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Genoa Cruises

Cruises from / to Genoa (Portofino) in 2024

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• Duration: 2.45 hour(s)
• Code: GOA06T
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Explore Genoa (Portofino) and the surrounding areas...

TRAVEL TO THE Genoa (Portofino) CRUISE TERMINAL

Genova Cruise Terminal MSC

Genova  Ponte dei Mille/Ponte Andrea Doria

GARAGE PONTE DEI MILLE GENOA - VALET Parking

Tel. +39 010 24 62 613 E-mail: [email protected]

• Guests are invited to reach Ponte dei Mille or Ponte Doria where a valet service is available
• MSC Parking is bookable online up to 48 hours before your cruise departure. Bookings after the 48 hour deadline can be made directly with MSC Parking, and the same reduced rates will be applied when presenting your cruise travel documents

Parking rates

Genoa Piazza Principe station is about 1 km from the Port and Genoa Brignole railway station is about 4 km from the Port. You can also request the MSC Transfer service by calling our contact centre or your travel agent.

You can facilitate your travel with luggage delivery service by  clicking here .

Cristoforo Colombo Genoa airport ( https://www.airport.genova.it/en/ ) is about 10 km from the Port.

• If you choose a public bus it will take you straight to Genova Porta Principe railway station.
• You can also request the MSC Transfer service by calling our contact centre or your travel agent. Fly&cruise guests have their transfer included in the package.

Driving to the airport of departure? With ParkinGO , MSC customers get 5% discount on parking near the main airports in Europe. Book now to get the best deal!

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7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise

Contemporary and family-friendly cruising with distinct Mediterranean influences on everything from the line’s style and décor to cuisine and onboard entertainment

Whether you’d like to try Gaudi’s Experience, or create your own adventure along the Amalfi Coast, you’ll never forget your Mediterranean cruise.

Cruise to the historical port city of Genoa for a laid back walk through history in the city’s well-preserved streets, and be sure to try the local foods like pesto and focaccia bread.

• Msc Fantasia - Passenger Capacity:  3,272 (double occupancy) Year Built: 2008 Last Refurbished:  2019

Take advantage of limited-time offers and special deals

Cruise Line

Msc Cruises

Cruise Ship

Msc Fantasia

Departing From

Genoa, Italy

Destination

Mediterranean

Ports of Call

Genoa, Italy , Naples, Italy , Palermo, Sicily, Italy , La Goulette, Tunisia , Barcelona, Spain , Marseille, France

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• Itinerary & Pricing

7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise sailing on the Msc Fantasia

Departure dates: apr 2024 - apr 2025.

From $1,569

From $1,279

From $1,199

From $1,399

From $1,049

Stateroom prices for Apr. 24, 2024

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Based on Inside cabin prices

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Based on Suite cabin prices

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*** All itineraries are subject to change without notice. Please confirm your itinerary on the Review page before purchasing your cruise.

Rates & offers are subject to select dates & categories, cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy, in US Dollars, & include NCCF. Government taxes & fees are additional. All rates & offers are capacity controlled, are subject to availability & confirmation, & may change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed -- please confirm details at time of booking. Stateroom photos are for sample purposes only -- actual design and layout may vary.

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• Cabin Type Interior
• Adult (*18+) £ 739 p.p.*

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Questions on MSC cruise at Genoa port - Genoa Forum

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1. How long does it usually take to disembark the ship at Genoa port? The ship arrives the port at 7:00 am and My train is at 7:47 am. Can I get a priority to got off the ship if I present the train ticket?

2. I would like to confirm: If itinerary says ship arrives at 7:00 am and leaves at 5:00 pm , does it mean to the ship starts to disembark passengers at 7:00 am and we should back on board 4 o’clock, one hour in advance?

Thanks in advance!

For part of your questions, usually the first time is the time the ship is scheduled to dock, but there are various procedures that occur before the first passengers are cleared to disembark. Yes, you can ask them to put you in the earliest disembarkation group. The ship personnel should tell you what time is "All aboard" to be back at the ship before it leaves, and be sure to follow it.

Generally they allow passengers off within minutes of the scheduled time. It's only about 600 meters/four-tenths of a mile from the cruise port to the Piazza Principe train station, so you should be able to walk there in about 10 - 15 minutes.

I've only been on MSC once, nearly two decades ago, so I have no current experience to offer. I would do as suggested above and ask/politely insist on an early slot to disembark.

You might try registering on the Cruise Critic message boards and posting your question on the MSC forum to get recent experiences: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/49-msc-cruises/

Thank you for your helpful suggestion. We will do that.

Thank you for your detailed information. We will ask for more answers from the link you provided. And We will try to get off the ship as early as possible and walk to the Piazza Principe train station. If we cannot make the train of 7:47am, we will take the next one available.

Thanks again,

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Genoa Hotels and Places to Stay

Genoa cruise port

Mediterranean - black sea.

• Coordinates 44.416, 8.919
• LOCODE ITGOA
• Local Time 2024-04-14 18:08

Genoa cruise ship schedule

• Temperature

MSC Fantasia - April 15, 2024

Click For Interactive Map

April 15, 2024

April 15 - 24, 2024

MSC Fantasia

MSC Cruises

9 Night Western Mediterranean

from GENOA, ITALY

The April 15, 2024 cruise on the MSC Fantasia departs from GENOA, ITALY. On this 9 Night Western Mediterranean sailing, the ship will visit a total of 8 different cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The MSC Fantasia sets sail on a Monday (April 15, 2024) and returns on a Wednesday (April 24, 2024).

Cruise Price by Cabin Type

The price of the April 15, 2024 cruise on the MSC Fantasia ranges from $389 for an inside cabin to $1,579 for a suite.

This is a 9 night cruise and price per night is noted below for each cabin type. An inside cabin will cost $43 per night, an ocean view cabin will cost $67 per night, a balcony cabin will cost $89 per night, and a suite will cost $175 per night.

$43 / night

$67 / night

$89 / night

$175 / night

The MSC Fantasia was built in 2008 and is amoung MSC's 22 ships in it's fleet. The MSC Fantasia is included in the cruise line's Fantasia Class. In the cruise ship stats below you'll find the MSC Fantasia vs all other MSC ships.

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Civitavecchia is just moments from Rome, Italy's Eternal City. One of the most geographically perfect ports in the world, Civitavecchia boasts a number of compelling area attractions. Stroll...

The most populated city in France after Paris, Marseille has all the sights and sounds of a Mediterranean melting pot, which it has been ever since the Phocaean Greeks invaded around 600 B.C. Its industrial docks rub shoulders with the picturesque old harbor, the Vieux Port, founded by the Greeks 2,600 years ago. Packed with colorful fishing boats and yachts, the Vieux Port is the heart of Marseille.

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Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!

• MSC Cruises

Genoa MSC cruise terminal

By vtgumby , November 7, 2021 in MSC Cruises

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Hi fellow MSC cruisers!

Has anyone walked from the Principe train station to the MSC cruise terminal in Genoa? I’m overlooking the harbor right now and it looks possible to do but I won’t rely on google maps so I’m going to my experienced cruisers for this question. We are staying in an apartment close to the train station and would like to just walk to the terminal if possible.

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LeCommandant

According to Google Maps + Street view, it seems very very close to the port. 

We can even see ships from the Railway station 😉

I would suggest to go by foot (you will have more problems with a taxi driver than by yourself)

19 minutes ago, vtgumby said: Hi fellow MSC cruisers! Has anyone walked from the Principe train station to the MSC cruise terminal in Genoa? I’m overlooking the harbor right now and it looks possible to do but I won’t rely on google maps so I’m going to my experienced cruisers for this question. We are staying in an apartment close to the train station and would like to just walk to the terminal if possible. Grazie!

We did walk from the trainstation. About 10 min walk.

alwysonvctn

Not too far, if you are considering walking I am sure you are fit enough to do it. 

perakcruiser

Actually is is even shorter than it looks at the map. Only walking of cause, driving is not possible the direct way.

It can be done in 6 to 7 minutes if you are in hurry to catch a train. But for this you need to research before which entrance you need to take to the railway station. For this you really need to check the underground maze of the railway station. 

If not in a rush take the easy stroll above the ground to the side entrance on Via Andrea Doria.

Grazie everyone, we just did it and you are all right, an easy walk about 5-7 minutes.

I appreciate all of  your shared knowledge!

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Two MSC World Cruises Depart From Genoa

• January 5, 2023

Two MSC Cruises’ ships have departed from Genoa in Italy for simultaneous world cruises which is an industry first, according to the cruise line.

The MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica will sail together for the start of their respective voyages with more than 4,200 guests from 54 countries onboard the two vessels before the ships part ways at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea for different routes around the globe, the company said.

The MSC Poesia’s 117-day voyage will cross the Atlantic, transit the Panama Canal and travel up the West Coast of Central America and North America before sailing the Pacific Ocean and then an extended period in Asia.  Crossing the Indian Ocean, the ship will then return to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. In total, MSC Poesia will call 53 ports in 33 different countries.

The MSC Magnifica’s 119-day sailing will circumnavigate South America following a transatlantic voyage, cross the South Pacific Ocean on to the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and then through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea.  The ship will visit 43 destinations in 24 different countries.

Veteran Brazilian Chef and Restauranteur Allan Vila Espejo will serve a menu onboard both ships, the MSC Poesia will feature both internationally renowned Japanese American Chef Roy Yamaguchi and Michelin-starred Swedish chef, TV personality and author Niklas Ekstedt, and MSC Magnifica will host renowned Peruvian Chef James Berckemeyer.

The MSC Poesia will also sail a world cruise next year, with a brand-new itinerary that includes 52 destinations in 31 different countries navigating the Mediterranean, Red Sea, South Africa, South America, Caribbean, USA and Canada, before returning to mainland Europe via Greenland and Iceland.  One of the standout features of the 2024 world cruise will be a segment that explores the River Amazon in Brazil.

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CRUISES TO AND FROM GENOA (PORTOFINO), ITALY

Genoa cruises: portofino, history and local cuisine.

Gateway to the Italian Riviera, the Port of Genoa is one of the most important (and one of the largest) in Italy, a strategic harbour since ancient times.

Cruises to  Genoa  offer the chance to explore its many sights, including  Genoa Aquarium , designed by architect Renzo Piano, and the city’s picturesque  Boccadasse district , a lakeside fishing village. Genoa excursions also offer the opportunity to taste signature dishes made from fresh ingredients, such as  pesto Genovese  and focaccia.

On a Genoa cruise, guests can also admire one of Italy’s most beautiful stretches of coastline or an excursion to the UNESCO-listed  Cinque Terre . Its five fishing villages, perched on steep cliffs, offer superb sea views, small seafood restaurants, and a tableau of townhouses.

A short trip away from Genoa,  Portofino  beckons with colourful facades, boutiques and surrounding lush hills. Explore the Cinque Terre, Portofino and much more on a Genoa cruise with MSC Cruises.

BEST GENOA (PORTOFINO) CRUISES

Cruises from genoa (portofino) in 2024.

Dive into the  Italian Riviera from Genoa , as well as countries across the Mediterranean   and the Americas. Our cruises from Genoa in 2024 unlock the best of  Italy : coastal towns like Sicily’s  Taormina ,  Olbia  and the  Emerald Coast  in Sardinia,  Civitavecchia  for those seeking out  Rome , Livorno for jaunts to Florence, or sail south to  Naples .

Some cruises from Genoa also stop at choice French coastal spots, including  Marseilles  (a perfect base for Provence) and  Cannes  for the Côtes d’Azur. For a change of scene, choose a route that stops at ancient Turkish ports like  Kusadasi  and  Istanbul , or go further with  MSC Grand Voyages  and sample North Africa by heading to Morocco, or East Africa by sailing to Kenya and Tanzania.

If that puts you in the mood for exploration, other MSC Grand Voyages from Genoa can whisk you to Brazil’s enthralling  Rio de Janeiro , sun-soaked  Barbados , the Canadian wilderness and enough far-flung spots to last a lifetime. It’s all available from  Genoa cruise port .

CRUISES TO GENOA (PORTOFINO) IN 2024

Take a cruise to Genoa to explore this centre of power and commerce in the  Mediterranean , with its imposing churches and palaces, and brilliantly futuristic aquarium designed by  Renzo Piano . Around the historic centre is a tangle of medieval streets known as caruggi, unique to the city.

Watch the skies light up around  Lanterna di Genova , the city’s 12th-century lighthouse, or admire the pale-stone Gothic wonder of  Genoa Cathedral . Guests on a Genoa cruise can see the wooded hills and pastel-painted villas on the  Ligurian Coast , with excursions to coastal hideaways like  Portofino , full of brightly painted medieval houses, and the seafront villages of the  Cinque Terre .

Though you’ll never tire of Italy’s rustic villages and refined lifestyle, a cruise to Genoa can also cover some other, similarly inviting destinations. These include bustling, history-crammed  Athens , the blissful beaches of Turkey’s  Kuşadası  and the Balearic buzz of Spanish islands like  Palma de Mallorca .

FIND INSPIRATION ON A HUGE RANGE OF GENOA EXCURSIONS

Genoa excursions further open up this enchanting city and its surroundings, offering the chance to see the Ligurian Coast and its fragrant citrus groves, or simply to delve deeper into Genoa’s maritime history.

Nearby towns like  Portofino  and its scattering of sea-facing restaurants are within easy reach, or a little further afield lie grander spots like the high-style capital of Milan.

Put simply, guests on  Genoa tours  have a world of Italian culture to look forward to, from boat trips to archaeological adventures led by knowledgeable guides.

Book now and save up to 20% on Genoa shore excursions.

HOW TO REACH GENOA CRUISE PORT

Where do msc cruises’ ships dock in genoa.

MSC Cruises’ ships dock at  Genova Cruise Terminal , located at  Genova Ponte dei Mille/Ponte Andrea Doria .

These piers are located less than two kilometres west from the Genoa city centre and are conveniently close to the city’s main railway station, bus stops, Principe metro station and the SS1 freeway, meaning that it’s easy to reach whether you’re arriving by road or rail.

How do I reach the car park at Genoa cruise port?

There is a  valet car parking service  available to MSC Cruises passengers.

Whether you’re driving from Genoa’s city centre or from the airport, you’ll need to follow signs to ‘terminal crociere’, which is signposted from both directions. Approaching the terminal, there are MSC ship’s signs leading them to the luggage drop off, where the parking, by the car valet service mentioned above will withdraw guest’s cars as well.

Garage Ponte dei Mille

Tel. +39 010 24 62 613

E-mail:  [email protected]

MSC Parking is bookable online up to 48 hours before your cruise departure. Bookings after the 48 hour deadline can be made directly with MSC Parking, and the same reduced rates will be applied when presenting your cruise travel documents

How to get to the Genoa cruise port from the train station?

If arriving in  Genoa by train , you’ll likely find yourself at the city’s main rail station,  Genova Piazza Principe , which is located around 500 metres from the cruise port, making it an easy walk to the cruise terminal.

To get to the cruise port, hold right hand as you get away from the station on to Via Andrea Doria. You will see some stairs leading down on your left hand, in front of Principe metro station. Go down the steps and across the square to the main road, turn right and then take the immediate left, where you will see the cruise terminal ahead of you.

How do I get from Genoa Airport to the cruise port?

Genova City Airport,  also known as  Christopher Columbus Airport , is located around 6 kilometres to the west from the cruise port. The easiest way to get to the cruise terminal from the airport is to request an MSC Transfer service, which you can do easily by contacting the MSC call centre or your travel agent. 

If using public transport, either take the Volabus airport shuttle that takes you directly to Genova Piazza Principe rail station in around 30 minutes, or take the train, which arrives at the same station in about 10 minutes. Note that the train station Genova Cornigliano, is around a 10-minute walk from the airport. Genova Piazza Principe is around 500 metres from the cruise terminal. 

If driving, leave the airport and follow signs to ‘centro’ to the SS1 freeway. Stay on the SS1 until you reach a fork in the road. Keep left, following the sign to ‘passenger terminals,’ then keep right until you reach the cruise terminal, following the MSC Ship’s signs you will find Ponte dei Mille and the luggage drop off point after around one kilometre. The entire journey should take around 15 minutes in good traffic conditions.

Does Genoa have a beach?

There are a number of  great beaches nearby Genoa . In fact, the coastal area surrounding Genoa, known as the  Ligurian Riviera , has some of Italy’s finest beaches.

One of the best beaches within the city limits is  Spiaggia di Boccadasse , which is located in the former fishing village of Boccadasse, around six kilometres to the east of the cruise port. This beach here is small and surrounded by colourful Ligurian architecture.

Other beaches nearby worth visiting include  Spiaggia di Vernazzola  and  Spiaggia di Sturla . Other great beaches in the region are located near Camogli, a town around 20 kilometres to the east of Genoa that can be reached in under an hour by train. A little bit further on is  Portofino , one of the most stunning coastal towns in the country, surrounded by beautiful coves.

What should I do in Genoa in one day?

If you only have one day in Genoa, take time to explore the myriad narrow streets and alleyways of the  Old Town . Here, you’ll find museums, ancient architecture and sprawling palaces. And don’t forget that the city is full of excellent restaurants, serving up plenty of local pesto Genovese on all kinds of pasta dishes.

Some of the most popular sights include the  Christopher Columbus House ,  Palazzo San Giorgio ,  Cattedrale di San Lorenzo  and  Piazza de Ferrari , Genoa’s main square. There are also hours to be spent visiting  Genoa Aquarium  (Italy’s largest aquarium), conveniently located close to the cruise port. Alternatively, explore  Boccadasse , a beautiful coastal village. Wherever you choose to ear, make sure to try traditional  pesto Genovese , as you’re in the birthplace of this famous sauce.

What is the weather like in Genoa?

Genoa has a typical  Mediterranean climate  with warm and dry summers and mild winters. The  warmest months  are typically July and August, with daily high temperatures usually averaging 28°C, while daily highs average above 20°C from May until October. The  coolest months  are usually January and February, with daily high temperatures averaging around 12°C. July is often the driest month in Genoa, with just two days of rain on average.

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The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises ships and itineraries

MSC Cruises may be the biggest cruise line you've never heard of — assuming you're an American.

While the Switzerland-based company is the third-biggest cruise line in the world, it has far less name recognition among Americans than big U.S.-based lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line . That's because, until recently, MSC Cruises mostly catered to Europeans. A large percentage of its customers came from countries such as Italy, Germany, France and Spain.

That's all changing now — and in a big way.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

As it expands its fleet at a rapid pace , MSC Cruises is massively building its footprint in North America in an effort to woo more Americans. As recently as 2017, the line only had a single vessel based in North America. Now it's up to three ships sailing out of U.S. ports, and by the end of 2023, that number will have shot up to five.

All the North America-based ships are marketed heavily to Americans, and the line has tailored some of the features and activities on the vessels to a North American crowd.

Like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line , MSC Cruises has been building big resortlike vessels that offer every sort of amusement known to humans, from giant water parks to race car simulators. It currently operates eight of the 20 biggest cruise ships in the world — one of which (MSC Meraviglia) now calls North America home with year-round sailings out of New York City.

Related: Which cruise brand is right for you? A guide to the most popular lines

3 things TPG loves about MSC Cruises

• Its affordability
• The incredible array of activities on its ships
• The status match it offers with its loyalty program

What we could do without

• Onboard announcements in five languages (on overseas sailings)

The MSC Cruises fleet

MSC Cruises has grown enormously in recent years. As recently as early 2017, the line had just 12 ships in operation. But it's added new ships at a rapid pace over the past six years and now operates 22 vessels, more than any other major line besides Royal Caribbean and Carnival. It also has three more giant new ships on the way in the next few years.

If that sounds like too many ships to get your head around, note that all 22 of the vessels in operation, as well as the three on order, fall into six distinct classes . The ships within each of the classes have similar sizes and onboard attractions. If you know one ship in the class, you know them all.

Related: MSC Cruises ships from newest to oldest — a complete list

As a result of its rapid growth, MSC Cruises recently passed Norwegian to become the world's third-biggest cruise brand when measured by passenger capacity. Only Royal Caribbean and Carnival are bigger.

Not including pulldown bunks and pullout sofas, MSC Cruises' 22 ships have 77,832 berths — about 21,000 more than Norwegian's fleet. At its current pace of growth, MSC Cruises could soon pass Carnival to become the world's second-biggest line.

As noted above, the MSC Cruises fleet includes eight of the world's 20 biggest cruise vessels — MSC World Europa , MSC Euribia , MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia , MSC Bellissima, MSC Seashore and MSC Seascape . Built in the last six years, these eight ships aren't quite as big as Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis Class vessels (the world's biggest cruise ships), but they're right up there when it comes to amenities and passenger capacity.

The grande dame of the MSC Cruises fleet is its recently unveiled MSC World Europa. At 215,863 tons, it's the biggest MSC Cruises ship ever built and the first of a new series of so-called World Class vessels that are nearly as big as Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships.

The next-biggest ships in the MSC Cruises fleet are its recently unveiled Meraviglia Class vessels: MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Euribia. Similar in design, these five ships aren't quite as big as MSC World Europa, but they're right up there when it comes to size, amenities and passenger capacity.

MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Euribia, which debuted in 2019, 2021 and 2023, respectively, are a tad longer than MSC Bellissima and MSC Meraviglia and are considered a subset of the class known as Meraviglia Plus. Each can hold 4,842 passengers at double occupancy (or 6,334 passengers if every last pulldown bunk and pullout sofa is filled).

The other two Meraviglia Class ships, which date to 2019 and 2017, can carry more than 5,600 passengers with every berth filled.

In addition to these five giants, MSC Cruises also operates four large Seaside Class ships. Each has a total capacity of 5,336 to 5,632 passengers.

Add those in, and MSC Cruises operates 10 of the world's 35 biggest cruise ships, plus four somewhat smaller Fantasia Class vessels that can each hold around 4,400 passengers at maximum occupancy.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Together, the 14 World, Meraviglia, Seaside and Fantasia Class vessels make up MSC Cruises' big-ship fleet. The line's remaining eight vessels, split among two classes, are considerably smaller, with maximum occupancy topping out at 2,700 to 3,200 passengers.

The eight smaller ships, which in general are the line's older ships, allow MSC Cruises to offer itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of the World Class or Meraviglia Class vessels, although even the biggest MSC Cruises ships are still designed to be able to call at most ports around the world.

The smaller ships also appeal to a subset of MSC Cruises fans who are willing to give up some onboard amenities in exchange for intimacy. They're usually less expensive on a per-day basis, too.

In addition to all the above, MSC Group — the line's parent company — has announced plans for yet another class of big ships to start arriving later this decade, though few details have been released. MSC Group is also developing a series of small luxury vessels that'll operate under a separate brand called Explora Journeys.

Destinations and itineraries

MSC Cruises sails almost everywhere in the world, but its heaviest presence is in Europe, where it's the biggest cruise operator.

In a typical summer, the line will deploy the vast majority of its ships in the Mediterranean or northern Europe. In recent years, the line has also kept at least a couple of ships in Florida in summer for voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. This year, the line had two ships based in Florida for summer sailings to the Caribbean and the Bahamas, plus one ship sailing out of New York City for the summer.

During winter, MSC Cruises typically will add more ships to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. (For winter 2023-2024, it expects to have six in the region.) It'll also typically send four or five ships to South America in winter and often deploys vessels in winter to South Africa and the Middle East.

For winter 2023-2024, it'll have one ship in South Africa. The line's Middle East deployment this year has been cut back due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Additionally, MSC Cruises often offers an around-the-world cruise in winter on a single ship.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on an MSC Cruises ship

In North America, MSC Cruises ships have generally sailed out of Miami , but the line recently added Port Canaveral and New York City as home ports, too. The line also offers cruises from the Caribbean islands of Barbados, Martinique and Guadeloupe, and in a major development, the line opened its first private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve , in the Bahamas in 2019. It's a major stop for many MSC Cruises itineraries in the region.

In Europe, major MSC Cruises hubs include Southampton, England; Copenhagen; Kiel and Hamburg in Germany; Ancona, Venice, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, Bari and Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) in Italy; Barcelona, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca in Spain; and Marseille, France.

Who sails MSC Cruises?

MSC Cruises is increasingly known for having big, bustling megaships that'll appeal to people who like a megaresort experience. In other words, if you're the kind of person who loves staying on property at Disney World or at a giant Las Vegas resort , this could be the line for you.

The bigger MSC Cruises ships offer vacationers a ton of options for dining (some vessels have more than a dozen distinct places to eat dinner or at least grab a quick bite) or entertainment. They're lively and fun.

They also have an inordinate amount of teen- and tween-friendly attractions — everything from some of the largest waterslides at sea to sprawling amusement areas with race car simulators, flight simulators and XD cinemas (more on all this below). That makes them particularly appealing to families, including multigenerational groups. Families are a big part of MSC Cruises' business.

But it's not just families that flock to MSC Cruises.

The line's ships are designed to offer something for everyone, and they thus appeal to a wide demographic, including couples of all ages and even solo travelers (the line has added solo cabins on its newer ships and occasionally runs promotions for solo travelers). They also draw customers from a wide range of the income spectrum.

At one level, MSC Cruises ships have a for-the-masses feel. However, overlaid across many of the line's ships are high-end suites, upscale restaurants and luxury services — most notably the suites and amenities in the exclusive, upscale MSC Yacht Club areas found on some vessels (more on that later). As a result, the line draws a good number of luxury-seeking travelers.

The demographic profile of MSC Cruises ships can be markedly different depending on where the vessels are based. On Caribbean sailings out of Florida, you'll find that a large percentage of passengers are English-speaking North Americans.

MSC Cruises voyages in Europe are often heavily filled with Europeans speaking Italian, German, Spanish and French, as well as some English speakers. In Europe, the line offers onboard programming in all five of these languages (all crew members speak English no matter where the ships are sailing).

Reality check: Due to the diverse origins of passengers on European sailings, the line typically makes announcements in all five of the aforementioned languages. This can result in extraordinarily long announcements at times, which can be a distraction to some cruisers. The good news is that on sailings out of U.S. ports, only safety announcements are made in all five languages. Other announcements are in English only.

Cabins and suites

MSC Cruises offers a wide range of accommodations on its ships. On its newest vessels, you'll find everything from relatively low-cost, windowless "interior" cabins that measure as little as 172 square feet (perfect for the budget traveler) to suites more than five times that size that sprawl across two decks.

Still, MSC Cruises doesn't offer the sort of truly giant suites (more than 1,000 to 2,000 square feet) you'll find on some Norwegian and Royal Caribbean ships.

At the high end, the accommodations are aimed at affluent travelers who, for whatever reason, prefer the megaship experience to being on a luxury ship, and they can be quite impressive.

The biggest suites on MSC Grandiosa, which launched in 2019, span two levels and offer around 635 square feet of interior space, plus another 237 square feet of outdoor balcony space.

On more than half of MSC Cruises' ships, many of the top suites are part of an exclusive, keycard-accessed area called the MSC Yacht Club . Billed as an upscale "ship within a ship" and aimed at luxury travelers, the MSC Yacht Club is at the very top of vessels and comes with a private lounge, a pool, sunning areas and even its own restaurant.

Related: Everything you need to know about MSC Cruises cabins and suites

MSC Yacht Club accommodations also come with 24-hour butler service and a dedicated concierge.

Solo cabins (called interior studios) measuring just 127 square feet can be found on the line's seven newest vessels.

Insider tip: Passengers can use the interactive TVs in cabins to browse information, find out about daily events and activities, check bills and book services. On some ships, MSC for Me interactive wristbands can open your cabin door and also allow you to book services or make contactless payments for items on board.

Restaurants and dining

While a few of MSC Cruises' smallest ships have relatively limited dining venues, many of the line's vessels offer a wide range of choices.

On the line's recently unveiled MSC Euribia, for instance, there are nearly a dozen distinct eateries, as well as a number of bars and lounges that serve at least small bites. MSC Seashore has five specialty restaurants that feature waterfront, outdoor seating on the ship's boardwalk.

Every vessel has at least one or more main dining rooms and a casual buffet where meals are included in the fare.

For dinner in a main dining room, you must either have My Choice dining with the Aurea experience (a flexible dining option where you dine whenever you want) or classic dining (where you have a fixed table and time for dinner).

Nearly every ship also has at least one — and sometimes quite a few — extra-charge venues. Among the most common across the fleet is the American-style steakhouse Butcher's Cut, which is found on more than half the line's vessels. There also are sushi bars on more than half the line's ships, with varying names like Kaito Sushi and Galaxy Sushi.

The line's newest ships have teppanyaki restaurants, too, and passengers on MSC Cruises' Seaside Class ships, as well as MSC Meraviglia and MSC Splendida, can dine at a Mediterranean-style seafood restaurant.

Several of the line's newest vessels, including MSC Grandiosa and MSC Bellissima, also have the French cuisine-serving L'Atelier Bistrot.

Entertainment and activities

MSC Cruises offers a broad range of entertainment and activities on its ships. As noted above, the line's biggest vessels offer multiple entertainment venues, from Broadway-style theaters to spaces for circus-like performances; all manner of deck-top attractions; large casinos; and full-service spas. Plus, you'll find multiple bars, lounges and nightlife spots.

Theaters and shows

Like other megaship lines, MSC Cruises is known for big, glitzy theater productions performed in onboard theaters that are as state-of-the-art as anything you'll find on Broadway.

On the line's newer ships, such as MSC Euribia, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Grandiosa, there are main theaters that hold nearly 1,000 people. They offer as many as six different full-scale theatrical productions during a typical voyage, with multiple showtimes for each production and a range of styles. You'll find original Broadway-style musicals, piano concerts and even operas.

Some MSC Cruises ships have high-tech, multipurpose entertainment spaces that serve as comedy clubs and karaoke bars but can also transform into music venues. Dubbed the TV Studio & Bar on some ships, these spaces also house radio and TV broadcasting equipment, and they can host games, quizzes and talent contests aired live on TV sets in cabins.

Other interior attractions and activities

In addition to entertainment spaces, the interiors of MSC Cruises ships are loaded with other venues where passengers can kick back and let loose day and night, including a seemingly endless array of bars, lounges and nightspots.

Every MSC Cruises ship has a casino, and on the line's larger vessels, they are big operations. Le Grand Casino on MSC Grandiosa, for instance, has 164 slot machines, 12 table games (including blackjack, roulette and poker) and its own bar.

The five Meraviglia and Meraviglia Plus Class vessels also have soaring interior mall-like spaces called Gallerias with bars, restaurants and retail shops, as does the new MSC World Europa.

Many of the Gallerias, for example, are home to an innovative chocolate bar and boutique created by well-known French patissier and chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury.

The Gallerias on the five Meraviglia and Meraviglia Plus Class vessels — MSC Euribia, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima — are topped with one of the most stunning features found at sea: a dazzling "digital sky" made with curving LED screens that offer regular light shows during the day and evening. There's something similar on MSC World Europa.

The bigger MSC Cruises ships also have interactive game zones with such attractions as Formula One racing simulators, immersive XD cinemas, arcade games and even full-size bowling alleys.

For something more soothing, all MSC Cruises ships include spas. These can be quite big on the larger vessels, with expansive thermal areas and a wide choice of treatments and services.

Insider tip: Passengers can get information about onboard entertainment and restaurants (and make reservations) on the interactive screens found around MSC Cruises vessels.

Top-deck attractions

The top decks of MSC Cruises ships offer pools, hot tubs and plenty of lounge space, plus some spectacular family-focused fun zones — on the line's newest ships, at least.

On the line's Meraviglia and Seaside Class ships, top-deck amenities include sprawling back-of-the-ship water parks with multiple waterslides, ropes courses and watery play areas for the little ones.

Some ships even have zip lines — the longest at sea.

Additionally, the main pool areas on the newest MSC Cruises ships are among the biggest and most stunning at sea. Some of the line's ships also have adults-only pools topped with glass ceilings that can be opened on warm days.

Children's programs

MSC Cruises has some of the most extensive children's programs at sea, with dedicated clubs and activities for children as young as a couple of months old through the age of 17.

On most ships, the line offers programming for five distinct age groups.

For the very youngest cruisers, there's Baby Club, a program for babies and toddlers up to the age of 3. The line partnered with baby care brand Chicco to develop dedicated Baby Club play areas on every ship with toys, games and music and rhythm activities. You can leave your toddlers at the clubs, which have dedicated staff, or stay and play with them.

MSC Cruises ships also have a dedicated Mini Club (ages 3 to 6) and Junior Club (ages 7 to 11) with age-appropriate activities. Designed in partnership with the Lego Group, the Mini Clubs offer games, events and activities such as arts and crafts. Junior Clubs have a Masterchef at Sea Juniors competition, plus acting, dancing and singing activities.

Related: New MSC Cruises ship in New York is bigger than the city's biggest hotel

MSC Cruises ships also have Young Club, a tween program (ages 12 to 14) that includes sports tournaments, high-tech games and other activities.

Then there's Teen Club (ages 15 to 17), which hosts disco parties, karaoke parties and Wii, Xbox and PlayStation 4 tournaments. On MSC Grandiosa, teens even get the chance to pilot a drone through an obstacle course during an activity called the Drone Academy, and the ship holds a teen dance competition designed in partnership with the company behind "The X Factor."

Kids and teens clubs on newer MSC Cruises ships can also access cutting-edge equipment like 3D printing machines, virtual reality devices and 3D product scanning, all of which are used in activities.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

If you're a U.S. citizen on a cruise that starts and ends in a U.S. port, you'll need either a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to sail. Passports must be valid for at least six months.

For cruises from international ports, you'll need a passport. It's important that the name on your reservation is listed exactly as it appears on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

MSC Cruises adds an automatic service charge of $16 per person to final bills on sailings out of U.S. ports. Sailings with pricing in euros have a 12 euro charge ($13.13 at current exchange rates). Children 2 to 11 pay half the adult rate on most cruises. Children under 2 are not charged for service.

Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bills at bars for cruisers who do not have a drinks package. If you buy a drinks package, the gratuity charges for drinks is folded into the package price when you book it. A 15% service charge is also added to items in minibars, salons and spas.

Related: Tipping on a cruise ship: Everything you need to know

MSC Cruises has been rolling out Wi-Fi with speeds so fast that you'll be able to watch Netflix from your room on your mobile device. Unlike some lines, though, MSC Cruises doesn't offer flat-fee pricing for Wi-Fi. Instead, MSC Cruises charges by the number of devices you use and how you want to use the internet (think: browsing, texting, sending emails or video streaming).

Basic packages for browsing start around $72 for one device with unlimited data. A two-device plan with unlimited data for browsing costs about $109. There's also a four-device browsing plan for about $223. If you're looking to stream video along with other internet uses, you'll need a streaming plan. These start around $100 for one device and can be as high as $313 for a four-device plan.

Unlike other cruise lines, MSC Cruises does not let passengers switch their internet plan from one device to another during the cruise, even if they're only using one device at a time. Make sure you sign up for the Wi-Fi plan on the device you intend to use it with. If you'll want access on both your phone and your tablet, you will need a two-device plan.

Passengers can chat with friends and family on board ships even if they don't have an internet package by downloading the MSC for Me app to a smart device. The app also lets you book services on board.

Carry-on drinks policy

Unlike some lines, MSC Cruises doesn't allow passengers to bring their own alcohol on board.

Smoking policy

Smoking (including electronic cigarette smoking) is allowed in a limited number of designated areas on ships, with the primary smoking area on ships being an outdoor pool area that varies by ship and is indicated by signage. Smoking is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies, and those who violate this rule will face a $250 fee.

Unlike some lines, MSC Cruises does not build self-service launderettes onto its ships. Vessels offer extra-charge laundry and dry-cleaning services.

Electrical outlets

All vessels have standard North American-style, 110-volt outlets in rooms, as well as European-style, 220-volt outlets. A growing number of vessels also have USB ports in cabins.

For cruises in the Caribbean, South America and South Africa, as well as on MSC Grand Voyages going to Europe and to Australia, the onboard currency is the U.S. dollar.

On cruises in other parts of the world, the onboard currency is the euro. All vessels operate on a cashless system with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. You'll receive a Cruise Card (or, on the newer ships, an MSC for Me wristband) that you can use to make purchases.

Drinking age

You must be at least 21 years old to consume alcohol on sailings in the U.S. and the Caribbean. The drinking age on sailings everywhere else in the world is 18.

During the day, there's no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination and you're bound for the top deck, that means dressing for the beach — T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to put on when you go inside) are just fine.

On most evenings, the line recommends "smart casual" dress, meaning summery dresses for women and a lightweight jacket for men. On select days, the line also holds Gala evenings on its ships where the dress code can be more formal. For Gala evenings, if dining in a main dining room, the line suggests a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit and tie for men and a dressy outfit, formal gown or cocktail dress for women.

Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

MSC Cruises loyalty program

MSC Cruises has a point-based frequent cruiser program, the MSC Voyagers Club , that has four tiers ranging from Classic (requiring 1 point) to Diamond (10,000 points).

Members earn points based on the length of the cruises they take and which "experience" they book on those sailings. There are four different "experiences" you can book on an MSC Cruises sailing, each with different inclusions and price points. The most basic "Bella" experience will get you fewer points than the top "MSC Yacht Club" experience.

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

Every person in your stateroom will earn points for the cruise. You can also earn points with onboard spending and any bookings you made before embarkation. You'll earn 100 points for every $150 in prepaid and onboard expenses.

Know, though, that there are a couple of key caveats. Only the Voyagers Club member who makes the final payment for the onboard expenses will receive those points. For prepaid expenses, points will be equally distributed among the cabin occupants.

Say, for example, the total amount of prepaid onboard services that apply to all cabin occupants before the cruise is $600. If there are four cabin occupants, the spending for the points calculation of each member will be $150, which is equal to 100 points.

As is typical for cruise line loyalty programs, the entry-level tier (Classic) doesn't bring all that many truly valuable rewards. By far the most alluring benefit at this level is the 5% discount that members get when booking future sailings (note that this discount is not valid on Tandem and MSC Grand Tours). That's real savings every time you book a cruise.

The real perks begin at Diamond status, which brings a free dinner in an extra-charge restaurant, priority embarkation at the start of a cruise and priority disembarkation at the end of a cruise.

Unlike with most cruise line loyalty programs, you won't automatically keep your status forever with MSC Cruises. Once achieved, your status is good as long as you take a cruise at least once every 36 months. If you don't, not only will your points disappear, but your entire account will be erased, requiring you to re-enroll and start all over again.

That's the downside of the MSC Voyagers Club. However, the program also comes with one very big upside: MSC Cruises will let you status match your way to top-tier Diamond status based on your status level with any of more than two dozen other loyalty programs — not just those run by competing cruise lines but also those operated by Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton. It's very rare in the cruise world.

How much does an MSC Cruises voyage cost?

MSC Cruises is known for some of the most affordable ships at sea. It's not uncommon to find MSC Cruises voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas from under $75 per person, per night, including all taxes and fees — at least in the offseason.

For instance, at the time of publication, four-night sailings from Miami to the Bahamas in September 2024 start at just $249 per person, not including taxes and fees of $100. That works out to just $87.25 per person, per night, with taxes and fees, for a package that includes your lodging, transportation and meals.

As you might expect, pricing for ships will generally be lower during offseason periods such as September, October and parts of November.

The timing of when you book can also matter. Cruises book up much further in advance than airplanes or hotels, and many cruisers will tell you the best pricing for any given sailing often is available when cruises first go on sale (which can be a good two years before a departure). Booking far in advance also gives you the best chance of getting your preferred cabin type and location on a ship.

Once on board an MSC Cruises ship, you'll pay extra for most drinks, extra-charge restaurants, spa services, shore excursions, internet and a few other amenities — unless you've paid up for a more inclusive package.

When pricing cabins, MSC Cruises offers one of four main "experiences," each of which comes with different inclusions and varying price tags. The basic "Bella" experience includes your room, dining in the main restaurants and buffet, and access to all the included features of the ship, such as kids programs and theater shows.

Note that if you book the Bella experience, you cannot select a specific cabin. You can only choose between the broad categories of inside, ocean-view or balcony cabin, and a cabin is later assigned to you.

One step up is the more expensive "Fantastica" experience, which adds room service and breakfast delivered to your cabin, priority choice of dinner sittings, access to additional kids activities and classes, and more. At this level and above, you can pick a specific cabin when booking.

With the even pricier "Aurea" experience, you'll get complimentary access to the spa's thermal area, priority boarding and other perks. The Aurea experience also comes with access to My Choice dining and an exclusive sun deck area that on many ships features an exclusive bar and hot tubs.

Then there's the MSC Yacht Club experience, mentioned above, which is the ultimate in onboard living. Even with its higher price tag, the MSC Yacht Club still provides great value for its wide range of perks, such as unlimited drinks in all MSC Yacht Club areas, including premium spirits and minibar items.

Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their 1st cruise

How to book

If you're sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary — and about a dozen other things — you can head over to the MSC Cruises website to book directly.

That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise (there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process: trust us) we recommend you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises. A good travel agent will quiz you about your interests, travel style and preferences, and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. They also can help if something goes wrong just before, during or after your voyage.

If you're sure MSC Cruises is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who knows all about the line's various cabin categories and, preferably, has done ship inspections to see them firsthand.

Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your purchase when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases . This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve , which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card , which earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel (and dining).

Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles

Bottom line

Long a major player in Europe, MSC Cruises is growing fast in North America with a lineup of big, new, amenity-filled ships.

If you're a megaresort lover, you'll feel right at home on MSC Cruises' new World, Meraviglia and Seaside Class vessels, which rival the biggest vessels of Royal Caribbean and Norwegian for their array of onboard amusements.

You'll also love their affordability. Among the world's biggest ships, they offer some of the lowest pricing. You'll be sharing your vacation with hordes of other people, of course — as many as 6,000 on some MSC Cruises vessels. However, even the biggest MSC Cruises ships have quiet nooks where you can escape the crowds.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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