MSC Miami Cruise Terminal Debuts World’s First End‑to‑End Biometric Cruise Experience

(IN SHORT) MSC Cruises and Vision‑Box, an Amadeus company specializing in biometric and digital identity solutions, have launched a revolutionary end‑to‑end biometric cruise experience at the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal located at PortMiami. The terminal, now recognized as the world’s most advanced cruise facility, is built to serve three next‑generation cruise ships simultaneously, with the capacity to process up to 36,000 passengers daily. This state‑of‑the‑art terminal transforms the way travelers are processed by enabling them to use a single Digital ID created through the MSC for Me app to navigate the entire journey—bypassing the need for multiple physical travel documents.

(PRESS RELEASE) MADRID, 2025-Apr-11 — /Travel PR News/ — MSC Cruises, together with Vision‑Box—an Amadeus company and a global leader in biometric seamless travel and digital identity solutions—has inaugurated the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, now heralded as the world’s most advanced cruise terminal. This state‑of‑the‑art facility marks the debut of the first end‑to‑end biometric cruise experience, where guests essentially become their own passports, streamlining processes from off‑terminal check‑in to disembarkation with a simple look at a camera.

Located at PortMiami, the terminal is designed to simultaneously accommodate three next‑generation cruise ships, processing up to 36,000 passengers daily with unprecedented speed and efficiency. The joint biometric program leverages a comprehensive digital identity verification system that optimizes every stage of the guest journey. Starting with Pre‑Cruise Digital Enrollment via the MSC for Me app—powered by Seamless Mobile®—guests create a secure Digital ID, enabling them to pre‑check‑in from the comfort of their own homes.

Upon arrival at the terminal, travelers benefit from frictionless entry through 18 biometric totems that verify identities within seconds, with an additional 100 assisted check‑in desks available onboard tablets for last‑minute enrollees. The terminal’s touchless embarkation and disembarkation are further enhanced by over 20 bidirectional Seamless Gates®, which identify guests instantly—eliminating the need for physical travel documents. The entire process is orchestrated in real‑time by the Seamless Journey Platform®, which maintains a privacy‑first approach while integrating data across MSC’s Passenger Control System and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Traveler Verification Service (CBP TVS).

This pioneering contract is a major step toward digitizing the cruise journey and is set to serve as a blueprint for the industry. The multi‑stakeholder system benefits ports, government agencies, and cruise lines alike by increasing efficiency at critical checkpoints, maximizing terminal capacity, and ensuring a frictionless, personalized experience for every guest. Enhanced data accuracy and improved information sharing between travelers, authorities, and travel providers mean that this technological innovation not only elevates guest satisfaction but also opens new revenue opportunities.

Luca Pronzati, Chief Digital & Technology Officer at MSC Cruises, commented, “We set out on this ground‑breaking project to redefine the terminal experience with our guests in mind—to create a seamless process that starts the vacation with as little friction as possible. Bringing this project to life has required dedication and coordinated effort from all parties involved, and we are incredibly grateful to Vision‑Box for leading the way in innovation. Our five‑year collaboration has delivered a scalable system that will set the standard globally. This is our vision for staying ahead by turning complex technology into a seamless experience for our guests.”

Jeff Lennon, Senior Vice President, Border Authorities at Amadeus, added, “I am convinced that this strategic collaboration between our companies is a powerful game‑changer for the entire cruise industry. Imagine the speed of an airport combined with the grandeur of a cruise—this partnership proves that seamless travel is not a fantasy but a reality, setting the stage for every port around the world.”

Media contact:

Kimberly Axtell
Corporate Communications, Amadeus

SOURCE: Amadeus IT Group