MSC Cruises

Overview - MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises: what makes the company different

MSC Cruises is an international cruise company with Mediterranean roots, combining a European onboard atmosphere, a wide choice of itineraries, and a broad price range. Its schedule includes both short cruises lasting a few nights and longer journeys between continents, as well as round-the-world itineraries.

The company is especially well suited for families with children, couples, and travelers who want to have plenty of leisure options within a single ship. The base price of most cruises includes accommodation, full board at the main restaurants and buffet, theatrical shows, part of the entertainment, swimming pools, sports areas, and kids’ clubs. Drinks, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, specialty restaurants, SPA, and some attractions are paid separately if they are not included in the selected fare or package.

At the same time, MSC Cruises is a large international company, so you should not expect an identical program, set of services, or language support on all ships. The content of a cruise depends on the ship, the region, the season, and the selected booking category.

MSC Cruises fleet

MSC Cruises operates 23 cruise ships. In December 2026, MSC World Asia- a new World-class ship- is expected to begin sailings, expanding the company’s fleet to 24 liners.

The fleet is divided into six main generations:

• Lirica Class - MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica. These are more compact ships with a more intimate onboard atmosphere and simpler navigation.

• Musica Class - MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica. They are larger than Lirica-class ships, but they remain convenient for travelers who are not looking to spend their vacation on a megaship.

• Fantasia Class - MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida, MSC Divina and MSC Preziosa. It was on this generation that the concept of MSC Yacht Club- a private premium area “a ship within a ship”-appeared.

• Meraviglia and Meraviglia Plus - MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Euribia. These are large modern liners with covered promenade areas, numerous restaurants, bars, and tech-oriented entertainment.

• Seaside and Seaside EVO - MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore and MSC Seascape. Their architecture is designed around enjoying the sea: open decks, panoramic areas, pools, and open-air space.

• World Class - MSC World Europa, MSC World America and MSC World Asia. These are the company’s largest and most technologically advanced ships, with a large number of areas, restaurants, pools, family spaces, and cabin categories.

The difference between generations is noticeable. Older, more compact ships are generally simpler in terms of infrastructure, while Meraviglia, Seaside, and World Class offer more restaurants, water attractions, digital services, and accommodation options. That’s why when choosing a cruise, it’s important to compare not only the itinerary and price, but also the specific ship.

On compatible ships, the MSC for Me ecosystem is available: a mobile app helps you view the day’s program, book entertainment, get information about your onboard account, and navigate around the ship. The set of functions varies depending on the ship.

New MSC Cruises ships are equipped with more energy-efficient systems, the possibility to connect to shore power, and modern water purification and waste handling equipment. World Class ships use liquefied natural gas. This reduces the volume of harmful emissions compared to traditional ship fuel, but it does not make the cruise completely zero-carbon. The company’s strategic goal is to achieve zero net emissions in maritime operations by 2050.

Main destinations of MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises operates sailings to more than 250 destinations. The main sailing regions include:

• Western and Eastern Mediterranean;

• Northern Europe, Norwegian fjords, and the Baltic;

• Canary Islands and Madeira;

• Caribbean basin and the Antilles;

• Bahamas, including the private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve;

• Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and other ports of the Persian Gulf;

• North America, Canada, and New England;

• South America;

• South Africa;

• Asia;

• Transatlantic and other MSC Grand Voyages;

• Round-the-world cruises.

The company is also expanding its route network: MSC Poesia offers seasonal sailings to Alaska from Seattle, and the start of MSC World Asia cruises in the Western Mediterranean is planned for December 2026.

For Ukrainian travelers, cruises departing from European ports are usually the most convenient: Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples, Messina, Venice-Marghera, Hamburg, Kiel, and Copenhagen. The best port should be chosen based on the cost of flights or the land route, arrival times, and document requirements across the entire itinerary.

Cabins and service levels

MSC Cruises ships feature several main cabin types:

• Inside cabins - no window; as a rule, the most affordable option;

• Cabins with a window - with a sea view; in some categories, the view may be limited;

• Balcony cabins - with private outdoor space; on newer ships, there are also cabins with views of the inner promenade;

• Suites - more spacious cabins with additional benefits depending on the category;

• MSC Yacht Club - premium suites with access to private areas and enhanced service.

Many ships offer connecting and family cabins, as well as options for three, four, and more passengers. Their capacity and layout depend on the particular ship. For a family, it’s important to check not only the number of sleeping berths, but also the size, location, type of extra beds, the availability of a balcony, and the distance to kids’ areas.

Cabin type should not be confused with service level. MSC Cruises offers the following main formats:

• Bella Experience - the most cost-effective option with a guaranteed cabin: the passenger chooses the type, while the cabin number and location are determined by MSC Cruises closer to departure. A cabin with a limited view or not the most convenient location may be assigned.

• Fantastica Experience - allows you to choose a specific cabin and its location, and also includes additional flexibility and a range of service benefits.

• Aurea Experience - includes Fantastica benefits, access to the thermal area with prior booking, flexible dining time, a welcome kit, and access to a private adult solarium.

• MSC Yacht Club - the “ship within a ship” concept with a private restaurant, lounge, pool, and sun deck, priority boarding, 24/7 butler and concierge services, a drinks package and Wi-Fi. MSC Yacht Club is available on not all ships.

The exact list of benefits may differ depending on the ship, itinerary, date, and booking market. Before payment, you must check the conditions specifically in the confirmation for the selected cruise.

Holidays with children

MSC Cruises remains one of the most prominent family cruise companies. On board, free children’s and teen clubs operate by age groups:

• Mini Club - from 3 to 6 years;

• Juniors Club - from 7 to 11 years;

• Young Club - from 12 to 14 years;

• Teens Club - from 15 to 17 years.

For younger children, MSC Babytime and MSC Babycare programs are available. The participation format, minimum age, and the possibility to leave your child with club staff depend on the specific program. Most standard club activities are free, but certain additional services, extended care, meals with entertainers on certain days, and some attractions may be charged extra.

On modern ships, there are family play areas, water parks, water slides, sports courts, and interactive entertainment. Their range depends on the ship: compact MSC Lirica and the megaship MSC World America offer a fundamentally different scale of family infrastructure.

The claim that all children always travel for free is not true. Promotions like Kids Sail Free apply only on certain sailings and under specific conditions. Even if the child’s cruise fare is zero, port charges, insurance, transfers, service charges, and other mandatory payments may still apply. The final cost must be calculated for the specific family group.

Entertainment onboard

MSC Cruises’ onboard program combines theatrical productions, live music, parties, dancing, quizzes, sports events, and family entertainment. Theatrical shows and the main entertainment schedule are typically included in the cruise price.

Depending on the ship, passengers may have access to:

• theaters, concert venues, clubs, and karaoke;

• pools, jacuzzis, water parks, and water slides;

• gyms, running tracks, and sports facilities;

• rope courses and zip lines;

• bowling, “Formula-1” simulators, VR games, and interactive attractions;

• casinos and slot machines for adult passengers;

• shops, photo services, beauty salons, and MSC Aurea Spa.

Some attractions are paid or require prior booking. Age, height, or weight restrictions may also apply. If any entertainment option is crucial, you should check its availability on the specific ship’s page.

Restaurants and dining

The base price of an MSC Cruises cruise includes full board. Passengers can dine in the buffet and at the main restaurants. The buffet usually offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late snacks, while dinner at the main restaurant is served à la carte.

Dining times and formats depend on the selected service level and availability:

• traditional early or late seating with a fixed time;

• Dine on Your Time for some Bella and Fantastica bookings-visit within the established hours if there is availability;

• My Choice Dining for Aurea-guaranteed flexible time within the restaurant’s opening hours.

On most ships, there are also specialty restaurants for an additional fee: steakhouse, sushi bars, teppanyaki, fish, French, Mexican, and other venues. The number and concepts of restaurants depend on the ship. Visits can be paid separately or you can purchase a restaurant package.

Separate menus are available for children. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are offered in the main venues. Any allergies, celiac disease, kosher, halal, or other special diets must be reported when booking or within the time specified by MSC Cruises before departure.

Drinks and drinks packages

The base fare usually includes drinks from the self-service machines in the buffet during its opening hours: water, standard tea, and coffee. Bottled water, specialty coffee, juices, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages are paid separately unless you purchase a package.

MSC Cruises offers alcohol packages, an “Alcohol-Free Package,” and a “Minors Package.” Names, prices, limits, and the list of included drinks depend on the region and the terms of the specific sailing. Alcohol packages have age restrictions and a daily limit; typically, all adult passengers in the same cabin must choose a compatible package.

The service charge for drinks is already included in the price of a package purchased in advance. Tips are automatically added to separate bar purchases: the amount depends on the sailing region. Buying a package before departure is usually more beneficial, but before paying, you should compare the package price with your actual expected consumption.

Shore excursions

MSC Cruises shore excursions are paid separately. You can book them before the cruise starts or onboard if places are still available. Pre-booking is especially important for popular tours and itineraries with a limited number of participants.

Standard excursion languages are English, Italian, German, French, and Spanish; in South America, Portuguese may also be used. Whether a tour runs in a specific language depends on the availability of a guide and sufficient participant numbers. Ukrainian and Russian are not guaranteed.

Children under 2 years old usually participate for free, and children from 3 to 13 years may receive a discount of up to 30% off the adult price. Terms for individual excursions may vary. You should clarify the program, transport, meals, physical activity level, and document requirements before payment.

Service languages

On board, MSC Cruises uses six main languages: English, Italian, German, French, Spanish, and a Brazilian Portuguese variant. The order of announcements and availability of materials depend on the passenger mix and the sailing region.

Permanent presence of a Ukrainian-language or Russian-language representative, translation of menus or excursions into the corresponding language are not guaranteed parts of the cruise. Ukrainian passengers should primarily rely on English or another of the six main languages. Cruise-Life provides consultation in Ukrainian when choosing and booking a cruise and helps you understand the travel conditions in advance.

Currency and onboard payments

After boarding, all purchases are recorded to the passenger’s onboard account. You can link a bank card to it or deposit cash.

The account currency depends on the itinerary:

• euro - mainly in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Canary Islands, the Persian Gulf, and on part of transatlantic sailings departing from Europe;

• US dollar - in the Caribbean basin, North and South America, South Africa, and Asia;

• British pound - on cruises departing from Southampton.

Before traveling, it’s worth checking the currency of the specific sailing and the bank’s conversion conditions. Cash onboard is not used for each individual purchase: payment is processed via the cruise card and the overall onboard account.

Internet and Wi‑Fi

Wi-Fi is available on all MSC Cruises ships in public areas and in most cabins. Gigabyte-based paid packages are no longer used: the company offers two main formats:

• Browse Package - messengers, websites, email, and image sharing without video calls and streaming;

• Browse & Stream Package - additionally supports video calls, streaming video and music, as well as posting video on social networks.

Both packages offer unlimited data within fair use policy and 24/7 access. The package is purchased for a specific number of devices. The cost depends on the cruise duration, itinerary, package type, and the number of devices.

Internet at sea works via a satellite channel, so speed and stability may be lower than with terrestrial connections. Interference due to weather conditions, terrain near the port, the ship’s location, and high network load is possible.

Smoking on MSC Cruises ships

Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited in cabins, on cabin balconies, and in all areas not designated as smoking areas. Smoking is allowed only in specially designated places; on some ships, the exception applies in the casino during its opening hours for gaming guests.

For violations, MSC Cruises may charge an additional fee, and repeated non-compliance with the rules may lead to passenger disembarkation. You must also separately check the rules of the countries on the itinerary: in some countries, importing or using vapes and e-cigarettes is prohibited.

Service charges and other additional expenses

In addition to the cruise cost, you should consider the mandatory hotel service charge. Its amount depends on the region, passenger age, MSC Yacht Club category, and the booking date. In some offers, the fee is already included or paid in advance; in others, it is charged to the onboard account. The current amount should be checked in the calculation for the specific cruise.

Possible additional expenses also include:

• drinks packages or individual drinks;

• Wi-Fi;

• specialty restaurants;

• shore excursions;

• SPA treatments and beauty salon;

• paid attractions and slot machines;

• casino;

• photos;

• laundry;

• transfers, flights, hotels, and insurance;

• local tourist or passenger fees in certain ports.

To compare two cruises correctly, look not only at the starting cabin price, but also at the full travel budget for all passengers.

Additional packages and services

Before departure, you can order drinks packages, Wi‑Fi, specialty restaurants, excursions, SPA, entertainment, photo services, and other add-ons. Often, buying in advance is cheaper than arranging onboard.

There is no universal rule like “order no later than 14 days before.” Timing, availability, and prices depend on the service and the specific booking. You should check them in your MSC Cruises personal account, in the MSC for Me app, or through a Cruise-Life manager.

Who MSC Cruises is suitable for

MSC Cruises is worth considering if you:

• travel with children and are looking for a well-developed family infrastructure;

• want a wide choice of itineraries from European ports;

• value an energetic international atmosphere, shows, and entertainment;

• want to choose between an affordable inside cabin, a balcony cabin, a suite, or the premium MSC Yacht Club;

• are ready to decide in advance on drinks packages, Wi‑Fi, and other additional services.

The company may not be a good fit for those looking for a small ship with an intimate atmosphere, expecting drinks and excursions to be fully included in the price, or needing guaranteed Ukrainian-language assistance directly onboard.

How to book an MSC Cruises cruise with Cruise-Life

Cruise-Life will help you find an MSC Cruises cruise that matches your travel dates, budget, family group, and desired region. During selection, we will compare itineraries and ships, explain the difference between Bella, Fantastica, Aurea, and MSC Yacht Club cabin types and service levels, and calculate mandatory and additional expenses.

Before booking, it’s important to check:

1. the full itinerary and embarkation and disembarkation ports;

2. passport, visa, and transit requirements for each passenger;

3. the cabin number or cabin type, its location, and any possible limited view;

4. payment terms, changes, and cancellation conditions;

5. whether the service charge is included in the price;

6. the need for drinks, Wi-Fi, excursions, transfers, and insurance.

Current sailings, cabin availability, and prices change in real time. Choose your preferred MSC Cruises cruise on Cruise-Life or contact the manager for consultation in Ukrainian.

Recommended for

Family and youth vacations, holidays with children, and fans of active leisure.

Features

- the youngest cruise fleet;
- an excellent value-for-money combination;
- separate VIP areas of MSC Yacht Club designed for discerning guests who value comfort and a high level of service with butler services, separate bars, restaurants, and a private pool;
- cruises on MSC Cruises ships are ideal for vacations with children. On board, children’s clubs are organized by age group. And children under 18 traveling in a cabin with two adults travel for free (paying only port charges);
- many Russian-speaking staff members are onboard;
- Italian cuisine is offered in the best traditions;

Tips

Tips are paid onboard and automatically included in the final bill.

Tip amount:

Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Antilles, Canary Islands, and the Emirates:
- adults (12 years and older): 10 euros per day
- children (2 - 11 years): 5 euros per day
- children (0 - 2): no charge

South America, Caribbean islands:
- adults (12 years and older): $ 12.5 US dollars per night
- children (2 - 11 years): $ 6.25 US dollars per night
- children (0 - 2 years): no charge

Loyalty Program - MSC Cruises

Special onboard fares and discounts:
- children under 18 in a cabin with two adults on most cruises travel for free, paying only port fees;
- connecting cabins for families with children under 18 years old (special price for the second cabin for children);
- tandem (1 adult + up to 3 children under 18), where children in the cabin travel with a discount of up to 60%;
- youth fare - discounts from 10 to 20% depending on the cabin for accommodation in one cabin for guests up to 29 years old;
- 65+ fare, which provides additional discounts of 10 to 20% for guests aged 65 and above.

Dress code - MSC Cruises

The cruise company recommends having three types of clothing during the trip:
- everyday wear for rest and sports activities (casual);
- clothing and shoes for excursions depending on the season and the route’s features (sport and casual);
- elegant clothing for evening visits to restaurants and evening events: shows, casinos, clubs, bars (smart casual "more strict" and formal "strict");

During formal evenings, cocktail dresses for women and tie suits for men are welcome.

Cancellation policy - MSC Cruises

When booking a cruise online, no penalties arise, as the booking is considered an application!

The booking is automatically cancelled if the order is not confirmed with payment by the client.

In the event of cancellation of the booking or refusal to book, or when changes are made to information contained in the confirmed booking, a penalty is withheld from the payment/prepayment amount.

Cancellation conditions for the cruise company MSC Cruises:

Penalties for cruises with a duration of less than 15 nights

Penalties for cruises with a duration of more than 15 nights

Name change conditions in the booking for the cruise company MSC Cruises:

A request to change the name in the booking may be submitted 5 days before departure, provided that the minimum fee for document processing in the amount of 50 euros per person is paid. A name change request submitted 3 days before departure will be considered an order cancellation, and in this case a fee will be charged according to the above cancellation conditions for the cruise company MSC Cruises. If the requested change involves printing new cruise tickets, together with the above-mentioned costs, an additional 25 euros per cabin will need to be paid to cover the additional expenses.

Age restrictions - MSC Cruises

Age requirements of the cruise company MSC cruises

Minor children (under 21 years): any passenger under 21 years must be accompanied by parents/guardians or by an accompanying person over 21 years old who lives in the same or adjacent cabin and bears full responsibility for minor passengers.

Infants:
- to take the cruise, children must be at least 6 months old by the start date of the cruise;
- to take Transatlantic cruises, cruises in the Indian Ocean and the Arctic, and any cruise lasting 15 days or more, children must be more than 12 months old on the day the cruise begins;
- all children (from 6 months to 18 years) must have their own personal international passports.