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MSC Euribia

MSC Euribia, named after the Greek goddess of mastery of the sea, launched in June 2023. MSC Euribia stands out with its commitment to sustainability (the ship runs on liquid natural gas, or LNG) and art-filled aesthetic (with original works of art throughout the ship and a "Save the Sea" motif on the hull).

Entertainment options abound, with an immersive gallery, a sports center, a theater, a casino and seven rooms dedicated to kids and teenagers. Five pools and a water park are also available. The Galleria, the main promenade featuring a dazzling LED sky dome, is a hub for shopping and dining.

With MSC Euribia's 10 dining venues, passengers can choose from formal Italian, fast-casual tacos, a sushi bar, a buffet, a crepe shop and more. What's more, the ship offers 21 bars, including a British pub, a wine bar and upscale cocktail lounges, as well as the Carousel Lounge, where passengers can dance to music of varying genres.

MSC Euribia holds up to 6,327 guests and 1,711 crew members. Staterooms range from the 129-square-foot Interior Studio to the 420-square-foot Grand Suite with a whirlpool and terrace. MSC Yacht Club Suites, which offer access to exclusive perks like butler service and a dedicated sun deck, are also available.

Most MSC Euribia itineraries sail through northern Europe, particularly the Norwegian fjords and destinations including Amsterdam ; Paris ; Hamburg, Germany ; Copenhagen, Denmark ; and Bruges, Belgium . Cruises to the Middle East, including ports like Doha, Qatar, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, will also be offered.

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you’re dead set on cruising in the MSC Yacht Club, you’ll want to be selective with the vessel and itinerary you choose. Many older MSC ships do not offer a Yacht Club section, including the Poesia, Armonia, Lirica, Musica and Opera. – Holly Johnson, Contributor

MSC Bellissima

Boasting a 5,100-square-foot LED screen in the ceiling of its promenade and accommodations for more than 5,600 guests, the MSC Bellissima (debuted in 2019) aims to impress. Guests can relax in cabins ranging from cozy Interior Studio staterooms to large suites with balconies and espresso machines. Each room comes equipped with Zoe, a voice-enabled virtual assistant capable of making restaurant reservations, answering questions about the ship and more.

Members of MSC Yacht Club (an exclusive amenities program) who sail on MSC Bellissima can receive benefits such as dedicated priority check-in and check-out, 24-hour butler service and concierge room service, complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa, one free cruise change and a discount on prepaid restaurant packages as well as spa packages and treatment.

Outside of their rooms, travelers can try for a strike at the ship's bowling alley, zip down a waterslide at the Aquapark or play games in the TV Studio & Bar. At night, cruisers can grab a drink at one of the ship's 20 bars and dine at one of 12 restaurants, which offer sushi, tapas and more. After dinner, passengers can catch a live show in the state-of-the-art, 1,700-square-foot Carousel Lounge. Kids of all ages will enjoy their time on the ship as well, as Bellissima boasts separate spaces for infants and toddlers, kids and teens to hang out all day.

MSC Bellissima sails throughout Asia.

MSC Meraviglia

Launched in June 2017, the 5,642-passenger MSC Meraviglia is one of the largest vessels in the fleet. In fact, it is among the largest cruise ships floating on the seas today.

Some of the ship's most impressive features include a promenade equipped with a 5,200-square-foot LED screen dome, a 108-square-foot main pool, and two Formula 1 virtual reality racing simulators.

MSC Meraviglia also features nine dining venues, ranging from a buffet open 20 hours a day to a teppanyaki and sushi restaurant to an authentic Italian eatery.

Equally impressive, more than 60% of the ship's staterooms offer balconies. Accommodations range from Interior and Ocean View cabins to Duplex Suites and Yacht Club suites. Those who splurge on Yacht Club category cabins receive additional perks, like 24-hour butler service, access to exclusive venues like the One Pool Deck (a secluded pool and sun deck) and a private restaurant, plus unlimited access to the spa's Thermal Area.

MSC Meraviglia sails through the Bahamas and the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and New England. It visits MSC's private island, the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, on select cruises.

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you’re looking for a ship with an “open feel,” the MSC Meraviglia is worth checking out. This vessel features a large open-air promenade lined with bars and dining venues that leads to a multi-deck central gathering area. – Holly Johnson, Contributor

Introduced in 2012, MSC Divina is among the largest ships in the fleet. It can host up to 4,345 passengers and 1,388 crew members. Some past cruisers noted that the disproportionate staff-to-guest ratio translated to slow service, especially in the dining rooms.

Still, MSC Divina offers plenty of activities to keep guests entertained. Standout facilities include a 4-D theater and four pool areas, including a 22,507-square-foot Aqua Park. Dining is on just as grand a scale: The ship contains eight restaurants, including a sushi eatery. On top of that, there are 12 bars and lounges.

Members of MSC Yacht Club (an exclusive amenities program) who sail on MSC Divina can receive benefits such as dedicated priority check-in and check-out, 24-hour butler service and concierge room service, complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa, one free cruise change and a discount on prepaid restaurant packages as well as spa packages and treatment.

Suites in this exclusive area feature floor-to-ceiling windows. For MSC Yacht Club members, MSC Divina also includes the Sophia Loren Royal Suite on deck 16, which was designed with the help of Loren and includes a replica of her dressing table. More budget-friendly accommodations include Interior and Ocean View staterooms, which come equipped with TVs and minibars.

MSC Divina offers sailings around the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

MSC Grandiosa

Debuted in mid-November 2019, MSC Grandiosa hosts a whopping 6,334 passengers and 1,704 crew members. On board, travelers can take advantage of two different pools, a water park, the Sportplex amusement park and a fitness center. Those seeking a thrilling, albeit less strenuous, entertainment option should check out a live show in the evening.

Grandiosa also boasts an especially large Yacht Club – a private section of the ship that offers exclusive amenities to members, such as a private pool and 24-hour butler service. Meanwhile, entertainment options for kids include seven different rooms (each designated for a different age group), a gaming room for teens and a Lego movie maker studio for children.

Guests can choose from a variety of staterooms, including standard Interior, Ocean View and Balcony rooms, as well as Family Cabins (perfect for up to six guests) and an array of Suite-category options. Each stateroom – regardless of size – comes equipped with Zoe: MSC's voice-activated assistant who can answer any questions cruisers have about their ship.

In addition to the main dining room and the Marketplace Buffet (which is open 20 hours a day), cruisers can choose to dine at several specialty spots, including Butcher's Cut for sumptuous steaks and HOLA! Tapas Bar.

Grandiosa sails through the Mediterranean and South America on upcoming voyages.

MSC Seascape

Sister ship to MSC Seashore , MSC Seascape sailed its maiden voyage from Rome to New York in December 2022. The 5,877-passenger, 1,648-crew-member vessel features the latest technology for energy efficiency. Its design pays tribute to New York City with a replica of the Statue of Liberty and an entertainment space called Times Square.

Seascape measures a whopping 1,112 feet long and features 139,930 square feet of outdoor space. Enjoy panoramic views from the Infinity Pool, walk over the glass-floored Bridge of Sighs or swim in the Marina Pool, featuring a 360-degree water fountain island and lounge.

On board, guests can ride the ROBOTRON, a thrill ride providing 360-degree views 175 feet above the sea. Families will love the enlarged MSC Kids Club, which provides 98 hours of live entertainment. Adults can spend time at the theater, casino and disco. The ship has an F1 racing stimulator for all ages to enjoy.

For accommodations, cruisers can choose between 11 types of staterooms and suites. Fifty suites include an extended balcony and 32 suites include private outdoor whirlpools. The ship features two Owner's Suites within the MSC Yacht Club, measuring 1,055 square feet.

The ship boasts 11 eateries, including three main dining rooms and five specialty restaurants. Enjoy Mexican cuisine at HOLA! Tacos & Cantina or Asian dishes at Kaito Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar. Seascape also boasts 20 bars.

MSC Seascape sails to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The ship also offers MSC Grand Voyages itineraries.

U.S. News Insider Tip: The MSC Seascape is identical to the MSC Seashore except for one detail. The Seascape is outfitted with a Robotron thrill ride that flips, dangles and turns cruisers through the air on a dedicated platform toward the backend of the ship. – Holly Johnson, Contributor

MSC Virtuosa

The MSC Virtuosa, which set sail in May 2021, holds 6,334 guests and 1,704 crew members. It's one of the largest ships in the MSC fleet (along with its sister vessel, the MSC Grandiosa ). There are 2,421 cabins to choose from, ranging from Interior Studio rooms (around 130 square feet) to MSC Yacht Club Royal Suites (600-plus square feet). Family Cabins offer adjoining rooms, while the MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite offers two levels, a master bedroom and walk-in closets. All accommodations offer Wi-Fi access (which may cost an extra fee) and minibars, while some include additional features like private whirlpools and balconies.

Five pools and a massive water park (by cruise ship standards) make for fun afternoons at sea, no matter your age. Young passengers may also enjoy the Lego Group kids club areas and various athletic courts. Adults can spend time in the MSC Aurea Spa, the Red Gem Casino, the Attic Club or the theater. Eleven boutiques spanning 12,500 square feet of retail space ensure guests have everything they want at their fingertips. The shops line a long promenade in the center of the ship, which previous cruisers say is fun to stroll through even if you're not a big shopper.

Once you work up an appetite, enjoy a meal at one of the ship's 11 dining venues, which feature Vietnamese, Mexican and Japanese cuisine, in addition to other global flavors. The ship also stands out for its attention to sustainability: Virtuosa features a safe wastewater disposal system that protects marine life and offers energy-saving equipment when it comes to heat and air conditioning.

MSC Virtuosa also features 21 bars; 16 indoors and five outdoors. The ship also features Rob, the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea, which is part of the MSC Starship Club. The MSC Starship Club is an interactive experience featuring over 40 ingredients to create your own recipe, 16 signature cocktails and mocktails, personalized cocktail options, 3-D holographic projects and a souvenir glass.

The MSC Virtuosa sails to an array of popular destinations, including ports in Northern Europe and the United Arab Emirates.

MSC World Europa

Debuted in December 2022, MSC World Europa holds a maximum of 6,762 passengers and 2,138 crew members. Propelled entirely by liquefied natural gas (LNG), this sustainability-focused cruise ship boasts a futuristic panorama lounge and a kinetic dome ceiling that integrates movement into its design. It also comes equipped with a water park, bumper cars and a record-breaking 11-story-tall slide (the tallest of its kind at sea).

With 13 dining venues ranging from Mediterranean to Latin to American-style cuisines, guests will have ample options to choose from. Plus, there are several bars, lounges and cafes where travelers can enjoy a cocktail or a cup of coffee.

Studio interior rooms start at 108 square feet and feature comfortable beds, minibars and spacious closets. But if you can swing the steep prices, book your stay in a MSC Yacht Club Suite, which includes luxuries like large balconies, whirlpool baths, floor-to-ceiling windows and walk-in closets.

MSC World Europa sails to destinations throughout the Mediterranean.

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you want to cruise Europe with the most restaurants to choose from, check out the MSC World Europa. This ship has 13 dining venues overall, including specialty dining options like Chef’s Garden Kitchen, a fresh seafood restaurant called Pescaderia, a Latin street food restaurant and more. – Holly Johnson, Contributor

MSC Seaview

The 1,413-crew member, 5,079-passenger MSC Seaview is one of the newer ships in the MSC Cruises fleet. Sailing since June 2018, this ship offers Interior, Ocean View and Balcony staterooms, plus a variety of suites. Standard features include single or queen-sized beds, minibars and interactive TVs. Upgraded MSC Yacht Club suites boast extra privileges and amenities, such as gourmet in-suite chocolates, 24-hour butler service and access to an exclusive lounge, pool deck and restaurant with all-inclusive meals and drinks.

No matter which accommodation you choose, you'll have your pick of 10 dining venues, including a buffet-style eatery, multiple main dining rooms and several specialty restaurants that dish up everything from fresh seafood to French bistro fare to prime cuts of meat. Two Asian-inspired restaurants helmed by award-winning chef Roy Yamaguchi are available as well.

What's more, MSC Seaview offers various ways to pass the time on board. For kids, there are age-appropriate clubs, a two-lane bowling alley and a water park with five different slides, among other facilities. Meanwhile, adults can watch Broadway-style shows, grab a drink in one of 19 bars and lounges and enjoy a treatment at the MSC Aurea Spa.

MSC Seaview sails to destinations in the Mediterranean and South America; it also offers MSC Grand Voyages itineraries.

MSC Seashore

MSC Seashore – which debuted in the Mediterranean in August 2021 and began sailing out of Miami in November 2021 – can hold 5,632 passengers and 1,648 crew members. It features redesigned bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, shops, staterooms and outdoor areas. Measuring more than 1,100 feet in length, the ship is one of the largest in MSC's fleet. Despite its impressive size, the ship's environmentally friendly design allows it to reduce air emissions, such as sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide, by 98% and 90%, respectively. Seashore also uses smart heating, air conditioning and ventilation to save energy on board.

Meanwhile, Seashore's variety of onboard offerings are designed to please passengers of all ages. The ship boasts three pools, the Pirates Cove Aquapark and the fleet's largest kids area, which is fitted with age-specific clubs for everyone from babies to teenagers in a whopping 7,500-square feet space. Adults can enjoy the Balinese-inspired Aurea Spa, a disco, a casino, a theater and the expansive ship-within-a-ship concept, the MSC Yacht Club. And if you're a fan of Formula 1 racing, make sure to stop by the ship's unique simulators.

Accommodations on board include Interior, Ocean View, Family and Balcony categories. There are also nine suite categories available, including the MSC Yacht Club Owner's Suite, which features a balcony large enough to fit a whirlpool and an outdoor living area.

Outside their cabins, sailors will have 11 dining venues to choose from, including three main restaurants, a buffet, five specialty dining spots and venues associated with the spa and yacht club. There are also a whopping 19 bars. Spend an evening dining alfresco at Butcher's Cut, one of the ship's specialty options, and end the night with cocktails at Sky Bar, which offers views of the ship's Bridge of Sighs, a glass-bottom walkway.

Upcoming itineraries on the MSC Seashore include trips to the Bahamas , the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. The ship also has MSC Grand Voyages itineraries.

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you like the features on a certain MSC ship but want more flexibility in terms of departure ports or fare costs, keep in mind that some MSC ships are a mirror image of others. For example, the older MSC Seashore and the newer MSC Seascape are nearly identical ships, and so are the MSC Meraviglia and the MSC Bellissima . – Holly Johnson, Contributor

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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MSC Cruises Review — Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

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MSC Cruises Review — Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

Basic Information

Departure ports, private ports/islands, complimentary dining, specialty dining, bars and beverages, msc inclusive experience, msc voyagers club, martha stewart celebration gifts, martha stewart excursions, msc for me app, final thoughts.

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Mediterranean Shipping Company has been in business since 1970. It started as a cargo shipping company and branched off into the world of passenger cruises in 1988 with its MSC Cruises division.

Today, MSC is the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line — the fourth-largest overall — and is a leader in Europe, South America, and southern Africa cruises.

Even though it might not be the most well-known among cruise ship industry leaders like Royal Caribbean or Carnival , it has big plans for expansion — expect up to a dozen new ships over the next decade.

Name: MSC Cruises

Parent Company: Mediterranean Shipping Company

Number of Ships: 17 (2 more coming by 2021)

Destinations: 150+

Loyalty Program: MSC Voyagers Club

Credit Card: None

MSC operates 17 ships with 2 more on the way. MSC Virtuosa will debut in November 2020 and MSC Seashore will debut in 2021.

MSC Armonia
MSC Bellissima
MSC Fantasia
MSC Grandiosa
MSC Magnifica
MSC Meraviglia
MSC Orchestra
MSC Preziosa
MSC Seaside
MSC Seaview
MSC Sinfonia
MSC Splendida

MSC Cruises sails to 69 countries across 6 continents from 52 departure ports.

MSC’s private island, located in the Bahama s, is called Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. This private oasis has 8 beaches, a Bahamian shopping village, local cuisine, massage huts on the beach, and so much more.

Your day at Ocean Cay can include any of the following activities, some of which come with an additional fee:

Beach picnics
Beach soccer and volleyball
Ceclo luxury electric pedalo
Deep-sea fishing
Evening lighthouse show
Latin dance classes
Luna Libre Party
Ocean Cay Olympic Games
Scuba diving
Stand up paddleboarding
Stingray adventure
Sunset Champagne cruise
Waverunners

There’s plenty to eat and drink at Ocean Cay, too. You can grab lunch at Seakers Foodcourt or one of the many food trucks located around the island.

These locations serve up traditional buffet food as well as Bahamian specialties. If you need a drink or a snack like ice cream, stop by Lighthouse Bar, Springer’s Bar, The Smiling Fish Bar, or one of the many beach bars.

Hot Tip: Curious about award travel on cruises? Check out our guide to booking cruises with points and miles.

Onboard Activities

There’s a lot to do onboard an MSC ship. In addition to cruise ship staples like pools, a casino, and Broadway-style shows, MSC offers plenty of other unique activities.

Here is some of what you’ll find to do on an MSC cruise (not all activities are available on every ship; extra charges may apply):

Arts and crafts
Carnival party
Dance classes
Dancing shoes dance contest
F1 simulator
Fitness classes
Flower Glory Party
Himalayan Bridge sky walk
Hollywood Stars
Kelly and Kloe Onboard
Kid’s Clubs for all ages (babies to teens)
King and Queen of the Sea
LEGO Experience On Board
MSC Factor talent contest
MSC’s Little Italy
Officers and Gentlemen dance
Oktoberfest
Rock Star Tribute
Sports tournaments (tennis, soccer, etc.)
Stardust dance contest
Virtual World
Waterslides

Casual wear is acceptable onboard an MSC cruise during the day. On Gala Nights, formal wear is required in restaurants — this means suits and ties for men and cocktail dresses for women.

You’ll want to leave some room in your suitcase to bring outfits for your ship’s theme parties. Bring your 60s and 70s floral gear for the Flower Glory Party, white clothing for the White Party, and red, white, and green to celebrate MSC’s Little Italy.

Hot Tip: If you need some help deciding what to pack, use our handy printable cruise packing list.

Dining and Beverages

Like most other cruise lines, MSC offers both complimentary dining as well as specialty restaurants that come with additional charges.

Complimentary dining onboard an MSC ship consists of main restaurants and an extensive buffet.

You’ll also find restaurants on MSC that come with an additional charge. However, you can save up to 40% if you book before your cruise.

Asian Fusion Restaurant
Butcher’s Cut
Chef Yamaguchi’s Asian Market
Cirque du Soliel at Sea
Galaxy Kaito
Hola Tapas Bar
In-room pizza delivery
La Piazzetta
L’Atelier Bistrot
Kaito Sushi Bar
Kaito Teppanyaki
Ocean Cay Seafood Restaurant
Oriental Plaza
Room service
Sea Pavillion Hot Pot
Surf & Turf
Venchi Gelateria

Look for these bars and lounges on your next MSC cruise (not all locations available on every ship):

Alchemist Bar
Martini Bar
Wine & Beer Bar

If you’d prefer to purchase your beverages ahead of time, you can opt for one of MSC’s beverage packages.

These packages are available at all onboard bars, the self-service buffet, and included restaurants.

Premium Plus Package: $79 per person per day

This package is for adults 21 and older and includes all drinks by the glass. It’s valid onboard including the specialty restaurants and at Ocean Cay.

This package includes drinks from the minibar and room service as well. You’ll also get a 30% discount on bottles of wine and Champagne.

Cocktails, spirits, liquors, wine, and beer
Soda, juice, bottled water, energy drinks
Classic and premium hot beverages

Premium Package: $62 per person per day

This package is for adults 21 and older and includes drinks up to $12 each. It’s valid onboard including the specialty restaurants and at Ocean Cay.

Cocktails, spirits, liquors
Wines by the glass
Draft and bottled beer
Classic and premium hot drinks

Easy Package: $35 per person per day

This package is for adults 21 and older and includes drinks up to $6 each. It’s valid onboard and at Ocean Cay.

One brand of draft beer and/or bottled beer
Selected spirits and cocktails, including non-alcoholic cocktails
Classic hot drinks (espresso, cappuccino, latte, hot tea, hot chocolate)

Non-Alcoholic Package for Adults: $29 per person per day

This package is for adults and children ages 12 and up.

Non-alcoholic cocktails
Soda, energy drinks, juices
Bottled and flavored water
Premium coffee drinks, hot chocolate, tea
Soft-serve ice cream

Non-Alcoholic Package for Children: $17 per person per day

This package is for children ages 3-11 and includes everything available in the Non-Alcoholic Package for Adults.

Drink packages must be purchased for the duration of your cruise. If 1 person buys a drink package, everyone else in that stateroom also needs to purchase a package .

If you purchase your package onboard, you’ll be charged a 15% service fee on top of the package price. To avoid this fee, purchase your beverage package ahead of time .

Bottom Line: The Premium Plus, Premium, and Easy beverage packages will transfer to Ocean Cay. Guests who purchase these packages will be able to use them on the island.

Accommodations

No matter what type of stateroom you choose on your MSC cruise, you’ll enjoy some standard amenities to make your voyage as comfortable as possible including a Dorelan mattress and pillows, widescreen TV, air conditioning, and a safe.

Here are some of the MSC stateroom highlights (not all stateroom types are available on every ship):

An Interior Studio is perfect for the solo traveler. Each small room has a single bed that can be converted into a sofa during the day.

If you’re traveling with a large group, check out the Family Stateroom options. This category of room consists of 2 or more adjoining staterooms and can sleep up to 10 people.

Hot Tip: Bring the kids because MSC is considered one of the best cruise lines for families .

If you want a stateroom that doesn’t feel like a stateroom, try the Duplex Suite. This 2-level suite features a master bedroom on the second level along with an additional double bed on the first level.

There are 2 bathrooms, 2 walk-in closets, and a large balcony with a private whirlpool tub.

A Two-Bedroom Grand Suite can accommodate up to 5 people. These rooms have 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms plus a large balcony.

For a luxurious experience, try a Suite with Private Whirlpool. These suites come with a queen-size bed and a large balcony with a private whirlpool bath.

For the ultimate in luxury, choose an MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite . These luxurious rooms have a bedroom with a king-size bed, separate living room, bathroom with tub and shower, refrigerator, coffee machine, fully stocked mini-bar, and a large balcony with a whirlpool tub.

Plus this room comes with all MSC Yacht Club benefits.

By choosing your stateroom on an MSC cruise, you’re also choosing your personalized MSC experience. Each experience comes with a set of perks and bonuses.

Bella Experience: Comes with Balcony, Ocean View, Outside with Partial View, Interior, and Interior Studio rooms

Your dining time will be assigned according to availability
Access to the buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Use of ZOE on select ships (voice-enabled virtual cruise assistant)
MSC for Me app

Fantastica Experience: Comes with Suite, Balcony, Ocean View, Interior, and Staterooms for Families

All Bella Experience benefits
Ideally located staterooms with better views
Assigned dining times, but with priority over Bella Experience guests
Free 24-hour room service

Aurea Experience: Comes with Suite, Duplex Suite, Grand Suite, and Suite with Whirlpool and Balcony

All Fantastica Experience benefits
Complimentary Easy Drink Package
My Choice Dining so you can select your dinner times
Spa package that includes 2 50-minute massages per stateroom
Access to private sun deck (adults only)
Priority embarkation
MSC for Me Wristband: a waterproof wristband you can use to make purchases, book services, and unlock your stateroom

MSC Yacht Club Experience: Comes with MSC Yacht Club rooms

Luxury suites located on the top decks
Access to Top Sail Lounge
Private sun deck with pool, whirlpool, solarium, and bar
Private restaurant with a choice of dining times
Priority check-in and check-out
Dedicated concierge and 24-hour a day butler service
Unlimited drinks in MSC Yacht Club areas
Selected complimentary beverages in all onboard restaurants and bars
Access to Thermal Suite
Premium internet package

Hot Tip: Kids ages 11 and under travel free on most MSC cruises .

MSC Voyagers Club is a loyalty club that you can join if you’ve sailed with MSC in the past or if you have an MSC cruise booked.

There are 5 levels of membership that offer perks based on points earned. You’ll earn points each time you cruise, book an onboard service, and make onboard purchases.

Here are just some of the benefits and perks you can earn as an MSC Voyagers Club member (benefits are cumulative):

MSC Voyagers Club membership is valid for 3 years. If it has been more than 3 years since your enrollment date or the day of disembarkation on your last cruise, your membership will expire and you’ll lose all Voyagers Club privileges.

Hot Tip: MSC offers a discount of up to 10% on select sailings to all current and retired U.S. or Canadian military personnel and their families as well as all current and retired government employees including teachers, police officers, and firefighters plus their families.

Martha Stewart Partnership

MSC Cruises has partnered with Martha Stewart to bring passengers special excursions and experiences. Whether you want to send a gift or try a new shore excursion, you can do with Martha Stewart style.

Plus, if you’re sailing on MSC during a holiday, you’ll get to experience a special Martha Stewart 3-course holiday meal. These are available during Easter, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve .

Send a special gift to someone on your MSC cruise that represents Martha Stewart’s values — good food, good company, and commemorating achievements and adventures. These are available on Caribbean sailings leaving from Miami and Tampa.

Includes a personalized letter from Martha Stewart plus a special dessert and recipe card
Includes a personalized letter from Martha Stewart, a special dessert, recipe card, and a bottle of wine
Includes a personalized letter from Martha Stewart, a special dessert, recipe card, a bottle of wine, a free photograph taken by an MSC photographer, a 5×7 picture frame, and a canvas beach bag

Martha Stewart Sensational Celebration on MSC Cruises

On select cruises, you can experience a specialty excursion inspired by Martha Stewart. These activities celebrate each destination’s local flavors and traditions.

Tastes of Belize — Street Food, Artisanal Cheese & Jungle Delights
St. John Hike to Watermelon Cay & Snorkel Trip
Bacalar Lagoon Kayaking & Pineapple Farm
The Perfect Margarita Mixology Session
Swimming Horses of Cayman Experience
Historic Homes Walking Tour & Key Lime Pie
Jamaican Flavors Tasting Tour & Craft Market
Bush Medicine Gardens & Tea Tour
Bahamian Cooking & Cocktail Class
Konoko Falls & Murphy Hill Farm Tour
Flavors of St. Maarten Culinary Course
Exploring Roatan’s Fishing Villages
Savor San Juan’s Culinary Delights

Hot Tip: Not sure where to get the best deal on your cruise? Dive into our guide on the best websites to book cruises at the cheapest prices.

The MSC for Me mobile app is available on select MSC smart ships including MSC Bellisima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, and MSC Splendida.

This mobile app is designed to help your onboard experience be fantastic. With the app, you’ll be able to save time, keep track of your onboard activities, and stay connected with options including:

Mobile check-in
Interactive map of the ship
Displays of onboard events and activities
MSC for Me Wristband
MSC for Me Chat
Family and Friends Locator (available for an extra charge)
ZOE (virtual cruise assistant)

Hot Tip: Are you using the right credit card? Consult our guide to the best credit cards to book cruises to make sure you aren’t leaving any benefits on the table.

MSC Cruises might not be the most well-known brand in the industry, but it is still one of the biggest cruise lines, with plans to expand even more. Keep an eye out for plenty of new MSC ships over the next decade.

MSC will appeal to many different types of cruisers since it has lots of different types of activities onboard. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll appreciate the pool, waterslides, and waterpark.

If you’re a foodie, you’ll enjoy the specialty restaurant options, and if you’re looking for luxury, you’ll adore the MSC Yacht Club Experience!

If you’re a frequent cruiser, you’ll love the MSC Voyager Club perks like cruise discounts and priority boarding.

Whether you’re looking for a laid back getaway to the Caribbean or an exotic voyage to South Africa, you’ll find it on MSC Cruises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is msc a luxury cruise line.

Yes, you can definitely get a luxury experience on an MSC cruise. If luxury is what you’re after, check out the Aurea Experience and MSC Yacht Club Experience. These levels of cruising come with Suites, Duplex Suites, Grand Suites, and Suites with Whirlpool and Balcony plus MSC Yacht Club Rooms. With these 2 levels of experience, you’ll enjoy luxury benefits like complimentary drinks, My Choice dining, spa packages, access to a private sun deck, a private restaurant, and more!

What is the best MSC cruise ship?

MSC Bellissima is often cited as the best ship in the MSC fleet. Debuting in 2019, it’s the newest MSC ship and, like its sister ship MSC Meraviglia, is one of the fleet’s biggest. It features an aquapark, waterslides, the “Himalayan Bridge” sky walk, 4D cinema, and more.

How much is the drink package on MSC Cruises?

MSC Cruises offers multiple drink packages that range in price from $17 per person per day for a kid’s drink package to $79 per person per day for a package that includes all drinks by the glass (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic).

What is included on MSC Cruises?

An MSC Cruise includes the main dining rooms and an extensive buffet. Entertainment, onboard features like pools and waterslides, and kids’ activities are also included. You’ll pay extra for specialty restaurants, alcoholic drinks, specialty non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursions, and some onboard activities.

What is the dress code on an MSC cruise?

Resort casual wear (like shorts and t-shirts) is acceptable on an MSC cruise except for Gala Nights. On these nights, formal wear is required in the restaurants — suits and ties for men and cocktail dresses for women.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About MSC Cruises

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MSC offers limited free or affordable dining choices

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

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

The dining room was my favorite place to eat on board

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

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

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

The buffet was crowded and uninspiring

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

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

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

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

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

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

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

There was no free soft-serve ice cream on MSC

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

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

That is, every family-friendly line except MSC.

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

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

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

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

Our cabin was great — with 1 exception

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related: Which cruise ship cabin should your family book?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related: 5 best cruise lines for families

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

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

That gives the ship major points in my book.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MSC Seashore does not have cruise logistics down yet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And all that was just on embarkation day.

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

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

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

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

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

Bottom line

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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