MSC Cruises Inaugurates World’s Largest Cruise Terminal in Miami

MSC Cruises inaugurated the world’s largest cruise terminal on Saturday at PortMiami. The new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal is staking a claim as the first in the industry to implement a complete biometric journey with digital identity verification for a seamless embarkation experience.

Built by Fincantieri Infrastructure, the nearly 500,000 square foot 492,678 square foot facility is capable of processing up to 36,000 passengers daily. It will serve both MSC Cruises’ and Explora Journeys’ ships sailing from PortMiami, including MSC Cruises’ new flagship, MSC World America, which will be named during a ceremony at the terminal on April 9.

Here’s how the MSC Miami Cruse Terminal will streamline processes for your clients:

Check in from the comfort of home: Guests can check in for their cruise online, via the MSC for Me app or the MSC Cruises website. They can upload their travel documents, receive their boarding pass in a matter of minutes, and prepare in advance for biometric processing, saving valuable at the terminal.

Ease of arrival: Guests can arrive by car, bus, taxi or ride share. Parking spots can be reserved in advance via the MSC for Me app or the MSC Cruises website. There is also a covered drop-off zone for buses, taxis and ride shares. All forms of arrival share a covered path straight to the terminal’s main entrance.

Dropping bags is a breeze: Guests who have checked in online can simply scan their boarding pass and drop their luggage at one of the secure, strategically placed drop-off points in the parking garage before continuing to the terminal.

Biometrics speed check-in and security: Guests who have opted into the biometric journey can simply scan their passport and look at the camera of one of the terminal’s 18 biometric face pods for validation. The 20 security lanes that follow ensure a fast, efficient, and seamless screening process.

Pre-cruise relaxation: Before guests embark, they can take a moment to unwind in one of the comfortable waiting areas situated throughout the spacious terminal. Guests of the luxury “ship-within-a-ship” MSC Yacht Clubwill also have exclusive access to a private lounge to enjoy premium drinks and snacks.

Last step to embarkation: The terminal uses 22 biometric E-gates to finalize the embarkation process before guests enter the gangway. With onboarding now performed terminal side, rather than on the vessel, guests can start their holiday immediately.   

Seamless disembarkation and luggage collection: Guests will benefit from an easy, quick disembarkation thanks to an advanced baggage handling and processing system.

The MSC Miami Cruse Terminal In numbers:

• 492,678 square feet – making it the world’s largest cruise terminal.
• Spans 4 levels
• The first terminal in the world to be able to welcome three cruise ships simultaneously.
• Features 7 pieces of artwork including a 10,816-square-foot digital art installation displayed on the outside of the terminal.
• Capable of processing up to 36,000 guests daily.
• 2,400+ parking spots available in the adjacent parking garage
• 42 luggage screening machines
• 18 biometric facepods verify passport and identification
• 22 E-gates used for embarkation