Is there anything better than a fall cruise? The best of nature, mild temperatures, seafood extravaganzas, and charming coastal towns are just some of the reasons why cruisers love to sail this time of year in the Northeast.
MSC Cruises has made cruising even easier with the announcement of new sailings to take advantage of the splendors of fall in New England and Canada. The cruise line is offering sailings for as little as $589 per person for a 10-day cruise and $619 for an 11-day cruise.
The European cruise line is taking advantage of MSC Meraviglia homeporting in New York to provide guests with incredible itineraries along the East Coast.
With great prices, these longer itineraries are a fantastic value, giving cruisers the opportunity to explore great ports of call on a ship with tons of amenities and activities.
New itineraries
MSC Cruises, a European-based cruise line that recently took up residence in New York this spring, has announced an extended itinerary for cruisers to sail along the East Coast.
Sailing in September and October of this year, MSC Meraviglia, the cruise line’s first true mega-ship, provides guests with an extensive list of amenities and activities onboard while visiting numerous sought-after destinations in New England and Canada.
The 10-day itinerary includes 6 ports and 3 sea days. Ports of call include Newport, Boston, and Portland, along with Sydney, Nova Scotia, Saint John, New Brunswick, and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
The 11-day itinerary includes 7 ports of call with 3 seas days. In addition to all the ports on the 10-day itinerary, it adds Halifax, Nova Scotia. A popular destination for many cruisers.
New York homeport
MSC Meraviglia has been homeporting in New York, currently sailing to Bermuda and the Caribbean. For the fall, the addition of northern sailings perfectly capitalizes on its new home port to provide guests with lengthy itineraries to numerous coastal towns.
Even easier, New York is a major transportation hub on the East Coast with many airports and train stations, making it even simpler to get get to the cruise port. Sailing out of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, MSC has expanded into the region as part of its ongoing growth plans.
In addition to a well-located port, New York is one of the premier tourist destinations in the world. There is no end to the activities and things to see in the Big Apple, whether it's visiting famed sites like the Statue of Liberty or indulging in any of one of its thousands of restaurants. World-class museums and the iconic Central Park are among some of the options when spending a day in New York.
Ports of Call
These longer itineraries give cruises the opportunity to explore many of the best locations on the East Coast. Ports of all include:
- Boston, Massachusetts - Rich in history, fall is the perfect time to explore the area while enjoying the city’s water views . Stroll the heart of old Boston, take in a game, enjoy specular seafood or any number of museums and parks. Visitors can even walk by Paul Revere’s house while retracing the famed Freedom Trail.
- Newport, Rhode Island, is a historic waterfront town that is famous for its mansions and architecture while also offering its guests plenty of scenic views. Other activities include the city’s popular cliff walk along the shoreline and a state park.
- Halifax, Nova Scotia, has been shaped by the Atlantic Ocean and hundreds of years of history. It has incredible scenery, including the famed Peggy’s Cove. Visitors love to explore the waterfront, which is dotted with pubs, restaurants, and a number of marine museums, including one that features a Titanic exhibit.
- Saint John, New Brunswick, is perched on the Bay of Fundy, which sees the highest tides in the world. One of a kind activities include walking on the ocean floor between tides. Guests also enjoy lobster fishing and the incredible fall foliage. The more adventurous cruiser can partake in whale watching.
- Portland, Maine, is an up and comping food destination, and its charming downtown area is well loved. The city is known for its historic buildings, a vibrant art scene, lighthouses, and plenty of outdoor activities.
- Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province, is famous for its red sand beaches, all things potato, and Anne of Green Gables.
- Sydney, Nova Scotia, is a nature lovers' paradise; the views of the ocean are unparalleled. Guests are treated to the area's famed fiddle music, a historic French fortress, and an impressive national park.
Overview of MSC Meraviglia
As one of MSC’s largest ships, MSC Meraviglia has a wide array of dining, entertainment, and activities onboard, as well as numerous cabin options and an impressive suite offering:
- A 315-foot long promenade lined with shops, restaurants, and bars.
- 20 bars and 12 restaurants, a number of complimentary options as well, including the popular Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Ocean Cay, HOLA! Tacos and Cantina, and Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki.
- Indoor and outdoor pools, along with plenty of hot tubs.
- Seven different shows in the 985-seat Broadway Theatre and the famous Carousel Lounge.
- The extensive MSC Aurea Spa provides massage therapy, body treatments, facial treatments, and a dedicated thermal area.
- A 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.
- 10 different types of staterooms to choose from, including solo cabins and balcony cabins.
- MSC Yacht Club, the cruise line’s premium ‘ship within a ship’ featuring butler service, along with an exclusive restaurant, lounge, and pool area.
Family activities and entertainment
In addition to lots of great activities for adults, MSC Cruises is celebrated as a family cruise line with tons of fun for kids of every age. In June of 2023, MSC Cruises was named by Forbes as being the Best Overall Cruise for families.
Another plus, MSC Meraviglia is designed for all-weather cruising with lots of indoor activities. Highlights include:
- Indoor and outdoor pools along with one of the most intricate water parks at sea, featuring three twisting slides and an intricate ropes course—the Himalayan Bridge.
- An 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.
MSC Cruises
MSC is a Swiss-based cruise line that has grown to become the third largest cruise line in the world, which 22 ships sailing internationally to a range of destinations in Europe, North America, the Caribbean, South America, the Middle East, and Asia.
The European cruise line has been pursuing an ambitious growth strategy with a $450 million in a new terminal in Miami, as well as sailing from New York and the launch of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, its own private island in the Bahamas.
It is part of the MSC Group (Mediterranean Shipping Company), a leader in world shipping. It has also launched an upscale cruise brand, Explora Journeys.
Chantal McPhee
Chantal McPhee has a great passion for travel since first venturing to the Bahamas as a child with her grandparents. Today, she loves cruising with her husband and two daughters to new places and aspires one day to do a world cruise. Living on the east coast of Canada, she shares cruising tips and information with fellow Canucks seeking a reprieve from the great white north. She also teaches business studies at a university, with a focus on strategy
