what kind of cruise line is msc

• Port Overview
• Transportation to the Port
• Uber & Lyft to the Port
• Dropping Off at the Port
• Cruise Parking
• Cruise Hotels
• Hotels with Parking Deals
• Uber & Lyft to the Ports
• Things to Do
• Cozumel Taxi Rates
• Free Things to Do
• Restaurants Near the Cruise Port
• Hotels & Resorts With Day Passes
• Closest Beaches to the Cruise Port
• Tips For Visiting
• Shore Excursions
• Cruise Parking Discounts
• Hotels with Shuttles
• Which Airport Should I Use?
• Transportation to the Ports
• Dropping Off at the Ports
• Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami
• Inexpensive Hotels
• Hotels near the Port
• Hotels With Shuttles
• Budget Hotels
• Carnival Tips
• Drink Packages
• Specialty Restaurants
• Faster to the Fun
• More Articles
• CocoCay Tips
• Norwegian Tips
• Great Stirrup Cay
• Harvest Caye
• How to Get the Best Cruise Deal
• Best Time to Book a Cruise
• Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• Cruises Under $300
• Cruises Under $500
• Spring Break Cruise Deals
• Summer Cruise Deals
• Alaskan Cruise Deals
• 107 Cruise Secrets & Tips
• Tips for First-Time Cruisers
• What to Pack for a Cruise
• What to Pack (Alaska)
• Packing Checklist
• Cruising with Kids
• Passports & Birth Certificates
• Bringing Alcohol
• Cruising with a Disability
• Duty-Free Shopping
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Things to Do on a Cruise Ship
• What Not to Do on a Ship
• News & Articles

11 Important Differences Between MSC Cruises and Other Major Lines

MSC Cruises may not be huge in North America just yet, but that’s quickly changing. While the big three cruise lines — Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean — may get most of the headlines, MSC is actually just as large and even larger than some of those names.

Seemingly until the past few years, however, MSC hasn’t focused as heavily on the United States. That definitely isn’t the case going forward. Today, it offers cruises from Miami, Port Canaveral and New York, with more homeports on the way.

As well, the line is expanding its fleet. It made a mark with the introduction of the MSC Seaside in the U.S., followed by MSC Seascape more recently, but that’s just the start. The line currently boasts the largest cruise ship in the world outside of Royal Caribbean with its MSC World Europa. That will be joined by MSC World America in 2025.

In other words, if you haven’t been tempted by an MSC cruise yet, it could be a different story in the near future.

Having recently sailed on MSC, as well as sailing the other major cruise lines regularly, we can tell you that there are some major differences between this line and its competitors.

Differences Between MSC and Other Major Cruise Lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Etc.)

MSC Is Less Expensive Than Most Lines If you’re searching for a cruise aboard MSC, the first thing you are likely to notice is the price of your trip. We’ve priced thousands of cruises over the year and MSC offers many of the cheapest trips we’ve seen; often times even less than Carnival, which is known as a budget-friendly line.

For example, a week cruise aboard the MSC Seascape (a relatively new ship) from Miami in July 2024 can be had starting for just $749 per person.

Comparable trips during that time run more than $900 aboard Carnival Celebration sailing from Miami. Sailings on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas for a week in July from Miami start at $2,207. 

MSC doesn’t have a lock on cruise deals, but it does offer a lot of affordable choices. Rates are even less expensive if sailing outside of summer or holidays.

Fewer Included Restaurants Like other cruise lines, MSC also has a mix of included restaurants and specialty restaurants where you will pay extra to dine. 

What’s different with MSC is that the amount of included restaurants — and the number of restaurants in particular — are sparse. 

This isn’t every ship, but on those we’ve sailed, only the buffet and main dining room have been available with the cruise fare. All other restaurants (of which there were only a handful) cost more.

Compare that to a line like Carnival that includes spots like Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana, and more restaurants with the cruise fare.

Ocean Cay (MSC’s Private Island) While all the major cruise lines have their own private islands, only MSC has Ocean Cay. Just 65 miles from Miami, MSC poured $300 million into converting the island from a former sand excavation site into a tropical paradise. It’s a must-see. ( Read our complete guide to Ocean Cay here .)

What makes it so special are the beaches and water. It features multiple massive beaches, giving plenty of room for everyone to have their own space. In addition, the water is an electric blue that’s some of the most beautiful we’ve ever seen.

While some cruise lines have created wild island that almost look like a cartoon with all the attractions, Ocean Cay is more subdued, with more space, and fewer visitors each day. If you’re wanting a relaxing beach day, this is it. 

Not as Tech Savvy There’s no doubt that technology has come a long way in cruising. These days you can do everything online from checking in to buying excursions to navigating the ship via the cruise line app.

And while MSC has come a long way in the past few years regarding integrating technology into cruising, it still has some room to improve.

For instance, when we checked online prior to the cruise, we encountered numerous errors trying to do basic things like add a credit card to the account. Anytime we did make a change or added information, it would automatically send out an entirely new booking confirmation to our email.

Lower Gratuity (Service Charge) Amounts Of all the major cruise lines, MSC has the lowest automatic service charges of any line we’ve seen. Over the past several years gratuity amounts — the daily charges that go to people like your room steward and the dining staff — have crept up among most cruise lines.

These days it’s usual to pay $16 per person, per day for these charges. Book a suite, and the charge is usually higher — closer to $20 per day. Norwegian Cruise Line, for instance, charges $25 per day for people in suites and $20 per person, per day, for other rooms. 

MSC charges a relatively low $14.00 per person , per day for passengers that are 12 years and older. Kids aged 2-11 are charged just $7.00 per night (typically kids are charged full price on other lines).

Room Stewards In our experience with MSC, the room stewards are much less noticeable than what you’ll find on other cruise lines.

We’re used to meeting the room steward on the first day of the cruise, and then seeing them regularly each day coming to and from the room. On MSC, we only spotted him a time or two during the cruise.

Even so, our room was regularly cleaned. In fact, we actually prefer not having to constantly bump into a room steward and make small talk on our way in and out of the cabin.

Evening Entertainment on the Ship In a world where cruise lines are pushing the envelope everywhere to make your experience bigger and better, MSC is decidedly old-school in some respects — like your evening entertainment.

Most cruise lines seem to be pushing toward full-scale production shows. Norwegian Cruise Lines, for example has productions of Footloose and Kinky Boots on some of its newer ships. Royal Caribbean offers big budget programs and even aqua shows on its Oasis-class ships.

In comparison, MSC is different. A handful of ships feature Carousel Productions at Sea (similar to Cirque du Soleil), but not all. In our experience, the entertainment is more of things like a “variety show” featuring singing, dancing, and acrobatics. For instance, one cruise had a new take on Peter Pan that included contortionists, circus acts, and a juggler. Another show was a dedication to Michael Jackson, complete with an impersonator and full dance numbers.

Frankly, the talent level on these programs has been amazing, and the shows have been a big hit. However, they’ve struck us as a big departure from what we’ve seen on other lines.

Pizza For pizza to be pointed out as a difference with other cruise lines, you know the pie on MSC must be pretty good.

We’re big fans of “good” pizza. What we’ve found, however, is that these dishes usually aren’t that great on many cruises. Frankly, the pizza on many ships is usually a bit bland and has a cardboard taste that you’d find at a cheap buffet.

Maybe it’s because MSC has roots in Italy, but they take their pizza seriously. It’s on par with anything you’d find at a popular pizza joint (and much better than chain restaurants). Best of all, it’s free at the buffet. You can also get an entire pie made to order and delivered to your cabin for $6-$10.

Drink Package Options Most cruise lines have a single drink package… or maybe a regular package and a high-end package. Meanwhile, they all have one thing in common — they are pricey. Most drink packages start around $60 per day and go up from there.

MSC does things a bit differently, offering three different options:

• Premium Extra

What’s the difference? Each package gives you drink options up to a certain dollar amount. The Easy package offers drinks up to $8 each, the Easy Plus package offers up to $10 each, and the Premium Extra gives you any drink up to $16 per glass.

Prices run from about $50-$90 per person, per day if booked ahead of time. This gives you a cheaper option than you’ll find on most other cruise lines with the Easy package. 

Linking a Credit Card to Your Account One difference between MSC and other cruise lines definitely struck us as odd, and that’s how you attach payment to your onboard account.

Every cruise line we’ve been on always asks for a credit card at check-in. It is scanned and linked to your account. At the end of the trip, your card is automatically charged after you leave.

In our cruise with MSC, passengers completed this process themselves — either online ahead of time or once actually on the ship. Several terminals are set up around the ship where you will insert the credit card you use for payment to link to your onboard account.

It’s on you to make sure your account is all squared away with a payment method. If you forget then you’ll have to go see Guest Services to settle your bill before you are allowed to leave the ship.

Be Prepared for Lots of Waivers If you sail MSC, then be prepared to sign waivers for things you don’t have to on other cruise lines.

Should you do some of the more extreme things on other cruises, it’s likely you have to sign something. For instance, the Flowrider surf simulator on Royal Caribbean requires you to complete a form before you can enjoy.

MSC takes it to another level. On the cruise line if you want to lift weights or run on the treadmill in the gym, you’ll need to sign a waiver. Want to ride one of the waterslides? Yes, there is a form to complete before you can do so.

Not Completely Different Than Other Lines (Tons That’s Familiar) 

We don’t want to give the impression that MSC is an absolutely unfamiliar experience or completely different than sailing any other line. If you’ve sailed a cruise before, there’s a lot that you’ll know and love.  

Want to sit on the pool deck, sip a cold drink and soak up the sun? There’s plenty of that. How about dinner in the dining room followed by an impressive show in the theater? Sure, that’s there too. And what about a little late-night gambling in the casino? Of course.

However, it’s the details surrounding life onboard that might stand out if you’re used to some of the other lines in U.S. cruising.

More on Sailing MSC:

Worth It? Complete Guide to MSC Cruises Drink Packages

• MSC Gratuities (Tips/Service Charge): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work
• Ocean Cay (MSC’s Private Island): Complete Guide & Things to Know

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, what to do on a cruise 70 fun things to do on the ship, one of the world’s largest cruise ships that nobody is talking about (yet), feeling brave msc debuts “cliffhanger” — a swing that takes you 160 ft. over the water, carnival vs. msc: 11 major differences between the two cruise lines, msc cruises sailing from texas starting 2025.

Took my four times to read your article. The stupid ads kept interfering sending you back to the start. Annoying Should be fixed! Bob

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

11 Smart Tips for Sailing a Celebrity Cruise

14 savvy tips for visiting cozumel on a cruise, the 5 big reasons why you shouldn’t take a cruise, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

15 Things You Need To Know Before Cruising With MSC

Sharing is caring!

Stepping onto my first MSC cruise, I was prepared for a different cruise experience. I found myself in a state of uncertainty, unsure if I would fall in love with the experience or be left disappointed.

Since MSC Cruises is an Italian cruise line, the onboard experience is somewhat different from that of most mainstream cruise lines. These differences lead to a lot of uncertainty around MSC, which causes many cruisers to wonder if they would enjoy the experience.

While MSC Cruises may be different, the experience is undeniably enjoyable. However, there are some key aspects that every cruiser should be aware of before embarking on their first MSC cruise.

In this post, I share everything you should know before you take your first MSC cruise. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned cruise, this will help you know what to expect on an MSC cruise.

15 Things To Know Before Cruising With MSC

1. the food on msc is different from other cruise lines.

If you’ve been on contemporary mainstream cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, or Carnival, you’ll find MSC’s dining experience different. In particular, MSC cruise ships have fewer casual dining options.

Onboard MSC, you can eat in the buffet, main dining room, or specialty restaurants. Unlike other mainstream cruise lines, there’s no pool-side grill, cafe or included casual fast food options disbursed around the cruise ship.

Throughout the day, the main place to eat is in the buffet. However, the buffet onboard MSC is good and plentiful, serving a variety of classical American dishes, Italian dishes, fresh fruit, and other healthy options. There’s also MSC’s famous pizza, which lives up to the hype.

Furthermore, the buffet has a kids-only section, serving children’s food options at a lower counter height.

Before we went on our MSC Seascape cruise, we heard some mixed reviews and criticisms of the food onboard. However, in our experience, the food was quite tasty, and there was always a wide variety of choices.

2. MSC Safety Drill

MSC’s safety drill is done a little differently from most other cruise lines. This is important to know as it’s one of the things you’ll need to do on embarkation day.

Nowadays, most cruise lines have a virtual or e-muster drill, which includes watching a safety video on a cell phone via the cruise line app, as well as a check in at the muster station. It’s fast and efficient.

However, this is just one thing that is different about boarding day on an MSC cruise.

On MSC cruises, you must watch the safety video on your stateroom TV, then use the in cabin phone and call #881 to confirm this is done. You’ll also need to check-in at your muster station and have your cruise card scanned.

This is definately something I wish I knew before I went on my first MSC cruise. It only takes an extra few minutes, but it’s important to be aware.

3. Elevators

MSC Cruises has a different elevator system than traditional cruise lines. Instead of pressing a button to go up or down, you press which floor you’d like to go to on a screen outside of the elevator, and then it will assign you an elevator.

Although this elevator system differs, I have seen a similar elevator system on Carnival Venezia and the brand-new Sun Princess .

The elevators are different and takes some time to get used to. While sometimes we felt like we waited longer than on other cruise ships, it is fast and efficient when the cruise ship is quiet. The best part is that an accurate waiting time is indicated.

4. Bring a White Outfit

When you cruise with MSC, packing a white outfit is important. During your MSC cruise, you’ll have a white party, during which everyone will dress in white. The white night begins at dinner and ends with a deck party!

One of the most memorable aspects of our MSC cruise was the white night event. I was pleasantly surprised to see how many people had packed their best white outfits , ready to join in the fun. 

The fact that every cruise passenger participated, from the youngest to the oldest, created a sense of unity and made the white night even more special.

Our cruise was filled with a variety of themed parties, from a tropical party to the glow party. Each one was a unique experience, offering a different atmosphere and style of entertainment. 

These themed parties are a must-attend and a fun time for everyone.

Related: 25 Gorgeous White Dresses to Wear on a Cruise

5. Guests Speak Many Different Languages

When you sail with MSC, be prepared for guests to speak different languages. Compared to American cruise lines, MSC passengers come from all over the world.

During our cruise, I heard people speaking English, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Portugese, Mandarin and more. Although you may hear many unfamiliar languages, this created a unique cruising experience.

At times, you may be in an elevator, and you’ll hear 5 different languages being spoken. For the most part, cruise passengers understand English. However, it’s not the first language for many people on an MSC cruise.

Rest assured, the crew onboard MSC is fluent in English, ensuring smooth and effortless communication throughout your cruise vacation.

Related: Why We’re Excited for the New MSC World America

6. Status Match

The MSC Status Match program allows cruise passengers to receive comparable or even better loyalty benefits than they would receive on other cruise lines. 

To receive the benefits, you must join the MSC Voyagers Club. Once approved, you will receive an immediate 5% discount on any future MSC cruises, onboard discounts for spa services, photo packages, Wi-Fi, complimentary gifts, and other valuable savings.

If you have a high status on another cruise line, you’ll definitely want to apply for the MSC Voyagers Club. They offer some great benefits that are worth taking advantage of.

7. MSC Cruise Ship Hot Tubs Aren’t Actually Hot

Something that is very different on an MSC cruise is the hot tubs. To our surprise, the hot tubs onboard were not hot!

Instead, the hot tubs were lukewarm at best, which wasn’t exactly our cup of tea. When checking the various hot tubs around the cruise ship, we came to find out that this was the norm, unless you were at the spa.

If you like a very warm or hot traditional jacuzzi style hot tub, you might be dissapointed.

8. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve Private Island

If you’re taking a Caribbean cruise with MSC, there’s a good chance that your itinerary will include Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Ocean Cay is MSC’s private island , and it is a perfect place for an amazing beach day.

When you visit Ocean Cay, you’ll have free beach access and lounge chairs, and your drink package works on land. Furthermore, if you’ve purchased the ship’s Wi-Fi, you will get Wi-Fi on the island.

The private island consists of eight different beach areas, each offering a unique ambiance. You’ll also find several bars, a charming lighthouse, and an included dining when you where you can eat a delicious barbecue buffet lunch.

Related: 10 Mistakes to Avoid on Cruise Private Islands

9. MSC For Me Wristband

In addition to a cruise card, MSC has an optional wristband wearable device available at an extra charge. The MSC For Me waterproof wearable device has some similarities to the  Princess Medallion  or The Band on Virgin Voyages .

With the MSC Wristband, you can get into your room and get drinks instead of using your cruise card. However, you do still need to use your cruise card to get on and off the cruise ship in ports of call.

The MSC For Me Wristband is available for guests to purchase onboard most newer MSC cruises. However, The MSC Wristband is provided free of charge for Yacht Club and Aurea members.

10. Bars Serve Espresso and Specialty Coffee

MSC offers a unique feature that you won’t find on other cruise ships – specialty coffee and espresso served at all the bars. As a coffee lover, I really enjoyed this feature.

Rather than having to go to a cafe in the atrium or promenade (like on other cruise ships), on MSC you can order a coffee at any of the bars. This was super convenient, as I never had to wait in long lines to get my morning coffee.

11. Certain Activities Cost Extra

It’s important to note that certain activities have an additional charge onboard MSC cruise ships. Attractions like Robotron and the Formula 1 Racing Simulator have an extra charge.

However, there are also many fun activities that are free or included. For example, on our recent MSC Seascape cruise, the Pirates Cove Aqua Park and 4 water slides were included.

You’ll also find a kid’s club, sports court and other included activities and entertainment options that the whole family can enjoy.

12. There Won’t Be Many Americans on European Sailings

Since MSC is a European cruise line, they are much more popular in Europe than they are in North America. So, if you’re thinking of booking an MSC cruise in Europe, something to know is that Americans won’t make up the majority of passengers.

Typically, MSC sailings in Europe attract more Europeans than Americans. There’s nothing wrong with this, but it can be a different cruise experience than other American cruise lines.

For example, announcements are likely to be in several languages, the entertainment may rely on music and visuals, so as to appeal to the multiple languages of the guests.

While MSC is growing rapidly in the USA and attracting more American and Canadian passengers for Caribbean and other North American sailings, MSC’s European cruises will feel a bit different.

Related: 10 Things I Wish I knew Before Going on my Mediterranean Cruise

13. Different Booking Process

It’s important to know that MSC has a different booking process and offers three different types of cruise experiences at different price points.

Bella is your introductory package, Fantastica is the mid-tier package, which includes choosing your own dining time and a few perks, and Aurea includes spa access and other perks.

Before booking your cruise, it’s important to consider which package aligns with your budget and vacation style. We, for instance, found the Fantastica package to be a perfect fit for our needs and thoroughly enjoyed our cruise.

14. MSC Yacht Club

MSC Yacht Club is for those who want the ultimate cruise experience. You’ll have access to private dining venues, an exclusive sun deck, and 24-hour butler service when you’re a Yacht Club member.

You’ll also get priority check-in and check-out, the premium drinks package, the premium Wi-Fi package, and a dedicated concierge.

While we didn’t have the opportunity to experience the MSC Yacht Club on our recent MSC cruise, we were captivated by this exclusive retreat. In fact, we’ve heard from many cruisers who have tried MSC Yacht Club and say they could never go back!

It’s a testament to the fact that the MSC Yacht Club offers a transformative experience that can truly enhance your cruise vacation.

15. The Pizza Lives Up to the Hype

Since MSC Cruises is an Italian cruise line, they are known for having some of the best cruise pizza at sea. As a pizza lover, I have to admit that MSC really does have a great pizza!

The pizza they served had large slices, was freshly made, and they offered a variety of tasty flavors. When you sail with MSC, you have to give their pizza a try.

Bonus: Download The MSC App

If you have an upcoming MSC cruise, remember to download the MSC App!

On the MSC App, you can view your daily activities and dining times, book excursions, dining reservations, and spa appointments, and access your spa treatments. It’s best to download the app in advance, as the Wi-Fi may not be great at the cruise port.

Video: Our First MSC Cruise Wasn’t What We Expected. Here’s Why

Related & Popular Posts:

• 50+ Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon
• 20 Best Things To Do & See on MSC Seascape
• 17 Cruise Cabin Essentials Every Cruiser Needs
• 25 Best Cruise Dresses: Amazon Ladies Resort Wear
• Best MSC Cruises For Families & Kids
• 12 Ways to Store More in Small Cruise Cabins
• 27 Things People Forget to Pack for a Cruise
• 10 Mistakes to Avoid on Cruise Private Islands
• 7 Money Saving Cruise Secrets I Wish I Knew Sooner

Final Thoughts On Things To Know About Cruising With MSC

MSC Cruises is one of my favorite cruise lines as it has a great variety of activities and a fun nightlife, and they offer a unique cruising experience.

As someone who has taken over 35 cruises, cruising with MSC was a better than I expected. The price was competitive and the experience was in line with what we would expect from a contemporary cruise line.

Although MSC may not be for everyone, it is worth trying. You never know, you may just love it!

Have you taken an MSC Cruise, or would you consider it? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

If you enjoy this post please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please feel free to share on Facebook or Pinterest (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

MSC Cruises: The Complete Guide

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Cruising is a huge industry, so it makes sense that the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) — which started out shipping cargo — got in on the venture in 1988 with the purchase of its first cruise ship. Since then, the company has been steadily growing, adding new ships and destinations to its thriving cruise line.

Although it’s headquartered in Switzerland, you’ll find MSC cruises all over the world, including throughout the United States. Let’s take a look at MSC’s cruises, where they sail and what to expect when you’re aboard.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

About MSC cruises

Here’s a quick overview of some of MSC’s key features.

Package types: There are three levels of experience to choose from on MSC. Bella is the least expensive, while Fantastica allows you to get free in-room breakfast and select your room type. Aurea is MSC’s top-tier package and includes access to exclusive amenities, as well as additional discounts and dining privileges. 

Cabin type s : On MSC ships you’ll find the standard cruise ship cabins, including interior, ocean view, veranda and various types of suites. 

Main U.S. routes: MSC has only a handful of departure ports from within the U.S. Most of its routes depart from Miami to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.   

Points currency and loyalty program: The loyalty program of MSC is called the Voyager’s Club. Points are earned for the cruises you take and the money you spend while on board. 

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

MSC cruise destinations

You can find MSC cruises all over the globe, including the Caribbean, Canada, New England, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Northern Europe, South Africa, South America and Asia. There are also worldwide cruises that sail to several regions around the globe.

MSC's worldwide cruises come in as the longest trips, with itineraries lasting as many as 127 nights. Meanwhile, the cruise line's shortest options include weekend trips to the Bahamas sailing for just two nights.

» Learn more: The best cruise lines

MSC cruise prices

The reviews of MSC Cruises will likely mention the price of your trip, which is often cheaper than comparable trips on other popular cruise lines. Of course, the total cost will vary based on the trip duration, time of year and what kind of room you select. The least expensive options you’ll find are on short Mediterranean cruises, which can cost as little as $119 per person.

Prices are also affected by the dates that you’re traveling. A three-night cruise to the Bahamas can cost as little as $149 per person, but that same trip can cost up to $349 per person during periods of high demand.

As you’d expect, the most expensive cruises on MSC are the longest. For example, the 127-night World Cruise costs $21,929 per person.

» Learn more: Do you need a passport for a Caribbean cruise?

What is the best MSC ship?

There are a total of 23 ships in MSC’s fleet. According to U.S. News, the best MSC ship is the MSC Bellissima. Launched in 2019, the ship boasts a full-sized bowling alley and multiple pools, along with an array of restaurants, a spa and live entertainment. The ranking was calculated using a mix of user reviews and health ratings.

What is the newest MSC ship?

The MSC World Europa, MSC’s newest ship, officially debuted at the end of 2022 in Qatar. This ship features more than 2,600 cabins, 33 restaurants and six swimming pools.

What’s included in an MSC cruise

MSC’s cruise packages are on par with other mid-tier cruise lines. No matter what package you purchase, all food and entertainment is included, as is access to the main parts of the ship. This includes pools, the buffet restaurant and a nightly seated dinner.

If you purchase a higher-end package, you’ll be able to enjoy more amenities. The Fantastica experience, for example, includes free room service delivery for breakfast. The top-tier Aurea package includes complimentary room service for all meals.

Neither Wi-Fi nor specialty drinks are included as part of the base price, but they can be purchased separately. The drink package has a range of options, including non-alcoholic drinks such as soda and different types of alcohol.

» Learn more: How to plan a cruise in 6 steps

MSC loyalty program: Voyager’s Club

Voyager’s Club is the loyalty program for frequent MSC cruise passengers. There are four levels in the program, and each has its own benefits.

Voyagers Club levels

The Voyager Clubs levels are Classic, Silver, Gold and Diamond.

How to earn: Classic membership is earned by going on at least one MSC cruise or having a confirmed booking on an upcoming cruise. This tier is for members who have between 1 and 2,199 points.

Best benefits: 5% discount on future cruises, discounts on packages.

How to earn: Earn 2,200 to 4,299 points. 

Best benefits: $50 onboard credit per person on cruises booked at least nine months before departure, double points for cruises booked more than 12 months in advance.

How to earn: Earn 4,300 to 9,999 points.

Best benefits: One hour of complimentary thermal area access, priority disembarkation, complimentary photos. 

How to earn: Earn 10,000+ points.

Best benefits: Complimentary tasting dinner, one free dance lesson, complimentary slippers and bathrobe, priority embarkation and disembarkation.

How to earn Voyager Club points

There are two ways to earn Voyager Club points. First, you’ll earn a set amount of points for taking a cruise — the specific amount will depend on the length of the cruise and the experience level you choose. Second, you’ll earn points for the activities you pre-purchase and for any onboard expenses that you incur.

Wi-Fi is not included in MSC’s basic fare. There are different packages available to those who are sailing which can be purchased before you travel or during your cruise. MSC doesn’t publish its Wi-Fi package pricing online, but for example, you can expect to pay around $270 for a two-device upgraded Wi-Fi package on a seven-day cruise with MSC Seascape.

MSC cruises are not entirely inclusive, though they do provide a lot with your base package. This includes your cabin, food, live entertainment, port stops and coffee, tea and water. They don’t include specialty drinks such as soda or alcohol, nor do they include Wi-Fi or any port excursions you’d like to go on.

MSC Cruises reviews will let you know that MSC allows passengers to add on a drink package to their cruise. The price will vary depending on your actual cruise, as well as the type of package that you choose. There are five types of packages available: Easy, Easy Plus, Premium Extra, Alcohol-free and Minors.

Expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $88 per day for any drink packages that you purchase.

Whether or not you’ll need a COVID vaccine or COVID test while sailing on MSC cruise lines will depend on where you’re going. For cruises leaving from the United States, you don’t need either. However, you will need to provide other personal information, such as your name, address and date of birth.

(Top photo courtesy of MSC)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Bank of America's website

1.5x-2x Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Guide to MSC Cruises: What First-Time Cruisers Need to Know

Doug Parker

• January 25, 2022

Embarking on your first cruise is incredibly exciting, and MSC Cruises offers a perfect blend of European elegance and modern comforts that cater to all ages and travel styles.

Overview of MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company and has existed since the 1970s. It is the world’s largest privately owned cruise line, known for its European style and eco-friendly efforts. It is famous for its elegant ships, crystal staircases, diverse itineraries, and mixed reviews.

Major homeports include Miami ,   Port Canaveral , Florida , and New York City .

Types of Ships and Their Features

MSC Cruises has a modern and varied fleet, from smaller MSC Lirica class ships to the large MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside classes.

Each ship has unique features to make your cruise special, like big promenades, fun entertainment spots, luxury thermal suites and spas, and top-notch fitness centers. Amenities may vary by ship.

Related: MSC Cruises Ships By Size

Ocean Cay Marine Reserve

One of the highlights of any MSC Cruise is a visit to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve , a private island in the Bahamas exclusively for MSC guests. Guests can unwind in the peaceful beach areas, discover the vibrant marine life through snorkeling, or enjoy a relaxing massage at the oceanfront spa.

The island has a Bahamian village offering local crafts and souvenirs, multiple dining options, and the impressive Lighthouse Bar for evening entertainment. Ocean Cay is a haven for relaxation and a testament to MSC’s dedication to environmental sustainability, as it has transformed the industrial sand site into a marine reserve.

MSC Onboard Experience

Cabin Options and Amenities

MSC Cruises offers different cabin options to fit your budget and needs. You can choose from interior cabins, oceanview staterooms, balcony cabins, or luxurious suites. All cabins are comfy and have modern amenities like USB ports and flat-screen TVs. For a more special experience, the MSC Yacht Club offers exclusive suites with personalized service.

Dining Options: Main Dining Rooms, Buffets, and Specialty Restaurants

Dining on an MSC Cruise is a treat. The main dining rooms serve various international dishes, with menus changing daily. The buffets offer a wide range of foods, from fresh salads to grilled meats.

Specialty restaurants, like the Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse and the Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi, offer gourmet meals for an extra fee.

Entertainment and Activities: Shows, Pools, Sports, and Kids’ Clubs

Entertainment is a big part of the MSC cruising experience. The ship’s theater has Broadway-style shows, live music, and more each night.

During the day, you can enjoy activities like lounging by the pool, sports tournaments, dance classes, and trivia games. Families will love the kids’ clubs, which offer fun activities for children and teens.

Wellness and Relaxation: Spas, Fitness Centers, and Adult-Only Areas

For those looking to relax, MSC Cruises offers top-notch wellness facilities. The spas provide treatments like massages and facials. Fitness fans can use the well-equipped gyms, join exercise classes, or play on the sports courts. For a peaceful escape, adult-only areas like the Top 18 Solarium offer a quiet retreat with beautiful sea views.

Booking Types and Experience Levels on MSC Cruises

When planning your MSC cruise, understanding the different booking types and experience levels is crucial for selecting the best option to suit your needs and preferences.

MSC Cruises offers three experience levels, each designed to provide various benefits and amenities:

1. Bella Experience

• Affordability : Bella is the most budget-friendly option.
• Guaranteed Staterooms : Ensures you have a stateroom but with limited location options.
• Essential Benefits : Access to the ship’s main dining rooms, buffets, and basic onboard activities.

2. Fantastica Experience

• Enhanced Comfort : Allows you to choose your preferred stateroom type and location.
• Added Perks : Includes complimentary in-room breakfast and 24-hour room service.
• Flexibility : Offers greater booking flexibility with options to change your reservation if needed.
• Activities and Entertainment : Access to various sports and entertainment options.

3. Aurea Experience

• Premium Amenities : The top-tier package benefits.
• Exclusive Access : Includes access to private areas like the Aurea Spa and dedicated sun decks.
• Dining Privileges : Priority dining reservations and exclusive dining areas.
• Additional Discounts : Discounts on spa treatments and other onboard purchases.

MSC Cruises Gratuities and Service Charges

Gratuities and Service Charges

Gratuities, or tips, are an essential part of cruising. These charges reward the hardworking crew members who make your cruise enjoyable. Gratuities usually cover services from your cabin steward, dining room staff, and other crew members.

How Gratuities Are Charged

On MSC Cruises, gratuities are usually added automatically to your onboard account. The charges are calculated daily and vary depending on your cruise and cabin type. This system ensures all crew members are fairly compensated. If you prefer, you can adjust the gratuity amount at the guest services desk.

Options for Adjusting Gratuities

If you feel the service you received deserves a different gratuity amount, you can adjust it. Visit the guest services desk to make changes. You can also give extra cash tips to specific crew members for outstanding service.

Service Charges

Besides daily gratuities, you might encounter other service charges, like fees for specialty dining, spa treatments, and specific activities. Review these charges when planning your budget to avoid surprises.

Specialty Venues and Dining

Specialty Restaurants

Types of Specialty Dining Options Available

MSC Cruises offers various specialty dining options for different tastes. Some popular venues include:

• Butcher’s Cut : An American-style steakhouse with premium cuts of meat.
• Kaito Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar : Japanese cuisine with fresh sushi and teppanyaki.
• Ocean Cay : Seafood dishes inspired by Mediterranean and international cuisines.
• Eataly : Authentic Italian cuisine with high-quality ingredients.

How to Make Reservations

To get a table at your preferred specialty restaurant, make reservations in advance through the MSC for Me app, interactive kiosks, or guest services. Some restaurants offer dining packages for multiple venues at a discount.

Costs Associated with Specialty Dining

Specialty restaurants usually charge an extra fee. Review the prices and plan your dining experiences to stay within your budget.

Bars and Lounges

MSC Cruises has many bars and lounges, each with a unique atmosphere. Some popular options include:

• Champagne Bar : Elegant setting for bubbly and cocktails.
• Sky Lounge : Panoramic views and a relaxed ambiance.
• Sports Bar : Watch games and enjoy beers, cocktails, and snacks.
• Horizon Pool Bar : Refreshing cocktails by the pool.

MSC Cruises Drink Package: What’s Included

MSC Cruises offers beverage packages for unlimited drinks. Some options are:

• Easy Package : Includes select alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Premium Package : Wider range of drinks, including premium spirits and cocktails.
• Premium Plus Package : All beverages, including top-shelf spirits and specialty coffees.

Deciding if a package is worth it depends on your preferences and drinking habits. Review the package details and prices to determine the best option for you.

Popular Duty-Free Shops and What You Can Find

MSC ships have duty-free shops for tax-free shopping. You can find luxury brands, jewelry, watches, cosmetics, souvenirs, and travel essentials. Review duty-free allowances for your cruise itinerary.

Popular shops include:

• Boutiques : Fashion and accessories from luxury brands.
• Jewelry Stores : Fine jewelry and watches.
• Perfume and Cosmetics : High-end fragrances and skincare.
• Souvenir Shops : MSC-branded items and destination-specific gifts.

Duty-Free Allowances and Restrictions

Review the duty-free allowances for your cruise destinations. Limits apply to items like alcohol and tobacco; some goods may be restricted or subject to taxes and duties.

MSC Cruises’ Loyalty Program

Overview of the Program

MSC Voyagers Club rewards repeat guests with perks and discounts. It has five tiers: Welcome, Classic, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. Benefits include priority boarding, cabin upgrades, and exclusive events.

Benefits of Joining MSC Voyagers Club

• Discounts : Save on future cruises and onboard purchases.
• Priority Services : Enjoy faster check-in and boarding.
• Exclusive Offers : Access special promotions and deals.
• Welcome Amenities : Receive gifts and treats in your cabin.

How to Earn and Redeem Points

Earn points based on cruise duration and onboard spending. Redeem points for benefits like cabin upgrades and priority services. The more you cruise with MSC, the more points you earn and the higher your tier.

Exclusive MSC Voyagers Club Member Perks

Higher-tier members enjoy exclusive perks:

• Private Events : Access member-only parties and receptions.
• Complimentary Upgrades : Receive free cabin upgrades.
• Enhanced Discounts : Savings on cruises and onboard purchases.

MSC Cruises Packages and Deals

Types of Packages Available

MSC Cruises offers different packages to enhance your cruise experience:

• Drink Packages : Unlimited beverages, from soft drinks to premium spirits.
• Dining Packages : Access to specialty restaurants at a discounted rate.
• Excursion Packages : Pre-book shore excursions for a hassle-free experience.
• Spa Packages : Treatments and access to wellness facilities.

Tips for Getting the Best Deals and Saving Money

To get the best deals:

• Book Early : Early bookings often come with discounts and perks.
• Look for Promotions : MSC frequently offers special promotions and sales.
• Join MSC Voyagers Club : Members get exclusive deals and discounts.
• Travel During Off-Peak Seasons : Cruises are often cheaper during less popular times.

MSC Yacht Club Experience

The MSC Yacht Club is a luxurious, ship-within-a-ship experience. It offers exclusive suites, private areas, and personalized service, providing a premium cruise experience.

MSC Yacht Club guests enjoy:

• Private Areas : Exclusive pool, lounge, and restaurant.
• Butler Service : Personalized attention and assistance.
• Priority Services : Priority boarding, disembarkation, and excursions.
• All-Inclusive Dining and Drinks : Unlimited access to top-notch dining and beverages.

Final Thoughts on MSC Cruises

When booking an MSC Cruise, consider the different experience levels (Bella, Fantastica, and Aurea) to find the one that best suits your budget.

Additionally, take advantage of the various fare options and the Future Cruise Program to enhance your cruising experience with flexible planning and added perks.

In an interview with Cruise Radio, MSC Cruises’ CEO once described the company as offering a North American cruise experience with an Italian flair. Whether you find this true will ultimately depend on your personal experience.

• Norwegian Gem Set to Launch Cruises from Jacksonville in 2025
• Tender Issues Cause NCL Cruise Ships to Skip Venice
• The First Cruise Line in History Will Homeport in Washington, D.C.
• Carnival Expects Revenue Hit by Scraping Red Sea Transits on 12 Ships

Recent Posts

• Lee Mason Promoted to Fleet Cruise Director, Leaving Carnival Venezia
• Carnival Cruise Ship Held at Sea Until New Orleans Port Reopens
• Hurricane Francine Keeps Carnival Cruise Ship at Sea
• Carnival and Disney Shipyard Secures Bailout to Stay Afloat

Bringing you 15 years of cruise industry experience. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips.   

Quick links

Cruise Radio, LLC © Copyright 2009-2024 | Website Designed By   Insider Perks, Inc

Our Cruise Ships

As we continue to grow and improve our fleet, there’s a huge range of unique features for our guests to explore on every MSC cruise ship . Blending classic elegance and cutting-edge innovation, our cruise ships offer the utmost in comfort, dining, innovation, entertainment, and onboard experience . Our newest, cruise ships also demonstrate our commitment to lower impact tourism, with onboard technology that focuses on mitigating our impact on nature.

Browse, explore, and choose a ship from the MSC Cruises fleet today, and discover a spectacular way to sail the seas.

MSC CRUISES REVIEWS

Discover what our guests have to say.

MSC technology at the service of the art of hospitality

MSC for Me has been designed to meet our guests needs today and in the future and enhances every aspect the MSC holiday experience. Through the most innovative technology solutions MSC for Me interconnects guests, crew and ship so your time on board is literally in your hands. Available for guests travelling on all ships except for MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia and  MSC Opera. Coming soon on MSC World America.

SHIPS BUILT FOR THE FUTURE

Innovative energy-saving and water-recycling systems installed on our latest ships

We have great respect for the world’s oceans and while we sail an increasing number of guests across the globe, we continuously aim to reduce our impact on the environment per passenger. Through the use of modern technology and environmentally friendly actions, we are striving to lower the environmental impact of our cruises. From using the cleaner marine fuels, to efficiency-enhancing technology, to our advanced onboard recycling systems, we strongly believe that we have increased responsibility towards the environment.

CERTIFICATIONS

Thank you for visiting msc cruises.

Your browser may be out of date or not compatible with our new site and may not be secure.

For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below.

Thank you for visiting our site and we look forward to seeing you on board soon!

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises Review & Everything You Need To Know

There is a lot of talk about MSC Cruises right now since they are making a huge push into the American cruising market. With so many questions about MSC, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about taking an MSC Cruise!

Key Points:

MSC Cruises has gained attention in the American cruising market, sparking discussions and questions among potential cruisers. The brand’s European roots influence its offerings, with a mix of positive and negative aspects compared to other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival. MSC emphasizes “experiences” such as Bella, Fantastica, and Aurea, each offering different benefits. The Yacht Club provides an elevated experience with exclusive perks. MSC offers beautiful, modern ships with reasonable prices and a variety of food options but may lack in included entertainment and premium dining experiences.

• MSC Cruises has made a significant push into the American cruise market, prompting various discussions and opinions.
• The cruise line’s European roots influence its offerings, with a mix of positive and negative aspects compared to other major cruise lines.
• MSC emphasizes different “experiences” like Bella, Fantastica, and Aurea, each providing unique benefits for passengers.
• The Yacht Club offers an elevated experience with exclusive perks, although it may come at a higher cost.
• MSC Cruises provide beautiful, modern ships, reasonable drink prices, affordable packages, a variety of food options, but may lack in included entertainment options and premium dining experiences.

Take a look at any cruise-related Facebook group or Reddit topic, and you’re bound to find endless questions about MSC. Not only are there questions, but there are also plenty of opinions about the newish cruise line (MSC has been sailing in Europe for a long time). The brand is polarizing.

So what is a cruise really like on MSC?

NOTE: Most people compare MSC with Royal Caribbean or Carnival. That’s the perspective we’ll take when laying out all of this information.

In response to many inquiries about the “real deal” about MSC, I would like to share some insights. As seasoned cruisers, we have traveled on many ships, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line , Carnival, Virgin , Cunard, Holland America , Celebrity, and MSC. Additionally, we’ve cruised with companies that no longer exist like Pullmantur. Every cruise line has hits and misses, so it’s important to keep everything in perspective when evaluating a new cruise experience. Rarely are cruises perfect.

When it comes to the ship’s overall decor and beauty, MSC has a huge advantage, especially when compared to any older or midsize ships for Carnival or RCL. However, comparing MSC’s newer ships to mega ships is an apples-to-oranges comparison. The pool decks and slides on MSC were excellent, and the service was fine, with no noticeable difference.

What to Expect from an MSC Cruise

MSC Cruises, having started in Europe, has carried over many of the European aspects of its brand to the American market. This isn’t necessarily a good thing, but it’s at least consistent.

In Europe, MSC is regarded as a “higher-end” cruise experience when compared to brands like P&O, Costa, and the now-defunct Pullmantur. However, that doesn’t cut it with American cruisers who are used to endless (Free) entertainment, expansive buffets, higher-end premium dining options, and impeccable service.

This is where you start hearing from people complaining about MSC Cruises.

If you’ve been to Europe, and understand that the cruise line has its roots based in Europe, the fact that everything is an up-charge and some services aren’t as friendly or efficient as other cruise lines, you won’t be surprised. But if you are a typical American cruiser who’s used to the big names in cruises, you’ll probably be frustrated to some extent (more on that later). However, if you are a first-time cruiser, and this is your first experience with this type of vacation, you’ll likely be elated and happy with everything, because in reality, there’s not too much to complain about, especially given the value of these vacations.

Pros and cons of MSC Cruises

What we like about msc.

• Beautiful, Clean & Modern Ships
• Reasonable drink prices
• Affordable packages (Drinks & Dining)
• Variety of food options
• The pizza is AMAZING!
• Specialty Coffee & Bottled water included in the most basic drink package
• Value for money, especially for families

What we don’t like about MSC

• The experience feels like nickel and diming, where so many things cost extra.
• Unusual approach to Dining Packages
• Customer service is disinterested and sometimes downright rude
• Food quality is average at best in the main dining rooms + buffet
• Confusing beverage and drinks packages

MSC Cruises vs Royal Caribbean vs Carnival vs Norwegian Cruise Line

To get an accurate comparison, it’s essential to evaluate apples to apples and determine what matters most to you on a cruise. This review pertains to US sailings to the Caribbean and Bermuda, not European sailings – though we have done MSC in Europe, a completely different article will cover that! Let’s be clear from the outset: there’s no comparison between MSC and the higher-end cruise lines such as Cunard or Disney which provide a superior experience at more than twice the cost. So, let’s focus on comparing MSC to Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival, which seem to be the cruise lines that MSC is “going after” with their marketing.

A few major differences usually come down to the following:

Price – when comparing cruise lines, MSC is usually less expensive for nearly identical itineraries. But remember to take into account the paid extras like entertainment and most dining outside of the main dining room and buffet.

In addition to the lower fares, MSC Cruises’ automatic gratuities are usually lower than competing cruise lines.

Continuing with lower costs, the drink packages and dining packages are considerably less expensive than other cruise lines. See the entire MSC drink package pricing . While the drink packages are still quite expensive propositions, MSC often has the basic “Easy” drink package as a promotion, included in the fare making upgrading to a more expensive package reasonable.

It’s more of an international clientele – with MSC being known better in Europe, there will be a significantly higher ratio of international passengers, which can be entertaining and a great way to get exposed to other cultures without leaving the USA. Unfortunately, this means you also have to listen to announcements in many languages.

The cabin stewards are more like what you’d expect in a traditional hotel rather than a cruise ship. They’re efficient and good, but they aren’t chatty and visible at all times. This likely comes down to the fact that on most traditional cruise lines, Americans tip extra, sometimes quite a bit extra to the room stewards and cabin attendants, so they are happy to be known and visible. On the contrary, tipping cabin attendants on an MSC cruise is not as typical (again, with European roots).

Is MSC Cruises a good cruise line? Possibly – For Some.

This question is asked so often in forums and chat groups, it’ mind-boggling! It’s a very subjective question with so many ways to answer.

In general, I think MSC can offer an amazing cruise experience with great value, especially for families. With promotions like kids sail free and some of the most affordable cruise rates on the market, it makes for a good cruise experience and a good cruise line.

For cruisers who are experienced travelers with other major cruise lines, it will be a mixed bag on whether or not MSC is a “good” cruise line.

In general, they are just as good as any other cruise line, depending on what your priorities are. In the end, I always hate to say “it depends… ” but it depends. That’s what this article hopefully addresses for all types of cruisers.

Why are MSC Cruises so cheap? Hint: It’s in the “Add Ons”

First, “cheap” is relative and subjective. MSC Cruises feel like an inexpensive option to other cruise lines, but often by the time you add up all of the additional fees, they end up being very close in price to other similar lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean. It’s clear that MSC Cruises is making a push into the USA market and they are discounting heavily on certain routes, but looking closer, there are some itineraries where MSC is definitely more expensive than the competition.

MSC is definitely budget-friendly when it comes to family cruises, as they often have “kids sail free” promotions. With these promotions, a family of 4, for example, can vacation together for half the cost of a traditional beach vacation. So this makes for a relatively cheap family vacation or family cruise for sure!

MSC Cruises includes only the basics, everything else is for a fee

When considering MSC for a vacation, it’s good to know that the price you see may look good, but there are going to be extras, a LOT of extras. While this isn’t all bad, it’s important to understand. I fully believe in being able to craft my own vacation experience by starting with a base price and adding on what I want rather than feeling compelled to take advantage of included items that I’m not really interested in. With MSC, the cruise rates are affordable and sometimes downright cheap but plan for extras. Any food and beverage outside of the included main dining room and buffet are for an additional fee, entertainment is often fee-based, and drinks can add up fast (although there are MSC Drink packages )

Receive Our Monthly CruiseLetter

Including cruise reviews, travel tips, and cruise deals

MSC Sells Cruise “Experiences” The Aurea, Bella, and Fantastica Experiences explained and compared

MSC Cruises sells “experiences”. The cabins on the MSC Ships are effectively identical regardless of experience (with the exception of a couple of suites and the Yacht Club). So rather than purchasing a cabin or stateroom TYPE, you purchase an EXPERIENCE that grants access to different facilities and services. This approach is unique and we actually LIKE this method of selling experiences rather than a class of cabin.

The MSC experiences explained

There is the “Bella” Experience – which is the base fare and really is bare bones. It’s a cabin + the included dining onboard (buffet and main dining room) as well as the use of all the public spaces and access to the complimentary entertainment.

For a little extra, you can purchase the “Fantastica” experience , which is the Bella + the added benefit of some flexibility, with one allowed free cruise change. Additionally, you can order room service for breakfast with no delivery fee. So many people enjoy breakfast in their cabins, that this may be worth it for many passengers. Additionally, you can request which dining time (late or early) you’d like in the main dining rooms.

The “Aurea” experience is the top-level experience, which gets you all of the Bella and Fantistica experiences and more. With the Aurea experience (available on balcony rooms only), you receive :

• a premium stateroom location
• access to the Aurea solarium which is for Aurea guests only
• chocolates and prosecco in your cabin on the day of boarding
• anytime dining
• discounts on spa treatments
• priority boarding
• Free 24-hour room service

The Aurea experience is usually quite a bit more than the base fare (Hundreds of dollars per passenger), so you’d have to really ask yourself if access to the Top Exclusive (Aurea) solarium is worth the price, as the other benefits are minimal.

The MSC Yacht Club Explained

Where most cruise lines separate their experiences by class of cabins such as Norwegian’s HAVEN and Celebrity’s RETREAT, MSC has come up with the “Yacht Club”. The big difference is with the MSC Yacht Club and other cruise lines, is that it’s offered with interior cabins as an option. This is a great option for people who really want an elevated experience but don’t feel the need for a balcony room, which is generally more expensive. Additionally, speaking with passengers who have experienced the Yacht Club on MSC Cruises almost universally adores it! I’ve yet to find anyone who has spoken negatively about the MSC Yacht Club. Unfortunately, it’s not affordable for everyone, so I have an issue with the fact that the service on the rest of the ship is sometimes sub-par, so you shouldn’t have to be in the Yacht Club to have a good service experience throughout the ship.

What do you get with the Yacht Club experience on MSC?

• Dedicated priority check-in and check-out as well as priority departure and return on excursion days
• 24-hour butler service and a dedicated concierge
• Room Service is available 24 hours a day
• Premium Extra Drink Package  
• Premium Internet package (Browse – 2 devices Unlimited Internet Package)
• Complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa
• Relaxation amenities in each suite (including bathrobe, and slippers)
• Pillow menu
• Other personal touches: luggage packing/unpacking service, newspaper directly delivered in a stateroom on request
• 1 free cruise change
• Upgraded and elevated suites offer a more comfortable room size and are located in the foredecks of the ship
• Dedicated, private area of the ship accessible only to MSC Yacht Club guests
• A private and spacious pool deck with whirlpool baths and sunbathing area, an outdoor bar with the very best views
• Panoramic Top Sail Lounge with bar, afternoon tea service, light bites available day and night, and live entertainment in the evening
• Gourmet restaurant with a la carte dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with free choice of dining time
• Tailormade experiences from shopping to excursions
• 20% discount on a prepaid dedicated specialty restaurant package
• 40% discount on a prepaid dedicated spa package
• 10% discount on all spa treatments purchased on board

The Yacht club is only available on select ships and is not usually available on the older ships sailing in Europe. Ships with Yacht club include: Bellissima, Divina, Fantasia, Grandiosa, Meraviglia , Preziosa, Seascape, Seashore, Seaside, Seaview, Splendida, Virtuosa (and on the upcoming World ships)

Entertainment on MSC Cruises

The comparable evening shows on MSC are on par with those on Royal Caribbean and Carnival, but they come with a fee, whereas other cruise lines rarely charge extra for entertainment. However, the cost for the Cirque shows on MSC are very reasonable and enjoyable. Other entertainment included with the fare are more like variety shows, singing, dancing, etc.

As expected, there are other entertainment options throughout all MSC Ships including bands, solo singers dancing, poolside music, etc. However, nothing compares to some more mainstream cruise lines with “things to do” on a cruise. So if you compare overall activities on MSC versus Carnival or Royal Caribbean, you’ll likely be disappointed.

So, if you’re looking for a ton of activities all day, every day, there appear to be fewer options on MSC, as the entertainment and daily activities are not as robust as you might expect for such modern ships.

For experienced cruisers who expect big production shows included in the fare may be disappointed with what MSC has to offer.

The Buffet, Main Dining Room & Specialty Restaurants on MSC ships

Many people consider food to be a significant factor in their cruise experience. In this regard, I find the buffets on all the ships I’ve been on to be acceptable. While MSC didn’t have as many included options like Guys Burger and the Blue Iguana, it wasn’t a deal-breaker for us. We always found something enjoyable, and the variety at breakfast, with more meats, cheeses, and bread, was a nice departure from the US cruise lines.

Regarding the included sit-down meals (main dining room), I would rate MSC last when comparing all major cruise lines, although they were not inedible by any means. I am content with the included main dining room meals because, for me, if I’m not cooking, I’m happy.

The buffets on the ships are usually expansive but not much changes on a 5 or 7 day cruise. The food is fine, but the pizza is amazing. So if we found ourselves in the buffet, it was usually for a pizza and salad.

There are a number of for-a-fee restaurants on MSC ships (basically all restaurants cost extra). For foodies and people who find the food experience on a cruise to be a priority, they may find what MSC calls “specialty” or “premium” dining lacks quite a bit. While it’s not BAD, it just doesn’t live up to the other major cruise lines when it comes to premium dining.

To get the most out of the specialty dining on MSC, consider buying a dining package. More details on the MSC dining packages here .

Specialty Dining on MSC Cruises

Butcher’s Cut – The staple steak restaurant found on most MSC ships can actually cook a great steak. our only complaint is the presentation and the odd choice of sides (as well as their presentation).

Kaito Sushi – A lovely sit-down sushi bar where most of the menu is done quite well, with a few exceptions (like salmon hand rolls)

The Teppanyaki restaurant onboard is usually attached to the sushi bar. A great family event with good food and in a show cooking style.

Hola Tacos – Think food truck / street tacos meet sit-down restaurant. The selection is great and this was by far our favorite restaurant on the ship. Not because it’s fancy or particularly high-end, but because it delivers consistent, good food every time (and they’re usually open for lunch!)

Ocean Cay Restaurant – The seafood concept found on many MSC ships was hit or miss with the prep of the food and overall food quality.

Specialty restaurants vary per ship.

MSC Cruises’ demographic and typical passenger

MSC’s overall demographic isn’t on the extreme side of young or old; it’s a nice mix. If you’re looking for a party cruise and a lot of drinking, you may want to explore other options. Not that there is a lack of a “good time” to be had, but there are usually a lot of families, meaning fewer late nights and all-night parties.

Ocean Cay, MSC Cruises Private Island

MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay , is fantastic if you want to relax and enjoy the beautiful sea and sand. The food trucks spread around were a nice alternative. However, it’s not comparable to RCL’s island, with its many slides, pools, and other activities. But we liked that. We loved the feeling of an island retreat more than a built-up water park. I think it was a great choice for MSC to make it a retreat rather than a playground.

One thing to note is that MSC’s website is the least user-friendly of all the cruise lines I’ve used. The pre-cruise registration process is quite wonky compared to other websites.

• Read : MSC Ocean Cay Excursions with Prices

MSC Voyagers Clubs Program

As with most cruise lines, MSC has a customer loyalty program they call the Voyagers Club. Unfortunately, until you get to the highest levels of the program like the Diamond live, there are not a lot of perks. However, the best benefit of being a member is a 5% discount on all bookings (and even greater discounts when booking early). What makes this program unique across the cruise industry is the fact that MSC Cruises’ status matches with other loyalty programs . Even more unique is it’s not limited to just other cruise lines, they also status match to hotel programs.

Our final thoughts

The popularity of MSC Cruises has led to a plethora of debates and opinions about the cruise line in online communities such as Facebook and Reddit. Despite MSC’s long history in European waters. The brand continues to polarize opinions, with some cruisers loving the newish cruise line and others feeling less enthusiastic. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a newcomer to the world of cruising, the debate surrounding MSC Cruises is sure to captivate your attention.

Ultimately, your personal priorities will determine which cruise line is right for you. If price is a significant factor, MSC provides great value for money. If you’re looking to relax, sit by the pool, enjoy cruise ports, and aren’t hyper-focused on food, MSC is a great option. We have booked a 6-night Bermuda cruise in September for a total of $1200 +/- for a balcony cabin. In contrast, for the same dates and destination, Carnival’s prices ranged from $1950 to $2300 for a 5-night outside cabin, and RCL charged $2000. Disney, on the other hand, charged an eyewatering $3100.

More MSC Helpful Tips

MSC Status Match Program – How to match your loyalty status from other cruise lines (with Forms & Match Chart)

MSC Cruises Voyagers Club is a loyalty program that rewards its members with privileges and benefits. An MSC STATUS MATCH program available. Members can... Read This

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With Prices (2024)

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With PriceS – UPDATED We spent a lot of time on a recent voyage with MSC Cruises trying... Read This

Cruise Gear Editor

I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our Monthly Cruise Digest?

As an American, I found your article pretty fair. I realize it seems strange using that opening line, but I did do it to make a point. To me, it seems those who are complaining about MSC the loudest are Americans. We did a 7 day in Northern Europe in November with MSC. There is a long story behind this, but we did half of the cruise in a two room suite with a hottub on the balcony and then the other half in a duplex suite in Yacht Club.

What I noticed about the complaints, it was Americans, and it was food related. MSC does not know what a double gulp is. Perhaps they didn’t realize that they could just order more.

Your comment about service with the stewards was interesting. What we observed was that the staff seemed to be trained to be invisible to the passengers, but available when needed. If we needed our steward (pre YC), all we had to do was make a call and the steward was there within minutes. If we needed our butler in YC, it was just a quick phone call. What we learned is that all we needed to do was put forth a little effort and ask for service and it was never an issue. If not, the staff was going to leave us alone. We were happy that our steward and butler knew our names before we introduced ourselves.

YC is a whole other world. One thing that you didn’t mention that I thought was very well thought out by MSC was putting the interior rooms in YC. Imagine this scenario . . . the matriarch and patriarch of a family want to have a nice cruise with their offspring. They need a room for themselves and then 3 other rooms for their kids. They can get a nice suite in YC and the kids can have interior rooms. Because YC is not really crowded, finding a spot for 10 people by the pool, hottubs, etc, it is simple. You could go to the concierge desk and ask for a table to be put together for dinner for the 10 of you.

I commend you for being honest that there is a value prop at play. MSC, to us, offers value for what we receive. We never feel that we are ripped off and overcharged. We have friends who are trying to get us into the Retreat on a cruise in September. They got a room, it was 22k for 7 days. A comparable room in YC is the Duplex Suite (it’s a little bigger and has a hottub.) That room is 8k. To us, there can’t be 14k more in value.

Thanks for the article, again, it was fair, especially mentioning how wonky MSC’s website is 🙂

Hi David – Thanks for your great comment and feedback. I didn’t mention the YC mostly because …. (very personal opinion) I hate how all of the brands have made an option (Yacht Club for MSC) which is not available to the masses due to price and it really divides the experience. I understand why it exists, but usually when I do a review, I try to put it in perspective of what MOST people will experience on the ship. I hate that you know hove to pay extra for a class of service that used to be standard in the industry years ago. 🙂 – In the end, though, MSC, regardless if you choose their standard cabins or YC experience, it really does provide a great value if you can overcome the quirks.

Thank you! We are normally loyal to Royal and are now expanding our experiences with MSC Meraviglia out of New York… We received an offer we couldn’t refuse through our local casino! I find that people complain on all forums…I listen but do not take it to heart, because everyone is different! Your article is great and I will continue to read your reviews!

Hi Lorraine, Thanks for the positive feedback on the article!

It’s definitely worth giving MSC a try, as you said everyone is different and so many things are subjective. That’s why we try to make our reviews as objective as possible and tell it how it is while keeping polarizing opinions to a minimum 🙂 Enjoy your trip and don’t let the complaints in all the forums take away from a good time. As with everything, it is going to be what YOU make of it! MSC is unusual, but as long as you know what to expect going in, you’ll enjoy it.

Great article and very helpful. We’ve been on close to 20 cruises, all with RCL and were disappointed in the last one so we are going to give MSC a try next spring on the Seascape.

Thanks for reading the Article, Nick! I hope you enjoy the cruise. Keep in mind it’s totally different than RCL! So try not to directly compare the experiences when you cruise 🙂

Also ! Don’t forget to status match! If you’re any status with RCL, MSC will give you status which might make it even better. See the MSC status match info here .

Review Cart

No products in the cart.

The 6 types of MSC Cruises ships, explained

T he MSC Cruises fleet has grown enormously in recent years. As recently as early 2017, the line had just 12 ships in operation. But it's been adding new cruise vessels at a blistering pace, and it now operates 22 vessels. Three more are on the way in the next few years.

As a result of the growth, MSC Cruises recently passed Norwegian Cruise Line to become the world's third-biggest cruise brand when measured by passenger capacity. Only Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are bigger.

Like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival, MSC Cruises operates a wide range of ship styles and designs. The line's newest ships are among the largest ever built by any line. Eight MSC Cruises vessels rank among the world's 20 biggest cruise vessels . But not all MSC Cruises ships are supersized. MSC Cruises also operates quite a few relatively smaller, intimate vessels.

For more cruise guides, reviews and news, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Indeed, four MSC Cruises ships are less than a third the size of its biggest ship (the recently unveiled MSC World Europa ) and rank among the smallest of cruise ships operated by the major mass-market lines. That means you have a lot of choices when it comes to picking the perfect MSC Cruises ship for you.

The good news for those of you trying to get a handle on all the options is that the 22 ships in the MSC Cruises fleet can easily be bunched into just six groups of vessels that have similar amenities. If you know one member of the group, you know them all.

These six groups, made up of ships constructed around the same time to the same basic design, are known in cruise industry lingo as "classes," and each has its own look and feel.

An introduction to MSC Cruises ships

As noted above, MSC Cruises is now the world's third largest cruise line, after several years of rapid growth. Not including pulldown bunks and pullout sofas, the line's 22 ships have 77,832 berths — about 24,000 more than Norwegian's fleet. And the growth won't be slowing anytime soon. Three more giant new MSC Cruises vessels are on order for delivery over the next few years that will add another 15,000 berths.

At its current pace of growth, MSC Cruises soon could pass Carnival to become the world's second-biggest line.

The grand dame of the MSC Cruises fleet is its recently unveiled MSC World Europa. At 215,863 tons, it's the biggest MSC Cruises ship ever built and the first of a new series of so-called World Class vessels that are nearly as big as Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships and soon-to-debut Icon Class ships (the world's biggest cruise ships).

Related: The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises ships and itineraries

The next-biggest ships in the MSC Cruises fleet are its also-recently-unveiled Meraviglia Class vessels: MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Euribia. Similar in design, these five ships aren't quite as big as MSC World Europa, but they're right up there when it comes to size, amenities and passenger capacity.

MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Euribia, which debuted in 2019, 2021 and 2023, respectively, are a tad longer than MSC Bellissima and MSC Meraviglia and are considered a subset of the class known as Meraviglia Plus. They each can hold 4,842 passengers at double occupancy — 6,334 passengers if every last pulldown bunk and pullout sofa is filled.

The other two Meraviglia Class ships, which date to 2019 and 2017, respectively, can carry more than 5,600 passengers with every berth filled.

In addition to these five giants, MSC Cruises also operates four large Seaside Class ships that each have a total capacity of 5,336 to 5,632 passengers.

Add those in, and MSC Cruises operates 10 of the world's 35 biggest cruise ships.

The line also operates four somewhat smaller Fantasia Class vessels that can each hold around 4,400 passengers at maximum occupancy.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on an MSC Cruises ship

Together, the 14 World, Meraviglia, Seaside and Fantasia Class vessels make up MSC Cruises' big-ship fleet. The line's remaining eight vessels, split among two classes, are considerably smaller, with maximum occupancy topping out at around 2,700 to 3,200 passengers.

The eight smaller ships, which in general are the line's older ships, allow MSC Cruises to offer itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of the World Class or Meraviglia Class vessels, although even the biggest MSC Cruises ships are still designed to be able to call at most ports around the world.

The smaller ships also appeal to a subset of MSC Cruises fans who are willing to give up some onboard amenities in exchange for intimacy. They're also usually less expensive on a per-day basis.

In addition to all of the above, MSC Group — the line's parent company — has announced plans for yet another class of big ships to start arriving later this decade, though there have been few details released. MSC Group also is developing a series of small luxury vessels that'll operate under a separate brand to be called Explora Journeys.

World Class

Ships in class: MSC World Europa (2022); MSC World America (coming in 2025); unnamed (coming in 2026); unnamed (coming in 2027).

Size: 215,863 tons.

If you love nothing better than a big, bustling resort with every sort of amusement known to humans, this is the MSC Cruises ship class for you. Currently, only one ship is sailing, but another will debut soon, with two more on the way.

While not quite as big as Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis Class and Icon Class vessels (the world's largest floating megaresorts), the World Class ships are not far behind in grandeur and amenities. They are bigger and more amenity-filled than any vessel you'll find at such rival big-ship lines as Norwegian, Carnival and Princess. Only Royal Caribbean has ships of the same scale.

Unveiled in the final days of 2022 (so close to year's end that we considered it a new vessel for 2023 when we listed the year's most exciting new ships ), MSC World Europa can hold up to 6,762 passengers — almost as many as can fit on Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis Class vessels — and that's a big deal.

This is the first time in the 14-year history of the record-breaking Oasis Class series that a vessel has come close to the Royal Caribbean ships in passenger capacity or size. MSC World Europa offers a major new option for cruisers who love being on the biggest, most amenity-packed vessels.

At 215,863 tons, MSC World Europa is about 4% to 8% smaller than the five Oasis Class ships. But by one measure, it's even bigger. MSC World Europa is 21 decks high — three decks higher than the Oasis Class vessels.

Related: The ultimate guide to picking the right cruise for you

As for its onboard offerings, MSC Cruises took a page from Royal Caribbean's playbook by breaking down the public areas of MSC World Europa into districts. They include an adults-only "Zen district" and a separate "family district" that houses as many as 10 new kids' facilities. There also is a central interior promenade with entertainment, shops and bars.

Additionally, MSC World Europa has six pools and 14 hot tubs, making it one of the most pool-covered ships at sea. The watery offerings include an Aquapark with multiple waterslides that integrate virtual reality technology. There is also a family sun deck.

MSC World Europa has 13 dining venues, including the new-for-the-line Chef's Garden Kitchen (an outlet focused on microgreens) and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with alfresco seating. In a twist, the ship has three separate buffet restaurants, each with its own ambiance.

Drinking spots include a two-deck English-style pub dubbed Masters of the Sea Pub, which serves beer made on board. There's also a new gin bar, a first for MSC Cruises.

MSC World Europa is just the first of at least four World Class vessels that MSC Cruises plans to unveil over the next few years. The next ship in the series, MSC World America, is due in 2025 and is scheduled to be deployed in Florida . Two more World Class vessels are scheduled for completion in 2026 and 2027.

Seaside Class

Ships in class: MSC Seaside (2017); MSC Seaview (2018); MSC Seashore (2021); MSC Seascape (2022).

Size: 153,516 to 170,412 tons.

Looking for a megaship specifically designed for cruising in warm-weather locales such as the Caribbean? The ships in this class could be the answer.

The four vessels in MSC Cruises' Seaside Class feature layouts with lots of outdoor spaces for sunning, strolling and bar-hopping.

Each of the Seaside Class ships boasts an unusually broad, uncovered, outdoor promenade on Deck 8 that offers close contact with the ocean and a Miami Beach-like pool area at the back of the same deck that's surrounded by loungers. Another pool and lounge area at the top of each ship is connected to the lower pool area by glass-enclosed elevators.

The latter pool area at the top of each of the ships is, notably, topped by dual zip lines that run from funnel to stern — at 345 feet the longest at sea. A third pool area is located at the top of the ship toward its center (this one with a closeable roof), and there's a fourth pool area in the ship's exclusive suite area, the MSC Yacht Club.

Put it all together, and the Seaside Class vessels have the highest ratio of outdoor space per passenger of any of the MSC Cruises ships, according to the line.

As is typical for the biggest megaships, Seaside vessels also have a wide range of restaurants, bars and lounges. Among nine distinct eateries are two main dining rooms, two buffet eateries, a pan-Asian restaurant, sushi bar, Teppanyaki eatery, American steakhouse and seafood restaurant. There are more than a dozen bars.

Related: Don't miss these loyalty perks when sailing with MSC Cruises

All of the ships also have a water park with waterslides and a hanging bridge feature, a sports court, Formula 1 race car simulators, virtual arcade games and bowling and an XD cinema (featuring 3D movies plus immersive special effects, such as moving seats).

In addition, each of the vessels has a large spa, casino, disco, theater and library with a pool table.

Measuring 153,516 to 170,412 tons, the Seaside Class ships are a tad smaller than the biggest MSC Cruises ships (see the World Class, above, and Meraviglia Class, below).

MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview can carry 4,132 passengers at double occupancy (5,336 passengers with every berth filled).

MSC Seashore and MSC Seascape are slightly bigger versions of the first two ships in the series that are part of a subclass called Seaside EVO (EVO stands for "evolution"). They each can hold 4,540 passengers at double occupancy (5,877 with every berth filled).

Meraviglia Class

Ships in class: MSC Meraviglia (2017); MSC Bellissima (2019); MSC Grandiosa (2019); MSC Virtuosa (2021); MSC Euribia (2023).

Size: 171,598 to 181,541 tons.

Until late 2022, these were the biggest ships in the MSC Cruises fleet, and they're still giant by any standard. If you're a fan of big, bustling resorts that are loaded with all sorts of amusements, they should be on your short list among MSC Cruises vessels, along with the World Class ships.

Nineteen decks high and 1,036 feet long, the first two ships in the Meraviglia Class — MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima — are chock full of 30 bars, lounges, eateries and snack outlets (so many there's little chance you'll get to them all on a single sailing).

The next three ships in the series — MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Euribia — offer even more outlets. They are slightly stretched versions of the first two ships, a subclass of the series known as Meraviglia Plus.

All five of the vessels are built around a grand interior promenade that's home to restaurants, bars and shops. The promenade is covered in an innovative "digital sky" made with LED screens.

All of the ships also have a giant pool deck, a water park and a sprawling amusement area with race car simulators, a flight simulator and an XD cinema.

What you won't find on the Meraviglia Class ships is intimacy. These are vessels that can carry as many as 6,334 passengers when every berth is filled. They each operate with up to 1,704 crew members. That means you could be sharing your vacation with more than 8,000 people.

Fantasia Class

Ships in class: MSC Fantasia (2008); MSC Splendida (2009); MSC Divina (2012); MSC Preziosa (2013).

Size: 137,936 to 139,400 tons.

Back in 2008, when the ships in this series began debuting, they were among the biggest cruise vessels in the world, and they still are relatively large by cruise ship standards — if not quite as big as the latest MSC Cruises ships.

While no longer on the list of the top 20 biggest cruise vessels — indeed, they barely crack the top 60 these days, thanks to a flood of bigger ships in recent years — they offer a classic big-ship experience with lots of restaurants, bars, showrooms and deck-top attractions.

On each of the Fantasia Class ships, you'll find five separate pools (including one with a retractable roof that is perfect for rainy days), 12 whirlpools, a waterslide, XD cinema, sports court, squash court, Formula 1 race car simulator and extensive children's program areas.

In addition, each of the vessels has a large spa, casino, disco, outdoor cinema and multiple showrooms, lounges and bars.

One notable difference between the Fantasia Class ships and the new Meraviglia Class and Seaside Class ships is that they have fewer dining options. You'll find two main restaurants on each of these vessels, a main buffet, a separate self-service food area with pizza and an American-style steakhouse.

At 137,936 to 139,400 tons, the Fantasia Class ships are about 36% smaller than the line's new MSC World Europa and its coming World Class sisters, a significant step down in size. They're about 23% smaller than the Meraviglia Class ships.

They also carry significantly fewer passengers than the World Class and Meraviglia Class ships. MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida carry 3,274 passengers at double occupancy (4,363 with every berth filled). The slightly bigger MSC Divina and MSC Preziosa carry 3,502 passengers at double occupancy.

Musica Class

Ships in class: MSC Musica (2006); MSC Orchestra (2007); MSC Poesia (2008); MSC Magnifica (2010).

Size: 92,409 to 95,128 tons.

Not sure that you want to sail on a megaship with 6,000 people but still want a vessel with a good amount of features and activities? The Musica Class ships may be the perfect solution.

At 92,409 to 95,128 tons, the four vessels in the series are barely half the size of MSC Cruises' massive Meraviglia Class ships but still big enough that they have a lot to offer.

Each of the vessels has at least four places to eat including two main restaurants, a casual buffet and a sushi bar.

You'll also find two pool areas on each of the ships, whirlpools, a miniature golf course and a sports court. Each of the ships also has a theater, spa, casino and multiple bars and lounges.

What you won't find on the ships, because of their smaller size, are the truly over-the-top family attractions that you'll find on bigger MSC Cruises ships such as giant waterparks with multiple slides and sprawling amusement areas with race car and flight simulators. If you can't live without those sorts of features on a cruise ship, the Musica Class probably isn't for you.

You'll also find a far less diverse array of restaurants.

Each of the Musica Class ships holds a bit over 2,500 passengers at double occupancy (around 3,200 with every berth filled). That's less than half the number of passengers you'll find on the biggest MSC Cruises ships.

That makes them perfect for cruisers who want to get away from the sort of crowds that are on the biggest megaships without giving up too many of the amenities that big ships have to offer.

Lirica Class

Ships in class: MSC Armonia (2001); MSC Sinfonia (2002); MSC Lirica (2003); MSC Opera (2004).

Size: 65,542 to 65,591 tons.

Dating to the early 2000s, the Lirica Class ships are the smallest at MSC Cruises, and they offer fewer onboard attractions and amenities than is typical for the line's vessels.In general, they appeal to cruisers looking for a more intimate experience on a cruise ship than what you'll find on the big MSC Cruises ships. They also draw cruisers who care more about the destinations they visit on a cruise than onboard attractions.

Along those lines, MSC Cruises often sends some of its Lirica Class ships to South America, South Africa and the Middle East to operate destination-intensive itineraries with abundant port calls. The vessels also often sail voyages in the Mediterranean that are longer than the seven-night trips that are the norm at MSC Cruises. In both cases, the allure of the cruises has more to do with the ports the ships visit than the onboard experience.

The Lirica Class ships don't have the big water parks that are common on newer MSC Cruises ships. For the most part, their top decks are lined with pools, whirlpools and sunning areas, as is typical for ships built in the early 2000s. All of them have at least two pools and two whirlpools.

Related: Is cruising right for you? Start by asking yourself these 7 questions

In addition to a main dining room and a casual buffet, each of the ships has an outdoor grill and pizza stand near its main pool area, as well as a sushi bar.

Each of the Lirica Class ships holds about 2,000 passengers at double occupancy (around 2,700 with every berth filled). That's less than a third of the passengers you'll find on the biggest MSC Cruises ships.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Lines

MSC Cruises

History, review, itineraries, ships, deck plans, news.

•   Fleet
•   Review
•   Itinerary
•   News

MSC Cruises fleet

Msc world asia, msc world america, msc euribia, msc world europa, msc seascape, msc virtuosa, msc seashore, msc grandiosa, msc bellissima, msc seaview, msc meraviglia, msc seaside, msc preziosa, msc magnifica, review of msc cruises.

MSC Cruises Ltd (MSC Crociere, msccruises.com/en-gl) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Miami Florida USA (since 2024). the company is a fully-owned subsidiary of MSC Group/Mediterranean Shipping Company (1960-established, Geneva Switzerland-headquartered) currently ranked as the world's second-largest containership company (after Maersk).

MSC Crociere is the world's largest privately owned cruise company. 2020-Q4 statistics ranked MSC the world's 3rd-largest cruise shipowner (by combined fleet's passenger capacity ~13%), preceded by Carnival Corporation (39%) and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group (24%).

The company's current management team is led by Pierfrancesco Vago (Executive Chairman), Gianni Onorato (CEO), and Emilio La Scala (President and Managing Director).

Ruben Rodriguez is MSC Cruises USA's current President. Effective April 30, 2025, he will retire from the post and will be succeeded by Lynn Torrent (MSC Cruises USA's current Executive VP & CCO/Chief Commercial Officer) effective May 1st/2025.

In 2021, MSC launched its travel brand EXPLORA JOURNEYS , with a separate fleet of smaller-sized luxury ships. EXPLORA JOURNEYS' main competitor in the European market is Viking OCEAN .

Between its official launch (2003) and July 2019, MSC served 20+ million passengers. MSC is also the world's fastest-growing cruise company, with a USD 20,5 billion investment plan (2017-2027) for building 17 new vessels and increasing its fleet to 29 vessels.

The parent company (MSC Group) was founded and owned by its current Chairman Gianluigi Aponte (1940-born). Since 2014, the company's President and CEO is his son - Diego Aponte, while his daughter (Alexa Aponte Vago) is the CFO. MSC entered the ship cruising market in 1988. MSC also owns Going2Italy (1982-founded Italian tour operator).

MSC's main competitor in the Mediterranean is Costa Cruises .

Company History

Founded by Achille Lauro as "Lauro Lines" (aka Flotta Lauro), MSC entered the cruise shipping business in the 1960s. Initially, MSC operated two ships - Achille Lauro (IMO 5390008, launched as "Willem Ruys") and Angelina Lauro (IMO 5264077, launched as "Oranje"). Angelina Lauro (1939-1979) burnt in St Thomas USVI in 1979. Achille Lauro (1947-1994) sank off Somalia'scoast due to onboard fire.

In 1985, Achille Lauro was hijacked by Palestinian Liberation Front members, and the accident resulted in decreased passenger numbers. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) purchased Flotta Lauro in 1989, and renamed it "StarLauro Cruises". Achille Lauro caught fire and sank in 1994. In 1995, the company changed its name to "MSC Cruises". Fleet's oldest liner - the 1982-built MSC Melody - was sold in November 2013 and scrapped in September 2018 (as MS Qing).

In 2014, MSC announced that its four Lirica-class boats are scheduled for refits and extensive drydock refurbishments under the company's "Renaissance Program" (budgeted USD 273 million). By this project, all four vessels (Armonia, Lirica, Opera, Sinfonia) were stretched/elongated by 25 m (80 ft).

Ship-reconstruction works were done at Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo Sicily , between 2014 (August 31) and 2015 (November 17).

Since 2021, all MSC cruise ship refurbishment projects have been conducted at Palumbo Malta Shipyard (co-owned by MSC / 50% stake). Palumbo Group's other shipyards are in France (Marseille) and Italy (Ancona, Naples, Savona).

Most of MSC's fleet operates in Europe (Mediterranean and Baltic). The company's other strong markets are the USA (Caribbean), Canada New England, East Asia, South America, South Africa. Because of the international passenger base, all shipboard announcements are generally read in Italian, Spanish, French, German and English. Onboard mealtimes are fixed, with assigned seatmates. Optional dining includes Lido buffet restaurant, sushi, and Italian eateries.

Globally, MSC owns and operates several cruise terminals - in the USA (Terminals AA/AAA, PortMiami Florida ), Italy (Palacrociere Terminals in Genoa and Civitavecchia-Rome ), Spain (Helix Cruise Center in Barcelona , and South Africa ( Durban Cruise Terminal ).

MSC liners offer standout evening show entertainment - from classical concerts and jazz to contemporary dance music and circus-type acrobatics. Voyages are typically priced at value-oriented levels, but the liners offer an unprecedented range of modern vacation travel amenities and services that cost extra, such as fees for port shuttle buses, a la carte restaurant menus, etc.

Company changes 2024

In January was announced that in November 2025 MSC starts year-round homeporting operations from Galveston TX (ship Seascape, 7-night roundtrips departing on Sundays). Also in January, MSC started homeporting in NYC New York (ship Meraviglia).

In mid-January, MSC Group moved its operational headquarters to Downtown Miami (Block 55 at Sawyer's Walk/Overtown). The new facility (130,000-ft2/12080-m2 sized office space) now houses the company's three divisions - MSC Cargo (container ships/logistics), MSC Cruises (passenger liners) and Explora Journeys (expedition ships).

In February as fleet's COO/Chief Operating Officer was appointed Elia Congiu (with MSC since 2013, previously Chief HR Officer/Human Resources).

In late-February was introduced the "Open Booking" program, allowing passengers on a current cruise to reserve a future cruise without committing to a specific vessel/itinerary/date. The initiative complements MSC's existing "Future Cruise" (onboard booking) program introduced in 2023. The new "Open Booking" option requires a reduced deposit payment (USD100/EUR100/GBP100 per person) while on board. The customer receives a certificate that allows up to 12 months period to choose the next MSC voyage. If the ship and departure date are selected within 60 days (of making the onboard open booking), the customer receives up to USD200/EUR200/GBP200 in OBC (onboard credit per stateroom). With a booking made within a year is received up to $100 in OBC. MSC's open booking is also transferable (can be gifted to a family/friend) before choosing the ship/departure date.

In February, on two ships (Virtuosa and Euribia) MSC banned smoking and vaping in the Casino (turning the gaming lounge into a smoke-free venue) while on two other ships (Seascape and Seashore) were added a separate smoking-allowed Casino Lounge.

In April was appointed Neil Palomba (with MSC since 1996) as MSC Cruises USA's Executive VP of Operations, managing MSC's USA-based fleet plus Ocean Cay Bahamas. As MSC Cruises USA's VP of Food and Beverage Operations was appointed Josef Jungwirth (previously employed by Sandals Resort International and RCI/Royal Caribbean International.

In May was expanded fleetwide the shipboard family program. The new activities and services include Extended Baby Care Services (for infants 6 months to 2 yo/in collaboration with Chicco), Doremiland Open House and Family Party (held once-per-cruise), new Family Game Shows (MasterChef at Sea Juniors, Break the Wall, MSC Dance Crew, plus two new - World Quest/geography-based trivia game, and Caravaggio/art-themed spy game), extended Teenagers Club Hours (12-17 yo/open between 10 AM-1 PM, and 3 PM-midnight on sea days, and 3 PM-midnight on port days), Guinness World Record Activities (families can participate in quiz shows and win prizes) and MSC Foundation Day (in collaboration with the MSC Foundation/marine conservation initiatives/1-hour sessions allow kids to learn about environmental topics).

Company changes 2023

In May MSC Foundation signed a partnership with NatureMetrics (provider of biodiversity monitoring data) for collecting data for marine species during voyages. By MSC's "eBioAtlas" project, the collected samples (from the seawater) are sent to NatureMetrics where they are analyzed using eDNA.

In June MSC signed a long-term agreement with Gasum Oy (1994-founded Finnish state-owned energy company) for the fleet's LNG bunkering operations in the Baltic. The deal was signed by Linden Coppell (MSC's VP of Sustainability & ESG/Environmental, Social and Governance) and Mika Wiljanen (Gasum's CEO).

MSC Explora Journeys (a total investment of ~EUR 3,5 billion) officially starts commercial operations in July 2023, with Explora I 's Maiden Voyage (July 17th).

In October was signed an agreement with Shell Western LNG BV (part of Shell plc/the world's second-largest oil and gas company/after ExxonMobil) to provide LNG for the ship Euribia. The deal was signed by Pierfrancesco Vago and Tahir Faruqui (Shell LNG's General Manager). Euribia's first LNG bunkering was in Port Rotterdam.

Since November 15th, the shipboard children's and teen's clubs (fleetwide/facilities for kids ages 12 to 17) operate with extended opening hours and longer live entertainment (8 hours daily). The company's expanded youth programming also includes more and new organized/supervised activities (sports, aquapark entertainment, kids-themed dinners, a different game show for teens every night/followed by a disco).

For 2023, MSC reported serving ~4,1 million cruisers (on 22 ships maintained by 46006 crew from 137 nationalities), 7669 operating days, 26,845167 million ALBDs (Available Lower Berth Days). Throughout 2023, MSC operated 385 itineraries (visiting destinations in 102 different countries) and offered 2150 different shore excursions.

Company changes 2022

In mid-March, MSC Group announced a partnership with Travelife Ltd for EXPLORA JOURNEYS' shore excursion program. "Travelife for Tour Operators" allows tour companies and travel agents access to the company's online management system (16x sustainability modules) with excursion checklists, planning tools, travel- and tourism industries' best sustainability practices examples.

In late-March, MSC became the Official Cruise Partner of "Formula 1".

In August, the entire MSC fleet received "ISO 21070:2017" certification (issued by the International Organization for Standardization) for marine environment protection. The certification specifies the onboard procedures regarding waste management practices (collection, separation, treatment, storage).

For winter 2022-2023 season (December thru April) MSC introduced fly-cruise packages from Brazil to the Caribbean. Via partnerships with Brazilian airlines, MSC provided Brazilian tourists with the opportunity to enjoy affordable 6-hour chartered flights from Sao Paulo (Guarulhos Airport) to Fort-de-France Martinique (Aime Cesaire Airport). In Martinique, they board the ship ( MSC Seaside ) for 7-day roundtrip Caribbean voyages and then fly back to Brazil. MSC's Brazil-to-Caribbean fly cruises are also inclusive of bus transfers (airport-cruise port-airport). The offer was available again for winter season 2023-2024 and again on MSC Seaside.

Company changes 2021

In June 2021 MSC officially launched its luxury brand " Explora Journeys ".

For summer 2021 season (July-October) MSC chartered flights (26000+ seats) to offer fly-cruise packages via partnerships with Europe's largest airlines including Iberia (Spain), Alitalia (Italy), Air France, Eurowings (Germany) and Neos (Italy). This way MSC guaranteed accessible airports and convenient flight times for accessing the homeports (embarkation ports) of 6x ships deployed in the Western Mediterranean (Grandiosa, Seaside), Eastern Mediterranean (Splendida, Orchestra, Magnifica), and the Baltic (Seaview). The package deals were also inclusive of airport-ship bus transfers and COVID health insurance (EUR 25 pp, by Europ Assistance).

On October 6, 2021, MSC opened bookings for Magnifica's Northern European winter 2021-2022 season - the company's first-ever winter season with deployment in the Baltic Sea. Starting on November 14th, the program offered 7-night roundtrips from all call ports in the itinerary (Hamburg, Ijmuiden-Amsterdam, Zeebrugge-Bruges, Le Havre-Paris, Southampton-London) and up to 12-hour port stays.

Company changes 2020

On July 30, 2020, MSC Cruises Ltd and Palumbo Group formed a 50-50 joint venture company to operate Palumbo Malta Shipyard (in Citta Cospicua). The Palumbo shipyard has 4x drydocks and will be used for refurbishments and general maintenance works on MSC ships (passenger and cargo) as well as on other cruise and ferry companies' vessels. The facilities will be updated, including with technologies to handle LNG-powered ships. The deal was signed by Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC Cruises' Executive Chairman) and Antonio Palumbo (Palumbo Group's founder and Chairman).

In late-November 2020, MSC signed a long-term agreement with ABP Southampton for preferential docking rights. The deal starts in summer 2021 with the homeporting of MSC Magnifica at Southampton's newest/5th passenger terminal. By this agreement, every year MSC has to homeport at least one ship in Southampton.

Company changes 2019

In May 2019, MSC became the industry's first mainstream cruise shipping company with a permanent office in Canada (Mississauga, Ontario). MSC Cruises Canada's new office is served by 15 employees (full-time staff) led by Ian Patterson (Country Manager). With the Canadian office, MSC also launched two new websites - MSCCruises.ca (for consumers) and MSCbook.com/ca (for travel agents). Both websites debuted in English and were later upgraded with French language versions. MSC Cruises Canada has a bilingual call center and provides bilingual materials (brochures, flyers) for potential clients and travel agencies.

In early-December 2019, MSC signed with Japanet a 5-year sponsorship deal for V-Varen Nagasaki - Japanese professional football club owned by Japanet (TV shopping channel). As of 2020, the company also partners with the professional football clubs Chelsea FC ( London England ), Paris Saint-Germain FC ( Paris France ) and SSC Napoli ( Naples Italy ).

Company changes 2018

Since September 2018, MSC has an exclusive partnership with "Mohegan Sun" - Uncasville (Connecticut USA)-based casino/gambling complex operated by Mohegan Tribe and located on reservation land along Thames River. By this deal are matched MSC's loyalty program (Voyager's Club) with Mohegan Sun's Momentum program. Momentum members receive exclusive cruise perks (including booking discounts, priority embarkation-disembarkation, onboard amenities). MSC's shipboard casino program offers customers the chance to play on over 1300 different slot machines fleetwide, plus various table games. Onboard casino rewards also include specialty dining, spa treatments, booking discounts. Mohegan Sun loyalty program members receive the corresponding MSC status based on their current casino card levels.

In mid-October 2018, MSC planned to eliminate single-use plastics fleetwide by March 2019. The list of such items includes bags, cups, cutlery, toothpicks, aprons, stir pins, drink mixers, coffee lids. By the end of 2018, they will be replaced with 100% compostable and biodegradable substitutes made of renewable resources (corn-based polylactic acid, paper, bamboo, other organic materials. In addition, shipboard drinks are no longer served with straws.

In late-November 2018, MSC signed an exclusive partnership with Chelsea Football Club to become its official global cruise partner (January 2019 thru June 2024). The deal includes LED advertising at Stamford Bridge (football stadium in Fulham/west London). By the agreement, Chelsea FC representatives attended MSC Bellissima 's naming ceremony (March 2019) and on the new ship was also displayed Chelsea FC memorabilia.

In 2015, MSC ordered 4 newbuilds from STX France and Fincantieri Italy , with an option for 3 more units. The first two vessels were delivered in 2017 - Meraviglia (May) and Seaside (November).

On February 1, 2016, MSC announced it would build two "Meraviglia Plus"-class units, with max capacity 6300 passengers. The newbuilds ( Grandiosa /2019, Virtuosa /2021, Euribia /2023) have 200 additional cabins and are 16 m (50 ft) longer compared to Meraviglia-class (2444 staterooms). The last unit's/Euribia's construction started on June 28, 2021.

The first Meraviglia-Plus vessel was delivered in November 2019 (Grandiosa), the second - in February 2021 (Virtuosa). Meraviglia-Plus features include the first-at-sea Fine Art Museum with original artworks, an additional space allowing bigger indoor Promenade (length 111 m / 36 ft), two additional restaurants, and a larger outdoor LED screen (95x6 m / 280x20 ft). MSC signed an exclusive partnership with both Samsung (providing the technology) and Cirque du Soleil (live show programming).

In November 2017, MSC ordered 2 more (Seaside-EVO class) units from Fincantieri (contract value EUR 1,8 billion). They are bigger (16 m longer, 17330 GT-tons larger, capacity 467 more passengers) in comparison to Seaview-Seaside. Their deliveries were scheduled for 2021 May ( Seashore ) and 2022 November ( Seascape ).

In early-August 2018, MSC signed an agreement for EUR 1,5 billion (USD 1,74B) for financing both Seaside-EVO liners. The financing was via a partnership with a syndicate of lender banks (Unicredit, BNP Paribas, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti). Fully backing the credit line was the Italian export credit agency SACE SIMEST. With the addition of Seaside EVO, MSC had an unprecedented total investment of EUR 10,5 billion into 12 new vessels with scheduled deliveries by 2026.

On November 30, 2017 (during Seaside's launch) the company Marlink (world's largest independent satellite Internet provider) provided over 0,5 gigabit per second throughput on its Sealink VSAT network. Seaside's record-breaking Internet speed was enabled on Intelsat's new EpicNG satellites. Marlink is MSC fleet's provider of satellite Internet via optimized "cloud of bandwidth". As of 2017, Marlink had as part of its Sealink network 25 satellites and 32 overlapping beams.

On June 14, 2018, MSC signed with STX France shipbuilding order for the 5th Meraviglia-Class unit (delivery in 2023, dual-fuel LNG -powered engines ). With this order, MSC had 13 newbuilds under construction or on order (2017-2026), of which 5x LNG-powered. The announcement was made at St-Nazaire yard. The ceremony was attended by Bruno Le Maire French Minister of Economy and Finance) and Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC's Executive Chairman). The event celebrated 3 major milestones - Virtuosa's steel-cutting, Grandiosa's keel-laying and Bellissima's float-out. For the first time in the shipyard's history, 3 vessels of a single shipowner were simultaneously under construction.

On October 18, 2018, MSC signed with Fincantieri an MoA agreement for 4x EXPLORA class ultra-luxury expedition ships. The contract's total value was EUR 2+ billion. Compared to the company's "liner fleet", the EXPLORA units are smaller (GT 64,000 tons, 500 staterooms). The first boat enters service in 2023, and the remaining 3 will be launched one per year (2024-2025-2026). The signing ceremony was attended by Pierfrancesco Vago and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO).

A curious fact is that Sophia Loren (1934-born Italian film actress) is MSC's traditional Godmother, naming each newbuild since 2003 ( MSC Lirica ).

(NEW) MSC Silenseas ships by STX France

On January 20, 2020, MSC and Chantiers de l'Atlantique (STX France) signed an MoU for the development of a sail-based (wind-powered) prototype of a cruise liner. The new class will be based on the Silenseas concept (introduced by STX France in 2018) that represents hybrid propulsion combining sails with dual-fuel marine engines.

MSC's new cruise vessel will be able to sail with min wind speed 15 knots (28 kph) and wind angle 50+ degrees. The currently considered design features GT tonnage 23,000, LOA length 210 m (689 ft), passenger capacity 300 (150 staterooms).

The sailing ship can reach speeds of 12 knots (14 mph / 22 kph) under sail in 15 knots (17 mph / 28 kph) winds. In winds over 15 knots, the vessel's propellers will be used, acting as a turbine that draws power from the sails. On Caribbean Sea routes, the new technology could reduce propulsion energy by 60%.

STX France's sail-ship design was developed for 3 vessel sizes, the biggest being 15,000 GT tons vessel with LOA length 190 m (620 ft) and 150 passenger staterooms. The French shipbuilding company started research in sail propulsion in 2009, Silenseas has technology patents (2009 and 2017) for the new sail. The unit is made from fiberglass, carbon and epoxy-resin panels. Similar is the concept of Peace Boat's new vessel Ecoship (built by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard in Helsinki, Finland ).

STX France's new wind-power technology was trialed on the Ponant -owned superyacht Le Ponant , on which one of the existing sails was replaced and the new technology tested.

Shipboard safety

In October 2017, MSC Cruises installed on Meraviglia a modern "Man Overboard Detection System". The company also announced its plans to install such systems fleetwide.

This is an intelligent video capturing, image processing and analysis system that was tested and tuned on the cruise ship for over 25,000 hours, resulting in confirmed accuracy level of 97%. The real-time video data (provided by the ship's HD CCTVs) is monitored and analyzed in a central security center by 2 independent image processing systems, which significantly lowers false alerts.

When the alarm activates (in a man overboard case), light and acoustic signals notify the ship's security officer who can immediately review the recorded video and notify the Navigation Bridge crew to start a rescue operation.

MSC WORLD-Class liners

On April 6, 2017, during the Meraviglia ship's delivery ceremony at STX France shipyard (Saint-Nazaire) , MSC signed a new ship construction MoU ("memorandum of understanding") with STX France for a new series of 4 vessels (WORLD Class) at a total cost EUR 4.5 billion. The ship's order was signed on May 31, 2017.

WORLD Class MSC vessels are with a max capacity of 6761 passengers. The number of staterooms is 2632 ( passenger capacity 5264 lower berths). The building cost (per unit) is EUR 1,125 billion, the shipbuilder is STX France.

Each unit has Gross Tonnage/volume 215,863 (GT tons), LOA length 333 m (1093 ft), waterline beam/width 41 m/135 ft (max width 54 m/177 ft), height 75 m (245 ft), draft 9,2 m (31 ft).

Among these liners' key features are latest generation LNG-powered marine engines , new wastewater treatment plants, ultra-modern marine architecture with a Y-shaped superstructure (better panoramic views, significantly increased number of balcony staterooms), G-bow hull (vertically positioned / at a 90-degree angle, improving the vessel's stability and hydrodynamics/fuel efficiency), family-themed "villages", panoramic aft pool, glass-covered pool deck.

The first ships from the WORLD series were inaugurated in 2022 Dec ( MSC World Europa ) and 2025 April ( MSC World America ). The two optional vessels were ordered in November 2023 and scheduled for deliveries in 2026 May ( MSC World Asia ) and 2027 February (MSC World tbn). There is also an option for a 5th unit from this class.

In January 2016, MSC signed a partnership with Samsung for the latest technology equipment upgrade fleetwide. Among the provided by Samsung equipment are top-line flat HDTVs (for passenger cabins), LED screens and digital signage boards (in public areas), specialized medical equipment (for onboard hospitals), augmented reality mirrors, printing solutions.

In April 2018, the company introduced its new "Family Explorer Club" excursions program with expected over 250,000 children on cruises in 2018. The new tour program is designed to involve kids and their parents on custom-made shore excursions. The first boat offering this program was Divina. The new interactive land tour experiences are themed on the destination's history and each tour features a local historical character symbolic to that destination/city. Teams are equipped with digital explorer maps, detailed instructions for the mission, and kids receive stickers for every accomplished task. On these family-only tours, kids are booked half-price. Excursions usually start later in the morning and have a max duration of 4 hours.

MSC private islands (Sir Bani Yas, Ocean Cay)

In December 2015, MSC unveiled plans to develop an "unprecedented exclusive marine reserve island experience in the Bahamas". The USD 200-million project was launched in Nassau , where The Bahamas' Prime Minister and MSC's Executive Chairman signed a 100-year lease agreement, enabling MSC Cruises to occupy and develop the island - officially named Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve .

Ocean Cay was a 2-year long, USD 200 million project. The island is sized 95 acres / 38 hectares (0,38 km2 / 0,15 mi2) and is the world's only private marine reserve. It has a 3470 m (11400 ft) long beachfront across 6 beaches, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is the biggest Caribbean private island development done by a cruise company. An interesting fact is that when the MSC ship is berthed in Ocean Cay, all its onboard facilities and services (including the casino) stay open and operational. Ocean Cay Island is surrounded by 64 mi2 (166 km2) of protected waters with coral reefs and ~90 different fish species.

In June 2016, MSC officially announced the exclusive "beach oasis" for MSC cruiseship tourists on roundtrips from UAE ( Abu Dhabi and Dubai ) starting winter 2016-2017. The 2,5 km (1,5 mi) stretch of land on Sir Bani Yas Island features shaded cabanas, hundreds of palm trees and 2000+ sunbeds across 36,000 m2 (387,500 ft2) of sand beaches. Other facilities and amenities available on the island include food and drink bars, MSC Aurea Spa (wellness complex, massages), sports facilities (beach volleyball, tennis), family-kids playground area (with pergola / outdoor garden for parrents), Bedouin tent (selling hand-made local arts and crafts), lounge space (live music, full-service bar), exclusive beaches (with VIP areas and cabanas).

The MSC island development is on a smaller isle connected to the main island by wooden boardwalk allowing exclusive access to MSC passengers. MSC worked closely with ecologists and the Abu Dhabi Port Authorities for over 2 years to develop the island and support the ongoing preservation work. The isle is one of the region's largest wildlife reserves due to decades of conservation works and ecological investments to maintain its biodiversity. The "Arabian Wildlife Park" on the main island is home to over 13,000 endangered and indigenous animals, as well as millions of plants and trees.

The first cruise to Sir Bani Yas Island departed on December 3, 2016 (visiting the island on December 5th). Prices started from USD 720 per person (7-night itinerary on MSC Fantasia ). In July 2016, Costa Cruises announced that Sir Bani Yas Island will be added as a 1-day stopover (port of call) during season 2016-2017 on Costa neoRiviera . In 2017-2018, neoRiviera was replaced in Dubai by Costa Mediterranea . Costa passengers have access to a private (Costa exclusive) beach with VIP areas with cabanas.

Among the island's shore excursion options are jeep safaris in the wildlife park, sea kayaking, diving and snorkeling tours.

MSC Cruises Asia

In mid-January 2018, MSC announced a new partnership with China's largest online payment platform "Alipay". The deal offers mobile payments fleetwide - on all MSC vessels deployed in Asia. It allows customers to pay for onboard purchases. In November 2017, the Alipay option was introduced on MSC Lirica. Next ship with Alipay technology was MSC Splendida - homeported in Shanghai China since May 2018.

Since May 2017, all Costa Asia -managed cruise vessels (of all Carnival Corporation brands) allow use Alipay payment services onboard. The partnership between Carnival Corporation and Ant Financial Services Group (a subsidiary of Alibaba, China's biggest online trading company) enables Chinese cruise passengers on all Carnival Corp ships in Asia to pay for onboard services and products using their Alipay (mobile payment platform) accounts. Among these onboard services and products are shopping, tours/excursions, food, and drinks. These expenditures are added to the passenger's cabin folio, then cleared via his/her Alipay account on a nightly basis.

(NEW) MSC kids programming

In November 2019, on Grandiosa (fleet's flagship) MSC introduces a new kids' entertainment program featuring hundreds of hours (per week) of themed activities. For children and teens is allocated up to 700 m2 (7535 ft2) of shipboard space with separate rooms for different age groups. The activities include virtual gaming (consoles and arcade machines), large aqua parks with slides, treasure hunts, trivia games, themed parties, supervised playgrounds (indoor and outdoor).

Starting with Grandiosa, MSC now offers 3 new activities for children (MSC Dance Crew, The Drone Academy, Spy Mission) plus a new web series targeting teenagers.

• "MSC Dance Crew" is developed via partnership with FremantleMedia - the company behind the TV show franchises "The X Factor", "Idols" and "Got Talent". The new music competition experience is based on teams of 12-17-year-old children battling to win the title "dance crew of the year".
• "The Drone Academy" is via partnership with The Department ( London UK -based event agency). The high-tech drone racing activities take place in the ship's Sportsplex and happen at night due to flicker effects and the glowing drones. Teens (battling in teams) are previously trained on drone piloting. The race is at the 390 m2 (4200 ft2) sized arena and includes navigating 15 obstacles in the fastest time possible.
• "Spy Mission" is MSC's first activity where kids play a central role. They are led through different scenes (throughout the ship) to unravel storylines, follow clues and solve the mystery in order to win prizes.
• "Cabin 12006" is MSC's new teen-targeting web series tha follows "Kelly and Kloe Onboard" - run for 3 years (2016-2019) with 5+ million views online. Filming the "Cabin 12006" episodes is currently underway on Bellissima (March 2019-inaugurated).

MSC wedding cruise deals

Since 2015, MSC Cruises has a new cruise wedding program available on Caribbean itineraries. The program offers onboard marriages (also ashore) in several Caribbean port destinations, including Nassau Bahamas, Bridgetown Barbados, Grand Cayman Island, Falmouth Jamaica, Cozumel Mexico, San Juan Puerto Rico, Philipsburg St Maarten, Charlotte Amalie St Thomas, and also Miami (on the embarkation day only).

MSC partnered with the wedding-planning company "The Wedding Experience" and offers cruise wedding packages with prices starting from USD 1600 (onboard) and USD 2200 (ashore) weddings. MSC's basic wedding package includes a pre-cruise event manager, a ceremony coordinator, 1 bottle of Champagne, 1 cake for two, 1 bridal bouquet, 1-hour photo session.

Event planners work with the couples to handle all the details (weddings and vow renewals). Also provided are wedding consultants and ceremony coordinators. Onboard / ashore receptions and ceremonies offer various options - video/photo packages, fresh flowers, themed music, food and drink packages, also specialty items (personalized stationaries for invitations) and ground transportation for ashore events.

Couples booking groups of 13 or more cabins receive a complimentary balcony stateroom. Couples booking groups of 30 or more cabins receive a complimentary suite. Complimentary Yacht Club stateroom is offered for 50 or more booked cabins. Onboard ceremonies can be attended by up to 150 non-cruising guests.

MSC Cruises' first ship to offer onboard weddings was MSC Divina.

MSC cruise booking and cancellation policy changes

In July 2017, MSC changed the company's cruise booking policy. It now requires final payments to be made 30 days earlier - from 60-days to 90-days prior departure.

• Cancellations made 89-61 days prior departure result in losing the non-refundable deposit.
• Cancellations between 46-60 days prior departure result in paying 50% of the original price.
• Cancellations between 16-45 days prior departure result in paying 75% of the original price.
• Cancellations made 15 days or less prior departure result in paying the full cruise price.

Since April 2, 2019, tips (gratuities) are included into MSC cruise fares for all UK and Ireland passengers.

On February 1, 2019, MSC officially revealed the in-cabin digital assistant ZOE. The technology ("cruise industry first") was developed by Harman International (US-based company, fully-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics). Harman International has developed digital audio solutions for major corporations (Including Google, Microsoft, Amazon).

• ZOE is an artificial intelligence device (voice-enabled, with advanced voice recognition software) available in all passenger staterooms.
• ZOE speaks 7 languages, answers cruise-related questions, provides info on shipboard services-activities-facilities, makes reservations and bookings.
• The digital device features far-field microphones, top-quality speaker, quad-core processor (for fast response times), direct phone connection (through Bluetooth). The system can also upgrade its own database to answer previously unanswerable questions.
• Passenger data (including itinerary/tour and shipboard preferences) is stored in Cloud Storage system and used on the next scheduled voyage.
• The device (sized ~15 cm) can be activated whenever passengers choose. A waiver must be signed to agree for their personal data to be stored.

Starting with Bellissima (2019), ZOE will be available on all newbuild MSC liners - including Grandiosa (2019) and Virtuosa (2020) - and introduced fleetwide over 2019-2024.

"MSC for Me" - fleetwide Digital Innovation Program 2017-2018

Each of the MSC cruise ships is fitted with thousands of connectivity points, digital access points, iBeacons (Bluetooth) and hundreds of interactive digital screens throughout the ship. In all staterooms are implemented RFID (radio-frequency identification) and NFC (near-field communication) access technologies.

The new program is implemented fleetwide but was first introduced on MSC Meraviglia . The ship, launched in June 2017, was fitted with a total of 114 Interactive screens, 244 info screens, 31 virtual screens, 81 video wall monitors, 3050 iBeacons, 700 WAPs (wireless access points), 1200 CCTV cameras.

MSC digitalization program's main features are:

• The apps implement facial recognition technology and interactive/smart bracelets by Samsung.
• Digital Concierge app - passengers can reserve/book onboard services, restaurants and shore excursions in real-time. The app is real-time and 24-hour, connecting MSC customers to the company's experienced staff online.
• Capture - virtual reality tool to preview the cruise itinerary, create personal photo galleries, online sharing.
• Organizer - a cruise planning tool used at mobile devices. It provides detailed information and also allows pre-booking (tours, theatre seats, dinner table, etc) before ship embarkation (pre-cruise booking) and while onboard (realtime cruise planner).
• Navigation - Interactive map (way finder) provides advice (scheduled events, opening hours, etc) and directions while on the ship. The app also allows real-time kids monitoring (via bracelets).
• TailorMade - digital advisor for personal recommendations based on the passenger's preferences (interactive gaming, gambling, culinary, recreational, entertainment, etc).
• Passengers can always opt out of all these connected ("Internet of things" / IoT) services offered.
• All passenger staterooms are fitted with door locks with built-in keypads (Samsung SHS-1321 NFC Ring).

MSC fitness cruise packages

Since 2017, MSC Cruises offers an upgraded fleetwide onboard wellness experience via a partnership with TechnoGym. It is part of the company's cruise fare-inclusive offers that can be chosen upon booking.

• The new program starts with an online questionnaire determining the customer's specific wellness goals, aspects of a healthy lifestyle (exercises, healthy diet, weight loss).
• The new wellness program is linked with the company's fitness-themed cruises . It also includes one-time personal trainer consultation. Personal training sessions are available onboard at extra cost.
• Also included are themed shore excursions (jogging, hiking, cycling), fitness classes (hula hooping, barre, yoga, Pilates).
• Resistance bands and workout mats are provided on the ship for in-cabin use.
• TechnoGym workout gear and laundry service for the exercise clothing are provided on the ship.
• Healthy food menu options are available in the ship's main dining rooms and Lido buffet restaurants.
• Deals are also inclusive of a medical evaluation with the ship's doctor (blood pressure, EKG, lipid panel).
• The new "Wellness Experience" program is operated with a total of 5 fitness cruise packages available for booking. Pricing starts from USD 930 pp (7-night itinerary, Interior Stateroom).

FREE Birthday cruise

In 2017, MSC started offering a new "free cruise deal" for customers celebrating their birthday. in case your birthday falls during select cruises, it is complimentary.

• MSC's free cruise offers are on itineraries in Europe (Mediterranean, Baltic), Asia (Arabian Peninsula /Dubai), Caribbean (West Indies, Cuba). Longer itineraries are available through World Voyages .
• Booked passengers can extend their free birthday cruise and combine itineraries into B2Bs (back to back cruises) from 14 to 22 nights.
• Bookings must have at least one paying passenger and only one free birthday passenger. The birthday of the passenger must fall on one of the itinerary days, but excluding the arrival and departure days.
• Such offers are usually promotions, subject to selected availability and valid for lower cabin categories only (usually excluding Suites).

MSC's "Dolphins Fan Cruise"

MSC Seaside ship's itinerary March 17-24, 2018 (7-day Caribbean and Antilles roundtrip from Miami to Nassau Bahamas, St Thomas USVI, St Johns Antigua) was officially themed "Dolphins Fan Cruise". This special voyage was the result of the 3-year partnership between MSC and the NFL team. The sports-themed voyage will be hosted annually over the next 3 years (2017-2020). The 2018 voyage's prices started at USD 700 per person (balcony cabin rates based on double occupancy).

During these sports cruises, passengers have the opportunity to interact in person with team alumni. The list of pre-scheduled onboard activities includes:

• Meet team's legends Joe Rose, Kim Bokamper, Nat Moore, Patrick Surtain, Sam Madison, Terry Kirby.
• Take autographs from the alumni, and get a photo with the team's cheerleaders.
• Cheer alongside team's cheerleaders and hype up the crowd with the mascot TD (The Dolphin).
• Enjoy special performances by cheer squad and the mascot.
• Get to know former players during Q&A sessions.

On April 28, 2018, the ship hosted the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders for the team's annual calendar photo shoot, with special onboard show programming.

• Via company's "Save & Sail" summer promotion, potential MSC cruise customers had the chance to book a balcony stateroom on the "Cheerleaders voyage" starting at USD 650 pp. The off-promo prices started from USD 1098 pp (Inside Cabin rates with double occupancy).
• Cheerleaders cruise itinerary (April 28 - May 5) was a 7-day roundtrip from Miami to St Maarten Island, Puerto Rico and Bahamas (Nassau).

MSC virtual reality ship tours

Samsung and MSC developed a cutting-edge virtual reality tool for touring MSC cruise liners. The new technology was announced during at Expo Milano 2015 (May 1 through October 31, 2015).

With this innovative technology, MSC made available to the company's top European sellers (travel agencies) a powerful tool for introducing the brand to potential customers. The technology is based on Samsung's "Gear VR" headsets (powered by Oculus) plus a custom-built software app. Potential MSC passengers can walk through any cruise ship in the fleet without setting foot on board. The tool allows "walking" through 6 key onboard areas (including staterooms, restaurants, pools, theatre / also watching a show). The 360-degree sensory experience even brings aromas in the air (when observing an onboard restaurant) - such as fresh-baked bread, fresh fruits, chocolate.

The virtual cruise ship tour technology uses software and hardware by AxedGroup. The virtual ship tour app runs on Samsung Galaxy Note phones. Other experiences include tours of new (prototype) MSC ships *currently under construction).

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, MSC suspended its North American fleet's passenger shipping operations (all US-homeported liners) by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 14, 2020, through May-June 2021.

European operations resumed in 2020 on August 16 (Grandiosa) and October 19 (Magnifica) but all voyages were eventually canceled. MSC had its fleet fully operational by June 5th, 2022.

Next are listed MSC's first scheduled departure dates by ship/region/homeport - ARMONIA (April 10, 2022/Mediterranean from Venice), BELLISSIMA (July 2021/Red Sea from Jeddah Saudi Arabia), DIVINA (Sept 16, 2021/Bahamas from Port Canaveral), FANTASIA (Nov 7, 2021/Mediterranean-Genoa), GRANDIOSA (Jan 24, 2021/Mediterranean-Genoa), LIRICA (April 12, 2022/Med-Aegean-Athens), MAGNIFICA (June 20, 2021/Adriatic-Greece from Venice), MERAVIGLIA (Aug 2, 2021/Caribbean from Miami), MUSICA (June 5, 2022/Mediterranean from Monfalcone), OPERA (April 24, 2022/Mediterranean-Genoa), ORCHESTRA (June 5, 2021/Adriatic-Greece from Venice), POESIA (April 30, 2022/Med-Baltic repositioning/Rome-Rostock), PREZIOSA (Sept 23, 2021/Mediterranean-Genoa), SEASHORE (Aug 9, 2021/Mediterranean-Naples-Messina-Valletta-Barcelona), SEASCAPE (Nov 19, 2022/ Maiden Voyage /Transatlantic from Rome to NYC New York), SEASIDE (May 1, 2021/Mediterranean-Rome-Genoa), SEAVIEW (July 3, 2021/Kiel Germany), SINFONIA (March 26, 2022/Mediterranean from Venice), SPLENDIDA (June 12, 2021/Adriatic from Trieste), VIRTUOSA (May 20, 2021/UK-British Islands from Southampton), WORLD EUROPA (Dec 21, 2022/ Maiden Voyage /Red Sea from Dubai).

• In early-January 2021 MSC planned to start Mediterranean cruises (with Grandiosa) scheduled between January 24 and March 21. The 7-day itinerary (leaving on Sundays from Genoa) visited Civitavecchia, Palermo, Naples and Valletta (Malta), with embarkation available in all the Italian ports.
• MSC USA's pause (ex-Florida cancellations) affected 3 ships - Meraviglia and Armonia (from Miami) and Divina (from Port Canaveral).
• MSC South America 2021-2022 winter program was canceled (due to Brazil's new policies/ordinance 657) affecting 4 ships (Sinfonia, Orchestra, Preziosa, Splendida).
• LIRICA's Mediterranean 2021 season (7-day roundtrips from Ancona and Venice) was canceled and the liner restarts operations in 2022 (April 11/Aegean from Athens).
• MUSICA's South Africa 2021-2022 program (from Durban) was canceled.
• OPERA's Red Sea 2021-2022 program (from Dubai) was canceled.
• PREZIOSA's 2021 Baltic season (Baltic-Norway from Hamburg) was canceled.
• MSC's 2021-2022/winter South America (Preziosa, Seaview) and Arabia-Dubai (Fantasia) programs were canceled.

All affected bookings received full refunds in FCC (future cruise credit), including on prepurchased through MSC packages and services. With rebooking (made by December 31, 2021) was offered a 125% refund in FCC. Available for rebooking were all departures thru April 30, 2022. Optionally was offered a 100% monetary refund.

Itinerary of MSC Cruises

This section provides a concise review of MSC's current and future cruise itinerary program. The company operates regularly scheduled voyages in Europe (Mediterranean, UK, Baltic), the Caribbean (ex-Florida USA departures), South America, South Africa, Asia, Arabian Gulf.

Currently, MSC has no plans for ship deployments in Alaska, except via the sister brand Explora Journeys .

MSC's Grand Voyages are seasonally offered relocation voyages including Transatlantic crossings (Europe-USA-Caribbean, Europe-South America), Suez Canal (Mediterranean-Arabia/ Dubai UAE ), Mediterranean-Baltic-UK, Europe-South Africa. Cruises to Nowhere MSC offers in South Africa.

Note: An extensive ship relocation schedule you can see at RepositionCruises.com

With its newbuilds , MSC attracts a large number of retirees during winter and targets families with kids during summer and the school holidays. The company's smaller liners offer longer and more exotic itineraries but lack modern kids' facilities as they are tailored to older travelers.

In 2025, MSC starts homeporting in Galveston Texas USA (ship Seascape).

Middle East 2024 Arabian Gulf voyages

MSC Opera 's Arabian/Red Sea deployment in winter 2024-25 (from Dubai) was canceled and replaced with a Canary Islands deployment. In the Canaries, MSC Opera had scheduled 7-night itineraries (November 3, 2024, through March 16, 2025) visiting 6 call ports. Departing roundtrip from  Santa Cruz de Tenerife , the ship visits  Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ,  Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura) ,  Funchal (Madeira) ,  Santa Cruz de la Palma , and  Arrecife (Lanzarote)  before returning back to Tenerife. MSC's new Canary Islands itinerary offers flexible homeporting options allowing boarding in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Sundays), Las Palmas (Mondays), Madeira (Thursdays or Fridays) and Arrecife (Saturdays).

MSC Orchestra  is introducing a new Middle East cruise itinerary from  Safaga  in Egypt, featuring 20 seven-night sailings to  Jeddah ,  Aqaba for Petra  in Jordan,  Sharm El-Sheikh , and  Cairo .

Cruises from China

In May 2018, MSC Splendida started service on the Chinese market following its 2017 drydock refurbishment . The China-based ( Shanghai ) itinerary program included destinations in Japan, Korea, China.

MSC offers cruises in China since 2016 (with MSC Lirica ), followed by the deployments of Splendida (2018) and Virtuosa (2022).

In 2024 (April thru September), in China are deployed the MSC ships Bellissima and Splendida. Itineraries are based on homeporting in/roundtrip departures from Shanghai and Shenzhen/Shekou . Bellissima starts from Shenzhen on June 29th, and has scheduled 8x voyages (2- to 5-night in length) visiting Hong Kong and Japan (Okinawa, Yaeyama Islands, Miyako Island). In July-September (2024) Bellissima has scheduled 8x voyages (4- to 6-night) leaving out of Shanghai and visiting Japan (Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Osaka, Okinawa, Shimonoseki).

MSC Caribbean 2024-2025 itineraries

Caribbean and the French Antilles

• 2024/Seascape (PortMiami): 7-night Eastern Caribbean (Ocean Cay and Nassau Bahamas, San Juan, Puerto Plata Dominicana) 7-night Western Caribbean (Ocean Cay, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios Jamaica)
• 2025/Seascape (Galveston TX, departing on Sundays): 7-night Western Caribbean (Mexico's Costa Maya and Cozumel, and Honduras's Roatan Island)
• Meraviglia (Port Canaveral): 3- to 7-night (Nassau and Ocean Cay, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Belize City)
• Divina (PortMiami): 3- to 10-night (Ocean Cay, Belize City, Roatan Honduras, Costa Maya, Ocho Rios, Cartagena Columbia, Colon Panama, Puerto Limon Costa Rica)
• Seaside ( Fort-de-France, French Antilles ): 7-night (Pointe-a-Pitre Guadeloupe, Castries St Lucia, Bridgetown Barbados, St Georges Grenada, Kingstown St Vincent)

Western Mediterranean

• Grandiosa . 7-night (Genoa, Civitavecchia/Rome, Palermo Italy, Valletta Malta, Barcelona Spain, Marseille France)
• Virtuosa : 7-night (Genoa, La Spezia/Florence, Naples, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Marseille
• Lirica (Genoa) 11-night (Civitavecchia, Messina Sicily, Lindos/Rhodes, Heraklion/Crete, Limassol Cyprus, Haifa Israel) 10-night (Ceuta, Malaga, Barcelona, Alicante, Tangier and Casablanca/Marrakech Morocco, Marseille)

South America

• Seashore (Brazil). 7-night (Maceio Salvador & Buzios Brazil)
• Seaview (Rio de Janeiro) 3- to 8-night (Buzios, Ilhabela, Ilha, Grande/Angra dos Reis, Ilheus & Salvador Brazil, ports in Uruguay & Argentina)
• Fantasia (Santos, Brazil) 3- to 7-night (Buzios, Ilha Grande/Angra dos Reis Brazil, Montevideo & Punta Del Este Uruguay, Buenos Aires)
• Armonia (Itajai/Santa Caterina, Brazil) 7-night (Ilhabela Brazil, ports in Uruguay & Argentina)
• Musica (Bueno Aires) Ilhabela, Rio de Janeiro, Buzios, Ilha Grande/Angra dos Reis Brazil

South Africa

• Sinfonia (Cape Town) Mossel Bay, Walvis Bay and Ludertize (Namibia).
• Orchestra (Durban) Pomene & Portuguese Island/Inhaca Archipelago (Mozambique), Walvis Bay (Namibia), Cape Town (South Africa)

Middle East

• World Europa (Dubai) 7-night (Abu Dhabi/Dubai, Sir Bani Yas, Dammam/Al Ahsa Oasis Saudi Arabia)
• Opera (Dubai) Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Muscat, Khasab (Oman); 22 separate 7-night sailings in 2023-2024, starting from Dubai and covering ports like Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island,  Khasab in Oman  or  Fujairah in the UAE , the  Omani capital Muscat , and returning to Dubai.
• 17 new 7-night voyages in the Arabian Gulf by  MSC Virtuosa  from Dubai , taking passengers to  Doha in Qatar , the newly added  port of Manama in Bahrain ,  Abu Dhabi ,  Sir Bani Yas Island  in the UAE, and back to Dubai. 
• MSC Orchestra  is offering a new itinerary during the winter 2023-2024 season. Departing from  Safaga in Egypt , she sails on 20 7-night sailings to destinations like  Jeddah  in Saudi Arabia,  Aqaba for Petra  in Jordan, a newly introduced port of call at  Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt ,  Sokhna Port  for  Cairo in Egypt , and back to Safaga. International guests have embarkation options at Safaga, Jeddah, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Sokhna Port.

In 2025 debuts World Europa's sistership MSC World America and both are homeported in  Miami . Out of PortMiami, World America operates on two 7-day roundtrip itineraries - Eastern Caribbean (to  Puerto Plata Dominicana ,  San Juan Puerto Rico , and  Ocean Cay Bahamas ) and Western Caribbean (to Mexico's  Costa Maya  and  Cozumel Mexico ,  Isla Roatan Honduras , and Ocean Cay). World America's Maiden Voyage departs Miami on April 12, 2025 (Eastern Caribbean).

Winter 2025-2026 itineraries from the USA

In May 2024, MSC unveiled an expansion of ex-USA operations planned for winter 2025-2026 season.

The program is based on four homeports and seven ships leaving roundtrip from three states - Florida ( Miami  and  Port Canaveral ), New York ( NYC ) and Texas ( Galveston ).

Season's key highlight is the debut of MSC Grandiosa ship in Port Canaveral - the first USA-based Meraviglia-Plus class vessel. Grandiosa offers alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, while MSC Seashore ship (also from Port Canaveral) offers short breaks (3- and 4-night) to The Bahamas ( Nassau and Ocean Cay ).

In 2025, MSC starts operations from Texas (Galveston) with MSC Seascape ship offering 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries.

MSC World America ship (launched April 2025) embarks on its first season from Miami.

The other two USA-based MSC ships are MSC Divina (from Miami) and MSC Meraviglia (from New York City to Florida-Bahamas).

Summer 2026 Mediterranean itineraries

From May to October 2026, MSC Cruises' fleet of 9 elegant ships offers journeys to iconic destinations as well as off-the-beaten-path gems, blending relaxation, exploration, culture, and entertainment seamlessly.

• Valencia, Spain , entices with its vibrant port city charm, historical richness, and lively nightlife. Guests can explore cobblestone streets steeped in Spanish heritage, indulge in culinary delights like tapas and paella, and bask in the beauty of Playa de Las Arenas beach.  MSC Fantasia  and  MSC Seaside  offer 7-night itineraries departing from Valencia and Genoa, respectively.
• Livorno, Italy , a coastal gem in Tuscany, boasts historical marvels, fascinating museums, and mouthwatering seafood. From Livorno, travelers can easily visit Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, or marvel at the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. MSC Fantasia and  MSC Grandiosa  offer 7-night itineraries departing from Livorno and Valencia, respectively.
• Barcelona, Spain , thrives during the summer months with its festivals, beaches, and cultural attractions. From world-class museums to the architectural wonders of Gaudí, Barcelona promises a vibrant experience.  MSC Seaview  and  MSC World Europa  offer 7-night itineraries departing from Barcelona and Genoa, respectively.
• Palermo, Italy , the capital of Sicily, blends Norman architecture, Baroque churches, and bustling markets. Exploring its labyrinthine streets reveals a rich tapestry of history and culture. MSC Seaside and MSC Grandiosa offer 7-night itineraries departing from Genoa and Livorno, respectively.
• Ibiza, Spain , renowned for its beauty and nightlife, offers more than just revelry. From the charming Ciutat d’Eivissa to the stunning views atop Montserrat, Ibiza captivates with its diverse offerings.  MSC Musica  and MSC Seaside offer 7-night itineraries departing from Civitavecchia and Genoa, respectively.
• Cadiz, Spain , the oldest city in Western Europe, boasts a rich cultural heritage, pristine beaches, and delectable cuisine. Nature enthusiasts will find solace in the nearby Donana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  MSC Orchestra  offers 10-night itineraries departing from Genoa that include a stop in Cadiz.
• Naples, Italy , a vibrant city on the southern coast, enchants with its historic treasures and proximity to Pompeii and the island of Capri. Guests can explore ancient ruins or bask in the beauty of the Amalfi Coast. MSC World Europa, MSC Grandiosa, and  MSC Divina  offer 7-night itineraries departing from Genoa, Livorno, and Civitavecchia, respectively.
• Cannes, France , epitomizes glamour and Mediterranean allure, boasting pristine beaches, upscale boutiques, and the renowned Cannes Film Festival. Exploring the city’s old town, Le Suquet, offers a glimpse into its rich history. MSC Musica and MSC Seaview offer 7-night itineraries departing from Civitavecchia and Barcelona, respectively.

MSC Cuba cruises from Havana

In January 2016 MSC became the first major cruise line to homeport in Havana, with MSC Opera (sailing to Jamaica, Mexico, and the Cayman Islands) while MSC Armonia operated on 8-day/7-night itineraries, visiting ports in Central America and the Caribbean:

• 8-day roundtrip from Havana visited Roatan (Honduras), Belize City (Belize), Costa Maya (Mexico), Isla de la Juventud (Cuba)
• 8-day roundtrip from Havana visited Montego Bay (Jamaica), George Town (Grand Cayman) and Cozumel (Mexico).
• Both itineraries were combinable into a 14-night roundtrip Havana back-to-back cruise .

Cuban itineraries on MSC Opera were roundtrips from Havana .

Note: According to the current Cuban law, US citizens of Cuban origin (born in Cuba) are not allowed to visit the island country (including on cruise ships). Regardless of their US citizenship status, Cuba-born Americans were denied booking on cruise itineraries visiting ports in Cuba. However, the situation changed in April 2016, after Carnival Corporation negotiated with the Cuban government to allow ships with Cuban-born passengers, as such US citizens are allowed to visit the country on USA-Cuba charter flights. The Carnival-fathom line started Miami to Cuba cruises in May 2016.

Alaska Airlines offers regular nonstop flights to Havana from Los Angeles (California USA). An 80-minute JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Havana costs less than USD 100. Previously, air travel from the USA to Cuba was thought charter flights only.

IMPORTANT: On June 4, 2019, the US Government announced new regulations (economic sanctions) that ended group travel to Cuba, including via US-homeported cruise liners, effective immediately. The ban relates to "private and corporate aircraft, cruise ships, sailboats, fishing boats, and other similar aircraft and vessels". The US travel restrictions impacted hundreds of pre-scheduled cruise itineraries, which were adjusted to no longer stop in Cuban seaports.

(NEW) PortMiami MSC Terminal AAA

In July 2018, Miami-Dade County and MSC signed an agreement for extended preferential berthing rights and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the building of a new Cruise Terminal AAA at Port Miami .

Port Miami is MSC's exclusive homeport in the USA. The new agreement extended the existing Saturday preferential MSC berthing rights also to Sundays. Additionally, the new cruise terminal (completed in October 2022) was projected to be able to accommodate MSC's largest World Class ships (carrying up to 7000 pax).

As of November 2019, MSC Cruises' largest ship, MSC Meraviglia joins the other 3 ships at PortMiami.

MSC Cruises related cruise news

MSC Cruises and Meyer Turku negotiating groundbreaking mega ship project

Italian reports indicate that MSC Cruises and the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku Finland are in advanced discussions regarding the construction of a...

MSC Cruises highlights Mediterranean's sunniest spots for winter getaways

MSC Cruises is offering guests the opportunity to extend their holiday season with a variety of Mediterranean sailings through October, November, and...

Chelsea FC and MSC Cruises extend partnership

Chelsea FC has renewed its sponsorship agreement with MSC Cruises, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing cruise lines. The partnership...

4 passengers charged with casino fraud on MSC Magnifica

During a recent voyage aboard MSC Magnifica, 4 passengers were apprehended for attempting to use fraudulent credit cards in the ship’s casino...

Explora Journeys unveils exclusive Caribbean experiences for 2024-2025 season

Explora Journeys, the luxury ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has unveiled a curated selection of exclusive Caribbean destination experiences...

Port Galveston Texas to welcome MSC’s new $151M cruise terminal

MSC Cruises is further expanding its footprint in the United States with the development of a new cruise terminal at the Port of Galveston (Texas...

Explora Journeys to anchor EXPLORA II ship at Monaco Grand Prix 2025

Explora Journeys, the luxury ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has announced that in 2025, its newest ship EXPLORA II will be docked at...

MSC and Explora Journeys implement smart container technology for fresh produce delivery

MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys have partnered with MSC Shipping, the global leader in container shipping, to implement smart container technology...

MSC Cruises to feature in upcoming Formula 1 movie starring Brad Pitt

MSC Cruises will feature prominently in the forthcoming Formula 1 film “F1,” starring Brad Pitt and produced by Apple Original Films and...

MSC Splendida joins South American fleet for winter 2024-2025

To address strong demand, MSC Cruises is deploying a 6th ship to South America for the 2024-2025 winter season. The company announced that MSC...

•   show more news

MSC Cruises

Courtesy of MSC Cruises |

Find a Cruise on MSC Cruises

with a cruise advisor

Cruising with MSC

Swiss cruise line MSC Cruises sets itself apart from other brands with its refined onboard experiences and eclectic selection of facilities, including adults-only pools and bar areas, Balinese spas and 4D cinemas. The line's 22 ships (with one more on the way) cater to a variety of travelers sailing throughout destinations in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Canada and New England, Bermuda, South America, northern Europe and more. Voyages frequently last between two nights and 120 nights for MSC’s World Cruises, which take place once per year on various vessels. MSC's ships carry anywhere from 2,620 (the Armonia ) to 6,762 (the World Europa ) passengers at full capacity, with approximately one crew member for every three passengers.

Although MSC's ships differ in size, the whole fleet receives praise from previous passengers for its sophisticated ambiance and the value of its itineraries. Travelers can choose from three package experiences – Bella, Fantastica or Aurea – which will determine what their cruise fare will cover. At a minimum, meals in the main restaurants and buffet are included in the price of the voyage, as are several ship activities. Food options vary by ship, though most MSC restaurants feature globally inspired cuisines.

Meanwhile, MSC entertainment includes evening concerts, live shows, parties and contests, while shore excursions cover everything from touring around Mykonos, Greece , to exploring Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios,  Jamaica .

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you’re looking for an easy-to-access beach experience on a Caribbean sailing, select an itinerary that stops at MSC Cruises private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. This island is easy to visit from the ship even with mobility issues thanks to trolleys and beach wheelchairs you can access, and it’s located in the Bahamas near Bimini. – Holly D. Johnson, Contributor

Book an MSC Cruises cruise deal with GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Pros & Cons

Wide array of Caribbean and European itineraries to choose from

Loyalty club members save 5% on most sailings

Appeals to travelers from Europe as well as the U.S.

Beverages, including soft drinks, are not included in cruise fare

Shore excursions cost extra

Limited dining options compared to other lines

• Expert Rating » 3.3
• Traveler Rating » 3.8
• Health Rating » 4.5

MSC Cruises has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

• # 5 in Best Cruise Lines for Families
• # 6 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money
• # 7 in Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean
• # 9 in Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean

Explore Photos

MSC Cruises Ships

MSC Euribia

MSC Bellissima

MSC Meraviglia

MSC Grandiosa

MSC Seascape

MSC Virtuosa

MSC World Europa

MSC Seaview

MSC Seashore

MSC Fantasia

MSC Preziosa

MSC Seaside

MSC Armonia

MSC Magnifica

MSC Sinfonia

MSC Splendida

MSC Orchestra

Before You Book

• Note: To see MSC Cruises' updated deposit, cancellation and rebooking policies, visit its website .
• To confirm your reservation, a deposit is required. Full payment must be received 75 days prior to departure for cruises lasting four nights or less, 90 days prior to departure for cruises of five to 14 nights and 110 days prior to departure for cruises of 15 nights or more. If you book less than 75, 90, 110 or 120 days prior to sailing (depending on the length of the cruise), full payment will be requested at the time of booking.
• The "Children Cruise Free" policy applies to kids younger than 18 (may be based on specific sailing and availability).  
• If you choose to cancel, you may lose your deposit or face percentage penalties, depending on the sailing and when you cancel. Refer to MSC's website  for the full cancellation policy. 
• Passengers with special needs should fill out the Special Needs Form  at the time of booking. At the latest, MSC must be notified two business days before departure.
• If your cruise is canceled by MSC for technical or weather-related reasons before the voyage begins, you will be refunded the full fare or given the option of rebooking on a future cruise. 

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you have elite status with another cruise line and want to enjoy some added perks with MSC Cruises, this line lets you apply for a “status match” ahead of time. Getting your status matched can help you qualify for 5% off all cruises after your first sailing, plus complimentary gifts, priority disembarkation, complimentary specialty dining and more depending on your status level. – Holly Johnson, Contributor

Before You Board

• You must check in and be on board at least two hours before departure. The time you board the ship will be listed on your cruise ticket.
• You can check in online and collect your e-tickets up to 24 hours prior to your embarkation date. Visit MSC's web check-in page  for more information.  
• All luggage should be labeled with the passenger's name, ship name, cabin number and the date and port of departure, and MSC Cruises provides luggage tags for all passengers with this information. Two suitcases and two handheld pieces of luggage are permitted per person (as long as that does not exceed eight pieces of luggage per stateroom).
• While you cruise international waters, MSC requires passengers to carry all necessary travel documents – such as passports, required visas and immigration documents– where necessary.
• You can book shore excursions in advance on MSC's website . Deadlines for prebooking shore excursions vary by itinerary.
• Passengers cannot prebook specialty dining experiences ahead of time, but dining packages can often be booked online ahead of most sailings. These packages typically include two to three specialty restaurant meals in a single sailing, and unlimited specialty dining packages may be available.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

You Might Also Like

Costa Cruises

Cunard Line

Princess Cruises

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Speak to a travel consultant

• Chatbot Tips
• Destinations
• FAMILY CRUISES
• LUXURY CRUISES
• THEME CRUISES
• CULTURE SEEKERS
• ADVENTURE LOVERS
• NEXT-GEN CRUISERS
• NEW TO CRUISING
• MONEY-SAVING TIPS

You can see the best matches instantly in your custom results."> How our Bliss Filters work

Your custom results ({[{ results.meta.total }]}) Return to previous page

JD Lasica / Special to Cruiseable

Leonie and David, two guests from Sydney, on Wind Surf as the mast lights up at twilight.

Guide to passengers you'll find on each cruise line

Sizing up the kind of shipmates you'll likely encounter during a cruise.

Patti Pietschmann

Los Angeles

CruiseClout score: 95.0

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or veteran seafarer trying a new cruise line, you might wonder what kind of shipmates to expect. This is especially true if you’re on a ship with assigned dining and might be sharing a table with strangers.

Before we begin, a caveat: These are rough approximations and you'll likely find cruisers on these lines who don't fit the descriptions I've sketched out below. So keep in mind these are just my overall impressions based on personal observations during nearly 400 cruises over many years. As they say, your mileage may vary. 

With that in mind, here's a rough snapshot of the kinds of fellow passengers you'll likely encounter on each cruise line. Please add your own observations or experiences in the comments below!

The Fun Ships of Carnival Cruise Line , the world's largest cruise line, no longer attract only younger passengers who are on board mostly to party and go on active shore excursions. You’ll still find lots of energetic revelry around the swimming pools and in the bars, but families and middle-age passengers are now in the mix. These ships are where you’ll find middle America; what you won’t find are dedicated foodies.

With its fleet of upscale ships, Celebrity Cruises attracts a mixed bag of millennials, middle-age people and seniors who tend to be great fans of the fun and food Celebrity provides. Passengers are likely to be better-traveled and more global in outlook than most mass-market lines aimed primarily at North Americans.

• Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises bills itself as being “Italian,’’ but most crew members and passengers hail from other parts of the world. Still, Costa sailings offer a genuine flavor of Italy because of its cuisine, Italian captains and ambience. Many passengers are 55 and older, veteran cruisers who generally join in the activities with gusto. A regular Toga Party garners lots of attendance with passengers donning Roman-style garb.

Cunard Line ’s trio famous Queens appeal to older, more seasoned, more sedate passengers, although the summer Atlantic crossings between New York and Southampton, U.K., also attract younger Sloane Rangers and other sophisticates who are anything but stuffy. You likely will encounter a high percentage of passengers from the British Commonwealth, who will carry on the tradition of dressing up for dinner. You will also encounter one of the last bastions of the British class system at sea, with portions of the ship off-limits to the hoi polloi.

• Crystal Cruises

Most of your shipmates on the two medium-size ships of Crystal Cruises , the globe-trotting luxury cruise line, will be 45 years old and above, well-traveled and well off, and who are attracted to the line’s reputation for outstanding food and service. You’ll find many repeat passengers who know the ropes and wouldn’t think of switching allegiances to another cruise line. This loyal clientele eagerly attends the lectures, seminars, computer classes and shows that Crystal works hard to provide. Although passengers tend to be upscale, there isn’t a whiff of pretention in the bunch. 

• Disney Cruise Line

What can I say? The passengers on Disney Cruise Line — mostly couples with young children — climb on board for a chance to sail with Mickey and Minnie. Staunch fans of everything Disney, they buy out the gift shop during the first days at sea, don logo T-shirts, mouse ears and go gung ho on the theme. For the most part Disney fans are not sophisticated travelers. Most are from Middle America but there is a sprinkling of foreigners. And you'll find childless adult couples, too, making a beeline for the adults-only retreats on board. 

• Holland America

Most of the passengers on the Holland America  cruises I have been on have been older, reserved, dedicated to the line and happy to bypass a floating amusement park in favor of onboard activities (quizzes, culinary demos) and shore excursions. They know what they want and they know that they like the consistent product that Holland America gives them. In recent years HAL has upped its culinary game and now attracts more than a few foodies, and its launch of Koningsdam last year in part aimed to attract a younger clientele. 

• MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is mostly untested waters for me, but this casual-style Swiss-based line attracts mostly Europeans along with Americans, though Yanks predominate on Miami-based MSC Divina . ( MSC Seaside joins her in December.) Demographics include couples, families (children under 18 sharing a cabin with two adults cruise for free) and single passengers. Average age is 50 and older.

It’s been a while since I've sailed on one of Norwegian ’s mass market ships, and the line’ s come along way since then, most recently with the 2015 launch of the 4,248-passenger Norwegian Escape . The cruise line continues to attract a lot of first-time younger cruisers, couples and friends sharing staterooms. You won’t find foodies flocking to the fleet, but you will find plenty of party animals and very active travelers.

• Oceania Cruises

Passengers on Oceania ’s ships love the food and the far-flung itineraries the cruise line offers. Many have cruised dozens of times with Oceania and wouldn’t sail on any other line, which prides itself on affordable luxury aboard its six smallish to mid-size ships. Your fellow passengers will be middle-age or above, well off and confident in his or her choice.

• Princess Cruises

You’ll find every type of passenger on Princess Cruises — from wide-eyed first-time cruisers to those who already know the maître d’ and have sailed with the company dozens of times. The line’s big ships offer endless activities and options and a popular shore excursion program. Expect more fellow guests over 50 than under 30, lots of Californians (the line is headquartered outside Los Angeles) and a relaxing, laid-back vibe that attract passengers looking for a tolerant attitude toward dress and decorum.

• Regent Seven Seas

As with sister company Oceania, foodies and gourmets flock to the many restaurants on each of Regent Seven Seas ’ upmarket cruise ships. RSS’s similarly loyal, well-dressed, well-educated and well-heeled clientele comes from all over the world; if there’s a type, it is well to do. They enjoy the line’s luxury, far-flung itineraries around the world and all-inclusive pricing.

• Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean , the world's second most popular cruise line, attracts a wide swath of cruisers. It’s a small step up from Carnival and a bit more mass market in tastes and family-focused than those who choose sister cruise line Princess. During the summer you'll see lots of families, especially on Caribbean voyages. The rest of year you’ll find a mixed bag of mostly middle-class folks. Passengers sail on these ships more for the ports, entertainment and onboard activities than the food (which is often good but not usually exceptional).

Passengers on the smaller, stylish ships of Seabourn tend to be chic, sophisticated and international in their outlook. Country club is the prevailing style of the upscale leisure class that dotes on Seabourn’s easy luxury, excellent food, relaxed ambience and inclusive pricing. They tend to be repeat customers who have been there, done that and have the funds to do more of it. Meet them in the bar and you’ll find most are as friendly as they are accomplished.

On Silversea , your shipmates will be similar to those you will find sailing on the other premium small-ship lines that offer inclusive pricing — well-dressed, discerning and, because the line is owned by an Italian family, more of them may be European. They gravitate to Silversea for the food, varied itineraries and Silversea's refined cachet. The Bar, the convivial center of the ships, is where passengers meet before dinner.

• Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises and its fleet of small mastered sailing ships attract young to middle-age upscale adventurers who go for the wide variety (and convenient) selection of water sports available, from diving to snorkeling to boating via the aft water sports marina. Although guests like being in the water, they also love the lure of the wind-propelled sail (on three of the six vessels) and the fine food served on board.

Tips for making friends

Passengers tend to mingle more on luxury ships, where drinks at the bar are free. This isn’t so much because of the no-extra-cost drinks but because it reduces that awkward pause when you’re with people you just met and the check arrives.

Also like-minded passengers tend to gravitate toward each other. Say you take a snorkeling adventure or biking tour. You’ll notice back on board that the people who were along will be more friendly toward you. The same goes for cultural tours, etc.

Don’t barge in on passengers when they are sitting down to dinner, especially couples, unless invited. That’s OK at the bars but not the dining venues.

Republished from an earlier date. 

Related articles

10 tips to make your first cruise go super smooth, what to expect from your first cruise, 10 cruise tips every beginner should know.

• How to find a cruise ship size that's right for you

Patti Pietschmann I'm the LA Travel Diva and spend time cruising with first mate Richard, traveling the world, reviewing fine restaurants, going to plays, movies and events. It's the good life.

Related reviews & articles

How to find a cruise ship size that's right for you.

What is there to do on a cruise ship?

Being a respectful cruise passenger.

5 tips on how to make the most of your time on a cruise

Tips for the first day of your cruise, 10 reasons why a travel advisor can get you a better travel deal.

How to prepare for your first cruise

6 reasons why a cruise beats out a land vacation

Are you and cruising a good fit, what is there to do at night on a cruise, what embarkation day is like, why cruising should be your next vacation choice, 12 reasons a cruise is a healthy vacation choice.

5 tips for surviving your first cruise

What you can do in port during a cruise, 5 cruise myths busted, what kind of people go on a cruise.

Glossary of cruise lingo

5 tips to help first-timers plan a great cruise

Walter's 10 inside tips for first-time cruisers.

10 novice cruiser mistakes to avoid

5 more cruise vacation myths

Q&A for first-time cruisers

Pros & cons of small vs. large ship cruising.

10 ways to find your bliss on a cruise

15 tips for first-time cruisers.

5 tips on scoring a great deal during wave season

10 essential items to remember before your cruise, shooting down 3 myths about cruises, cruise line partners.

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
• Azamara Club Cruises
• Cunard Line
• Paul Gauguin Cruises
• Ponant Cruises
• SeaDream Yacht Club
• Star Clippers
• Viking Ocean
• Virgin Voyages
• AmaWaterways
• American Cruise Lines
• Avalon Waterways
• Tauck River Cruises
• Viking River
• G Adventures
• Hurtigruten
• Lindblad Expeditions
• Un-Cruise Adventures

Cruise Lines International Association Member #00454845 | Agile Travel Group dba Cruiseable

• How Cruiseable works
• Cruise glossary
• Community guidelines
• Upload or share
• Cruise ambassadors
• Cruise price drop alert
• Media center
• Contributions

Ethics Terms of Service Privacy Policy

Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm EST Sat-Sun 9am - 6pm EST

Stateroom and Suites

• Balcony or Panoramic Sealed Window* 
• Sitting area with sofa 
• Spacious Wardrobe
• Comfortable double or single beds (on request)
• Interactive TV**, telephone, safe and minibar
• Bathroom with bathtub, vanity area with hairdryer 
• Balcony 
• Interactive TV, telephone, safe and minibar
• Bathroom with shower or bathtub , vanity area with hairdryer 
• Window with sea view
• Relaxing armchair 
• Interactive TV*, telephone, safe and minibar
• Bathroom with shower, vanity area with hairdryer
• Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer 

MSC YACHT CLUB ACCOMMODATIONS

Revel in the high end luxury of the exclusive MSC Yacht Club with private venues and dedicated 24-hour Butler service.

Each of these elegant suites is fitted with ergonomic Myform Memory mattresses, a choice of pillows of your comfort, Egyptian cotton bathrobes and bedding by Italian company Mascioni, lavish marble-floored bathrooms with shower and/or bath, interactive LCD TV, complimentary mini-bar and exclusive goodnight chocolates by Venchi.

Available on MSC Seashore, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida.

• Spacious wardrobe 

Thank you for visiting MSC Cruises

Your browser may be out of date or not compatible with our new site and may not be secure.

For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below.

Thank you for visiting our site and we look forward to seeing you on board soon!

MSC Cruises

MORE SECTIONS

• Dear Deidre

MORE FROM THE SUN

• Newsletters
• Deliver my newspaper
• Sun Vouchers
• The Sun Digital Newspaper
• Racing Members Enclosure
• Fabulous Clothing

Boy, 12, dies after falling from 14th-floor balcony on Caribbean cruise ship ‘while playing with pals he’d met onboard’

• Katie Davis , Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital)
• Published : 6:58, 11 Sep 2024
• Updated : 13:40, 11 Sep 2024

A BOY of 12 has plunged head first to his death from a 14th-floor balcony on board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Passengers on the Harmony of the Seas watched on in horror as the youngster toppled over the railing on the final night of their cruise.

The ship - which can hold 5,479 passengers across 16 decks - was heading towards Galveston, Texas , when the child fell.

Witnesses said the boy was playing with friends he had made on the trip when he went over the cabin railing.

He plummeted into the internal Central Park area of the ship that has bars, restaurants and pubs.

Witnesses said the child fell from his family's cabin on Deck 14 to the atrium on Deck 8.

More world news

Popular Brit holiday hotspot rocked by 'strongest earthquake in 60 years'

Vlad to use Iran's 3000mph missiles to strike Ukraine's cities 'within weeks'

Staff battled to resuscitate him, but he died before the ship docked on September 8.

Did you witness the incident on the ship? Email [email protected]

It is understood the boy was on the cruise with his family for a birthday celebration.

Passengers waiting to board the ship for its next cruise from Galveston were told it was delayed as an investigation was launched.

Most read in The Sun

David Beckham will lead mourners at Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral

Boyzone-obsessed killers waterboarded & murdered nanny… and taped last moments

Car mounts pavement and hits three schoolgirls in shocking hit-and-run

Coronation Street star dies as heartbreaking tributes paid to soap legend

Royal Caribbean confirmed a passenger had died on board but did not give any more detail.

In 2019, a 16-year-old fell to his death on the luxury cruise ship while trying to climb from an eighth floor balcony.

Laurent Mercer plunged as he was trying to reach his family’s stateroom as he didn't have his room card.

The ship was docked at the port of Labadee in Haiti in the middle of a seven-day Caribbean cruise being taken by the boy’s family.

In 2018, British entertainer Arron Hough from Sunderland disappeared on Christmas Day from the Harmony of the Seas as it sailed off Puerto Rico.

And one person was killed and another four injured after a lifeboat suddenly detached from the Harmony of the Seas in 2016.

The accident reportedly happened during a "security exercise" when the 227,000-tonne ship was docked in the French port of Marseilles.

The vessel dropped around ten metres killing a 42-year-old Filipino.

Harmony of the Seas can hold more than 8,000 passengers and crew.

Owned by Royal Caribbean International, the record-breaking ship is higher than a 25-storey building and forth largest passenger ship in the world.

The boat has been compared to a floating city with more than 2,747 staterooms, 20 restaurants, 23 swimming pools and a park with more than 10,000 plants and 50 trees.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Major high street banks to close 55 more branches - is your local one?

Trolls call me 'the other Katie Price' but I don't care, my facelift looks great

It also boasts ‘seven neighbourhoods’ which include a cinema, promenade, sports and youth zones, an entertainment palace and a spa and fitness centre.

At 1,188 feet long, the 16-deck ship is bigger than the Eiffel Tower and is the widest cruise ship ever built at 215 feet.

• Royal Caribbean

Everything you need to know about MSC Cruises cabins and suites

A relative newcomer in the North American market, MSC Cruises is equal parts elegant and kitschy. The line tends to appeal to a wide swath of cruisers, from Europeans who like to party into the wee hours of the morning to American families who book because of affordable fares and "kids sail free" pricing.

To satisfy its diverse passenger base, MSC offers accommodations to fit all types of travelers. Rooms include inexpensive inside cabins that sleep two people, midlevel staterooms with windows and balconies, and high-end suites that offer cruisers with larger budgets a private oasis in the form of the MSC Yacht Club .

A variety of connecting rooms and cabins with extra bunks accommodate larger groups and families who wish to share space.

Because your cruise cabin will be your home away from home for several days, it's important to book one that fits your needs. That's especially true if you're sharing it with several people.

Whether you're looking at an inside cabin for a cruise with friends, balcony accommodations for you and your significant other or a suite for your family, here TPG breaks down what you can expect when you book a room on one of MSC's ships.

MSC Cruises cabin primer

MSC Cruises has become one of the fastest-growing lines in the cruise industry, with about two dozen ships in its fleet. The vessels fall into six classes : Lirica, Musica, Fantasia, Meraviglia, Seaside and World.

Although cabin offerings can vary from ship to ship and class to class, the standard types remain the same: inside, outside, balcony and suite.

Additionally, you'll find the same basic amenities in each room, unless otherwise noted below. They include two twin beds that can be joined to form a queen- or king-size bed; an in-cabin bathroom with a shower, a sink, a toilet and basic soap, shower gel and shampoo; a couple of nightstands; a chair or sofa; a desk/vanity; a closet; a safe; a hair dryer; a minifridge; a phone; USB outlets and a selection of both North American and European outlets.

On all ships except MSC Lirica, MSC Opera, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia, you'll also find an interactive TV that allows you to view the daily schedule, check your onboard account and choose from a selection of live TV programs and movies.

Twice-daily room tidying is provided by a room steward assigned to each cabin, and room service is available throughout the day for an added fee.

One confusing aspect of MSC's bookings is that you'll have to select an experience package in addition to a cabin type. Package tiers determine things like your ability to choose a specific cabin and preferred dining time and whether you'll receive welcome amenities in your room. Certain cabin types are only available in conjunction with certain package experiences and vice versa. Those are noted in each respective section below.

Accessible cabins , including accommodations for wheelchair users, are available on every ship in MSC's fleet. In addition to more space, they feature wider doorways and lowered sinks and toilets in the bathrooms, as well as grab bars.

MSC Cruises' experience packages

Here's what you get when you book each of MSC's three experience packages, which determine the perks you'll receive on your sailing.

• Accommodations
• Complimentary food in the dining room and buffet
• Broadway-style theater entertainment
• Access to the onboard gym, pool and kids club
• MSC Voyagers Club points
• One for-fee change to your cruise booking (with some restrictions)
• Drink package discount at time of booking
• All Bella perks
• Choice of specific cabin and location
• One free change to your cruise booking (with some restrictions)
• Ability to choose between early and late seating for dinner
• Room service (complimentary for breakfast, but fees apply for other meals)
• Discount on pre-cruise specialty dining package
• All Fantastica and Bella perks
• Flexible My Choice dining, which lets you eat at any time you choose between set hours
• Free 24-hour room service delivery
• Pillow menu
• A welcome package, including Prosecco and chocolates
• Complimentary access to your ship's solarium and thermal area
• A 10% discount on all spa treatments purchased on board
• Special Balinese massage offer when booked pre-cruise
• Complimentary use of bathrobe and slippers
• Priority boarding and luggage drop-off

Inside cabins on MSC Cruises ships

Inside cabins — rooms with no windows — are available on all ships in the MSC fleet. Ranging from 140 to 301 square feet (depending on the ship), they make for great sleeping because they're so dark. They're also ideal for passengers who are on a budget.

In addition to the standard amenities mentioned above, they provide room for anywhere from two to four passengers to sleep. (Rooms that sleep more than two feature bunks that pull down from the ceiling.)

These cabins are available with the line's Bella and Fantastica experiences.

If you're sailing solo, some MSC vessels offer cabins for one outfitted with a twin bed that converts into a couch. These interior studio accommodations are only available with the Bella package on MSC Meraviglia , MSC Bellissima and the line's World Class ships.

Ocean-view cabins on MSC Cruises ships

Ocean-view rooms are similar to insides in that they provide basic amenities — but with a view.

Offering 129 to 269 square feet of space (depending on the specific ship and ocean-view category), these staterooms allow you to see outside through a porthole or a window that doesn't open.

MSC's outside cabins are available to passengers who book Bella and Fantastica packages.

Additionally, if you're traveling with your family or another group, several of MSC Cruises' ships — particularly those in the Meraviglia and Seaside classes — feature space for as many as 10 passengers via a series of connecting rooms. Options are available at the ocean-view and balcony levels.

Balcony cabins on MSC Cruises ships

You might be surprised to discover that most of MSC Cruises' balcony cabins provide less interior square footage than what's available in inside or ocean-view staterooms.

Balcony rooms run anywhere from 129 to 205 square feet, but their key feature is, of course, a private balcony, which does add an extra 32 to 129 square feet, depending on the vessel and specific type of balcony room booked. These cabins are bookable in conjunction with MSC's Bella, Fantastica and Aurea experiences.

Although balcony cabins offer upgraded amenities, including MSC's brand of hand lotion and toiletries, they are largely the same as inside and ocean-view accommodations.

MSC's newest ships — including those in the Meraviglia, Seaside and World Classes — house connecting balcony rooms that can sleep up to 10 in the same group traveling together.

Additionally, on its World Class ships, the line has introduced inward-facing balconies, similar to the ones Royal Caribbean pioneered in 2009 with the debut of its Oasis Class vessels . On World Europa, for example, they overlook the ship's promenade, offering views of the activity below, rather than the ocean.

MSC Cruises suites

All ships in MSC's fleet have suites that can be booked as part of the Fantastica and Aurea packages, but it's Aurea that offers the largest number of perks, as outlined above.

The several types of suites vary by ship in terms of size and amenities. Some come with balconies, while others only offer floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows.

Junior Suites

Although this room type is listed as a suite, it's essentially a balcony cabin with a bit more space — 183 square feet of interior accommodation with a balcony that ranges from 140 to 183 square feet.

Standard suites include rooms with huge balconies larger than the cabin's interior space and ones with private whirlpool tubs. They run from 269 to 355 square feet, with balconies measuring 32 to 409 square feet.

Grand Suites

Coming in between 377 and 420 square feet, with balconies spanning from 32 to 495 square feet, Grand Suites — found on Seaside and World Class ships — come in two types. They include standard one-bedroom Grand Suites, as well as two-bedroom varieties.

The latter has one bedroom with a queen-size bed and another with two twins. It sleeps up to five passengers and offers two bathrooms — one with a shower and the other with a bathtub.

While most suites are designed for double occupancy, some suite accommodations on MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Magnifica can sleep up to five people.

MSC Yacht Club suites on MSC ships

All cabins located in the MSC Yacht Club — an exclusive, gated area on select ships — are called suites, even the smallest and least expensive, which don't have windows or balconies.

Yacht Club suite types range from insides to two-deck duplexes, all of which come with butler and concierge services, luxuriously appointed furnishings (such as real marble finishes, memory foam mattresses and Egyptian cotton sheets) and access to members-only restaurants, bars (alcohol is free there), lounges, pools and sun decks.

The Yacht Club features seven different types of rooms. Ships that have the MSC Yacht Club on board include MSC Bellissima, MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Seaside, MSC Seascape, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore, MSC Splendida, MSC Virtuosa and MSC World Europa.

Note: Not all Yacht Clubs have the same suite types available.

MSC Yacht Club Interior Suites

Although these 161- to 226-square-foot cabins don't offer a view or fresh air, they are elegantly decorated and include all the Yacht Club benefits mentioned above.

MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suites

These Yacht Club digs are the equivalent of a balcony cabin — but in a dedicated area that includes all the exclusive perks. They run 236 to 366 square feet and have balconies ranging from 54 to 86 square feet, so they also come with a bit more space, both inside and outdoors.

MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Grand Suites

Similarly, Deluxe Grand Suites are like the Yacht Club equivalent of booking a Grand Suite with more perks. Depending on the ship, they offer anywhere from 269 to 463 square feet of space, plus 65- to 129-square-foot balconies. Some Grand Suites also have two bedrooms instead of one. Further, these rooms on Seaside Class ships include bathrooms with bathtubs, as well as separate living areas.

MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suites

Rising two decks, MSC's duplex staterooms measure 495 to 635 square feet and come with 65- to 334-square-foot balconies. They feature living rooms with two-person sofa beds downstairs and master bedrooms upstairs, which also sleep two passengers.

Each of these accommodations comes complete with two walk-in closets and two bathrooms — one with a bathtub and one with a shower. Most duplexes on Meraviglia and World Class ships also have their own private whirlpool tubs.

MSC Yacht Club Executive and Family Suites

The line's Executive and Family Suites, available only on Fantasia Class vessels, are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to stay in the Yacht Club with a family or other group of more than two people.

This option, which is one type of suite (despite its confusing name), has space for up to five cruisers via a combination of bunk beds, sofa beds and beds that pull down from the ceiling, depending on the ship. The suites clock in at around 431 to 549 square feet, depending on the vessel.

The only drawback is that these staterooms have no balconies and no in-room dining areas, but they do include all the perks you'd find in Yacht Club cabins.

MSC Yacht Club Royal Suites

Although they only occupy one level, at 388 to 667 square feet, MSC's Yacht Club Royal Suites are right up there with the Duplex Suites in terms of space. They offer the second-largest amount of square footage after the Owner's Suites. They come with huge balconies comprising 355 to 753 square feet of outdoor area.

Additionally, bathrooms in these suites offer bathtubs on Fantasia, Meraviglia, Seaside and World Class ships, and the latter three have private whirlpool tubs, as well. All four classes' Royal Suites also include separate living room areas.

MSC Yacht Club Owner's Suites

The largest and most impressive of all MSC's cabins are the Owner's Suites found in the Yacht Club. Offering an impressive 840 to 1,119 square feet — larger than some land-based apartments — plus 269- to 670-square-foot balconies, they're some of the most luxurious rooms afloat.

Specific amenities vary by ship, but as an example, Owner's Suites on MSC World Europa offer floor-to-ceiling windows and walk-in closets. These accommodations on both the line's Seaside and World Class vessels also feature bathrooms with separate showers and bathtubs, as well as private whirlpool tubs and separate living room areas.

Bottom line

Although MSC Cruises' cabin types are straightforward, the line's add-on experiences can complicate things a bit.

Overall, what's key to remember is that MSC Cruises offers a wide variety of rooms and pricing to meet just about any budget or style of cruising. Each ship will offer accommodation choices from the least expensive, bare-bones interior rooms to the priciest suites, which come with butler and concierge services.

When you sail with MSC Cruises, you can expect function, style and comfort, regardless of the cabin type you book.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin