MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is the cruise line of MSC Group, the privately owned shipping company founded by Gianluigi Aponte. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, it is the world's third-largest cruise company after Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Group, the largest that is privately held, and the market leader in Europe. Its fleet of 23 ships sails on five continents, with its biggest presence in the Mediterranean and a growing one in the Caribbean from Florida and Texas.
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About MSC Cruises
The line traces back to 1988, when Aponte bought the Achille Lauro and started StarLauro Cruises; the brand became MSC Cruises in 1995. Growth took off with its first new builds, MSC Lirica in 2003 and MSC Opera in 2004, and the purchase of two nearly new ships from the bankrupt Festival Cruises. The Musica, Fantasia, Seaside, Meraviglia and LNG-powered World classes followed, and in 2021 the group launched Explora Journeys as a separate luxury brand. MSC World Asia is due in December 2026 and MSC World Atlantic in November 2027.
The newer ships are large resorts with indoor promenades, water parks, specialty restaurants and kids' clubs, while the MSC Yacht Club offers a gated suite area with its own restaurant, lounge, pool deck and butler service. Mediterranean itineraries usually let guests board at several ports along the route, and most Caribbean cruises call at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the line's private island in the Bahamas.
What MSC Cruises is known for
MSC is known for modern, large ships at competitive fares, frequent promotions that bundle drinks, Wi-Fi or onboard credit, and the MSC Yacht Club, which reviewers often describe as good value compared with suite enclaves on other big-ship lines. Guests tend to praise the newer ships' looks, family facilities and entertainment, and many mention smooth embarkation and disembarkation. The most common criticisms are crowding in public areas on full sailings, uneven food and slow bar service outside the Yacht Club, and extra charges for Wi-Fi, drinks and shore excursions. The experience also varies noticeably between the older Lirica- and Musica-class ships and the newest World-class ships, so reviewers suggest checking which ship a fare is on.
Who it's for
Mainstream · big ships with lots to do and fares for most budgets
- Families
- First-time cruisers
- Value seekers
- Multigenerational groups
- Friends and groups
MSC suits families, first-time cruisers and budget-minded travelers who want a big, modern ship with plenty to do at a moderate price, and European travelers who want a Mediterranean holiday with an embarkation port close to home. The Florida ships work well for short Bahamas trips that include Ocean Cay, and the Yacht Club gives travelers who want more space and service a quieter base on a large ship. Travelers looking for a calm, polished atmosphere, consistently refined dining or small-ship destinations should look at premium or luxury lines instead, including MSC's own Explora Journeys.
How it rates
- Cabins
- 3.3/5
- Dining
- 3/5
- Entertainment
- 4.3/5
- Service
- 3/5
- Pools & decks
- 2.7/5
- Value
- 4/5
The fleet's average on each metric, across 23 rated ships in service. Each ship is scored 1 to 5 by Cruise Frog's editors; these are not reader reviews.
Rankings and comparisons
Where MSC Cruises sails
Ships
Best rated
#13.7 ★MSC Seascape2022 · 170,412 GT · 4,540 guests · CaribbeanMSC Seascape is the second Seaside EVO-class ship, delivered by Fincantieri in November 2022 and named at a ceremony in Manhattan. At 170,412 gross tons she holds about 4,540…
#23.7 ★MSC Seashore2021 · 170,412 GT · 4,540 guests · BahamasMSC Seashore is the lead ship of the Seaside EVO class, an enlarged version of the Seaside design built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone and delivered in July 2021. She measures…
#33.7 ★MSC Virtuosa2021 · 181,541 GT · 4,842 guests · South America · Northern EuropeMSC Virtuosa is the second Meraviglia Plus-class ship, delivered in February 2021 and in service from May 2021 after a pandemic delay. She measures 181,541 gross tons and carries…Every ship, by class
World class
2 ships · 2022–2025 · 215,863–216,638 GT · avg 3.5 ★
Meraviglia Plus class
3 ships · 2019–2023 · 181,541–184,011 GT · avg 3.6 ★
Seaside EVO class
2 ships · 2021–2022 · 170,412 GT · avg 3.7 ★
Meraviglia class
2 ships · 2017–2019 · 171,598 GT · avg 3.5 ★
Seaside class
2 ships · 2017–2018 · 153,516 GT · avg 3.5 ★
Fantasia class
4 ships · 2008–2013 · 137,936–139,072 GT · avg 3.3 ★
Musica class
4 ships · 2006–2010 · 92,409–95,128 GT · avg 3.3 ★
Lirica class
4 ships · 2001–2004 · 65,542–65,591 GT · avg 3.0 ★
Coming soon
Where to fly in
- Miami International (MIA)4 MSC Cruises ships sail from Miami, Florida10 lounges on Lounge Frog
- São Paulo/Guarulhos International (GRU)4 MSC Cruises ships sail from Santos, Brazil21 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI)2 MSC Cruises ships sail from Bari, Italy1 lounge on Lounge Frog
- Hamburg Airport Helmut Schmidt (HAM)2 MSC Cruises ships sail from Kiel, Germany, Hamburg, Germany4 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Orlando International (MCO)2 MSC Cruises ships sail from Port Canaveral, Florida6 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Brindisi Airport (BDS)1 MSC Cruises ship sails from Brindisi, Italy
- Buenos Aires Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini International (EZE)1 MSC Cruises ship sails from Buenos Aires, Argentina10 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF)1 MSC Cruises ship sails from Fort-de-France, Martinique
- George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)1 MSC Cruises ship sails from Galveston, Texas12 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Casa De Campo International Airport (LRM)1 MSC Cruises ship sails from La Romana, Dominican Republic
- Rome Fiumicino (FCO)1 MSC Cruises ship sails from Civitavecchia, Italy10 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)1 MSC Cruises ship sails from Shanghai, China17 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)1 MSC Cruises ship sails from Venice, Italy2 lounges on Lounge Frog
Quick answers
What is MSC Cruises known for?
MSC is known for modern, large ships at competitive fares, frequent promotions that bundle drinks, Wi-Fi or onboard credit, and the MSC Yacht Club, which reviewers often describe as good value compared with suite enclaves on other big-ship lines. Guests tend to praise the newer ships' looks, family facilities and entertainment, and many mention smooth embarkation and disembarkation. The most common criticisms are crowding in public areas on full sailings, uneven food and slow bar service outside the Yacht Club, and extra charges for Wi-Fi, drinks and shore excursions. The experience also varies noticeably between the older Lirica- and Musica-class ships and the newest World-class ships, so reviewers suggest checking which ship a fare is on.
Who is MSC Cruises best for?
MSC suits families, first-time cruisers and budget-minded travelers who want a big, modern ship with plenty to do at a moderate price, and European travelers who want a Mediterranean holiday with an embarkation port close to home. The Florida ships work well for short Bahamas trips that include Ocean Cay, and the Yacht Club gives travelers who want more space and service a quieter base on a large ship. Travelers looking for a calm, polished atmosphere, consistently refined dining or small-ship destinations should look at premium or luxury lines instead, including MSC's own Explora Journeys.
Where does MSC Cruises sail?
MSC Cruises's ships in service sail Mediterranean (15 ships), Caribbean (9 ships), Bahamas (5 ships), South America (5 ships), Northern Europe (3 ships), Alaska (1 ship), Norwegian Fjords (1 ship), Panama Canal (1 ship), Canary Islands (1 ship), Asia (1 ship) and World cruises (1 ship).
How is MSC Cruises rated?
MSC Cruises's fleet averages 3.4 out of 5 on Cruise Frog, across 23 rated ships. Its best-rated ship is MSC Seascape at 3.7.
Does MSC Cruises have new ships coming?
Yes: MSC Cruises has 2 new ships on the way: MSC World Asia (debuts December 4, 2026) and MSC World Atlantic (debuts November 2027).
How many ships does MSC Cruises have?
MSC Cruises has 23 ships in service on Cruise Frog: MSC Armonia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Divina, MSC Euribia, MSC Fantasia, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Lirica and MSC Magnifica, and 15 more.
What ship classes does MSC Cruises sail?
MSC Cruises sails 8 classes of ship in service: World class (2 ships), Meraviglia Plus class (3 ships), Seaside EVO class (2 ships), Meraviglia class (2 ships), Seaside class (2 ships), Fantasia class (4 ships), Musica class (4 ships) and Lirica class (4 ships).
Who owns MSC Cruises?
MSC Cruises is part of MSC Group.
Where is MSC Cruises based?
MSC Cruises is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It has operated since 1988.
What is MSC Cruises's loyalty program called?
MSC Cruises's past-guest loyalty program is MSC Voyagers Club.
What is the largest MSC Cruises ship?
MSC World America is MSC Cruises's largest ship at 216,638 gross tons, carrying 6,762 guests.
Cruising with children
MSC divides children’s activities into several age groups, making the youngest child’s needs an important part of choosing the ship. Infant arrangements need their own check.
Read the MSC Cruises family guide →Is a drinks package worth it?
Thinking about a drinks package on MSC Cruises? The average drink starts at what a glass of house wine costs on board, about $14; change it to what you usually order, and enter the package price MSC Cruises quotes.
A glass of house wine costs about $14. Cruise.Blog (MSC World America menus, 2025) ↗
Per person, a day, as the line quotes it.
A glass of house wine on MSC Cruises.
Optional. Count coffees and sodas if the package covers them.
The days the package is charged for.
To make the drinks package pay for itself
6drinks a day
A $75-a-day package costs the same as 5.4 drinks at $14. Over 7 days that's $525, or 38 drinks for the cruise.
Too close to call
At 5 drinks a day you're within half a drink of break-even: the package would cost you about $35. Buy it if you'd rather not watch the bill.
- Drinks package, 7 days
- $525
- Drink by drink, 5 drinks a day
- $490
Break-even is a target for your wallet, not a dare for your liver.
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
Related news about MSC Cruises and its ships
- We aged every ship at 10 big cruise lines. Holland America and Carnival have the oldest fleets
Cruise Frog's ship data shows how old each big line's fleet really is. Virgin's ships average about three years. Holland America's average 18.
Cruise lines
- MSC opens a three-night Southampton cruise for May 2027, starting at £440
MSC Meraviglia departs May 26 for Zeebrugge and Cherbourg. Bookings open Oct. 20 for the one-off short sailing.
Itineraries
- Seattle closes a record cruise season, with shore power use reaching 66%
The port reports 330 calls and nearly 2 million revenue passengers. MSC and Virgin plan to return for the 2027 season.
Ports
- MSC outlines 10- and 11-night Miami sailings for Poesia's winter season
The planned program reaches the southern Caribbean and Central America. Conflicting dates in the release mean the exact return timing needs confirmation.
Itineraries
- MSC opens a 119-night 2029 world cruise with an extended Australia circuit
MSC Magnifica's itinerary covers 45 destinations in 21 countries, with nine overnight calls and 15 included excursions.
Itineraries
- What a glass of house wine costs on cruise lines, and which ones pour it free
From $9 on Royal Caribbean to $14 on MSC, and free on 25 lines. The prices behind Cruise Frog's drinks package calculator.
Cruise lines
- Victoria passes one million cruise passengers in a season for the first time, with a record 332 calls
The British Columbia capital marked the milestone with Norwegian Encore. The season ends October 18, and Norwegian returns in 2027 with three ships.
Ports
- Eataly is coming to MSC World Asia, the second MSC ship with the Italian food brand
MSC World Asia is due for delivery November 25 and sails from December 4, 2026. Its Eataly adds a table chef, a sea-view terrace and a wine cellar visit.
Ships
- Royal Caribbean and MSC, rivals everywhere else, are building a cruise terminal together in Okinawa
Lounge FrogMSC Bellissima
- Royal Caribbean and MSC, rivals everywhere else, are building a cruise terminal together in Okinawa
Lounge Frog
- 8 new cruise ships coming by the end of 2027, from Disney's Encanto ship to an 8,794-square-foot suite
Lounge Frog
- Cruise loyalty programs compared: which lines give you a free cruise, and which just changed the rules
Lounge Frog
- MSC World Asia shows: a Queen tribute with a 36-piece orchestra, a flamenco tragedy and 33 musicians a day
Lounge Frog
- Official MSC World Atlantic specifications and interactive deck plan
MSC CruisesMSC World Atlantic
- Official MSC World Asia specifications and interactive deck plan
MSC CruisesMSC World Asia