About MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises, founded by Gianluigi Aponte, an Italian billionaire businessman, is a global cruise line based in Geneva, Switzerland. It also has operations offices in Naples, Genoa, and Venice. Mediterranean Shipping Company is the parent company of this Swiss-Italian cruise line, which was founded in 1970. It is the world's largest privately held cruise company and has its name among the top cruise lines in the world.
Departure Ports
hese are the various departure ports of MSC Cruises from the U.S.:
MSC Cruises Deals
Cruise Deals | Starting Rates |
---|
Mediterranean Cruises | $379 |
Northern Europe Cruises | $279 |
Cruises from New York City | $299 |
Cruises from Florida | $299 |
Short Cruises | $139 |
*Please note that these rates can be changed at any time by the MSC Cruise authorities
How to Book
MSC Cruises booking is made either directly through the official website or an agent, especially if it's your first time traveling on a cruise. They can help and guide you in selecting the best cruise that fits your needs. However, ensure that the Cruise Lines International Association accredits the travel agent.
How to Pay and Tip on Board
MSC Cruises charges gratuity amounts to bills as 'Hotel Service Charge.' It's a transparent way for the cruise line to keep track of all the billing and gratuities. The amount depends on the itinerary list, the services provided, and the duration of stay on the cruise. For people booking from the USA, the rates vary for different cruises. The gratuity cost in the USA is $8 to $14 per person per day. However, it can change based on location. Children under two don't have to pay gratuity. For children aged above two years, 50% of the adult price is charged as gratuity. Tipping with cash is discouraged in MSC cruise.
Which is the Best MSC Cruises Ship?
MSC Bellissima is the best MSC Cruise Ship among the rest. It's good for families and has tech features like the MSC for Me, which enables you to connect with other guests, as well as an in-cabin Bluetooth speaker. MSC Euribia is special since it runs on LPG (Liquid Natural Gas) and features a "Save the Sea" motif on the hull. It's artful and aesthetic with a focus on reducing environmental impact. Meraviglia is another MSC cruise among the largest cruise ships in the world, and it sails to Ocean Cay, the private island of MSC.
List of MSC Cruises Ships by Age (Newest to Oldest)
MSC World America
- Maximum passenger capacity: 6, 762
- Year the ship came into service: 2025
MSC Euribia
- Maximum passenger capacity: 6, 327
- Year the ship came into service: 2023
MSC World Europa
- It is the largest MSC cruise by size (215,863 gross tons)
- Maximum passenger capacity: 6, 762
- Year the ship came into service: 2022
MSC Seascape
- Maximum passenger capacity: 5, 877
- Year the ship came into service: 2022
MSC Seashore
- Maximum passenger capacity: 5, 877
- Year the ship came into service: 2021
MSC Virtuosa
- Maximum passenger capacity: 6, 334
- Year the ship came into service: 2021
MSC Grandiosa
- Maximum passenger capacity: 6, 334
- Year the ship came into service: 2019
MSC Bellissima
- Maximum passenger capacity: 5, 655
- Year the ship came into service: 2019
MSC Seaview
- Maximum passenger capacity: 5, 079
- Year the ship came into service: 2018
MSC Seaside
- Maximum passenger capacity: 5, 079
- Year the ship came into service: 2017
MSC Meraviglia
- Maximum passenger capacity: 5, 642
- Year the ship came into service: 2017
MSC Preziosa
- Maximum passenger capacity: 4, 345
- Year the ship came into service: 2013
MSC Divina
- Maximum passenger capacity: 4, 345
- Year the ship came into service: 2012
MSC Magnifica
- Maximum passenger capacity: 3, 223
- Year the ship came into service: 2010
MSC Splendida
- Maximum passenger capacity: 4, 363
- Year the ship came into service: 2009
MSC Fantasia
- Maximum passenger capacity: 4, 363
- Year the ship came into service: 2008
MSC Poesia
- Maximum passenger capacity: 3, 223
- Year the ship came into service: 2008
MSC Orchestra
- Maximum passenger capacity: 3, 223
- Year the ship came into service: 2007
MSC Musica
- Maximum passenger capacity: 3, 223
- Year the ship came into service: 2006
MSC Opera
- Maximum passenger capacity: 2, 658
- Year the ship came into service: 2004
MSC Lirica
- Maximum passenger capacity: 2, 648
- Year the ship came into service: 2003
MSC Sinfonia
- Maximum passenger capacity: 2, 646
- Year the ship came into service: 2002
MSC Armonia
- Maximum passenger capacity: 2, 620
- Year the ship came into service: 2001
Destinations
These are the top destinations you can travel on MSC Cruises.
- Bahamas
- Caribbean
- Ocean Cay
- Bermuda
- Mediterranean
- Northern Europe
- Canary Islands
- Grand Voyages
- South Africa
- Asia
- Dubai and the Middle East
- South America
Private Islands/Destinations
Ocean Cay
Ocean Cay is the private island of MSC Cruises located in The Bahamas. It's the only private marine reserve in The Bahamas, and it's blessed with seven beaches. You can dive deep into the aquamarine waters and take a break from your busy life at a seaside spa. Additionally, you can shop, stay in cabanas, get the best local food and drinks, go on shore excursions, etc
Onboard Accommodations
These are the amenities you can find in the stateroom and suites at MSC Cruises. Also, note that these amenities may vary on different MSC Cruises.
- Sitting area
- Wardrobe
- Balcony Window
- Double or single beds on request
- Safe for your valuables
- Mini bar
- Interactive T.V.
- Hairdryer
- Air Conditioning
- Telephone
- Bathroom
- Armchair
Different staterooms you can choose:
- Suite (Up to 5 people)
- MSC Yacht Club (Up to 5 people)
- MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite (Up to 5 people)
- Grand Suite Aurea (Up to 5 people)
- Premium Suite Aurea with Whirlpool (Up to 5 people)
- Premium Interior (Up to 5 people)
- Deluxe Interior (Up to 5 people)
- Two Bedroom Grand Suite Aurea (Up to 6 people)
- Family Cabins (Up to 10 people)
Dining Options
What Food Is Included?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets are available with the MSC Cruise package. Therefore, most often, you don't even have to use a penny while traveling on board. These free buffets consist of the following in the menu:
- International Cuisine
- Meat Carvery: Roasted meat specialties
- Mediterranean Dining: French, Italian and Spanish Cuisine
- Pasta Station: Italian Pasta
- Take Away Station
- Kids Corner: Kids menu
- Daily Special Corner: Offers chef specials and more
- Wellness Corner: Nutritious food only
- Ethnic Corner: Selected cuisines from Asia
- Special Diets and Menus: Vegetarian, Vegan, Kosher meals, Halal products, Gluten-free menu
- Dessert Corner: Treats, pastry, and more.
What Food Is Not Included?
These are the ones not covered in the basic cruise package and have to be purchased separately:
- Specialty drinks
- Soda
- Alcohol
- Specialty restaurants menu
Special Dining Options
Additionally, some of the MSC Cruises offer dining packages at their specialty restaurants. These are the packages and the types of cuisines they offer.
- One Dining Experience: Steakhouse and Asian
- Two Dining Experience: Asian, Steakhouse, and French
- Three Dining Experience: Asian, Seafood, Vietnamese, Latin American and Mexican, French, and Steakhouse
- Four Dining Experience: Asian, Seafood, Vietnamese, French, Latin American and Mexican and Steakhouse
- Five Dining Experience: Asian, French, and more
MSC Cruises Drink Packages
These are the drinking packages offered by MSC cruises:
- Easy Package: Classic/international selected drinks, spirits, house wines, bottled mineral water, draft beers, non-alcoholic cocktails, classic hot drinks, etc
- Easy Plus Package: A selection of traditional, frozen cocktails and beers, shakes with protein and fresh fruit cocktails, liquors, cordials, and spirits, non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, hot drinks, etc
- Premium Extra Package: An extensive assortment of high-quality international cocktails and beers, non-alcoholic drinks, premium drinks, fine wine and champagne by the glass, mineral water, hot drinks, etc
- Alcohol-Free Package: Non-alcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, flavored water, sodas, hot drinks, ice cream, etc
- Minors Package: Non-alcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, flavored water, soda, hot drinks, ice cream, etc
What is the minimum drinking age for alcoholic beverages in the MSC?
The minimum drinking age for alcoholic beverages in MSC Cruise is 21 years. The drinking age adheres to the local laws of the home port or destination port. MSC Cruise establishes the age of a guest before boarding them.
Entertainment and Activities
There are plenty of entertainment and indoor-outdoor activities to do on MSC Cruises. These are some of them:
- Outdoor activities: Zip Line, Waterpark, Himalayan Bridge, Swimming Pools
- Broadway-style entertainment
- Family Activities
- 4D Cinemas
- Robotron
- Shopping
- Casinos
- Art Wall
- Cinemas
- Bowling
- Tournaments
- Flight and F1 Simulators
- Billiards
- Arcades
If you have the MSC Fun Pass, you can get the most out of all the fun stuff on board.
What activities are available for free?
These are the activities you can do free of charge on the MSC Cruise:
- Ropes Courses
- Silent Disco
- Dry Slides
- Theatre Show
- Skating
- Gym
- Karaoke
- Dance Class
- Party
- Swim
Note that these activities might vary from cruise to cruise.
Youth Programs
MSC Cruise offers youth programs for children of different age groups. They are as follows:
- Baby Club (Age group: 0-3)
- Mini Club (Age group: 3-6)
- Junior Club (Age group: 7-11)
- Young Club (Age group: 12-14)
- Teen Club (Age group: 15-17)
Internet
You will be able to access the internet from your devices in the cabin and the public areas. There are various internet plans from which you can choose from, and they are given below:
- Browse Cruise Package: This package includes unlimited data, web browsing, 24-hour access, chat on apps, and sending and receiving images and mail.
- Browse and Stream Cruise Package:This package includes unlimited data, 24-hour access, web browsing, sending and receiving images and emails, chat on apps, video calls, streaming media, and posting live streams and videos on social media platforms.
What Is Included in MSC's Cruise Ticket Price?
These are what you get for a MSC Cruise ticket price:
- Ocean transportation
- Activities onboard
- Free apps: MSC for Me, MSC for Me Chat, PressReader
- Entertainment and Activities
- Food
- Accommodation
- MSC Cruise Experiences: Bella Experience, Fantastica Experience, and Aurea Experience are the three levels of cruise experience from which you can choose to set the tone for your journey.
Smoking Policy
MSC Cruise doesn't allow smoking except in designated smoking areas. Smoking is not allowed in staterooms, on balconies, and everywhere else where it's mentioned as no smoking. Violation will lead to a penalty of $250. Guests aged at least 18 years can only buy or use tobacco on board.
Laundry
Laundry packages are available on the MSC cruise. Items are collected before 12 pm and returned in 48 hours. These are the laundry packages:
- Basic Laundry with 10 items for $28
- Basic Laundry with 20 items for $38
- Back Home Laundry with 40 items for $49
Electrical outlets
Electrical outlets are supplied with a voltage of 110/220 V in the cabin. MSC Cruises have at least 2 U.S. and 2 European plug sockets in the cabin.
Currency
The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar for cruises in the Caribbean, South America, and South Africa and MSC Grand Voyages, which departs to Europe and Australia. Additionally, there are personal cruise cards available, from which you can purchase all things onboard. You can get your card and activate it on the ship.
Dress code
Casual dresses are often worn by people on the day. For fun activities on the cruise, you can dress appropriately. Smart casuals are recommended for most of the evenings. On special days, like for a Gala evening, you can dress more formally. For dining on the same day, for men, it is recommended to wear a tuxedo, dark suit, or dinner jacket, and for women, it's recommended to wear a dressy outfit, cocktail dress, or formal gown.