MIAMI — MSC Cruises has officially opened the world’s largest and most technologically advanced cruise terminal at PortMiami.
Debuting on April 5, 2025, the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal is the first in the cruise industry to offer a full biometric journey with digital identity verification, aiming to deliver a seamless and efficient embarkation experience for guests.
Designed by renowned global architecture firm Arquitectonica and built by Fincantieri Infrastructure, the 492,678-square-foot facility can process up to 36,000 passengers daily. Every element of the terminal’s design focuses on streamlining the guest journey, ensuring a stress-free start to their vacation.
The new facility will serve both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys ships sailing from Miami. It will also be the home port for MSC Cruises’ new flagship, MSC World America, which will be named at the terminal on April 9 before departing on her inaugural season in the Caribbean.
A New Standard for Cruise Terminals
Guests can complete check-in from home via the MSC for Me app or the MSC Cruises website, uploading travel documents and receiving a boarding pass within minutes. Once at the terminal, they can take advantage of over 2,400 parking spaces in a six-level garage, which can be reserved in advance.
For those arriving by bus, taxi, or rideshare, a covered drop-off area leads directly to the terminal’s main entrance. Guests who have checked in online can quickly drop their luggage at secure points within the parking structure before proceeding to the terminal.
Embarkation is made faster and more efficient with biometric processing. Guests opting into the biometric journey can scan their passport and validate their identity at one of 18 biometric face pods, followed by streamlined security screening through 20 security lanes.
The terminal’s spacious design is filled with natural light, with sweeping views of Biscayne Bay through its glass façade. Comfortable waiting areas are available throughout the facility, and guests booked in MSC Yacht Club enjoy access to an exclusive private lounge with premium drinks and snacks.
Final boarding steps are completed using one of 22 biometric e-gates, with onboarding performed terminal-side rather than onboard, allowing guests to start their holidays immediately. Disembarkation is equally seamless, thanks to an advanced baggage handling system.
An Artistic Touch
Inside the terminal, guests are welcomed by seven curated works of art commissioned through Miami-Dade County’s Art in Public Places program. The centrepiece is a 10,816-square-foot digital installation on the building’s exterior, projecting real-time NOAA oceanic data to create a dynamic visual display of tides, currents, and weather patterns. Exclusive artworks also enhance the MSC Yacht Club’s private lounge, offering an elevated pre-cruise experience.
For more information go to www.msccruises.ca.
