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List of MSC Cruises Ships by Class, Age and Size

Read About the comprehensive list of MSC Cruises ships by class, age, and size for your ideal luxury cruise experience.

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Mediterranean Shipping Company, known as MSC Cruises, is the largest privately-owned cruise line in the world with a 23-cruise fleet. After Carnival and Royal Caribbean, more than 10% of travelers choose MSC cruises worldwide each year. MSC Cruises is the 3rd largest cruise company in the world. Each cruise offers comfort, innovation, dining, entertainment areas, and onboard experiences.

MSC Cruises covers 140 destinations and 50 boarding points in the summer. MSC ships sail year-round in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. MSC seasonal itineraries include South America, Southern Africa, North America, Northern Europe, Dubai, Asia, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the Red Sea.

With many cruise options, it isn't easy to choose the best cruise for you as they cover the most popular destinations like South America, Europe, The Caribbean and the Bahamas, Bermuda, Eastern Canada and New England, The Persian Gulf, and many more. Here is everything you need to know about MSC Cruises for planning your upcoming MSC Cruises journey. We covered all MSC Cruise ships by class, year, and size.

MSC Cruise Ships by Class

Cruise ships can be of various sizes and types. When you choose any of the cruises, you will have a class of that Individual cruise ship. It helps you to find similar cruises and separate cruises of the same cruise line.

MSC Cruise ships fleet in groups of classes. Each ship with the same classes has a very similar, with some minor changes on board. MSC Cruises has eight classes. The first-ever class of MSC cruises was "MSC Lirica Class," and the latest one is "MSC World Class".

1. Lirica Class

The “Mistral Class” cruise ships currently owned by MSC Cruises are the oldest group of ships in the MSC Cruise line. As per history, the mistral class ship was ordered by Renaissance Cruises in 1996, but later, they withdrew the order. Then Festival Cruises took the order and went bankrupt. In 2004, 4 cruise ships were taken over by MSC Cruises, and Mistral Class cruises became MSC Lirica Class Cruise ships.

New features in Lirica Class cruise ships included elegant accommodation, suites, family options, cabins with a balcony or ocean view, new child and teen areas, a spray park, more dining options, bars, refurnished shops, a longue, and restaurants.

MSC Armonia

MSC Armonia is one of the Lirica class cruise ships built in 2001, originally built for Festival Cruises as “MS European Vision,” and has been operated by MSC Cruises since 2004. She can accommodate 760 crew members and 2,065 passengers. Her itineraries destinations are the Mediterranean, MSC Grand Voyages, and South America.

MSC Sinfonia

Like the sister cruise MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia was a part of Festival Cruises before known as “MS European Stars.” She was the last cruise ship built for Festival Cruises, then it became a part of MSC in 2004 and sailed under the name of “MSC Armonia.” The maximum speed of MSC Sinfonia is 21.7 knots, and sailing is a famous destination in the Mediterranean with a capacity of 2646 passengers and 721 crew members.

MSC Lirica was the first newbuild cruise ship on service for MSC Cruises. Her sister cruises, MSC Armonia and MSC Sinfonia, are basically the same but have a smaller ship funnel and other modifications like windows and interior, but MSC Opera is a very similar sister cruise ship. She can carry 2648 passengers and 721 crew members. MSC Grand Voyages, the Mediterranean, and South America are the destinations where MSC Lirica is sailing.

MSC Opera cruise ship, built in 2004, is currently operated by Swiss company MSC Cruises. She is carrying 2658 passengers and 728 crew members. She served as the flagship of the company till 2006. She built with more classic lines than her sister in the Fantasia and Musica classes. She is sailing to the destinations of MSC Grand Voyages, Emirates, and the Mediterranean.

2. Musica Class

Musica Class ships started in 2006, operated by MSC Cruises, a Swiss global cruise line located in Geneva. The first cruise was MSC Musica, and the class was named after her. The 4 ships are on the list: MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesía, and MSC Magnifica.

The features of this Musica class cruise ship are luxury cabins and suits with an obstructed view, entertainment areas, pools, bars, restaurants, café areas, a Pullman bed facility, and more.

MSC Musica is the first cruise ship of the Musica Class, built in 2006 and operated by MSC Cruises. She has 1014 passenger cabins with 3223 passengers and 987 crew members capacity. The popular destinations she is sailing are the Mediterranean, MSC Grand Voyages, South America, Saudi Arabia, and the Red Sea.

MSC Orchestra

MSC Orchestra is the second cruise ship of the Musica Class family. It was built in 2007 for MSC Cruises. She accommodates 3223 passengers and about 940 crew members. The interior décor of marble and wood, soft furnishing, and Italian quality colors. She is sailing to cover the Mediterranean and MSC Grand Voyages.

MSC Poesía

MSC Poesía was built in 2008 by the “Aker Yards” in France. She is a sister Cruise ship of other Musica Class Cruise ships. She was the flagship of MSC Cruises until MSC Fantasia replaced her. She is the first vessel in the MSC Cruises fleet officially named outside Italy in 2008. She has 3223 passengers capacity and 1039 crew members capacity. The Mediterranean, MSC Grand Voyages, and Northern Europe are the destinations available to enjoy the MSC Poesía Cruise ships.

MSC Magnifica

MSC Magnifica was launched in January 2009, built in January 2010, and entered service in March 2010. She was constructed by “STX Europe” in France. MSC Magnifica can carry 987 crew members and 3223 passengers with 1279 cabins. MSC Magnifica sailing around the Caribbean & Antilles, Mediterranean, MSC Grand Voyages, and other global destinations. The ship has 13 decks, an Art-Deco style theatre, casino, cinema, dining and bar areas, and other entertainment areas.

3. Fantasia Class

The MSC Fantasia Class cruise ships have been operated by MSC Cruises since 2008. All Fantasia Class Cruise ships are part of third-generation ships built by STX Europe in St. Nazaire. Four Cruise ships, MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida, MSC Divina, and the MSC Preziosa, are vessels under the MSC Fantasia Class.

The ships from Fantasia Class have 1313 seat theaters, around 30,000 m² large public areas, 1700 m² fitness areas, a mini golf course, and a tennis/basketball court. MSC Fantasia Class Cruise Ships received the “Six Golden Pearls” trophy for health, safety, and environmental-related capabilities.

MSC Fantasia

MSC Fantasia was the first ever cruise ship for MSC Fantasia Class, which is owned and operated by MSC Cruises. She started cruising from Genoa in 2008. MSC Fantasia was the largest ship to operate for MSC Cruises at the time of delivery. She has a 4D cinema, a spa, a race car simulator, and musical fountains.

She can carry 4363 passengers and 1370 crew members. MSC Fantasia vessels to the ports of the Mediterranean and MSC Grand Voyages.

MSC Splendida

MSC Splendida , previously known as “MSC Serenata,” was built in 2009 with a $550 million investment. Her capacity is 1370 crew members and 4363 passengers. She is ready to schedule to be sailing in Durban for 2023/2024 and will serve South Africa to Mauritius, Port Elizabeth, Mozambique, Reunion, Namibia & Cape Town. The ship has a system to program multiple songs to play and enjoy. She is the best Eco-ship that gives you luxury, style, and comfort to the MSC Grand Voyages, South Africa, and Mediterranean destinations.

In the Fantasia Class, MSC Divina is the third ship for the class and the twelfth ship built and sailing for MSC cruises. With 139,072 tons gross tonnage, she is larger than MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida. They renamed MSC Fantastica to honor the actress, Sophia Loren. The Cruise provides modern comfort, a variety of sports and entertainment, and relaxation facilities. She is one of the ships that are sailing to the private island destination, “Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve,” Bahamas.

MSC Preziosa

Preziosa is a magnified version of her two sister cruise ships, MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida. She was the 13th cruise ship of MSC Cruise line. 80% of rooms have an ocean view with a veranda on this cruise. The ship has 24.21 knots maximum speed. Public areas included seven restaurants, 20 lounges and bars, four swimming pools, a gym, and a spa. She has a capacity of 1388 crew members and 4345 passengers. MSC Preziosa departs from Rotterdam, Santos (Sao Paulo), Hamburg, Copenhagen, Le Havre, Le Havre Southampton, Oslo, Southampton, Copacabana Beach and Rio de Janeiro. She sailed to cover the ports & areas of South America, MSC Grand Voyages, and Northern Europe.

4. Seaside Class

The first and leading cruise ship MSC Seaside starts from December 2017 in the Caribbean Sea. The two original MSC Seaside Class is MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview are designed to sailing in warmer climates as MSC describe, they follow the sun. The ship features convertible staterooms and cluster cabins for groups and families, open modular, luxury suits with private jacuzzies and hanging gardens.

She sails with extra space areas and environmental technologies. The Seaside Class is developed on Fincantieri's "Project Mille". The all-cruise ships of this class have "Sea" prefix.

MSC Seaside

MSC Seaside was built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and entered services in 2017. She was the first ship of the MSC Cruises line's fleet in the United States. She is the 14th largest cruise ship in the world. She has cabins and suites with balconies to open-air bars and restaurants. Also, passengers can enjoy the ocean view from panoramic elevators and two glass-floor catwalks. She sails to the Caribbean & Bahamas, the Mediterranean, and MSC Grand Voyages.

MSC Seaview

MSC Seaview is a sister cruise ship of MSC Seaside and a very family-friendly ship. MSC Seaview is sailing to the Mediterranean, South America, and Western Mediterranean, but she is sailing to Europe or Brazil if you are planning during the winter months. She offers the longest zip lines at sea, shooting water cannons, and many other activities for kids and adults.

5. Seaside EVO Class

There are two cruise ships, MSC Seashore and MSC Seascape, in the Seaside EVO Class. The first Cruise MSC Seashore entered service in 2021. It is a sub-class of Seaside Class, and both cruises are Eco-friendly. With the larger dimensions, more generous public spaces, countless options for relaxing and outside dining, and staterooms with more luxury and relaxation.

MSC Seashore

MSC Seashore became the lead ship of the Seaside EVO class. She is an evolution of her sister cruise ships, MSC Seaview and MSC Seaside from Seaside Class. She sails to the Western Caribbean, Bahamas, and Eastern Caribbean. She is equipped with the latest advanced environmental technology to increase energy. She can carry 5632 passengers and 1648 crew members.

MSC Seascape

The second Seaside EVO Class Cruise ship, MSC Seascape, is a similar version of the sister cruise, MSC Seashore . She can accommodate approx. 5877 passengers. She features a glitzy, New York City-inspired aesthetic. Start sailing from sunny Miami and explore white-sand beaches and turquoise waters of the Bahamas and Caribbean. Many environmentally friendly policies, safety features, and other minor details are similar to her sister ship, MSC Seashore.

6. Meraviglia Class

The Meraviglia Class has two MSC Cruise ships, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima. The class is larger than the Seaside class. This class has the sixth largest cruise ship in the world, behind Royal Caribbean's AIDAnova and Oasis-class cruise ships. This class of sheep can journey all around the world. Meraviglia Class was uniquely designed, allowing it to reach ports that other cruise ships couldn't access.

Some signature features of Meraviglia Class cruise ships are F1 simulators, Sportsplex, beverage options, various luxurious cabins and staterooms, spacious shopping areas, bars and restaurants, and more. Passengers can enjoy all-new entertainment concepts, including acrobatics, dance, and live music in Meraviglia Class ships.

MSC Meraviglia

MSC Cruises set the bar high as they launched the first cruise of this class, MSC Meraviglia , the biggest ship in the European market, in 2017. She is the lead ship of MSC Cruises' new "Vista Project" cruises. MSC Meraviglia offers an overnight stay on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, a Private Island of MSC in The Bahamas. She sails to Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Canada/New England. The cruise has 5642 passengers capacity.

MSC Bellissima

MSC Bellissima is the best family-friendly cruise. She debuted and started her journey in March 2019. Facilities on the cruise include a large number of dining, drinking, and entertainment options, including the second Cirque du Soleil at Sea, four pools, a ropes course, a water park, and a large central promenade lined with bars, shops, and restaurants. She has the capacity to carry 5655 passengers and sail to Asia.

7. Meraviglia-Plus Class

MSC Meraviglia-Plus Class has three new updated versions and new-generation cruises of Meraviglia Class with more advanced technology, space areas, entertainment areas, and more fun. The first cruise of this class, MSC Grandiosa, was launched in 2019. This class cruise has featured the first and only masterpiece, “Contemporary Fine Art Museum at Sea.”

The environmental-friendly cruises of Meraviglia-Plus Class operate at a global level, covering routes in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Europe, the Baltic Sea, North and Central America, the Arab Emirates, South America and the Indian Ocean, and the Far East.

MSC Grandiosa

MSC Grandiosa was the first ever cruise ship of Meraviglia-Plus Class debut in 2019. She offers more public space areas with exciting innovations. Passengers can enjoy flexible dining and unlimited drinks in various restaurants. She is MSC’s first ship with a selective catalytic reduction. She sails to MSC Grand Voyages, the Mediterranean, and South America. She has the capacity to carry 6334 passengers.

MSC Virtuosa

MSC Virtuosa is the second ship in the Meraviglia-Plus class. She is a sister ship to MSC Grandiosa with similar features and entered the service in May 2021. She is also the largest ship, like a sister cruise, with 181,541 GT and carries a total of 6334 passengers. An updating feature on MSC Virtuosa is the extended interior Promenade, with cafes, shops, and bars, and overhead the entire ceiling is a 95m by 6m LED screen displaying panoramas and the night sky.

MSC Euribia

The best family-friendly cruise, MSC Euribia offers a wide range of family activities, fun top decks, cabins, and more dining and drink options. She is called after "the ancient goddess Eurybia," furthering the vision of the MSC Euribia to learn the deployment of state-of-the-art sustainable technologies to save and maintain the precious marine ecosystem. MSC Euribia sails to the Baltic Sea and the Middle East with a capacity of 6327 passengers.

8. World Class

In 2022, MSC debut the first Word Class cruise ship “MSC World Europa” - the largest cruise ship in MSC’s history built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique of France. The design of this class would become the third new prototype ordered by MSC Cruises. The World Class series cruise installed with GE Power Conversion. MSC revealed that their upcoming sister cruise ship of MSC World Europa will debut in 2024 and two more in 2025 and 2026 respectively. All ships are powered by LNG.

The Word Class cruise ships have largest waterpark in fleet, 7 swimming pools including sliding roof, MSC kids club for families and children, 13 dining venues, 19 various cabin categories, with 7 new designs. The Gross tonnage of the Word Class cruise ships is 2,15,863.

MSC World Europa

MSC's first-class cruise ship, MSC World Europa , is the first cruise ship with green technology, MSC's first and the world's sixth largest cruise ship, debuting in 2022. With a 6762 capacity of passengers and 2626 cabins, she is cruising in the Mediterranean. MSC World Europa is a groundbreaking addition to the MSC Cruises set to redefine the concept of innovation and luxury on the high seas. The main activity hub onboard is "The World Galleria."

MSC World America

Enjoy the journey of the Caribbean as never before. In Spring 2025, MSC Cruises' second World Class ship, MSC World America, will join the fleet. Get ready to sail from Miami for two jaw-dropping tropical 7-night itineraries in the Eastern and Western Caribbean. She has similar features to the sister cruise MSC World Europa. The ship is 215,863 gross tons and will be ready to carry 6,762 passengers at full, with 2,126 crew.

MSC Cruise Ships by Age (From newest to oldest)

The first MSC cruise was MSC Armonia, previously known as a "European Vision" in 2001, built with 245 million USD cost, and MSC's newest ship is "MSC World America," which will launch in 2024 with approx. 1.1 billion USD built worth.

The table below shows MSC Cruises Ships from newest to oldest by built year and also mentions refurbished year and approx. Built cost of each MSC cruise.

MSC Cruise Ships by Size

MSC has a total of 23 cruises on the list. All Cruises are made with different dimensions, shapes, and features. The large cruise ships (MSC World Class Cruises) have the greatest number of pools, waterslides, hot tubs, and other deck-top allures, as well as various bars, restaurants, and entertainment areas. There are a large number of cabins, staterooms, and more facilities in comparison to small cruise ships (MSC Lirica Class).

So, what about small cruises? Small cruises are also capable of carrying 2000 to 3000 people easily. It means small Cruises of MSC Cruises also offer luxurious and relaxation journeys with tasty dining and entertainment areas and fun activities. The main point is MSC Cruises sails globally. Travelers can choose their dream destination with their favorite MSC cruise ships.

From the biggest or largest cruise to the smallest one, all are covered in the list below, including Gross tonnage, capacity of passengers, number of cabins, including guests with disabilities.

Final Words

MSC Cruises has a wide range of cruise ships based on class. You can choose the best one as per your preference. If you are looking for a small one, you can go on Lirica Class cruises, but if you like giant and advanced tech cruises with a lot of activities and fun with more options in food, stay, drinking, and shopping, then you must book most luxurious and largest MSC World Class Cruises.

Enjoy your cruise journey with MSC with global destinations.

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MSC Cruises Ships by Size, Age and Class (Updated 2023)

MSC Cruises has an active fleet of 22 ships currently. They are currently one of the largest cruise line fleets in the world.

Their next ship, MSC World America will launch in 2025 – taking them to 23 ships.

Introduction to MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is a Swiss-Italian cruise line, founded back in 1989 in Naples, Italy.

A sibling company of the giant Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), MSC has strong roots connecting it with the sea dating back to 1675.

Since 1989, MSC Cruises has built a formidable fleet of cruise ships, with the last few years adding several brand new ships per year on average and an order book with many more lined up.

Whilst the cruise shutdown of 2020 stopped MSC from sailing briefly, they were quick to continue the building of their new ships and did not sell off any of their current vessels.

This guide will help you work out which MSC Cruises’ ship is which!

MSC Ships by Size (from largest to smallest)

What does ‘tonnage (grt)’ mean.

GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage) is a term used to calculate the volume inside a ship. It is a measure of cubic capacity and is calculated by the total volume from inside the hull and decks of the ship. 1 GRT = 100 cubic feet of space. In essence, the bigger the GRT – the more ‘space’ the ship has for passengers, cargo, etc.

How are ‘Passengers (Max)’ calculated?

You’ll see multiple numbers for passengers on ships – this is because many ships include extra beds in cabins (such as the sofa/couch can convert to a pull-out bed) – but the majority of cabins usually have 2 people in them. the ‘Max’ number is if every cabin used their additional pull-out bed, etc. This number is unlikely to be reached very frequently.

MSC Ships by Age (from newest to oldest)

Are all msc ships new builds.

Only two of MSC Cruises’ ships ( MSC Armonia and MSC Sinfonia ) are not new-builds for MSC Cruises. These two ships are ex-Festival Cruises ships (previously named European Vision and European Stars ).

They were acquired when Festival Cruises went bankrupt and MSC Cruises purchased them for their operations.

MSC Cruises chose to use a modified version of the European-class ships and built MSC Lirica and her twin sister, MSC Opera .

MSC Ships by Class (from newest to oldest)

What is the meraviglia plus class.

The Meraviglia Plus class was built after the success of MSC Meraviglia . The Plus class is an extended version of the ship (approx 15m longer) and has slightly larger facilities, including more cabins – giving an extra passenger capacity of 679 ( MSC Grandiosa – 6,334 compared to MSC Meraviglia 5,642).

What is the Seaside EVO class?

The Seaside EVO class was built after the success of MSC Seaside . This class is 16m longer, offering bigger facilities throughout the ship and more cabins. This enables a higher passenger capacity over the existing Seaside class of 548 passengers ( MSC Seashore 5,632 compared to MSC Seaside 5,084)

Additionally, newer classes of MSC ships are more environmentally advanced, offering enhanced wastewater treatment facilities and enhanced selective catalytic reductions (i.e reduced emissions).

MSC Cruise Ships Frequently Asked Questions

Which msc cruise ship is the biggest.

Currently, the biggest MSC cruise ship is actually a trio of sister ships:  MSC Euribia, MSC Virtuosa   and  MSC Grandiosa   – all 331 metres long and 191,200 GRT with a max passenger capacity of 6,344.

Which MSC cruise ship is the smallest?

Both  MSC Sinfonia  and  MSC Armonia  are the smallest MSC cruise ships in terms of GRT (Tonnage) but  MSC Armonia  actually carries 26 passengers less, at 2,520 max capacity.

Which MSC cruise ship is the newest?

The newest MSC cruise ship that has launched is  MSC Euribia . She was handed over to MSC Cruises on 31st May 2023.

Which MSC cruise ship is the oldest?

The oldest (still at sea) MSC cruise ship is  MSC Armonia . Whilst she entered service for MSC Cruises in 2004, she was actually built as  European Vision  for Festival Cruises back in 2001.

How many classes of ships does MSC have?

MSC Cruises currently have eight classes of ships. Two are hybrid classes (Seaside EVO and Meraviglia Plus) and the rest are unique classes.

Which MSC cruise ship is the best?

Ask ten different people which is their favourite MSC ship and you’ll get ten different answers! But  MSC Seaside  and  MSC Meraviglia  have frequently come top of many polls and are widely accepted as two of the most popular MSC cruise ships.

Where are MSC cruise ships built?

MSC Cruises builds a lot of its newer ships at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique (St. Nazaire) shipyard in France. The Meraviglia and Meraviglia Plus class are some of the latest ships from there.

The Seaside and Seaside EVO ships were built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, Italy – one of the biggest cruise shipbuilders based in the Mediterranean.

How many ships does MSC have?

Twenty-two ships as of June 2023

Which MSC ships run on LNG?

Both MSC World Europa and the new MSC Euribia run on LNG fuel.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to choosing an MSC Cruise ship for your cruise there is a vast range of ships that are perfect whether you are travelling solo, as a couple or as a family.

Look out for our detailed guide on the different MSC classes shortly!

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Your special offer

Your complete guide to MSC cruise ships: MSC Cruises classes explained

By Claire Benktander | 18 Jan 2022

Discover more about MSC Cruises’ 19 cruise ships and the variety of MSC cruise classes, including a brand-new luxury class for 2023.

MSC Cruises is known for its excellent-value voyages across the Mediterranean , Caribbean , Europe and beyond on board one of their 19 vessels.

With two more MSC cruise ships being launched this year, bringing the fleet to 21, it can be tricky to know which MSC cruise ship to choose and what the different classes mean. Here’s your complete guide to MSC cruise ships and MSC cruise classes.

Guide to MSC cruise ships & MSC cruise classes

How big are msc cruise ships.

MSC Cruises’ ships can accommodate between 2,520 and 6,334 passengers over 13 to 20 decks, with no small ships in the current fleet.

Next year, though, MSC’s new cruise line, named Explora Journeys, will bring to its repertoire a fleet of small, luxury ships, aimed at guests who are part of the MSC Yacht Club and are after a premium experience.

Which MSC cruise ship is the biggest?

As the combined ninth biggest cruise ships in the world, MSC Grandiosa  – the flagship of MSC Cruises – and MSC Virtuosa   each have 19 decks and capacity for over 6,000 passengers and are over 300m long.

MSC Virtuosa

MSC cruise classes explained

How many msc cruise classes are there.

There are currently eight MSC cruise ship classes, with the most recent being the Seaside EVO class . Later this year, however, the new World Class will add a ninth – and in 2023, a tenth – class to MSC cruise ships’ classes, the latter to be part of a new, smaller, ultra-luxury fleet.

World Class

MSC World Class is a new fleet of ships that will be LNG-propelled and feature a new generation wastewater treatment system, as well other environmental technology in what is a key step for MSC Cruises and their goal to keep  making their vessels even more eco-friendly.

The first ship, MSC World Europa, is currently under construction for MSC Cruises at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and will sail her inaugural journey in December 2022.

Meraviglia Plus Class

Experience Meraviglia Plus Class on board  MSC Virtuosa – MSC’s most environmentally-advanced ship to date, delivered in February 2021 – and MSC Grandiosa , the latter of which is MSC Cruises’ largest ever ship, coming in at 181,000 tonnes and able to welcome 6,334 guests.

These ships also feature hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems, Mediterranean-style promenades and Zoe, the industry’s first digital cruise personal assistant , as well as Cirque du Soleil theatre shows and onboard art museums.

MSC Grandiosa

Meraviglia Class

Very similar to Meraviglia Plus Class, Meraviglia Class offers smaller versions of the above ships and is found on board  MSC Bellissima and MSC Meraviglia , with space for between 4,000 and 6,000 passengers.

The Meraviglia Class ships also feature industry-first digital assistant Zoe and the Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows as well as an indoor promenade, 14 gourmet restaurants and the biggest MSC Yacht Club.

MSC Bellissima

Seaside EVO Class

In 2021 MSC Cruises released a new class of ship, the Seaside EVO-class, that began with the launch of MSC Seashore in August 2021  followed by MSC Seascape,  set to embark on its first voyage in November 2022 and both offering space for between 5,000 and 6,000 passengers.

Slightly larger than the Seaside Class ships (over 50 feet longer to be exact), the Seaside EVO class ships feature aqua parks, show lounges and additional luxury suites alongside MSC’s signature environmentally-friendly technology.

MSC Seascape

Seaside Class

MSC Seaview and MSC Seaside are part of MSC Cruises’ Seaside Class, with capacity for over 5,000 passengers and a 2.9 staff to guest ratio.

MSC Cruises describe the ships as ‘following the sun’. Accordingly so, MSC’s Seaside Class ships are all about the outdoors, with superb views from two glass-floored catwalks and panoramic elevators alongside outdoor-focussed areas like the wraparound walkway, bars, shops and restaurants – of which there are nine.

MSC Seaview

Fantasia Class

MSC Preziosa , MSC Splendida , MSC Fantasia and  MSC Divina are all part of MSC Cruises’ Fantasia Class, with MSC Divina the most advanced of the class; all offer space for around 4,000 passengers.

The MSC Fantasia Class ships’ passenger decks are named after ancient Greek gods, alongside restaurants, a multitude of bars and lounges, several swimming pools, a bowling alley, the famed MSC Aurea Spa and even theatres and sports arenas.

MSC Preziosa

Musica Class

The MSC Musica Class ships all offer space for between 2,000 and 3,000 passengers and are designed to sail mainly in the Mediterranean on MSC Magnifica , MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra and MSC Musica.

The ships offer a distinct Italian atmosphere showcased in their interiors and dining venues, with 80% outdoor cabins to really make the most of the outdoors alongside waterfalls, dazzling lounges and theatres.

Lirica Class

Lirica Class was the first of MSC Cruises ship classes, offering some of the smaller ships in MSC Cruises’ fleet. It features on board MSC Opera ,  MSC Lirica , MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia , each of which accommodate nearly 2,000 passengers.

Expect classic, elegant designs and a feeling of tradition on board Lirica Class ships, with vessels featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, MSC’s original Broadway Theatre and ultra-spacious cabins as they sail the Med.

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List of MSC Cruises ships by age, size & dates

MSC Cruises is the world's largest privately-owned cruise line and currently operates a fleet of 19 ships - with 3 new ships planned to enter service by June 2023. With a variety of ship sizes, MSC Cruises offers something for everyone, ranging from the MSC Sinfonia (2,546 passengers) - their first ship in operation - to their latest ship; the MSC Seashore, which entered into service in 2021 (5,877 passengers). MSC Cruises operates in some of the most popular cruise destinations around the world, including the Mediterranean, South America, and South Africa. MSC Cruises prides itself on providing a true Mediterranean experience aboard its ships.

ON THIS PAGE WE ARE LISTING THE SHIPS:

• In alphabetical order
• From newest to oldest (year built)
• With MSC Yacht Club
• With MSC for Me
• By registration (flag)

MSC Ships by alphabetical order

Msc armonia.

Armonia means harmony in English and the MSC Armonia indeed has this in buckets. Minimalist fittings and beautiful clean lines, as well as colours that are soothing and tranquil, will leave you feeling that you have escaped to your happy place.

Renovated: 2014 | Occupancy: 2,679

MSC BELLISSIMA

Be awed by the beautiful MSC Bellissima. Aboard the ship, there is ample public space, but this does not mean that she is not packed with plenty of entertainment options, bars, restaurants, spa and more! There is a walkway that spans across two decks, the highlight of which is the massive dome covering the ceiling - 480 square meters of LED screens. For the active, choose from pools, sportsplex, gym, bowling or F1 Simulators.

Launched : 2019 | Occupancy: 5,686

From the sublime to the divine, MSC Divina does not disappoint with her elegance and comfort. As the godmother of MSC Cruises, Sophia Loren was the inspiration for this vessel, as evidenced by the sumptuous suite named after her. Take a dip in the Infinity Pool or watch a show in the Broadway-sized Pantheon Theatre.

Launched: 2012 | Occupancy: 4,345

MSC FANTASIA

MSC Fantasia is modern, yet stylish with that Italian flair for which MSC Cruises is known. Where else can you walk on a Swarovski Crystal floor? With plenty of entertainment for both the under 18s and the adults, including a 4D cinema, F1 simulator and the Aqua Park, there will never be a dull moment.

Launched : 2008 | Occupancy: 4,363

MSC GRANDIOSA

Launched in November 2019, MSC Grandiosa is packed with features - speciality restaurants, the Jean-Phillipe Chocolat and Cafe, race water slides, Himalayan rope bridge suspended above the ship, Virtual Reality Maze and more. This ship is one of the most environmentally friendly at sea, ticking the box for greener travel.

Launched: 2019 | Occupancy: 6,334

One of the MSC ships refurbished in the 2015 Renaissance Programme, the MSC Lirica offers traditional cruise ship comfort, with wood, marble, and brass finishes throughout the vessel. There is plenty of space to spread out and find a spot in the sun to enjoy a cocktail or a quiet coffee. Cool down in the pool or Doremi Spray Park before heading to the Broadway Theatre to enjoy a show.

Refurbished : 2015 | Occupancy: 2,679

MSC MAGNIFICA

MSC Magnifica is refined yet opulent in feel - truly magnificent, just like her name. She is part of the Musica Class of MSC cruise ships. Enjoy the swimming facilities, including an indoor pool with a retractable roof, allowing you to enjoy it whether rain or shine. Relax in one of the 4 jacuzzis or in the Solarium. Perhaps you fancy dancing the night away in the T32 Disco or taking your chances with Lady Luck in the Atlantic City Casino.

Launched: 2010 | Occupancy: 3,223

MSC MERAVIGLIA

MSC Meraviglia was the first ship in the MSC fleet to be launched with MSC for Me - an app that can be downloaded onto any smartphone. This was one of the many firsts - including the first ship in the fleet to have a water slide that went out over the side of the ship; the first ship in the fleet to offer exclusive Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows in a purpose-built theatre; and able to dock at any cruise port in the world, meaning a wider variety of destinations is possible.

Launched : 2017 | Occupancy: 5,655

With the elegance and class of any fine lady, the MSC Musica will not disappoint. There is a spectacular waterfall in the foyer, which spans three decks and right in front of which is a transparent piano, poised on a suspended, crystal floor. The plush Teatro La Scala, seating over 1200 people, will enable you to settle in and enjoy a show. Kaito Sushi Bar is the ship's specialty Japanese restaurant.

Launched: 2006 | Occupancy: 2,550

MSC Opera was extended and refurbished under the Renaissance Program. There are new facilities that have been added, such as the spray park, as well as a host of extra balcony cabins and an enlarged restaurant - giving even more space to turn out culinary delights. Fans of opera will smile at the fact that each deck is named after a famous opera.

Launched : 2015 | Occupancy: 2,679

MSC ORCHESTRA

Like a well-tuned ensemble, the MSC Orchestra has the perfect combination of elegant interior design, quiet places to unwind, facilities for the active, (like 5 gorgeous pools and a gym), as well as wonderful restaurant options - choose from Dim Sum at the Shanghai Chinese Restaurant, top-notch pizza at La Piazzetta or Four Seasons Italian dining.

Launched : 2007 | Occupancy: 3,223

As her name suggests, the MSC Poesia is a poem to the ocean. For non-Italians, it is pronounced Poh-eh-zee-uh.) From the sumptuous spa where you can get a relaxing massage, to the Zen Garden and the theatre, decorated in the royal colour of purple, the ship is an ode to MSC Cruises' aim of providing something for everyone.

Launched : 2008 | Occupancy: 3,223

MSC PREZIOSA

As with all of MSC Cruises' ships, the MSC Preziosa is comfortable with Italian flair ever-present. Stroll through the piazza, made with real stone, or take a thrill ride on Vertigo, the longest water slide at sea! One of the beautiful features of the Preziosa is the infinity pool, looking for all intents and purposes like it is part of the ocean. A great place to unwind and be mesmerized by the ocean.

Launched : 2013 | Occupancy: 4,345

MSC SEASHORE

The first EVO Class Ship, MSC Seashore is inspired by MSC Cruises' vision for cruising in sunny weather and warm waters. Mirroring the Mediterranean way of life by providing indoor/outdoor eateries. To be launched in Spring 2021.

Launched : 2021 | Occupancy: 5,331

MSC SEASIDE

As with all the Seaside Class ships, the MSC Seaside is designed to bring the ocean closer to the passengers. Explore the Waterfront Boardwalk that circles the ship, meaning you can take a stroll in the sun, enjoying the breeze, whilst still being able to access the restaurants and bars from the outside.

Launched : 2017 | Occupancy: 5,336

MSC SEAVIEW

The MSC Seaview is known as "the ship that follows the sun", as she spends 6 months in each hemisphere, giving the illusion of eternal summer. Take your pick from 7 speciality restaurants or eat in one of the two buffets. Optionally, there is, of course, two main dining rooms, with excellent food displaying all of MSC Cruises' usual flair and panache.

Launched : 2018 | Occupancy: 5,336

MSC SINFONIA

Honoring many renowned European composers, MSC Sinfonia is a symphony of elegance, comfort, entertainment and delight. She will enthrall you from the moment you step into her cool interior, (before you begin to explore the pools, bars, eating areas, spa, kids clubs and more), right until the second you disembark.

MSC SPLENDIDA

With a host of different music venues, bars and restaurants on the MSC Splendida, you will feel spoiled for choice when deciding where to begin exploring. Tickle your taste buds with real McCoy Mediterranean specialties or spice it up with a Tex-Mex meal. Immerse yourself in a world-class production in The Strand Theatre, before having a flutter in the Royal Palm Casino or shaking those hips in Club 33.

Launched : 2009 | Occupancy: 4,363

MSC VIRTUOSA

MSC Virtuosa will be the new jewel in MSC Cruises' crown. Due to be launched in September 2020, delays due to COVID-19 mean that she will be launched in early 2021. With new specialty dining options - such as a tapas bar and an Indochine restaurant - as well as the first Robotic Arm bar at sea, there is plenty to look forward to on this beauty.

Launched : 2021 | Occupancy: 6,334

Which is MSC newest ship?

Currently, the newest MSC Cruises ship is the MSC Seashore which entered service in August 2021. The oldest MSC cruises ship is the MSC Armonia. She entered in service in 2001 under the name European Vision. She started sailing under the MSC Armonia banner in May 2004.

*the last time the ship was in dry dock

MSC Cruise Ships by size

The largest MSC Cruises ship are the MSC Meraviglia & MSC Grandiosa, at 181,541 gross tons. The smallest MSC Cruises ship is the MSC Lirica, at 66,132 gross tons.

MSC Ships by class

Four of MSC ships are among the world's 20 biggest vessels, but not all are supersized. The fleet is divided into 8 different classes by oldest to newest class:

Lirica Class (oldest): MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia

Musica Class: MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Magnifica

Fantasica Class: MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina

Meraviglia Class: MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima

Seaside: MSC Seaview and MSC Seaside

Meraviglia Plus: MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa and the new MSC Euribia (June 2023)

Seaside Evo: MSC Seashore and MSC Seascape (Dec 2022)

MSC World: MSC World Europa (Dec 2022)

Which MSC Cruise ships have Yacht Club?

MSC Yacht Club is an exclusive onboard experience available on several MSC Cruise ships. It features private areas, butler service, and upgraded accommodations.

The Yacht Club is available on the following MSC Cruise ships:

MSC Euribia (June 2023), MSC World Europa (Dec 2022), MSC Seascape (Dec 2022), MSC Seashore, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia

MSC Ships that do not have Yacht Club:

MSC Magnifica,  MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia

For more on the Yacht Club 

On which ships is MSC for Me available?

In 2017, MSC Cruises launched MSC for Me, a digital smart ships programme and mobile app designed to enhance the Guest experience. It was first launched on MSC Meraviglia.

The app is available on MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, MSC Seashore, MSC Splendida, MSC Seaview, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa and MSC Virtuosa.

MSC Cruises by registration (flag)?

The Panama Flag was first used by MSC for the Lirica, Fantasia and Lirica class ships.

MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside and MSC Meraviglia are all under Malta flag. The MSC Seashore fly the flag of Italy

MSC Vista was MSC Euribia's previous name. She has since been renamed MSC Euribia and is set to launch in June 2023.

MSC currently has 19 ships sailing with 3 more due by June 2023

MSC Fantastica was renamed MSC Divina in honour of the fleet's godmother, the actress Sophia Loren.

MSC Yacht Club Royal suite 16007 on the MSC Divina is dedicated to Sophia Loren, with pictures of her movies in the cabin.

Top MSC South African cruises

Portuguese island, cruises to walvis bay, msc from cape town.

MSC Meraviglia

MSC Meraviglia is packed with extraordinary features for the perfect experience at sea in any season. Enjoy outstanding dining options and out-of-this-world entertainment with new panoramic areas, an innovative ocean-view aft lounge, a two-deck "inside promenade" with a 480m2 LED dome and a spectacular amusement area connected to an outdoor water park.

MSC Meraviglia is one of the ships that sail to our exclusive Bahamian destination Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve .

" We've been cruising with MSC for years: good service in restaurant, nice staff around the ship. "

" The ship was beautiful. The staff and crew offered a great service. Every single bartender there treated us like family."

" Really had a fabulous time. The ship, transfers, excursions, staff, food, drinks and entertainment were amazing. "

ITINERARIES

Bermuda, Canada and New England

Get ready to dive into one of our pools, let your hair down at the themed parties, treat yourself to something delicious in one of our amazing restaurants, and much more!  

MAIN features

Galleria meraviglia.

This 96-metre-long central promenade is filled with boutiques, restaurants and tranquil spots for shopping, eating and relaxing... as well as socialising with friends and family. And in the evening, it comes alive with music, parties and entertainment.

Horizon pool

The Horizon pool offers superb sea views and yet more open-air deck space for sun worshipers during the daylight hours. At night, the area will be transformed into a stunning outdoor spot for dancing and all kinds of entertainment under the stars.

The Broadway Theatre

Every cruise offers at least 6 different shows - even on a 7-night cruise - featuring innovative world-class and standing-ovation productions.

Carousel Productions at Sea

Enjoy an all-new entertainment concept blending breathtaking acrobatics, dance and live music to create exclusive original productions specially designed for MSC Meraviglia Class ships. It offers avant-garde artistic and immersive performances combined with the innovative technology in a surprising mix of new expressions and experimentation that will make you feel part of the show. On board MSC Meraviglia, you'll have the unique opportunity to admire two spectacular productions: ROCK CIRCUS , featuring acrobats, musicians and the greatest rock hits, and HOUSE OF HOUDINI , a celebration of some of the most wondrous illusions of Harry Houdini. The shows take place twice a night, six nights a week, only at the Carousel Lounge, a glamorous, modern, technology-packed venue. Taste our Signature Cocktail while you enjoy a pre-show followed by this unique entertainment experience.   (not included in the cruise fare, limited spaces, a signature cocktail package needs to be booked)

DISCOVER MORE

MSC Aurea Spa

The MSC Aurea Spa is a luxurious Balinese spa offering signature relaxation treatments to revitalise body and soul. Complete with a thermal area, beauty salon and nail boutique, the MSC Aurea Spa will leave you feeling pampered from head to toe.

MSC Gym by Technogym®

Equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym cardio and strength-training equipment, the panoramic gym on board MSC Meraviglia gym offers a wide range of innovative fitness courses and training programmes designed to suit guests of all ages and abilities.

MSC Yacht Club

Discover a place where you can savour exclusivity and privacy in a world of choice. Indulge in the luxury of a private club, while enjoying access to the myriad recreation and entertainment possibilities that the rest of the ship affords.   Welcome to the MSC Yacht Club , a cruise experience like no other.

CABINS & SUITES

• Surface approx 12-22 sqm, balcony approx 2-14 sqm
• Sitting area with sofa 
• Comfortable double or single beds (on request)
• Interactive TV, telephone, Wifi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar
• Bathroom with shower or bathtub , vanity area with hairdryer 

Choose the cabin type that best suits you:

• Balcony Aurea  (best ship position, surface approx 17 sqm,  deck 10-13)
• Premium Balcony (surface approx 22 sqm,  deck 10-14)
• Deluxe Balcony (surface approx 17 sqm, deck 8-14)
• Deluxe Balcony with Partial View (surface approx 17-20 sqm,  deck 8-14)
• Studio Balcony (single use, surface approx 12 sqm,  deck 13-14)

*Including cabins for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility, which are larger. The image is representative only; the size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same cabin category).

• Surface approx. 12-22 sqm,  deck 5-11
• Window with sea view  
• Relaxing armchair 
• Bathroom with shower, vanity area with hairdryer 
• Premium Ocean view (surface approx 22 sqm,  deck 9-11) Deluxe Ocean View (surface approx 16 sqm, Deck 5)  Junior Ocean View (surface approx 12 sqm, Deck 8)  Junior Ocean View with obstructed view (surface approx 12 sqm, Deck 8) 

The image is representative only; the size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same cabin category).

• Surface approx.  12-22 sqm,  deck 5-14
• Relaxing armchair
• Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer
• Comfortable double or single beds (on request) 
• Deluxe Interior (surface approx.  17-22  sqm, deck 5-14 )
• Studio Interior (single use, surface approx.  12 sqm,  deck 5-1 4)

Entertainment

Polar Aquapark

RESTAURANTS & BUFFET

Panorama restaurant, hola tacos & cantina.

The new fast-casual street food dining concept, offers a selection of Latin American and Mexican-inspired dishes and drinks to be shared and enjoyed in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, open for lunch and dinner. Choose from a tantalising array of dishes from blue corn tacos and nachos, authentic beef empanadas and tasty tamales through to tortilla soup or vegetarian tacos, all to be savoured with our selection of Top 10 Tequilas and Mezcals!

A mouthwatering Seafood menu of fish dishes including oven baked rock salt crust whole Mediterranean seabass, steam king crabs, Boston lobster, brown crabs, oyster, tiger prawns seafood platter to share and so much more, made with the freshest ingredients and complemented by a wonderful international fine wines list: these are the magic ingredients of our fish Seafood restaurant on MSC Meraviglia.

Butcher's Cut

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.

Kaito Teppanyaki

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

Waves Restaurant

L'olive dorée - l'olivo d'oro, kaito sushi bar, marketplace buffet.

Open 20 hours a day, it’s the ideal place for enjoying a great informal Mediterranean dining experience with a spectacular sea view. Visible kitchens and a Mozzarella-making area allow guests to watch our chefs preparing the fresh food. The extensive buffet area includes various multifunction corners serving international dishes, ethnic cuisine, healthy options and a multitude of other tastes.

BARS & LOUNGES

Carousel lounge.

Sit back and enjoy the fun with an exclusive Signature Cocktail at the Carousel Lounge, a glamorous and modern, technology-packed venue specifically designed to meet the needs of Carousel Productions at Sea . This custom-built lounge covers 1,000 sq.m. and can accommodate up to 400 guests. Taste our Signature Cocktail while you enjoy a pre-show followed by this immersive entertainment experience.

(Not included in the cruise fare. Limited spaces; a signature cocktail package needs to be booked).

Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café

French master pâtissier Chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury brings his award-winning touch to this coffee and chocolate bar boutique. As well as choosing from a variety of exquisite Chef created chocolate candies, guests can also create their very own chocolate bar right at the tablet stations. The boutique offers a wide assortment of delectable French macaroons and fresh roasted coffee.

Edge - Cocktail Bar

Our pre-dinner bar is the ideal spot to join friends for an aperitif before a meal, or for a refreshing drink at any time of day. From traditional aperitifs, our Signature Cocktails to the contemporary classics, there is something to suit your taste.

Champagne Bar

With an array of first-rate champagne, bubblies, fresh oysters, caviar and fish, the chic Champagne Bar is a place to indulge in the finer things in life.

Infinity Bar

There are infinite choices in this ideal spot to join friends for an aperitif before a meal, or for a refreshing drink at any time of day. From traditional aperitifs, our Signature Cocktails to the contemporary classics, there is something to suit your taste.

Jean-Philippe Crêpes & Gelato

A gourmet ice cream parlour and French-style crêperiedreamed up by award-winning master pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury. Located in the impressive indoor promenade, it's the perfect place to enjoy a mouth watering made-to-order crêpe, with your choice of delicious sweet or savoury fillings.

Meraviglia Bar & Lounge

Choose from a list of MSC signature cocktails and contemporary classics. Or put yourself in the capable hands of our expert mixologists who will concoct something special just for you.

Brass Anchor Pub

The atmosphere and menu of a traditional English pub await you at the Brass Anchor Pub.

Dance away into the early hours in our chic nightclub. Grab yourself a drink from our extensive list of cocktails, mocktails, Spritz, Mojito’s, classic cocktails, beers or ciders and dance the night away.

Imperial Casino Bar

Hit the jackpot at our spacious bar in Le Grand Casino. Order a drink from our wide variety of selected cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine and fine spirits to refresh yourself while you take a break from play.

TV Studio & Bar

Broadcasting live throughout the ship, our TV Studio and radio suite air live games, quizzes, talent contests and other fun content. An excellent selection of cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks are available to get you ready for your big performance.

Atmosphere Bar South

Hunger can strike at any time and at the Atmosphere Bar South our expert chefs serve up fresh and tasty specialities hot off the grill. Satisfy your cravings from our menu of freshly grilled food while you enjoy yourself by the pool.

Atmosphere Bar North

Relax at the poolside with friends and family, with a refreshing drink from the Atmosphere Bar North. From Signature Cocktails, beers, coladas, soft drinks, coffee and tea there is something to suit everyone’s taste.

Atmosphere Ice Cream Bar

This pool-side ice-cream bar offers six flavours of delicious soft ice-cream and fresh fruit treats, as well as tropical and frozen drinks and coladas.

A fresh juice bar serving a colourful selection of delicious fresh fruit drinks. In the poolside comfort of the Bamboo Bar you'll find a tempting selection of exotic fruit cocktails, smoothies, coolers and fruit lassis. You can add an extra energy or protein shot for an added boost.

Catch the big game, enjoy quality entertainment, or relax with a cocktail at the convivial Sports Bar. Enjoy a selection of cold beer, cocktails, energy drinks, protein shakes or juices and complimentary hot dogs.

Top Sail Lounge

Reserved exclusively for MSC Yacht Club Guests, this elegant lounge with its panoramic views offers the Yacht Club bar list of craft cocktails, beer, fine wine, soft drinks and coffee drinks in addition to a selection of gourmet finger food throughout the day.

Horizon Bar

Magnificent views of the sea, fantastic cocktails, The Horizon Bar is the place to be. Gaze out over the stunning panorama of the ocean while you sip on a cocktail at the Horizon Bar. With our handpicked and carefully sourced drinks and fresh ingredients we are sure that you will be spoilt for choice.

The luxurious surroundings of the Sky Lounge make it a fantastic meeting place. While you listen to live piano music, enjoy a drink after a long day exploring on shore. Or meet up with friends for an aperitif or after dinner cocktail. This multipurpose bar is ideal for any number of sociable moments throughout your cruise.There's a smoking room with a humidor. And a selection of complimentary hot and cold snacks will keep hunger at bay.

Discover a world of frozen delights at a pool-side ice cream bar dedicated to kids and their families.Delicious ice-cream, plus easy-to-eat frozen treats and a range of fun snacks. It's heaven for kids!

MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Bar

Exclusive to MSC Yacht Club Guests, the MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Bar, offers a luxurious and tranquil place to enjoy an aperitif. Surround yourself in the lap of luxury and let our artful bar tenders prepare something special for you! For the connoisseur there is a handpicked selection of premium drinks available.

MSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar

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• 5. Colosseo
• 7. Taj Mahal
• 8. Machu Picchu
• 9. Alhambra
• 10. Hagia Sophia
• 11. Acropolis
• 12. Grand Canyon
• 13. Kilimanjaro
• 14. Angkor Wat
• 15. Tour Eiffel
• 18. Pyramids
• 19. Babylon
• Studio Interior
• Deluxe Interior
• Junior Ocean View with Obstructed View°
• Junior Ocean View°
• Deluxe Ocean View
• Premium Ocean View
• Studio Balcony
• Deluxe Balcony with partial view
• Deluxe Balcony
• Premium Balcony
• Deluxe Balcony Aurea
• Premium Suite Aurea with terrace & whirlpool
• Grand Suite Aurea with terrace & whirlpool
• MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite with whirlpool
• MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite

B: Cabin with bathtub | BS: Cabin with bathtub & shower

° Reduced size bed (140x200cm) • All cabins have one double bed convertible to two single beds except for Studio Interior. • 3rd and 4th bed available in all categories except for Studio Interior, Junior Ocean View with obstructed view °, Junior Ocean View °, Studio Balcony and MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite. • Cabins 13245, 13342, 14213, 14256 have only sofa bed.

• Our ships offer the possibility of combining 2 or 3 connecting cabins based on the ship class. Call our Contact Center to choose the best accommodation for you. Ship configuration, data and descriptions may be subject to change depending on the season and on the destination and must be verified at the time of booking.

• Gross Tonnage: 171,598 tons
• Passengers: 5642
• Crew members: 1608
• Number of cabins: 2,214
• Length/Beam/Height: 315,83 m / 43 m / 75.5 m
• Maximun speed: 22.89 knots

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MSC Cruises

Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm EST Sat-Sun 9am - 6pm EST

MSC FANTASIA

MSC Fantasia is stylish and eco-friendly, balancing warmth and comfort with cutting-edge design. At its heart you’ll find a real stone piazza complete with an espresso bar serving freshly-baked pastries and authentic gelati, making it the perfect place to take a moment away from bargain hunting in the chic boutiques and duty-free shop nearby.

ITINERARIES

Mediterranean.

Get ready to dive into one of our pools, let your hair down at the themed parties, treat yourself to something delicious in one of our amazing restaurants, and much more!  

MAIN FEATURES

Entertainment & leisure.

The varied entertainment on board MSC Fantasia includes live music, the opulent Casinò delle Palme , panoramic Liquid Disco and futuristic L’Avanguardia theater, and for those with a taste for adventure, a thrilling Formula 1 simulator and 4D Cinema.

Fitness & Relaxation

There’s a wide range of sports facilities, from tennis, basketball, mini-golf, jogging track and gym to an elegant pool complex. The Top 18 sun deck and the MSC Aurea Spa offer peace and pampering, and there are dedicated areas for kids and teens.

MSC Yacht Club

For ultimate luxury, guests can choose the exclusive MSC Yacht Club , a unique “ship within a ship" boasting its own Concierge Reception, 24-hour butler service, private lounge and pool deck, not forgetting the dedicated restaurant L'Etoile.

STATEROOMS AND SUITES

Guests can choose from a wide variety of accommodations, including luxury suites as well as balcony and ocean-view staterooms.

• Comfortable king bed that can be converted into two single beds on request
• Luxurious suites and decor
• Select suites have sealed windows 
• Sitting area with sofa or separate living room
• Spacious closet
• Bathroom with bathtub and/or shower
• Interactive TV, telephone, safe and minibar
• Complimentary Wi-Fi 
• Approx. 248 - 570 ft 2 with a balcony (if applicable) that is approx. 43 - 172 ft 2
• Located on decks 12 - 16 Choose the suite that suits you best:
• MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite (area approx. 36 sqm, balcony approx. 16 sqm, deck 16)
• MSC Yacht Club Family Suite (area approx. 45-53 sqm, deck 12)
• MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Grand Suite (area approx. 29 sqm, balcony approx. 6 sqm, deck 15-16)
• MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite (area approx. 23-29 sqm, balcony approx. 4-6 sqm, deck 15-16)   Discover a world of privileges with MSC Yacht Club. The image is representative only; the size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same stateroom category).
• Comfortable king bed that can be converted into two single beds
• Balcony or sealed window
• Sitting area with sofa
• Bathroom with bathtub, vanity area and hairdryer
• Approx. 237 – 441 ft 2 with a balcony (if applicable) that is 43 – 65 ft 2
• Located on decks 9 - 12

Choose the Suite that best suits you:

• Grand Suite Aurea (approx. 409 - 441 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 43 - 65 ft 2 , decks 9 - 11) 
• Premium Suite Aurea (approx.312 - 355 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 43 - 65 ft 2 , decks 10 - 12) 
• Premium Suite Aurea with sealed window (approx.269 - 334 ft 2 , decks 9 - 11)
• Deluxe Suite Aurea with sealed window (approx. 237 - 334 ft 2 , decks 9 - 11)  

The image is representative only.  Size, layout and furniture may vary that shown (within the same stateroom category).

• Sitting area with sofa 
• Bathroom with shower or bathtub, vanity area and hairdryer
• Wi-Fi access available ($)
• Approx. 205 – 215 ft 2 with a balcony approx. 43 – 65 ft 2 Choose the stateroom type that best suits you:
• Balcony Aurea (best location, approx. 205 ft 2 , decks 9 - 13) 
• Premium Balcony (approx. 205 – 215 ft 2 , decks 8 - 13)
• Deluxe Balcony with Partial View (approx. 205 ft 2 , decks 8 - 13)

The image is representative only; the size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same stateroom category).

ENTERTAINMENT

During your cruise you will always have a wide choice of entertainment options and activities, taking place during the day, evening and night, from Broadway-style shows in the elegant theater and glamorous nights in the casino to high-tech thrills in the 4D cinema or full-size Formula 1 Simulator.

RESTAURANTS & BUFFET

The restaurants offer unforgettable dining experiences, from the grand Il Cerchio d’Oro and the intimate Red Velvet with its real Murano glass chandeliers to Butcher's Cut, not forgetting L'Etoile, dedicated to our MSC Yacht Club guests.

L'Africana Buffet

Red velvet restaurant, la cantina toscana, l'etoile restaurant, il cerchio d'oro, zanzibar buffet restaurant, bars & lounges.

Enjoy the metropolitan atmosphere of our themed lounge bars, including a piano bar, jazz bar and sports bar with video games and live event screenings. On top of all this, our MSC Yacht Club guests can enjoy the panoramic views in the Top Sail Lounge.

Il Cappuccino Coffee Bar

Piazza san giorgio, the one bar, fantasia bar, top sail lounge, liquid disco, gaudì bar, galaxy lounge, bar delle fontane, aurea spa bar, l'insolito lounge, manhattan bar, il transatlantico piano bar, the cigar lounge.

Use the deck plans to select your ideal stateroom. The plan allows you to pinpoint the locations, while the colors distinguish the stateroom category.

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• 5. Fantasia
• 6. Magnifico
• 11. Meraviglia
• 12. Incanto
• 13. Arcobaleno
• 14. Miraggio
• 15. Splendido
• 18. Sun deck
• Deluxe Interior
• Premium Ocean View
• Deluxe Balcony with partial view
• Premium Balcony
• Deluxe Balcony Aurea
• Deluxe Suite Aurea with sealed window
• Premium Suite Aurea
• Grand Suite Aurea
• MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Grand Suite
• YC Executive & Family Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite

° Sealed panoramic window.

• Our ships offer the possibility of combining 2 or 3 connecting cabins based on the ship class. Call our Contact Center to choose the best accommodation for you.

•  All cabins have one double bed convertible to two single beds.

•  3rd bed available in all categories except Premium Ocean View and Premium Suite Aurea°.

• 4th bed available in all categories except for Premium Ocean View, Premium Suite Aurea°, Premium Suite Aurea with terrace and whirlpool, Grand Suite Aurea with terrace and whirlpool, MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite, MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite, MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite and MSC Yacht Club Executive & Family Suite°.

Ship configuration, data and descriptions may be subject to change depending on the season and on the destination and must be verified at the time of booking.

• Gross Tonnage: 137,936 tons
• Number of passengers: 4,363
• Crew members: 1,370
• Number of staterooms: 1,636, incl. 43 accessible staterooms
• Length/Beam/Height: 1,094 ft. / 124 ft. post panamax / 222 ft.
• Maximum speed: 22.87 knots

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Bookings open for MSC Cruises’ first World-Class ship

The gargantuan 6,762-passenger msc world europa to debut in december 2022.

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MSC Cruises has opened reservations for the first vessel in its new MSC World-Class series, MSC World Europa . The whopping 6,762-passenger, 22-deck behemoth will debut in the Middle East from December 2022.

Designed with a Y-shaped hull and fueled by LNG, MSC World Europa is billed as the cruise company’s “most innovative and environmentally advanced vessel to date.”

MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said the ship marks the “beginning of a new era for cruising” and is “all about the future”.

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“At MSC Cruises we have a strong, clear vision for the future and we combine that with our own timeless style. MSC World Europa embodies this perfectly – bringing together future-proof technologies, globally-inspired urban design and our signature European flair to give our guests a next-level cruise experience.”

“Just as importantly, we want to provide our guests not only with a truly unique and memorable holiday but also a sustainable one, so this is an intrinsic part of our innovation program. This is why MSC World Europ a, our first LNG ship and our most environmentally advanced yet, signifies another important step forward for us in terms of our long-term vision for zero emissions.”

The 2,633 cabin MSC World Europa is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Four of the top highlights aboard the ship noted, include:

• The size of the ship allows for completely distinct districts, each with their own mood and experiences, from a tranquil adults-only zen district to the lively promenade with entertainment, shops and bars, to a separate family district that houses as many as ten new kids facilities. Onboard are six pools, 14 whirlpools, a family sundeck, an Aquapark with integrated virtual reality technology, and more.
• MSC World Europa also features next-level dining based around seasonality and curated immersive experiences. There will be a strong focus on artisanal and craft products, particularly in the bars and lounges, as well as new exceptional gourmet dining concepts. There are 13 dining venues, including six speciality restaurants.

3. MSC World Europa will also offer an extensive range of accommodation options, with 19 different categories, 65% of which feature balconies. The ship will see the introduction of seven new and innovative cabin types. These include:

• Balcony suites and cabins that overlook the promenade
• Luxurious duplex MSC Yacht Club suites with large balconies and private hot tub, as well as open living/dining room area.
• Aurea Suites with spacious balcony and private hot tub.
• Infinite Ocean view cabins with a panoramic sliding window that turns into a glass balustrade when open.

4. The ship’s groundbreaking design is based on a brand new platform creating a striking futuristic silhouette. The signature 90-degree plumb bow shaped like an arrow will cut through the water with ease. The impressive and never seen before Y-shaped aft opens onto the impressive 104-metre-long Europa Promenade with ocean views. Half-open to the sky and half-covered by an LED-sky screen, the screen will feature tailor-made displays throughout the day.

One of the key features of the re-imagined ship promenade is The Spiral – an architectural centrepiece in the form of a dry slide spanning 11 decks – the longest at sea. The sleek curves of the impressive stainless-steel slide make it a true work of art as well as a fun way to get from the top of the ship to the promenade.

At 333 metres long, 22 decks high and with 40,000 square metres of public space, MSC World Europa is MSC Cruises’ longest ship in the fleet. The increased size means that the ship will offer a variety of novel and engaging experiences to be enjoyed by one and all.

LNG-powered, and shore-to-ship power

MSC World Europa will be the first LNG-powered vessel in MSC Cruises’ fleet and the most environmentally advanced to date.

Running on Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) is one of the world’s cleanest marine fuels available at scale and is set to play a key role in the transition to the decarbonisation of international shipping. It dramatically reduces local air pollutant emissions such as sulphur oxides by up to 99% and nitrogen oxides by up to 85%. LNG also plays a key role in climate change mitigation as it offers CO2 reductions amounting to 25% and is paving the way to the uptake of sustainable non-fossil fuels hydrogen and ammonia.

In addition, MSC World Europa will feature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, shore-to-ship power connectivity, advanced wastewater treatment systems designed in line with the International Maritime Organization’s MEPC 227(64), underwater radiated noise management system and a wide range of energy-efficient equipment that help reduce and optimise engine use.

MSC World Europa will come into service in December 2022, spending her inaugural season in the Gulf giving guests the ultimate winter cruise experience. Her season will commence with a special 4-night sailing from Doha, Qatar to her new homeport of Dubai, UAE.

The ship will operate 7-night cruises roundtrip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, on to Sir Bani Yas Island, Dammam, Saudi Arabia and Doha.

Departing Dubai on 25 March 2023, MSC World Europa will head to the Mediterranean. In summer 2023, she will offer 7-night cruises calling the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina, as well as Valletta in Malta, Barcelona in Spain and Marseille in France.

MSC Cruises has three World-Class sister-ships on order, for delivery in 2024, 2025 and 2027.

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MSC's newest cruise ship is gorgeous, but is it ready for Americans? A first look at MSC Seashore

I've just sailed MSC Seashore, the first ship in MSC Cruises ' new Seaside EVO Class — a variation of the line's original Seaside Class — which offers passengers affordable elegance and plenty of outdoor spaces to connect with the sea.

Following a two-night media preview voyage to Ocean Cay, MSC's private island , I've got some thoughts about the vessel. Here, I'll walk you through how it differs from fellow U.S.-focused ship MSC Seaside, what it does well, what needs some work and what you can expect if you sail.

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The backstory

Although it has been around since the late 1980s, the cruise arm of the behemoth Mediterranean Shipping Company has only been wooing the North American market for just shy of a decade. The company still remains an enigma to many travelers.

In 2013, the line "Americanized" its MSC Divina ship. It was built a year earlier for a European audience, but the line decided to make it fit the American market by adding a movie screen on the pool deck, cutting back on smoking areas, stocking more brands of beer and soda, and revamping some entertainment and menu items.

Since then, instead of retrofitting existing vessels for the U.S. and Canadian demographics, MSC Cruises has added new hardware purpose-built for Americans to the lineup of ships it has been constructing at a breakneck pace. (The line is currently the world's third-largest cruise brand, and with plans to launch more than 10 new ships in the next few years, it's poised to quickly move into second place.)

The first vessel built exclusively to cater to Americans was MSC Seaside, which began sailing in 2017 as the flagship of the line's Seaside Class. It tried hard but struggled with the little things that gave away its roots: Dinners took more than two hours, coffee was nonexistent after dinner for those who wanted a cup with dessert, announcements were made in multiple languages and service was of the more standoffish, less conversational variety that's common in Europe.

Fast forward four years, and MSC Seashore is the line's latest attempt to show U.S. cruisers what it can do. Has MSC finally been able to figure out the secret formula that will make Americans swoon?

First impressions

The ship is gorgeous. With interior design elements, such as upholstery and art, chosen by Rafaela Aponte — wife of MSC owner Gianluigi Aponte — elegance abounds. (Check out the Danza del Mare glass sculpture spanning decks 5 to 8, midship. It's a stunning piece of work by Italian glassmaker Venini.)

As with its Seaside-class counterparts, one of MSC Seashore's biggest highlights is its sweeping four-deck atrium, which serves as one of the ship's main hubs of activity. Chrome and colored lights give it a hip feel, but the vibe also oozes sophistication, courtesy of a transparent, backlit staircase inlaid with thousands of Swarovski crystals.

On paper, the vessel has 20 decks, but true to Italian custom, there is no Deck 17. (In Italy, it's 17, rather than 13, that brings bad luck.) This is one of several ways the ship acknowledges its heritage, despite its target demographic.

In contrast, MSC Seashore employs a New York City theme that's equal parts cute and corny. Meant to appeal to American clientele, the dining rooms boast names like Manhattan, Central Park, Tribeca and 5th Avenue. You'll also find the Brooklyn Cafe, the Uptown Lounge and the Long Island Pool and Bar. In the Times Square area, faux skyscrapers and TVs posing as electronic billboards complement a twice-nightly New Year's Eve digital ball drop following each night's shows in the nearby Madison Theater. Overall, I found it endearing, familiar and, in some ways, even innovative.

However, there isn't a ton that differentiates Seashore from its smaller Seaside sister class. The main changes we noticed, in addition to the NYC theme, are the lack of top-deck ziplines, fewer waterslides and an expanded gaming and arcade area.

Designers revamped the layout for alternative eatery enclave Chef's Court and the accompanying bar. They replaced the French bistro with a Mexican restaurant and scrapped the second family-focused buffet found on Seaside vessels, opting instead to expand the standard buffet. Notable new additions to the deck plan include an aft-facing infinity pool; Le Cabaret Rouge, a secondary lounge that hosts nightly cabaret performances; and a couple of selfie spots that are intentionally Instagrammable.

Below, I'll outline the major highlights and share some of my favorite — and not-so-favorite — bits about the ship.

Dining and drinks

Housing 11 restaurants — including five for-fee options and four included main dining rooms — and 18 bars and lounges, MSC Seashore offers a ton of variety. My two-day preview voyage was sailing at limited capacity; due to time constraints and the small number of passengers onboard, I was able to have full dinners in one of the main dining rooms, lunch at the buffet and between-meal samples from each of the Chef's Court venues.

The four main dining rooms on the ship all feature the same menu, which changes nightly. The venues include 5th Avenue Restaurant, where midcentury modern meets The Jetsons; Tribeca Restaurant, which gives off penthouse vibes; Central Park Restaurant, showcasing green hues and accent plants; and Manhattan Restaurant, which reminded me of an upscale department store in terms of decor.

Dinners still take forever, but service throughout the ship has improved immensely, especially in the dining rooms. Perhaps the restaurant staff was working out new-ship hiccups, but it took so long for everyone at my table to receive their main courses on the last night of the voyage that passengers from other tables ate their dessert and left to see the show before we were served.

The Marketplace Buffet, which takes up about half of Deck 16, is notable for its sheer size and variety of food. Just about anything you could want is found there — meats and cheeses, sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts. The atmosphere is totally casual, making it the perfect place for a quick, free bite. If you love pizza as much as I do, don't miss MSC Seashore's take, which includes standard cheese and pepperoni selections, as well as more unusual choices like pies with black crust (thanks to activated charcoal).

Most of MSC Seashore's extra-cost dining venues are located in a central Deck 8 area called Chef's Court. Restaurant choices include Butcher's Cut, a steakhouse with superb meats, potatoes and desserts; Ocean Cay, serving up fish and seafood dishes in a nautical-themed outpost; and Kaito Sushi and Kaito Teppanyaki, the former offering conveyor belt sushi and the latter offering grill-side performances in one of the largest teppanyaki venues I've ever seen. (Try the salmon or Wagyu beef. You won't be disappointed.)

Hola! Tacos and Cantina is a new, centrally located restaurant. It's on Deck 8, just above the atrium area, and it takes the place of the French bistro on Seaside-class vessels. Festive colors point the way to ample seating, and the tacos, quesadillas, guacamole and flan are to die for. Looking to grab a drink with your meal? Try one of several margarita flavors, including original, strawberry, mango, pineapple and vanilla.

Alcohol, soda, smoothies and specialty coffees and cocoas cost extra on MSC Cruises ships. You can pay per drink or invest in a drink package. However, MSC's packages come in five varieties, and what's covered isn't always clear. Prices vary by season and destination, but the most expensive one, which includes everything, is the Premium Extra package (formerly Premium Plus).

American Sports Bar is a terrific spot if you're hoping to watch your team play while you're at sea. I could see myself spending quite a bit of time there, largely because of its fun sports memorabilia decor and private areas for viewing sporting events.

It also has an adjacent billiard room — a new feature for Seashore — plus added-fee nibbles and one of the most impressive beer lists I've seen on a ship (including one of my favorites, Yuengling Lager, which isn't found on vessels in most other fleets). The sports bar also has a small menu of bar bites, including what I'm told is the best burger on the ship. (Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to try it for myself.)

The Seashore Bar, named for the ship, is located at the base of a three-deck entertainment space that's adorned with chrome and colored lights and features a couple of small stages for performances. The bar offers up a standard menu of drinks, as well as excellent coffee and cocoa. Any of the nearby tables is perfect for sipping your beverage while people-watching.

The Chef's Court Cocktail Bar is ideal for a tipple before dining at Butcher's Cut, Ocean Cay or Kaito Sushi or Teppanyaki. The menu is fun, but the ambiance is even better, with plenty of rich colors and a laid-back but elegant vibe. Friends can gather in the plentiful seating alcoves.

My absolute favorite place to grab a snack and a cappuccino is the Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar. Located on Deck 6, near Times Square (which, unexpectedly, often afforded me a quiet place to work during the day), it offers tasty coffee beverages and chocolate-themed drinks (read: fancy Italian hot chocolate and chocolate cocktails), as well as chocolate candies, via a partnership with the famous Venchi Italian chocolatier.

Another option if you're seeking respite from crowds and noise is the Brooklyn Cafe, a lounge area that evokes a hip travel writer's den. Decorated with globes, typewriters and plenty of cushy seating, it feels like a creative space fit for anyone seeking coffee or cognac.

With 18 bars and lounges onboard, I probably wouldn't have been able to try them all, even if I had done a weeklong sailing. Other notable watering holes include standard pool, casino and buffet bars, as well as the Shine Bar, which specializes in mixology, and the Wine and Champagne Bar, where you can snag some vino or bubbles.

MSC Seashore offers a variety of standard cabin types, including insides, outsides with windows and balconies with verandas. They are outfitted with bedside closets that are sometimes difficult to access because of their proximity to the beds, as well as the sliding-door system that only allows one side of the closet to be accessed at a time. However, the accommodations are cozy and elegantly designed, and there's plenty of drawer and shelf space, as well as under-bed storage for suitcases.

All cabins are equipped with safes, hairdryers (which are surprisingly powerful compared with those found on other ships), bedside tables with reading lamps, vanity/desk areas with small stools, minifridges and house phones for calling the front desk, spa, alternative restaurants and other locations onboard, as well as other staterooms.

Each room also has at least one television that features live TV, onboard channels, movies and the ability for passengers to check their onboard bills. Sadly, my TV didn't work for most of the sailing. Some rooms also come with pull-down beds or pullout sofas that sleep additional passengers.

Even in the most high-end accommodations, showers are tiny. On the plus side, shower doors mean you won't have to battle with clingy curtains, and shaving bars are a useful addition. Toiletries are MSC Cruises' special brand, but they seemed to be of higher quality than most of the free all-in-one shampoo and conditioner and shower gel found on other lines.

Other thoughtful touches include plenty of outlets and USB ports, although only one side of the bed allows for USB charging.

Rooms are also designed so you can't turn the lights on without inserting your keycard into a slot by the door. On other ships, you can game the system by inserting another card (credit card, membership card, driver's license), but, unfortunately, that trick doesn't work on MSC Seashore.

Forget about charging multiple devices when you leave your room because the electricity will be turned off. The only way to do it is to either use the built-in Hamlet wireless charger (if you have a compatible device), which takes forever, or have one member of your party leave their keycard behind while you explore the ship together. (Each person will need their card with them to go ashore, however.)

Where MSC Cruises' accommodations are particularly impressive is in its ships' Yacht Clubs. The Yacht Club is an exclusive onboard area of accommodations plus a restaurant, bar/lounge, pool and sun deck reserved for the Yacht Club guests. Occupants also have access to a slew of perks like concierge and butler service.

Yacht Club staterooms come in a variety of types, ranging from insides to cabins with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. They generally include more space than standard accommodations, and they offer upgraded amenities like walk-in closets, dual bathroom sinks, extended balconies, private hot tubs and bathtubs in addition to showers.

MSC Seashore was built with more than 70 wheelchair-accessible cabins that include wider doorways, grab bars and flat thresholds, among other assistive devices. They span all major categories, from inside to suite, including some in the Yacht Club.

There are no solo cabins on MSC Seashore, which seems like a huge oversight for such a modern ship.

Entertainment

Because MSC Cruises' fleet largely caters to an international audience, it's known for nonverbal entertainment, featuring magicians, acrobats, jugglers, aerialists and other intriguing performers. For years, the line's offerings have been, hands down, my favorite, so I was expecting something great. Unfortunately, what awaited me in the Madison Theatre during the preview sailing was cringeworthy, rather than jaw-dropping.

Exclusive to Seashore, "Coast to Coast" featured a troupe of singers and dancers who performed what someone who likely isn't American decided Americans would appreciate — a disjointed, stereotypical mashup of songs about U.S. cities and states that felt like it was trying too hard. Costume styles ranged from burlesque to Vegas showgirl; the latter reminded me of something a cruiser might have seen on a Carnival ship in the 1980s.

It's possible the vessel's other theater shows are more in line with the caliber of entertainment the line normally presents, but none were scheduled during my brief time onboard.

MSC redeemed itself, however, with its shoreside beach party on private island Ocean Cay in the Bahamas. On my voyage, Seashore docked there until midnight, and the absolute standout in terms of entertainment was the spectacular light show, set to music, that took place after dark. I could have watched it 10 times over without tiring of it. It's a standard part of late-night calls on the island, found on all itineraries departing from the U.S.

One other new highlight was Le Cabaret Rouge, which serves as a secondary performance space featuring a DJ and nightly shows that set the works of great artists to modern-day music. The lounge has a decidedly French vibe (lots of red velvet) and an interesting viewing setup with both floor seating and chairs set against a high-top bar that runs along a balcony overlooking the stage area.

For those into gaming, the ship houses a dedicated billiard room adjacent to the American Sports Bar. In addition to a pool table, passengers will find tabletop shuffleboard and a pinball machine. If video games are more what you seek, head to the Hall of Games. There, cruisers can pay to try their hand at the vessel's F1 racing simulator; check out the 4D cinema, which offers a selection of interactive games and experiences; or play some arcade basketball or Skee-Ball. All of these cost extra.

Public areas

In addition to the breathtaking atrium spaces and outdoor areas for which the Seaside and Seaside EVO Classes are known, several locations on MSC Seashore require shoutouts, simply for being fantastic.

My absolute favorite spots on the whole ship are the Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar and the Central Park lounge area near it. Venchi is a chocolate lover's dream, but the real testament to just how delicious its offerings are is the fact that I'm not a huge chocolate fan, and I still found myself there frequently. The cappuccinos and hot chocolate are life-changing, and the gelato is a perfect post-dinner, late-night treat. Although the area is open to passing traffic, I found it a quiet place to work, read or meet up with friends for a chat.

One area where MSC's newest vessels do exceptionally well is all things spa and fitness. Seashore's Aurea Spa and adjacent fitness center dedicate more than 25,000 square feet of onboard space to 21 treatment rooms, a barber shop, a hair and nail salon, a MediSpa, a thalassotherapy pool, changing rooms and an outdoor area with sun loungers and hot tubs. Also included in that space is a massive thermal suite with a staggering array of options like a salt room, saunas, heated tile loungers, a snow room and a sensory steam room.

The fitness center, which is one of the largest I've ever seen on a ship, is outfitted with Technogym equipment that includes weight machines, medicine balls, circuit training equipment and cardio machines.

In terms of pools, there are four onboard: the Deck 16 Jungle Pool area that's super family-friendly; the Deck 18 Long Island Pool, which is great for sunbathers; and the private Yacht Club Pool, which is found on Deck 20 and exclusive to Yacht Club passengers. The fourth, the aft-facing Infinity Pool on Deck 8, is one of the most impressive additions on MSC Seashore with its beautiful wake views.

For cruisers with kids, MSC Seashore is a great fit, with 7,500 square feet of children's facilities split among five clubs that cater to different age groups. All have access to a variety of activities, games and toys, but tweens and teens have less structure and may come and go as they please.

Appearances from Doremi (pronounced "doh ray mee"), the line's mascot, are common for younger children, who can also enjoy building with blocks, playing games and conducting science experiments. Activities for older kids include foosball competitions and video games.

But youth entertainment isn't limited to the kids clubs. The ship also offers a plethora of outdoor fun for children and teens. Spanning decks 18 through 20, a twisting waterslide and the Pirates Cove splash area offer watery fun, including climbing structures, dump buckets and sprayers. On Deck 20, Adventure Trail is a top-of-the-ship bridge that winds its way above Pirates Cove, and a sports court is available for basketball and other active pursuits.

I'm loath to include this, but the millennial in me is super excited about the ship's dedicated photo spots. On Deck 7, as you make your way from midship toward the restaurants and Le Cabaret Rouge, there's a passageway adorned with chrome, mirrors and color-changing lights that will make you feel like you're in a tunnel to another dimension. On the other side is a faux hot-air balloon backed by a huge LED screen with scenery that changes to include famous sites, such as (appropriately) Turkey's Cappadocia. Climb inside for a photo that gives the appearance you're actually there.

Historically, MSC Cruises has been an early adopter of onboard technology by introducing wearables, rolling out an app, adding in-cabin virtual assistants and employing digital signage. However, in certain instances, I felt like the line implemented technology for technology's sake, rather than to enhance the passenger experience.

I'll start with the elevators. What's notable about them on Seashore is that they're digital. Each elevator bay is outfitted with electronic keypads. After using the touch screen to select the number of the deck you want, you'll be assigned to a particular letter. When the car with that letter arrives, that's the one you'll board to get where you need to go.

It's a nice idea in theory, but several times my car never showed up, or it whizzed right by the deck I was on without stopping. Other times, I got a keypad error that said "Unable to allocate a lift," which left me taking the stairs. (Honestly, that's what I should have been doing anyway, but people using assistive devices might not have that option when the system doesn't work.)

There are no buttons to push once you're inside the elevators. That means you can't walk up to a bay and piggyback on someone else's ride unless you feel like a rousing game of deck roulette. If you walk into an open car before making a floor selection, you'll be at the mercy of wherever the car is headed next. It also means you can't change your mind about where you want to go after you've entered the car (unless someone else is already going there and selected that deck number before getting inside).

Digital deck plans are located near just about every set of elevators, but few of them offer access to the daily schedule of activities or wayfinders that will help you get to where you need to be. It seems like a missed opportunity to offer a useful passenger service.

Pre-cruise, I had problems using the line's MSC for Me app to check in, which led to a 40-minute wait to check in at the port on embarkation day — a significant amount of time, given the ship's reduced capacity. It's the only sailing of the nine that I've taken since June that required me to stop at a desk to manually check in.

Even then, they weren't able to link my credit card with my onboard account and told me I'd have to do it after I boarded. I headed to the front desk, only to be told that I needed to use one of several kiosks throughout the ship. I found one nearby and was able to link my card painlessly, but after running into so many other snags with the check-in process, it felt like one more hurdle to clear.

Speaking of apps, since the resumption of cruising after 2020's pandemic shutdown, most major cruise lines have transitioned to virtual muster drills that can be completed on your smartphone or on your in-room TV. Passengers normally have a sizable window of time (usually a couple of hours) to complete the mandatory safety briefing.

MSC doesn't offer that. Instead, all passengers must report back to their cabins at a precise time to watch the drill on TV. (It's not available on the app.) Following the drill, you must dial a number on your cabin phone to confirm you've watched the drill. After that, you have to report to your muster station, where a crew member will scan your cruise card.

Not only is the process cumbersome and, frankly, a little bizarre, but it was made more complicated because my TV didn't work. My room steward was finally able to turn it on, but I had to watch the drill in Spanish because the English drill had already concluded by the time we got it sorted out.

The main purpose of making muster drills digital was to eliminate the need for large numbers of people to gather in proximity for the duration of the drill. By forcing all passengers to complete it at a precise time, it prompts them to head to their muster stations simultaneously, thereby causing the very scenario e-mustering was designed to prevent.

As I mentioned before, the only way to charge devices in your cabin when you're not there (without leaving your keycard behind) is to use Hamlet — a wireless charger built into the desk in each stateroom. It's a thoughtful touch, but it took hours for my phone to charge that way. It also won't work for anyone who has an older device that doesn't support wireless charging. Further, when you're in the room and trying to charge multiple devices, some of the plugs are positioned in a way that makes it impossible to charge them side by side.

Bottom line

The key thing to know about MSC Cruises is that its affordable elegance often puts form over function. With MSC Seashore, the line has definitely made progress in terms of being more "American," but in some areas, the product hasn't evolved. It's a delicate balance between what Europeans think Americans want and what Americans actually want.

Some elements of the onboard experience have improved since the world welcomed MSC Seaside. On MSC Seashore, crew members are more outgoing, I was offered coffee after dinner, and announcements were all in English.

That said, some things have stayed the same: Dinners run long, standard cabins' showers are painfully small (although there are, thankfully, no curtains to wrangle) and bed-facing closets are difficult to access. In other areas, the cruise line made changes that didn't achieve the desired effect — including some of the entertainment choices and the focus on technology without ensuring it adds to passenger efficiency or enjoyment.

Despite these issues, American passengers can certainly have a fantastic time onboard as long as they know what to expect ahead of time: a reasonably priced vacation on an astoundingly elegant ship that might hold a few surprises.

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Amy Smith | Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Teen spaces on cruise ships foster friendships through games, music, events and more.

Cruises make the perfect family vacation, especially when traveling with teens. Teens can mix and mingle with others their age in teens-only clubs, play games, listen to music, or grab a pizza and watch a movie under the stars. If your tweens and teens need more action-packed fun to keep them entertained, some cruise ships act like floating amusement parks with zip lines, racetracks, roller coasters, ice skating rinks, laser tag, waterslides and more.

The following lines offer the best cruises for teens and tweens, along with their parents.

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MSC Cruises

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers plenty of family fun and activities for teens on its ships, including sports tournaments, waterslides and a family disco. On select ships, you'll also find the full-size MSC Formula Racer simulator, an interactive XD cinema, a virtual reality experience, zip lines and an arcade room. The Young Club programming by MSC Cruises offers daily activities for 12- to 14-year-old tweens, while teens 15 to 17 can participate in sports and dance competitions as well as video game tournaments at the Teen Club. Older kids can also participate in fun themed events, karaoke, piloting practice at the Drone Academy and flash mobs – and there's a teens-only disco.

On MSC Seascape , teens can stay busy in three new concept spaces. "Future" features a state-of-the-art technology area with the latest-generation consoles, VR and video screens for hours of entertainment. "Chill Out" is just as it sounds – a place to hang out, chat, and play foosball and pingpong. Meanwhile, "Music" is a dance club where kids can choose their own tunes and dance the night away with cool lighting and sound effects. If all that isn't enough, Robotron, the first of its kind at sea, is an amusement park-like ride that combines the thrill of a roller coaster with personalized music and lighting.

MSC World Europa boasts the largest and most engaging kids area in the fleet with an impressive 8,245 square feet of action-packed space. The new Teens Lab features an immersive area for teenagers with more than 20 of the latest consoles, seven VR stations and dozens of video games. Drone Academy 2.0 is a high-energy relay race for drones. There's even more onboard fun at Z Active, a sports program that offers basketball, football and zorb ball alongside two firsts for the line – pickleball and hoverboards. Teens can also take a spin on the bumper cars at the MSC Sportplex.

MSC Euribia – the line's newest ship, which set sail on its inaugural cruise in June 2023 – has a total of 7,500-plus square feet of space dedicated to kids ages 0 to 17. The new Teens Club Extra Space offers three different areas: the Young Club (ages 12 to 14), the Teens Club (15 to 17) and the Teens Lab (12 to 17). Some of the activities include those found on other MSC ships, such as Z Active, Drone Academy 2.0 and the MSC Dance Crew competition. Teens will also have access to new video games; pingpong; World Quest, an interactive game show based on trivia and geography; and Caravaggio, an immersive spy game show about an art heist.

Compare  MSC Cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line boasts a teens-only venue, Entourage, which caters to young adults 13 to 17 years old. This supervised space – available on 16 of the line's 19 ships – keeps teens busy in an adults-free lounge that's filled with video games, movies, music, arts and sports. Teen counselors on Norwegian Cruise Line plan activities and challenges to keep kids entertained throughout the cruise. A list of detailed activities is available on embarkation day so teens can plan out their schedule for the cruise.

Norwegian Prima , the first vessel in the Prima class, features many first-at-sea innovations perfect for entertaining families and energetic teens, including the three-level Prima Speedway. With cars reaching up to 30 miles per hour, this quarter-mile-long racetrack is one of the highest-rated attractions on Prima. Adventurous teens will also want to check out The Drop and The Rush. Billed as the fastest slides at sea, these chutes offer thrill-seekers a heart-pumping 10-story freefall plunge.

If that's not enough action, teens can also play The Bull's Eye, a classic game of darts that uses a video tracking system, or check out Tee Time for a pumped-up version of mini-golf set against a Las Vegas backdrop. In the Galaxy Pavilion, an indoor gaming complex, you'll find more than a dozen attractions, including immersive simulator experiences, escape rooms and the Topgolf Swing Suite – all of which are unique to Norwegian Prima. When it's time to cool off, the Tidal Wave waterslide is another first for the brand, letting guests ride inner tubes to catch the surf.

Norwegian Viva, the second vessel in the Prima class, is set to launch in August 2023. As the newest ship in NCL's fleet, Viva will also feature these exciting high-tech attractions, including Viva Speedway. If you and your teens are fans of the movie "Beetlejuice," you're in for a treat: The Broadway musical adaptation will debut on the new ship.

The line's Breakaway Plus class – Norwegian Escape , Joy , Bliss and Encore – is also popular with families as these ships offer plenty of activities and attractions suited for active teens, such as go-kart tracks, outdoor laser tag and VR games in the Galaxy Pavilion.

Find  Norwegian Cruise Line deals on GoToSea .

Disney Cruise Line

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line features two cool spaces dedicated to teens and tweens, who can hang out on comfy couches, watch shows or movies, and play video games. These hangouts, called Edge (for ages 11 to 14) and Vibe (ages 14 to 17), are available on all Disney Cruise Line ships.

On Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream , the space at Vibe also features a private outdoor deck with chaise lounges, wading pools, foosball and more. While indoors, teenagers can mingle with others their age, or just kick back and relax in individual nooks. There's a dance club area for karaoke contests, talent shows and dance competitions. The trendy indoor-outdoor space – at almost 9,000 square feet – is accessible with a teens-only card or DisneyBand+. On the new Disney Wish ship, Vibe has a French twist inspired by a Paris artist's loft with neon signs and funk pop art.

For tweens sailing on Disney Fantasy or Dream, Edge is a bright, loft-style gathering spot – located in the funnel – that has individual computer stations for gaming and a massive video wall for screening television, movies and games. There's also a lit-up dance floor for dance parties. Two nifty features of the space – and its location – are views of the pool decks below as well as three portholes that allow for glimpses of the riders on the water coaster, AquaDuck, as they zoom by.

On the first night of the cruise, kids receive information on what activities and events will be available during their vacation so they can curate a personalized entertainment itinerary. Some fun options throughout the week may include "Gotcha," a game of elimination where one teen will become the ultimate victor. For a special treat – and a bit of pampering – guests ages 13 to 17 won't want to miss an afternoon at Chill Spa, located inside Senses Spa & Salon.

Book a  Disney cruise on GoToSea .

Royal Caribbean International

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

The newly updated space for teens 13 to 17 years old on Royal Caribbean International vessels is hidden behind a secret speakeasy entrance. The dedicated venue, which has a gaming lounge and music, is a cozy place to hang out to meet other teens on the ship. There's also an outdoor patio where you can relax in the sun or chill out under the stars. Teens will find planned activities throughout the day at the lounge, including sports tournaments, a nightly teen disco and themed parties.

Social 100 is an exclusive new space for ages 13 to 17 on Wonder of the Seas . The outdoor space sits next to the waterslides and boasts a hot tub, lawn games, cozy seating, a selfie area, and a bar serving zero-proof cocktails and shakes. The indoor part of Social 100 features a gaming area, foosball tables, a vending machine and more comfortable spaces for teens to mingle.

Teens have plenty of activities they can do with their families on Royal Caribbean's ships, especially on the new Icon of the Seas, the first vessel in the Icon class. Slated for its inaugural sailing in January 2024, Wonder of the Seas will be the  world's largest cruise ship .  Cruisers of all ages will have endless opportunities for fun with more venues, activities and attractions than you've ever seen on a cruise ship.

Teens and their parents will appreciate Chill Island, a three-level pool deck with the first swim-up bar at sea. The new water park, Thrill Island, boasts six waterslides, including exciting firsts at sea, such as Pressure Drop, the first open freefall slide. If that's not enough to get the adrenaline pumping, teens can check out Crown's Edge – a combination thrill ride, skywalk and ropes course – or other Royal Caribbean favorites like Adrenaline Peak, Sports Court, the FlowRider surf simulator or the reimagined mini-golf course.

If you're hanging out in the new Surfside neighborhood on Icon, a dedicated space for young families, teens will have easy access to the supervised teens-only club, Social 020, from this open-air space.

When you head ashore to Perfect Day in CocoCay, one of the best  cruise line private islands , teen cruisers will find plenty of fun land-based activities like Thrill Waterpark and 1,600-foot-long zip lines. Be sure not to miss another thrilling experience: Up, Up and Away. The helium balloon ride soars 450 feet above the ground to the highest vantage point in the Bahamas , offering incredible panoramic views of the island and surrounding turquoise waters.

Explore  Royal Caribbean cruises on GoToSea . 

Holland America Line

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Holland America Line

The Kids Club on Holland America Line offers a fun supervised program for 13- to 17-year-old guests in an adult-free zone known as The Loft. The name is in the process of changing to High Score!, and you'll already find the updated concept on Oosterdam and Eurodam . The line's other ships will change over to the new venue throughout 2024. High Score! is a family game room that serves as a secret getaway for teens by day. In the evenings, entire families can come to play skeeball, board games and join in other activities.

The teens-only space (during the day) on Holland America Line resembles a New York artists loft where kids can listen to music, watch movies, play games and meet and hang out with same-age cruisers. Programs and activities at the current space, The Loft, include themed events, karaoke, a teen disco and nighttime activities such as Poker Night and video game tournaments. Youths can also participate in pingpong, basketball and other teens-only sporting events. If they still need more entertainment to keep them busy, the Kids Club offers origami lessons and watercolor painting as well as competitions in "Mario Kart," air hockey, foosball, pinball and more.

The Kids Club is complimentary for guests. The space is open daily, and you'll also find teen events around the ship. When it comes to dining, there are many teen-friendly dining options – where teens can even enjoy mocktails like nonalcoholic mojitos – at venues throughout the ship.

If you're cruising to Alaska with Holland America or other adventure-filled destinations, look for excursions that will appeal to younger family members like zip lining tours, trail hikes, float trips, helicopter tours and wilderness safaris. Alaska is a teen favorite, especially in Skagway (one of Alaska's top destinations ), where travelers can get a thrill out of dog mushing with a team of Alaskan huskies, taking a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, or going on a rock climbing excursion.

Find  Holland America Line cruises on GoToSea .

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Princess Cruises

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

The modern Beach House lounge is the go-to place for passengers ages 13 to 17 to socialize and meet others their age when sailing on a Princess Cruises ship. Fun activities for teens include late-night movies and tournaments where they can challenge their peers in video games or at air hockey, foosball and table tennis. For more energetic activities, join in the fun during indoor dodgeball and basketball games. Or, learn new dance moves from some of the dancers in the crew, then hit the dance floor for one of the competitions. At the "Rock the Boat Party," teenagers can dress up and party the night away with mocktails and new friends on the ship.

"Movies Under the Stars" is one of Princess' signature events. Guests can watch movies, sporting events and concerts while bundled up with cozy blankets on the pool deck outdoors. Teens will enjoy the complimentary snacks – not to mention the special movie nights designed with them in mind, such as "Scary Movie Night." You might even find teen makeovers and glitter tattoos some evenings on the ship.

The line's three newest ships – Discovery Princess , Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess – offer the most activities for teens, but all of the ships in the fleet host youth programs in partnership with Discovery, along with plenty of other family-friendly activities. These offerings include Discovery Family and Animal Planet shore excursions and onboard entertainment like "The Voice of the Ocean," a musical competition.

Parents will be able to keep track of their busy teens anywhere on the ship with the state-of-the-art Princess MedallionClass system. The quarter-size wearable medallion and accompanying app allow guests to personalize their itinerary and locate family members and friends on board.

When Sun Princess launches in February 2024, as the first vessel in the line's Sphere class, it will feature Park19. This top-deck family activity zone boasts many outdoor adventures, including Sea Breeze – the first Rollglider at sea. The ADA-accessible seated ride offers a hang-gliding experience with panoramic views of the ocean and ports of call. Families and teens can also check out the climbing obstacle course, cargo nets and lookout points. The ship also has a recreational court – which offers pingpong, shuffleboard, fitness classes and more – and a splash zone where you can cool off after all the outdoor activities.

Inside Sun Princess, tweens and teens will find two centers just for them: Neon Grove and The Underground. Both spaces offer cozy and colorful areas for young adults to hang out, socialize, and play video games on the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. They'll also find foosball, skeeball and air hockey on top of planned activities like movie nights, dance parties and scavenger hunts.

Explore  Princess Cruises on GoToSea .

Adventures by Disney

Adventures by Disney offers river and expedition cruises for the whole family; the itineraries span many choices and experiences for tweens and teens with a focus on culture, history, gastronomy and adventure. The river cruises are operated in partnership with AmaWaterways, while the expedition cruises are a collaboration with luxury French cruise line Ponant.

If you're sailing on the Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise itinerary, for example, guests can choose between various exciting excursions. While you're docked in Strasbourg, France , for the day, teen-friendly options include a tour of the Black Forest, complete with a toboggan run and a visit to a woodworking museum. Another choice here is to visit Germany's Europa-Park, a one-of-a-kind theme park located between the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains. In Melk, Austria, on the Danube itinerary, families can go for a bike ride along the Danube River, hike to the castle in Dürnstein or visit a family-run apricot farm.

Another great feature of these cruises is that teens can opt to have dinner and evening get-togethers with same-age cruisers, so they don't have to dine with their parents or younger siblings every night. Adventure Guides also curate special activities for teens like game shows and pool parties.

In destinations like Antarctica, the Adriatic and the Galápagos Islands , expert naturalists lead tours during these bucket list trips. You might even find a bit of Disney storytelling woven into the presentations by the Adventure Guides.

Keep in mind if you have younger kids as well as teens that children need to be 5 or older to sail on the river cruises. For the Galápagos Islands expedition cruises, the minimum age for Junior Adventurers is 7, and for expeditions to the polar regions, kids need to be 10 years of age or older.

Read: The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Carnival Cruise Line

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Celebration, which launched in November 2022, is the line's newest Excel-class ship. It features an expanded family and youth program, including its offerings for teens. The line also rolled out the new program fleetwide in spring 2023.

The Carnival Cruise Line teen programming at Circle "C" is for tweens ages 12 to 14, while Club O2 is for ages 15 to 17. In these venues you'll find entertainment like themed dance parties – and even a Carnival prom – as well as video games, movies and karaoke. Circle "C" stands for "Cruise, chill and connect," and that's what teens can do in this colorful, contemporary space with engaging counselors. New activities include anime drawing lessons and pop culture games at Circle "C." Older teens can foster new friendships while engaging in Japanese crafts and authentic tea ceremonies at Club O2.

Teens will appreciate Carnival's onboard water park, Waterworks, which includes a splash park and slides. Carnival Panorama even has the trampoline park Skyzone. Teenage passengers won't want to miss the first roller coaster at sea, BOLT, on Excel-class ships: Mardi Gras , Celebration and the upcoming Jubilee, scheduled to launch in December 2023.

For even more action, Vista-class ships feature Skyride. This two-lane, bike-like ride is suspended above the top deck of the ships and extends out over the ocean. More indoor fun can be found at Thrill Theater (on Horizon and Vista ), an immersive cinematic experience where you'll feel the seat rumble, the wind blow through your hair and even a spritz of water during the action-packed video.

Book a Carnival cruise on GoToSea .

Celebrity Cruises

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

This line's Teen Club features activities focused on kids 13 to 17. Some of the events offered for teens in the Camp at Sea program on Celebrity Cruises range from video game tournaments and sports competitions to culinary classes and silent disco parties. Teen cruisers can even book glass-blowing classes on Celebrity Solstice , Equinox and Eclipse . The offerings for young passengers are similar at either The Basement on Edge-series ships ( Edge , Apex , Beyond and Ascent, set to launch in November 2023) or at X Club on Solstice- and Millennium-class ships. Note, however, the line's three Galápagos expedition vessels do not have the teen venues. Families who need accessible accommodations, activities and programs will also find autism-friendly cruises on Celebrity.

When it comes to pampering, Celebrity's spas offer spa menus for 13- to 17-year-olds. Teens can book facials that are designed for young sensitive skin or have express pedicures and manicures. When you're ready to relax, schedule a two-by-two massage, where parents and kids can have a side-by-side treatment.

Celebrity also offers family-focused excursions that highlight cultural attractions, wildlife sightings and adventure. Some of these tours include seeing gentoo, king and Magellanic penguins in the Falkland Islands; taking an aerial tram through the treetop canopies of a rainforest in Costa Rica ; and going on a small culinary or sightseeing group excursion in Europe and other destinations around the world. On Caribbean sailings – especially when school is out for summer or on holidays – Celebrity has additional family-friendly shore excursions on its five- and seven-night sailings.

Find a  Celebrity Cruises deal on GoToSea .

Cunard Line

Cunard Line offers programs and activities for passengers ages 13 to 17 years old in its Teen Zone. This dedicated space is a place for teens to hang out with cruisers their own age and play video and team games, table tennis, and more. On the first day of the cruise, you'll find an activity program for young guests delivered to the stateroom so your teens can plan out their vacation experience, which may include entertaining theme days, deck sports, quizzes and dancing at the disco.

Teens on Cunard Line can participate in the activities around the ship, hit the pool for a dip, practice their putting or try their hand at croquet. If you're sailing on Queen Mary 2, those interested in science, wildlife and the solar system can watch up to four 3D films a day (on sea days) in the largest planetarium at sea.

Compare  Cunard Line cruises on GoToSea .

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She's sailed to destinations around the globe on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, traditional masted sailing ships, and expedition vessels in Antarctica and the Galápagos. Pratesi covers the travel and cruise industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

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Travel | Port Canaveral chalks up record month amid…

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Subscriber only, travel | port canaveral chalks up record month amid growing cruise demand.

Port Canaveral saw just under 800,000 cruise passengers move on and off its ships in March as part of a record year that keeps topping expectations.

That set a one-month record for the port with an average of nearly 25,600 people a day around 93 cruise ship calls. March is traditionally one of the strongest months of the year for the port with its spring break traffic.

It also marked the halfway point of the fiscal year that began in October 2023. Six months in, the port has seen 3.9 million passenger movements from 479 ship calls.

“The industry itself is very, very strong right now,” said Port CEO Capt. John Murray at the port commission meeting on Wednesday. “There’s a lot of expansion plans. The companies are starting to reorder ships again after the pandemic.”

NCL details new dining on Canaveral-bound Norwegian Aqua

That includes more ships from Norwegian Cruise Line, which has been sending its new vessels to Port Canaveral as they debut including next year’s Norwegian Aqua.

“So a lot of great things, a lot of great things, a lot of enthusiasm and I can say that the industry is 110% of what it was prior to the pandemic,” Murray said. “They are back and booming right now. So we’re fortunate to be taking advantage of that here at the port.”

Operating revenue for the year is already at $98 million, which is $3.6 million above budget. It also means the record projection of $187 million in operating revenue through the end of the fiscal year in September is likely to get surpassed as well.

Ship capacity is determined to be at 100% if each stateroom is occupied by two passengers, so ships sailing with families, for instance, will push capacity above 100% and in turn increase revenue for the port from the cruise lines as well as add to an uptick in parking charges.

Royal Caribbean to send massive Utopia of the Seas to Port Canaveral

One of the big drivers has been the addition of a second Oasis-class vessel by Royal Caribbean so that the port hosts two of the largest cruise ships in the world.

Allure of the Seas joined Wonder of the Seas last fall to begin short three- and four-night sailings to the Bahamas, and will continue that until the debut of Royal’s new Utopia of the Seas this summer. Since arriving, it has added more than 650,000 passenger movements to the port’s growing tally.

The port has been home port to 13 ships from Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and MSC Cruises, and is set to welcome its first ships from both Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises this fall.

Port Canaveral plots timeline to take over marina for new cruise terminal

Right now it has six cruise terminals, but is beginning the work to eventually build a seventh later this decade. During an interview earlier in April at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach, Murray said the key to growth for the port will be a shift in how the port gives access to each terminal, such as how it plans to operate its seventh terminal.

“It’s going to be multiuser. It’s not going to be a single-use facility. That’s going to be how our concept of operations would be going forward,” Murray said. “The only way you’re going to get good utilization of a terminal is if you can put multiple brands in there and not have it dedicated to just one user.”

That’s how it runs several of its terminals now including Disney Cruise Line at Cruise Terminal 8 and Carnival Cruise Line at its newest terminal, Cruise Terminal 3.

“If they’ve got seven days a week at one terminal and they’re only using three, maybe four days, that’s not high utilization,” Murray said. “Yet, it’s a facility that we’ve got blocked out that we’re not getting any benefit from it for the investment we’ve made.”

He notes Cruise Terminal 10, which gets used by three brands, gets used six days a week.

Murray said with newer and bigger ships on order from all the major lines, the demand is just going to continue to spike for parking space at Florida’s big three ports.

“I think the point now for all of the major brands is finding somewhere to operate,” Murray said. “Because there’s only Miami, [and] we all know how full Miami is; Everglades, [which has] limited capacity or opportunity for growth; and we have more land, but you know, it’s not all going to get committed to the cruise industry.”

“So the question is, how do we allow more opportunities for the cruise lines to operate? This is one — get high utilization out of the terminal.”

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