time of their lives on Icon of the Seas – exactly as the minds at Royal Caribbean envisioned when they dreamed up this iconic ship.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Skye Sherman has been cruising since childhood, when her parents took her on her first cruise through the Caribbean. She has sailed various ocean cruise lines, gone off the grid for a six-day riverboat expedition deep into the Amazon River and even planned a European river cruise with 48 of her closest family and friends. She's a fourth-generation Floridian and hopes to visit every country in the world during her lifetime. She covers travel and lifestyle topics for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Newest Royal Caribbean Ships
• Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival
• The Largest Cruise Ships in the World
• The Best New Cruise Ships
• The Best Cruise Insurance

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Royal Caribbean Cruises

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MSC cruise ship sails into NYC with 44-foot dead endangered whale across its bow

N EW YORK (AP) — A cruise ship sailed into a New York City port with a 44-foot (13-meter) dead whale across its bow, marine authorities said.

The whale, identified as an endangered sei whale, was caught on the ship’s bow when it arrived at the Port of Brooklyn on Saturday, May 4, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries spokesperson Andrea Gomez said.

A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said the whale was on the MSC Meraviglia, which docked at Brooklyn before sailing to ports in New England and Canada.

“We immediately notified the relevant authorities, who are now conducting an examination of the whale,” officials with the cruise line said in a statement.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of any marine life,” the officials said, adding that the Geneva-based MSC Cruises follows all regulations designed to protect whales, such as altering itineraries in certain regions to avoid hitting the animals.

The dead whale was relocated to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and towed to shore there to allow for better access to equipment and to conduct a necropsy, Gomez said.

The necropsy — an autopsy on an animal — was conducted on Tuesday, Gomez said. Samples collected from the whale will help biologists determine whether it was already dead when it was struck by the ship, she said.

Sei whales are typically observed in deeper waters far from the coastline, Gomez said. They are one of the largest whale species, and are internationally protected.

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