MSC Group Opens New North American Cruise Headquarters in Downtown Miami, Consolidating Operations Near PortMiami

Ribbon-cutting marks expanded Miami footprint for MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys

MSC Group’s Cruise Division has formally opened a new North American headquarters in downtown Miami, establishing a larger base for MSC Cruises and luxury brand Explora Journeys as the company expands its presence in the U.S. market. The ribbon-cutting took place Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, after employees had already begun working from the site for several weeks.

The headquarters occupies the entire seventh floor of Block 55 at Sawyer’s Walk, a mixed-use development near Interstate 95 and close to the city’s core. The space totals about 130,000 square feet and is designed to accommodate at least 400 employees across MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys. The buildout was designed with Arquitectonica, and the office includes an open-air breezeway with views of downtown.

What the new office includes and who will work there

In addition to cruise operations, the headquarters is intended to bring multiple MSC business lines closer together. The Miami site includes teams from the company’s cruise and cargo businesses, as well as CTL Maritime, a unit involved in port infrastructure development. Company executives described the consolidation as a way to align U.S. operations more directly with South Florida’s port and logistics ecosystem.

• Location: Block 55 at Sawyer’s Walk, downtown Miami/Overtown area
• Size: approximately 130,000 square feet on a single floor
• Workforce: capacity for at least 400 employees
• Businesses represented: MSC Cruises, Explora Journeys, cargo and maritime-related teams

Economic expectations and public officials at the opening

Local and state officials attended the ceremony, including Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and City of Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, alongside PortMiami leadership and MSC executives. The new headquarters is projected to support additional job growth in Miami-Dade County over the coming years and is expected to generate recurring annual direct economic impact within the county.

Miami’s role as a hub for both passenger cruising and cargo shipping was repeatedly cited during the opening as a central factor in the company’s decision to expand its North American base downtown.

How the move fits into Miami’s broader cruise-sector expansion

The opening comes as Miami continues to attract and retain major cruise-company operations and related infrastructure investment. Beyond corporate offices, PortMiami is also advancing new terminal development designed to handle growing passenger volumes and larger next-generation ships. The proximity of MSC’s new headquarters to PortMiami places its leadership and shoreside teams closer to day-to-day operational needs tied to embarkation, port calls, and regional logistics.

With multiple cruise brands deepening their Miami presence through headquarters expansions and terminal projects, the city’s position as a center of cruise operations is being reinforced through parallel investment in offices, staffing, and port infrastructure.