MSC Cruises
Cruise category: Megaships over 4,000 passengers; Large Ships up to 4,000 passengers
Capacity: 2065 to 5632 passengers
Ships: 19
Customers: Middle-aged and younger couples, Families with children of all ages
DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND:
MSC Cruises is a fast-growing cruise line which entered the cruise business in 1988 when the Mediterranean Shipping Company bought two ships and began serving passengers in the Mediterranean. Since then, MSC expanded by providing cruises throughout the Caribbean, the Americas, northern Europe, the Persian Gulf, southern Africa, and East Asia on a fleet of 19 mostly large and new vessels. Owned by an Italian and Swiss company, MSC offers cruises with a distinctive Italian flair and caters to a diverse clientele of passengers including families with children of all ages, middle aged and younger couples, and fun seekers.
Over the last few years, MSC has added three ships to its Miami and Port Canaveral based fleet which now offers more than 300 itineraries in the region. It competes aggressively for U.S. customers on price, entertainment, and other activities with vessels such as the 5632 capacity MSC Seashore introduced in 2021. However, MSC is targeting more than mass market customers. Since 2008, it has installed a VIP section called the Yacht Club on some ships which has large rooms and suites, butler and private concierge service, and exclusive areas for dining, lounging, swimming, and relaxing. MSC is working to provide a grander and more cosmopolitan experience to mega ship passengers than Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise lines while offering enough amenities to bring premium customers along for the ride. Published reviews suggest that MSC generates strong opinions among some passengers who either love everything about its brassy style and presentation or prefer some of the more traditional large ship lines instead.
Notable Features of MSC Ships:
MSC is evolving and changing so there is not one standard layout for its vessels but there are some general characteristics worth noting. First, the décor is always modern, bright, sparkling, and sometimes art deco in design. There are no soft earth tones or the light Scandinavian woods that some of the premium cruise lines seem to be incorporating into their new vessels. The glittering crystal staircases throughout the ship where people pose for glamour shots emphasize the underlying style. Second, there is a relaxed feeling around MSC vessels. People dress casual rather than country club casual during the day. However, there are galas and formal nights on most cruises and people will wear cocktail dresses and suits for these occasions. Third, families of all ages travel on MSC side by side with couples, so the overall demographic is younger than many other cruise lines. Finally, this is an international cruise line, so you will have to get used to announcements being made in several languages, more smoking areas, and line jumping from time to time. However, most people feel that the experience of having fun with a diverse group of people on vacation adds to the overall experience of a MSC cruise whether traveling in the U.S. or elsewhere.
STATEROOMS:
The standard interior, Oceanview, and veranda staterooms on MSC are somewhat on the small side. They range from 139 square feet to 236 square feet in size. In particular, the bathrooms and showers are perceived as tight and uncomfortable by many people. There are some larger family and super family staterooms that come with bunkbeds along with several dozen 139 square foot interior studio units available on some ships for solo travelers.
Yacht Club rooms and suites which generally include a king or twin beds, a comfortable seating area with a sofa, chairs and a desk, a larger bathroom, and balcony space are larger. In addition to 24-hour butler and concierge service, Yacht Club rooms come with access to the Top Sail lounge, where guests can enjoy complimentary drinks, appetizers, and desserts all day long, and sometimes live music, as well as the Yacht Club sun deck which feature cabanas, whirlpool, unlimited drinks, and a shaded pool. Yacht Club residents can also dine at a dedicated gourmet restaurant for all daily meals. Unfortunately, the price for a basic Yacht Club room with all the accompanying benefits generally runs about three times the amount of a standard veranda room.
DINING:
MSC’s cuisine and food service initially met with a mixed reception. Some passengers were put off by the reduced selections at the buffet, small portions and the Mediterranean focused cuisine which is central to the cruise line’s origins. As one would expect, there is more focus on pasta, pizza, and bread selections in European fare and less on beef dishes. Other passengers reported that waiters and food personnel were less conversational and helpful with making selections than they were used to. The older ships had traditional large dining rooms with assigned seating but few specialty restaurants.
The newer MSC ships have all improved their food offerings and service. In addition to two to four dining rooms and the large Marketplace Buffet, most ships have at least eight other dining venues serving international cuisine. Specialty restaurants include the Butcher’s Cut, American steakhouse, the Ocean Cay seafood restaurant, the Kaito Teppanyaki Restaurant and revolving sushi bar, and the newest addition, the HOLA! Tacos and Cantina. Other cafes and bars such as the Jean Phillippe Choclat & Café, the Brass Anchor Pub, a coffee shop, and a Champagne and Wine Bar offer special fare.
To provide an affordable cruise fare, MSC charges extra for some food and drink venues. There are numerous beverage and drink packages, specialty restaurant packages, and “experiences” which offer additional amenities and benefits to passengers for a supplemental charge. This a la carte pricing can be beneficial for guests who know exactly what they want out of their cruise but may lead to confusion and disappointment for new cruisers trying to figure out what is included and excluded during their cruise.
SHIPS ACTIVITIES:
MSC believes in keeping its passengers active and entertained. MSC has greatly increased the amount of public space on ships devoted to relaxation and entertainment. Some of the most exciting activities are the following:
Pools – Most MSC ships have at least three outdoor pools and nine whirlpools. The newest vessels feature six pools including a wake-view infinity pool at the rear of the ship. Some ships have a pool with an indoor solarium area.
Indoor Promenade – The newest MSC vessels have a two story, indoor promenade at the heart of the ship which extends for more than 300 feet and is covered by a LED dome. This area features shops, restaurants, and plenty of room for strolling or watching the LED light show above.
Polar Aquapark – A water park at sea is in the rear of the ship with four twisting slides, a Himalayan rope course, and wading pools for all ages to enjoy.
Spa and Fitness – MSC describes its Aurea Spa as a “temple of tranquility featuring over 20 exotic beauty treatments for the mind, body, and soul.” It is complimented by a panoramic gym using Italian Technogym cycles and exercise equipment.
Casino – The full-service casino includes slot machines and table games for lucky patrons to enjoy.
Broadway Theater – The 985 seat theater hosts variety shows, musical and dance acts, and entertainment geared to a multinational audience. MSC recently introduced two acrobatic shows along with two new productions: “Coast to Coast”, an American musical and “La Belle Epoque”, a variety show with French influences.
Sports Venues – The sports venues on the ship include a full-size bowling alley and a sports plex field designed for basketball, soccer, and volleyball play.
VR Game Room and Racecar Simulators – This pavilion on MSC’s newest ships not only has two Formula 1 racecar simulators, but it also has virtual reality devices.
Youth Clubs – There are several different venues for young people ranging from a junior’s club with Lego activities to a teen club with various types of video games and a nightclub, to a Doremi Technology lab lounge.
Bands and Musical Entertainment – Clubs and lounges throughout the ship such as the TV Studio and Bar present live music bands, karaoke, and comedy club acts for a lively time or piano music for more relaxing evening.
Movie Theater – Some MSC ships have an outdoor movie theater that shows full length features during the evening.
ITINERARIES AND EXCURSIONS:
MSC’s origins were in the Mediterranean and the cruise line retains extensive itineraries there. Its cruises reach 15 ports in Italy and visit more than 60 destinations in the Mediterranean. MSC has other cruises which visit norther Europe ports in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and the Baltic nations. The Caribbean, the Bahamas and Mexico have also emerged as leading destinations as MSC visits 33 locations there including its own private island stop at the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
MSC was one of the first companies to present cruises visiting the Arabian Peninsula. It has many cruises originating in the United Arab Emirates and offers itineraries which stop in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, several private islands, Muscat and Khasab in Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Similarly, MSC has “wintered” ships in South Africa and run short cruises around that exciting country, Namibia, and Mozambique. Another popular area for MSC is Brazil which has embraced the Latin flair of the cruise line on voyages along the east coast there. Travels to Asia are few at this point but with such a large fleet of ships it is likely that MSC ships will be sailing those waters frequently in coming years.
Excursions off the ship are extensive and reasonably affordable. There are multiple selections available at most destinations and there is a focus on outdoor activities. MSC describes its approach to destination planning as follows: “We offer an incredible range of shore excursions for every taste. Whether you prefer adventure, nature, culture, or history, we have designed something for you and the whole family. From our breathtaking Scenic Routes to our Active & Adventure tours and the discovery of Natural Wonders to Sea & Sun’s relax, our Something Special experiences and out Accessible Tours, you can enjoy the treasures of each destination just as you like. We have also established the MSC Family Explorer Club, Excursions Explorer Package and MSC Bike Adventures…. on selected MSC itineraries.”
Editor’s Personal Observations
We cruised on MSC in 2019 during a trip to Dubai and Southeast Asia. Dubai is one of the most expensive cities in the world for a premier hotel room, so I was intrigued about the possibility of visiting some new destinations on the Arabian Peninsula while exploring Dubai and Abu Dhabi for three days in port on the ship. The vessel was the recently renovated MSC Splendida which carries 3082 passengers. We stayed in the Yacht Club section of the ship which at that time included a veranda room, a private lounge serving breakfast, beverages and snacks, and personal concierge and butler service only.
Our overall experience on the ship was decent but not exceptional for the following reasons. First, the excursions were excellent. The tours of Dubai hit all the highlights of that fascinating city including a private lunch at the Burj Al Arab seven-star hotel, the Dubai Mall, a Dhow ride on Dubai Creek, and a trip to the attractions of the man-made Palm Island among other things. The excursions in Oman were fascinating as we visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Mutrah Souq bazaar, the Portuguese fort, and a remote beach near Khasab. The day trip by boat to the beach and wildlife areas on Sir Yas Bani Island did not, however, compare with the private islands used by most cruise lines including MSC in the Caribbean.
Second, it was relaxing to have a quiet area on a large ship in the Yacht Club lounge to have coffee, read, talk with other guests, and enjoy the cruise. Third, our concierge from Morocco was excellent. She was quite helpful introducing us to the facilities on the ship and working with us on our excursions and post-cruise plans to stay on in Dubai. Fourth, the food on the ship in the main dining room was not particularly memorable in terms of selection or quality although we enjoyed our breakfasts in the Yacht Club lounge. Finally, although the Splendida at that time had fewer entertainment options and attractions than MSC’s newer ships, the pool, sports, and spa services we used were enjoyable.
MSC is certainly a company that is going places and it will be interesting to see where it ends up. At some point, however, they are going to have to focus on clarifying the product and experience they are offering to passengers, particularly if they want to develop a brand reputation among American customers. The price MSC charges for a basic room and daily meals is quite reasonable. Judged by that standard they are offering more activities and a better-quality experience than some other mass market cruise lines. However, the numerous packages and experiences they are offering customers which result in supplemental charges is distracting. Many customers will be frustrated when they figure out, they don’t get to visit any of the specialty restaurants, must pay extra for every soda and ice cream cone, and can’t use certain facilities. It also makes little sense to charge rates that can be three times as much for a luxury stay in the Yacht Club unless the quality of service and the ship’s facilities are readily available and meet a high standard. In that sense, it is important to see that MSC is currently building four smaller Explora class ships which it intends to use for a higher-class cruise offering combining the Yacht Club concept with other amenities.
Average Daily Price Per Person excluding airfare for Basic Veranda Stateroom and all Meals:
Over $500 ___ $350 to $500 ____ $200 to $350 ___ Under $200 _X__
SERVICES PROVIDED WITHOUT ADDITIONAL CHARGE FOR CRUISE ONLY FARE
Coffee, tea, water, and juices in the dining rooms.
Entertainment Activities
Youth Center activities
EDITOR’S OVERALL REPORT OF CRUISE LINE QUALITY AND VALUE- 3.9
4.5 to 5.0 is Outstanding / 4.0 to 4.5 is Very Good / 3.5 to 4.0 is Acceptable / 2.5 to 3.5 is Fair / Less than 2.5 is Poor
This profile is based on information published by the cruise line or gathered from other published sources. Additional information listed in the profile as the Editor’s Personal Observations and Overall Report reflects the personal experience and opinion of the Editor which may or may not be applicable to other guests traveling on the ship.