MANHATTAN — MSC Meraviglia, MSC Cruises’ first Meraviglia Class smart ship made its inaugural visit to North American shores on Oct. 7, arriving at Manhattan Pier in New York City.

With a double occupancy capacity of 4,488 and gross tonnage of 171,598 GRT, MSC Meraviglia is MSC Cruises’ largest ship sailing from the U.S and sets the record for the largest ship to ever port in Manhattan.

As the ship continues sailings along the east coast, MSC Meraviglia will also be the largest ship ever to call Boston, as well as Portland and Bar Harbor.

MSC Meraviglia will also be the first ship to visit MSC Cruises’ new private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, before homeporting in Miami to cruise the Caribbean for the winter season.

Ship highlights include exclusive shows from Cirque du Soleil at Sea, international cuisine from Michelin-starred chef Ramón Freixa, and a one-of-a-kind Mediterranean-style promenade.

“We are so thrilled to welcome MSC Meraviglia, a truly beautiful ship, to the U.S. as she marks another major milestone for MSC Cruises in the North American market,” said Ken Muskat, EVP & Chief Operating Officer of MSC Cruises (USA).

“Due to significant demand, for the first time in MSC Cruises history we now have four distinct ships sailing in the region as MSC Meraviglia joins MSC Seaside, MSC Armonia and MSC Divina. With each ship offering its own unique design and guest experience inspired by our European heritage, we look forward to providing travellers with even more choice and variety to best fit their vacation needs.”

From Nov.10, 2019 through April 5, 2020, MSC Meraviglia will sail two different 7-night western Caribbean itineraries visiting ports in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Belize, Honduras and The Bahamas. Sample itineraries include:

. Jan. 12, 2019: 7-night sailing visiting Ocho Rios; Georgetown, Cayman Islands; Cozumel; Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas. Prices start at $629 per person for a balcony stateroom.

. Feb. 16, 2019: 7-night sailing visiting Miami; Isla de Rotan, Honduras; Belize City; Costa Maya, Mexico; Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas; Miami. Prices start at $639 per person for a balcony stateroom.

Following its inaugural season in Miami, MSC Meraviglia will then return to Northern Europe for summer 2020 (April – October). Upon returning to the U.S. in October 2020, MSC Meraviglia will once again do three 10-night sailings from New York to Canada & New England before then homeporting back in Miami for 7-night Caribbean sailings.