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.
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.
15 nights
onboard
MSC Virtuosa
- Leaving from:Southampton
10 nights
onboard
MSC Preziosa
- Leaving from:Hamburg
7 nights
onboard
MSC Poesia
- Leaving from:Copenhagen
8 nights
onboard
MSC Preziosa
- Leaving from:Zeebrugge
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.
