UltimateGuide Cruises
Our favourites
MSC World America under way in calm water, her long white hull and the MSC compass logo on the bow

Cruise line · Mainstream & family

MSC Cruises: Our Cruise Line Guide

A European family favourite: MSC sails one of the youngest big fleets at sea, with the World Class ships, a private island in the Bahamas and the MSC Yacht Club, a ship-within-a-ship with butlers.

Plan your trip:Official website Our Barcelona guide

The back story

Fleet: 23 ships, from MSC Armonia to the World class; the MSC Yacht Club on most of them (msccruises.co.uk, Oct 2026) · World class: MSC World Europa (2022), World America, World Atlantic and World Asia · Newest ship: MSC World Asia, Mediterranean sailings from December 2026; Southern Caribbean in winter 2027–28 (msccruises.co.uk) · Service charges: Included in the cruise fare for UK bookings; MSC does not recommend tipping individual staff (msccruises.co.uk FAQ, Oct 2026) · Private island: Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the Bahamas: over two miles of white-sand beaches · Sails to: The Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Canary Islands, South America, South Africa, Asia, Alaska and world cruises (msccruises.co.uk)

  1. The back story

    MSC Cruises: the back story

    MSC Cruises·In depth

    A European line that grew a big, modern fleet, with a ship-within-a-ship and its own marine reserve in the Bahamas.

    Explore View on map

The fleet

Who it suits. On a budget: A Mediterranean week from a European port or a short Bahamas cruise via Ocean Cay: MSC’s kids’ club activities are included and UK fares already include service charges. Mid-range: A balcony on a World Class or Meraviglia-class ship, with a drinks package booked online before you sail. Luxury: The MSC Yacht Club: suites with round-the-clock butler service, an all-inclusive offer and private venues, and the Grand Hamptons Villa on MSC World Atlantic.

  1. Entered service 2022

    MSC World Europa

    MSC Cruises·Ocean ship · World class·€€

    The first World Class ship, with the 104-metre World Promenade, the Venom Drop @ The Spiral slide and 13 dining venues.

    Explore View on map

  2. Sailing from December 2026

    MSC World Asia

    MSC Cruises·Ocean ship · World class·€€

    MSC’s newest World Class ship, sailing the Mediterranean from December 2026, with six speciality restaurants and six headline shows.

    Explore View on map

  3. World class

    MSC World America and MSC World Atlantic

    MSC Cruises·Ocean ships · World class·€€

    The second and third World Class ships, World Atlantic with the Grand Hamptons Villa in the Yacht Club.

    Explore View on map

  4. Nine ships

    MSC’s big modern ships

    MSC Cruises·Ocean ships·€

    MSC Meraviglia, Bellissima, Grandiosa, Virtuosa and Euribia, and MSC Seaside, Seaview, Seashore and Seascape.

    Explore View on map

  5. Ten ships

    MSC’s earlier and smaller ships

    MSC Cruises·Ocean ships·€

    MSC Fantasia, Splendida, Divina, Preziosa, Musica, Orchestra, Poesia and Magnifica, and MSC Armonia, Lirica, Opera and Sinfonia.

    Explore View on map

The suites

  1. 230 m², two decks, up to eight guests

    MSC Grand Hamptons Villa

    MSC Cruises·Suite · MSC World Atlantic·€€

    A two-deck family retreat in the MSC World Atlantic Yacht Club, with four bedrooms and its own entertainment spaces.

    Explore View on map

  2. 51–58 m² + 42–51 m² balcony

    MSC Yacht Club Royal Duplex Suite

    MSC Cruises·Suite · MSC Yacht Club·€€

    A two-level suite at the top of the ship with a large balcony and a private whirlpool bath.

    Explore View on map

  3. 24-hour butler

    The MSC Yacht Club

    MSC Cruises·Ship-within-a-ship·€€

    An all-inclusive enclave on most MSC ships, with butlers around the clock and its own areas at MSC’s beach destinations.

    Explore View on map

Dining on board

  1. Extra charge

    Kaito Teppanyaki and Kaito Sushi Bar

    MSC Cruises·Japanese · speciality·€€

    MSC’s Asian-inspired teppanyaki grill and sushi bar, on the World Class ships among others.

    Explore View on map

  2. Extra charge

    Butcher’s Cut

    MSC Cruises·Steakhouse · speciality·€€

    MSC’s classic American-style steakhouse.

    Explore View on map

  3. Extra charge

    Hola! Tacos & Cantina

    MSC Cruises·Latin American · speciality·€

    Latin American street food and a cantina bar.

    Explore View on map

  4. New on MSC World Asia

    Pan-Asian Street Food

    MSC Cruises·Southeast Asian · speciality·€

    MSC World Asia’s new restaurant of Southeast Asian street food, with its own bar and outdoor terrace.

    Explore View on map

  5. Yacht Club guests

    MSC Yacht Club Restaurant

    MSC Cruises·Private restaurant·€€

    The private restaurant of the MSC Yacht Club, part of its all-inclusive offer.

    Explore View on map

Spa and wellness

  1. Book online before you sail

    MSC Aurea Spa

    MSC Cruises·Spa·€€

    MSC’s spa, with Balinese massage, beauty treatments and a sauna, and spa packages cheaper when booked before boarding.

    Explore View on map

Life on board

  1. Activities included

    MSC kids’ clubs

    MSC Cruises·Kids’ clubs

    Clubs for every age group, run every day by MSC’s youth staff; the activities are included in the fare.

    Explore View on map

  2. 104 m outdoors

    The World Promenade

    MSC Cruises·Life on board · World class

    An open-air promenade through the stern of the World Class ships, with the Venom Drop @ The Spiral slide.

    Explore View on map

Private islands and beach clubs

  1. Open, MSC guests only

    Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

    MSC Cruises·Private island · the Bahamas·€

    MSC’s private island in the Bahamas: over two miles of white-sand beaches, a spa, food trucks and beach bars, and a marine conservation experience.

    Ocean Cay, The BahamasExplore View on map

Where it sails

  1. All year

    The Mediterranean with MSC

    MSC Cruises·Where it sails

    Week-long Mediterranean cruises all year, with the World Class ships and MSC World Asia from December 2026.

    Explore View on map

  2. Mostly winter

    The Caribbean and the Bahamas with MSC

    MSC Cruises·Where it sails

    Caribbean cruises with a day at Ocean Cay, short Bahamas trips and, in winter 2027–28, MSC World Asia from Barbados.

    Explore View on map

  3. Seasonal

    Northern Europe and beyond with MSC

    MSC Cruises·Where it sails

    Norway’s fjords and the Baltic in summer, and further afield: the Canary Islands, South America, South Africa, Asia, Alaska and world cruises.

    Explore View on map

What’s included and how to book

  1. Included in UK fares

    MSC service charges

    MSC Cruises·Service charges

    For UK bookings, service charges and gratuities are included in the cruise fare, and MSC does not recommend tipping individual staff.

    Explore View on map

  2. Cheaper online before you sail

    MSC drinks packages

    MSC Cruises·Packages

    The Premium Extra, Alcohol-free and Minors packages, cheaper when booked online before the cruise, with unlimited AQUA by MSC water.

    Explore View on map

Share your MSC Cruises tips

Sailed with them? Share your ships, cabins and tips with other cruisers.

  1. Loading the conversation…

House rules: keep it about the sea and the topic; off-topic political slogans and campaigning on any cause will be removed. Be civil and respectful, no personal attacks, no links or advertising. Comments are public and moderated, and we may remove any that break the rules. Please don’t share personal details such as phone numbers or emails.

The ULTIMATE letter

The sea in your inbox

An occasional email with new ships, new itineraries, line and port guides and our latest in-depth features. No spam, ever.