WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao will be among the Caribbean destinations featured in MSC Cruises' winter 2026/2027 itineraries, with the MSC Poesia offering 10-night voyages from Miami that include a stop in Willemstad. The announcement carries special significance for Curaçao-born Suzanne Salas, Executive Vice President of Marketing, eCommerce and Sales at MSC Cruises USA, who expressed pride in the company's continued commitment to her home island.
The announcement follows MSC Poesia's visit to Curaçao on Monday, October 26, 2026, highlighting the island's continued importance in the cruise company's Caribbean operations.
For the upcoming winter season, MSC Poesia will return to PortMiami, where it will operate a series of 10- and 11-night cruises to destinations across the Caribbean, Central America and South America.
MSC Poesia
The ship will depart from the MSC Miami Cruise Terminal and join three other vessels operated by the company: MSC World America, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside.
With four ships based in Miami during the winter season, MSC Cruises will establish a company record for the number of vessels operating from the Florida port.
Curaçao-Born Executive Expresses Pride in Home Island
For Suzanne Salas, the inclusion of Willemstad in the company's Caribbean itineraries represents more than another destination on its cruise schedule.
"As a Yu di Kòrsou, it is especially meaningful to me that MSC Cruises continues to welcome guests from around the world to Willemstad, Curaçao, the place where I was born," Salas said.
"With MSC Poesia returning to Miami this winter, we are creating more opportunities for travelers to discover Curaçao's rich culture, history and hospitality."
Salas also emphasized the economic and community benefits associated with the company's presence on the island.
"I am particularly proud of the contribution MSC Cruises makes to the local tourism economy, strengthening our ties with the community and introducing more visitors to everything Curaçao has to offer," she said.
Her remarks highlight the personal connection between one of MSC Cruises' senior executives in the United States and Curaçao, as well as the company's efforts to strengthen its position in the Southern Caribbean cruise market.
Willemstad Featured Alongside Other Caribbean Destinations
MSC Poesia's 10-night Southern Caribbean cruises will include destinations such as Oranjestad in Aruba, Kralendijk in Bonaire, Willemstad in Curaçao and Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic.
These itineraries provide passengers with opportunities to visit all three ABC islands during a single Caribbean voyage.
The ship will also operate 11-night cruises through the Southern and Western Caribbean, with regular visits to destinations including Ocho Rios and Montego Bay in Jamaica, Cartagena in Colombia, Colón in Panama, Puerto Limón in Costa Rica, Roatán in Honduras and Belize City in Belize.
Additional 10-night itineraries will feature George Town in the Cayman Islands, Cozumel in Mexico, Charlotte Amalie in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Basseterre in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Philipsburg in Sint Maarten, St. John's in Antigua and Barbuda, San Juan in Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.
The variety of routes reflects MSC Cruises' strategy of offering longer voyages from Miami that connect passengers with multiple Caribbean destinations.
Caribbean Cruise Tourism Continues to Expand
The announcement comes as the Caribbean cruise industry continues to experience significant growth.
According to the Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) 2026 State of the Cruise Industry report, the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda collectively welcomed 16.27 million cruise passengers in 2025.
This represented an increase of 8.4 percent compared with 2024.
The region accounted for 44 percent of cruise passengers worldwide, maintaining its position as the world's most popular cruise destination.
These figures illustrate the importance of the Caribbean to the international cruise industry and the competition among destinations to attract cruise ships and their passengers.
For Curaçao, inclusion in major cruise itineraries provides opportunities for local businesses, particularly restaurants, retailers, tour operators and transportation providers serving visitors arriving in Willemstad.
Cruise tourism also supports activity in the capital's historic districts, where passengers can explore local attractions, architecture, shopping areas and cultural landmarks.
However, the broader economic benefits depend on how much cruise passenger spending reaches local businesses and the island's tourism economy.
MSC Cruises Expands Investments in Miami and the Caribbean
MSC Cruises continues to strengthen its presence in South Florida and the Caribbean through investments in infrastructure and regional operations.
Among its recent investments are the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal and the headquarters of its North American cruise division in downtown Miami.
According to the company, these developments demonstrate its long-term commitment to the region as it expands operations and connects more international travelers with Caribbean destinations.
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is a privately owned company and the world's third-largest cruise line.
The company is a market leader in Europe and maintains a growing presence in North America.
MSC Cruises currently operates a modern fleet of 23 cruise ships, offering itineraries across five continents and visiting more than 100 countries and over 300 destinations worldwide.
The return of MSC Poesia to Miami and the inclusion of Willemstad in its winter itineraries further reinforce Curaçao's position within the company's Caribbean network.
For Salas, the development also represents an opportunity to introduce more international travelers to the island where she was born.