The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises ships and itineraries

On a two week cruise everything is repeated the second week, but I guess that keeps the cost down. Far more similarities to other cruise lines than differences. I think most of these lines have settled into the recipe that works and they are almost the same. A few differences, but really not that many, in my opinion. We are thinking of a cruise on MSC but need some input from some seasoned travelers. How does MSC compare with Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, etc.

MSC Seaside is beautiful ship and I…

I thoroughly enjoyed my cobb salad, but my beef burrito was build-your-own style, and it was largely flavorless. There's at least one bar in every public space, so you won't have to go far to whet your whistle. Overall, I found my Yacht Club experience to be a great way to escape when other areas of the ship felt overwhelming, which they often did. Cabin bathrooms in the Yacht Club are stocked with MSC's own brand of toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, bar soap, a shower cap and sewing kit. Fluffy white towels and elevated fixtures like marble countertops and floors and showers with both standard and rainfall showerheads add to the air of elegance. My cabin came with a pillow menu, which I only discovered after two nights of neck pain, thanks to mismatched pillows.

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Consequently, MSC Cruises’ seasonal route variations present a compelling option for those seeking to tailor their vacation experiences to specific times of the year. Moving on to the ‘Diverse Itinerary Selection’ offered by MSC Cruises, it is notable that their global destination range spans over 100 countries, accommodating a broad spectrum of cultural and leisure interests. Seasonal route variations enable travelers to explore destinations at the ideal times of year, enhancing the travel experience. We were supposed to leave for our cruise in 16 days but a family member has just been diagnosed with cancer and we are unable to go now. When we called to cancel or they kept $900 out of the $1200 we paid, including our drinking package. We will never cruise with MSC again and I will make sure I tell everyone I can about this, every chance I get.

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With a total capacity for 4,363 passengers, MSC Cruises offers a good choice of accommodation options for everyone from budget-conscious families to couples who want to splurge with a stay in the exclusive Yacht Club. The cabins are designed to cater to different budgets and preferences, ensuring that every passenger can find a suitable accommodation option. We were on the Seaside, our first MSC cruise, in December and had a great time.

On the line's recently unveiled MSC Euribia, for instance, there are nearly a dozen distinct eateries, as well as a number of bars and lounges that serve at least small bites. MSC Seashore has five specialty restaurants that feature waterfront, outdoor seating on the ship's boardwalk. While a few of MSC Cruises' smallest ships have relatively limited dining venues, many of the line's vessels offer a wide range of choices. The demographic profile of MSC Cruises ships can be markedly different depending on where the vessels are based.

Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service. Drink Package OptionsMost cruise lines have a single drink package… or maybe a regular package and a high-end package. Meanwhile, they all have one thing in common — they are pricey. Most drink packages start around $60 per day and go up from there.

Nick's experience cruising MSC Seaside in the Caribbean: Very good overall - Frequent Miler

Nick's experience cruising MSC Seaside in the Caribbean: Very good overall.

Posted: Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

MSC Cruises distinguishes itself through an expansive global destination range, offering voyages to over 100 countries that encompass a broad spectrum of cultural experiences, natural wonders, and historical sites. With a fleet of 22 ships, passengers have the luxury of choosing from a wide variety of destinations and cabin options, ensuring a tailored cruise experience that aligns with their preferences and budgets. Why opt for an extravagant vacation when MSC Cruises provides affordable cruise options without compromising on quality or experience?

For foodies and people who find the food experience on a cruise to be a priority, they may find what MSC calls “specialty” or “premium” dining lacks quite a bit. While it’s not BAD, it just doesn’t live up to the other major cruise lines when it comes to premium dining. Many people consider food to be a significant factor in their cruise experience.

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Because of World Europa's design, the ship also features four balcony cabin categories with a view of its interior promenade, similar to Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships. When Icon of the Seas debuts in early 2024, it will offer 28 different cabin and suite categories, including 14 completely new room types. This ship was designed with families in mind, and 80% of its staterooms will be able to be connected or offer enough space to accommodate larger families.

MSC Cruises is known for some of the most affordable ships at sea. It's not uncommon to find MSC Cruises voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas from under $75 per person, per night, including all taxes and fees — at least in the offseason. For a sailing of under five nights, for instance, your earnings would range from 200 to 800 points depending on the experience you book.

Passengers might choose to wear tuxedos, suits, khakis with button-downs and blazers, cocktail dresses or sparkly ball gowns. You must be 21 to consume alcohol on MSC Meraviglia's sailings from the U.S. Expect to pay about $72 for one device with unlimited data on a basic package. If streaming video is what you're hoping to do, you'll need one of the more expensive plans, which range from about $100 to more than $300. A couple of 11-night Western Caribbean voyages visit Port Canaveral (the port for Orlando) and Miami in Florida, Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico and Ocean Cay.

I noticed over the course of my cruise I didn’t like my selections in the buffet as much as I have on other cruise lines. Along with always ordering two desserts on a cruise every daya, I also will have pizza every single night. For my main course I decided to order the new york strip steak.

Although my cruise with MSC was far from perfect, I felt like the reviews were a bit exaggerated. The price for things onboard was reasonable and while many reviewers claimed that the crew members on board didn’t provide good service, I would disagree according to my personal experience. With the even pricier "Aurea" experience, you'll get complimentary access to the spa's thermal area, priority boarding and other perks. The Aurea experience also comes with access to My Choice dining and an exclusive sun deck area that on many ships features an exclusive bar and hot tubs. One step up is the more expensive "Fantastica" experience, which adds room service and breakfast delivered to your cabin, priority choice of dinner sittings, access to additional kids activities and classes, and more.

If you're sure MSC Cruises is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who knows all about the line's various cabin categories and, preferably, has done ship inspections to see them firsthand. Note that if you book the Bella experience, you cannot select a specific cabin.

I do, however, understand that there are some people who place so much importance on a particular aspect that it makes or breaks a cruise. In my opinion, you first must decide which factors on a cruise are most important to you, investigate each one, and then make your own decision. If your standard is how one particular line does something and are disappointed if another cruiseline does it differently, then you likely could find MSC not to your suiting. Although our experience with MSC is limited, it has been very positive when compared with the other lines on which we've sailed in our 25+ cruises. MSC does some things a bit differently than other lines but those, at least to me, are relatively minor...they simply don't significantly affect my experience.

Every cruise line we’ve been on always asks for a credit card at check-in. At the end of the trip, your card is automatically charged after you leave. Not as Tech SavvyThere’s no doubt that technology has come a long way in cruising. These days you can do everything online from checking in to buying excursions to navigating the ship via the cruise line app. Compare that to a line like Carnival that includes spots like Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana, and more restaurants with the cruise fare.