MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises belongs to the Aponte family’s MSC Group, which runs the world’s largest container shipping company. The group entered cruising in the late 1980s, and since the 2000s MSC has grown at remarkable speed, building one class of ships after another. It is now one of the largest cruise lines in the world and Europe’s market leader, with a strong and growing presence in the United States.

The fleet of around two dozen ships is grouped into classes. The World series, led by MSC World Europa and MSC World America (which sails from Miami), is the biggest and most modern, built around a central World Promenade and powered by LNG. The Meraviglia class, including MSC Meraviglia, Bellissima, Grandiosa, Virtuosa and Euribia, features the Galleria, an indoor promenade under an LED sky dome. The Seaside class (MSC Seaside, Seaview, Seashore and Seascape) was designed for warm-weather cruising with outdoor promenades close to the sea. The Fantasia, Musica and Lirica classes are older, smaller ships that often sail longer or more port-intensive routes, and MSC Poesia brought the line to Alaska from Seattle in 2026.

In the US, MSC focuses on Caribbean and Bahamas sailings from Miami, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston and New Orleans, plus Bermuda and Canada from New York. In Europe it is a Mediterranean and Northern Europe powerhouse.

MSC feels stylish, modern and a little more continental than American lines, with Swarovski crystal staircases, marble and Italian design. On US sailings, most guests are North American families and couples; in Europe, expect a genuinely international mix with announcements in several languages and many Italian, German, French and Spanish passengers. Dinner is usually at set seating times in the main dining rooms. The dress code is casual by day and smart casual at night, with one or two optional elegant nights per week. Ships are large and busy, carrying from about 2,000 guests on the older classes to more than 6,000 on the World ships. The MSC Yacht Club, a private ship-within-a-ship, delivers a quieter, butler-served experience for those who pay for it.

Main dining rooms serve Italian-leaning, multi-course menus at set seating times, and the Marketplace buffet is large, with good pizza, pasta and gelato. Quality in the included venues is decent but varies by ship and itinerary. Specialty restaurants cost extra and are generally well rated: Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Kaito Sushi Bar and Teppanyaki, and Hola! Tacos & Cantina on many newer ships, with more venues on the World ships. Specialty dining packages bundle several meals at a discount. In the Yacht Club, guests have a private restaurant with à la carte dining and dedicated service.

Production shows in the main theater are polished, with a focus on dance, acrobatics and music rather than story-driven musicals. Meraviglia-class ships host lively nights in the Galleria, and the World ships fill the World Promenade with events, bars and live music. Daytime offerings include water parks, sports courts, bowling, F1 simulators and the Cliffhanger and dry slides on the World ships. Casinos are large, and the nightlife runs late, especially in Europe.

Kids clubs are divided by age, from babies and toddlers up to teens 15 to 17, and MSC partners with LEGO for themed activities and play spaces. Many sailings let children under a certain age sail free when sharing a cabin with two adults, though they pay port fees and taxes. Family cabins and connecting cabins are plentiful on newer ships.

Cabins are modern and well designed, from compact interiors to balcony staterooms and suites. MSC sells cabins under fare levels (Bella, Fantastica and Aurea, plus Yacht Club) that add perks such as cabin location choice, room service or drinks packages rather than changing the cabin itself. The Yacht Club suites, from deluxe suites to the Royal Suite, include butler service, priority boarding and access to the Top Sail Lounge and private pool deck.

Drinks are extra unless your fare level includes them. Packages typically include Easy (house drinks and soft drinks), Easy Plus (adds more brands and specialty coffee) and Premium Extra (premium spirits and wines). Aurea and Yacht Club fares bundle a drinks package. Water, tea and coffee are available at the buffet, though bottled water is often charged at dining tables.

On sailings in North America and the Caribbean, MSC adds a daily service charge per guest automatically to your onboard account, with a higher rate for some cabins. A service charge is also added to bar purchases and drink packages. Policies differ by market and region, so check the service charge for your departure port.

MSC Voyagers Club awards points for nights sailed and onboard spending, with bonuses by fare level. Tiers climb from Welcome and Classic through Silver and Gold to Diamond, with an even higher Blue Diamond level. MSC is known for generous status matches from other lines.