MSC Cruises and Formula 1: A Partnership in Teamwork
Cruise and racing fans worldwide have seen MSC Cruises at every Formula 1 race since a joint partnership was announced in June 2022. It was announced at the Miami Grand Prix in May 2023 that the sponsorship would continue through 2026.
Read More: MSC Extends Global Partnership Deal with Formula 1 Through 2026
What does this mean for cruisers? The partnership between MSC Cruises and Formula 1 offers cruisers a unique blend of exhilarating entertainment and luxurious travel experiences. Additionally, it will offer cruisers the opportunity to experience the pinnacle of motorsports by introducing this exciting dimension to the cruising industry. Don’t have a Formula 1 race on your bucket list? Time to revise the list, and here’s why.
Until you’ve been to a track and experienced firsthand the energy, excitement, and thrill of watching a premier athlete buckle into a car and command the track at more than 200 mph, you haven’t lived. Honestly, it’s truly exhilarating to witness firsthand. To see the teamwork that goes into building these cars, from engineering to mechanics, tire specialists, logistic coordinators, and more. The amount of staff is staggering when you look at what it takes to get an entire team, equipment, and personnel from one race to another, around the globe, often with just a week or two between races.
Similar to cruising, have you ever thought about what it takes to get a cruise ship built and ready to sail? Or what happens each week behind the scenes, from provisioning food and drinks to staffing, supplies, equipment, and more. It can be overwhelming to think about all of the logistics involved. Most cruisers take for granted that they will have plenty of dining options, excellent service, clean rooms, and all the amenities and luxuries of cruising. Rarely does the average person on vacation think about all the teamwork that goes into providing a world-class cruise experience.
Recently at the Miami Grand Prix, I was fortunate enough to attend with some of the executives from MSC Cruises to see what this partnership means for both sides and get an inside look at synergies between these global organizations. Since the Netflix series Formula 1: Drive to Survive debuted in 2019, the growing interest and popularity of racing have grown exponentially, especially in the United States. Formula 1 has its roots in Europe, with legions of race fans tuning in and cheering on their favorite drivers and teams. It’s really only been since the Netflix docu-series about the sport that you now find people in the United States talking about the sport. Previously motorsports in America was limited knowledge, with the broader cross-section having heard of NASCAR and Indy Car but not really following the sport. With the globalization of TV, so many more sports are now available to much larger audiences and bringing motorsports into more households than ever before.
Similar to the roots of racing, MSC Cruises has a deep history in Europe. Known in Italy and across the European continent for providing cruise vacations to millions of people. In 2013 the MSC Divina marked the beginning of MSC Cruises' expansion into the North American market sailing from PortMiami. Since that time, the line has added several ships to the market, most notably in 2022. The line launched the new MSC Seascape offering year-round Caribbean sailings from PortMiami. Additionally, MSC Magnifica and MSC Divina sail from Miami seasonally, and starting in 2025, the new MSC World America will call Miami home for its inaugural season.
Just a few hours up the Florida West Coast, Port Canaveral is home to MSC Seaside through the fall of 2023. The ship will then reposition to the Southern Caribbean, and MSC Seashore will then homeport in this popular and growing homeport. In April 2023, the line repositioned the MSC Meraviglia from Port Canaveral up to New York City, where she will now be homeport all year round, offering Caribbean, Canada/New England, and Bermuda cruises.
Not only can Formula 1 races be seen onboard MSC ships, but most ships also offer a simulator onboard to take cruisers up close to the action and feel like a driver, if even for a few minutes.
Want to get a closer look at the racing action from onboard an MSC Cruise? For the 2023 season, the MSC Virtuosa will be in Abu Dhabi for the November 23rd weekend to give guests unprecedented access to the race with packages ranging from cruise-only to full premium hospitality in a suite onboard the ship and full Paddock and pit lane access at the track. For more details and information, click here.
Expect more up close and personal race experiences coupled with cruise vacations for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. While details haven’t been announced yet, expect Monaco, Barcelona, Melbourne, and more seaside F1 race cities to welcome an MSC Cruises ship to the experience.
Through the collaboration, cruisers can enjoy exclusive access to Formula 1 event, behind-the-scenes experiences, and opportunities to witness the thrilling races firsthand. This partnership not only adds an element of glamour and excitement to the cruise itineraries but also creates unforgettable memories for motorsport enthusiasts, elevating the overall vacation experience to new heights.
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