MSC Divina to bring some firsts to Miami

BY JAY CLARKE
SPECIAL TO THE MIAMI HERALD

When MSC Divina arrives in Miami in November, it will mark the beginning of a first for MSC Cruises — the first time the line has stationed a ship year-round at a North American port. And it will offer a number of options that were not available on MSC ships that sailed seasonally here.

First, in partnership with Eataly, an upscale Italian chain with restaurants also in Japan and the United States, Divina will have two restaurants and a boutique Eataly marketplace new to North America on board. Eataly debuted this year on Divina’s sister ship, MSC Preziosa. The new dining rooms are the upscale Ristorante Italia and Manzo, a steakhouse patterned after Eataly’s restaurant in Manhattan.

In an industry first, Divina will offer classes in Aqua Cycling, the latest fitness craze, which uses bikes in pools. Also new on the ship will be Top 18, an adults-only oasis with personal lounge beds, bar menu and spa services. And available for the first time on the line’s North America sailings will be the MSC Yacht Club, a luxurious section of the ship with personal butler, 24-hour concierge service, complimentary wines and spirits, and exclusive lounge, restaurant and pool.

The 3,274-passenger ship, which entered service in 2012, will start Caribbean cruises out of Miami Nov. 20.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/28/3650141/msc-divina-to-bring-some-firsts.html