Bienvenido a Barcelona! Welcome to Barcelona from MSC Group, which has officially opened its new cruise terminal in the Spanish city.
The occasion was celebrated during the maiden port call of Explora II, the newest ship operated by Explora Journeys, the luxury cruise brand owned by MSC Group.
MSC Group’s new terminal will be used as a homeport by Explora II on some itineraries and by five MSC Cruises’ ships that will embark guests on various Mediterranean cruises in 2025.
These include MSC World Europa, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Magnifica, and MSC Orchestra.
The terminal was awarded Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification thanks to its focus on environmental protection and sustainability.
With energy efficiency a hallmark of its design, the facility uses solar panels and natural light to reduce power usage and has a rainwater collection system to lower the demand for water.
Ongoing work will result in shore power connectivity in 2027, enabling docked ships to turn off their engines and hook into the local power grid, thereby cutting harmful emissions. More than 60% of MSC Cruises’ fleet already has shore power capability.
The terminal also has the capability for liquified natural gas (LNG) bunkering operations, as more ships are being fitted to use the greener fuel alternative.
A slew of Spanish governmental officials joined MSC Group executives at the inauguration ceremony and ribbon-cutting on April 3, 2025, including Spain’s State Secretary for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Jose Antonio Santano Clavero.
Other high-ranking government officials included Albert Dalmau, minister of the presidency of the Government of Catalonia; and Jose Alberto Carbonell, president of the Port of Barcelona.
Said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s cruise division: “The new terminal is not just an investment in modern port infrastructure but demonstrates that we are aligned with the city’s strategy for a more balanced and sustainable model of tourism, all whilst bringing positive economic benefits to the region.“
“We look forward to this new chapter with the Port of Barcelona as our guests from MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys enjoy the benefits that this modern, innovative and sustainable cruise facility brings,” said Vago.
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The executive noted that the port of Barcelona is a 40-year partner of MSC Group, which also operates a large cargo business, and a 25-year partner of MSC Cruises.
Terminal Offers VIP Lounge for Luxury Cruisers
Designed by Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura, a Catalan firm, the terminal’s exterior is a nod to visionary architect Antoni Gaudí, while inside, cruise passengers will find multiple areas geared to make their transit through the port seamless.
The terminal has a retail space plus a waiting area with plentiful seating. A VIP lounge for premium and luxury guests provides an exclusive pre-boarding process.
The official inauguration of the new cruise terminal followed its opening in mid-February 2025, when MSC Fantasia became the first MSC Cruises’ ship to disembark guests at the port.
Barcelona is the largest port in the Mediterranean, welcoming 3.6 million cruise passengers in 2024. It is among some European cities that have taken steps to limit the impact of cruise-tourism on local infrastructure and lifestyle.
In Barcelona, just seven cruise ships at a time can call at the destination, and in October 2023, the city banned cruise ships from docking at the World Trade Center area and Muelle Barcelona Norte.
The move was intended to cut emissions in the city center area.
