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MSC Status Match Program – How to match your loyalty status from other cruise lines (with Forms & Match Chart)

MSC Cruises loyalty program status match

So many people don’t realize that some cruise lines actually match loyalty rewards from other cruise lines and in MSC Cruises’ case, they even have an MSC Cruises status match from hotel programs! By being a loyalty member or frequent flyer on some airlines, you can increase your loyalty level on the MSC Voyagers Club program and receive discounts on future bookings.

How does MSC Status Match Work?

MSC Cruises makes it easy to status match with any qualified program. Just go to their status match form on their website and submit your information with a screenshot of your matching loyalty program. Some cruisers say they’ve received status matching within hours, with our status match on MSC (From NCL Platinum), it took MSC two months to confirm our GOLD status.

What loyalty programs does MSC match with?

There are a surprising number of loyalty programs that MSC Cruises recognizes loyalty with. By far, this is the most generous matching program in the cruise industry. Here are the programs (cruises & hotels) that MSC recognizes to match with their Voyagers Club reward program:

Cruise Lines:

  • Azamara Cruises
  • Carnival Cruises
  • Costa Cruises
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Cunard Cruises
  • Princess Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Holland America
  • P&O Cruises
  • Seabourn Cruise Line
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Ponant Yacht Cruises
  • Aida Cruises
  • Crystal Cruise
  • Oceania Cruises
  • Star Cruises

Hotels & Booking Companies:

  • Club Med ITA
  • Club Med FRA
  • Club Med DEU
  • Ritz Carlton
  • Hyatt Hotels
  • Accor Hotels
  • Melia Hotels
  • Best Western
  • Club Carlson
  • Othon Hotels
  • International Hotel Group
  • Centara Hotel Resort
  • Steigenberger Hotel Group
  • RIU Hotels and Resorts
  • Wyndham Hotels
  • MGM Resorts
  • China Eastern
  • China Southern
  • Jin Jiang Hotels
  • Club Med US & CAN
  • Mohegan Sun

MSC Voyagers Club Status Match Forms

Msc has a unique status match application form for each country.

If you’re status or loyalty matching from outside of the USA, be sure to use the status match application form for your country.

How to apply for the MSC Voyagers Club status match program :

USA form to complete for MSC loyalty match / status match

Canadian Status Match Program for MSC

MSC Cruises UK status match form

Netherlands (Dutch) MSC Status Match form

Belgium Status Match MSC Voyagers Club

Italy MSC Voyagers Club Status Match form

Spain MSC Voyagers Club Status Match

MSC Status Match Program - How to match your loyalty status from other cruise lines (with Forms & Match Chart) 1

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Voyagers Club Levels & Benefits

MSC Cruises Status Match

The benefits of the MSC Voyagers Club loyalty program are relatively limited compared to other cruise lines, however, the discount alone makes it worth being a member of the program or status matching to get the discounts.

The real benefits of each level:

Voyagers club classic:.

5% discount on all bookings up to an additional 5% off for bookings made 9 months or more out. A welcome cocktail (which we’ve never received, for what it’s worth) Shop discount of $10 for every $50 spent.

Voyagers Club Silver:

All of the above + $50 onboard credit per person Double points for bookings more than 12 months out Additional $50 onboard credit for cruises booked 12 months out

Voyagers Club Gold:

All of the above + One hour of thermal area access per cruise A “Gift” (no clue what this is, will give details from our upcoming cruise) Priority disembarkation for tender ports Free Photo Free Birthday Cake

MSC Voyagers Club Diamond:

All of the above + Priority boarding/embarkation Complimentary specialty dining/restaurant tasting menu (excluding drinks) Bathrobe + Slippers Dancing class (wth?! but ok) Diamond Party Late checkout and disembarkation Chocolates

** We’ll be testing our newly minted Diamond status on MSC with our next cruise and will let you know how it really ends up.

MSC Status Match Chart With Match Levels (Updated October 2023)

MSC Status Match Program - How to match your loyalty status from other cruise lines (with Forms & Match Chart) 2

This is an example of MSC loyalty status match programs and how they’ve been reported by fellow travelers.

It’s worth noting: MSC Cruises does sometimes change the program by adding or removing matching hotels and airlines. Additionally, we’ve heard reports that some cruisers will submit the same status level in the same program (i.e. Carnival) and the MSC rep will match to a different level. For example, speaking with a Carnival passenger with a Carnival Diamond level status, they were matched to GOLD on MSC Cruises, however, a different passenger with the same Diamond status on Carnival was Matched to SILVER on MSC. There seems to be no official chart on the MSC Website at this time.

Do you have an experience status matching that is different or more recent than above?

Let us know and we’ll update this chart! Submit a comment below!

How the MSC status match works, and what to expect

The process to match is simple once you locate the correct form to submit (above). A simple screenshot of the program you are matching with is all it took. However, there was no correspondence after submitting the request, so it felt like the request went into a black hole. I didn’t think much of it until a couple of months later, I received the notification (below) of the approval and status match to Gold (from Norwegian Platinum).

Many passengers report that they get their status match email within a few days if not the same day as the submission. This wasn’t my experience, nor was it the experience of one of my travel companions who did a status match from Hilton Gold to MSC Gold. The same couple of months passed to get the confirmation.

So don’t expect any real communication from the moment you submit your form.

Getting notified of your approved loyalty / status match

It took longer than most passengers have reported to get our status match. Perhaps it’s because our situation is a bit more complicated being an American ex-pat in Europe with an MSC account that has been used in different locations (this is just speculation). But this is what you should receive when you get your match approved:

Dear Phil, Thank you for your status match request. On behalf of MSC, I can and am pleased to welcome you to the MSC Voyagers Club. At MSC Cruises we have a passion for the sea and discovery. The MSC Voyagers Club is our way of rewarding those who share our passion. It’s an exclusive world full of privileges, discounts, offers and extras to spoil you the way only MSC Cruises can. In short, the MSC Voyagers CLub rewards your passion for travel. We are pleased to confirm that you are a Gold member of the MSC Voyagers Club and can immediately enjoy all the benefits with the following club number xxxxxxxx. When you make a booking on our website, I recommend that you always enter your club number. In this way, any discounts are calculated immediately. If this does not work or if you have already made a booking, please provide us or your travel agent with your booking number and we will be happy to include your club number in your booking. We trust that we have informed you sufficiently and would like to welcome you on board one of our ships. Yours sincerely, Jan P Personal Vacation Consultant MSC Cruises BV

There is so much to know about MSC Cruises and we’ve put together information about everything you need to know about MSC and what to expect from an MSC Cruise .

More Helpful MSC Cruises Information

Aurea Thermal Suites & Spa on MSC Meraviglia

Aurea Thermal Suites & Spa on MSC Meraviglia

Learn more about the Aurea Thermal Suite & MSC Meraviglia Spa. Discover the beautiful therapy rooms & hydrotherapy pools. Read This

MSC Cruises Drink Packages & Prices (UPDATED)

MSC Cruises Drink Packages & Prices (UPDATED)

 On a recent MSC Cruise, I booked an aft balcony with a special rate that included the “Easy Package”. I really had no idea... Read This

Phil Crane

Cruise Gear Editor

I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

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We would like request for the status match application for Taiwan.

We have China airline gold card, can you please advise if this can be process the status match.

Thanks a lots.

Hello Yi – I do not think there is a status match form for Taiwan or China 🙁

BUT! If you call MSC, they will still do a status match internally or send you a form that is not country specific.

Is there a status match form for Belgium? Thank you

Bonjour Maurits – The Belgian status match can be found here: https://www.msccruises.be/fr/ma-reservation/msc-voyagers-club/status-match . Enjoy your cruise!

If you status match to MSC Gold, how many points do you need to get to Diamond? Do they just credit you the minimum 4300 points required for Gold, so that you would need 5700 more for Diamond? Thanks!

Good question! So what MSC originally did for me is just advanced me to 4300 point level (Gold). My assumption was if you were lower than 4300 points, regardless of where you were on the scale, they just set the counter to 4300 (Gold). (When I applied I had 3200 points). But! I just logged in and it looks like some how I have 4300 ADDED to the balance and now I am closer to Diamond than I thought (10,000 points is Diamond). But remember, this is MSC Cruises we’re talking about. The rules change, the way they apply credits and points on EVERYTHING seems to change regularly. So from my experience just recently, it looks that they’ve ADDED 4300 points in addition to my previously earned points, but don’t expect that. Expect that you’ll be put at the 4300 point level and have to earn up to Diamond.

Is there a status match form for Canada? Thank you

Here is a link for the Canadian MSC status match program !

Thanks for asking, we’ve added it to the list in the article as well.

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MSC Voyagers Club | MSC Cruises

BECOME A MEMBER

Register for free in the MSC Voyagers Club

to enter a world of privileges

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MSC Voyagers Club

Being an MSC Voyagers Club member means entering a world of privileges that will continue to grow the more you cruise with us. This is our way of saying thank you to loyal guests who share our passion for discovery and keep joining us, year after year. Register and you will receive exclusive privileges, including a 5% discount on your cruise fare.

If you have sailed with us since 2006 or have a confirmed booking, apply now. It's free

MSC Voyagers Club |MSC Cruises

Have you traveled or booked with MSC?

There are five membership levels to progress through: Welcome , Classic , Silver , Gold and Diamond . Each time you cruise with us, you will earn points and as your points grow, so do your privileges and status. Don’t forget to provide your membership number at the time of booking to ensure you receive your benefits! MSC Voyagers Club membership is subject to a minimum of one cruise every three years. If no cruise has been completed in three years after the enrollment date or your last disembarkation date, your membership will expire. Should your membership expire, you must subscribe again: you will be assigned the Classic status and a new Club identification number. Log in  to your personal area to check out your points and membership expiry date.

MSC Voyagers Club T&Cs

MSC Voyagers Club FAQ

HOW TO COLLECT POINTS

Each time you cruise with us, you will earn points to upgrade your membership level. You can collect points based on the type of MSC Experience purchased, onboard services prepaid before the cruise and onboard expenses. Points are credited at the end of the cruise, approximately ten days after the disembarkation date. Take a look at more details below. 

MSC Experience purchased

Onboard services prepaid before the cruise : you earn 100 points every 150 €/$ on expenses made before the cruise on MSC packages and services included in the cruise booked*.  Onboard expenses: you earn 100 points for every 150 €/$ spent on board, excluding casino expenses. Points for onboard expenses (including pre-boarding purchased shipboard credit) will only be assigned to the MSC Voyagers Club cardholder making the final payment.

*For currencies other than € euro, the currency conversion on purchase day will apply.

Starting from July 28, 2017, members also have the opportunity to collect bonus points.  Members with an upcoming confirmed booking with MSC will receive 100 bonus points if they update or confirm their contact details (email, phone, address) up to 72 hours before sailing. Members can update or confirm the contact details in the MSC Voyagers Club online personal area or through the Web Check-in .  100 bonus points also apply to non-members with an upcoming confirmed booking with MSC who join the MSC Voyagers up to 72 hours before sailing.

msc voyagers club how to collect points

BOOK AN MSC WORLD CRUISE AND EARN TRIPLE POINTS!

For such a unique voyage, we will credit triple membership points for the type of Experience chosen at the time of booking, allowing MSC Voyagers Club members to enjoy all the added privileges right away! Also, your Voyagers Club membership expiry date will be automatically extended by three years when booking your MSC World Cruise. 

This exclusive privilege is valid only for Classic , Silver , Gold and Diamond  members who purchase an entire MSC World Cruise. Discover MSC World Cruise !

msc voyagers club world cruise

Voyagers Exclusives

Book in advance and get the best from your MSC Voyagers Club membership: on all cruise departures*, at MSC Cruises we offer exclusive discounts for members only. -- Book 12+ months before departure and receive a 5% + 5% Discount + Double Points .** (Silver, Gold and Diamond members will also receive a €/ $50 Onboard Credit per person ) -- Book 9 to12 months before departure and receive a 5% + 5% Discount . (Silver, Gold and Diamond members will also receive a €/$50 Onboard Credit per person ) -- Book 6 to 9 months before departure and receive a 5% + 5% Discount . -- Book less than 6 months before departure and receive a 5% Discount.

For more info visit our dedicated page . *World Cruises excluded **Points will be assigned at the end of the cruise

Voyagers Exclusives | MSC Voyagers Club

STATUS MATCH PROGRAM Are you a loyalty member of Hotels, Cruise lines or Tour Operators?

Join msc cruises' loyalty program for free via the status match program and sail with all the privileges you're used to, thank you for visiting msc cruises.

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MSC Cruises ships from newest to oldest — a complete list

Gene Sloan

What's the newest MSC Cruises ship? It can be hard to keep track, as MSC Cruises has been rolling out new cruise ships in quick succession over the past few years. However, it's a good thing to know if you're in the market for an MSC Cruises voyage.

The newest MSC Cruises ship is typically also the MSC Cruises ship with the most bells and whistles and the most up-to-date cabins, restaurants, bars and attractions. It's what you want if you want the very latest and greatest in a vessel for your MSC Cruises vacation.

Right now, the newest MSC Cruises ship is MSC Euribia . It just debuted in June. Although it's barely a couple of months old, it'll soon be supplanted as the newest MSC Cruises vessel by another new MSC Cruises ship, MSC World America , which is scheduled to begin sailing in April 2025.

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

Other relatively new MSC Cruises ships include MSC World Europa, MSC Seascape , MSC Seashore and MSC Virtuoso. All began sailing in just the last three years.

In all, MSC Cruises operates 22 cruise vessels — up from 17 in 2020. On average, the line comes out without about one new ship a year, though its rollout of ships has been rapid the past few years. MSC Cruises typically keeps vessels in its fleet for around 20 to 25 years before retiring them from the fleet. The oldest MSC Cruises ship, MSC Armonia, is 22 years old.

In general, the newest MSC Cruises ships are far bigger and much more amenity-packed than its older ships. If you crave a lot of activities in an MSC Cruises cruise vacation, you'll want to stick to vessels built in the last decade or so.

Related: The 6 types of MSC Cruises ships, explained

The oldest MSC Cruises ships — those built in the early 2000s — are less than a third the size of the line's newest vessels and have far fewer venues on board.

The newest MSC Cruises ships are particularly known for being bustling, activity-packed ships.

Here, every MSC Cruise ship currently in operation is ranked from newest to oldest:

1. MSC Euribia

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2023 Size: 184,011 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,810

2. MSC World Europa

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2022 Size: 215,863 gross tons Passenger capacity : 5,200

3. MSC Seascape

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2022 Size: 170,400 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,540

4. MSC Seashore

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2021 Size: 170,412 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,540

5. MSC Virtuosa

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2021 Size: 181,541 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,842

6. MSC Grandiosa

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2019 Size: 181,541 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,842

7. MSC Bellissima

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2019 Size: 171,598 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,488

8. MSC Seaview

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2018 Size: 153,516 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,132

9. MSC Seaside

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2017 Size: 153,516 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,132

10. MSC Meraviglia

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2017 Size: 171,598 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,488

11. MSC Preziosa

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2013 Size: 139,400 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,502

12. MSC Divina

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2012 Size: 139,400 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,502

13. MSC Magnifica

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2010 Size: 95,128 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,518

14. MSC Splendida

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2009 Size: 137,936 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,274

15. MSC Fantasia

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2008 Size: 137,936 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,274

16. MSC Poesia

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2008 Size: 92,627 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,550

17. MSC Orchestra

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Maiden voyage: 2007 Size: 92,409 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,550

18. MSC Musica

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2006 Size: 92,409 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,550

19. MSC Opera

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2004 Size: 65,591 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,150

20. MSC Lirica

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2003 Size: 65,591 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,984

21. MSC Sinfonia

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2002 Size: 65,542 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,984

22. MSC Armonia

msc voyage search

Maiden voyage: 2001 Size: 65,542 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,199

What is the newest MSC Cruises ship?

The newest MSC Cruises ship is MSC Euribia. As noted above, it just debuted in June, and it's currently sailing in Europe.

Measuring 184,011 gross tons, MSC Euribia is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world — only 10 cruise vessels are bigger. However, it's not the biggest MSC Cruises ship. That's the almost-as-new MSC World Europa, which debuted in December 2022. At 215,863 gross tons, MSC World Europa is the sixth-largest cruise ship in the world.

What is the oldest MSC Cruises ship?

The oldest MSC Cruises ship is MSC Armonia. Unveiled in 2001, it's not just the oldest MSC Cruises ship but one of the smallest MSC Cruises ships, too — far smaller than the newest MSC Cruises vessels. Measuring just 65,542 gross tons, it's just a third the size of the largest MSC Cruises ship (MSC World Europa) and has far fewer venues.

MSC Armonia and three other similar sisters in the MSC Cruises fleet (known as the Lirica class of ships) don't have the big water parks that are common on newer MSC Cruises ships. For the most part, their top decks are lined with pools, whirlpools and sunning areas, as is typical for ships built in the early 2000s.

MSC Armonia and its sister vessels (MSC Sinfonia, MSC Lirica and MSC Opera) also have fewer restaurants, bars and lounges than newer MSC Cruises ships.

What new MSC Cruises ships are coming?

MSC Cruises currently has three new cruise ships on order — all sister vessels to the line's new MSC World Europa. The first to arrive will be MSC World America in 2025, which is scheduled to be deployed in Florida . Two more of the so-called World-class vessels are scheduled for completion in 2026 and 2027.

The World-class vessels are being built at the giant Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

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

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

What is the newest MSC Cruises ship available for booking?

MSC World America is the newest MSC Cruises ship that you can book right now. While the ship isn't yet sailing, its initial sailings scheduled for April 2025 already are on sale, as are future sailings through October 2025. The two other MSC Cruises ships on order for delivery in 2026 and 2027 have yet to open for bookings.

What is the newest class of MSC Cruises ships?

The World class is the newest class of MSC Cruises ships. It'll be made up of at least four vessels, only the first of which (MSC World Europa) is already sailing.

At 215,863 gross tons, MSC World Europa is the biggest MSC Cruises ship ever built and the sixth biggest cruise ship in the world from any line. The next three ships in the series will be of a similar size.

Unveiled in the final days of 2022 (so close to year's end that we considered it a new vessel for 2023 when we listed the year's most exciting new ships ), MSC World Europa can hold up to 6,762 passengers — almost as many as can fit on Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis-class vessels — the world's largest cruise ships.

What's the difference between newer and older MSC Cruises ships?

Newer MSC Cruises ships are generally bigger than older MSC Cruises ships — sometimes much bigger. As a result, they have room for a lot more onboard venues and attractions than the line's older vessels.

The new MSC World Europa, for instance, has a whopping six pools and 14 hot tubs, making it one of the most pool-covered ships at sea. The watery offerings also include an aquapark with multiple waterslides that integrate virtual reality technology. There is also a family sun deck.

In addition, MSC World Europa has a stunning array of 13 dining venues, including the new-for-the-line Chef's Garden Kitchen (an outlet focused on microgreens) and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with alfresco seating. In a twist, the ship has three separate buffet restaurants, each with its own ambience. You'll also find lots of venues for entertainment and pampering on the ship, including a large casino and an equally large spa.

In short, the new MSC World Europa is like a giant floating version of the megaresorts you find in the Orlando area or Las Vegas, and it appeals to people who like a megaresort experience.

Related: The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises

The oldest ships in the MSC Cruises are less than a third the size of the newest MSC Cruises ships and lack many of the above features. They have a much more intimate feel, at least in the pantheon of relatively big, mass-market ships, and they hold far fewer people. While World-class ships are being built to hold nearly 7,000 passengers with every berth full, the line's four oldest vessels (known as the Lirica class) are only designed to carry about 2,000 passengers at maximum occupancy.

That makes them a good choice for someone who wants to try MSC Cruises but isn't eager to travel with huge crowds. The oldest ships in the MSC Cruises fleet thus appeal to a subset of MSC Cruises fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.

Related: Don't miss out on these MSC Cruises loyalty perks

In addition, because of their size, the oldest ships at MSC Cruises are able to operate itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of MSC World Europa.

Note that all MSC Cruises ships are renovated and upgraded on a regular schedule every few years, so even the oldest MSC Cruises vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates. In many cases, they also have had entire eateries and bars renovated over the years with concepts that first debuted on newer vessels.

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MSC Cruises

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Msc world asia, msc world america, msc euribia, msc world europa, msc seascape, msc virtuosa, msc seashore, msc grandiosa, msc bellissima, msc seaview, msc meraviglia, msc seaside, msc preziosa, msc magnifica, review of msc cruises.

MSC Cruises Ltd (MSC Crociere, msccruises.com/en-gl) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Miami Florida USA (since 2024). the company is a fully-owned subsidiary of MSC Group/Mediterranean Shipping Company (1960-established, Geneva Switzerland-headquartered) currently ranked as the world's second-largest containership company (after Maersk).

MSC Crociere is the world's largest privately owned cruise company. 2020-Q4 statistics ranked MSC the world's 3rd-largest cruise shipowner (by combined fleet's passenger capacity ~13%), preceded by Carnival Corporation (39%) and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group (24%).

The company's current management team is led by Pierfrancesco Vago (Executive Chairman), Gianni Onorato (CEO), and Emilio La Scala (President and Managing Director).

Ruben Rodriguez is MSC Cruises USA's current President. Effective April 30, 2025, he will retire from the post and will be succeeded by Lynn Torrent (MSC Cruises USA's current Executive VP & CCO/Chief Commercial Officer) effective May 1st/2025.

In 2021, MSC launched its travel brand EXPLORA JOURNEYS , with a separate fleet of smaller-sized luxury ships. EXPLORA JOURNEYS' main competitor in the European market is Viking OCEAN .

Between its official launch (2003) and July 2019, MSC served 20+ million passengers. MSC is also the world's fastest-growing cruise company, with a USD 20,5 billion investment plan (2017-2027) for building 17 new vessels and increasing its fleet to 29 vessels.

The parent company (MSC Group) was founded and owned by its current Chairman Gianluigi Aponte (1940-born). Since 2014, the company's President and CEO is his son - Diego Aponte, while his daughter (Alexa Aponte Vago) is the CFO. MSC entered the ship cruising market in 1988. MSC also owns Going2Italy (1982-founded Italian tour operator).

MSC's main competitor in the Mediterranean is Costa Cruises .

Company History

Founded by Achille Lauro as "Lauro Lines" (aka Flotta Lauro), MSC entered the cruise shipping business in the 1960s. Initially, MSC operated two ships - Achille Lauro (IMO 5390008, launched as "Willem Ruys") and Angelina Lauro (IMO 5264077, launched as "Oranje"). Angelina Lauro (1939-1979) burnt in St Thomas USVI in 1979. Achille Lauro (1947-1994) sank off Somalia'scoast due to onboard fire.

MSC Cruises logo - CruiseMapper

In 1985, Achille Lauro was hijacked by Palestinian Liberation Front members, and the accident resulted in decreased passenger numbers. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) purchased Flotta Lauro in 1989, and renamed it "StarLauro Cruises". Achille Lauro caught fire and sank in 1994. In 1995, the company changed its name to "MSC Cruises". Fleet's oldest liner - the 1982-built MSC Melody - was sold in November 2013 and scrapped in September 2018 (as MS Qing).

In 2014, MSC announced that its four Lirica-class boats are scheduled for refits and extensive drydock refurbishments under the company's "Renaissance Program" (budgeted USD 273 million). By this project, all four vessels (Armonia, Lirica, Opera, Sinfonia) were stretched/elongated by 25 m (80 ft).

Ship-reconstruction works were done at Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo Sicily , between 2014 (August 31) and 2015 (November 17).

MSC cruise ship stretching (Armonia, Lirica, Opera, Sinfonia)

Since 2021, all MSC cruise ship refurbishment projects have been conducted at Palumbo Malta Shipyard (co-owned by MSC / 50% stake). Palumbo Group's other shipyards are in France (Marseille) and Italy (Ancona, Naples, Savona).

Most of MSC's fleet operates in Europe (Mediterranean and Baltic). The company's other strong markets are the USA (Caribbean), Canada New England, East Asia, South America, South Africa. Because of the international passenger base, all shipboard announcements are generally read in Italian, Spanish, French, German and English. Onboard mealtimes are fixed, with assigned seatmates. Optional dining includes Lido buffet restaurant, sushi, and Italian eateries.

Globally, MSC owns and operates several cruise terminals - in the USA (Terminals AA/AAA, PortMiami Florida ), Italy (Palacrociere Terminals in Genoa and Civitavecchia-Rome ), Spain (Helix Cruise Center in Barcelona , and South Africa ( Durban Cruise Terminal ).

MSC liners offer standout evening show entertainment - from classical concerts and jazz to contemporary dance music and circus-type acrobatics. Voyages are typically priced at value-oriented levels, but the liners offer an unprecedented range of modern vacation travel amenities and services that cost extra, such as fees for port shuttle buses, a la carte restaurant menus, etc.

Company changes 2024

In January was announced that in November 2025 MSC starts year-round homeporting operations from Galveston TX (ship Seascape, 7-night roundtrips departing on Sundays). Also in January, MSC started homeporting in NYC New York (ship Meraviglia).

In mid-January, MSC Group moved its operational headquarters to Downtown Miami (Block 55 at Sawyer's Walk/Overtown). The new facility (130,000-ft2/12080-m2 sized office space) now houses the company's three divisions - MSC Cargo (container ships/logistics), MSC Cruises (passenger liners) and Explora Journeys (expedition ships).

In February as fleet's COO/Chief Operating Officer was appointed Elia Congiu (with MSC since 2013, previously Chief HR Officer/Human Resources).

In late-February was introduced the "Open Booking" program, allowing passengers on a current cruise to reserve a future cruise without committing to a specific vessel/itinerary/date. The initiative complements MSC's existing "Future Cruise" (onboard booking) program introduced in 2023. The new "Open Booking" option requires a reduced deposit payment (USD100/EUR100/GBP100 per person) while on board. The customer receives a certificate that allows up to 12 months period to choose the next MSC voyage. If the ship and departure date are selected within 60 days (of making the onboard open booking), the customer receives up to USD200/EUR200/GBP200 in OBC (onboard credit per stateroom). With a booking made within a year is received up to $100 in OBC. MSC's open booking is also transferable (can be gifted to a family/friend) before choosing the ship/departure date.

In February, on two ships (Virtuosa and Euribia) MSC banned smoking and vaping in the Casino (turning the gaming lounge into a smoke-free venue) while on two other ships (Seascape and Seashore) were added a separate smoking-allowed Casino Lounge.

In April was appointed Neil Palomba (with MSC since 1996) as MSC Cruises USA's Executive VP of Operations, managing MSC's USA-based fleet plus Ocean Cay Bahamas. As MSC Cruises USA's VP of Food and Beverage Operations was appointed Josef Jungwirth (previously employed by Sandals Resort International and RCI/Royal Caribbean International.

In May was expanded fleetwide the shipboard family program. The new activities and services include Extended Baby Care Services (for infants 6 months to 2 yo/in collaboration with Chicco), Doremiland Open House and Family Party (held once-per-cruise), new Family Game Shows (MasterChef at Sea Juniors, Break the Wall, MSC Dance Crew, plus two new - World Quest/geography-based trivia game, and Caravaggio/art-themed spy game), extended Teenagers Club Hours (12-17 yo/open between 10 AM-1 PM, and 3 PM-midnight on sea days, and 3 PM-midnight on port days), Guinness World Record Activities (families can participate in quiz shows and win prizes) and MSC Foundation Day (in collaboration with the MSC Foundation/marine conservation initiatives/1-hour sessions allow kids to learn about environmental topics).

Company changes 2023

In May MSC Foundation signed a partnership with NatureMetrics (provider of biodiversity monitoring data) for collecting data for marine species during voyages. By MSC's "eBioAtlas" project, the collected samples (from the seawater) are sent to NatureMetrics where they are analyzed using eDNA.

In June MSC signed a long-term agreement with Gasum Oy (1994-founded Finnish state-owned energy company) for the fleet's LNG bunkering operations in the Baltic. The deal was signed by Linden Coppell (MSC's VP of Sustainability & ESG/Environmental, Social and Governance) and Mika Wiljanen (Gasum's CEO).

MSC Explora Journeys (a total investment of ~EUR 3,5 billion) officially starts commercial operations in July 2023, with Explora I 's Maiden Voyage (July 17th).

In October was signed an agreement with Shell Western LNG BV (part of Shell plc/the world's second-largest oil and gas company/after ExxonMobil) to provide LNG for the ship Euribia. The deal was signed by Pierfrancesco Vago and Tahir Faruqui (Shell LNG's General Manager). Euribia's first LNG bunkering was in Port Rotterdam.

Since November 15th, the shipboard children's and teen's clubs (fleetwide/facilities for kids ages 12 to 17) operate with extended opening hours and longer live entertainment (8 hours daily). The company's expanded youth programming also includes more and new organized/supervised activities (sports, aquapark entertainment, kids-themed dinners, a different game show for teens every night/followed by a disco).

For 2023, MSC reported serving ~4,1 million cruisers (on 22 ships maintained by 46006 crew from 137 nationalities), 7669 operating days, 26,845167 million ALBDs (Available Lower Berth Days). Throughout 2023, MSC operated 385 itineraries (visiting destinations in 102 different countries) and offered 2150 different shore excursions.

Company changes 2022

In mid-March, MSC Group announced a partnership with Travelife Ltd for EXPLORA JOURNEYS' shore excursion program. "Travelife for Tour Operators" allows tour companies and travel agents access to the company's online management system (16x sustainability modules) with excursion checklists, planning tools, travel- and tourism industries' best sustainability practices examples.

In late-March, MSC became the Official Cruise Partner of "Formula 1".

In August, the entire MSC fleet received "ISO 21070:2017" certification (issued by the International Organization for Standardization) for marine environment protection. The certification specifies the onboard procedures regarding waste management practices (collection, separation, treatment, storage).

For winter 2022-2023 season (December thru April) MSC introduced fly-cruise packages from Brazil to the Caribbean. Via partnerships with Brazilian airlines, MSC provided Brazilian tourists with the opportunity to enjoy affordable 6-hour chartered flights from Sao Paulo (Guarulhos Airport) to Fort-de-France Martinique (Aime Cesaire Airport). In Martinique, they board the ship ( MSC Seaside ) for 7-day roundtrip Caribbean voyages and then fly back to Brazil. MSC's Brazil-to-Caribbean fly cruises are also inclusive of bus transfers (airport-cruise port-airport). The offer was available again for winter season 2023-2024 and again on MSC Seaside.

Company changes 2021

In June 2021 MSC officially launched its luxury brand " Explora Journeys ".

For summer 2021 season (July-October) MSC chartered flights (26000+ seats) to offer fly-cruise packages via partnerships with Europe's largest airlines including Iberia (Spain), Alitalia (Italy), Air France, Eurowings (Germany) and Neos (Italy). This way MSC guaranteed accessible airports and convenient flight times for accessing the homeports (embarkation ports) of 6x ships deployed in the Western Mediterranean (Grandiosa, Seaside), Eastern Mediterranean (Splendida, Orchestra, Magnifica), and the Baltic (Seaview). The package deals were also inclusive of airport-ship bus transfers and COVID health insurance (EUR 25 pp, by Europ Assistance).

On October 6, 2021, MSC opened bookings for Magnifica's Northern European winter 2021-2022 season - the company's first-ever winter season with deployment in the Baltic Sea. Starting on November 14th, the program offered 7-night roundtrips from all call ports in the itinerary (Hamburg, Ijmuiden-Amsterdam, Zeebrugge-Bruges, Le Havre-Paris, Southampton-London) and up to 12-hour port stays.

Company changes 2020

On July 30, 2020, MSC Cruises Ltd and Palumbo Group formed a 50-50 joint venture company to operate Palumbo Malta Shipyard (in Citta Cospicua). The Palumbo shipyard has 4x drydocks and will be used for refurbishments and general maintenance works on MSC ships (passenger and cargo) as well as on other cruise and ferry companies' vessels. The facilities will be updated, including with technologies to handle LNG-powered ships. The deal was signed by Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC Cruises' Executive Chairman) and Antonio Palumbo (Palumbo Group's founder and Chairman).

In late-November 2020, MSC signed a long-term agreement with ABP Southampton for preferential docking rights. The deal starts in summer 2021 with the homeporting of MSC Magnifica at Southampton's newest/5th passenger terminal. By this agreement, every year MSC has to homeport at least one ship in Southampton.

Company changes 2019

In May 2019, MSC became the industry's first mainstream cruise shipping company with a permanent office in Canada (Mississauga, Ontario). MSC Cruises Canada's new office is served by 15 employees (full-time staff) led by Ian Patterson (Country Manager). With the Canadian office, MSC also launched two new websites - MSCCruises.ca (for consumers) and MSCbook.com/ca (for travel agents). Both websites debuted in English and were later upgraded with French language versions. MSC Cruises Canada has a bilingual call center and provides bilingual materials (brochures, flyers) for potential clients and travel agencies.

In early-December 2019, MSC signed with Japanet a 5-year sponsorship deal for V-Varen Nagasaki - Japanese professional football club owned by Japanet (TV shopping channel). As of 2020, the company also partners with the professional football clubs Chelsea FC ( London England ), Paris Saint-Germain FC ( Paris France ) and SSC Napoli ( Naples Italy ).

Company changes 2018

Since September 2018, MSC has an exclusive partnership with "Mohegan Sun" - Uncasville (Connecticut USA)-based casino/gambling complex operated by Mohegan Tribe and located on reservation land along Thames River. By this deal are matched MSC's loyalty program (Voyager's Club) with Mohegan Sun's Momentum program. Momentum members receive exclusive cruise perks (including booking discounts, priority embarkation-disembarkation, onboard amenities). MSC's shipboard casino program offers customers the chance to play on over 1300 different slot machines fleetwide, plus various table games. Onboard casino rewards also include specialty dining, spa treatments, booking discounts. Mohegan Sun loyalty program members receive the corresponding MSC status based on their current casino card levels.

In mid-October 2018, MSC planned to eliminate single-use plastics fleetwide by March 2019. The list of such items includes bags, cups, cutlery, toothpicks, aprons, stir pins, drink mixers, coffee lids. By the end of 2018, they will be replaced with 100% compostable and biodegradable substitutes made of renewable resources (corn-based polylactic acid, paper, bamboo, other organic materials. In addition, shipboard drinks are no longer served with straws.

In late-November 2018, MSC signed an exclusive partnership with Chelsea Football Club to become its official global cruise partner (January 2019 thru June 2024). The deal includes LED advertising at Stamford Bridge (football stadium in Fulham/west London). By the agreement, Chelsea FC representatives attended MSC Bellissima 's naming ceremony (March 2019) and on the new ship was also displayed Chelsea FC memorabilia.

In 2015, MSC ordered 4 newbuilds from STX France and Fincantieri Italy , with an option for 3 more units. The first two vessels were delivered in 2017 - Meraviglia (May) and Seaside (November).

MSC Seaside-class cruise ship

On February 1, 2016, MSC announced it would build two "Meraviglia Plus"-class units, with max capacity 6300 passengers. The newbuilds ( Grandiosa /2019, Virtuosa /2021, Euribia /2023) have 200 additional cabins and are 16 m (50 ft) longer compared to Meraviglia-class (2444 staterooms). The last unit's/Euribia's construction started on June 28, 2021.

The first Meraviglia-Plus vessel was delivered in November 2019 (Grandiosa), the second - in February 2021 (Virtuosa). Meraviglia-Plus features include the first-at-sea Fine Art Museum with original artworks, an additional space allowing bigger indoor Promenade (length 111 m / 36 ft), two additional restaurants, and a larger outdoor LED screen (95x6 m / 280x20 ft). MSC signed an exclusive partnership with both Samsung (providing the technology) and Cirque du Soleil (live show programming).

In November 2017, MSC ordered 2 more (Seaside-EVO class) units from Fincantieri (contract value EUR 1,8 billion). They are bigger (16 m longer, 17330 GT-tons larger, capacity 467 more passengers) in comparison to Seaview-Seaside. Their deliveries were scheduled for 2021 May ( Seashore ) and 2022 November ( Seascape ).

MSC Cruises Seaside-EVO class ship

In early-August 2018, MSC signed an agreement for EUR 1,5 billion (USD 1,74B) for financing both Seaside-EVO liners. The financing was via a partnership with a syndicate of lender banks (Unicredit, BNP Paribas, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti). Fully backing the credit line was the Italian export credit agency SACE SIMEST. With the addition of Seaside EVO, MSC had an unprecedented total investment of EUR 10,5 billion into 12 new vessels with scheduled deliveries by 2026.

On November 30, 2017 (during Seaside's launch) the company Marlink (world's largest independent satellite Internet provider) provided over 0,5 gigabit per second throughput on its Sealink VSAT network. Seaside's record-breaking Internet speed was enabled on Intelsat's new EpicNG satellites. Marlink is MSC fleet's provider of satellite Internet via optimized "cloud of bandwidth". As of 2017, Marlink had as part of its Sealink network 25 satellites and 32 overlapping beams.

On June 14, 2018, MSC signed with STX France shipbuilding order for the 5th Meraviglia-Class unit (delivery in 2023, dual-fuel LNG -powered engines ). With this order, MSC had 13 newbuilds under construction or on order (2017-2026), of which 5x LNG-powered. The announcement was made at St-Nazaire yard. The ceremony was attended by Bruno Le Maire French Minister of Economy and Finance) and Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC's Executive Chairman). The event celebrated 3 major milestones - Virtuosa's steel-cutting, Grandiosa's keel-laying and Bellissima's float-out. For the first time in the shipyard's history, 3 vessels of a single shipowner were simultaneously under construction.

On October 18, 2018, MSC signed with Fincantieri an MoA agreement for 4x EXPLORA class ultra-luxury expedition ships. The contract's total value was EUR 2+ billion. Compared to the company's "liner fleet", the EXPLORA units are smaller (GT 64,000 tons, 500 staterooms). The first boat enters service in 2023, and the remaining 3 will be launched one per year (2024-2025-2026). The signing ceremony was attended by Pierfrancesco Vago and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO).

A curious fact is that Sophia Loren (1934-born Italian film actress) is MSC's traditional Godmother, naming each newbuild since 2003 ( MSC Lirica ).

(NEW) MSC Silenseas ships by STX France

On January 20, 2020, MSC and Chantiers de l'Atlantique (STX France) signed an MoU for the development of a sail-based (wind-powered) prototype of a cruise liner. The new class will be based on the Silenseas concept (introduced by STX France in 2018) that represents hybrid propulsion combining sails with dual-fuel marine engines.

new sailing cruise ship design (STX France Silenseas)

MSC's new cruise vessel will be able to sail with min wind speed 15 knots (28 kph) and wind angle 50+ degrees. The currently considered design features GT tonnage 23,000, LOA length 210 m (689 ft), passenger capacity 300 (150 staterooms).

The sailing ship can reach speeds of 12 knots (14 mph / 22 kph) under sail in 15 knots (17 mph / 28 kph) winds. In winds over 15 knots, the vessel's propellers will be used, acting as a turbine that draws power from the sails. On Caribbean Sea routes, the new technology could reduce propulsion energy by 60%.

STX France's sail-ship design was developed for 3 vessel sizes, the biggest being 15,000 GT tons vessel with LOA length 190 m (620 ft) and 150 passenger staterooms. The French shipbuilding company started research in sail propulsion in 2009, Silenseas has technology patents (2009 and 2017) for the new sail. The unit is made from fiberglass, carbon and epoxy-resin panels. Similar is the concept of Peace Boat's new vessel Ecoship (built by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard in Helsinki, Finland ).

STX France's new wind-power technology was trialed on the Ponant -owned superyacht Le Ponant , on which one of the existing sails was replaced and the new technology tested.

Shipboard safety

In October 2017, MSC Cruises installed on Meraviglia a modern "Man Overboard Detection System". The company also announced its plans to install such systems fleetwide.

This is an intelligent video capturing, image processing and analysis system that was tested and tuned on the cruise ship for over 25,000 hours, resulting in confirmed accuracy level of 97%. The real-time video data (provided by the ship's HD CCTVs) is monitored and analyzed in a central security center by 2 independent image processing systems, which significantly lowers false alerts.

When the alarm activates (in a man overboard case), light and acoustic signals notify the ship's security officer who can immediately review the recorded video and notify the Navigation Bridge crew to start a rescue operation.

MSC WORLD-Class liners

On April 6, 2017, during the Meraviglia ship's delivery ceremony at STX France shipyard (Saint-Nazaire) , MSC signed a new ship construction MoU ("memorandum of understanding") with STX France for a new series of 4 vessels (WORLD Class) at a total cost EUR 4.5 billion. The ship's order was signed on May 31, 2017.

MSC Cruises World-Class ship

WORLD Class MSC vessels are with a max capacity of 6761 passengers. The number of staterooms is 2632 ( passenger capacity 5264 lower berths). The building cost (per unit) is EUR 1,125 billion, the shipbuilder is STX France.

Each unit has Gross Tonnage/volume 215,863 (GT tons), LOA length 333 m (1093 ft), waterline beam/width 41 m/135 ft (max width 54 m/177 ft), height 75 m (245 ft), draft 9,2 m (31 ft).

Among these liners' key features are latest generation LNG-powered marine engines , new wastewater treatment plants, ultra-modern marine architecture with a Y-shaped superstructure (better panoramic views, significantly increased number of balcony staterooms), G-bow hull (vertically positioned / at a 90-degree angle, improving the vessel's stability and hydrodynamics/fuel efficiency), family-themed "villages", panoramic aft pool, glass-covered pool deck.

MSC Cruises World-Class ship

The first ships from the WORLD series were inaugurated in 2022 Dec ( MSC World Europa ) and 2025 April ( MSC World America ). The two optional vessels were ordered in November 2023 and scheduled for deliveries in 2026 May ( MSC World Asia ) and 2027 February (MSC World tbn). There is also an option for a 5th unit from this class.

In January 2016, MSC signed a partnership with Samsung for the latest technology equipment upgrade fleetwide. Among the provided by Samsung equipment are top-line flat HDTVs (for passenger cabins), LED screens and digital signage boards (in public areas), specialized medical equipment (for onboard hospitals), augmented reality mirrors, printing solutions.

In April 2018, the company introduced its new "Family Explorer Club" excursions program with expected over 250,000 children on cruises in 2018. The new tour program is designed to involve kids and their parents on custom-made shore excursions. The first boat offering this program was Divina. The new interactive land tour experiences are themed on the destination's history and each tour features a local historical character symbolic to that destination/city. Teams are equipped with digital explorer maps, detailed instructions for the mission, and kids receive stickers for every accomplished task. On these family-only tours, kids are booked half-price. Excursions usually start later in the morning and have a max duration of 4 hours.

MSC private islands (Sir Bani Yas, Ocean Cay)

In December 2015, MSC unveiled plans to develop an "unprecedented exclusive marine reserve island experience in the Bahamas". The USD 200-million project was launched in Nassau , where The Bahamas' Prime Minister and MSC's Executive Chairman signed a 100-year lease agreement, enabling MSC Cruises to occupy and develop the island - officially named Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve .

MSC Cruises Ocean Cay Island port

Ocean Cay was a 2-year long, USD 200 million project. The island is sized 95 acres / 38 hectares (0,38 km2 / 0,15 mi2) and is the world's only private marine reserve. It has a 3470 m (11400 ft) long beachfront across 6 beaches, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is the biggest Caribbean private island development done by a cruise company. An interesting fact is that when the MSC ship is berthed in Ocean Cay, all its onboard facilities and services (including the casino) stay open and operational. Ocean Cay Island is surrounded by 64 mi2 (166 km2) of protected waters with coral reefs and ~90 different fish species.

In June 2016, MSC officially announced the exclusive "beach oasis" for MSC cruiseship tourists on roundtrips from UAE ( Abu Dhabi and Dubai ) starting winter 2016-2017. The 2,5 km (1,5 mi) stretch of land on Sir Bani Yas Island features shaded cabanas, hundreds of palm trees and 2000+ sunbeds across 36,000 m2 (387,500 ft2) of sand beaches. Other facilities and amenities available on the island include food and drink bars, MSC Aurea Spa (wellness complex, massages), sports facilities (beach volleyball, tennis), family-kids playground area (with pergola / outdoor garden for parrents), Bedouin tent (selling hand-made local arts and crafts), lounge space (live music, full-service bar), exclusive beaches (with VIP areas and cabanas).

Sir Bani Yas island

The MSC island development is on a smaller isle connected to the main island by wooden boardwalk allowing exclusive access to MSC passengers. MSC worked closely with ecologists and the Abu Dhabi Port Authorities for over 2 years to develop the island and support the ongoing preservation work. The isle is one of the region's largest wildlife reserves due to decades of conservation works and ecological investments to maintain its biodiversity. The "Arabian Wildlife Park" on the main island is home to over 13,000 endangered and indigenous animals, as well as millions of plants and trees.

The first cruise to Sir Bani Yas Island departed on December 3, 2016 (visiting the island on December 5th). Prices started from USD 720 per person (7-night itinerary on MSC Fantasia ). In July 2016, Costa Cruises announced that Sir Bani Yas Island will be added as a 1-day stopover (port of call) during season 2016-2017 on Costa neoRiviera . In 2017-2018, neoRiviera was replaced in Dubai by Costa Mediterranea . Costa passengers have access to a private (Costa exclusive) beach with VIP areas with cabanas.

Among the island's shore excursion options are jeep safaris in the wildlife park, sea kayaking, diving and snorkeling tours.

MSC Cruises Asia

In mid-January 2018, MSC announced a new partnership with China's largest online payment platform "Alipay". The deal offers mobile payments fleetwide - on all MSC vessels deployed in Asia. It allows customers to pay for onboard purchases. In November 2017, the Alipay option was introduced on MSC Lirica. Next ship with Alipay technology was MSC Splendida - homeported in Shanghai China since May 2018.

Since May 2017, all Costa Asia -managed cruise vessels (of all Carnival Corporation brands) allow use Alipay payment services onboard. The partnership between Carnival Corporation and Ant Financial Services Group (a subsidiary of Alibaba, China's biggest online trading company) enables Chinese cruise passengers on all Carnival Corp ships in Asia to pay for onboard services and products using their Alipay (mobile payment platform) accounts. Among these onboard services and products are shopping, tours/excursions, food, and drinks. These expenditures are added to the passenger's cabin folio, then cleared via his/her Alipay account on a nightly basis.

(NEW) MSC kids programming

In November 2019, on Grandiosa (fleet's flagship) MSC introduces a new kids' entertainment program featuring hundreds of hours (per week) of themed activities. For children and teens is allocated up to 700 m2 (7535 ft2) of shipboard space with separate rooms for different age groups. The activities include virtual gaming (consoles and arcade machines), large aqua parks with slides, treasure hunts, trivia games, themed parties, supervised playgrounds (indoor and outdoor).

Starting with Grandiosa, MSC now offers 3 new activities for children (MSC Dance Crew, The Drone Academy, Spy Mission) plus a new web series targeting teenagers.

  • "MSC Dance Crew" is developed via partnership with FremantleMedia - the company behind the TV show franchises "The X Factor", "Idols" and "Got Talent". The new music competition experience is based on teams of 12-17-year-old children battling to win the title "dance crew of the year".
  • "The Drone Academy" is via partnership with The Department ( London UK -based event agency). The high-tech drone racing activities take place in the ship's Sportsplex and happen at night due to flicker effects and the glowing drones. Teens (battling in teams) are previously trained on drone piloting. The race is at the 390 m2 (4200 ft2) sized arena and includes navigating 15 obstacles in the fastest time possible.
  • "Spy Mission" is MSC's first activity where kids play a central role. They are led through different scenes (throughout the ship) to unravel storylines, follow clues and solve the mystery in order to win prizes.
  • "Cabin 12006" is MSC's new teen-targeting web series tha follows "Kelly and Kloe Onboard" - run for 3 years (2016-2019) with 5+ million views online. Filming the "Cabin 12006" episodes is currently underway on Bellissima (March 2019-inaugurated).

MSC wedding cruise deals

Since 2015, MSC Cruises has a new cruise wedding program available on Caribbean itineraries. The program offers onboard marriages (also ashore) in several Caribbean port destinations, including Nassau Bahamas, Bridgetown Barbados, Grand Cayman Island, Falmouth Jamaica, Cozumel Mexico, San Juan Puerto Rico, Philipsburg St Maarten, Charlotte Amalie St Thomas, and also Miami (on the embarkation day only).

MSC partnered with the wedding-planning company "The Wedding Experience" and offers cruise wedding packages with prices starting from USD 1600 (onboard) and USD 2200 (ashore) weddings. MSC's basic wedding package includes a pre-cruise event manager, a ceremony coordinator, 1 bottle of Champagne, 1 cake for two, 1 bridal bouquet, 1-hour photo session.

Event planners work with the couples to handle all the details (weddings and vow renewals). Also provided are wedding consultants and ceremony coordinators. Onboard / ashore receptions and ceremonies offer various options - video/photo packages, fresh flowers, themed music, food and drink packages, also specialty items (personalized stationaries for invitations) and ground transportation for ashore events.

Couples booking groups of 13 or more cabins receive a complimentary balcony stateroom. Couples booking groups of 30 or more cabins receive a complimentary suite. Complimentary Yacht Club stateroom is offered for 50 or more booked cabins. Onboard ceremonies can be attended by up to 150 non-cruising guests.

MSC Cruises' first ship to offer onboard weddings was MSC Divina.

MSC cruise booking and cancellation policy changes

In July 2017, MSC changed the company's cruise booking policy. It now requires final payments to be made 30 days earlier - from 60-days to 90-days prior departure.

  • Cancellations made 89-61 days prior departure result in losing the non-refundable deposit.
  • Cancellations between 46-60 days prior departure result in paying 50% of the original price.
  • Cancellations between 16-45 days prior departure result in paying 75% of the original price.
  • Cancellations made 15 days or less prior departure result in paying the full cruise price.

Since April 2, 2019, tips (gratuities) are included into MSC cruise fares for all UK and Ireland passengers.

On February 1, 2019, MSC officially revealed the in-cabin digital assistant ZOE. The technology ("cruise industry first") was developed by Harman International (US-based company, fully-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics). Harman International has developed digital audio solutions for major corporations (Including Google, Microsoft, Amazon).

  • ZOE is an artificial intelligence device (voice-enabled, with advanced voice recognition software) available in all passenger staterooms.
  • ZOE speaks 7 languages, answers cruise-related questions, provides info on shipboard services-activities-facilities, makes reservations and bookings.
  • The digital device features far-field microphones, top-quality speaker, quad-core processor (for fast response times), direct phone connection (through Bluetooth). The system can also upgrade its own database to answer previously unanswerable questions.
  • Passenger data (including itinerary/tour and shipboard preferences) is stored in Cloud Storage system and used on the next scheduled voyage.
  • The device (sized ~15 cm) can be activated whenever passengers choose. A waiver must be signed to agree for their personal data to be stored.

Starting with Bellissima (2019), ZOE will be available on all newbuild MSC liners - including Grandiosa (2019) and Virtuosa (2020) - and introduced fleetwide over 2019-2024.

"MSC for Me" - fleetwide Digital Innovation Program 2017-2018

Each of the MSC cruise ships is fitted with thousands of connectivity points, digital access points, iBeacons (Bluetooth) and hundreds of interactive digital screens throughout the ship. In all staterooms are implemented RFID (radio-frequency identification) and NFC (near-field communication) access technologies.

The new program is implemented fleetwide but was first introduced on MSC Meraviglia . The ship, launched in June 2017, was fitted with a total of 114 Interactive screens, 244 info screens, 31 virtual screens, 81 video wall monitors, 3050 iBeacons, 700 WAPs (wireless access points), 1200 CCTV cameras.

MSC digitalization program's main features are:

  • The apps implement facial recognition technology and interactive/smart bracelets by Samsung.
  • Digital Concierge app - passengers can reserve/book onboard services, restaurants and shore excursions in real-time. The app is real-time and 24-hour, connecting MSC customers to the company's experienced staff online.
  • Capture - virtual reality tool to preview the cruise itinerary, create personal photo galleries, online sharing.
  • Organizer - a cruise planning tool used at mobile devices. It provides detailed information and also allows pre-booking (tours, theatre seats, dinner table, etc) before ship embarkation (pre-cruise booking) and while onboard (realtime cruise planner).
  • Navigation - Interactive map (way finder) provides advice (scheduled events, opening hours, etc) and directions while on the ship. The app also allows real-time kids monitoring (via bracelets).
  • TailorMade - digital advisor for personal recommendations based on the passenger's preferences (interactive gaming, gambling, culinary, recreational, entertainment, etc).
  • Passengers can always opt out of all these connected ("Internet of things" / IoT) services offered.
  • All passenger staterooms are fitted with door locks with built-in keypads (Samsung SHS-1321 NFC Ring).

MSC fitness cruise packages

Since 2017, MSC Cruises offers an upgraded fleetwide onboard wellness experience via a partnership with TechnoGym. It is part of the company's cruise fare-inclusive offers that can be chosen upon booking.

  • The new program starts with an online questionnaire determining the customer's specific wellness goals, aspects of a healthy lifestyle (exercises, healthy diet, weight loss).
  • The new wellness program is linked with the company's fitness-themed cruises . It also includes one-time personal trainer consultation. Personal training sessions are available onboard at extra cost.
  • Also included are themed shore excursions (jogging, hiking, cycling), fitness classes (hula hooping, barre, yoga, Pilates).
  • Resistance bands and workout mats are provided on the ship for in-cabin use.
  • TechnoGym workout gear and laundry service for the exercise clothing are provided on the ship.
  • Healthy food menu options are available in the ship's main dining rooms and Lido buffet restaurants.
  • Deals are also inclusive of a medical evaluation with the ship's doctor (blood pressure, EKG, lipid panel).
  • The new "Wellness Experience" program is operated with a total of 5 fitness cruise packages available for booking. Pricing starts from USD 930 pp (7-night itinerary, Interior Stateroom).

FREE Birthday cruise

In 2017, MSC started offering a new "free cruise deal" for customers celebrating their birthday. in case your birthday falls during select cruises, it is complimentary.

  • MSC's free cruise offers are on itineraries in Europe (Mediterranean, Baltic), Asia (Arabian Peninsula /Dubai), Caribbean (West Indies, Cuba). Longer itineraries are available through World Voyages .
  • Booked passengers can extend their free birthday cruise and combine itineraries into B2Bs (back to back cruises) from 14 to 22 nights.
  • Bookings must have at least one paying passenger and only one free birthday passenger. The birthday of the passenger must fall on one of the itinerary days, but excluding the arrival and departure days.
  • Such offers are usually promotions, subject to selected availability and valid for lower cabin categories only (usually excluding Suites).

MSC's "Dolphins Fan Cruise"

MSC Seaside ship's itinerary March 17-24, 2018 (7-day Caribbean and Antilles roundtrip from Miami to Nassau Bahamas, St Thomas USVI, St Johns Antigua) was officially themed "Dolphins Fan Cruise". This special voyage was the result of the 3-year partnership between MSC and the NFL team. The sports-themed voyage will be hosted annually over the next 3 years (2017-2020). The 2018 voyage's prices started at USD 700 per person (balcony cabin rates based on double occupancy).

During these sports cruises, passengers have the opportunity to interact in person with team alumni. The list of pre-scheduled onboard activities includes:

  • Meet team's legends Joe Rose, Kim Bokamper, Nat Moore, Patrick Surtain, Sam Madison, Terry Kirby.
  • Take autographs from the alumni, and get a photo with the team's cheerleaders.
  • Cheer alongside team's cheerleaders and hype up the crowd with the mascot TD (The Dolphin).
  • Enjoy special performances by cheer squad and the mascot.
  • Get to know former players during Q&A sessions.

On April 28, 2018, the ship hosted the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders for the team's annual calendar photo shoot, with special onboard show programming.

  • Via company's "Save & Sail" summer promotion, potential MSC cruise customers had the chance to book a balcony stateroom on the "Cheerleaders voyage" starting at USD 650 pp. The off-promo prices started from USD 1098 pp (Inside Cabin rates with double occupancy).
  • Cheerleaders cruise itinerary (April 28 - May 5) was a 7-day roundtrip from Miami to St Maarten Island, Puerto Rico and Bahamas (Nassau).

MSC virtual reality ship tours

Samsung and MSC developed a cutting-edge virtual reality tool for touring MSC cruise liners. The new technology was announced during at Expo Milano 2015 (May 1 through October 31, 2015).

With this innovative technology, MSC made available to the company's top European sellers (travel agencies) a powerful tool for introducing the brand to potential customers. The technology is based on Samsung's "Gear VR" headsets (powered by Oculus) plus a custom-built software app. Potential MSC passengers can walk through any cruise ship in the fleet without setting foot on board. The tool allows "walking" through 6 key onboard areas (including staterooms, restaurants, pools, theatre / also watching a show). The 360-degree sensory experience even brings aromas in the air (when observing an onboard restaurant) - such as fresh-baked bread, fresh fruits, chocolate.

The virtual cruise ship tour technology uses software and hardware by AxedGroup. The virtual ship tour app runs on Samsung Galaxy Note phones. Other experiences include tours of new (prototype) MSC ships *currently under construction).

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, MSC suspended its North American fleet's passenger shipping operations (all US-homeported liners) by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 14, 2020, through May-June 2021.

European operations resumed in 2020 on August 16 (Grandiosa) and October 19 (Magnifica) but all voyages were eventually canceled. MSC had its fleet fully operational by June 5th, 2022.

Next are listed MSC's first scheduled departure dates by ship/region/homeport - ARMONIA (April 10, 2022/Mediterranean from Venice), BELLISSIMA (July 2021/Red Sea from Jeddah Saudi Arabia), DIVINA (Sept 16, 2021/Bahamas from Port Canaveral), FANTASIA (Nov 7, 2021/Mediterranean-Genoa), GRANDIOSA (Jan 24, 2021/Mediterranean-Genoa), LIRICA (April 12, 2022/Med-Aegean-Athens), MAGNIFICA (June 20, 2021/Adriatic-Greece from Venice), MERAVIGLIA (Aug 2, 2021/Caribbean from Miami), MUSICA (June 5, 2022/Mediterranean from Monfalcone), OPERA (April 24, 2022/Mediterranean-Genoa), ORCHESTRA (June 5, 2021/Adriatic-Greece from Venice), POESIA (April 30, 2022/Med-Baltic repositioning/Rome-Rostock), PREZIOSA (Sept 23, 2021/Mediterranean-Genoa), SEASHORE (Aug 9, 2021/Mediterranean-Naples-Messina-Valletta-Barcelona), SEASCAPE (Nov 19, 2022/ Maiden Voyage /Transatlantic from Rome to NYC New York), SEASIDE (May 1, 2021/Mediterranean-Rome-Genoa), SEAVIEW (July 3, 2021/Kiel Germany), SINFONIA (March 26, 2022/Mediterranean from Venice), SPLENDIDA (June 12, 2021/Adriatic from Trieste), VIRTUOSA (May 20, 2021/UK-British Islands from Southampton), WORLD EUROPA (Dec 21, 2022/ Maiden Voyage /Red Sea from Dubai).

  • In early-January 2021 MSC planned to start Mediterranean cruises (with Grandiosa) scheduled between January 24 and March 21. The 7-day itinerary (leaving on Sundays from Genoa) visited Civitavecchia, Palermo, Naples and Valletta (Malta), with embarkation available in all the Italian ports.
  • MSC USA's pause (ex-Florida cancellations) affected 3 ships - Meraviglia and Armonia (from Miami) and Divina (from Port Canaveral).
  • MSC South America 2021-2022 winter program was canceled (due to Brazil's new policies/ordinance 657) affecting 4 ships (Sinfonia, Orchestra, Preziosa, Splendida).
  • LIRICA's Mediterranean 2021 season (7-day roundtrips from Ancona and Venice) was canceled and the liner restarts operations in 2022 (April 11/Aegean from Athens).
  • MUSICA's South Africa 2021-2022 program (from Durban) was canceled.
  • OPERA's Red Sea 2021-2022 program (from Dubai) was canceled.
  • PREZIOSA's 2021 Baltic season (Baltic-Norway from Hamburg) was canceled.
  • MSC's 2021-2022/winter South America (Preziosa, Seaview) and Arabia-Dubai (Fantasia) programs were canceled.

All affected bookings received full refunds in FCC (future cruise credit), including on prepurchased through MSC packages and services. With rebooking (made by December 31, 2021) was offered a 125% refund in FCC. Available for rebooking were all departures thru April 30, 2022. Optionally was offered a 100% monetary refund.

Itinerary of MSC Cruises

This section provides a concise review of MSC's current and future cruise itinerary program. The company operates regularly scheduled voyages in Europe (Mediterranean, UK, Baltic), the Caribbean (ex-Florida USA departures), South America, South Africa, Asia, Arabian Gulf.

Currently, MSC has no plans for ship deployments in Alaska, except via the sister brand Explora Journeys .

MSC's Grand Voyages are seasonally offered relocation voyages including Transatlantic crossings (Europe-USA-Caribbean, Europe-South America), Suez Canal (Mediterranean-Arabia/ Dubai UAE ), Mediterranean-Baltic-UK, Europe-South Africa. Cruises to Nowhere MSC offers in South Africa.

Note: An extensive ship relocation schedule you can see at RepositionCruises.com

With its newbuilds , MSC attracts a large number of retirees during winter and targets families with kids during summer and the school holidays. The company's smaller liners offer longer and more exotic itineraries but lack modern kids' facilities as they are tailored to older travelers.

In 2025, MSC starts homeporting in Galveston Texas USA (ship Seascape).

Middle East 2024 Arabian Gulf voyages

MSC Opera 's Arabian/Red Sea deployment in winter 2024-25 (from Dubai) was canceled and replaced with a Canary Islands deployment. In the Canaries, MSC Opera had scheduled 7-night itineraries (November 3, 2024, through March 16, 2025) visiting 6 call ports. Departing roundtrip from  Santa Cruz de Tenerife , the ship visits  Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ,  Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura) ,  Funchal (Madeira) ,  Santa Cruz de la Palma , and  Arrecife (Lanzarote)  before returning back to Tenerife. MSC's new Canary Islands itinerary offers flexible homeporting options allowing boarding in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Sundays), Las Palmas (Mondays), Madeira (Thursdays or Fridays) and Arrecife (Saturdays).

MSC Orchestra  is introducing a new Middle East cruise itinerary from  Safaga  in Egypt, featuring 20 seven-night sailings to  Jeddah ,  Aqaba for Petra  in Jordan,  Sharm El-Sheikh , and  Cairo .

Cruises from China

In May 2018, MSC Splendida started service on the Chinese market following its 2017 drydock refurbishment . The China-based ( Shanghai ) itinerary program included destinations in Japan, Korea, China.

MSC offers cruises in China since 2016 (with MSC Lirica ), followed by the deployments of Splendida (2018) and Virtuosa (2022).

In 2024 (April thru September), in China are deployed the MSC ships Bellissima and Splendida. Itineraries are based on homeporting in/roundtrip departures from Shanghai and Shenzhen/Shekou . Bellissima starts from Shenzhen on June 29th, and has scheduled 8x voyages (2- to 5-night in length) visiting Hong Kong and Japan (Okinawa, Yaeyama Islands, Miyako Island). In July-September (2024) Bellissima has scheduled 8x voyages (4- to 6-night) leaving out of Shanghai and visiting Japan (Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Osaka, Okinawa, Shimonoseki).

MSC Caribbean 2024-2025 itineraries

Caribbean and the French Antilles

  • 2024/Seascape (PortMiami): 7-night Eastern Caribbean (Ocean Cay and Nassau Bahamas, San Juan, Puerto Plata Dominicana) 7-night Western Caribbean (Ocean Cay, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios Jamaica)
  • 2025/Seascape (Galveston TX, departing on Sundays): 7-night Western Caribbean (Mexico's Costa Maya and Cozumel, and Honduras's Roatan Island)
  • Meraviglia (Port Canaveral): 3- to 7-night (Nassau and Ocean Cay, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Belize City)
  • Divina (PortMiami): 3- to 10-night (Ocean Cay, Belize City, Roatan Honduras, Costa Maya, Ocho Rios, Cartagena Columbia, Colon Panama, Puerto Limon Costa Rica)
  • Seaside ( Fort-de-France, French Antilles ): 7-night (Pointe-a-Pitre Guadeloupe, Castries St Lucia, Bridgetown Barbados, St Georges Grenada, Kingstown St Vincent)

Western Mediterranean

  • Grandiosa . 7-night (Genoa, Civitavecchia/Rome, Palermo Italy, Valletta Malta, Barcelona Spain, Marseille France)
  • Virtuosa : 7-night (Genoa, La Spezia/Florence, Naples, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Marseille
  • Lirica (Genoa) 11-night (Civitavecchia, Messina Sicily, Lindos/Rhodes, Heraklion/Crete, Limassol Cyprus, Haifa Israel) 10-night (Ceuta, Malaga, Barcelona, Alicante, Tangier and Casablanca/Marrakech Morocco, Marseille)

South America

  • Seashore (Brazil). 7-night (Maceio Salvador & Buzios Brazil)
  • Seaview (Rio de Janeiro) 3- to 8-night (Buzios, Ilhabela, Ilha, Grande/Angra dos Reis, Ilheus & Salvador Brazil, ports in Uruguay & Argentina)
  • Fantasia (Santos, Brazil) 3- to 7-night (Buzios, Ilha Grande/Angra dos Reis Brazil, Montevideo & Punta Del Este Uruguay, Buenos Aires)
  • Armonia (Itajai/Santa Caterina, Brazil) 7-night (Ilhabela Brazil, ports in Uruguay & Argentina)
  • Musica (Bueno Aires) Ilhabela, Rio de Janeiro, Buzios, Ilha Grande/Angra dos Reis Brazil

South Africa

  • Sinfonia (Cape Town) Mossel Bay, Walvis Bay and Ludertize (Namibia).
  • Orchestra (Durban) Pomene & Portuguese Island/Inhaca Archipelago (Mozambique), Walvis Bay (Namibia), Cape Town (South Africa)

Middle East

  • World Europa (Dubai) 7-night (Abu Dhabi/Dubai, Sir Bani Yas, Dammam/Al Ahsa Oasis Saudi Arabia)
  • Opera (Dubai) Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Muscat, Khasab (Oman); 22 separate 7-night sailings in 2023-2024, starting from Dubai and covering ports like Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island,  Khasab in Oman  or  Fujairah in the UAE , the  Omani capital Muscat , and returning to Dubai.
  • 17 new 7-night voyages in the Arabian Gulf by  MSC Virtuosa  from Dubai , taking passengers to  Doha in Qatar , the newly added  port of Manama in Bahrain ,  Abu Dhabi ,  Sir Bani Yas Island  in the UAE, and back to Dubai. 
  • MSC Orchestra  is offering a new itinerary during the winter 2023-2024 season. Departing from  Safaga in Egypt , she sails on 20 7-night sailings to destinations like  Jeddah  in Saudi Arabia,  Aqaba for Petra  in Jordan, a newly introduced port of call at  Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt ,  Sokhna Port  for  Cairo in Egypt , and back to Safaga. International guests have embarkation options at Safaga, Jeddah, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Sokhna Port.

In 2025 debuts World Europa's sistership MSC World America and both are homeported in  Miami . Out of PortMiami, World America operates on two 7-day roundtrip itineraries - Eastern Caribbean (to  Puerto Plata Dominicana ,  San Juan Puerto Rico , and  Ocean Cay Bahamas ) and Western Caribbean (to Mexico's  Costa Maya  and  Cozumel Mexico ,  Isla Roatan Honduras , and Ocean Cay). World America's Maiden Voyage departs Miami on April 12, 2025 (Eastern Caribbean).

Winter 2025-2026 itineraries from the USA

In May 2024, MSC unveiled an expansion of ex-USA operations planned for winter 2025-2026 season.

The program is based on four homeports and seven ships leaving roundtrip from three states - Florida ( Miami  and  Port Canaveral ), New York ( NYC ) and Texas ( Galveston ).

Season's key highlight is the debut of MSC Grandiosa ship in Port Canaveral - the first USA-based Meraviglia-Plus class vessel. Grandiosa offers alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, while MSC Seashore ship (also from Port Canaveral) offers short breaks (3- and 4-night) to The Bahamas ( Nassau and Ocean Cay ).

In 2025, MSC starts operations from Texas (Galveston) with MSC Seascape ship offering 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries.

MSC World America ship (launched April 2025) embarks on its first season from Miami.

The other two USA-based MSC ships are MSC Divina (from Miami) and MSC Meraviglia (from New York City to Florida-Bahamas).

Summer 2026 Mediterranean itineraries

From May to October 2026, MSC Cruises' fleet of 9 elegant ships offers journeys to iconic destinations as well as off-the-beaten-path gems, blending relaxation, exploration, culture, and entertainment seamlessly.

  • Valencia, Spain , entices with its vibrant port city charm, historical richness, and lively nightlife. Guests can explore cobblestone streets steeped in Spanish heritage, indulge in culinary delights like tapas and paella, and bask in the beauty of Playa de Las Arenas beach.  MSC Fantasia  and  MSC Seaside  offer 7-night itineraries departing from Valencia and Genoa, respectively.
  • Livorno, Italy , a coastal gem in Tuscany, boasts historical marvels, fascinating museums, and mouthwatering seafood. From Livorno, travelers can easily visit Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, or marvel at the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. MSC Fantasia and  MSC Grandiosa  offer 7-night itineraries departing from Livorno and Valencia, respectively.
  • Barcelona, Spain , thrives during the summer months with its festivals, beaches, and cultural attractions. From world-class museums to the architectural wonders of Gaudí, Barcelona promises a vibrant experience.  MSC Seaview  and  MSC World Europa  offer 7-night itineraries departing from Barcelona and Genoa, respectively.
  • Palermo, Italy , the capital of Sicily, blends Norman architecture, Baroque churches, and bustling markets. Exploring its labyrinthine streets reveals a rich tapestry of history and culture. MSC Seaside and MSC Grandiosa offer 7-night itineraries departing from Genoa and Livorno, respectively.
  • Ibiza, Spain , renowned for its beauty and nightlife, offers more than just revelry. From the charming Ciutat d’Eivissa to the stunning views atop Montserrat, Ibiza captivates with its diverse offerings.  MSC Musica  and MSC Seaside offer 7-night itineraries departing from Civitavecchia and Genoa, respectively.
  • Cadiz, Spain , the oldest city in Western Europe, boasts a rich cultural heritage, pristine beaches, and delectable cuisine. Nature enthusiasts will find solace in the nearby Donana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  MSC Orchestra  offers 10-night itineraries departing from Genoa that include a stop in Cadiz.
  • Naples, Italy , a vibrant city on the southern coast, enchants with its historic treasures and proximity to Pompeii and the island of Capri. Guests can explore ancient ruins or bask in the beauty of the Amalfi Coast. MSC World Europa, MSC Grandiosa, and  MSC Divina  offer 7-night itineraries departing from Genoa, Livorno, and Civitavecchia, respectively.
  • Cannes, France , epitomizes glamour and Mediterranean allure, boasting pristine beaches, upscale boutiques, and the renowned Cannes Film Festival. Exploring the city’s old town, Le Suquet, offers a glimpse into its rich history. MSC Musica and MSC Seaview offer 7-night itineraries departing from Civitavecchia and Barcelona, respectively.

MSC Cuba cruises from Havana

In January 2016 MSC became the first major cruise line to homeport in Havana, with MSC Opera (sailing to Jamaica, Mexico, and the Cayman Islands) while MSC Armonia operated on 8-day/7-night itineraries, visiting ports in Central America and the Caribbean:

  • 8-day roundtrip from Havana visited Roatan (Honduras), Belize City (Belize), Costa Maya (Mexico), Isla de la Juventud (Cuba)
  • 8-day roundtrip from Havana visited Montego Bay (Jamaica), George Town (Grand Cayman) and Cozumel (Mexico).
  • Both itineraries were combinable into a 14-night roundtrip Havana back-to-back cruise .

Cuban itineraries on MSC Opera were roundtrips from Havana .

Note: According to the current Cuban law, US citizens of Cuban origin (born in Cuba) are not allowed to visit the island country (including on cruise ships). Regardless of their US citizenship status, Cuba-born Americans were denied booking on cruise itineraries visiting ports in Cuba. However, the situation changed in April 2016, after Carnival Corporation negotiated with the Cuban government to allow ships with Cuban-born passengers, as such US citizens are allowed to visit the country on USA-Cuba charter flights. The Carnival-fathom line started Miami to Cuba cruises in May 2016.

Alaska Airlines offers regular nonstop flights to Havana from Los Angeles (California USA). An 80-minute JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Havana costs less than USD 100. Previously, air travel from the USA to Cuba was thought charter flights only.

IMPORTANT: On June 4, 2019, the US Government announced new regulations (economic sanctions) that ended group travel to Cuba, including via US-homeported cruise liners, effective immediately. The ban relates to "private and corporate aircraft, cruise ships, sailboats, fishing boats, and other similar aircraft and vessels". The US travel restrictions impacted hundreds of pre-scheduled cruise itineraries, which were adjusted to no longer stop in Cuban seaports.

(NEW) PortMiami MSC Terminal AAA

In July 2018, Miami-Dade County and MSC signed an agreement for extended preferential berthing rights and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the building of a new Cruise Terminal AAA at Port Miami .

Port Miami is MSC's exclusive homeport in the USA. The new agreement extended the existing Saturday preferential MSC berthing rights also to Sundays. Additionally, the new cruise terminal (completed in October 2022) was projected to be able to accommodate MSC's largest World Class ships (carrying up to 7000 pax).

As of November 2019, MSC Cruises' largest ship, MSC Meraviglia joins the other 3 ships at PortMiami.

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mediterranean cruises

Come on board one of our Mediterranean cruises, and immerse yourself in the Greek, Persian, Iberian and Roman cultures, just to mention a few. Discover the popular Mediterranean cuisine where olive oil, wheat, grains, fruits and vegetables are always abundant. Whether you're on a romantic Mediterranean vacation as a couple or traveling with family or friends, Southern Europe is a fantastic place to visit and explore some of the most emblematic monuments around the world. Explore the Colosseum in Rome , the Parthenon in  Athens or the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona  and create unique experiences and memorable moments aboard one of our MSC cruises around the Mediterranean. Discover the hidden gems in Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Morocco, Croatia, Cyprus, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovenia, Serbia, Albania, Tunisia and Turkey, while on a cruise in the Mediterranean Sea.  Adventure and culture await you. Browse through our available Mediterranean trips and choose from a list of unforgettable visits to the Acropolis in Athens, make a wish by the Trevi Fountain in Rome or savor French cuisine in Marseille . We'll organize everything for you so you can enjoy every moment of your Mediterranean vacation. There's no better time than now to plan your vacation. Book one of our Mediterranean cruises for 2024 and 2025, or treat yourself to a last-minute trip on a Mediterranean cruise with MSC Cruises.

Mediterranean Countries

If you have always wanted to go abroad and learn more about Europe, discover the best of the Mediterranean with MSC Cruises and explore the most authentic Spanish, French, Greek or Italian cultures, among many others. A Western Mediterranean cruise will take you to destinations such as the ports of Barcelona and Valencia in Spain, Civitavecchia (Rome), Genoa (Portofino and Le Cinque Terre), Naples (Pompeii, Capri and Sorrento) in Italy, or Marseille (Provenza) and Cannes (Montecarlo) in France, just to mention a few. You can also book an Eastern Mediterranean cruise and visit places such as Venice, Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia, Istanbul in Turkey, Piraeus (Athens), Katakolon (Olympia) in Greece and the Greek islands of Corfù, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and Heraklion in Crete. Get to know the cornerstone of our modern culture and explore their rich history and colorful, picturesque streets brimming with culture and activity.

Greece & Greek Island Cruises

Are you familiar with Greece and The Greek Islands? Known for their white sandy beaches, turquoise-blue waters and fabulous greek cuisine, their vast cultural and historical heritage influenced the rest of Europe for millennia. Unsure of what to see in Greece and its islands? Come aboard a Greek cruise with MSC Cruises and discover destinations such as Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an incredible medieval city, the ruins of Kamiros, or the temple of Athena Lindia. You'll also be able to explore Katakolon, the gateway to Olympia which was home to the first Olympic Games and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore Heraklion, the location of the famous and mythical Minotaur labyrinth, and capital city of Crete, where you will also be able to visit the Palace of Knossos, the Palace of Phaestos, and much more. Don't miss the magnificence of this country, with world-famous attractions such as the Acropolis and La Plaka in Athens, and also home to smaller coastal towns with charming and picturesque harbors in Corfu, Santorini or Mykonos. Explore these and many more destinations on our Greek island cruises. Enjoy the treasures of each destination. LEARN MORE

Italy Cruises

As you may know, Italy holds a prominent position in the Mediterranean, and its extensive coastline offers many cultural opportunities and spectacular views for those traveling by sea. Our ships will take you to the main cruise ports in Italy, and from there, to famous cities such as Rome, Naples (Pompeii, Capri and Sorrento), Venice, Genoa (Portofino and Le Cinque Terre), Messina (Taormina), Siracusa or Palermo, among others. We'll do all this and even more for your Mediterranean vacation. MSC Cruises can also offer calls and trips to more obscure gems like Trieste where you'll find the Miramare Castle, Livorno – the gateway to Florence and Pisa - , or the wonders of Puglia and Basilicata, featuring Bari, Brindisi, Lecce, Alberobello and Matera. Whether you are traveling with family, friends, or in a couple's getaway, experience life aboard a spectacular cruise ship while visiting cities surrounded by the turquoise blue of the Mediterranean Sea: immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy the different cuisine offered by each Italian region. Every cruise is special experience with MSC Cruises. LEARN MORE

Croatia Cruises

Croatia, located across from Italy on the other side of the Adriatic Sea, is known for its many islands and coastal towns which are famous for their picturesque buildings, enhanced by the natural beauty of their surroundings. Choose to cruise through Croatia and discover the city of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: enjoy the Rector's Palace, the Modra Spilja Cave, or take a stroll down charming streets with the Mediterranean on one side, and idyllic mountains in the background. If you're looking for a place with a little more bustle, our Croatia cruises will take you to Split, an Ancient Roman town that is now a busy city and no longer resembles a Roman settlement. Explore its seafront cafés and businesses as well as historical sites such as the Temple of Jupiter. LEARN MORE

Mediterranean Ports

Choose your favorite Mediterranean port and venture into a world of discovery with MSC Cruises. Whether you prefer to embark in the Spanish port of Barcelona, the French ports of Marseille (Provence) or Cannes, the Greek port of Piraeus, or one of the ports along the Italian Riviera such as Genoa (Portofino) and Civitavecchia (Rome), MSC offers you a wide variety of interesting places to enjoy during your trip. For centuries, Mediterranean ports have been gateways to some of the oldest cities of Europe, and today you can take advantage of them, and enjoy the treasures of each destination.

VENICE CRUISE

Enjoy a vacation in Venice and discover one of the most beautiful and unique cities in Europe thanks to one of our best Italy cruises. Experience the excitement of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built upon 118 small islands, interconnected by more than 400 bridges. Venice has been a hugely influential port since the Middle Ages, when it amassed great wealth that is now visible in its impressive architecture and art. During your vacation to Venice you can stroll around Saint Mark's Square, visit the city's museums, or go for a Gondola ride. The "Queen of the Adriatic" awaits you: come aboard an MSC Cruise and discover the treasures of each Mediterranean destination.

BARCELONA CRUISE

Choose a Barcelona cruise and experience a city that combines the intricate, winding street patterns of a medieval settlement and the structured avenues of a modern town. This city, known as the "Ciudad Condal" to Spanish natives, is attractive to visitors for countless reasons and At MSC Cruises we organize excursions for you to see some of the famous landmarks, such as the Sagrada Familia, the Camp Nou Stadium, or the Casa Milà, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want to know more about Barcelona, this is the cruise for you. The port of Barcelona is also a sight in itself: it is one of Spain's main ports, and it has a history that dates back almost 2,000 years. It's the perfect place to begin your Barcelona cruise and treat yourself to an unforgettable vacation.

SANTORINI CRUISE

Are you familiar with Santorini? If not, imagine a paradise on a Greek island with turquoise blue waters and little white and blue houses: the perfect stop for your MSC cruise ship. Enjoy all this port has to offer while on your trip, and experience Greek cuisine and culture. A cruise to Santorini means a time of rest and relaxation among the breathtaking backdrop of the Cyclades, the island group to which Santorini belongs. There, you can sunbathe on the beach, walk among the white and blue streets of its capital city, Fira, or explore the island and its views. Chief among the landmarks of the island is the Caldera, a volcanic depression in the shape of a half moon, which resembles a cauldron. For those interested in history, a Santorini cruise will grant you access to many cultural spots and archaeological museums where you can learn about the people who lived in the Cyclades millennia ago: After all, classical Greek culture was the cornerstone for our modern society.

view all MEDITERRANEAN PORTS

  • Ajaccio, France
  • Alicante, Spain
  • Ancona (Urbino), Italy
  • Bar, Montenegro
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Bari, Italy
  • Bodrum, Turkey
  • Brindisi (Lecce) , Italy
  • Cadiz (Seville) , Spain
  • Cagliari (Sardinia) , Italy
  • Cannes, France
  • Cartagena, Spain
  • Casablanca (Marrakech) , Morocco
  • Cefalonia, Greece
  • Ceuta, Spain
  • Chania (Crete) , Greece
  • Civitavecchia (Rome) , Italy
  • Corfu, Greece
  • Dubrovnik, Croatia
  • Funchal (Madeira Is.) , Portugal
  • Genoa (Portofino) , Italy
  • Gibraltar, Gibraltar
  • Heraklion (Crete) , Greece
  • Ibiza (Baleari Is.) , Spain
  • Istanbul, Turkey
  • Izmir, Turkey
  • Katakolon (Olympia) , Greece
  • Koper, Slovenia
  • Kotor, Montenegro
  • Kusadasi, Turkey
  • La Goulette, Tunisia
  • La Spezia (Cinque Terre) , Italy
  • Limassol, Cyprus
  • Lisbon (Cascais) , Portugal
  • Livorno (Florence) , Italy
  • Mahon, Spain
  • Malaga (Granada) , Spain
  • Marmaris, Turkey
  • Marseille (Provence) , France
  • Messina (Taormina) , Italy
  • Mykonos, Greece
  • Naples (Pompeii) , Italy
  • Olbia, Italy
  • Palermo (Monreale) , Italy
  • Palma de Mallorca (Baleari Is.) , Spain
  • Piraeus (Athens) , Greece
  • Ravenna, Italy
  • Rhodes (Lindos) , Greece
  • Rijeka, Croatia
  • Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Is.) , Spain
  • Santorini, Greece
  • Sarande, Albania
  • Split, Croatia
  • Syracuse, Italy
  • Tangier (Tetouan) , Morocco
  • Taranto (Alberobello) , Italy
  • Tarragona, Spain
  • Trieste (Venice), Italy
  • Valencia, Spain
  • Valletta, Malta
  • Venice - Marghera, Italy
  • Villefranche sur Mer (Montecarlo) , France
  • Zadar, Croatia
  • Zakynthos, Greece

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/en/newsroom/customer-advisories/2024/august/2024-golden-week-sailing-programme-trade-asia-to-usa

2024 Golden Week Sailing Programme – Trade Asia to USA

Due to the anticipated slowdown in demand during and after the Golden Week holiday, MSC is planning to adjust capacity on its Asia to USA network weeks 38 to 41.

As such, the following voyage will be blanked:

ASIA TO USA WEST COAST

You may continue to place bookings as usual as we are arranging contingency plans with alternative services.

Should you have any questions, please contact your local MSC representatives in our global network of more than 675 offices.

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The 5 best kids sail free cruises for 2025 & beyond.

Save on your family cruise with these kids sail free deals.

The Best Kids Sail Free Cruises

little boy using binoculars while on a cruise ship in open sea

Getty Images

If you're angling for an affordable family cruise , you'll be happy to know that several major cruise lines let children sail for free (either regularly or during special promotions). Read on to discover which lines cater to families with kids sail free offers.

Cruise lines where kids sail free

Holland america line, norwegian cruise line, royal caribbean international, costa cruises, msc cruises.

Find your perfect cruise

Father, mother, child in snorkeling mask dive underwater with tropical fishes in coral reef sea pool.

Courtesy of Holland America Line

Deal: Holland America Line is offering a "Kids Cruise Free" promotion on select itineraries in 2025. The offer applies to several itineraries including Hawaii , the Caribbean and the Panama Canal; to qualify, children must be 18 or younger and cruising as third and/or fourth guests in the same cabin as adults. As with similar promotions, taxes and port fees are still required for each child's sailing.

Additionally, kids ages 12 and under eat for half off in specialty restaurants or for free from a dedicated kids menu. Reduced children's rates for shore excursions are also available.

Family-friendly perks: Amenities onboard Holland America ships include kids clubs and youth programs, as well as shore excursions oriented to families with little ones in tow. Plenty of stateroom options can also accommodate larger bookings. The Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam ships, in particular, feature oversized staterooms with beds for four, a large sitting area and a spacious veranda.

Two children participating in virtual reality gaming on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Deal: Norwegian Cruise Line often lets third and fourth guests cruise free on select itineraries. During other promotions, the cruise line will let the third through eighth passengers sail free. Cruises to which this promotion applies are offered all over the world, including Bermuda , the Caribbean and Canada .

Some of the itineraries that qualify for free third and fourth guests also come with complimentary amenities like an unlimited open bar, specialty dining, shore excursions and/or complimentary Wi-Fi. Additionally, some of the itineraries include generous discounts on the total cruise cost , as well as free airfare for a second guest (when booked through the cruise line).

Family-friendly perks: With Norwegian's all-ages kids clubs, family dining, entertainment and activities included in one bundled rate, planning a kid-approved vacation with the cruise line is a breeze. Many Norwegian ships also feature an array of family-friendly staterooms with plenty of extra space. For example, the luxurious Norwegian Prima offers a two-bedroom family villa with a large balcony in "The Haven" – its exclusive area for VIP guests.

The Seaplex, Deck 15 Aft Center, on the Spectrum of the Seas ship from Royal Caribbean International.

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Deal: Royal Caribbean offers a "Kids Sail Free" deal several times each year, allowing children 12 or younger to cruise free provided they are the third guests (or beyond) staying in the same cabin as at least two paying adults. Typically, the deal applies to sailings of four nights or longer. The only catch is that blackout dates apply – typically during holiday and school breaks.

Family-friendly perks: There's a reason so many families choose Royal Caribbean ; kid-friendly amenities range from age-specific programming to zip lining at sea. The line's  exclusive island for cruisers , Perfect Day at CocoCay in  the Bahamas , is also a big hit with young passengers thanks to its waterslides and splash areas.

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Kids run toward Peppa Pig mascot on Costa Cruises ship deck.

Courtesy of Costa Cruises

Deal: Costa Cruises may not be as popular as some other cruise lines on our list, but it's a worthwhile option for cruisers looking to sail through Europe, the Middle East or South America. The cruise line allows kids traveling as third or fourth guests to sail for free with two adults in the same cabin, and this promotion applies to passengers ages 2 to 17. This offer is valid on all sailings offered by the line, many of which feature destinations in desirable ports along the Mediterranean such as Barcelona , Marseille and Rome .

Family-friendly perks: Costa Cruises vessels offer abundant family-friendly amenities, from water parks to arcades to mini golf. Kids clubs are available for children ages 3 to 11, and they provide entertainment like arts and crafts, themed parties, and games galore. A teen zone also hosts cruisers ages 12 to 17 who want to mingle, sing karaoke and play group sports when ships aren't in port.

Children listen to MSC Cruises mascot during a group activity.

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Deal: MSC Cruises lets children 17 and younger cruise for free on select itineraries, depending on the ship's capacity. (Other exclusions or eligibility requirements may apply.) Kids must be the third or fourth guests traveling in the same cabin as their parents (at least two adults) for the deal to be valid; note that any port fees and taxes still apply to children's fares.

Family-friendly perks: MSC Cruises offers a variety of leisure activities and amenities designed specifically for kids. On board, youngsters can take advantage of perks from water parks with slides and swimming pools to Broadway-style shows and interactive dinners. The line also hosts a variety of exclusive Lego experiences, including Lego-themed parades and a Lego Family Game Show. In addition, there are a myriad of amenities for parents to enjoy while the youngest passengers are occupied by a variety of dedicated kids clubs.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a seasoned travel writer who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. Johnson has traveled with her family to more than 50 countries, and her many trips have included cruises all over the world. Johnson lives in Indiana with her two children and her husband, Greg.

You might also be interested in:

  • The Best Cruises for Teens
  • The Top Cruises for Babies & Toddlers
  • Do You Need a Passport to Cruise?
  • How to Get Your Child a Passport
  • The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Top Resorts Where Kids Stay Free

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The current position of MOSCOW MAERSK is at East Asia reported 7 days ago by AIS. The vessel is en route to the port of Shanghai, China , sailing at a speed of 10.8 knots and expected to arrive there on Aug 31, 14:00 . The vessel MOSCOW MAERSK (IMO 9778818, MMSI 219864000) is a Container Ship built in 2017 (7 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Denmark .

MOSCOW MAERSK photo

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  1. Search a schedule

    Use our online scheduling system to search MSC shipping schedules - sailing times, vessel names, departure dates, transit time and more. Visit us today!

  2. MSC Voyagers Club

    MSC VOYAGERS CLUB Being an MSC Voyagers Club member means entering a world of privileges that will continue to grow the more you cruise with us.

  3. Shipping Container Tracking and Tracing

    MSC offers an online tracking and tracing system enabling containers to be tracked throughout the world. Find your freight fast. Contact our team today!

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    MSC Cruises Voyagers Club is a loyalty program that rewards its members with privileges and benefits. An MSC STATUS MATCH program available. Members can earn points based on their cruise experience and level up to receive perks such as priority boarding, complimentary dinners, and cabin upgrades.

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    Thanks to the extensive capacity of our container fleet, MSC is the trusted transportation partner and shipping company for numerous companies the world over. Combining this with our global port coverage and extensive equipment availability means, we are able to deliver a professional, efficient shipping service, tailored to the specific needs of your business.

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    Discover the reasons to become an MSC Voyagers Club and discover the benefits available to you at each membership tier. Find out more.

  10. Transatlantic cruises: MSC Grand Voyages

    Discover MSC Grand Voyages: luxury transatlantic cruises from Europe to North and South America, Africa and Asia. Visit website for more information.

  11. MSC Grand Voyage cruise itineraries

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    Get the best cruise deals to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe and more. Book your family cruise, weekend cruise, all-inclusive cruise or last-minute cruise.

  13. Track MSC Cruises' Entire Fleet / MSC Cruises' Fleet Tracker

    MSC Cruises' entire trackable fleet is now viewable on the cruise ship tracker map below. To track a specific MSC Cruises' ship search for it by name below. Tracking a specific MSC Cruises' ship will give you additional details like the ship's current location, recent track, speed, course, next port destination, estimated time of arrival (ETA ...

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    MarineTraffic Live Ships Map. Discover information and vessel positions for vessels around the world. Search the MarineTraffic ships database of more than 550000 active and decommissioned vessels. Search for popular ships globally. Find locations of ports and ships using the near Real Time ships map. View vessel details and ship photos.

  15. MSC Seascape Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review

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  17. Ship & Container Tracking

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  18. HOLIDAY CRUISES

    Celebrate the holiday season like never before with MSC Cruises! Whether you're dreaming of a Christmas cruise, planning a festive Thanksgiving getaway, or looking to ring in the New Year on a luxurious New Year's cruise, MSC Cruises has the perfect itinerary for you." Login Hi, {0} Sign out. 877-665-4655. Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm EST Sat-Sun 9am ...

  19. MSC Cruises

    In 2025, MSC starts operations from Texas (Galveston) with. (launched April 2025) embarks on its first season from Miami. From May to October 2026, MSC Cruises' fleet of 9 elegant ships offers journeys to iconic destinations as well as off-the-beaten-path gems, blending relaxation, exploration, culture, and entertainment seamlessly.

  20. Mediterranean Cruises, West & East

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  21. 2024 Golden Week Sailing Programme Trade Asia to USA

    Due to the anticipated slowdown in demand during and after the Golden Week holiday, MSC is planning to adjust capacity on its Asia to USA network weeks 38 to 41. As such, the following voyage will be blanked: ASIA TO USA WEST COAST

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    The upcoming Cruise Terminal 16 officially began construction on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, and is slated to welcome MSC Cruises' MSC Seascape in November 2025.

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    Those attending a comedy show are typically in the mood to laugh. Unfortunately, one passenger onboard MSC Seashore didn't take too kindly to a comedian's jokes during a late-night comedy show, disrupting the entire performance before being escorted out of the theater. During a comedy show on a 3-night cruise to The Bahamas, Robert L. Hines, the comedian behind the infamous "Jones BBQ & Foot ...

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  26. Ship MOSCOW MAERSK (Container Ship) Registered in Denmark

    Vessel MOSCOW MAERSK is a Container Ship, Registered in Denmark. Discover the vessel's particulars, including capacity, machinery, photos and ownership. Get the details of the current Voyage of MOSCOW MAERSK including Position, Port Calls, Destination, ETA and Distance travelled - IMO 9778818, MMSI 219864000, Call sign OWCM2

  27. Search for Vessel Schedules

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  28. Cruise Passenger Confronts Comedian Mid-Performance

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  30. MOSCOW MAERSK, Container Ship

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