Why choose MSC Cruises

Up until fairly recently, Swiss-based cruise line MSC Cruises had a large and loyal European customer base. However, the brand has lately made a concerted effort to win over the American audience by home-porting five of its ships in the States.

MSC Cruises currently has 23 ships which fall into eight classes – World, Meraviglia, Meraviglia Plus, Seaside, Seaside EVO, Fantasia, Musica and Lirica Class – with MSC America, the line’s second World-class ship, slated to launch in 2025.

The World, Meraviglia, Seaside, and Fantasia-class ships are the largest in MSC Cruises fleet. The remaining classes are much smaller and generally older, but therefore more affordable.

Regardless of which ship you choose, boredom is not an option with MSC Cruises. The outfit offers an array of onboard activities – including colossal water parks, race car simulators, casinos, and too many bars and lounges to mention – which keep families coming back for more.

That being said, solo travellers are also welcome with an array of solo cabins found on MSC Cruises’ newer ships.

The line has developed a reputation for offering affordable cruises but, if it’s total luxury you’re after, look to the MSC Yacht Club. Billed by MSC Cruises as “a ship within a ship”, the MSC Yacht Club offers a private pool, exclusive dining, and more.

MSC Cruises has also launched a new luxury line, Explore Cruises, with Explora I, the first in a fleet of four.

Find your perfect cruise!
Score
Cruise Overall
4.2
Ship Overall
4.4
Dining
4
Service Onboard
4.4
Accommodation
4.5
Public Rooms
4.4
Boarding & Disembarking
4.4
Excursions
2.7
Value for Money
4.2
Customer Reviews
Anita wrote a review in Aug, 2021
LÅNGLÄSNING – En oförglömlig resa World Cruise 2020 Allt började vintern 2017, vi hyrde boende i Mexiko och jag såg något om en jorden runt kryssning 2019, har alltid drömt om att få göra en sån. Enda...
LINDA wrote a review in Aug, 2021
The car parking terminal was right on the doorstep of the MSC Virtuosa, so easy to get to the ship. Boarding was easy considering the Covid testing etc, but our luggage was right outside our cabin doo...
ruth wrote a review in Aug, 2021
MSC Yacht club, a ship within a ship what an experience !!!!!!!!! Complete and utter pampering all inclusive except trips. Nothing was too much trouble, food was amazing , delicious and catered for ev...
Francesca wrote a review in Sep, 2021
We boarded this almost new ship at Greenock. The Covid mitigations were carried out smoothly and all vaccination paperwork viewed and lateral flow test done with no problem. It is a very impressive sh...

Cruising with MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is famed for its statement ships that feature world-class entertainment and cutting-edge technological innovations.

The cruise line’s latest ship, MSC Euribia, comes replete with the line's signature Swarovski staircases, high-end gaming, fitness and children's facilities, 10 dining venues, a deluxe thermal spa space, and 21 bars and lounges.

Euribia is named after the ancient goddess of the same name who harnessed the power of winds, weather, and constellations to master the sea.

MSC Cruises' biggest ship however is World Europa which has a passenger capacity of 6,762. Onboard MSC World Europa, there is truly something for everyone from the largest waterpark in the line's fleet, to bumper cars, and surprise street performances.

Other popular ships in MSC Cruises' fleet include MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Euribia. And all offer the dazzling array of dining options, bars, theatre shows, aqua parks, cinemas and kids clubs that are synonymous with the Swiss-based line.

Legendary Italian actress Sophia Loren is the godmother to 19 of MSC Cruises' ships as she holds a “long-standing personal relationship” with the cruise line.

MSC Cruises Ships
6762 guests
333ft
5877 guests
323ft
6327 guests
331ft
6762 guests
330ft
3223 guests
294ft
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3223 guests
294ft
3223 guests
293.8ft
2646 guests
275ft
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3223 guests
293.8ft
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2658 guests
275ft
6334 guests
331ft
5642 guests
316ft
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2648 guests
275ft
5084 guests
323ft
5632 guests
339ft
6334 guests
331ft
2620 guests
275ft
5655 guests
316ft
4345 guests
333ft
Ship
4345 guests
333ft
4363 guests
333.3ft
5079 guests
323ft
4363 guests
333ft
7 nights onboard MSC Opera
  • Leaving from:Funchal, Madeira
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5 nights onboard MSC Orchestra
  • Leaving from:Genoa
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7 nights onboard MSC Magnifica
  • Leaving from:Rostock
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Who should travel

Bold and buoyant, MSC cruises have been designed for passengers of all ages seeking a fun-filled and action-packed cruising experience.

Along with excellent kids' clubs and top-notch entertainment facilities, many of MSC ships also have a large number of cabins designed for families – highlighting its multigenerational offering.

Passengers looking for a bit of glitz and razzmatazz on their cruise holiday will not be disappointed.

It’s also well-suited to the modern cruiser, with tech innovations including MSC for Me (which lists your agenda and the ship’s itinerary), and Zoe; a personal assistant found in every cabin, which has been programmed to answer some 800 cruise-related questions.

While vast, the ships’ public spaces have been cleverly designed so that they never feel overcrowded. However, if you prefer a more intimate setting, this is not the cruise for you.

Destinations

MSC Cruises sails all over the world so, whichever destination is on your bucket-list, the cruise line can take you there.

Destinations include Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, the Baltics, Canada and New England, Canary Islands, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Middle East, Africa, British Isles, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

On Caribbean sailings, passengers have the opportunity to visit and experience MSC Cruises' own exclusive private island in the Bahamas – take a bow Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve – which has been winning rave reviews ever since it opened in late 2019.

The line also offers world cruises, which set sail in January and end in April or May. Due to the time and money involved, MSC Cruises' world cruises tend to attract an older clientele than other sailings.

Dining

When it comes to dining on an MSC cruise, you will be spoilt for choice. Each and every MSC ship has a main dining room (included in the fare) featuring crisp white tablecloths and Mediterranean and international dishes.

Passengers can opt for the classic dining experience (where you have a fixed table and time for dinner) or upgrade to the Aurea Experience – which allows you to dine wherever you want.

For a less formal, more casual experience, make for the buffet. Open 20 hours a day, there are 13 different areas, including a Kid’s corner and a Pasta station, to discover.

Ships also feature specialty restaurants, which require an extra charge. Standouts include the American-style steakhouse Butcher's Cut and Hola Tapas – a Latin American street food offering by Ramón Freixa.

Inclusions

A cruise with MSC Cruises represents great value for money in that there is so much included in the price.

Case in point? Passengers can enjoy complimentary dining, 24-hour room service, onboard activities such as competitions, craft classes and hobbies, kids and teen clubs, use of a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a library, card room, and Vegas-style casino, and entertainment including nightclubs, discos and Broadway-style shows.

Non-bottled iced water, tea, coffee, and juice are included and available 24/7 in the buffet and in the main dining room at meal times.

However, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages will cost extra so it’s worth thinking about booking one of the line’s five drink packages to help keep costs down.