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Costa Maya Cruises

Cruises from / to Costa Maya in 2024

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MSC CRUISES OFFERS AN UNPARALLELED CHOICE OF ITINERARIES TO THE CARIBBEAN FOR SUMMER 2024 AND WINTER 2024/2025

• four ships will offer a range of itineraries from miami, new york and port canaveral (orlando) this summer 2024 to the caribbean • six ships to sail the caribbean this winter 2024/2025 with varied itineraries from miami, port canaveral, new york and martinique.

Geneva, Switzerland, 02 May 2024 - MSC Cruises serves up a comprehensive range of summer 2024 and winter 2024/2025 sailings to the Caribbean , providing guests an incredible choice of ships and enriching itineraries to some of the most coveted destinations in the region including The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Martinique, Mexico and more.

The Caribbean is a popular destination any time of year, renowned for its incredible white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, magnificent landscapes, and charming coastal cities, filled with rich culture and historical sites. Whether guests are looking for the ultimate summer getaway of adventure or the winter warmth of the Caribbean sun, these varied itineraries offer truly unique experiences to suit any type of traveller.

While sailing their chosen itineraries, guests can indulge in a plethora of unforgettable onboard experiences including international gourmet dining, world-class entertainment, award-wining activities for families, luxurious spa and fitness centres as well as stylish accommodation to meet the needs of all. Ashore, guests can also take advantage of MSC Cruises’ expansive range of enjoyable activities and excursions for guests of all ages to explore each destination to the fullest.

SUMMER 2024 SAILINGS For guests looking to relax and unwind in the sun-drenched Caribbean this summer, four ships will offer breathtaking voyages, ranging from three to seven nights from Miami , New York and Orlando. Two ships will offer sailings out of PortMiami: MSC Magnifica  with three to seven-night sailings including to the Key West (Florida), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), Isla de Roatan (Honduras), Belize City (Belize), Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Bahamas). Meanwhile, MSC Seascape  will offer seven-night sailings, calling at destinations including San Juan (Puerto Rico), George Town (Cayman Islands), Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Cozumel (Mexico), and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. MSC Meraviglia  will set sail from the iconic New York, with seven-night itineraries including port of calls in Port Canaveral, Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. MSC Seashore  will also offer the chance to visit the Caribbean’s prized gems with three to seven-night sailings from Port Canaveral to destinations including Nassau, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Costa Maya and Cozumel.

WINTER 2024/2025 SAILINGS For sun seekers looking for a winter escape, six ships will offer unforgettable itineraries from three to 10 nights from Miami, New York and Orlando and Martinique . Three ships will offer sailings out of PortMiami : MSC Divina  will offer three to four-night itineraries including to the Bahamas with visits to Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Her longer sailings will offer 10-night itineraries including to Aruba, Curaçao and Dominican Republic. MSC Seascape will offer seven-night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean including the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, and to the Western Caribbean including to Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Mexico, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Lastly, MSC Seaside  will offer captivating seven-night cruises, alternating between the Eastern Caribbean including to The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic and the Western Caribbean including Mexico, Honduras or Belize, and The Bahamas itineraries including Ocean cay MSC Marine Reserve. MSC Meraviglia will homeport in the world-famous city of New York, with itineraries of seven-nights including visits to Orlando, Nassau, The Bahamas and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. She will also offer itineraries of 10 to 11-nights including visits in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Sint Maarten. From Port Canaveral, MSC Seashore will offer three to seven-night itineraries with port of calls including in Costa Maya, Cozumel, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Nassau. MSC Virtuosa  will offer seven-night sailings from Fort de France (Martinique) to destinations including Philipsburg (Sint Maarten), St. John’s (Antigua), Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe), and Bridgetown (Barbados).

OCEAN CAY MSC MARINE RESERVE All four ships sailing the Caribbean this Summer 2024 and five ships sailing this Winter 2024/2025 season will visit Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve , MSC Cruises’ stunning private island located in The Bahamas , dedicated to the restoration of marine resources and the ongoing conservation of marine life. With more than two miles of pristine sand across eight world class beaches, this tropical paradise invites guests to discover the island’s natural beauty and vibrant spirit of the Bahamas, with plenty of areas to soak up the sun and enjoy endless activities on island, while surrounded by sweeping vistas of crystal blue waters. The island is also home to the MSC Foundation’s Super Coral Programme, which aims to help restore the island’s coral reefs and contribute to conservation knowledge and initiatives worldwide. Over the next 12 months, MSC Cruises will make enhancements to the island including guest amenities and experiences to support the island’s future growth plans. The new enhancements will include expanded excursion centres to support watersport activities and island tours, additional food and beverage facilities including a second food hall and larger bars. Additionally, guests can expect enhanced swimming areas, including a new kids lagoon alongside improvements to the popular main lagoon. Our MSC Yacht Club guests will also enjoy an expanded Ocean House bar and restaurant.

MSC YACHT CLUB For guests looking for the ultimate seamless luxury cruise experience, the MSC Yacht Club will be on offer on almost all ships sailing in the Caribbean this summer and winter season. The “ship within a ship” concept provides an exclusive holiday sanctuary on board with a host of privileges and personalised services tailored to each individual guest’s needs. With 24-hour butler and concierge service, an array of lavish suite options, private facilities including a dedicated pool and sundeck, a high-end restaurant, stylish lounge as well as access to all the recreation opportunities offered throughout the larger ship, the MSC Yacht Club is sure to have guests feeling completely pampered and relaxed throughout their stay. COMING SOON… BRAND NEW SHIP: MSC WORLD AMERICA Looking further ahead, MSC World America , MSC Cruises’ newest U.S. flagship, will usher in a new world of cruising to American shores when she enters service in April 2025 . During her inaugural summer season, she will sail from MSC Cruises’ new terminal at PortMiami, offering alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries with stops in Puerto Plata, San Juan, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Isla de Roatan and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. MSC World America is the second of the line’s groundbreaking World Class ships and is tailored specifically to North America, with exciting new venues and concepts that seamlessly blend European design with American comfort, which are sure to provide guests with a truly memorable cruise experience. The new ship will feature seven distinct districts, each with its own atmosphere, facilities and experiences, allowing guests of all ages to choose their own vacation adventure and get the most out of their time on board. Guests will also have a first look at the state-of-the-art Cliffhanger, the only over-water swing ride at sea, which will debut exclusively aboard MSC World America.

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MSC Cruises Unveils Upcoming Caribbean Itineraries

G uests have the opportunity to visit The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Martinique, Mexico and other destinations in the Caribbean while sailing with MSC Cruises this summer and winter.

The cruise line will have four ships sailing to the Caribbean this summer, with 3- to 7-night cruises departing from Miami, New York and Orlando. MSC Magnifica and MSC Seascape will sail from Miami, while MSC Meraviglia will depart from New York. MSC Seashore will be launching from Port Canaveral.

Then, this winter, MSC Cruises will have six ships sailing to the Caribbean. Itineraries range from 3 to 10 nights and will depart from Miami, New York, Orlando and Martinique. MSC Divina, MSC Seascape and MSC Seaside will homeport in Miami, while MSC Meraviglia will sail from New York. MSC Seashore will launch from Port Canaveral, while MSC Virtuoso departs from Martinique.

Nearly all of the MSC Cruises ships heading to the Caribbean this summer and winter will stop at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve , the cruise line’s private island destination in The Bahamas. Over the next year, the cruise line is making updates to Ocean Cay, such as expanded excursion centers, additional food and beverage venues, a new kids’ lagoon and improvements to the main lagoon. Guests of MSC Yacht Club —the cruise line’s “ship-within-a-ship” concept—will also enjoy an expanded Ocean House bar and restaurant.

Next April, the cruise line will welcome its newest ship, MSC World America . Once the vessel launches, it will homeport in Miami and offer Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.

You asked: Do I need a passport for my cruise?

By The Way Concierge digs into the (surprisingly) complicated rules for travel by sea.

Traveling has always come with complications. Our By The Way Concierge column will take your travel dilemmas to the experts to help you navigate the unexpected. Want to see your question answered? Submit it here .

We’re going on a very short cruise from California to Mexico this spring. Do we need passports for our kids, even if we don’t get off the ship? — Ben, Springfield, Va.

There’s a difference between what you need and what is a good idea to have.

Let’s begin with the first: On most cruise lines and for most itineraries, a voyage that starts and ends at the same U.S. port and stays in the Western Hemisphere will not require any American citizen — child or adult — to have a passport.

These are called closed-loop cruises, and they only need proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate plus a government-issued photo ID, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection . For people under 16, a birth certificate will suffice. Popular cruise lines including Carnival , Royal Caribbean and Norwegian detail their requirements and any exceptions online.

A sailing that leaves from one U.S. port and ends at another — or starts in the United States and ends at a foreign destination — would not be classified as a closed-loop cruise. Everyone, including kids, would need a passport in that case.

There are some caveats, warns Teresa Tennant, senior vice president of the travel planning company Cruise Specialists . Some cruise companies, including Holland America Line and Princess Cruises , say that all members of a party must have a passport if minors are traveling with only one adult.

Some other cruise lines, such as the luxury Regent Seven Seas Cruises, require a passport for all sailings.

“It’s important to always check with the cruise line, because they can set their own rules that are actually above and beyond,” Tennant said.

Customs and Border Protection also urges travelers to check with their cruise company, travel agent and destination to confirm what’s required to enter foreign countries on an itinerary.

Whether or not you are required to have a passport, cruise lines and experts say it’s smart to have one before setting sail. The task isn’t quite as onerous as it used to be, now that wait times have returned to pre-pandemic norms of six to eight weeks for routine service and two to three weeks for the expedited process.

Cruise lines say they strongly recommend that passengers opt for the passport over other forms of identification.

“A passport is the hassle-free, gold standard for traveling between countries,” Royal Caribbean says on its website. “Boarding and disembarking through customs with a passport is usually faster than other types of ID documents.”

The U.S. State Department says travelers might need their passport “in the event of an unexpected medical evacuation or if the ship docks at an alternate port.” Travelers would also need their passports if they showed up late in a foreign port and the ship left without them — which has happened to some U.S. passengers recently.

“You should bring your passport even if your cruise says you won’t need it,” the State Department says on its information page for cruise ship passengers.

Colleen McDaniel, editor in chief of the news and review site Cruise Critic , said in an email that it would be much more difficult to get home without a passport if someone had to leave the ship.

“In such a case, you might have to rely on help from a U.S. embassy or consulate to return, which can take time,” she said.

Have a travel dilemma for By The Way Concierge? Send it to us here .

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

• You asked: Do I need a passport for my cruise? May 2, 2024 You asked: Do I need a passport for my cruise? May 2, 2024
• You asked: Do I have to pay an international parking ticket? March 21, 2024 You asked: Do I have to pay an international parking ticket? March 21, 2024
• You asked: Can I ditch my PreCheck-less partner at security? January 11, 2024 You asked: Can I ditch my PreCheck-less partner at security? January 11, 2024

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/en/newsroom/customer-advisories/2024/april/shuttle-service-between-asia-and-mexico-west-coast

Shuttle Service Between Asia and Mexico West Coast 

MSC is pleased to introduce our new loop shuttle services that will connect Asia and Mexico West Coast. This new service will provide additional coverage and frequency between Asia and Mexico and is in addition to our existing network for the Andes, Aztec, Inca and Santana.

The full rotation is: Qingdao - Ningbo - Shanghai - Busan - Manzanillo - Lazaro Cardenas - Qingdao.

The first sailing will be on 15 May with MSC Apollo from Qingdao.

The transit times are as follows:

Should you have any questions, please  contact your local MSC representatives  in our global network of more than 675 offices.

More From Forbes

New cruise company explora journeys is a potent luxury contender.

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The Explora I cruise ship, built in 2023 for just 922 passengers, sails past downtown Manhattan.

The arrival of enormous ships, like the 7,000 passenger/3000 crew member Icon of the Seas, is an effective way to promote the cruise industry. But cruise companies are also launching smaller vessels designed to give passengers more individual attention, like the new EXPLORA I from Explora Journeys.

The EXPLORA I, launched in 2023, is a sleek 63,000-ton ship designed for just 922 passengers, each housed in an oceanfront suite. Another important number is 1.32 to 1. This represents the crew to passenger ratio, showing the line’s commitment to passenger service.

Ship staterooms start with the Ocean Terrace suites, at 377 square feet. They feature amenities such as a king bed, a chaise lounge day bed, and big glass doors that make it true ocean front view. Bathrooms include European walk-in showers, heated marble floors, and Dyson hair dryers. The ship also has some 67 penthouses from 462 to 763 square feet, and the Ocean Residences, from 750 square feet up to 1600 square feet.

The EXPLORA I has 12 bars and lounges, and 64 cabanas on deck for guests, with multiple indoor and outdoor whirlpools. The spa has a dry sauna, a steam room, Himalayan salt treatments and more, for “the gift of ocean wellness,” which also includes workouts with free weights, 30-minute yoga classes, Pilates, and rowing machines.

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Explora Journeys, said to be the only major cruise line that’s privately owned, is part of the MSC Group. The Italian owners made their private yacht a model for the type of service they planned to deliver. EXPLORA Iis the first of a planned six ships, with EXPLORA II set to arrive in August 2024.

Along with many travel agents, a key market for Explora Journeys, I was invited on an introductory cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver, Canada. Destinations enroute included San Francisco, Astoria, Oregon, and Victoria, British Columbia.

Michelin-star awarded Chef Claude Le Tohic, and staff at Anthology Restaurant on Explorer I.

Focusing on luxury, Explora’s rates are all-inclusive, including gratuities, alcohol and its powerful Wi-Fi service. A handful of amenities, such as Anthology Restaurant, which features a rotating cast of Michelin-star chefs , have an additional price.

For the cruises themselves, the prices we found range from a ten-night journey from Barcelona to Barcelona for $3,835 (via Gibraltar, Seville, Madera, etc.) to a 44-night extravaganza “connecting continents” from Vancouver to Barcelona via the US West Coast, Mexico, the Panama Canal, and the Mediterranean for $18,450.

The Explora experience began at the Port of Los Angeles, a warehouse-sized building reminiscent of a bus terminal. However, Explora Journeys made check-in fast and almost fun, with friendly representatives using data tablets to check us in at small tableclothed tables, rather than at the clerk’s counter.

The commitment to meeting passenger needs shows up everywhere, such as in the availability of 24-hour room service. The restaurants were uniformly excellent, and the fast elevators quickly whisked you from deck to deck. Yet after a couple of days, I really enjoyed taking breakfast in my cabin, eggs, waffles, pancakes, and vats of coffee.

EXPLORA I was full of such experiences. I watched a chanteuse descending the staircase into the grand Lounge Bar singing jazz standards. Later, I smoked a Winston Churchill Petit in the fragrant cigar lounge at midnight.

The grand Lobby Bar on Explora Journeys new cruise ship Explora I.

Explora Journeys is based in Geneva, so when I laid a couple of hundred-dollar bills on the blackjack table I was politely told to use my room card or change money at the cashier’s booth—euros only.

The friendly casino kept drawing me back. Of course, I ended up losing all my cash, but made $200 last the entire six -day cruise. The dealers seemed much more concerned if I was having a good time than those in Las Vegas.

The service was excellent, with barmen opening “closed” bars to pour drinks. Even when the crew didn’t fully understand a request, they gave it their all. In one lounge, I asked for a martini with blue cheese olives, aka ‘Maytag olives.” The server apparently rustled about the ship and returned with a small plate containing 4 ounces of blue cheese. I did not have the heart to tell him and instead, ate the evidence.

The ship has a well-equipped gym, but I also ran the marked jogging track on Deck 12 in my gray sweats in the wind, feeling like I was in CHARIOTS OF FIRE. I practiced hitting a pickleball over the net on the sports court and shot some 3-pointers.

Later, I sat in one of the EXPLORA I’s warm whirlpools directly overlooking the sea. The ship is said to have more water on board than any other.

The ship was so relaxing, in fact, that many passengers chose to stay on board during port days, taking advantage of massages and other services. Understood, as with cruising, the journey is really the destination.

A view of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge as seen from Marin Headlands in Sausalito, California, ... [+] United States on January 27, 2023. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

But they missed out on Explora Journeys well-organized excursions. In San Francisco, I took a coach tour into Marin County over the Golden Gate Bridge. The intrepid bus driver drove us safely over a zig-zagging road full of bicyclists to Muir Woods.

The guide told us about the history of the redwoods, how 95% of the old giants were cut down, and how they were saved at national parks like Muir Woods. Once we got there, he left us alone with our thoughts, to walk the easy trail and admire the trees.

The intrepid bus driver found a parking spot at the Marin Headlands overlooking San Francisco Bay for selfies of the Golden Gate Bridge. Memorably, we had sailed under the bridge on EXPLORA I’s journey into the city.

I particularly enjoyed the day we spent in Astoria, Oregon, a port city on the Columbia River where it flows into the Pacific. Founded in 1811, Astoria is a destination I might never have encountered if it were not for the cruise. Astoria got its name from wealthy New York entrepreneur John Jacob Astor, who monopolized the booming fur trade.

Our excursion brought us majestic views of the river dividing Oregon and Washington. We investigated the less-than-luxurious dwellings at the Lewis and Clark Fort where that expedition lived. At the Maritime Museum, we learned about the treacherous currents of the Columbia and the salmon cannery industry that once dominated the town.

Lunch at the Mediterranean Yacht Club with its fish, humus and other Mediterranean food was a treat. I enjoyed a great ribeye in Marble, the amazing steak restaurant on board. The fresh pizza on board was also great. Late at night, I thanked the servers who stayed open just for me, pouring a shot of Macallan before bed.

An Ocean Terrace Suite on the cruise ship Explora I. The entry-level suite is 374 square feet and ... [+] includes a terrace with a chaise lounge and a bathroom with heated floors.

The EXPLORA I makes a strong effort to keep the passengers entertained, with Broadway hits in the Journey Lounge, and individual performers in others. (I loved “Better Shape Up” from GREASE performed with just a guitar accompaniment). There are three Steinway pianos in different lounges. Explora also has alternate entertainment like silent discos, a tough trivia game, a cooking experience and “luminaries” on board to talk about various topics.

Cruise expert Chris Gray Faust, Executive Editor at Cruise Critic , says, “Explora Journeys is an entry into the luxury cruise world. Backed by the private shipping company MSC, the line has the money and ambition to fine tune its product to attract those guests who might normally choose a high-end resort or hotel, as opposed to a cruise.”

Before launching Explora Journeys, the founders interviewed 20,000 luxury travelers and 250 travel advisors. Chris Austin, Chief Sales Officer, said the idea was to “build a ship that’s like a private yacht. An intimate ship, with many, many spaces.”

What resulted, said Austin, is something “that doesn’t feel like a cruise ship, it feels like a luxury boutique hotel.” In terms of onboard shopping, “We have Piaget, Cartier, Panerai and the only Rolex watch store at sea.”

According to Austin, just 4% of luxury travelers cruise. But “after 8 months of operating, we are seeing cruisers on second and third cruise.” He added, “There is no more stunning view than when you sail into a port, as opposed to catching a taxi from the airport. Ultimately, having 6 ships will allow us to discover the world together. We call it the Ocean State of Mind.”

The new cruise ship EXPLORA in the Mediterranean.

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Princess Cruises is taking a page out of the ultra-luxury cruise industry with new all-inclusive, $3,000 cabins

• Princess Cruises says its new Sun Princess and upcoming Star Princess will have all-inclusive cabins.
• Guests who've booked the new Sanctuary Collection category would get an inclusive package and private lounge.
• It's a move that could appeal to ultra-luxury cruisers .

If you want to go on an all-inclusive vacation at sea, you no longer need to book an ultra-luxury, ultra-expensive cruise line .

Just sail on Princess Cruises' new ship instead.

In October, Princess says its two-month-old Sun Princess will debut in the US with the company's first-ever Sanctuary Collection, an adult-only lounge exclusive to guests who've booked one of the collection's high-end cabins. These luxurious accommodations comprise 10% of the ship's 2,157 staterooms, including all its suites.

But the Sanctuary's biggest perk arguably isn't the lounge's private pool and restaurant — it's the all-inclusiveness , a rarity among mass-market cruise lines.

It's the Carnival Corp. brand's latest appeal to ultra-luxury cruisers

Mass-market cruise lines like Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian typically follow the " budget airline " strategy: charge a cheap base fare and offer plenty of irresistible up-charged amenities (like specialty restaurants, as is the case of Sun Princess).

It's a stark contrast to the high-end cruise industry, where all-inclusivity is often considered the standard.

For example, luxury cruise line Explora Journey's fare includes alcoholic beverages, WiFi, and access to the spa — amenities that would typically cost extra on ships like Sun Princess. On Regent Seven Seas , all this, plus excursions, pre-cruise hotels, and roundtrip flights are also included in the cost to sail.

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Over the last few years, Princess has begun following in these high-end cruise lines' foosteps.

In 2022, it launched Princess Premier, an optional inclusive package covering amenities like WiFi, drinks, some upcharged restaurants, and workout classes. It's the same package Sanctuary Collection guests would get, along with the private restaurant and adult-only lounge with cabanas, a pool, and private events.

The exclusive lounge concept is nothing new. Royal Caribbean's two largest cruise liners have a "neighborhood" exclusive to suite guests. The same applies to Norwegian, Celebrity, and MSC Cruises' vessels.

However, while these competing retreats offer perks like drink packages, WiFi, or private restaurants, none are as "inclusive" as Princess'.

In 2024, Sun Princess' Sanctuary cabins start at more than $3,000 per person for a weeklong Caribbean cruise in mid-December. To compare, the cheapest interior cabin for the same itinerary starts shy of $700 per person.

The cruise line says its next ship, Star Princess, which will debut in late September 2025, will also carry the Sanctuary Collection.

Following in the footsteps of high-end, all-inclusive cruise lines could be a wise decision for Princess. These luxury vacations at sea have become increasingly popular as travelers continue to spend big on their trips.

Like Princess, expedition cruise company HX recently shifted to an all-inclusive model as well.

Back on dry land, hotel giants like Hyatt and Marriott have also seen a boom in these "everything free" resorts .

Apparently, every vacationer — whether on water or solid ground — just wants one thing: stress-free poolside lounging with bottomless drinks.

Watch: Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail

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