The cruise industry in Europe is experiencing a period of clear expansion and MSC Cruises has placed itself at the center of that growthThe shipping company, of Italian origin and headquartered in Geneva, has closed its last fiscal year exceeding the five million passenger mark worldwide, with results that already surpass pre-pandemic figures.
This push is especially noticeable in the Spanish market, where the company has consolidated a dominant position. Spain, with Barcelona and Valencia as key ports, has become a strategic piece within the shipping company's plans to continue increasing capacity and number of cruise passengers in the coming years.
From five to ten million passengers: MSC's big leap
As explained by its CEO, Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises ended the year with five million passengers, 8,7% more than the 4,6 million of the previous year.The company's objective is ambitious: to reach ten million cruise passengers around 2034, which would mean doubling its current volume.
To achieve this, the shipping company anticipates sustained growth in its fleet. It currently operates 23 ships under the MSC brand, in addition to two more managed by its luxury brand Explora Journeys.The plan for the next nine years involves adding 16 additional ships, bringing the total to 41 units distributed between both brands.
Within that timeframe, The company has set a pace of incorporating at least one new ship per year.In some exercises, the forecast even includes the commissioning of two or three units, which will allow capacity to be increased gradually and adapted to the evolution of demand.
A significant portion of these new constructions will be for MSC itself. The shipping company will receive twelve ships, six of which will belong to its new "New Frontier" class.a series of smaller vessels compared to the giants of the "World Class". The other half of these twelve units will be integrated precisely into that family of large capacity ships, with which the MSC fleet could reach 35 ships.
Explora Journeys, the brand geared towards the most exclusive segment, will also grow within the group. It is planned to add four more ships, bringing the total fleet to six cruise ships.thus reinforcing the offering of luxury products and more personalized experiences within the MSC umbrella.
Spain and the Mediterranean, pillars in the growth strategy
Beyond the overall passenger data, the spanish market It has become one of the group's main drivers.Onorato highlights that the company has continued to increase its market share in Spain during the last fiscal year, exceeding the 60% it already held the previous year, which consolidates it as the leading shipping company in the country.
Investment in infrastructure, especially in Barcelona, ​​has played a decisive role in this leadership. MSC opened its own cruise terminal in the port of Barcelona in 2025., a facility that the company considers its "home" in the city and which allows it to operate with a high frequency of stopovers.
Thanks to that terminal in the Catalan capital, The shipping company can keep a ship docked almost every day of the week.This continuous presence facilitates both embarkation and disembarkation operations as well as the rotation of itineraries around the Mediterranean, making Barcelona an essential hub for its European routes.
Valencia is also part of the equation, although with some nuances. MSC has continued to develop its activity in the port of Valencia, although this year it has opted to allocate a smaller ship there.The reason is the execution of renovation work at the port facilities, which temporarily limits the entry of larger ships.
This combination of strategic Spanish ports allows the company to strengthen its offering in the western Mediterranean. Simultaneous presence in Barcelona and Valencia expands boarding options for national and European audiences, and facilitates connections with routes that combine stops in Italy, France, Mediterranean islands and other destinations in the region.
Results above pre-pandemic era and strength of the cruise product
From a financial point of view, MSC Cruises has already overcome the setback of the health crisisOnorato emphasizes that the 2024 results recovered to pre-pandemic levels and that the last fiscal year has even surpassed the 2019 figures, both in passenger volume and business performance.
This behavior is linked to the evolution of demand. Despite a context marked by geopolitical tensions and some economic uncertainty, the company observes robust demand. and maintains an optimistic view on the future of the cruise sector in Europe and on a global scale.
One of the arguments that explains this strength is the relationship between price and included services. Onorato believes that the value a cruise provides compared to its cost is "very high" Compared to other vacation options, this type of product is advantageous in times of financial strain for households.
According to the executive, In times of economic hardship, cruises tend to gain appeal because they allow travelers to better control their budget.By combining accommodation, transport between destinations, a significant portion of the food and beverage options, and a large part of the leisure activities into a single package, unexpected expenses are reduced and the predictability of the total cost of the trip is increased.
This model is supported by the scale that the shipping company has achieved. MSC argues that its large volume of operations allows it to take advantage of economies of scale.so that it can offer prices that it considers very competitive without sacrificing a broad and varied level of service on board its ships.
Operational flexibility in the face of crises and debates on overtourism
Beyond purely economic factors, The company emphasizes the adaptability of its itinerariesIn a scenario where regional conflicts or specific restrictions may arise, the ability to modify routes becomes a key tool to maintain activity.
Onorato points out that when a geopolitical problem arises in a specific area, The shipping company can reposition its ships towards other destinationsThis room for maneuver is facilitated by the international nature of its clientele, since MSC does not depend on a single predominant nationality, unlike some companies more oriented towards the North American market.
At the same time, the cruise industry is increasingly being challenged by the public debate on overtourism and environmental impact. The CEO of MSC states that it is incorrect to single out cruise ships as the main culprits behind overtourism and pollution., and believes there is some distortion in the way the data is presented.
As an example, remember that Worldwide, more than 2.000 billion organized holiday trips are recorded annually.While the volume of cruise passengers is around 35 million, in his opinion, this represents less than 2% of the total, which is why he questions placing cruises at the center of the overtourism problem.
In the specific case of Barcelona, ​​Onorato points out that For years, both departures and arrivals were counted as cruise passengers, doubling the actual figures.According to him, this method of counting contributed to exaggerating the perceived impact, although the calculation system has now been corrected to more accurately reflect the number of people who actually pass through the city on a cruise ship.
A view of leisure and holidays beyond the controversy
The head of the shipping company links some of the criticism of cruises to the playful image they project. In his opinion, these types of ships tend to be held more responsible than other traffic such as ferries or cargo ships.partly because cruising is directly associated with leisure, holidays and fun.
In that context, Onorato defends the social role of leisure time. Remember that people need to disconnect from work and have rest periods.not only for physical well-being but also for mental health. Holidays, he argues, serve a purpose that goes beyond mere entertainment.
According to the company, this defense of leisure is not at odds with the obligation to make progress in sustainability. Although this time the focus has been on passenger and fleet growth, the shipping company insists on its commitment to improve the efficiency of their ships and adapt to increasingly demanding environmental standards, an aspect that has become a trend throughout the industry.
Looking ahead to the next few years, MSC's plan combines expansion and adaptation. The projected growth in Europe, with Spain as one of the strongest markets, will be supported by new routes, more modern ships and greater integration with home ports.At the same time, the company knows it will have to continue responding to public scrutiny about its impact and the competition from other modes of travel.
With an expanding fleet, results that already exceed pre-pandemic levels, and a strong presence in ports like Barcelona and Valencia, MSC Cruises faces the next decade with the challenge of managing a significant increase in passengers up to around ten million, without losing sight of the demands for adjusted prices, flexibility in itineraries and greater sensitivity towards the environment in which it operates.
