MSC Cruises is an award-winning, great-value cruise line with a high-standard, modern fleet featuring the personal attention and friendliness of an international crew, together with world-famous authentic Italian hospitality. With a full range of activities for guests of all ages, MSC is perfect for singles and couples, as well as being ideal for family cruises thanks to great onboard entertainment tailored to kids. What's more, with a fleet ranging in size from under 2000 to over 6000 guests, whether you prefer a bustling ship with loads of new people to meet or something a little calmer, there is an MSC cruise ship for you.
30 September 2023
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One of the best things about Mediterranean-style cruising is that you can enjoy all of the culinary treasures associated with Italy and her neighbouring countries while at sea. The fantastic food available onboard MSC Cruises' magnificent fleet is a huge cruise holiday highlight. Meals are included in the cost of your cruise and you have the opportunity to enjoy gourmet speciality dining at a supplement.
MSC Cruises offer three flexible dining styles to choose from:
MSC Cruises' main dining venues range from laid back restaurant (open 20 hours a day) to classic and contemporary formal dining with waiter service and set dining times. Poolside snacks, room service, and takeaway-style foods are also available. You'll find expertly prepared Mediterranean and international fare from MSC's skilled chefs in a range of venues onboard.
MSC Yacht Club provides an exclusive haven onboard MSC Cruises Fantasia Class ships. The 'ship within a ship' experience offers luxurious gourmet dining and a private sun deck.
Each ship features speciality dining venues where you can enjoy quality, gourmet dining for a fee. Sample a varied selection of cuisines including International, authentic Italian, sensational Japanese, Asian fusion and even Tex Mex. Sweet treats including delicious pastries accompanied by excellent Italian espresso or cappuccino can also be enjoyed across the MSC Cruises fleet.
Don't worry if you don't speak Italian – menus and wine lists are also printed in English and the crew are English speaking. But by all means, feel free to experiment with your Italian pronunciations!
Speciality dining venues featured on MSC Cruises ships include:
MSC Cruises offers a comprehensive 24/7 room service, bringing all its delicious dining and best bites straight to your stateroom or suite. Pizza delivery is a must for a cosy night in. Small additional room service fees may apply.
All guests are treated equally with MSC Cruises and special dietary requirements are carefully considered throughout the fleet. Gluten-Free menus are available from breakfast through to dinner. Vegetarian options and pre-prepared Kosher meals are also available.
MSC Cruise ships have everything you need to make your evenings onboard just as memorable as your time spent on shore excursions.
On select ships, guests have the unique opportunity to experience the magic of Cirque du Soleil at sea. There are also original, Broadway-style productions available on all MSC ships, meaning that you don’t have to go all the way to New York to experience the wonders of the theatre.
There are lots of ways to celebrate during your cruise. The popular Sailaway Party out on deck is always a hit with guests of all ages, while the white party is an excellent occasion to dress up and enjoy a special live performance from the ship’s own theatre cast.
With so many bars to choose from on an MSC Cruise, you can find your favourite spot or go somewhere different every evening. Whether you’re looking for a lively atmosphere, sophisticated cocktails or a laid back pint of beer, there’s somewhere for you.
If you’d like to step up the romance of your evening drink, why not head to one of the outdoor bars where you can sip on your drink and take in the stunning views and breathtaking sunsets.
With MSC Cruises there are plenty of stimulating activities onboard for children, including a fun-packed club at sea designed especially just for them. The clubroom contains a wide range of fun and games, so there’s never a dull moment for any child on an MSC Cruise. MSC staff will be on hand to entertain your children from 9 in the morning until 10 in the evening.
Children are welcome to participate in the clubs and areas designed for their specific age range. The children are divided up into appropriate age groups to make sure they have the best time possible, with friends of similar ages.
MSC Cruises have teamed up with The LEGO Group as one of their entertainment partners. Colourful play areas are onboard to keep any child entertained from 3- 11 years of age, where activities are organised such as team games and LEGO Vertical Play Wall challenges. 7 - 11-year-olds will love the LEGO Tech Experience, where they can free play LEGO games on gaming technology. Once every cruise, the LEGO Experience Onboard entertainment event is hosted where there are special parades, shows and the opportunity for children to become a Junior LEGO Master Builder.
Kids and families are well catered for on MSC Cruises ships with plenty of tasty options to choose from for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dedicated children's menus have been carefully curated so that mini cruisers can enjoy the international cuisine on offer. Fun Time Dinners and Generation Dinners for kids and teens are organised by the entertainment staff to give parents a bit of a break and the Happy Dinners scheme offers a speedy dining service which escorts kids to the Miniclub when they have finished eating. Find out more about MSC Cruises' childcare.
MSC Cruises leave no corner of the world unexplored. Offering fly-cruises to the Mediterranean, the Canaries, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, you can discover some of the most incredible destinations the planet has to offer in ease, comfort and style.
What's more, MSC even has its own exclusive Bahamian destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, allowing guests the unique opportunity to connect with nature and relax in an eco-friendly environment. During your time on this slice of paradise, you'll be spoilt for choice for things to see and do. Bursting with soft white sand, vibrant green palm trees and glistening lagoons, this island lets guests lay back and relax, enjoy delicious cuisine and soak up the sunshine. However, if you're not quite content with lounging about all day, you can also try your hand at snorkelling and kayaking, amongst other watersports.
The cruise line can supply flight and cruise packages from Gatwick, Heathrow, and Manchester airports, making your holiday as stress free as possible.
MSC Cruises have a wide selection of different shore excursions available. Varying in duration and destination, there is a shore excursion for everyone regardless of your preferences. For example, if you’re looking for one that includes the chance to get close to nature and wildlife, MSC Cruises’ “Protectours” are perfect.
Featuring local wildlife expert guides and a huge selection of experiences around the world, these excursions aim to be both environmentally and ecologically sustainable. If you ever wanted to see how you can give back and help save baby sea turtles in the Caribbean, ride horseback in Iceland or discover how the bee population in Corfu can thrive, these extraordinary excursions are bound to impress!
MSC Cruises like to make sure that their guests make the most out of their holiday experience, and what better way to do so that by taking advantage of the fantastic spa, beauty and fitness facilities available on every ship. Boasting the popular MSC Aurea Spa, Medi Spa Centers, a thermal area, beauty and hair salons and barber shops, every guest can leave feeling relaxed and pampered.
In addition, there are plenty of ways to stay fit and active. Whether you’re up for some competition with a five-a-side football match or a turn on the squash or tennis courts, or you’d rather have a more intensive workout at the well-equipped gym, there’s an exercise spot for everyone. If you’d prefer something a little more leisurely, there’s even a minigolf course and a power walking track where you can get in your daily steps while you take in the incredible ocean views.
When it comes to activities out on deck, MSC Cruise ships have lots to offer. The swimming pools are always a popular choice for taking a refreshing dip or lounging about in the sun, while the waterpark is a winner amongst the younger guests. For thrill seekers, some ships even boast the Himalayan Bridge, an 80m sky walk suspended 60m over the sea, or even a zip line.
Inside the ship is just as fun as the decks, with everything from bowling, to cinemas to an arcade. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities such as clothes shops, an art gallery and duty free shops where you can pick up all your favourite brands at unbeatable prices.
To say thank you to all those who put their life on the line to help us during the coronavirus outbreak, MSC are offering a discount of up to 50% on cruise fares for healthcare workers and their families. Those eligible are NHS and private health workers, front line and back office workers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and those working in research labs. Available on MSC sailings departing until the end of 2021 which have been booked before 30th April 2021, browse MSC's Thank You Discounts and book the holiday of your dreams at a fantastic price as a reward for all your hard work.
Coronavirus proved to be a challenging time for the cruise industry, but MSC Grandiosa forged a path in safely returning to service. Read our blog about MSC Cruises return to the seas to find out more.
Upgrade your cruise holiday with MSC by treating yourself to a stay in one of their many suites. Whether you're travelling alone, as a family or on a romantic getaway with your partner, you're sure to find a room which perfectly matches the level of luxury you're looking for. Favourite suites include:
MSC guests also get exclusive member benefits and loyalty rewards by joining the MSC Voyagers Club after their first sailing. This scheme is ideal for anyone who loves cruising with MSC Cruises because the more you times you cruise, the more MSC Voyagers Club points you can accrue - which means more benefits to enjoy.
Alternatively, if you’ve never sailed with MSC Cruises before, but are a past passenger of other cruise lines, MSC offers an extra 5% discount on your first cruise as part of their MSC Status Match programme. This can be combined with many hotel loyalty schemes.
Some MSC cruise ships feature a stunning exclusive area of pure luxury known as MSC Yacht Club. Here, there are spacious suites, in which guests can enjoy a 24-hour butler and concierge service, a fully stocked complimentary mini-bar, priority boarding, as well as all-inclusive food and drink. There is also an exclusive lounge, restaurant, and pool area known as The One Sun Deck and Top Sail Lounge. This area is located on Deck 15 and 16 forward, the most prestigious part of the ship, offering stunning all-round views. A private lift to the marvellous MSC Aurea Spa and personal tailored shopping packages finish off this superb luxury cruising experience. Enjoy all this and more including complimentary drinks throughout the MSC Yacht Club area.
MSC for Me is an innovative digital experience that can be enjoyed onboard MSC’s Meraviglia and Seaside Class ships. Fuelled by technology and inspired by people, MSC for Me provides guests with five services meticulously tailored to enhance the onboard experience.
MSC for Me features include:
The nature of our fast-paced world means technology is becoming both more important and more advanced. MSC Cruises have long advocated the use of the latest technology, and in keeping with this have announced the arrival of their new voice-controlled personal assistant – ZOE. This small piece of equipment is fitted in cabins on MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa, and all future cruise ships in the fleet, and offers guests a mine of information regarding all aspects of their cruise. Simply say, ‘OK Zoe’, ask your question, and find out answers about cruise services or get guidance with booking an onboard service. ZOE is also paired up to your cabin TV and can be connected to your smartphone to enable listening to your own music or podcasts.
As of 2nd April 2019 MSC Cruises have changed their gratuities policy so the cost is included in the cruise fare. This means that there is no need to take the cost of tips into account when budgeting for your MSC Cruise.
Bringing guests closer to the most idyllic holiday imaginable, MSC Cruises have collaborated with beloved American homemaker, Martha Stewart. Martha has helped design some thrilling excursions, delicious onboard meals and some surprise gift packages. She says her partnership with MSC embodies the true celebratory nature of travel, exploration and discovery, offering passengers the chance to get closer to some glorious destinations in the Caribbean. Onshore experiences include tastings, cooking classes, ocean horse riding, garden tours, and lessons from local fishermen to name a few. Martha's additions are first available on MSC Seaside, and then MSC Armonia, MSC Divina, and MSC Meraviglia.
The most incredible ship and crew! Only unique quirk I noticed was that passengers are picked up at ports. The tanoy also gives out announcements in five languages which takes some getting used to. Iglu Cruises booking and admin were excellent and the staff were very helpful.
Excellent in all respects!
Great cruise in every way.
Clean and comfortable cabin. Food and service are well above standard and staff are polite.
Cabins onboard MSC Cruises' ships are fitted with the standard two-pin European sockets, so you will need to bring adaptors to use your own electrical equipment such as chargers and hair straighteners if you have UK-standard cables.
MSC Cruise ships offer plenty of onboard activities and entertainment, much of which is included in your cruise fare. Features you'll have to pay for include the Cirque du Soleil shows, Arcade Games, Bowling, Zip-Line, 4D Cinema, Casino and the F1 Simulator.
Tips/gratuities with MSC Cruises are now included in the price of the cruise fare.
Yes, MSC Cruises offer kid's clubs for all ages. MSC Miniclub caters for 3-6 year olds, the Juniors Club for 7-11 year olds, the Young Club for 12-14 year olds and the Teens Club for 15-17 year olds.
MSC Cruises strive to accommodate the needs of all passengers. In order to help them do this it is important to bring attention to any special needs at least two working days before departure - preferably at the time of booking. Simply state any concerns or requirements at the time of booking and we will send you MSC's Special Needs Form to be completed and sent back to us. Once this is done, we will pass the information on to the cruise line. Accessible cabins are available on all ships, there are signs in Braille on selected ships, TDD System kits are available for those with hearing impairments, and service animals with all required travel documents are allowed onboard.
Guests with dietary requirements are advised to inform their cruise consultant when booking. Here they will be asked to complete MSC's Special Needs Form to be sent on to the cruise line. It's a good idea to reiterate needs at reception when onboard, and mention to the Maitre d' when ordering.
Tea and coffee is usually available on sailings departing from the UK, and there is a selection in the buffet which you can help yourself to on all sailings.
If your cruise includes a stop in North America, no alcohol will be served to guests under the age of 21. On all other itineraries the age limit for alcohol consumption is 18.
24-hour room service is available to all guests, however those booking the Bella Experience will incur additional charges. It's possible to order from a broad menu of food at any time of day, including freshly-baked pizzas or romantic dishes such as strawberries dipped in chocolate.
No, but there is a restaurant open 20-hours per day.
MSC BabyCare Service is available for 1-3 year olds, between the hours of 1-2pm and 6-7pm. This enables parents to enjoy a lunch or dinner date, or simply some time to relax knowing that their children are in the care of attentive and qualified staff.
There are no specified facilities for children that have special needs, however MSC Cruises welcome all kids to join in the fun onboard. The dedicated crew will do their best to support children as much as possible but cannot offer one-on-one attention.
There are children's menus available in the main restaurants which have been carefully tailored to provide variety as well as nutrition. There is also a kid's corner where you can choose as much or as little as you want of each item.
There is a substantial amount of baby equipment available onboard, such as prams and baby backpack carriers, which can be booked at the Mini Club, high-chairs in the buffet and main restaurant, and bottle warmers in various locations across the ships.
There are no kids-only pools onboard but children are welcome in pools aside from the adult-only ones, as long as they are properly toilet trained and no longer wearing nappies. The Waterpark onboard MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, and MSC Meraviglia is especially child friendly.
