The best of Miami: discover the MSC World America christening venue

Miami is one of our most popular ports of call and is always the first stop on our Caribbean cruises with transportation and a delegate. Tune in with us ahead of the upcoming christening of MSC World America for the Miami wave that will soon engulf our website and social networks. A new world of travel is about to set sail!

The holiday capital and falling chameleons

Miami is the largest city in southeast Florida and the second largest city in the U.S. state. It is situated between the marshes of Everglades National Park and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The city itself has a population of approximately 400,000, but the entire metropolitan area has about 5.5 million people.

Miami is known for its subtropical climate, vibrant nightlife and rich beach culture. But the heat isn't here all the time. Pavel Cíž, general manager of Riviera Tour, likes to tell the story of how on one of his autumn cruises with clients, even though temperatures were supposed to be in the 30s,frozen chameleons fell from trees because the temperatures outside were less than ideal.

The best of Miami: discover the MSC World America christening venue

"Big Water"

Due to the high number of Latin Americans, who make up 65% of the population, Spanish is often spoken in Miami, earning the city the nickname "Gateway to Latin America". The city's history dates back to the Tequesta Indian tribe, which lived here until the 18th century. The name "Miami" probably comes from their language, where the word "Mayaimi" means "big water". The area was originally made up of swamps and subtropical vegetation, which made settlement difficult. It was not until the early 20th century that the area was drained, allowing the town to develop.

Within a few decades, Miami became a selected tourist paradise where the American elite headed for relaxation. During World War II, it transformed from a seasonal resort into a year-round city. The architecture was inspired by the Mediterranean style of Spain, Portugal and Italy. In the 1980s, however, the city faced problems with crime associated with drug cartels and gangs.

Miami Beach a park Everglades

Today, Miami is known for its beautiful beaches, such as Miami Beach, with the famous South Beach area being the centre of nightlife and entertainment. The Art Deco Historic District features unique architecture dating from 1923-1943. Visitors can also visit the Cuban neighborhood of Little Havana, known for its authentic atmosphere and cultural festivals.

For nature lovers, the Everglades National Park, home to alligators and abundant flora and fauna is close to Miami. Another popular excursion is a drive through the Florida Keys archipelago to Key West, the southernmost point of the mainland USA.

Sports enthusiasts will also find something to enjoy. Miami is home to several professional sports teams, including the Miami Heat (NBA), Miami Dolphins (NFL) and Inter Miami CF (soccer). The sports culture here is very strong, and stadiums such as Hard Rock Stadium regularly host major events, including the Super Bowl. In addition, the Grand Prix of Miami is held here, which has a special feature - the Formula One paddock is right inside the stadium.

Miami is also a major economic and cultural centre with a bustling port that is one of the busiest in the world. Millions of cruise ship passengers and vast amounts of cargo pass through each year. That's why this year MSC Cruises built the largest cruise terminal in the world.

To visit Miami is to experience a unique combination of sun, sea, culture and entertainment that will appeal to every visitor.

Riviera Tour at the MSC World America launch

There will soon be a big event in Miami, and our Riviera Tour agency will be there. The MSC World America will be christened next week on April 9, kicking off its journey of adventure, fun and discovery. Famous actress Drew Barrymore will be the ship's godmother, and her partner from the TV spots will be in attendance Orlando Bloom!

The live coverage of the launch of the new ship will be traditionally provided by Pavel Číž, CEO of Riviera Group, who will complement it with insights based on his more than 15 years of experience with MSC Cruises, during which he has followed the growing MSC Cruises fleet and the transformation of this European company into a global player in the field of cruises at sea.