MSC Cruises
Also called: MSC
Parent company: MSC Group
PremiumSee how MSC Cruises describes itself vs how we list it
What to say on a call
Best for
- 1MSC Yacht Club: a private ship-within-a-ship with 24/7 butler, its own restaurant, lounge and pool deck - widely considered the best value luxury enclave at sea
- 2Large modern fleet with some of the newest ships in the industry (World Class ships)
- 3Strong value pricing versus other mainstream lines, especially in the Mediterranean and Caribbean
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise line4 nights or less: 75 days prior to departure. 5-14 nights: 90 days prior to departure. 15+ nights: 110 days prior to departure. World Cruise: 120 days prior to departure. MSC Grand Hamptons Villa: 90 days prior to departure.
Deposit
Per cruise lineStandard cruises (excl. Yacht Club, MSC Grand Hamptons Villa and World Cruise): 4 nights or less $99pp; 5-14 nights $199pp; 15+ nights $300pp. Yacht Club: same amounts but non-refundable. MSC Grand Hamptons Villa: non-refundable 15% of the cruise package price at booking. World Cruise: non-refundable 15% within 7 days of booking confirmation. Airfare paid in full at time of booking.
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise lineStandard sailings (not Asia/Far East, not Yacht Club, not MSC Grand Hamptons Villa, not World Cruise): 4 nights or less - deposit non-refundable 74-51 days, 50% 50-31 days, 75% 30-16 days, 100% 15-0 days. 5-14 nights - deposit non-refundable 89-61 days, 50% 60-46 days, 75% 45-16 days, 100% 15-0 days. 15+ nights - deposit non-refundable 109-61 days, then as 5-14 nights. Each penalty is the percentage or the deposit, whichever is greater.
Standard sailings (not Asia/Far East, not Yacht Club, not MSC Grand Hamptons Villa, not World Cruise): 4 nights or less - deposit non-refundable 74-51 days, 50% 50-31 days, 75% 30-16 days, 100% 15-0 days. 5-14 nights - deposit non-refundable 89-61 days, 50% 60-46 days, 75% 45-16 days, 100% 15-0 days. 15+ nights - deposit non-refundable 109-61 days, then as 5-14 nights. Each penalty is the percentage or the deposit, whichever is greater. MSC Yacht Club: deposit non-refundable from booking; 50% from 50 days (4 nights or less) or 60 days (5+ nights); 75% from 30/45 days; 100% from 15 days. MSC Grand Hamptons Villa: 15% from 90 days or more, 50% at 89-60 days, 75% at 59-30 days, 100% at 29-0 days (each 15% penalty or the deposit, whichever is greater). Asia/Far East sailings and the World Cruise have their own scales. No-shows are charged 100%.
Onboard extras & packages
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Gratuities (standard rooms)
- $17 pp/day on Caribbean, Alaska & USA cruises booked from May 11, 2026 ($16 if booked before). Far East: $18 pp/day. Mediterranean/Europe/Dubai/World Cruise: EUR 12 per night (18+) and EUR 10 (ages 2-17) for bookings after July 2, 2026.Per cruise line
- Gratuities (suites)
- $23 pp/day Yacht Club on Caribbean, Alaska & USA cruises booked from May 11, 2026 ($20 if booked before). Far East: $21 pp/day. Mediterranean/Europe/Dubai/World Cruise: EUR 16 per night (18+) and EUR 13 (ages 2-17) for bookings after July 2, 2026.Per cruise line
- Drink package
- Premium Extra Package (Easy/Easy Plus no longer sold); price not published (MyMSC only)
- Premium drink package
- Premium Extra Package; price not published (MyMSC only)
- Soda package
- Minors Package (required for minors when an adult buys a package); price not published (MyMSC only)
- Non-alcoholic package
- Alcohol-Free Package; price not published (MyMSC only)
- Wi-Fi (basic)
- Browse package (full cruise); price not published (MyMSC only)
- Wi-Fi (premium)
- Browse & Stream package (full cruise); price not published (MyMSC only)
- Specialty dining package
- Dining packages of up to four specialty restaurants (plus Welcome Aboard package); price not published (MyMSC only)
- Specialty dining (avg per meal)
- Fixed-price specialty restaurant menus (set price per restaurant); price not published
- Fitness classes
- $10-$20Unofficial tip
- Spa / thermal pass
- Thermal Area access pass; price not published (MyMSC only)
- Air program
- Fly & Cruise: air can be booked with MSCPer cruise line
- Other fees & perks
- Greek ports: government cruise passenger fee of EUR 1-20 pp per port (by season and port), added to the onboard accountPer cruise line
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Guests submit the Accessibility and Medical Requests Form no later than 30 days before sailing (60 days for service dogs; earlier for World Cruise). Accessible cabins are limited and first come, first served, so guests should tell MSC as early as possible. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- Guests who need a wheelchair full time must bring their own; MSC does not name a rental vendor. Devices must fit the cabin door (23 inches on Divina and Armonia, 27 on Lirica, Sinfonia and Opera, 25 on other ships), wet batteries are not allowed, and crew cannot carry wheelchairs or scooters onto tenders. Per cruise line
- Blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing
- For blind or low-vision guests there are braille cabin and elevator signs and large-print daily programs and menus on request, but no 24/7 guide service. For deaf or hard-of-hearing guests MSC offers a cabin kit (light and vibrating alerts, text phone), a sound amplifier at Guest Services, and a sign language interpreter if requested 30 days ahead. Per cruise line
- Service animals
- Service dogs are welcome in public areas (not pools or spa) on a leash; the guest is fully responsible for their care, and a mulch relief area is provided. Requests are due 60 days before sailing (6 months for World Cruise) with pet passport or certificates, microchip, vet health certificate, and a written list of the tasks the dog is trained to do; dogs must be at least 6 months old. Per cruise line
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- Guests arrange their own oxygen (concentrators, or cylinders up to E/M-24 size with one in the cabin at a time) and must declare it 30 days before sailing. MSC does not provide hemodialysis but stable guests can self-manage peritoneal dialysis, CPAP users get free distilled water and extension cords, and guests cannot sail if more than 23 weeks and 6 days pregnant at any point in the cruise (doctor's note due 30 days before). Per cruise line
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Upgrade & suite ladder
entryAurea
Per cruise linemidAurea Suites
Per cruise lineluxuryYacht Club
Per cruise lineLoyalty program
MSC Voyagers ClubPer cruise line
- 1Welcome Membership — 0 points (free to join)
- 2Classic Membership — 1-2,199 points
- 3Silver Membership — 2,200-4,299 points
- 4Gold Membership — 4,300-9,999 points
- 5Diamond Membership — 10,000-24,999 points
- 6Blue Diamond Membership — 25,000+ points
Guests may say
“Voyagers Club”, “MSC rewards”, “my MSC points”
MSC Status Match: MSC matches loyalty status from another cruise line, hotel, or tour operator (not just sister brand Explora). Free, one request per guest, 18+, upload proof showing name, program, and tier. Apply online or through a travel agent in MSC Book; the MSC contact center cannot submit it. Source: msccruisesusa.com/msc-voyagers-club/status-match (checked Sep 24, 2026).
Military & veterans
MSC offers a military rate (5% off Interior and Ocean View, 10% off Balcony, Suite and Yacht Club YC1/YIN suites only) to active and retired U.S. and Canadian military, including National Guard, Army Reserve and Department of Defense personnel, plus family (spouses, parents, in-laws, dependent children) sailing with them. Guests ask for the military discount when booking; it can be combined with the lowest promotional rate, but not with the MSC Voyagers Club discount.
Military member must sail with the family. Includes redeployment protection (100% future cruise credit with commanding officer letter). Veterans who are not retired are not named.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
MSC sells transfers from airports to the port and back, including private options, plus a bus service from major cities to the embarkation port; they are included in the fare when the guest buys an MSC Flight or Train package. Transfers are booked through transferandcruise.com, the MSC Contact Center or a travel agent at any time, with changes allowed up to 48 hours before departure (a cancellation fee applies after that).
Which ports: Varies by port; see page (mentions a Genoa Airport lounge, no full list).
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Cruise family
MSC Group
Loyalty between brands: MSC Voyagers Club members can request a matching Explora Club tier (Classic/Silver → Silver, Gold → Gold, Diamond/Black Diamond → Platinum). MSC also runs its own Status Match that accepts status from ANY cruise line, hotel, or tour operator (one request per guest, 18+, proof required).
See the whole family →Good to know
Private island: Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
Per cruise lineMSC's Caribbean itineraries call at its own private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Yacht Club includes the Premium Extra drinks package
Per cruise lineYacht Club fares include the Premium Extra package (drinks up to $16) at bars, restaurants and Ocean Cay, with a cap of 15 alcoholic drinks per guest per day.
Drink packages: whole cabin must buy, 15-drink daily cap
Per cruise lineIf one adult buys a drink package, every guest in the cabin must buy one, and minors need the Minors Package. Premium Extra is capped at 15 alcoholic drinks per day.
Drink packages are bought for the whole cruise
Per cruise lineDrink packages are sold for the whole cruise, not by the day: the per-day price is charged for every day of the cruise except disembarkation day, and once activated onboard a package can't be cancelled or refunded.
Bella fares: MSC picks the cabin
Per cruise lineOn the cheapest Bella experience, MSC assigns the cabin within 4 days of sailing. It may have an obstructed view, and triples or quads can be split into two cabins.
Thermal area is 18+; teens can book some spa treatments
Per cruise lineThe MSC Aurea Spa thermal area is for guests 18 and over. Teens 13-17 may book selected treatments (e.g. Swedish massage, body scrubs, facials, nails) with parental consent and a parent present; children 12 and under, hair and nail services only.
Drink packages not sold on South Africa sailings
Per cruise linePre-paid drink packages are sold on every MSC ship except those sailing in South Africa.
Agent insight
Best-value upgrade: Aurea. Yacht Club is often the best luxury value at sea if the budget allows.
— Cruise Professional
Fleet
- Ships
- 23 ships sailing (25 including MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic, not yet in service)Per cruise line
Sources differ
MSC's About page says both '23 modern ships' and '25 modern ships'. The ships page lists 23 in service plus MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic, which debut later.Ships page About page - Newest ship
- MSC World America (in service); MSC World Asia debuting winter 2026Per cruise line
- Ship classes
- World Class, Meraviglia Class, Seaside Class, Seaside EVO Class, Fantasia Class, Musica Class, Lirica Class
Coming soon
All new ships- MSC World AsiaDecember 2026 · Mediterranean Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
- MSC World AtlanticWinter 2027 · Port Canaveral, FL (Caribbean) Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
Where they sail
Learn these regions
Last full review: 28 Sep 2026·Last updated: 26 Oct 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.