I got what I paid for: My cheap family cruise on MSC Seashore

Erica Silverstein

Disney Cruise Line's new ship Disney Wish is getting a lot of attention this summer. But with fares that start at $1,000 per day for a family of four, even a three- or four-night sailing might not be in most families' budgets.

In search of cheap family cruises myself, I followed the deals to a major but more under-the-radar cruise line, MSC Cruises .

MSC offers affordable Caribbean cruises thanks to free kids fares and onboard credits that passengers can put toward things like activities and non-included meals.

I ended up paying less for a balcony cabin on a seven-night cruise to the Caribbean on MSC's newest ship, MSC Seashore, than I would for a three-night Disney Wish cruise in a windowless inside cabin.

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Itinerary in hand, I thought I had found the secret to affordable family cruising and that I'd come home bragging to my friends that I had scored an amazing vacation for a fraction of the price folks would pay for other cruises.

The truth is, I got what I paid for and encountered more logistical hassles and nickel-and-diming than I've experienced on most of the 50-plus cruises I've been on.

Can you have a wonderful family vacation on a budget on an MSC Cruises ship? Of course. But for smoother sailing and fewer hassles, you will either need to shell out more money on your MSC voyage — or consider a different cruise line.

About MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is a Europe-based cruise line, with a large presence in Europe, South America, the Middle East and Africa. Within the last five years, though, the line has made an effort to build and deploy ships with amenities and itineraries that are more targeted at American travelers.

Although it has been offering Caribbean cruises for about a decade now, MSC Cruises recently deployed more of its ships on itineraries out of Florida, many with stops at the line's new private island, Ocean Cay, for a relaxing beach day. The line is known to attract a diverse crowd, including a high percentage of international guests plus a mix of English and Spanish speakers from Florida. The combination of cultures and languages makes the line's onboard vibe a bit different than on other cruise lines that sail from mainland U.S. ports.

Because the line is not as well known among U.S. cruisers as Europeans, MSC Cruises' Florida fares have always been competitively priced and it routinely offers kids-sail-free deals. I paid $2,658 total for four people to share a balcony cabin on a weeklong Western Caribbean cruise in July on the line's newest cruise ship, MSC Seashore.

Contrast that with Disney Wish: The cheapest cruise you can currently book is $2,975 for a three-night cruise in a windowless inside cabin for four people. A seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean's new Wonder of the Seas next July is close to $6,000 for four people; the cheapest balcony cabin I could find on that ship for a weeklong Caribbean cruise was $3,300 in February 2023. (Of course, older ships on these lines will be priced lower.)

In my mind, MSC Cruises' lower fares and mass appeal make it a direct competitor with Carnival Cruise Line. The cheapest balcony cabin I could find for that line's newest ship, Mardi Gras, was $2,475 for four people on a weeklong Western Caribbean cruise in November 2023.

Going into this trip, I knew I wasn't going to find all the bells and whistles of a Royal Caribbean megaship or the service levels and entertainment expertise of a Disney ship. I was simply hoping that getting to experience a brand-new ship at a low price would give a line like Carnival or perhaps the older ships of Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line a serious run for their money. Unfortunately, that wasn't quite the case.

MSC Seashore was indeed a beautiful ship with plenty to entertain the whole family. But the logistical operations, dining options and family-friendly amenities were simply not up to par with those offered on other lines. Here's what I took away from my experience.

MSC offers limited free or affordable dining choices

msc cruises on board prices

Let's start with my biggest gripe about MSC Seashore as an affordable family vacation — the dearth of complimentary dining options. If you want to stick to the food venues where meals are included in your fare and not pay extra for fancy seafood or steak dinners, you have only two options on MSC: the buffet and the main dining room.

Technically, based on the fare class we purchased, we were entitled to free continental breakfast via room service. But since there was no table on our balcony, and only a cluttered desk surface where you could put down dishes, we'd likely be eating in our beds, so we ended up skipping in-cabin food service.

The dining room was my favorite place to eat on board

The main onboard dining room was very good for a mass-market ship. My mom eats gluten-free and I gravitate mostly toward vegetarian options, and the restaurant was able to accommodate our diets well. The kids menu had a lot of great choices for younger sailors (pasta, grilled chicken, hot dogs, etc.) and both my kids ordered from both the junior and regular menus.

The servers worked quickly and were pleasant though not overly friendly. That said, the dining room manager assisted my mother with her food allergies and was amazingly helpful. He would periodically stop by our table to chat or ask if he could help us whenever he saw us around the ship.

As most parents know, formal sit-down dining is not always your best option for three meals a day with kids — especially when dinner lasts 1 1/2 to 2 hours after a long day out in the sun, and breakfast and lunch aren't as quick as the grab-and-go buffet. My kids (and I) needed alternatives, as they would on any line. That left the buffet.

The buffet was crowded and uninspiring

Unlike on most big-ship cruise lines I've sailed — including Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean — the buffet menu aboard MSC Seashore rarely changed and the venue in which the buffet was set out was both crowded and confusing to navigate.

While having a standard list of menu items for breakfast was fine, every lunch service simply included pizza, a pasta station, grab-and-go burgers and hot dogs, a meat-carving station, a small salad bar and a display of deli meat. Some days there was a Mexican station, though it was hard to find in the enormous venue.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

One buffet counter somewhere had a rotating selection of hot lunch dishes, but when I finally found my way there, none of the dishes were labeled. In fact, nothing was labeled anywhere on the buffet, so you just had to guess what you were serving yourself. Hopefully, it's something MSC will rectify, especially for passengers who might have even more stringent dietary requirements than my family.

Only one area of the entire buffet had all the options laid out. That section was, quite frankly, a nightmare. The few times I dared navigate my way there, I found people pushing each other out of the way and cutting in line, which did not result in much friendly feeling among the would-be diners.

Your kids might love having pizza, french fries and burgers every day for lunch (mine certainly did), but after my third lunch of salad and cheese pizza, I was desperate for an alternative. They exist on other lines. Carnival Cruise Line, in addition to a buffet menu that changes daily, offers complimentary Guy Fieri burgers, a deli counter with a variety of options, a Mexican station serving tacos and burritos, 24/7 pizza (that gives the Italian MSC a run for its money) and a sea-day brunch with innovative options. You can even find additional free dining venues on select ships, including Guy Fieri's barbecue restaurant, Shaquille O'Neal's fried chicken restaurant, Mongolian Wok and other Asian or Indian eateries.

TPG tip: If you need an alternative lunch option on MSC Seashore, you can pay extra for a meal in one of the ship's five specialty restaurants, though they're only occasionally open midday. Head to Hola Tacos (a la carte or all you can eat for $17.99 per person), Kaito Sushi Bar (conveyor belt sushi and other Japanese dishes priced a la carte) or Butcher's Cut for its sea day brunch ($12 per person). The prices aren't terrible, but they can quickly add up for family of four — plus, you're looking at another sit-down, waiter-served meal with possibly squirmy kids.

There was no free soft-serve ice cream on MSC

msc cruises on board prices

One last food gripe: A highlight of every family cruise I've been on is the free soft-serve ice cream on the pool deck. Your kids should be able to get themselves cones when it's hot outside. It's the quintessential vacation experience.

And every family-friendly line I've ever been on has this option. On Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas , the center of the pool deck is a multimachine soft-serve ice cream station where you can help yourself to as much free ice cream as you'd like. Heck, even my very grown-up cruise on Windstar's Star Pride had free soft-serve by the pool and alfresco grill restaurant.

That is, every family-friendly line except MSC.

MSC Cruises does have exceptional gelato at nearly every poolside bar as well as at the Venchi chocolate store/bar/gelateria. However, it costs $4 for a baby size and $6 for a regular size. The same pool deck bars also have a soft-serve machine, which is located behind the bar. The chocolate and vanilla are complimentary, but only if you purchase a pricy beverage package . If you're on a budget, as we were, and don't upgrade to the package, that soft-serve will cost the same as the gelato. No freebies for the kiddos, either.

There are only two ways to get free ice cream on MSC Seashore. Either you order it for dessert in the main dining room and get whatever flavor they're serving that day (there's no choice), or you head to the one buffet counter that offers snacks for one hour from 4 to 5 p.m. every day, and you get in line with scores of other hot and hungry cruisers to ask for one of two flavors (usually vanilla, chocolate or strawberry) being doled out by one extremely overworked server.

It may seem like a small thing, and I probably thought it was before this particular sailing, but having free ice cream in the afternoon each day has made other cruises feel like truly special vacations, and my kids and I missed that feeling aboard MSC Seashore.

TPG tip: Only the Alcohol-Free and Minors drinks packages include soft-serve ice cream. Book your drinks package online in advance to save 15% off package prices. Or, book a cabin in the Yacht Club or Aurea fare class and a drinks package is included.

Our cabin was great — with 1 exception

msc cruises on board prices

Our standard balcony cabin was nice, and my family of four survived remarkably well in one room for a week , which is reason enough to thank MSC Cruises for a successful vacation.

The 172-square-foot cabin was not large, but it had more usable storage space than I anticipated. The sofa that converted into bunk beds meant that my kids weren't sleeping right above my head, and being able to separate the king-size bed into two twins was handy since I was traveling with my mother instead of my husband. Our balcony was a reasonable size and had two chairs and an ottoman, so you could put your feet up.

I had a few minor quibbles (as you do in compact cruise ship cabins) about the shower size and the lack of a balcony table, but one design element did bother me — especially with four people in the room.

It was the closet. In our cabin, the closet was located by my mom's side of the bed, with only minimal space between it and the mattress, which meant that it was difficult for me to get stuff out of the closet, especially if she was actually sitting or lying on the bed. My kids are still small, so I was able to store most of their stuff in the drawers across from their bunks. But if you have older kids who require more closet space, it might be a pain to have to squeeze by the bed to get anything from the closet.

Many other cruise lines solve this problem by putting the closets in the cabin hallway across from the bathroom. That makes them a lot easier to get at — even if your cabinmates might not be able to walk down the hallway while you're debating the day's fashion choices.

TPG tip: Some MSC Seashore cabins swap the position of the bed and the seating area, so the closet is next to the couch. This would be preferable for a couple or a family with one child, but not for a family where you'll have to squeeze by the bunk bed to access the closet. To avoid this layout entirely, you'll either want to upgrade to a suite or downgrade to an inside cabin, where the closet is next to an easy chair. (Though think twice before squeezing four people into a 150-square-foot room where the kids will be in bunks above the adults' twin beds.)

Related: Which cruise ship cabin should your family book?

The kids club had video games and Legos, but 1 kid still wouldn't go

msc cruises on board prices

As an adult, I'm not allowed into any kids club activities. Personally, I was intrigued by MSC's MasterChef at Sea event and the Fire and Ice live video game, but my kids weren't interested in those activities, so I can't report back on how fun they are.

What I can tell you is that my daughter, who loved the kids clubs on Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises , was not a fan of MSC Seashore's club and refused to go most of the time. It's hard to say how much this was a fault of the kids club versus my daughter's capricious personality.

On paper, MSC Seashore's kids club looks pretty good. It offers free babysitting for 3-and-unders, which is rare in the industry. The rest of the kids club is divided into groups for ages 3 to 6 and 7 to 11 (both my kids fell into that latter group), and tweens and teens are technically separate but shared a hangout space. When I toured the Junior Club where my kids would be on the first day, I saw a bright play space with large windows, two foosball tables and cool electronics like a virtual piano.

My daughter's report was that, unlike on Royal Caribbean, the youth staff didn't set time limits on video game use, so certain kids would "hog" the Nintendo Switches and she could never play the games. (One of these video game hogs was likely her older brother ....) MSC Cruises' promotional material boasts about its partnership with Lego, and she reported that there were always Legos available for free play and she enjoyed that.

She also gave a thumbs-down to the arts and crafts projects, compared to other lines, because it was just "lame coloring" versus an actual craft, such as beading necklaces or making origami. She didn't like any of the organized games as much as on other cruises, especially as they were often mandatory for everyone in the club instead of one of several activity choices.

One interesting takeaway from our experience was that, because MSC attracts a diverse, international crowd, many of the kids my daughter's age at the Junior Club didn't speak English. This made making friends difficult. On past cruises, she's made little buddies on board and played together with them at the kids club, but that didn't happen this time.

My son, on the other hand, only was interested in the video games and not in making friends or participating in group games, so he liked the club just fine.

TPG tip: After eight cruises with kids, I can say that, despite cruise line advertising, your child may not love the kids club for any number of reasons and choose not to go. Be prepared to be flexible with your onboard plans.

Related: 5 best cruise lines for families

The water park was awesome, but I would have liked additional family-friendly activities

msc cruises on board prices

MSC Seashore has a super-fun, pirate-themed water park with waterslides and a splash area . It's got one slide that you ride in an inner tube while wearing a virtual reality headset, and you feel like you're swinging around a pirate ship dodging a giant sea monster, as well as a fast tube slide that's cantilevered off the side of the ship. The kiddie pool has spray guns, a dump bucket and baby slides, with some rope bridges above for the adventurous.

That gives the ship major points in my book.

However, on every other cruise ship I've been on with a water park, you just walk up and get in line for a slide. On MSC, I had to stand in line for 20 minutes just to sign a waiver and get bracelets for the whole family showing we were allowed to slide and that we had to wear for the rest of the cruise.

TPG tip: If you want to ride the slides (and you definitely do, kids and grown-ups both), aim to show up at the beginning of the session before the waiver line gets too long.

As for other family-friendly activities, MSC Seashore's pingpong and foosball tables were always in high demand. The ship has two regular pools welcoming kids, a sports court for basketball and other athletic competitions and an arcade with extra-fee attractions, such as virtual sports, video games and an XD cinema (where the seats move and shake, to simulate a theme park ride).

There was no miniature golf, which is a fun, free family activity found on a lot of other big ships. If there was shuffleboard on Seashore, I never found it; my kids are oddly fond of that game.

For evening entertainment, MSC had a nightly show that was a mix of singing, dancing and acrobatics that were entertaining but also unremarkable. My kids' favorite was a comedy magician who performed one afternoon.

But there were no family-friendly movies on the pool deck LED screen (just one 10:30 p.m. screening of "Wonder Woman"), no obvious activities meant for families to play together (like Carnival's "Family Feud Live") and certainly nothing like Royal Caribbean's kid-wowing high-diving or ice skating shows.

We did find and attend one event meant for the entire family — a cupcake-decorating deck party. It ended up being chaotic, with long lines for the frosting bags (which were more for decoration than for taste, as we discovered), plus a raffle for which we had no idea how to get tickets. I'd take a little more organization over poor-tasting fanciful confections any day.

If my kids didn't want to go to the kids club or get wet, it was difficult to figure out what to do with them on board. They spent a lot of time watching TV in the room, which was not my first choice for a cruise vacation.

Related: Which cruise ship activities should you book ahead of time?

MSC Seashore does not have cruise logistics down yet

msc cruises on board prices

I have never said, "No other cruise line does it like this," as much as I did on our first day on board MSC Seashore. And it wasn't a good thing.

For instance, every other line I've ever sailed asks you to attach a credit card to your cruise account before you set sail. Once you get on board, you're already set up to make purchases with your cruise card.

MSC Cruises does not have an option to add your credit card online or in the terminal before embarkation. Instead, you must stand in line to use a kiosk to fund your cruise account after you board. I didn't want to give my kids permission to spend my money on soda and arcade games, and it wasn't clear how I should set limitations at the kiosk, so I had to ask guest services to help me with the confusing credit situation. The front desk queue was so long it snaked beyond the roped-off lanes, nearly out of the atrium lobby.

The cruise industry has mostly moved to virtual muster drills; most other lines ask passengers to watch the safety instructions in their cabin or on the cruise line's app and then check in at your muster station at your leisure.

But on MSC Seashore, we had to watch a video on our TV at an appointed time, then call a specific number from our cabin phone and then proceed in groups to our muster station to get our cards scanned. At which time the entire guest capacity of the ship was in the stairwells, either going down to their muster stations or returning to their cabins. Aside from the inconvenience, it also made social distancing impossible.

When it comes to dining, most cruise lines give you the option of early, late or anytime dining. Some, like Norwegian, skip assigned dining altogether. My favorite is anytime, so I don't have to commit to a set time and can show up at the dining room when I'm hungry. On MSC, anytime dining is only an option for those who book the most expensive fare classes.

Instead, I selected early dining for my family, but it turns out there were three early dining times: 5:15, 6:15 and 7:15 p.m. You couldn't choose among those options, and we were assigned the 5:15 slot, which is unreasonably early. We managed to switch to the 6:15 time, but only after waiting in two additional lines. It would have been nice to be able to designate our specific choice during the initial booking process rather than spending even more time in a line.

And all that was just on embarkation day.

On our first port day, the shore excursions team had no idea how to handle all the people reporting to the theater at their assigned times to get group numbers for their tours. To make matters worse, rain prevented the first tours from departing on time. That led to total chaos in the theater as dozens of people were going down the aisles to present their tickets and collect their group number stickers while dozens more were pushing past to get out the bottom door to head to the gangway.

It took us half an hour to get from inside the theater to outside the ship, including a long stretch squished into a narrow, windowless hallway, barely moving.

Am I complaining too much? I know from personal experience that you'll wait in queues on all big-ship cruise lines, especially on embarkation day if you haven't pre-booked shore excursions or you want to change your dining time. I definitely experienced a terrible muster drill on one of the first sailings of Carnival Sunrise, when the crew was new and working out the passenger flow of the upgraded ship.

But on MSC Seashore — a brand-new cruise ship from a longstanding line that's been sailing from the U.S. since 2013 — the logistical snafus and numerous lines for everything from payment plans to waterslides were more frequent than I expect on your average cruise.

TPG tip: Forget spontaneity: If you want to avoid lines, book your shore excursions, beverage and dining packages and Wi-Fi plans online before your cruise. Not only can you skip lines, but you'll get a discounted rate. Or, upgrade to a room in the exclusive Yacht Club section of the ship, so you can get access to a personal concierge, who can make arrangements for you.

Bottom line

msc cruises on board prices

Money can't buy happiness, but it can solve many of your problems on MSC.

Book a suite in the line's ship-within-a-ship Yacht Club, and you have access to more cabin space, exclusive no-fee restaurants and designated sun decks to avoid the crowds, and a butler and concierge to take care of logistics for you. Pay for a drinks package or a fare class that includes one, and your kids get all the free ice cream they desire. Enjoy brunch or lunch at the extra-fee specialty restaurants, and you'll get variety in your lunch menu.

But doing so means your vacation is no longer a budget one, which was my main reason for choosing MSC Cruises. Once you're spending that kind of money, you could look into a costlier cruise line, such as Royal Caribbean or even Disney Cruise Line. With a larger vacation budget comes more choice, too, including a larger variety of ships, U.S. embarkation ports and cruise destinations to consider.

To me, the ship seemed better suited to couples and groups of adult friends traveling together, who are content to spend time in the pools and hot tubs, who will enjoy the onboard nightlife, who will get more value out of a drinks package and the extra-fee restaurants, and who are cruising just two to a cabin.

If you are looking for a cheap family cruise, you can certainly have a great time on MSC Cruises, but it won't be paradise. My kids had a blast; my son will tell you that he loved the video games and the waterslides, and my daughter will say she liked eating french fries and chocolate croissants in the main dining room. We all loved our time in port, river tubing in Jamaica and swimming with turtles in Grand Cayman, but we paid extra for those tours.

At the end of the day, cruising on a budget on this specific cruise line came with more logistical hassles and a lack of dining and activity choices that added stress to my vacation as the adult in charge. I put up with more queues, hassles and TV time than I prefer to on a family cruise. Had I known, perhaps I could have thrown money at the problem, but at that point, I could have a better experience for a similar price on another line.

I'd consider another cruise with MSC with my husband or a girlfriend, now that I'm savvy on how to better work the system. But I'm still on the hunt for that cheap family cruise that offers outsize value for the price. I'll let you know when I find it.

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MSC Cruises: The Complete Guide

Carissa Rawson

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Cruising is a huge industry, so it makes sense that the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) — which started out shipping cargo — got in on the venture in 1988 with the purchase of its first cruise ship. Since then, the company has been steadily growing, adding new ships and destinations to its thriving cruise line.

Although it’s headquartered in Switzerland, you’ll find MSC cruises all over the world, including throughout the United States. Let’s take a look at MSC’s cruises, where they sail and what to expect when you’re aboard.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

About MSC cruises

Here’s a quick overview of some of MSC’s key features.

Package types: There are three levels of experience to choose from on MSC. Bella is the least expensive, while Fantastica allows you to get free in-room breakfast and select your room type. Aurea is MSC’s top-tier package and includes access to exclusive amenities, as well as additional discounts and dining privileges. 

Cabin type s : On MSC ships you’ll find the standard cruise ship cabins, including interior, ocean view, veranda and various types of suites. 

Main U.S. routes: MSC has only a handful of departure ports from within the U.S. Most of its routes depart from Miami to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.   

Points currency and loyalty program: The loyalty program of MSC is called the Voyager’s Club. Points are earned for the cruises you take and the money you spend while on board. 

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

MSC cruise destinations

You can find MSC cruises all over the globe, including the Caribbean, Canada, New England, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Northern Europe, South Africa, South America and Asia. There are also worldwide cruises that sail to several regions around the globe.

MSC's worldwide cruises come in as the longest trips, with itineraries lasting as many as 127 nights. Meanwhile, the cruise line's shortest options include weekend trips to the Bahamas sailing for just two nights.

» Learn more: The best cruise lines

MSC cruise prices

The reviews of MSC Cruises will likely mention the price of your trip, which is often cheaper than comparable trips on other popular cruise lines. Of course, the total cost will vary based on the trip duration, time of year and what kind of room you select. The least expensive options you’ll find are on short Mediterranean cruises, which can cost as little as $119 per person.

Prices are also affected by the dates that you’re traveling. A three-night cruise to the Bahamas can cost as little as $149 per person, but that same trip can cost up to $349 per person during periods of high demand.

As you’d expect, the most expensive cruises on MSC are the longest. For example, the 127-night World Cruise costs $21,929 per person.

» Learn more: Do you need a passport for a Caribbean cruise?

What is the best MSC ship?

There are a total of 23 ships in MSC’s fleet. According to U.S. News, the best MSC ship is the MSC Bellissima. Launched in 2019, the ship boasts a full-sized bowling alley and multiple pools, along with an array of restaurants, a spa and live entertainment. The ranking was calculated using a mix of user reviews and health ratings.

What is the newest MSC ship?

The MSC World Europa, MSC’s newest ship, officially debuted at the end of 2022 in Qatar. This ship features more than 2,600 cabins, 33 restaurants and six swimming pools.

What’s included in an MSC cruise

MSC’s cruise packages are on par with other mid-tier cruise lines. No matter what package you purchase, all food and entertainment is included, as is access to the main parts of the ship. This includes pools, the buffet restaurant and a nightly seated dinner.

If you purchase a higher-end package, you’ll be able to enjoy more amenities. The Fantastica experience, for example, includes free room service delivery for breakfast. The top-tier Aurea package includes complimentary room service for all meals.

Neither Wi-Fi nor specialty drinks are included as part of the base price, but they can be purchased separately. The drink package has a range of options, including non-alcoholic drinks such as soda and different types of alcohol.

» Learn more: How to plan a cruise in 6 steps

MSC loyalty program: Voyager’s Club

Voyager’s Club is the loyalty program for frequent MSC cruise passengers. There are four levels in the program, and each has its own benefits.

Voyagers Club levels

The Voyager Clubs levels are Classic, Silver, Gold and Diamond.

How to earn: Classic membership is earned by going on at least one MSC cruise or having a confirmed booking on an upcoming cruise. This tier is for members who have between 1 and 2,199 points.

Best benefits: 5% discount on future cruises, discounts on packages.

How to earn: Earn 2,200 to 4,299 points. 

Best benefits: $50 onboard credit per person on cruises booked at least nine months before departure, double points for cruises booked more than 12 months in advance.

How to earn: Earn 4,300 to 9,999 points.

Best benefits: One hour of complimentary thermal area access, priority disembarkation, complimentary photos. 

How to earn: Earn 10,000+ points.

Best benefits: Complimentary tasting dinner, one free dance lesson, complimentary slippers and bathrobe, priority embarkation and disembarkation.

How to earn Voyager Club points

There are two ways to earn Voyager Club points. First, you’ll earn a set amount of points for taking a cruise — the specific amount will depend on the length of the cruise and the experience level you choose. Second, you’ll earn points for the activities you pre-purchase and for any onboard expenses that you incur.

Wi-Fi is not included in MSC’s basic fare. There are different packages available to those who are sailing which can be purchased before you travel or during your cruise. MSC doesn’t publish its Wi-Fi package pricing online, but for example, you can expect to pay around $270 for a two-device upgraded Wi-Fi package on a seven-day cruise with MSC Seascape.

MSC cruises are not entirely inclusive, though they do provide a lot with your base package. This includes your cabin, food, live entertainment, port stops and coffee, tea and water. They don’t include specialty drinks such as soda or alcohol, nor do they include Wi-Fi or any port excursions you’d like to go on.

MSC Cruises reviews will let you know that MSC allows passengers to add on a drink package to their cruise. The price will vary depending on your actual cruise, as well as the type of package that you choose. There are five types of packages available: Easy, Easy Plus, Premium Extra, Alcohol-free and Minors.

Expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $88 per day for any drink packages that you purchase.

Whether or not you’ll need a COVID vaccine or COVID test while sailing on MSC cruise lines will depend on where you’re going. For cruises leaving from the United States, you don’t need either. However, you will need to provide other personal information, such as your name, address and date of birth.

(Top photo courtesy of MSC)

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MSC Cruises Drink Packages & Prices (UPDATED)

MSC Cruises has “packaged” almost everything on their cruise vacations, and none of them are very straightforward especially the beverage packages. So we’ll break down the MSC drink packages with prices, and better explain how they really work. 

compare MSC Cruises Drink Packages

MSC Drink Package Prices

Depending on which you choose, you can get a package for as little as $19/day (Minors) – but the most popular package is the Easy Plus Package which starts at $61/day. The good news is that MSC Is running quite a few promotions that INCLUDE the Easy Plus Package ! Take a look at their promotions here.

We’ll be posting accurate European prices shortly, as they have also changed recently.

Tips / Gratuities Now Included!

MSC Cruises has chosen to include the gratuity in the revised Drink Package pricing for 2023

MSC Cruises Drink Packages Compared ( NEW 2024 prices)

There are 5 drink package options that MSC Cruises offers on its ships including the “Easy” package, “Easy Plus” package, “Premium Extra” Package, and the Alcohol-Free Package (with a different price for minors and adults)

  • See : MSC Cruises Bar & Drink Menus with Prices

MSC Easy Drink Package Explained

The “ Easy Package ” is the most basic alcoholic beverage package on MSC Cruises with a cost of $46 per day per adult and is sometimes offered at no charge as a promotion. (This package is $49 per day on short cruises of less than 6 nights and is even more expensive if purchased onboard)

Liquor choices that go into mixed drinks are generic and sometimes off-brand.

The upside to this beverage package is that it also includes bottled water, soft drinks & juices as well as espresso, coffee cappuccino, and other hot drinks (tea, hot chocolate, etc.) With many cruise lines when purchasing a drink package, they often exclude bottled water and coffee drinks. 

So if you are a heavy coffee drinker and enjoy bottled water with a few beers throughout the day, this is likely your good choice. 

This is the package that was included on our Meraviglia cruise with the base cruise fare. Initially, this seemed like a good option as it covers the basics, but there are some restrictions that were inconvenient enough to make us upgrade to the Premium Plus.

An important exception to the Easy Package!

  You CANNOT use the Easy beverage package in any of the specialty restaurants . So if you want a gin & tonic at dinner, you’re out of luck. Even more bizarre, bringing a beverage to dinner is specifically prohibited forcing you to purchase any drinks regardless of price for the time you are in a specialty restaurant. 

MSC Easy Drink Package Menu

What is included in the msc easy beverage package.

The Easy drink package entitles you to any beverage up to $7.50 ( sort of ). For your convenience, menus throughout the ships have a section specifying what’s included in the easy beverage package. However even though some beer prices by the bottle are $7.50 or less, those are EXCLUDED from this package. Strange, right?

For beer, with the Easy Drink Package, the only option is Heineken Draft or sometimes Miller Light, and the wines are off-label or inexpensive brands only marked as “chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel Rose, Cabernet, or Merlot (Plus a random label of sparkling wine or Prosecco). So if you’re not picky, this package may be sufficient. 

SEE ALL OF THE “Classic” cocktails included with the Easy Package

Martini | Gin or vodka, dry vermouth, olive or lemon peel Manhattan | Whisky, red vermouth, Angostura bitters Daiquiri | Rum, lime juice, sugar syrup Cosmopolitan | Vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime Sidecar | Brandy, triple sec, lemon juice Screwdriver | Vodka, orange juice Margarita | Tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, lime juice Moscow Mule | Vodka, lime, ginger beer Cape Cod | Vodka, cranberry juice Mimosa | Sparkling wine, orange juice Gin Fizz | Gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda Pink Lady | Gin, lemon juice, grenadine Sea Breeze | Vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice Caipiroska | Vodka, diced lime, sugar Blue Hawaiian | Rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, coconut cream Tequila Sunrise | Tequila, orange juice, grenadine Bloody Mary | Vodka, tomato juice, salt, pepper, tabasco, Worcestershire sauce Long Island Iced Tea | Vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, cola Mojito | Rum, fresh mint, lime, sugar, soda Piña Colada | Rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice Strawberry Daiquiri | Rum, strawberry purée, sweet & sour mix

Alcohol-free cocktails included

Nojito | Lime, fresh mint leaves, sugar, Mojito mix, club soda Magic Island | Pineapple, orange and lemon juice, grenadine, Sprite Cuddle on the Beach | Peach purée, orange juice, cranberry juice Royal Punch | Passion fruit purée, pineapple juice, cranberry juice Fruit Smoothie | Orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, fresh banana, guava juice, mango purée Coco Colada | Fresh pineapple, coconut cream, pineapple juice, milk Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri | Strawberry purée, sweet & sour mix, sugar syrup

Beer Included in the MSC Easy Drinks Package

Heineken draft beer (ONLY)

For this package, even though bottled beers are less than the price cap of $7.50, they’re specifically excluded. Mindblowing, right? It just adds to the confusion about the MSC Drinks packages.

Sodas Included in the Easy Package

Sodas by the glass, Fruit juices by the glass, Still or sparkling mineral water

Other beverages included

Including these beverages at the base level really does set MSC apart from other cruise lines that usually exclude specialty coffee from their drink packages.

Espresso, Decaf espresso, Cappuccino, Decaf cappuccino, Caffè latte, Glass of milk, Hot chocolate, Hot tea

Easy Drink Packa

Is the Easy package worth it?

That really depends. If you drink basic cocktails such as Gin & Tonic, Bloody Mary, Screwdriver , etc, and aren’t picky about the liquor used, the Easy Package may work for you. 

MSC Easy Plus Drink Package Explained

The Easy Plus Package cost is $61 per day , ($64 for shorter cruises of 6 days or less) but you can upgrade from the Easy package for about $23/per day per person

With this beverage package, you can order drinks in specialty dining restaurants as well as anything included in the above Easy package. There are caveats, more on that later.

Any beverages up to $10 are included in this package which gets you all of the beer options, more wine options, and some frozen drink options that aren’t available in the most basic drink package.  There is also a larger range of liquor brands, cordials, and martinis available at this price point.

The Easy Plus Package is the most common drinks package because it includes just about everything that a typical drinker would order. Even better, this package can be used in specialty dining restaurants as well. With recent changes to the beverage packages, the cruise line now allows you to order a drink that is not included in the package and only pay the difference (plus gratuity)

This is what we ultimately upgraded to from our included Easy Package. It was well worth the upgrade not only for the more inclusive offering, but for the simplicity of not having to think about what we were ordering and if it was included.

see WHAT’s included with EASY PLUS Beverage Package

In addition to the Easy Package, you can also order the following:

Cocktails included:

Sapphire Martini Bombay Sapphire gin, Martini dry, olive or lemon peel Appletini Absolut Classic and Absolut Vanilia vodka, apple sour liqueur, sweet & sour mix Royal Manhattan Crown Royal, Martini Rosso, Angostura bitters Cuban Daiquiri Bacardi Superior white rum, lime juice, sugar syrup Absolut Cosmo Absolut Citron vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, Rose’s lime Spanish Sidecar Cardinal Mendoza brandy, Cointreau, lemon juice, sugar syrup Screwdriver Made in USA T ito’s vodka, orange juice Classic Margarita Jose Cuervo silver tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, lime juice Dutch Mule K etel One vodka, lime, ginger beer Absolut Cape Cod Absolut Classic vodka, cranberry juice Mimosa Blossom Absolut Mango vodka, Galliano, orange juice, prosecco Bombay Fizz Bombay Sapphire gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda Ultimate Pink Lady Beefeater London Dry gin, lemon juice, pomegranate syrup Caribbean Breeze Ketel One vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, lime Masters of the Sea Caipirinha Premium cachaça, diced lime, sugar Blue Hawaiian Punch Bacardi Superior white rum, Malibu coconut rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, coconut cream Aperol Spritz Aperol, prosecco, club soda, orange slice Jalisco Sunrise Jose Cuervo silver tequila, orange juice, grenadine Absolut Bloody Mary Absolut Classic vodka, tomato juice, salt, pepper, tabasco, Worcestershire sauce Ultimate Iced Tea Smirnoff vodka, Bacardi Superior White rum, Beefeater gin, Jose Cuervo silver tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, cola Bacardi Mojito Bacardi Superior white rum, fresh mint leaves, lime, sugar, club soda Mudslide Absolut vodka, Kahlúa coffee liqueur, Baileys Irish Cream, heavy cream Baileys Alexander Baileys Irish Cream, dark crème de cacao, cream

Frozen Drinks:

Mango Tropical Trooper Cruzan mango rum, peach schnapps, triple sec, mango juice, fresh mint Rock Lobster Malibu coconut rum, banana liqueur, grenadine, fresh banana, pineapple and orange juice, Gosling’s Black Seal rum Ultimate Piña Colada Bacardi Superior white rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream, fresh pineapple B.B.C Bailey’s Irish Cream, Bacardi Superior white rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, fresh banana Original Strawberry Daiquiri Bacardi Superior white rum, strawberry purée, sweet & sour mix Miami Vice Miami’s hottest drink: half Strawberry Daiquiri and half Piña Colada Frozen Toblerone Bailey’s Irish Cream, macadamia nut syrup, Swiss white chocolate syrup, cream

Beer Included in the Easy Plus package:

Miller Lite USA Budweiser USA Bud Light USA Coors Light USA Michelob Ultra USA Heineken Netherlands Corona Extra Mexico Dos Equis Mexico Red Stripe Jamaica Stella Artois Belgium

Samuel Adams USA Yuengling Lager USA Newcastle Brown Ale England Blue Moon USA Beck’s Germany Peroni Nastro Azzurro Italy Pilsner Urquell Czech Republic Guinness Pub Draft Ireland Angry Orchard Apple Cider USA Heineken 0.0 Netherlands

The MSC Easy Plus Package Menu

This is an example of the Easy Plus menu from within the MSC mobile app. Just know that you are entitled to anything up to $10. See the complete list below.

MSC Easy Plus Drink Package Menu

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MSC Premium Extra Package

This drinks package allows you to purchase any beverage up to $16 , however, it comes at a high cost of $85.00 / day per person (this can be as much as $104/day if you are on a short cruise and purchase onboard). You can upgrade from a lower-cost beverage package for the difference in price, i.e. if you have the easy package, for approximately $43/day you can upgrade to this Premium package.  (Note: Prices have changed as of March 1, 2023, and this information reflects the newest pricing)

While this package covers most top-shelf liquor, there are still quite a few wines and drinks that are more than $16, so it’s not as inclusive as other cruise lines’ most premium drink packages.

MSC Premium Extra Drink Menu

Most premium liquors can be purchased with this package including Grey Goose, Aviation Gin, Belvedere, etc. (see the menu below). However, there are still plenty of drinks that are strategically priced above $16, making this package far from all-inclusive. Additionally, most of the champagne and decent wine on board is significantly more than the limit allowed by this package. It’s hard to make sense of this package unless your tastes are squarely within the more premium liquor brands included.

A bonus of these drinks packages is the discounting on bottles of wine (25%), but the reality is good bottles of wine are generally only available at The Butchers Cut Steakhouse, so unless you are dining there regularly, that benefit is minimal. 

In addition to the Easy Package & Easy Plus Package, you can also order the following:

Drinks included in the Premium Extra Package:

Aviation Martini Aviation gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, fresh lemon juice Hemingway Daiquiri Zacapa 23Y rum, fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice, maraschino liqueur Santa Teresa Manhattan Santa Teresa 1796 rum, orange bitters, red vermouth Gold Rush Woodford Reserve bourbon, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup MSC Signature Martini Disaronno liqueur, Grey Goose vodka, Licor 43, lemon peel Mule Le Poire Grey Goose Le Poire vodka, fresh lime juice, ginger beer Shanghai Margarita Patrón Silver tequila, agave nectar, fresh lime juice, fresh ginger zest Chili Passion Caipirinha Premium caçhaca, lime, raw sugar, hot chili sauce, passion fruit, jalapeño

Ultimate Mai Tai Appleton Estate rum, Bacardi Superior white rum, Disaronno liqueur, pineapple and orange juice, sweet & sour mix, grenadine Purple Rain Bacardi Superior white rum, Finlandia vodka, Bombay Sapphire gin, peach schnapps, blue curaçao, sweet & sour mix, grenadine Coco Loco Bacardi Oakheart spiced rum, Malibu coconut rum, Piña Colada mix, mango purée, fruit punch Jamaican Paradise Appleton Estate rum, Malibu coconut rum, Jose Cuervo silver tequila, Midori melon liqueur, blue curaçao, sweet & sour mix Miami Beach Iced Tea Bacardi Superior white rum, Beefeater gin, Smirnoff vodka, Cuervo silver tequila, blue curaçao, sugar syrup, Sprite Sunset Beach Malibu coconut rum, raspberry liqueur, orange and pineapple juice, grenadine Tropical Tease Midori melon liqueur, Malibu coconut rum, banana liqueur, pineapple juice Emerald Mariachi 1800 Reposado tequila, blue curaçao, lime juice, passion fruit syrup, pineapple juice Mango Mojito Bacardi mango rum, mango purée, fresh mint leaves, lime, club sod a

You pay the difference in price for a beverage not included in your package

You can now get a credit towards any drinks not included in your MSC Drink package!. The credit towards a drink is $8 per drink for the Easy Package, $10 per drink for the Easy Plus Package, and $16 per drink for the Premium Extra Package.

For European cruises the credit you get is 7 Euro for the Easy Package, 9 Euro for the Easy Plus and 14 Euro for the Premium Extra package on MSC.

MSC Drink Package Europe Cruise

Alcoholic-Free and Minors Package on MSC Cruises

You might be interested in the non-alcoholic package if you’re not a drinker or when traveling with children. This package offers non-alcoholic cocktails, sodas, energy drinks, juices, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. This package doesn’t apply to specialty restaurants unless it’s for a minor whose group purchased the Easy Plus or Premium Extra alcoholic package. So be prepared to pay for your soda when dining at the Butcher’s Cut, even if you have this package.

These prices will vary if booked on the ship on the day of sailing. Usually by an additional 10% or more. Short sailings are considered anything less than 7 days.

This table of prices is pretty mind-numbing and takes the fun out of figuring out what package is right. Why there are different prices for different lengths of cruise is bizarre and just another way that MSC tends to overcomplicate everything.

  • Read : More about MSC Cruises
  • See : MSC Bar Menus

Our experience with the MSC Drink Packages

Originally, we thought the Easy package would be sufficient for our cruise, but discovering the limited beverage options and the fact that you cannot use the package in specialty dining restaurants, we chose to upgrade to the Easy Plus.

Overall this was a good choice, because of the wider variety of options and the ability to use in a specialty restaurant. However, it’s important to know – that when using the Easy Plus in a specialty restaurant like Butcher’s Cut, you must order off of the wine/drink menus in that restaurant!

If your favorite glass of wine isn’t available in the restaurant, you are forbidden to bring anything from an outside bar, which really makes no sense. This is something that they do NOT TELL YOU when upgrading from the Easy to Easy Plus on the ship.

Normally this wouldn’t be a big issue except there were very few options on beverage menus that were covered by the Easy Plus package.

What’s NOT Included in the drink packages?

Each drink package on MSC has a unique set of rules and inclusions, but to be sure about what’s CURRENTLY included, be sure to check out the official comparison chart on the MSC Cruises website here .

Drink Calculator – Are drink packages worth it on MSC?

Let’s find out if getting a drink package is worth it or not by using our handy drink calculator! Simply choose the package you plan on purchasing and estimate how many drinks per day you might consume and see if you “break even”

  • Choose the package type you are considering. We’ve entered the package price per MSC Cruises but you can adjust the daily charge if you are getting a promo on the package price.
  • Enter the number of cruise days
  • Estimate your consumption of each type of beverage. We’ve put the average beverage prices based on the Drink Menus, but you can adjust this if you know you like more expensive drink options.

Easy Package includes:

Specific drinks listed on the easy drink menu (found here).

These drinks are sort of “vague” in some respect, so definitely look at the MSC Drink Menus article , where there is a unique menu for the Easy Package.

The Easy Package covers all of the above served in the bars, buffet and main restaurant as well as Ocean Cay and other exclusive destinations. This package CANNOT be used in specialty restaurants.

Easy Plus Package includes:

Bottomless beverages priced up to $10 all day long.

The Easy Plus Package can be enjoyed in the bars, buffet, main restaurant and specialty restaurants , Ocean Cay, and other exclusive destinations.

Premium Extra Package includes:

Premium beverages priced up to $16.

The Premium Extra Package can be enjoyed in the bars, buffet, main restaurant, and specialty restaurants as well as Ocean Cay and other exclusive destinations.

Estimate Your Daily Consumption:

Each field contains the average price found on most MSC ships in US Dollars.

Remember! Any drink not within your package limit, you pay the overage cost plus the service charge! If you tend to drink nicer wines or cocktails, you can adjust the average price of each beverage in the corresponding boxes! This helps give you a more accurate idea of your possible spending. (15% gratuities on European, Emirates, South Caribbean, Red Sea, South America (Brazil and Argentine) and Far East itineraries, and 18% gratuity on North America itineraries.)

Each field contains the average price found on most MSC ships. For the Premium Extra package, all drinks up to $15 are included. If you tend to drink nicer wines or cocktails, you can adjust the average price of each beverage in the corresponding boxes – Remember, for anything over the included price, you pay the difference plus a service charge or gratuity (15% gratuities on European, Emirates, South Caribbean, Red Sea, South America (Brazil and Argentine) and Far East itineraries, and 18% gratuity on North America itineraries.)!

You haven’t broken even on the Easy Package yet!

You BROKE EVEN on the Easy Package!

You haven’t broken even on the Easy PLUS Package yet!

You BROKE EVEN on the Easy PLUS Package!

You haven’t broken even on the Premium Extra Package yet!

Frequently Asked Questions about the MSC Drinks Packages

Can you upgrade your drinks package on msc.

Yes, you can upgrade for the difference in the price of each package (the gratuity is now included for all on-board upgrades)

Do you pay the difference in price for a beverage not included in your package?

NOTE: Starting early 2023, MSC has started rolling out a new beverage program and rules. One of the changes is allowing you to “upgrade” your drink. A credit of the maximum package drink price will be given towards a drink that is over what the package will cover. For example, if you have the Easy Plus package for drinks up to $10 and you order a $12 glass of wine, you should only be charged $2 now. *** However, we are unsure about how this works with the Easy Package or if it does ***. We’re leaving the historical answer below in case we got it wrong.

Historically, It used to be that buying a beverage above the price of your package meant you were paying the full amount of the beverage. Unlike some cruise lines (NCL mainly) where you would just pay the difference, that was not the case with MSC. So if you thought you’d appreciate the beverages that are not included in your drink package, upgrading is probably the best idea and was encouraged once you board the ship. This especially makes sense if you were given a promo Easy Package as part of your booking!

Are drinks in the mini bar included in the drink packages?

Drink packages on MSC Cruises don’t include the minibar

Can you use your drink package on Ocean Cay Marine Reserve?

MSC Drink packages DO work on the Ocean Cay private island. 🥳

Does everyone in the cabin have to buy the beverage package?

Yes, all adults are required to have the same beverage package and the same level (i.e. Premium Plus). MSC specifically states that children need to have a minors package if the parents have a beverage package.

Do the MSC Drinks Packages include gratuity?

Yes – Packages now include the gratuity, so that is no longer charged separately.

Is there a limit to the number of drinks I can order per day ? (Unlimited)

Currently, there is no stated limit – other than they can refuse to serve you if you’ve overconsumed.

Beer Lovers Need Easy Plus on MSC

Other MSC Drink Package Helpful Information

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With Prices (2024)

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With Prices (2024)

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With PriceS – UPDATED We spent a lot of time on a recent voyage with MSC Cruises trying... Read This

Phil Crane

Cruise Gear Editor

I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

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35 Comments

On MSc how much doe sit cost if you buy a beer or a soda pop per purchase since i do not drink much alcohol at all and maybe two sodas a day

Wayne – You can get a beer for about $7.50 and a soda for $3.00-$3.50 + gratuity. You can see the MSC drink menus here

How do you know if the drink you order is within the 10$ limit on the easy plus package? Do the bartenders tell you? I would hate to get a bill for the extra few dollars if not covered. Thanks!

Hi Robin, They are very good about telling you right away if anything you order isn’t in the package, but the menus are also scattered around everywhere, and you’ll quickly learn what types of drinks are extra. I found that the selection of drinks wasn’t incredibly huge, so I knew fast what they had that I liked, and which were going to cost a little more.

I don’t drink alcohol but would like the occasional soda. Is it possible to purchase just individual drinks without the packages?

Hi Peter, Absolutely! If you take a look at the MSC Drink Menus (here) – on the first menu, flip to the last page. You’ll see the list of sodas and other beverages. It’s definitely not worth a package with the occasional soda.

Hi! Sailing in a couple days. Just want water and maybe a MOCKtail or 2 for a day. I wasn’t clear on how much mineral water is included per day or how to access. No soda, tea or coffee for me. The calculator did not offer the nonalcoholic package so wanted your recommendations- I do need to drink alot of water. Can I bring any sealed bottled water aboard? Is there gratuities on bottled water as well and how big are the bottles? Thanks in advance!

Hi Amy – Good point on the calculator – we’ll fix that and add the non-alcoholic package! At about $28 per day for the non-alcoholic package and a water being about $3.25 + gratuities, You’d end up needing to buy about 7 bottled waters per day to “break even”. (They are the large 17 oz sizes you’d get in a restaurant, so it’s a pretty good value) The non alcoholic cocktails are included as well and are usually about $7 to my recollection, but here’s the menus for MSC Drinks . (the first menu flips through to all the non-alcoholic in the back of the menu) – About bringing water, etc. MSC Is one of the only cruise lines that literally allows no beverages to be brought on the ship. Enjoy your cruise! I hope this helps.

We are looking at doing a cruise with our teens in the spring. We don’t drink alcohol, so is it worth buying a drink package? We would like access to sodas, juices, anything non alcoholic, so wondering if you’d advise to get a drink pkg or not. Thanks!

Hi Diana – Basic tea, coffee, water is included in the fare but soda, specialty coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages aren’t included. There IS an Alcohol free package for $28/day per person +/- which is quite a bit less than the other drink packages. HOWEVER, MSC Often does a promo with the “easy” package or “easy plus” as a perk for a bit of an extra charge. Doing the math, you’ll often find that the little higher rate on a cruise that includes the drink package is far less than buying the package separately. For example, on a 7 day booking I looked and the all included fare was about $37/per person per day more expensive and the drink package was included as well as wifi and onboard credit. More benefits for less money for sure! SO be sure to check that pricing and use our drink calculator for MSC (here) to see if you even drink enough soda/non-alcoholic things to make it worth it.

Your calculator doesn’t take into account that they add a 15% gratuity to each drink, and the package includes the gratuity.

Hi Brad, thanks for the comment, we’ll make a change to the formula to include the gratuity in the calculations!

Is there a time limit in between each drink? Like a waiting period of 10/15 minutes?

Hi Sarah – There is not. We would often try a drink of the day or some specialty, hate it, and immediately order something else.

Hope this helps!

I want to get the easy drinks package but my husband cant drink due to Ill health. Do MSC take this into consideration or will we have to both buy same package.

Hi Karen – Normally with a medical notice from a doctor, the second person doesn’t have to purchase an alcohol package. HOWEVER, MSC rules change… sometimes depending on who you speak to. My experience with this is that they will request you purchase the EASY package for yourself and the NON ALCOHOLIC package for your husband. But it will have to be done by phone, and whether they ask for medical proof will likely depend on who you speak to at the time. I had friends traveling with us that were in your exact situation and they were not asked for proof but were in fact told the non drinking person has to purchase a non-alcoholic package.

Is Redbul available at no additional cost in the easy plus package?

Yes, my recollection is that energy drinks were included with the Easy Plus!

So for my wife who does not drink any alcohol is the minor package the best? Based on the menu the easy plus package covers a variety of beers is that correct vs only Heineken on the easy package.

Hi Jason, they (MSC) will likely require the Alcohol-Free Package as I believe the Minors package is truly teens and below. They’re basically the same thing, you’re just getting penalized for being a grown up 🙂 – That said, the Easy Plus package you are considering does cover all of the beers. There wasn’t a beer served that wasn’t covered by the Easy Plus. And yes, Heineken is the only thing available on the Easy Package. So if you’re a beer drinker, it’s worth looking at the Easy Plus. BUT! Keep in mind, the specials that MSC runs sometimes include the beverage packages and it may be cheaper to go ahead and book with those specials rather than cruise only and adding an Alcohol-Free Package + Easy Plus package. Even if your wife doesn’t take advantage of the alcohol, she can have all of the non-alcoholic beverages she wants and in the end the total price may be less on the promotion. Hope this helps!

If you purchase a non-alcoholic drink package, do you pay the difference for an alcoholic drink or the full price?

Hi Tom – The non alcoholic package won’t work to apply anything towards an alcoholic beverage purchase. However if you have the most basic beverage package (Easy), you can pay the difference for drinks that are more expensive than what is covered by the Easy (this is new for 2023)

Thank you, kind of what I thought. I’d have to to go easy plus since the easy package is not inclusive of some of the non-alcoholic drinks I would like.

Interesting! I’m curious about what non-alcoholic drinks you like that wouldn’t be included in the Easy Package? In our experience, everything non-alcoholic was included in the Easy Package (but there may be something I’m missing!) 🙂

What to do if one person drinks and other doesn’t on the same cabin?

Typically everyone of age in the same cabin must have the same drink package. The cruise line will make an exception for medical reasons. Mostly they don’t want one person getting the package and sharing the drinks with their cabin mate 🙁

Thank you for all of this information. It is very hard to navigate all of this from MSC website. I am not a big drinker so I wasn’t sure if the packages were necessary. Your drink calculator is very helpful . If you could answer a question: there are no frozen drinks on the easy drink menu. Does that mean there is no option for frozen margaritas?

Hi Claudia, I’m glad this information helped! We were able to get frozen drinks without a problem, as long as the liquor type was in the basic package. They didn’t distinguish between frozen or on the rocks with things like Margaritas and Daiquiris.

We are sailing to Rome from Durban 20th April and have bought 18 of the 18 unit packages, my question is does a unit mean a short and a mixer, ie, rum and coke or it that 2 units.

Hi Jennifer, we’ve done both Europe & USA cruises on MSC – and in our experience, a rum and coke was in fact a single drink. I know in Europe, it’s common to sell the mixer separate, but that does not seem to be the case on MSC Ships. I hope this helps & enjoy your cruise!

My husband and I are booked to sail from Durban in April on msc Orchestra 25 day cruise to Genoa. Please can you advise if drinks packages are on offer on the ship or if we pay per drink and are soft drinks free? If we pay per drink can you email prices so that we can work out a budget, many thanks.

Hi Ann! When you login to your MSC account you should see a way to pre-purchase the packages. If you wait until you get on the ship, they will be about 20% more expensive! We did the “easy” package which covered sodas, specialty coffee, bottled water, and quite a few basic drinks, but upgraded on another trip to the Easy Plus which gets you better beverages and allows you to use the package in the specialty restaurants (which you can’t with the basic Easy package). We put together a handy drink calculator for MSC (See the drink calculator) so you can estimate your budget based on how you normally consume. This will let you know really fast if you’re going to make the drink package worth it! I hope this helps.

Their top package used to include everything but full bottles of wine. Last time on Miraviglia it included everything on the champagne bar menu including $20 drinks. On the Seaside it used to cover the specialty chocolate drinks and gelato. Mildly disappointed. Used to be the best package. Bartenders loved it because they could make the high dollar stuff most people won’t try

I feel your disappointment! When we were on the Meraviglia , the whole drink package was so confusing that even some of the staff weren’t sure what to include or not. I had hoped they’d simplify it, but the new packages with prices were just released, and it’s still a head-scratcher.

It will be our first time on a cruise. Reading your tips is being mind and eye opening. We will make sure to have every single detail well calculated before we proceed. Thank you! Great website!

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Specialty Restaurants

From succulent steaks and authentic  Butcher's Cut  fare to chef’s table experiences, our specialty restaurants offer a mouth-watering variety of international cuisine: Mediterranean, Steakhouse, Asian, Fusion and Seafood.  Reserve a dining experience on board and savour a memorable gastronomic experience while you cruise… all at a very special price.

Book now  and Save up to 35% vs. onboard prices!

speciality restaurants hola tacos cantina1

This new fast-casual street food dining concept, offers a selection of Latin American and Mexican-inspired dishes and drinks to be shared and enjoyed friendly atmosphere. Choose from a tantalizing array of dishes from blue corn tacos and nachos, authentic empanadas and tasty tamales through to tortilla soup or vegetarian tacos, all to be savoured with a glass of agua fresca or our selection of Top 10 Tequilas and Mezcals! A signature salsa bar offers a large selection of sauces and a fresh guacamole station round out the experience.

Available on: MSC Virtuosa  and MSC Seashore Food: Latin American and Mexican Type of service: Charges apply

speciality restaurants indochine

This restaurant offers guests Vietnamese classics with a French twist, combining two delicious culinary heritages. The menu will include tasty vegetarian and vegan options, as well as a multitude of healthy and balanced dishes that can be served family style, to share amongst friends. Its ample wine list tempts even the most practiced of sommeliers, while the tropical signature selection cocktails help complete this authentic experience.

Available on: MSC Virtuosa Food: Vietnamese and French cuisine  Type of service: Charges apply

speciality restaurants starship club

Available on: MSC Virtuosa Immersive Bar experience   Type of service: Charges apply

Speciality Restaurants, Butcher's Cut | MSC Cruises

This American-style steak house serves select Linz heritage angus beef, gold standard in high-end angus beef thanks to the best genetics in breed. The highest quality product custom cut by master butchers and aged to perfection. The menu is inspired by the great plains and it is accompanied by bold New World wines and cocktails with swagger.

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Seats: from 72 to 121

Available on: MSC Seashore ,  MSC Virtuosa ,  MSC Grandiosa , MSC Bellissima , MSC Seaview , MSC Seaside , MSC Meraviglia , MSC Preziosa , MSC Divina , MSC Splendida  and MSC Fantasia

Food: Steakhouse 

Type of service: Charges apply

Speciality Restaurants, Kaito Teppanyaki | MSC Cruises

Available on: MSC Seashore ,  MSC Virtuosa ,  MSC Grandiosa , MSC Bellissima  and MSC Meraviglia  

Food: Asian

Speciality Restaurants, Kaito Sushi Bar | MSC Cruises

Tradition and modernity go hand in hand in this stylish sushi restaurant. This charming venue offers deliciously authentic Asian cuisine prepared on the spot with only the freshest, highest quality ingredients.

Seats: from 24 to 54

Available on: MSC Seashore ,  MSC Virtuosa ,  MSC Grandiosa , MSC Bellissima , MSC Meraviglia , MSC Poesia , MSC Musica , MSC Lirica

Food: Asian 

Atelier Bistrot | MSC Cruises

This charming, convivial bistro will welcome you into the wonderful world of French cuisine, with quality products and small plates perfect for sharing. If you’re hungry for a snack, the finest French products, from cheese to charcuterie, Escargots de Bourgogne, Foie Gras de Canard and French desserts are waiting to be tried. If you’d like something more substantial, then perhaps Ribeye steak fries & blue cheese sauce or other French classics are available. Only on MSC Grandiosa, the art experience featuring “Degas Danse Dessin” will bring guests closer to the world of fine art with a spellbinding exhibition of original Impressionist art. 

Available on: MSC Grandiosa  

Food: Mediterranean

Ocean Cay Restaurant by Ramon Freixa | MSC Cruises

Available on:  MSC Seaview

Food: Seafood

Chef: * Ramón Freixa  only on MSC Seaview

Speciality Restaurants, Ocean Cay | MSC Cruises

A mouthwatering menu of sophisticated fish dishes and other recipes, made with the freshest ingredients and complemented by a wonderful wine list: these are the magic ingredients of the luxury fish restaurant. 

Available on: MSC Seashore ,  MSC Seaside  and  MSC Meraviglia

Food: Seafood 

Hola Tapas Bar | MSC Cruises

Available on: MSC Grandiosa ,  MSC Bellissima , and  MSC Meraviglia .

Chef: Ram ón Freixa

Speciality Restaurants, Sea Pavillon | MSC Cruises

In this exclusive restaurant the art of the oriental cuisine meets the passion of a Celebrity Chef: Jereme Leung, pioneer of oriental fusion cuisine.

Available on:   MSC Bellissma  and  MSC Splendida  

Chef: Jereme Leung

Speciality Restaurants, Asian Market Pan Asian | MSC Cruises

Designed with award-winning Chef Roy Yamaguchi, internationally famed for his creative Japanese, Hawaiian and European fusion food, in our Teppanyaki restaurant the chef he brings his creative flair to every detail, from creating the recipes and suggesting the perfect wine pairings to selecting the right chinaware and the ideal music to enhance the dining experience.

Available on: MSC Seaview  and MSC Seaside

Chef: Roy Yamaguchi

Speciality Restaurants, Asian Market Sushi | MSC Cruises

Designed with award-winning Chef Roy Yamaguchi, creator of Hawaiian fusion cuisine, our Sushi Food Bar combines chef’s Japanese heritage with a love for the freshest ingredients for an unforgettable culinary experience. 

Speciality Restaurants, Galaxy Kaito | MSC Cruises

Description: ranked by the Berlitz guide as “the best sushi at sea”, this charming venue offers deliciously authentic Asian cuisine prepared on the spot with only the freshest, highest quality ingredients.

Available on: MSC Divina  and MSC Preziosa

catia

Designed with award-winning Chef Roy Yamaguchi, famed for his visionary Pan-Asia cuisine, in our Pan Asian Restaurant the chef shares his inspiration and incredible flavours with guests.

Surf & Turf | MSC Cruises

Indulge in a favorite mouthwatering surf 'n' turf meal with the juiciest of steaks and bountiful seafood.

Our menu will take your taste buds on a cruise of their own as you indulge in hearty seafood favorites, such as crab cakes and lobster, and melt-in-your-mouth fillets and ribeyes.

Available on:  MSC Armonia

Speciality Restaurants, Oriental Plaza | MSC Cruises

Our Asian restaurant offers authentic Japanise, Chinese and Thai dishes in a informal atmosphere.

Available on: MSC Magnifica  

Speciality Restaurants, Shanghai | MSC Cruises

Available on: MSC Orchestra

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Reader's Digest

Reader's Digest

7 Most Affordable Cruise Lines That’ll Make Your Cruising Dreams Come True

Posted: October 2, 2023 | Last updated: October 2, 2023

<p>Cruising is often described as the ultimate relaxing vacation. You only unpack once, yet you wake up in a new country or island every morning. You also never have to worry about where to eat, there are nonstop activities onboard that keep everyone entertained—and most everything is included in the price. So you don't have to worry much about overspending once you're on board if you book on one of the most affordable cruise lines.</p> <p>Of course, <em>everything</em> is more expensive these days, leaving some travelers to wonder if there are still affordable cruises available to meet their vacation budgets. Thankfully, that answer is yes, and there are several brands that still provide exceptional value aboard their floating cities. Many are among the <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/best-cruise-lines/" rel="noopener noreferrer">best cruise lines</a>, and some are even frequent cruisers' <a href="https://www.rd.com/article/favorite-cruises/" rel="noopener noreferrer">favorite cruises</a>. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that <a href="https://www.rd.com/article/live-on-a-cruise-ship/" rel="noopener noreferrer">living on a cruise ship can be cheaper than a mortgage</a>, in case you decide you never want to return from your vacation.</p> <p>So follow these <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/cruise-tips/" rel="noopener noreferrer">cruise tips</a> for <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/how-to-save-money-on-a-cruise/" rel="noopener noreferrer">how to save money on a cruise</a> by booking the most affordable cruise lines. You may even be able to sneak in an extra vacation this year with all your savings.</p> <h2>How much does a cheap cruise cost?</h2> <p>Cheap cruises usually range in price from $40 to $100 per night per person. To put that deal in perspective, imagine having your accommodations, food and entertainment covered for roughly $50 a day on a traditional land-based trip—you'd be hard-pressed to stay within that budget just for your meals. It's truly impressive that these all-inclusive cruises can charge so little.</p> <p>But before you get too excited over these low prices, don't forget to factor in the cost of the extras when calculating your total expenses—that's one of the <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/cruise-advice/" rel="noopener noreferrer">secrets cruise lines won't tell you</a>. Things like drinks, shore excursions, gratuities, spa treatments, specialty dining, airfare, photos, taxes and port fees aren't included and can add up quickly.</p> <p>Finally, keep in mind that the best deals will always be for an inside cabin, which means you won't have a porthole (let alone a balcony) for natural light. The good news? You'll sleep like a baby in total darkness, especially during an afternoon nap.</p> <p><strong>Get <em>Reader's <b><i>Digest</i></b></em><b>’s</b> </strong><a href="https://www.rd.com/newsletter/?int_source=direct&int_medium=rd.com&int_campaign=nlrda_20221001_topperformingcontentnlsignup&int_placement=incontent" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Read Up newsletter</strong></a><strong> for more travel, humor, cleaning, tech and fun facts all week long.</strong></p>

The cheapest cruise lines

Cruising is often described as the ultimate relaxing vacation. You only unpack once, yet you wake up in a new country or island every morning. You also never have to worry about where to eat, there are nonstop activities onboard that keep everyone entertained—and most everything is included in the price. So you don't have to worry much about overspending once you're on board if you book on one of the most affordable cruise lines.

Of course, everything is more expensive these days, leaving some travelers to wonder if there are still affordable cruises available to meet their vacation budgets. Thankfully, that answer is yes, and there are several brands that still provide exceptional value aboard their floating cities. Many are among the best cruise lines , and some are even frequent cruisers' favorite cruises . In fact, you might be surprised to learn that living on a cruise ship can be cheaper than a mortgage , in case you decide you never want to return from your vacation.

So follow these cruise tips for how to save money on a cruise by booking the most affordable cruise lines. You may even be able to sneak in an extra vacation this year with all your savings. Here's what to pack for a cruise .

How much does a cheap cruise cost?

Cheap cruises usually range in price from $40 to $100 per night per person. To put that deal in perspective, imagine having your accommodations, food and entertainment covered for roughly $50 a day on a traditional land-based trip—you'd be hard-pressed to stay within that budget just for your meals. It's truly impressive that these all-inclusive cruises can charge so little.

But before you get too excited over these low prices, don't forget to factor in the cost of the extras when calculating your total expenses—that's one of the secrets cruise lines won't tell you . Things like drinks, shore excursions, gratuities, spa treatments, specialty dining, airfare, photos, taxes and port fees aren't included and can add up quickly.

Finally, keep in mind that the best deals will always be for an inside cabin, which means you won't have a porthole (let alone a balcony) for natural light. The good news? You'll sleep like a baby in total darkness, especially during an afternoon nap.

Get Reader's Digest ’s   Read Up newsletter for more travel, humor, cleaning, tech and fun facts all week long.

<p>It's important to pay attention to the <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/cheapest-days-of-the-week-to-do-anything/" rel="noopener noreferrer">cheapest times</a> to book a cruise if you want to save even more. Wave season, which is from January to March, is a promotional time of year when cruise lines run their most competitive sales. These sales are designed to encourage bookings for later in the year. You can also keep an eye on sites like MSC's <a title="https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise-deals" href="https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise-deals" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cruise Deals</a> to find great prices.</p> <p>There are great deals at other times of the year too. Generally speaking, the further in advance you book, the better prices you'll find. But the opposite is also true, because cruise lines will happily sell unused inventory at a significantly reduced rate in the form of last-minute deals. You'll need a flexible schedule to pull this off, and you may find airfare is too costly at that point.</p> <p>Beyond wave season, planning far in advance or nabbing last-minute cruise deals, it's also wise to consider booking your cruises for the off-season. For instance, for the Caribbean and Mexico, that would mean summer sailings or during <a href="https://www.rd.com/article/shoulder-season/" rel="noopener noreferrer">shoulder season</a> (the month before and after high season—for example, in the case of Alaska, this would be in May or September). Just know that you are taking a bit of a risk with the weather during these off-peak times.</p>

When is the cheapest time to book a cruise?

It's important to pay attention to the cheapest times to book a cruise if you want to save even more. Wave season, which is from January to March, is a promotional time of year when cruise lines run their most competitive sales. These sales are designed to encourage bookings for later in the year. You can also keep an eye on sites like MSC's Cruise Deals to find great prices.

There are great deals at other times of the year too. Generally speaking, the further in advance you book, the better prices you'll find. But the opposite is also true, because cruise lines will happily sell unused inventory at a significantly reduced rate in the form of last-minute deals. You'll need a flexible schedule to pull this off, and you may find airfare is too costly at that point.

Beyond wave season, planning far in advance or nabbing last-minute cruise deals, it's also wise to consider booking your cruises for the off-season. For instance, for the Caribbean and Mexico, that would mean summer sailings or during shoulder season (the month before and after high season—for example, in the case of Alaska, this would be in May or September). Just know that you are taking a bit of a risk with the weather during these off-peak times.

<p><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691642-Reviews-MSC_Seaside" rel="noopener noreferrer">MSC Cruises</a> offers sailings out of the U.S. (New York, Miami and Orlando) to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, New England and Canada. It also offers sailings to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Dubai, South Africa and more.</p> <p><strong>Cost:</strong> Cruises on MSC start as low as $129 per person.</p> <p><strong>Specials to watch for:</strong> MSC offers such limited-time specials as free drinks and Wi-Fi plus up to $200 onboard credit (which can be used to book extras like shore excursions or spa treatments).</p> <p><strong>Other savings to consider:</strong> You won't find an <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/adult-only-cruises/" rel="noopener noreferrer">adults-only cruise</a> here, however this cruise line does offer a Kids Sail Free program, which means that all children under 18 traveling in the same cabin as their parents travel free all year-round. Port taxes, registration costs, insurance, flights and transfers (where required) are excluded from the offer, but it still goes a long way toward making this one of the most affordable cruise lines.</p> <p><strong>Affordable cruises:</strong> We've seen a 6-night southern Caribbean cruise for as low as $219 total per person.</p> <p class="listicle-page__cta-button-shop"><a class="shop-btn" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691642-Reviews-MSC_Seaside">Book Now</a></p>

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers sailings out of the U.S. (New York, Miami and Orlando) to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, New England and Canada. It also offers sailings to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Dubai, South Africa and more.

Cost: Cruises on MSC start as low as $129 per person.

Specials to watch for: MSC offers such limited-time specials as free drinks and Wi-Fi plus up to $200 onboard credit (which can be used to book extras like shore excursions or spa treatments).

Other savings to consider: You won't find an adults-only cruise here, however this cruise line does offer a Kids Sail Free program, which means that all children under 18 traveling in the same cabin as their parents travel free all year-round. Port taxes, registration costs, insurance, flights and transfers (where required) are excluded from the offer, but it still goes a long way toward making this one of the most affordable cruise lines.

Affordable cruises: We've seen a 6-night southern Caribbean cruise for as low as $219 total per person.

<p><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691342-Reviews-Carnival_Conquest" rel="noopener noreferrer">Carnival Cruise Line</a>—known as one of the most affordable cruise lines—was founded in 1972 and now carries millions of guests every year aboard its 24 ships. It sails to Alaska, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Greenland, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific.</p> <p><strong>Cost: </strong>Cruises on Carnival start as low as $169 per person.</p> <p><strong>Specials to watch for: </strong>Carnival celebrates dates like National Tourism Day with up to 40% off cruise rates, plus $50 onboard credits and reduced deposit rates from $50 per person. Other limited-time promotions include free cabin upgrades and "Early Saver" rates with price protection that provide peace of mind for early bookings.</p> <p><strong>Other savings to consider:</strong> One of the things that makes Carnival Cruise Lines even more affordable is that it has 14 home ports in the United States (Baltimore, Charleston, Galveston, Jacksonville, Long Beach, Miami, Mobile, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle and Tampa), making it easier for Americans to drive to their ship and <a href="https://www.rd.com/article/budget-airlines/" rel="noopener noreferrer">avoid booking pricey flights</a>.</p> <p><strong>Affordable cruises: </strong>We've seen a 5-day Mexican Riviera cruise for as low as $234 per person.</p> <p class="listicle-page__cta-button-shop"><a class="shop-btn" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691342-Reviews-Carnival_Conquest">Book Now</a></p>

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line —known as one of the most affordable cruise lines—was founded in 1972 and now carries millions of guests every year aboard its 24 ships. It sails to Alaska, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Greenland, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific.

Cost: Cruises on Carnival start as low as $169 per person.

Specials to watch for: Carnival celebrates dates like National Tourism Day with up to 40% off cruise rates, plus $50 onboard credits and reduced deposit rates from $50 per person. Other limited-time promotions include free cabin upgrades and "Early Saver" rates with price protection that provide peace of mind for early bookings.

Other savings to consider: One of the things that makes Carnival Cruise Lines even more affordable is that it has 14 home ports in the United States (Baltimore, Charleston, Galveston, Jacksonville, Long Beach, Miami, Mobile, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle and Tampa), making it easier for Americans to drive to their ship and avoid booking pricey flights .

Affordable cruises: We've seen a 5-day Mexican Riviera cruise for as low as $234 per person.

<p><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691727-Reviews-Royal_Caribbean_Radiance_of_the_Seas" rel="noopener noreferrer">Royal Caribbean</a> offers itineraries to 240 destinations in 61 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean's private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The innovative brand is known for many firsts at sea, including an ice-skating rink, bumper cars, zip-line, rock climbing wall, robotic bartenders and the Flowrider surf simulator. Its latest ship, the Icon of the Seas, which is set to begin sailing in January 2024, will be the world's largest cruise ship.</p> <p><strong>Cost: </strong>Cruises on Royal Caribbean start as low as $172 per person.</p> <p><strong>Specials to watch for: </strong>Royal Caribbean occasionally offers promotions like "30% Off Every Guest" (provides 30% savings off the cruise fare for all guests in the stateroom), flash deals like "Up to $550 Off" (provides instant savings of up to $550 USD per stateroom) and "Kids Sail Free" promos, during which the third and fourth guests who are 12 years or younger are eligible for free cruise fare.</p> <p><strong>Other savings to consider: </strong>Royal Caribbean offers exclusive access to pre-cruise savings and discounts that won't be available once you're onboard for things like shore excursions, beverage packages, food packages and Wi-Fi packages.</p> <p><strong>Affordable cruises: </strong>We've seen a 6-night Pacific Coast cruise for $250 per person.</p> <p class="listicle-page__cta-button-shop"><a class="shop-btn" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691727-Reviews-Royal_Caribbean_Radiance_of_the_Seas">Book Now</a></p>

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers itineraries to 240 destinations in 61 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean's private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The innovative brand is known for many firsts at sea, including an ice-skating rink, bumper cars, zip-line, rock climbing wall, robotic bartenders and the Flowrider surf simulator. Its latest ship, the Icon of the Seas , which is set to begin sailing in January 2024, will be the world's largest cruise ship.

Cost: Cruises on Royal Caribbean start as low as $172 per person.

Specials to watch for: Royal Caribbean occasionally offers promotions like "30% Off Every Guest" (provides 30% savings off the cruise fare for all guests in the stateroom), flash deals like "Up to $550 Off" (provides instant savings of up to $550 USD per stateroom) and "Kids Sail Free" promos, during which the third and fourth guests who are 12 years or younger are eligible for free cruise fare.

Other savings to consider: Royal Caribbean offers exclusive access to pre-cruise savings and discounts that won't be available once you're onboard for things like shore excursions, beverage packages, food packages and Wi-Fi packages.

Affordable cruises: We've seen a 6-night Pacific Coast cruise for $250 per person.

<p><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691585-Reviews-Majestic_Princess" rel="noopener noreferrer">Princess Cruises</a> is a premium cruise line with award-winning itineraries around the globe, sailing to Alaska, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, British Isles, South America, Japan, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii, the South Pacific and the California Coast. It's an excellent choice for a <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/best-cruises-for-couples/" rel="noopener noreferrer">couples cruise</a> (they host a lot of weddings and vow renewals), but it's also family-friendly.</p> <p><strong>Cost: </strong>Hundreds of sailings on Princess are priced under $100 per day; 60 sailings under $60 per day.</p> <p><strong>Specials to watch for:</strong> Princess regularly offers promotions, such as a 40% savings and low $100 deposit specials.</p> <p><strong>Other savings to consider: </strong>Upgrade to the Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages, which roll in the price of extras like Wi-Fi, drinks, gratuities and more for a savings of up to 66% vs. purchasing them separately.</p> <p><strong>Affordable cruises:</strong> Everyone dreams of booking the <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/best-alaska-cruise/" rel="noopener noreferrer">best Alaska cruise</a>, and we've seen 7-night Alaska cruises for as low as $349 per person.</p> <p class="listicle-page__cta-button-shop"><a class="shop-btn" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691585-Reviews-Majestic_Princess">Book Now</a></p>

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is a premium cruise line with award-winning itineraries around the globe, sailing to Alaska, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, British Isles, South America, Japan, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii, the South Pacific and the California Coast. It's an excellent choice for a couples cruise (they host a lot of weddings and vow renewals), but it's also family-friendly.

Cost: Hundreds of sailings on Princess are priced under $100 per day; 60 sailings under $60 per day.

Specials to watch for: Princess regularly offers promotions, such as a 40% savings and low $100 deposit specials.

Other savings to consider: Upgrade to the Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages, which roll in the price of extras like Wi-Fi, drinks, gratuities and more for a savings of up to 66% vs. purchasing them separately.

Affordable cruises: Everyone dreams of booking the best Alaska cruise , and we've seen 7-night Alaska cruises for as low as $349 per person.

<p><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691682-Reviews-Norwegian_Spirit" rel="noopener noreferrer">Norwegian Cruise Line</a>'s fleet of 18 ships sails to 400 of the world's most desirable destinations—such as Asia, Africa, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, New England, Caribbean, Hawaii, the Mediterranean, Mexico, the Baltic, South America and more.</p> <p><strong>Cost: </strong>Cruises on Norwegian start as low as $249 per person.</p> <p><strong>Specials to watch for: </strong>NCL offers various deals throughout the year. One recent special was 70% off, plus free airfare for the second guest, plus the third and fourth guests sailed for free.</p> <p><strong>Other savings to consider: </strong>Part of what makes Norwegian one of the best and most affordable cruise lines is that all cruise offerings may be combined with the company's ongoing "Free at Sea" promotion, which includes unlimited open bar, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and excursions. (Want to find out more about <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/hidden-cruise-features/">hidden features on cruise ships</a> that you never knew existed?)</p> <p><strong>Affordable cruises: </strong>We've seen 7-day Alaska cruises for as low as $279 per person.</p> <p class="listicle-page__cta-button-shop"><a class="shop-btn" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691682-Reviews-Norwegian_Spirit">Book Now</a></p>

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line 's fleet of 18 ships sails to 400 of the world's most desirable destinations—such as Asia, Africa, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, New England, Caribbean, Hawaii, the Mediterranean, Mexico, the Baltic, South America and more.

Cost: Cruises on Norwegian start as low as $249 per person.

Specials to watch for: NCL offers various deals throughout the year. One recent special was 70% off, plus free airfare for the second guest, plus the third and fourth guests sailed for free.

Other savings to consider: Part of what makes Norwegian one of the best and most affordable cruise lines is that all cruise offerings may be combined with the company's ongoing "Free at Sea" promotion, which includes unlimited open bar, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and excursions. (Want to find out more about hidden features on cruise ships  that you never knew existed?)

Affordable cruises: We've seen 7-day Alaska cruises for as low as $279 per person.

<p><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691662-Reviews-Holland_America_Nieuw_Amsterdam" rel="noopener noreferrer">Holland America Line</a> has been cruising both popular and less-traveled ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Europe, South America, the Panama Canal, Australia, New Zealand and Asia for 150 years. It has a fleet of 11 classic ships and does more than 500 sailings a year, visiting all seven continents.</p> <p><strong>Cost: </strong>Cruises on Holland start as low as $89 per person.</p> <p><strong>Specials to watch for: </strong>Having recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, Holland America has been offering 45% off cruise fares, up to $300 in onboard credit and reduced deposits of only $150. The brand typically offers other specials throughout the year.</p> <p><strong>Other savings to consider: </strong>For <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/best-cruises-for-kids/" rel="noopener noreferrer">family cruise travelers</a>, Holland America Line provides a Kids Cruise Free offer, allowing guests ages 18 and under to travel free to Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean when booked as a third or fourth guest on select cruises. And when booked directly on Holland America Line's site, travelers can take advantage of the Have It All Cruise Package, which includes shore excursion credits, drink package, specialty dining and Wi-Fi.</p> <p><strong>Affordable cruises: </strong>We've seen 7-day Alaska cruises as low as $329 per person.</p> <p class="listicle-page__cta-button-shop"><a class="shop-btn" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691662-Reviews-Holland_America_Nieuw_Amsterdam">Book Now</a></p>

Holland America Line

Holland America Line has been cruising both popular and less-traveled ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Europe, South America, the Panama Canal, Australia, New Zealand and Asia for 150 years. It has a fleet of 11 classic ships and does more than 500 sailings a year, visiting all seven continents.

Cost: Cruises on Holland start as low as $89 per person.

Specials to watch for: Having recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, Holland America has been offering 45% off cruise fares, up to $300 in onboard credit and reduced deposits of only $150. The brand typically offers other specials throughout the year.

Other savings to consider: For family cruise travelers , Holland America Line provides a Kids Cruise Free offer, allowing guests ages 18 and under to travel free to Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean when booked as a third or fourth guest on select cruises. And when booked directly on Holland America Line's site, travelers can take advantage of the Have It All Cruise Package, which includes shore excursion credits, drink package, specialty dining and Wi-Fi.

Affordable cruises: We've seen 7-day Alaska cruises as low as $329 per person.

<p><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691378-Reviews-Celebrity_Millennium" rel="noopener noreferrer">Celebrity</a> has 15 award-winning ships that take guests to more than 300 destinations in 79 countries on all seven continents, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia and the South Pacific, Galapagos and Canada.</p> <p><strong>Cost: </strong>Cruises on Celebrity start as low as $288 per person.</p> <p><strong>Specials to watch for: </strong>Celebrity offers various specials, like a spring sale that takes 75% off a second guest's fare and saves up to $800 per stateroom with up to $800 to spend on board. Also look for promotions like Alaska weekend flash sales (second guest sails for free plus $250 onboard credit) and 20% off Galapagos vacations (round-trip airfare included).</p> <p><strong>Other savings to consider: </strong>Choose the <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/best-all-inclusive-cruises/" rel="noopener noreferrer">all-inclusive options</a> of prepackaged drinks, Wi-Fi and tips to save up to 45% on these individual items.</p> <p><strong>Affordable cruises: </strong>We've seen 7-night Alaska cruises for as low as $299 per person.</p> <p class="listicle-page__cta-button-shop"><a class="shop-btn" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Cruise_Review-d15691378-Reviews-Celebrity_Millennium">Book Now</a></p>

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity has 15 award-winning ships that take guests to more than 300 destinations in 79 countries on all seven continents, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia and the South Pacific, Galapagos and Canada.

Cost: Cruises on Celebrity start as low as $288 per person.

Specials to watch for: Celebrity offers various specials, like a spring sale that takes 75% off a second guest's fare and saves up to $800 per stateroom with up to $800 to spend on board. Also look for promotions like Alaska weekend flash sales (second guest sails for free plus $250 onboard credit) and 20% off Galapagos vacations (round-trip airfare included).

Other savings to consider: Choose the all-inclusive options of prepackaged drinks, Wi-Fi and tips to save up to 45% on these individual items.

Affordable cruises: We've seen 7-night Alaska cruises for as low as $299 per person.

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6 top luxury alaska cruises for 2024 & beyond.

Book a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to The Great Land on one of these top luxury ships.

Top Luxury Alaska Cruises

Veranda of Aquamarine Suite on Crystal cruise ship.

Courtesy of Crystal

Cruising to Alaska on a small luxury ship affords a very different experience than sailing through The Great Land on a larger vessel. On a smaller luxury ship, you'll enjoy the expected perks like fewer passengers and more personalized service – but you'll also physically get closer to the boundless wilderness, abundant wildlife, icy blue glaciers and majestic snow-capped mountains that you've waited a lifetime to see.

While the fares to sail on such vessels are quite a bit higher than those of larger cruise providers, the all-inclusive (or mostly all-inclusive) prices typically include all-suite accommodations with balconies, all meals, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, 24-hour room service, Wi-Fi access, gratuities, welcome bottles of sparkling wine, pillow selection, some shore excursions and butler service. Best of all, you won't feel like you're being nickel-and-dimed while on board. As a special touch, the attentive crew members may even learn your name and memorize your preferred pre-dinner cocktail.

Unlike many mainstream lines, most luxury Alaska cruises do not offer pre- and post-cruise tours to extend your adventure. However, you can plan these experiences on your own through third-party providers.

Alaska Tour & Travel has pre-cruise packages that include visits to Denali National Park & Preserve and the small, quirky Alaska towns of Homer and Talkeetna. You can also see a different side of Alaska via a train ride on the Alaska Railroad, take a national parks tour that includes Kenai Fjords National Park or head northbound to Fairbanks , one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights (if you visit during aurora season, from late August to late April). In addition, the company can plan a self-drive tour from Anchorage to Seward, which includes a stay at a wilderness lodge, helicopter flightseeing over Knik Glacier and guided tours in the parks.

The following luxury cruise lines will ensure you make the most of your voyage in Alaska – one of the most magical destinations on Earth.

Find your perfect cruise

Silversea Cruises

Pool deck on the Silversea Nova.

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises' small luxury ships are designed for adventurers interested in visiting a mix of Alaska's top ports and more rugged, off-the-beaten-track locales. Extended itineraries offer stops in less-visited destinations like the towns of Haines and Wrangell. On board, guests can expect a personalized experience that includes luxurious ocean-view suites with butler service, multiple gourmet dining options, complimentary alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, and attentive service with one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the industry.

Base fares for Silversea's 2024 and 2025 Alaska itineraries start at $3,250 per person. If you upgrade to Silversea 's door-to-door fare (which starts at $5,200 per person), you'll receive private chauffeur service from your home to the airport (and back home upon your return) and round-trip flights, with business class upgrades in some destinations.

Silversea also offers immersive pre- and post-cruise land experiences, departing from Seward, Alaska. Highlights include sightseeing flights over Denali National Park & Preserve or into bear country to see Alaska's magnificent grizzly bears. In Vancouver, travelers can take a flightseeing transfer to Victoria to tour the 55-acre Butchart Gardens or board the Rocky Mountaineer for a two-day train ride through the Canadian Rockies.

Silversea's Alaska itineraries extend from May to September, with voyages ranging between seven and 16 days. The line's newest and largest vessel, the 728-passenger Silver Nova , sails its inaugural Alaska season in 2024 along with two smaller ships, Silver Muse (596 guests) and Silver Shadow (392 guests). There are 35 Alaska voyages available in 2024. In 2025, luxury cruisers can hop aboard one of 45 scheduled voyages on either Silver Nova or the 596-guest Silver Moon .

For a seven-day itinerary, consider a sailing from Seward, Alaska, to Vancouver, British Columbia. This voyage cruises the Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage and stops in the Alaska towns of Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Ketchikan. Complimentary excursions in Ketchikan include a tour of Saxman Native Village; a visit to Bonfire Bay Oyster Farm, featuring a sea-to-table oyster tasting; the Alaskan Cultural, Culinary & Lumberjack show; the Alaskan Lodge Adventure & Seafeast and a day as a fisherman aboard the Aleutian Ballard, as seen on Discovery Channel's "The Deadliest Catch." You can also opt for a Selected Shore Excursion (for an additional cost), such as mountain biking or a private fishing trip.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Bed in the Concierge Suite on the Regent Seven Seas Explorer.

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' elegant Seven Seas Explorer sails the line's Alaska itineraries in 2024 and 2025. The lavish 746-guest ship was coined "The Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built" when it debuted in 2016; among its impressive features are the 3,875-square-foot Regent Suite and a high-end collection of art displayed throughout the ship, including works by Pablo Picasso.

Alaska voyages with Regent in 2024 and 2025 start at $4,799 per person. Upgraded 2-for-1 all-inclusive fares (starting at $5,499 per person) cover elegant all-balcony suite accommodations; round-trip airfare (business class on international flights); a one-night pre-cruise hotel package; free two- or three-night land programs; free unlimited shore excursions; free unlimited beverages (alcoholic and nonalcoholic); complimentary specialty dining; and prepaid gratuities. You'll also receive complimentary airport transfers, unlimited Wi-Fi access and valet laundry service.

Every suite style includes a private balcony, roomy closets and upscale finishes. Concierge Suites (and above) add cozy in-room amenities like cashmere blankets, perfect to bundle up in while you take in the scenery. Meanwhile, Penthouse Suites (and higher) include a private butler who can book excursions, make dinner and spa reservations, unpack your luggage, arrange for a private cocktail soiree in your suite and indulge any other special requests.

Between May and September 2024, Regent sails 22 Alaska voyages. There are 16 Alaska sailings scheduled for the same period in 2025. Itineraries range from seven to 14 nights. For plenty of scenic cruising days, consider a round-trip itinerary from Vancouver departing May 28, 2025. The cruise includes five relaxing days at sea, where you'll enjoy scenic cruising through the Inside Passage (twice), Hubbard Glacier (twice) and Endicott Arm Fjord. Ports of call in Alaska include Wrangell, Juneau , Skagway, Sitka, Seward, Icy Strait (Hoonah) and Ketchikan. You'll also have a full day in Victoria, British Columbia, before returning to Vancouver.

While in Wrangell, consider the Tongass Botanical Forest Walk excursion. Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the U.S., with towering old-growth trees and unique flora, fauna and ecosystems. While in the temperate rainforest with your naturalist guide, look for local wildlife like Sitka black-tailed deer, porcupines and birds of prey. Other complimentary excursions at this stop include a round of golf at Muskeg Meadows Golf Course; a canoe trip through Wrangell harbor and nearby islands, and a heritage tour about Tlingit culture and the history of the town.

Nobu restaurant on a Crystal cruise ship.

Recently relaunched Crystal offers just seven voyages in Alaska aboard Crystal Serenity in July and August 2024. The 740-guest luxury vessel was refurbished in 2023 and features the line's signature top-notch service, elegant interiors and suites, and personal butler service in every room category.

Other perks and amenities include plush bathrobes and Sicily's Ortigia bath products; an impressive passenger-to-crew ratio; prepaid gratuities; complimentary beverages; and outstanding cuisine, including Umi Uma (an exclusive Nobu restaurant at sea, available only on Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony ). Guests can also feast on Italian cuisine at Osteria d'Ovidio; book an exclusive dining experience at The Vintage Room; indulge in Parisian cafe-style fare at The Bistro; opt for American cuisine at Waterside Restaurant or take their pick of several other casual indoor and alfresco options.

Cruisers also have their selection of unique shore experiences curated by Crystal's parent company Abercrombie & Kent, such as a ride on the world's largest zip line in Hoonah (Icy Strait Point); dog sledding and glacier flightseeing in Skagway; fishing and wilderness dining in Ketchikan and the Wildlife Quest and Fin Island Lodge experience in Sitka, boasting a feast of Alaska king crab and wild salmon.

Crystal offers seven- and eight-night round-trip voyages from Vancouver , as well as one-way cruises from Vancouver or Seward, Alaska. Select itineraries – like the July 30, 2024, voyage from Vancouver to Seward – offer a scenic cruising day in the Seymour Narrows in British Columbia. On this sailing, you'll also enjoy a day at sea cruising Hubbard Glacier, as well as stops in Ketchikan, Sitka, Hoonah (Icy Strait), Skagway and Sitka in Alaska. Or, opt for the July 2, 2024, round-trip sailing from Vancouver for three scenic cruising days in the Inside Passage, Endicott Arm and the Seymour Narrows.

The line's Aug. 13, 2024, round-trip sailing from Vancouver features a special guest: Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, the executive chairman of A&K Travel Group. As such, the cruise will include an exclusive gala dinner and other unique experiences. Other special voyages welcome marine biologist and National Geographic photographer Flip Nicklin, who will share personal stories from his extensive career and expert insights about humpback whale habitats and behaviors.

msc cruises on board prices

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Viking Ocean Cruises

The Restaurant on a Viking cruise ship.

Courtesy of Viking

Viking Ocean Cruises' 11-day Alaska & the Inside Passage cruise is available on 11 dates during the 2024 season. It sails from Vancouver to Seward (or the reverse) on the 930-passenger Viking Orion . In 2025, the line offers the same itinerary on 22 dates between May and September, split between Viking Orion and its sister ship, the 930-passenger Viking Sea .

Viking's destination-focused itineraries are curated for travelers who are interested in history, science, culture and cuisine, as they feature onboard enrichment like lectures by Viking's resident historians. You'll also find regionally inspired dishes in The Restaurant and special access to unique tours and excursions ashore.

The line's mostly all-inclusive fares cover accommodations in spacious all-veranda staterooms and suites; beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner; meals at all the dining venues; one shore excursion in every port; free Wi-Fi access; 24-hour specialty teas, coffees and bottled water; complimentary access to The Nordic Spa & Fitness Center; and other upscale amenities.

Voyages traveling northbound from Vancouver include one day of scenic cruising through the Inside Passage before stopping in Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Icy Strait Point in Alaska. The eighth day of the cruise sails through picturesque Yakutat Bay, which includes the Hubbard Glacier. The ship then calls on Valdez, Alaska, before the trip ends with two days in Seward.

While in Valdez, take an optional tour to explore the incredible scenery surrounding the small fishing town. Viking offers a kayaking trip to see the Valdez Glacier; a scenic cruise through picturesque Prince William Sound to view the Columbia Glacier; a wildlife cruise where you can look for humpback whales, orcas, porpoises, sea otters and bald eagles; a helicopter ride over the area's rugged, icy wilderness; or a UTV adventure through the Chugach Mountains to Mineral Creek Canyon.

Seabourn Cruise Line

The aft pool on a Seabourn Cruise Line ship.

Courtesy of Seabourn Cruise Line

Between May and August 2024, Seabourn Cruise Line will host 20 Alaska voyages aboard the Seabourn Odyssey , before the ship leaves the cruise line in the fall. In 2025, the line offers 27 Alaska sailings on Seabourn Quest. Both yacht-inspired ships accommodate up to 458 guests and feature Seabourn's signature all-inclusive amenities, including luxurious oceanfront suites with verandas; personalized service; complimentary fine wines and premium spirits; complimentary dining; and caviar served throughout the sailing. You'll also have a complimentary W-Fi package and an in-suite minibar stocked with your favorite beverages. Ashore, sign up for exclusive programs like shopping for fresh salmon, halibut and Alaska king crab alongside a Seabourn chef.

Guests booking Seabourn Quest for 2025 will be able to sample the line's new dining concept, Solis. Inspired by destinations in the Mediterranean, the menu features a fresh, modern take on traditional dishes and whimsical cocktails. The restaurant is a collaboration with master chef and culinary partner Anton Egger and senior corporate chef Franck Salein. In addition to dishes like salt-encrusted whole branzino and Tuscan-style steak, guests will also find a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes.

The seven-day Alaska Fjords & Canadian Inside Passage itinerary on May 31, 2024, aboard Seabourn Odyssey, sails from Juneau to Vancouver and includes a day in either Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm, depending on the ice conditions. From there, you can take one of the optional guided excursions: Ventures by Seabourn. These tours are an additional cost but offer opportunities for up-close Zodiac, kayaking or catamaran experiences in the wilderness to see glaciers calving and view local wildlife, such as black bears, mountain goats, seals, wolves and seabirds.

You'll also enjoy many days of scenic cruising on this voyage, and have the opportunity for more optional adventures in Rudyerd Bay (Misty Fjords). The ship makes additional stops in Wrangell, Alaska, and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, before disembarking in Vancouver.

If you want to see stunning Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, then consider booking the seven-day Alaska Inside Passage & Glacier Bay sailing on May 10, 2024, from Vancouver to Juneau. This itinerary also includes the Seymour Narrows and Snow Pass, cruising Queen Island Sound and the Lynn Canal. There's a stop for Ventures by Seabourn activities like kayaking and Zodiac rides in the Inian Islands. The Alaska ports of call on this voyage are Ketchikan, Sitka, Icy Strait Point and Haines. You'll disembark in Juneau.

Bed in cabin on PONANT Le Soléal.

Francois Lefebvre | Courtesy of PONANT

French luxury expedition line PONANT offers 10 Alaska cruises in 2024; itineraries span between seven and 11 nights. Aboard the 264-guest yacht-style Le Soléal, you'll meet up to 10 naturalist experts and guides specializing in geology, history, ornithology or marine or land mammals. Guests can attend onboard lectures and embark on Zodiac landings with the guides.

The ship features elegant staterooms and suites, a library, a spa, a hair salon and a gym. Guests will be treated to movies in the theater, wine tastings and cooking demonstrations throughout the expedition. All fine dining meals, 24-hour room service, an open bar (including an in-room minibar) and complimentary and unlimited Wi-Fi access are covered in the pricing.

Two of PONTANT's eight-night voyages from Vancouver to Sitka are in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys and are curated for English-speaking travelers. Fares for these expeditions include transfers to and from the ship and a shore excursion in each port. On board, you can attend talks and discussions hosted by two Smithsonian Journeys experts: geologist Scott Burns and natural history filmmaker John Grabowska.

On these voyages, there is a sea day after departing Vancouver. You'll cruise through the Johnstone Strait, where you'll have an excellent chance of seeing humpback whales and orcas. After a day spent in the Inside Passage, the ship will call on the village of Metlakatla, Alaska, on the western coast of Annette Island, which is home to the Tsimshians from British Columbia. Other unique Alaska ports of call in this itinerary include the commercial fishing town of Petersburg, the Tlingit village of Kake and the small fishing community of Alfin Cove.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi is a U.S. News & World Report contributor and an avid travel adventurer who fell in love with Alaska on her first visit to the state many years ago. She's returned several times both by land and sea to explore the state's vast wilderness and abundant wildlife, and to chase the northern lights in one of the best places on the planet to view them. Pratesi used her extensive knowledge of Alaska and the cruise industry to write this article.

You might also be interested in:

  • The Most Affordable Alaska Cruises
  • The Best Time to Cruise to Alaska
  • Alaska Cruise Packing List: Must-Have Items
  • The Top Alaska Cruise Lines
  • The Top Antarctica Cruises

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Alaska Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

  • # 1 South Island, New Zealand
  • # 4 Bora Bora

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Mon - Fri 9 - 19 | Sat 9 - 18 | Sun 10 - 16

On board information

On board spa services.

In order to grant the best experience to our guests, all Thermal Area experiences are available by appointment only.  Access to the MSC Aurea Spa is only permitted for guests over the age of 18. Click here to discover the details. Pregnant guests are not allowed to use any heat treatments within the Thermal Area.

How can I find my way around the ship?

What will the temperature on board be like , what if i lose something on the ship, what additional costs should i plan for, are the prices on board more expensive than those on land, is smoking allowed on board, can cash withdrawals be made on the ship, what medical services are available on board, service charges / gratuities.

SERVICE CHARGES / GRATUITIES Service Charge / Gratuities are included in the cruise fare.

Tips  MSC Cruises does not recommend tipping individual members of staff.

Is there wi-fi on board?

Are sun beds available on board, languages spoken on board, the hub – photo & digit@l.

Photography An on-board Photo Service is available throughout your cruise. Professional photographers will capture the highlights of your cruise both on board and ashore, and record anniversaries, weddings, quinceañeras, and other special moments . You can view their work at your leisure in The Hub – Photo & Digit@l. The Hub Manager will also be happy to discuss any specific requirements you may have. Discover more about our Photo Packages and take advantage of our discounted prices vs onboard by clicking Manage Your Booking .  Portraits Our photographers can also create portraits of you and your family or friends using a variety of high quality studio backgrounds or setting up at key iconic locations throughout the ship, such as the Grand Staircase,  The Bridge of Sighs or the Swarovski Staircase. Discover all the unique photo spots on board Ships . No appointment is required. All portraits will be displayed in The Hub – Photo & Digit@l and are available for you to purchase during the cruise. Retail products A wide range of products to satisfy all your photographic needs can be purchased in the The Hub – Photo & Digit@l. As well as memory cards, batteries, and other accessories, there is a wide selection of digital cameras and video cameras at duty free prices. Our photo team is available to offer advice, answer your questions and help you select the right equipment for your needs and budget.

Travelling with cash

Europe: EC Regulation 1889/2005 states that: “Any natural person entering or leaving the Community and carrying cash of a value of Euro 10,000 or more shall declare that sum to the competent authorities of the Member state through which he is entering or leaving the Community in accordance with this Regulation”. Please consult your travel agent and/or the relevant authorities (embassies, consulates or other local authorities) to find out whether there are any other restrictions to carrying cash on your itinerary. For further information on travel please consult the Important Travel Advice page

Are animals allowed on board?

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MSC Cruises

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Fun Pass Package

The fun never stops.

Anyone who has sailed with MSC Cruises knows there's no shortage of fun things to do onboard our ships. From exclusive live shows to the most exciting water parks at sea, we defy you to utter the words "I'm bored" during a holiday with MSC Cruises. A lot of activities and pastimes are included for free during your holiday, also there are some amazing activities which are extra. To make sure you get the most out of these extra activities, amusements and attractions we have the MSC Fun Pass. The Fun Pass allows to get the most out of all the attractions in the Amusement area thanks to the included extra credits. Read more to discover the benefits available on your ship.

How does the Fun Package work?

By purchasing the Fun Pass you can enjoy extra credits to use on board in the Amusement area. The Fun Pass can be linked to 1 guest account only, but it can be used by the whole family. Once the credit is finished, the cost of each attraction will be charged on your cruise account. You can buy the Fun Pass on board in the Amusement Area, or for the best price buy it online before your cruise and receive a 20% discount compared to the onboard prices.

discover the fun pass benefits available on your ship

The more you play, the more you save.

The Fun Pass gives you access to the Amusement Area, the most thrilling place on board. Buy the Fun Pass and secure extra credits to be used for all the attractions available on your ship.

  INCLUDED IN YOUR FUN PASS

*Attractions vary by ship. Once on board, please visit the Amusement Area for more details.

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MSC Cruises

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cruise news

  • Cruise News

17 MSC cruise ships upgrade to high-speed Starlink internet service

Andrea Santillan

Andrea Santillan

  • February 29, 2024

Two pictures of an MSC Cruise Ship with security cameras.

Contents Show

MSC Cruises is the latest cruise line to hop on the Starlink bandwagon. As of February 28, two-thirds of its fleet has been equipped with the SpaceX technology, offering most guests faster internet access. Two more ships will be hooked up this month, while the rest of the MSC Cruises fleet is scheduled to have Starlink by May 2024.

What MSC Cruise ships have Starlink?

Carnival Cruise ship Starlink Internet

Implementation began with MSC Magnifica in December 2022. Fifteen of the 22 vessels already have the upgrade:

  • MSC Euribia
  • MSC Grandiosa
  • MSC Fantasia
  • MSC Magnifica
  • MSC Orchestra
  • MSC Meraviglia
  • MSC Presziosa
  • MSC Seashore
  • MSD Seascape
  • MSC Seaview
  • MSC Seaside
  • MSC Virtuosa
  • MSC World Europa

MSC Bellissima, MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Musica, and MSC Splendida will offer the same service by the summer of 2024.

MSC’s first luxury cruise ship, EXPLORA I, has been outfitted with satellite-powered internet. EXPLORA II will also have it when it debuts this August.

Meeting the growing demand for connectivity with Starlink

According to MSC, the demand for onboard internet continues to grow as more devices connect to shipboard networks and the selection of apps becomes wider. Starlink will help the company meet the demand by offering faster internet speeds and superior connectivity in cabins and public areas. 

Guests of MSC Cruises can avail of Starlink through its Browse Internet Cruise Package and the more premium Browse & Stream Cruise Package. They offer 24-hour connectivity and unlimited data. Prices aren’t posted online but become available after booking. In general, the daily rate is under $20. 

An MSC Cruises cruise ship setting sail from the Galveston cruise terminal in the ocean.

Starlink’s download speeds are between 100 and 350 Mbps, with upload speeds of 20 to 40 Mbps. Aside from more reliable connections, the technology is cheaper to install and operate , encouraging many cruise operators to switch. 

Prices for Starlink Internet on MSC Cruises vary by the itinerary and when it’s purchased. Pre-cruise purchases save 20 percent, while onboard is listed pricing (usually running between $10 to $20 per day in my experience).

Carnival Cruise Line , Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, and Royal Caribbean have implemented Starlink on some or all of their vessels.

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5 Cruises To Take For Spring Break

5 Cruises To Take For Spring Break

If you’re interested in thinking outside the box this year regarding your spring break vacation , consider rounding up yourself, your family, or your girlfriends for a 5-star cruise trip.  

Nowadays, spring break cruises possibly offer more than hotels —given easy access to beachy locations, an array of bars and restaurants on board, and, depending on the location, water sports. What’s most appealing about cruises is there’s something for everyone: the children can enjoy waterslides and roller coasters, while the adults can soak up the sun and consume delicious craft cocktails or go out dancing, all on one ship. However, it’s important to note that specific spring break cruises usually occur during the slower travel months of March and April. 

However, given its popularity, spring break travel Bahamas , Caribbean, and Mexico cruises during peak school holiday weeks can be more expensive and crowded than in the surrounding weeks. Check out our list of the five of the top cruises you should consider for your spring break vacation . 

Royal Caribbean :

Even though college spring breakers usually gravitate toward Royal Caribbean’s shorter cruises, given their school schedules, families and couples find their programming from the Caribbean and the Bahamas just as appealing, given all of the options of the ships at sea like Harmony of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. All the mega-ships boast kid’s clubs and teen hangouts, helping parents get a break. These ships have plenty of fun activities like waterslides, escape rooms, mini-golf, rock climbing walls, and carousel rides. The entire family can enjoy shows that include Broadway musicals, ice skating performances, and acrobatic events. The Royal Caribbean’s two private destinations, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti, offer gorgeous beaches and attractions. 

Carnival Cruise Line

This cruise line is popular because of the amazing, diverse destinations offered for a lower price point. The Carnival Cruise line sails to Bermuda, Alaska, Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Australia, and more. Their onboard activities are just as appealing, as they offer spas, sky rides, a serenity adult retreat, and gambling. The only potential downfall is that Carnival requires guests under 21 to travel with someone aged 25 or older. 

Virgin Voyages

This cruise is perfect for taking your girlfriends or significant other on, as no kids are allowed. Virgin Voyages’ ships require guests to be 18 or older to sail, and the activities on the ship have adult themes. On this cruise, you can attend a drag show and let your hair down at late-night pool parties.

Disney Cruise Line :

Consider Disney Magic or Fantasy for your upcoming vacation. Who doesn’t love Disney-themed cruises, especially parents and children? Think of this cruise to get a proper introduction to the Caribbean, as it’s a weeklong voyage throughout the Caribbean and the Bahamas. The upside for this cruise is that the options aren’t just convenient for East Coasters. The line sails ships from Galveston, New Orleans, and San Diego for family vacations to Mexico.

MSC Cruises: 

Get some fun and the sun with a quick Bahamas cruise with a posh flair on MSC Cruises’ MSC Divina, MSC Magnifica, or MSC Seashore. The ships offer three- and four-night cruises to Nassau and Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, and attract a multinational, multilingual crowd. Also, MSC’s fares are consistently affordable relative to other cruise lines.

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msc cruises on board prices

Infuse your cruise with gifts that spark magical memories of your voyage across the waves! Navigate the MSC Logo Shop for everything from gadgets to books and novelty gifts!  You’ll also find MSC’s very own DOREMI Mascot right here in the MSC Shop.

Available on: All MSC Ships

Type of service: Charges apply

A wonderland of all that sparkles; showcasing designs in gold, silver, precious and semi-precious stones and watches.

You’ll love the wide choice of jewelry, perfect as a special gift or to treat yourself, and at prices that will put an extra sparkle in your eye.

Discover everything the Duty Free shop has to offer, all at tax and duty-free prices *.

You can choose between top-flight international tobacco products, technology products, fine wines, chocolate, make up and travel essentials. Our expert staff can provide you with all the help you need to make the perfect choice. * We always give you the lowest tax and duty-free prices applicable in accordance with local legislation

Browse the latest collections for men, women and children, plus an array of accessories for all tastes. Enjoy the expert guidance of our staff, here to help you find something for the special people in your life.

Top Italian brands such as Armani, Coccinelle, Furla and Fusaro feature alongside international names like Radley London, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren. 

Experience elegance at its finest at the luxury watch boutique, showcasing the most prestigious watch Maisons.

TimeVallée stands out for its contemporary character and reveals the watch enthusiast in you. Time for horology discover on board!

Available on: MSC Seascape  and  MSC Euribia

Get inspired and take home the ultimate reminder of your time on board. In the Art Gallery you'll be able to browse the walls and take your pick with the help of our Gallery staff, always ready to guide you in your choice. Available on: MSC Seaview and MSC Seaside

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  2. On board Msc Cruises: all about the Msc Seaside

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  3. MSC Cruises Sale in 2021

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  5. MSC Seascape

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  6. Cruising the Mediterranean on MSC Splendida?

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COMMENTS

  1. Cruise fares: holiday packages

    If you and your friends or partner (sharing the same cabin) are between 18 and 29 years of age, you qualify for a special discount per cabin on the Regular Quoted Fare: 10% (Inside, Outside with Partial View & Ocean View) 15% (Balcony, Suite & MSC Yacht Club Suites). Just one of the reasons why so many young people choose MSC Cruises.

  2. The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises ships and itineraries

    For a sailing of under five nights, for instance, your earnings would range from 200 to 800 points depending on the experience you book. For cruises that are five to nine nights in length, you'd earn from 500 to 1,500 points depending on the experience. Every person in your stateroom will earn points for the cruise.

  3. I got what I paid for: My cheap family cruise on MSC Seashore

    A seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean's new Wonder of the Seas next July is close to $6,000 for four people; the cheapest balcony cabin I could find on that ship for a weeklong Caribbean cruise was $3,300 in February 2023. (Of course, older ships on these lines will be priced lower.) In my mind, MSC Cruises' lower fares and ...

  4. MSC Cruises: The Complete Guide

    A three-night cruise to the Bahamas can cost as little as $149 per person, but that same trip can cost up to $349 per person during periods of high demand. As you'd expect, the most expensive ...

  5. Cruise Deals

    Our best cruise deals to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe and more. Choose your destination and select which cruise deal is best for you, including: weekend cruises, family cruises, all-inclusive cruises, and last-minute cruises. Discover MSC Cruises best offers and discounts.

  6. On board Experience

    Choose the level of comfort for your cruise by selecting one of our packages and have a great on board experience with MSC Cruises. Login Hi, {0} Sign out. 877-665-4655. Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm EST Sat-Sun 9am - 6pm EST. Home; Our Cruises; MSC Experiences & Staterooms; MSC Experiences & staterooms

  7. Upcoming MSC Cruises: 2024 Prices, Itineraries

    Ends Soon: Up to 40% Off Cruises & More. Up to 40% Off Cruises. Drinks & Wi-Fi Included. Up to $400 Onboard Credit. Save on cruises to the Caribbean, The Bahamas, Europe & more. Show more. Book ...

  8. Wi-Fi and Internet on cruise: all the packages

    Discover all MSC Cruises Internet Packages and book online to save up to 20% vs on board price. Browse Cruise Package. ... Book in advance to get a 20% discount vs on board prices. Add to my cruise Please note that with this package it is not possible to view videos or access video or music streaming websites (such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon ...

  9. On Board payment system

    The prices on board are not more expensive than those on lanf. In fact the special operating environment that regulates the maritime sector means that many products (such as alcohol, tobacco and fragrances) can be sold duty free, bringing reductions of up to 30% off retail prices on land. *Depending on the itineraries and subject to applicable legislation.

  10. On board information

    The Hub - Photo & Digit@l. Photography An on-board Photo Service is available throughout your cruise. Professional photographers will capture the highlights of your cruise both on board and ashore, and record anniversaries, weddings, quinceañeras, and other special moments. You can view their work at your leisure in The Hub - Photo & Digit@l.

  11. MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With PriceS

    MSC Cruises Gratuities on Bar / Drink Purchases . Onboard bar purchases will incur gratuities, automatically added to all purchases: 15% gratuities on European, Emirates, South Caribbean, Red Sea, South America (Brazil and Argentina), and Far East itineraries, and 18% gratuities on North America itineraries. If you purchase a drink or beverage package, the price of the package includes the ...

  12. MSC Cruises Drink Packages & Prices (UPDATED)

    MSC Cruises Drink Packages Compared ( NEW 2024 prices) There are 5 drink package options that MSC Cruises offers on its ships including the "Easy" package, "Easy Plus" package, "Premium Extra" Package, and the Alcohol-Free Package (with a different price for minors and adults)

  13. What's included on an MSC Cruise?

    MSC's most luxurious option, it offers a wide range of benefits for the ultimate cruise experience: Dedicated priority check-in and check-out, along with priority departure and return on port days. 24-hour butler and room service, and a dedicated concierge. Memory foam mattresses, a selection of pillows, bathrobe and slippers.

  14. 10 Cheap Cruises Ranked By Their 2024 Prices

    4-Night MSC Bahamas Cruise Total Cost for 4 Nights Per Person: $109 . Not only is this one of the most affordable Bahamas cruises, but it also comes in as the cheapest cruise for 2024. This ...

  15. Drinks Packages and Beverage: All-Inclusive options

    All-Inclusive Beverage packages for Winter 2023-24 up to Summer 2025. Add to your cruise. Easy Package. Easy Plus Package. Premium Extra Package. Alcohol-Free Package. Minors Package. BOOK NOW AND SAVE UP TO 15 %* Add to your cruise. *prices shown in personal area are already discounted.

  16. Duty-Free Cruise Shopping Onboard

    MSC Logo Shop. Jewellery. Duty Free. Fashion Boutique. Accessories. Art Gallery. Enjoy shopping on MSC Cruises ships: discover big tax savings and Indulge yourself in a world of sensational shopping onboard! Discover all our shops.

  17. Cruise Wi-Fi & Internet At Sea: Wi-Fi Packages

    CRUISE WI-FI AND INTERNET PACKAGES. Stay connected with our Wifi on board and share every moment of your cruise with friends and family as you discover the treasures of the world, by choosing one of our Internet Packages. Share your special moments in real time, stream your favorite shows or browse the web and check your emails whenever you want.

  18. Speciality restaurants: our on board dining packages

    Reserve a dining experience on board and savour a memorable gastronomic experience while you cruise… all at a very special price. Book now and Save up to 35% vs. onboard prices! Hola! Tacos & Cantina. Indochine Restaurant. MSC Starship Club. Butcher's Cut. Kaito Teppanyaki.

  19. Cruise ship activities: what to do at day & night

    Cruise ship activities. Numerous cruise ship activities ensure there's never a dull moment during both day and night. Sign up for ever-popular MSC Factor and MSC MasterChef talent and cooking competitions, try your hand at the MSC Formula Racer, arcade games and bowling or chill out at the 4D Cinema or Billiard Room & Library. Family Activities.

  20. MSC Cruises vs. Royal Caribbean: Which big-ship line is right for you?

    The largest suites on most MSC ships are in the MSC Yacht Club, an exclusive enclave on newer MSC ships offering private spaces and added amenities. This includes the MSC Yacht Club Owner's ...

  21. 7 Most Affordable Cruise Lines That'll Make Your Cruising ...

    Cheap cruises usually range in price from $40 to $100 per night per person. ... Cruises on MSC start ... a spring sale that takes 75% off a second guest's fare and saves up to $800 per stateroom ...

  22. 6 Top Luxury Alaska Cruises for 2024 & Beyond

    While the fares to sail on such vessels are quite a bit higher than those of larger cruise providers, the all-inclusive (or mostly all-inclusive) prices typically include all-suite accommodations ...

  23. On board information

    The Hub - Photo & Digit@l. Photography An on-board Photo Service is available throughout your cruise. Professional photographers will capture the highlights of your cruise both on board and ashore, and record anniversaries, weddings, quinceañeras, and other special moments. You can view their work at your leisure in The Hub - Photo & Digit@l.

  24. MSC Fun Pass Package

    MSC Cruises introduces the new Fun Pass package, to enjoy exclusive fun extras on board our ships, at a very special price. Discover more on our website! Login Hi, {0} Sign out. 877-665-4655. Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm EST Sat-Sun 9am - 6pm EST. Home; On Board; Entertainment; Fun Pass; Call me

  25. MSC Fun Pass Package

    MSC Cruises introduces the new Fun Pass package, to enjoy exclusive fun extras on board our ships, at a very special price. Discover more on our website! Cruise Deals All Deals Last Minute Winter cruises Summer 2024 Voyagers Exclusives ...

  26. Find the West Coast Seabourn Sojourn Cruises (with Prices ...

    Listed prices may have blackout dates, qualifications or restrictions. Cruise Critic is not responsible for content on external web sites. Lowest pricing is based on our 3rd party pricing supplier ...

  27. 17 MSC cruise ships upgrade to high-speed Starlink internet service

    Prices for Starlink Internet on MSC Cruises vary by the itinerary and when it's purchased. Pre-cruise purchases save 20 percent, while onboard is listed pricing (usually running between $10 to ...

  28. 5 Cruises To Take For Spring Break

    The ships offer three- and four-night cruises to Nassau and Ocean Cay, MSC's private island, and attract a multinational, multilingual crowd. Also, MSC's fares are consistently affordable ...

  29. Shopping on board: duty free and premium boutiques

    The Sea at its most Glamorous. On our ships you'll find a wide selection of the best boutiques at sea stocked with all your favorite premium brands, so you can enjoy the best shopping experience during your cruise. Treat yourself on board and look your best whenever you want! Our shops are open all day and until late at night when at sea.