MSC Cruises Unveils Easter 2026 Sailings Centered on Ocean Cay

MSC Cruises has outlined spring break and Easter 2026 itineraries across the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, with multiple departures timed to Easter weekend (April 5, 2026) and sailings spanning late March through mid-April.

The schedule includes a mix of three-night getaways and seven-night, port-intensive cruises sailing from homeports including Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, Fort-de-France, Barcelona, Venice (Marghera), and Bari. The materials detailing the itineraries did not include an official statement from MSC Cruises executives.

Flagship Easter-period departure: MSC World America from PortMiami

One of the most prominent holiday sailings is a seven-night roundtrip on MSC World America departing PortMiami on April 4, 2026 (April 4–11). The itinerary calls at Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas before returning to Miami.

MSC World America entered service in April 2025. The ship measures 215,863 gross tons and is designed to carry up to 6,762 guests when all berths are occupied.

Caribbean options: short breaks and week-long itineraries

For travelers looking for a shorter holiday-weekend sailing, MSC Seaside is scheduled to operate a three-night cruise departing Miami on April 3, 2026, sailing to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and returning to Miami.

MSC’s spring 2026 Caribbean lineup also includes multiple seven-night voyages from U.S. and Caribbean homeports, including Western Caribbean routes from Texas and Florida and an island-hopping itinerary from Fort-de-France.

• MSC Grandiosa (Port Canaveral, April 4, 2026): A seven-night itinerary with calls including Costa Maya (Mexico), Belize City (Belize), Cozumel (Mexico), and Nassau (Bahamas).
• MSC Seascape (Galveston, April 5, 2026): A seven-night Western Caribbean sailing visiting Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, plus Isla de Roatan, Honduras.
• MSC Virtuosa (Fort-de-France, March 28–April 4, 2026): A seven-night island-hopping cruise calling at Pointe-à-Pitre, Bridgetown, Castries, Kingstown, and Saint George.

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve appears across multiple sailings

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is included on multiple spring 2026 itineraries, from short cruises to seven-night sailings. MSC’s private destination is expected to expand its pier capacity in late 2026 to accommodate two ships at the same time (up from one), while a broader set of enhancements is described as scheduled to debut in 2027.

Mediterranean sailings center on Easter week departures from Spain and Italy

In Europe, MSC Cruises is also scheduling seven-night Easter-week voyages in both the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, with roundtrip departures from Barcelona, Venice (Marghera), and Bari.

Western Mediterranean roundtrips from Barcelona

• MSC Splendida (April 4, 2026): A seven-night itinerary calling at Marseille (France); Genoa, Naples, and Palermo (Italy); and La Goulette (Tunisia), before returning to Barcelona.
• MSC Orchestra (April 5, 2026): A seven-night route with stops including Marseille (France); Genoa and Livorno (Italy); Civitavecchia (gateway to Rome); and Valencia (Spain), returning to Barcelona.

Eastern Mediterranean routes from Venice (Marghera) and Bari

• MSC Lirica (Venice-Marghera, April 5, 2026): A seven-night itinerary calling at Kotor (Montenegro); Mykonos and Syros (Greece); and Ancona (Italy), returning to Venice (Marghera).
• MSC Sinfonia (Bari, April 4, 2026): A seven-night sailing with Greek calls at Santorini, Piraeus, Katakolon, Cefalonia, and Corfu, returning to Bari.

MSC Yacht Club details highlighted on MSC World America

MSC has also spotlighted MSC Yacht Club on MSC World America as a higher-end, ship-within-a-ship option designed to provide more private spaces and dedicated amenities. The Yacht Club includes two Owner’s Suites with private terraces featuring hot tubs and seating areas, along with Duplex Suites aimed at families and groups.

Outdoor Yacht Club areas include a two-level sundeck with food and beverage service, private cabanas, and a dedicated pool, positioning the product as a way for guests to access large-ship venues while still having a more secluded onboard area.

Across the late-March to mid-April 2026 window, MSC’s sailing calendar clusters around Easter weekend departures while maintaining a balance between shorter breaks and week-long itineraries in both the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, with repeated calls at Ocean Cay as the private destination works toward its late-2026 pier expansion and additional upgrades expected in 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is Easter in 2026, and which MSC sailings align with it?

Easter falls on April 5, 2026. MSC has multiple departures timed to that weekend and week, including the seven-night MSC World America sailing from PortMiami on April 4, 2026, and Mediterranean departures from Barcelona (April 4 and April 5), Bari (April 4), and Venice-Marghera (April 5).

What can travelers expect aboard MSC World America?

MSC World America entered service in April 2025 and measures 215,863 gross tons, with a maximum capacity of 6,762 guests. MSC has highlighted onboard premium accommodations through MSC Yacht Club, including two Owner’s Suites with private terraces featuring hot tubs and seating areas, Duplex Suites for families and groups, and a two-level private sundeck with cabanas, a dedicated pool, and food and beverage service.

What are MSC’s key Mediterranean itineraries during Easter 2026?

Key seven-night Easter-period sailings include two Barcelona roundtrips: MSC Splendida departing April 4, 2026 (Marseille; Genoa, Naples, Palermo; and La Goulette), and MSC Orchestra departing April 5, 2026 (Marseille; Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia; and Valencia). In the Eastern Mediterranean, MSC Lirica sails from Venice-Marghera on April 5, 2026 (Kotor; Mykonos, Syros; and Ancona), while MSC Sinfonia departs Bari on April 4, 2026 with calls at Santorini, Piraeus, Katakolon, Cefalonia, and Corfu.

What changes are planned for Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve?

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is expected to expand pier capacity in late 2026 to accommodate two ships at the same time. The destination is also described as having a broader package of enhancements expected to debut in 2027.

How has MSC Cruises expanded its Caribbean offerings for spring 2026?

The spring 2026 schedule includes both short and week-long Caribbean options from several homeports. Highlights include a three-night MSC Seaside cruise from Miami to Ocean Cay departing April 3, 2026; a seven-night MSC Grandiosa sailing from Port Canaveral departing April 4 with calls including Costa Maya, Belize City, Cozumel, and Nassau; a seven-night MSC Seascape cruise from Galveston departing April 5 visiting Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Isla de Roatan; and a seven-night MSC Virtuosa itinerary from Fort-de-France running March 28 to April 4 with calls including Pointe-à-Pitre, Bridgetown, Castries, Kingstown, and Saint George.