Cruise Frog guide

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is the cruise line of MSC Group, the privately owned shipping company founded by Gianluigi Aponte. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, it is the world's third-largest cruise company after Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Group, the largest that is privately held, and the market leader in Europe. Its fleet of 23 ships sails on five continents, with its biggest presence in the Mediterranean and a growing one in the Caribbean from Florida and Texas.

Official site

Style

Mainstream

big ships with lots to do and fares for most budgets

Best for

  • Families
  • First-time cruisers
  • Value seekers
  • Multigenerational groups
  • Friends and groups

Fleet rating

No ships rated yet.

About MSC Cruises

The line traces back to 1988, when Aponte bought the Achille Lauro and started StarLauro Cruises; the brand became MSC Cruises in 1995. Growth took off with its first new builds, MSC Lirica in 2003 and MSC Opera in 2004, and the purchase of two nearly new ships from the bankrupt Festival Cruises. The Musica, Fantasia, Seaside, Meraviglia and LNG-powered World classes followed, and in 2021 the group launched Explora Journeys as a separate luxury brand. MSC World Asia is due in December 2026 and MSC World Atlantic in November 2027.

The newer ships are large resorts with indoor promenades, water parks, specialty restaurants and kids' clubs, while the MSC Yacht Club offers a gated suite area with its own restaurant, lounge, pool deck and butler service. Mediterranean itineraries usually let guests board at several ports along the route, and most Caribbean cruises call at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the line's private island in the Bahamas.

What MSC Cruises is known for

MSC is known for modern, large ships at competitive fares, frequent promotions that bundle drinks, Wi-Fi or onboard credit, and the MSC Yacht Club, which reviewers often describe as good value compared with suite enclaves on other big-ship lines. Guests tend to praise the newer ships' looks, family facilities and entertainment, and many mention smooth embarkation and disembarkation. The most common criticisms are crowding in public areas on full sailings, uneven food and slow bar service outside the Yacht Club, and extra charges for Wi-Fi, drinks and shore excursions. The experience also varies noticeably between the older Lirica- and Musica-class ships and the newest World-class ships, so reviewers suggest checking which ship a fare is on.

Who it's for

MSC suits families, first-time cruisers and budget-minded travelers who want a big, modern ship with plenty to do at a moderate price, and European travelers who want a Mediterranean holiday with an embarkation port close to home. The Florida ships work well for short Bahamas trips that include Ocean Cay, and the Yacht Club gives travelers who want more space and service a quieter base on a large ship. Travelers looking for a calm, polished atmosphere, consistently refined dining or small-ship destinations should look at premium or luxury lines instead, including MSC's own Explora Journeys.

Families
kids' clubs, family cabins, things for every age
First-time cruisers
easy to book, short itineraries, nothing intimidating
Value seekers
low fares and frequent deals
Multigenerational groups
something for grandparents and grandchildren alike
Friends and groups
nightlife, group dining, connecting cabins

How it rates

Compare lines

None of MSC Cruises's ships has been rated yet. A line's rating is the average of its ships' scores.

Where MSC Cruises sails

Ships in service

Ships

23 in service
MSC Armonia in Malta, 2015MSC Armonia2001 · 65,542 GT · 2,679 guests · MediterraneanMSC Armonia is a Lirica-class ship of about 65,500 gross tons, one of the oldest and smallest vessels in the MSC fleet. She was completed in 2001 as European Vision for Festival…MSC Bellissima docked near Aqaba, 2019MSC Bellissima2019 · 171,598 GT · 4,500 guests · AsiaMSC Bellissima is the second Meraviglia-class ship, built at Saint-Nazaire and in service since March 2019. She measures 171,598 gross tons and 316 metres, with an indoor…MSC Divina in IstanbulMSC Divina2012 · 139,072 GT · 3,502 guests · South America · MediterraneanMSC Divina is a 139,072-ton Fantasia-class ship that entered service in May 2012, slightly larger than the first two ships of the class. She was laid down as MSC Fantastica and…MSC Euribia at Saint-Nazaire, June 2023MSC Euribia2023 · 184,011 GT · 6,327 guests · Norwegian Fjords · MediterraneanMSC Euribia is the third Meraviglia Plus-class ship and the second LNG-powered ship in the MSC fleet, launched in June 2022 and in service since June 2023. At 184,011 gross tons…MSC Fantasia leaving Castries, Saint Lucia, 2017MSC Fantasia2008 · 137,936 GT · 3,274 guests · Mediterranean · Canary IslandsMSC Fantasia is the lead ship of the Fantasia class and entered service in December 2008 as the largest ship MSC had operated, at 137,936 gross tons. She was the first MSC ship…MSC Grandiosa leaving KielMSC Grandiosa2019 · 181,541 GT · 4,842 guests · Caribbean · BahamasMSC Grandiosa is the first Meraviglia Plus-class ship, a larger version of the Meraviglia design that entered service in November 2019. She measures 181,541 gross tons and 331…MSC Lirica alongside in Casablanca, 2023MSC Lirica2003 · 65,591 GT · 1,984 guests · MediterraneanMSC Lirica was the first ship MSC Cruises ordered new, entering service in 2003 as the lead ship of the Lirica class. She was lengthened in November 2015 under the line's…MSC Magnifica in Sydney during her 2026 world cruiseMSC Magnifica2010 · 95,128 GT · 2,550 guests · World cruises · MediterraneanMSC Magnifica is a 95,128-ton ship that entered service in March 2010 as a slightly modified Musica-class design, with about 2,550 guests at double occupancy. She is the ship MSC…MSC Meraviglia in Grand Harbour, Malta, 2018MSC Meraviglia2017 · 171,598 GT · 4,488 guests · Caribbean · BahamasMSC Meraviglia is the lead ship of the Meraviglia class, built at Saint-Nazaire and in service since June 2017. At 171,598 gross tons she carries about 4,488 guests at double…MSC Musica in Dubrovnik, 2008MSC Musica2006 · 92,409 GT · 2,550 guests · South America · MediterraneanMSC Musica is the lead ship of the four-strong Musica class, a 92,409-ton design built at Saint-Nazaire that entered service in 2006. She has 1,268 cabins for about 2,550 guests…MSC Opera in Argostoli, 2023MSC Opera2004 · 65,591 GT · 2,150 guests · Caribbean · MediterraneanMSC Opera is a Lirica-class ship that entered service in 2004 and was MSC's flagship until MSC Musica arrived in 2006. A jumboisation completed in Palermo in July 2015 added…MSC Orchestra, summer 2010MSC Orchestra2007 · 92,409 GT · 2,550 guests · MediterraneanMSC Orchestra is the second Musica-class ship, delivered in 2007. At 92,409 gross tons she was built for about 2,550 guests in 1,275 cabins; most inside cabins later received…MSC Poesia departing Tallinn, July 2012MSC Poesia2008 · 92,627 GT · 2,550 guests · Caribbean · AlaskaMSC Poesia is a 92,627-ton Musica-class ship that entered service in 2008; Sophia Loren named her at Dover, the first MSC christening held outside Italy. A refit at Palumbo Malta…MSC Preziosa near Hook of Holland, May 2024MSC Preziosa2013 · 139,072 GT · 3,959 guests · Northern EuropeMSC Preziosa is the fourth and last Fantasia-class ship, built at Saint-Nazaire and in service since March 2013. At 139,072 gross tons she is a near twin of MSC Divina, and in…MSC Seascape, 2023MSC Seascape2022 · 170,412 GT · 4,540 guests · CaribbeanMSC Seascape is the second Seaside EVO-class ship, delivered by Fincantieri in November 2022 and named at a ceremony in Manhattan. At 170,412 gross tons she holds about 4,540…MSC Seashore departing Port Canaveral, February 2026MSC Seashore2021 · 170,412 GT · 4,540 guests · BahamasMSC Seashore is the lead ship of the Seaside EVO class, an enlarged version of the Seaside design built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone and delivered in July 2021. She measures…MSC Seaside docked in Miami, February 2026MSC Seaside2017 · 153,516 GT · 4,132 guests · Bahamas · CaribbeanMSC Seaside is the lead ship of the Seaside class, delivered by Fincantieri in Monfalcone in late 2017 as the largest cruise ship that builder had completed. The 153,516-ton ship…MSC Seaview in WarnemündeMSC Seaview2018 · 153,516 GT · 4,132 guests · South America · MediterraneanMSC Seaview is the second Seaside-class ship, delivered by Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard in June 2018. Her 153,516-ton design favors sea views and outdoor space, with a seafront…MSC Sinfonia turning in Tallinn, May 2015MSC Sinfonia2002 · 65,542 GT · 2,087 guests · MediterraneanMSC Sinfonia is a Lirica-class ship completed in 2002 as European Stars, the last ship built for Festival Cruises. After Festival went bankrupt she was laid up in Barcelona…MSC Splendida on the Nieuwe Waterweg near Rotterdam, 2015MSC Splendida2009 · 137,936 GT · 3,900 guests · South America · MediterraneanMSC Splendida is the second Fantasia-class ship. Planned as MSC Serenata, she was renamed during construction, entered service in July 2009 and was named in Barcelona by Sophia…MSC Virtuosa entering Southampton Water, 2021MSC Virtuosa2021 · 181,541 GT · 4,842 guests · South America · Northern EuropeMSC Virtuosa is the second Meraviglia Plus-class ship, delivered in February 2021 and in service from May 2021 after a pandemic delay. She measures 181,541 gross tons and carries…MSC World America at Saint-Nazaire on her delivery day, March 2025MSC World America2025 · 216,638 GT · 6,762 guests · Caribbean · BahamasMSC World America is the second World-class ship, delivered at Saint-Nazaire in March 2025 and named in Miami that April with Drew Barrymore as godmother. The LNG-powered ship…MSC World Europa at Saint-Nazaire, June 2022MSC World Europa2022 · 215,863 GT · 6,762 guests · Caribbean · MediterraneanMSC World Europa is the first of MSC's World-class ships and, at 215,863 gross tons, among the largest cruise ships in service. Built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique and powered by…

Coming soon

Every new ship
Debuts Dec 2026MSC World Asia2026 · 216,638 GT · MediterraneanMSC World Asia is an upcoming World-class ship, the third of the series, completing at Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire after sea trials in July and September 2026. MSC…Debuts Nov 2027MSC World Atlantic2027 · Caribbean · BahamasMSC World Atlantic is an upcoming World-class ship, the fourth of the series, under construction at Chantiers de l'Atlantique, where she was floated out in September 2026. MSC…

Where to fly in

All ports

Quick answers

What is MSC Cruises known for?

MSC is known for modern, large ships at competitive fares, frequent promotions that bundle drinks, Wi-Fi or onboard credit, and the MSC Yacht Club, which reviewers often describe as good value compared with suite enclaves on other big-ship lines. Guests tend to praise the newer ships' looks, family facilities and entertainment, and many mention smooth embarkation and disembarkation. The most common criticisms are crowding in public areas on full sailings, uneven food and slow bar service outside the Yacht Club, and extra charges for Wi-Fi, drinks and shore excursions. The experience also varies noticeably between the older Lirica- and Musica-class ships and the newest World-class ships, so reviewers suggest checking which ship a fare is on.

Who is MSC Cruises best for?

MSC suits families, first-time cruisers and budget-minded travelers who want a big, modern ship with plenty to do at a moderate price, and European travelers who want a Mediterranean holiday with an embarkation port close to home. The Florida ships work well for short Bahamas trips that include Ocean Cay, and the Yacht Club gives travelers who want more space and service a quieter base on a large ship. Travelers looking for a calm, polished atmosphere, consistently refined dining or small-ship destinations should look at premium or luxury lines instead, including MSC's own Explora Journeys.

Where does MSC Cruises sail?

MSC Cruises's ships in service sail Mediterranean (15 ships), Caribbean (9 ships), Bahamas (5 ships), South America (5 ships), Northern Europe (3 ships), Alaska (1 ship), Norwegian Fjords (1 ship), Panama Canal (1 ship), Canary Islands (1 ship), Asia (1 ship) and World cruises (1 ship).

Does MSC Cruises have new ships coming?

Yes: MSC Cruises has 2 new ships on the way: MSC World Asia (debuts December 4, 2026) and MSC World Atlantic (debuts November 2027).

How many ships does MSC Cruises have?

MSC Cruises has 23 ships in service on Cruise Frog: MSC Armonia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Divina, MSC Euribia, MSC Fantasia, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Lirica and MSC Magnifica, and 15 more.

Who owns MSC Cruises?

MSC Cruises is part of MSC Group.

Where is MSC Cruises based?

MSC Cruises is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It has operated since 1988.

What is MSC Cruises's loyalty program called?

MSC Cruises's past-guest loyalty program is MSC Voyagers Club.

What is the largest MSC Cruises ship?

MSC World America is MSC Cruises's largest ship at 216,638 gross tons, carrying 6,762 guests.

Cruising with children

MSC divides children’s activities into several age groups, making the youngest child’s needs an important part of choosing the ship. Infant arrangements need their own check.

Read the MSC Cruises family guide →

News about MSC Cruises and its ships

All cruise news
  1. 8 new cruise ships coming by the end of 2027, from Disney's Encanto ship to an 8,794-square-foot suite

    Lounge Frog

  2. Cruise loyalty programs compared: which lines give you a free cruise, and which just changed the rules

    Lounge Frog

  3. MSC World Asia shows: a Queen tribute with a 36-piece orchestra, a flamenco tragedy and 33 musicians a day

    Lounge Frog