Five things to know before boarding an MSC Cruises ship
“If you build it, they will come” is a line that works just as well for the ambitious MSC Cruises as it did for Kevin Costner’s character in Field of Dreams.
The Italian-owned line – whose fleet of ships counts screen star Sophia Loren as godmother – was only established in 2002. Fast forward to today and MSC has become the third largest cruise brand by capacity: it currently operates 23 vessels with more on the way.
While the outfit is best known for its glitzy, Swarovski-studded ships that are aimed at an international audience looking for lively entertainment, vessels in MSC’s earlier Musica and Lirica classes are smaller – and subsequently offer a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere.
MSC also has some of the most affordable cruise fares around with rates starting from as little as £40 per person, per day for an inside cabin.
However if you are feeling the urge to splurge, look to the Yacht Club – MSC’s upscale ‘ship within a ship’ concept that features superior suites, 24-hour butler service, and a private restaurant, lounge, and deck space.
Yet there’s no getting away from the fact that MSC is very much a mainstream cruise line offering a variety of bells and whistles (think Broadway-style shows, bowling alleys, a robotic bartender, and waterslides).
For a more exclusive experience, look to Explora Journeys – the new ultra-luxury arm of the MSC Group – whose two ships carry fewer than 1,000 passengers and feature fine art exhibitions, and marble-fitted bathrooms.
1. Where does it cruise?
The Switzerland-based line sails to almost every corner of the globe including the Caribbean – where it has a private island, the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve – the Canary Islands, the Emirates, Europe, Asia, Africa and America.
Speaking of the latter, MSC is scheduled to set sail in Alaska – the USA’s largest and wildest state – for the first time in its history onboard MSC Poesia.
However, the emphasis is firmly on Europe, where the line is the market leader. Little wonder then that, during the summer months, most of MSC’s ships are based in the region. Signature cruises include seven-night sailings in the Western Mediterranean and Northern Europe itineraries that depart out of Southampton, thereby eliminating any airport stress.
And even in winter, when the lion’s share of cruise lines relocate their vessels to warmer locales, MSC keeps a couple of ships in Europe.
That being said, when Europe and North America are under the dark blanket of winter, MSC sends the majority of its ships to sunny South America, South Africa, the Gulf, and the Caribbean.
MSC also offers an annual round-the-world cruise – a multi-month journey that covers at least three continents and typically departs in January thereby offering Brits a ‘get out of winter’ card.
2. Who does it appeal to?
MSC tends to attract multi-generational groups who flock to the line for its five, age-specific kid-friendly programmes, family discos, Formula One simulators, sports tournaments and 4D cinemas. Little ones also benefit from a discount of up to 30 per cent on certain shore excursions, while under-twos go free.
The line also draws in multi-national guests from countries including North America, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the UK, Australia, Belgium, Scandinavia and France. As such, announcements on European sailings are made in multiple languages – which will either frustrate or delight.
But it’s not just multi-generational and multi-national passengers who are enticed – so too are those who are new to cruise and looking to test the waters and find out what MSC is all about on one of the line’s low-cost mini-sailings.
Solo travellers aren’t neglected either: MSC’s newest ships feature single cabins including interior studios and balcony studios – and there are often special promotions such as 50 per cent off the single supplement.
What unites the line’s guests is their love of mega-ships that bring Las Vegas glitz to the high seas. Make no mistake: MSC ships are no shrinking violets as audiences at their dazzling music and light shows can attest.
Should you need to escape the constant hustle and bustle, the MSC Yacht Club – a high-end ship-within-a-ship concept – offers a quieter environment.
3. MSC Cruises’ fleet
There are currently 23 ships in MSC’s fleet. These can be divided into six classes which are as follows: World, Meraviglia, Seaside, Fantasia, Musica and Lirica.
World
MSC World Europa (6,762 passengers); MSC World America (6,762 passengers); unnamed vessel (launching 2026); unnamed vessel (launching 2027)
If you like your ships to be big and blingy, then this is the MSC ship class for you.
Spanning 221 decks and divided into districts including an adults-only ‘Zen district’ and a ‘family district’, MSC World Europa – the first of the new World class – is the largest ship in the line’s fleet.
It’s packed with plenty of firsts from MSC’s inaugural microbrewery at sea – to a dedicated gin bar serving up some 70-plus craft gins and the Chef’s Garden Kitchen; the first-at-sea hydroponic garden restaurant, where edible plants are grown without soil; the line’s largest water park; and an alfresco promenade.
MSC World Europa is also the operator’s first to be powered by liquefied natural gas – making it the most environmentally advanced MSC cruise ship.
The next ship in the series, MSC World America, will arrive in spring 2025. Two more World class vessels are scheduled for 2026 and 2027.
Sails to: The Mediterranean
Meraviglia
MSC Meraviglia (5,700 passengers); MSC Bellissima (5,655 passengers; MSC Grandiosa (6,334 passengers); MSC Virtuosa (6,334 passengers); MSC Euribia (6,334 passengers)
Meraviglia class ships will suit anyone who believes bigger is better – up until late 2022 and the launch of MSC World Europa, this class was the largest in the Italian-owned line’s fleet.
All five Meraviglia class ships feature a two-storey Mediterranean-style promenade packed with shops, bars and restaurants; the world’s first ‘virtual cruise assistant’, Zoe; and a futuristic MSC Starship Club that is manned by ‘Rob’ – the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea who can mix drinks and chat with passengers in up to eight languages.
What you won’t find onboard a Meraviglia class ship is peace and quiet: these behemoths offer a dizzying array of amenities from Formula 1 simulators to water parks – ports of call are almost secondary attractions – and accommodate close to 6,000 passengers at full occupancy.
Sails to: The Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and New England, Asia, The UAE, Northern Europe, The Mediterranean, South America
Seaside
MSC Seaside (5,336 passengers); MSC Seaview (5,336 passengers); MSC Seashore (5,877 passengers); MSC Seascape (5,877 passengers)
In need of a mood-boosting blast of vitamin D? Smart sunseekers break up grey days by booking a cruise on board one of MSC Cruises’ four Seaside class ships – which have been designed to sail in sunny climes.
Consequently, passengers can expect plenty of outdoor spaces such as an outdoor promenade deck, panoramic windows, an alfresco seating area at the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, and a plethora of pools.
You’ll also find all the bells and whistles we’ve come to expect from an MSC ship: a spa, casino, disco, water park with waterslides, a sports court and more.
Sails to: The Caribbean, The Mediterranean, South America
Fantasia
MSC Fantasia (4,363 passengers); MSC Splendida (4,363 passengers); MSC Divina (4,345 passengers); MSC Preziosa (4,345 passengers)
The four Fantasia class ships – MSC Divina (2012), and MSC Fantasia (2008), MSC Splendida (2009), MSC Divina (2012) and MSC Preziosa (2013) – were where MSC debuted its Swarovski crystal staircases that have since become a ​hallmark of life on board the line’s vessels.
The quartet boasts every amenity and entertainment option you could desire. Case in point? Pools, waterslides, sports courts, squash courts, Formula 1 race car simulators, spas, casinos and discos are all present and correct.
However, as Fantasia class ships are smaller than World and Meraviglia class vessels, there are fewer dining options on board.
Their smaller size also means fewer passengers making them a great choice for anyone after the amenities of a big ship but concerned about the number of fellow guests.
Sails to: The Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, South America, South Africa, Asia, the British Isles, The Norwegian Fjords
Musica
MSC Musica (2,500 passengers); MSC Orchestra (2,500 passengers); MSC Poesia (3,223 passengers); MSC Magnifica (3,223 passengers)
Introduced in 2006, MSC Musica was the first of the new namesake class. MSC Orchestra followed the subsequent year, with MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica completing the line up in 2008 and 2010 respectively.
The fab four offer many of the benefits of being onboard a larger ship – live entertainment, a cornucopia of bars and lounges, and a kids’ club to keep little ones entertained and occupied – but without the crowds you’ll find on World, Meraviglia, Seaside and Fantasia class ships.
Sails to: The Mediterranean, South America, Northern Europe, South Africa, Canary Islands and Madeira
Lirica
MSC Sinfonia (2,646 passengers), MSC Armonia (2,620 passengers), MSC Opera (2,658 passengers) and MSC Lirica (2,648 passengers)
The four medium-sized Lirica class vessels are the smallest in MSC’s fleet and consequently appeal to passengers after a more intimate version of MSC Cruises’ offering.
Lirica class ships are also MSC’s oldest but that doesn’t mean they are outdated: the quarter underwent a £160 million facelift in 2014 when they were ‘stretched’ to add 193 cabins (some of which have balconies), a spray park, shops and new entertainment options.
Sails to: South America, South Africa, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Canary Islands
4. Loyalty scheme
MSC Voyagers Club is a points-based programme that has six membership tiers: Welcome, Classic, Silver, Gold, Diamond, and Blue Diamond.
Members earn points based on the length of their cruise(s) and choice of accommodation so a 14-night cruise staying in the MSC Yacht Club will earn you considerably more points than a short sailing, staying in an entry-level Bella cabin.
Points are then converted into perks such as priority boarding and disembarkation or a complimentary dinner in one of MSC Cruises’ speciality restaurants. Rewards improve as you move up the fleet.
5. Accessibility onboard
The line says: “Guests can inform MSC Cruises of any special requirements by filling in the relevant form available here.
“If you booked through our website, the documentation should be sent to the following email address: specialservicesuk@msccruises.co.uk.
“However, If you booked your cruise through a travel agency, the documentation should be sent directly to your travel agent.”
