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Shore Excursions

Discover our excursions.

Visit what’s important – you won’t miss a thing Quality - all tours provided by certified partners Expert multilingual guides – all carefully selected No Stress – let us take care of everything Safety – the highest safety standards Dedicated excursions – for everyone 

Exploring Re-imagined

One of the many pleasures of a cruise is discovering new and interesting places, for yourself, with friends or family. It’s why we have re-designed our MSC Shore Excursions, allowing you to safely and smoothly go ashore to explore, discover and enjoy new experiences. Let’s go! 

Whether you prefer adventure, nature, culture or history, we’ve designed something for you and the whole family.

From Culture & History and our breathtaking Scenic Routes , to our Active & Adventure tours and the discovery of Natural Wonders, to Sea & Sun’s relax, our Something Special experiences and our Accessible Tours, you can enjoy the treasures of each destination in your preferred way. We’ve also established the Excursions Explorer Package and MSC Bike Adventours, which are unique to our line and available on selected MSC Cruises' itineraries. 

Choose your MSC Cruise Excursion online and take advantage of our pre-boarding rates. Bookings can be made up to 4 days prior the cruise departure date. 

For full Terms and Conditions, please  click here

Discoveries at every destination

WHY AN MSC EXCURSION?

Guests Choose MSC Excursions Because

Quality and Value   Experience the highlights of each destination on meticulously planned excursions, guided by skilled and qualified local tour guides.   Comfort and Convenience   From transportation to and from the ship, to seeing the sights, our tours are designed to make your day of exploring as carefree as possible. Just select the tour of your choice and let us take care of all the details.   Peace of mind   When you choose an MSC excursion, you can relax in the knowledge that all our tours are operated by carefully selected partners who can easily make contact with your ship throughout the day.

Active & Adventures

Head ashore in search of adventure! Opportunities for sport and fun range from trekking and snorkeling to kayak tours and beach trips. The active choice.

Explore the city centre with a guided tour and soak up the local scenery with a comfortable coach ride. The easy way to get to know your destination.

Culture & History

Learn all about the history and culture of your destination, with visits to must-see locations and guided tours of key sites. The ideal route to local knowledge.

Scenic route

Admire your destination in total comfort with a scenic coach tour taking in the best views and the main places of interests. The relaxing road to discovery.

Take your children on a journey of discovery with a special programme for kids. The perfect family trip.

Natural wonders

Immerse yourself in spectacular scenery and discover the fascinating flora and fauna of your destination. Your passport to the wonders of the natural world.

Something special

Pursue your interests in new places! From gastronomic tours and guided shopping trips to religious visits, there’s a world of pastimes and passions to explore.

Sea & Sun

Treat yourself to some pure relaxation, basking on a beautiful beach or enjoying the stunning views on a scenic boat trip. A winner for sea and sun lovers.

Easy & Accessible

Leisurely explore the best each destination has to offer, in small groups, on tailor-made itineraries for slow walkers and people with limited mobility. Find out more !

MSC Family Explorer Club

Discover the MSC Family Explorer Club tours

Designed to let kids and parents discover the world together. Explore the destination with a fun filled family adventure, inspired by history and designed to cover the highlights, this tour is educational and engages adults and children alike. 

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EASY & ACCESSIBLE EXCURSIONS

Explore each destination at your own pace.

Our Easy & Accessible Tours make exploring comfortable for everyone!

These tours allow slow walkers, wheelchair, scooter users and any guests that like to leisurely explore, to visit the best each destination has to offer on easy tours created just for them. Through specifically selected itineraries and specially designed tours, guests will be able to enjoy step free routes at their own pace, experiencing the wonders of our destinations in total comfort. Special needs vehicles will be available to accommodate small groups, and tours itineraries will always include access to special needs restrooms.

Please note that vehicles and their wheelchair & scooter requirements (width, height, weight) vary from tour to tour so make sure to carefully check the specific requirements within each tour description.

Book now and ensure yourself a spot as limited seats are available!

Tours for everyone

Where to find easy & accessible excursions.

• Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) , United States
• Cozumel, Mexico
• George Town, Cayman Islands
• Isla de Roatan, Honduras
• Ocho Rios, Jamaica
• Roseau, Dominica
• San Juan, Puerto Rico

Best New Shore Excursions

MSC Cruises’ Easy & Accessible tours have been awarded as Best New Shore Excursions for the 2020 Porthole Cruise Editor-in-Chief Awards.

MORE WAYS TO PERSONALIZE YOUR CRUISE

Personalize your cruise experience with tasty Drink Packages, delicious Specialty Restaurants, exciting Excursions, pampering Spa Treatments and Internet Packages to share your adventures. 

Book online and take advantage of pre-boarding prices.

Who can book the Easy and Accessible shore excursions?

How are the easy & accessible shore excursions different from other regular shore excursions.

Easy & Accessible excursions are unique in that they offer:

• Completely step-free tour routes
• Wheelchair Accessible vehicles
• Shorter distances
• Slower pace
• Accessible restrooms with wide doors along the route
• Professional and compassionate tour guides experienced in working with senior and limited mobility clients

What type of vehicles are used for the Easy & Accessible shore excursions?

How can i trust that these tours are fully accessible, how big are the groups for the easy & accessible shore excursions, how will the guide assist me with my mobility needs, what can i expect from my easy & accessible shore excursions.

Accessible shore excursions are authentic experiences, designed to limit the amount of walking, without compromising on the experience. If you are asking yourself: "Will I get to leave the bus?”, the answer is “Yes!”.

While other tours labelled as “accessible” only allow you to see the destination through a bus window, MSC Cruises has partnered with Accessible Travel Solutions to offers wheelchair accessible shore excursions that include inside visits to castles, churches, museums, palaces, and historic ruins.

How do I make sure my mobility equipment isn't too big or too heavy for the excursion?

In which destinations can i book easy & accessible shore excursions, when should i book my easy & accessible shore excursion, can i cancel my booked easy & accessible shore excursion, why is a minimum number of participants required, thank you for visiting msc cruises.

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When Are Excursions Available for Booking?

By tymike , December 9, 2019 in MSC Cruises

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I am booked on the Meraviglia in October, 2020 and am hoping to book a cabana on Ocean Cay.  

When does MSC open up bookings for 'excursions' like the cabana?

I looked in excursion T & C and searched CC to no avail.

Thanks so much!

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lovemycruisetoo

I think we might be on the same cruise because I can’t find any either.  

Hi lovemycruisetoo!

The only excursions that show for Ocean Cay are wave riders and a climb to the top of the lighthouse.

It seems strange that booking cabanas isn't available.  Perhaps we have to have been paid in full to book?  Just a guess....

5 hours ago, tymike said: Hi all, I am booked on the Meraviglia in October, 2020 and am hoping to book a cabana on Ocean Cay.   When does MSC open up bookings for 'excursions' like the cabana?   I looked in excursion T & C and searched CC to no avail.   Thanks so much!

  I would assume now.

We got an email from MSC  on Novmnber 7th so held a cabana. I assume there are not many of those. Our cruise is the last week of September. Go to their website and look under 'manage your booking'.

It will be listed under excursions.

11 hours ago, tymike said: Hi lovemycruisetoo! The only excursions that show for Ocean Cay are wave riders and a climb to the top of the lighthouse. It seems strange that booking cabanas isn't available.  Perhaps we have to have been paid in full to book?  Just a guess....

Tymike, that is exactly what I see. Our cruise is 10/22/20 and we’re in the YC and haven’t received any email about excursions.  I just got off a Mera Canada cruise October and had all my excursions booked early.   

Shippy, we also have Mera booked for 9/6/20 and only Sydney,  Halifax and New York have excursions listed.  Nothing for Reykjavik, Belfast, Southampton which I’m waiting for.   

I’ll just keep checking. 

2 hours ago, lovemycruisetoo said: Tymike, that is exactly what I see. Our cruise is 10/22/20 and we’re in the YC and haven’t received any email about excursions.  I just got off a Mera Canada cruise October and had all my excursions booked early.    Shippy, we also have Mera booked for 9/6/20 and only Sydney,  Halifax and New York have excursions listed.  Nothing for Reykjavik, Belfast, Southampton which I’m waiting for.    I’ll just keep checking. 

   Our cruise is 9/26/20 on the Seaside. We have not paid in full and will not for a couple of months.

But, we did have to pay in full for the cabana. Did not mind because they said we could cancel up to a week before sailing. The cabana does show confirmed on our booking.

 That is good for us but do NOT like the policy in general. I know there is a limited number of cabanas. People can book them & hen cancel which would take them out of inventory. Especially since you do not have to pay for your cruise yet !

    Also, there was no map of the layout of the cabanas like some other cruiselines have so you can actually pick the one you want. It is just ocean view or beach & I guess they will just assign one at random when we get there.

I am interested to know the cabana locations and how the location is assigned.  I see the location of the yacht club (Ocean View and beachfront) but I can't tell where the deluxe ocean cay and ocean cay cabanas are located (which beach).  For those who have been to OC and had a cabana did they just assign one to you or were you ever offered a choice of cabana?

Hey tymike, you skipping out on NCL too?

4 hours ago, dexddd said: Hey tymike, you skipping out on NCL too?

Hi there!   Well....only sort of!  We have two cruises booked on NCL (because I had two certificates to use in a hurry!).  We sailed on MSC for the first time last summer and really enjoyed it.  Our upcoming cruise in October is in the YC for the first time and I think we will be so hooked based on what I've read.

Prices on NCL have gone insane, so there's that as well.   🙂

8 hours ago, lovemycruisetoo said: Tymike, that is exactly what I see. Our cruise is 10/22/20 and we’re in the YC and haven’t received any email about excursions.  I just got off a Mera Canada cruise October and had all my excursions booked early.    Shippy, we also have Mera booked for 9/6/20 and only Sydney,  Halifax and New York have excursions listed.  Nothing for Reykjavik, Belfast, Southampton which I’m waiting for.    I’ll just keep checking. 

Yes!  We are cruising together and also in the YC!  Truly excited!

We are paid in full so I'm keeping an eye out for any emails and will be checking the website regularly.

Does anyone know how many cabanas there are  or if you can book by calling MSC?  I know that means being on hold forever  but it may be worth it?

Any specific phone number for excursions?

Thanks everyone....as always!

So, I now need some help figuring out some jibberish that is listed at the bottom of the excursion page of "Manage My Booking".  There are lots of numbers/letters and then a line that reads:  "???MXC--PREPAID--RESTRICTION__YCMCO???"

Any insight what this means??  It literally reads like that.

FWIW: my booking is through the casino department.  I upgraded to YC and paid totally full price for the final four days of the cruise as the casino booking only 'covered' an inside cabin for a seven day cruise.  So paid the difference between an inside for the first seven days then full price for the remainder of the cruise.

Could how we booked affect the timing to secure excursions?

Thanks again....

Tymike, we did our first MSC YC and loved it.  P+ on NCL (mostly Haven) but like dexddd said, we’re skipping out. Done with their ridiculous non-ending sales 😫 , price increases and charges for almost everything while they take away all the free activities.   

I now have 2 MSC’s booked, one Aurea Duplex suite and our YC in Oct. and looking to book 2021 as soon as they’re open.   

I emailed my PCC at MSC to ask when they will open excursions and she said they are there on the website and gave me a link that didn’t work.  After 2 or 3 emails back and forth, she told me she advised her Shorex department of the issues some were having. I asked her if there is a direct phone line to them to book directly but haven’t heard back yet.    

I also noticed some jibberish when I tried to see what excursions were available but haven’t a clue what any of it means.  Will keep you posted if and when I hear anything.  

Lovemycruisetoo....how do you get a PCC at MSC?  I don't have one, most likely because I've only been on one MSC cruise to date.

I also have multiple NCL cruises behind me.  All in suites and two in Haven (one in the DOS which I booked after being laid off for almost two years and getting my job back...and I booked it before the ship was finished!  Crazy!!)  But I feel like NCL has changed so much in the nine years since my first ever cruise (NCL Dawn from Boston to Bermuda) and it's disappointing when I see how they have upcharged everything.

Can your PCC book the cabanas for you?

Tymike, when I first booked back in June 2018 for the first MSC ex NYC to Canada 10/8/19 I just called the 800 number. The guy I spoke to was so helpful that I asked him if I could contact him for any questions as this was my first non NCL cruise where I was used to having a great PCC.   After a few months when I emailed him about something, another consultant answered that he left the company and she would take over the booking.  I just continued with her as I have her email and have been happy with her. Only thing is they have no direct telephone number so everything is thru email first and then I arrange a time when she calls me to finalize the booking.   

I don’t know if they can book the cabanas, sorry. 

Thanks so much for the information for the MSC  PCC info.

 I too have an excellent PCC with NCL and have had the same one since our second NCL cruise.  I'm sorry for him that I may not book again with things being what they are with NCL.

We have fourth YC coming up in March.  Done with FDR's death by a thousand cuts.  We too Plat Plus but only had one cert expiring in one year I recently offloaded for trade for a newer cert IF NCL can ever earn back our suite business.

You'll love it in YC, much more consistent good treatment VS NCL overworked crew.  The only real downside is size and variety of rooms VS NCL.

8 hours ago, dexddd said: We have fourth YC coming up in March.  Done with FDR's death by a thousand cuts.  We too Plat Plus but only had one cert expiring in one year I recently offloaded for trade for a newer cert IF NCL can ever earn back our suite business.   You'll love it in YC, much more consistent good treatment VS NCL overworked crew.  The only real downside is size and variety of rooms VS NCL.

FWIW, I am also Plat + on NCL and have jumped over to MSC! I booked my first YC1 - and it's so much less expensive sailing solo than on NCL - I just cancelled my 2020 cruise with NCL...deck 9 aft balcony on the Breakaway (my first non-Haven/suite since my second cruise with them).  I always thought I would sail exclusively with one cruise line, but my TA convinced me to spread my wings! I'll be on the Seaside out of Miami with (gasp 🤯 ) different stops in the Caribbean!! If all goes well, I may try a new line after this one! 

On our Canadian cruise this past October, we missed a port and was given not only our port fees back, but also $300.00 refundable OBC in addition to the $50.00 we got before we even left NY because we had to leave Quebec 12 hours early. First time I got off a ship with more money than I got on with 😁 . That’s what will keep me with them because they know how to treat their customers.  

What do you get from NCL when they miss a port? Or shorten your cruise by two days?You’re told that we signed a contract that says they can do whatever they want.  I have only sailed NCL since 2010 and have done 16 cruises. My 17th and last one with them is this February 2020 and only because it’s paid for. All I can say is, it’s their loss, not mine. 

13 hours ago, NayRN said: FWIW, I am also Plat + on NCL and have jumped over to MSC! I booked my first YC1 - and it's so much less expensive sailing solo than on NCL - I just cancelled my 2020 cruise with NCL...deck 9 aft balcony on the Breakaway (my first non-Haven/suite since my second cruise with them).  I always thought I would sail exclusively with one cruise line, but my TA convinced me to spread my wings! I'll be on the Seaside out of Miami with (gasp 🤯 ) different stops in the Caribbean!! If all goes well, I may try a new line after this one! 

Hi Nay, recognize you and your years here on the boards.  Good luck on your first MSC.  We did two Seaside this year and had a great time.

Yeah, then you get a few cheerleaders saying you agreed to the contract but those are fewer and fewer.  The latest is the Star where people in April getting revised routes just past final payment.  They know Star will still be having issues that far out?  If so, do the right thing VS sending letter after final payment.

Seeing quite a few familiar NCL regulars here now.  Thinking the silent majority is voting with wallet.

Although I'm a new cruiser on MSC (one cruise to date and another in the fall) I do love being optimistic that their product will outdo what I've seen happening on NCL over the last nine years since my first cruise on the Dawn.  The cutbacks in service, offerings on board included, and the crazy increases in prices with NCL has been nothing less than totally disappointing and frustrating.

We truly enjoyed our cruise on the Armonia last summer (Aurea Experience) even though we were prevented from visiting Cuba.  I think that says a lot about what MSC offers, especially because we booked that cruise in order to visit Cuba.  I'm very excited to be in the YC  next fall!

I plan to call MSC tomorrow to see when I might be able to book a cabana on Ocean Cay.  I'll let everyone know what I find out...

Thanks Tymike!  Hope you can find out something. 

Just off the phone with MSC (the phone prompt for YC reservations).  The rep stated that reservations can only be made six months in advance.  Does anyone have a different experience with when they could book a cabana?

He also said he had "no idea" what the jibberish on my "manage my booking" meant.

Wish I had better/different/feeling more reliable news!

On 12/12/2019 at 5:15 PM, tymike said: Hi all... Just off the phone with MSC (the phone prompt for YC reservations).  The rep stated that reservations can only be made six months in advance.  Does anyone have a different experience with when they could book a cabana? He also said he had "no idea" what the jibberish on my "manage my booking" meant. Wish I had better/different/feeling more reliable news!

   We booked & paid for our beach front YC cabana a few weeks ago & our cruise is not until the end of next September.

We went on the MSC website under 'manage your cruise'

The cabanas were listed under the excursions. Our final payment for the cruise itself has not been made.

With such a limited number of cabanas available, if people wait until 6 months before their cruise, there will probably be no availability 

Thank you Shippy...

I was afraid of this. 

I feel like the cabanas are a fixed 'excursion' on Ocean Cay and there's no reason they shouldn't be listed under 'Manage Your Cruise" on the website.  I'm only offered the wave runners and the lighthouse climb as of today and I'm paid in full.  And that's under "Manage My Cruise".  

I guess I'll call again and be more firm that others have booked cabanas in advance and ask how to secure one.

Or...I can be very happy with an umbrella for $13 !  Whatever happens will be great!  It's a vacation....right?

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15 Things You Need To Know Before Cruising With MSC

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Stepping onto my first MSC cruise, I was prepared for a different cruise experience. I found myself in a state of uncertainty, unsure if I would fall in love with the experience or be left disappointed.

Since MSC Cruises is an Italian cruise line, the onboard experience is somewhat different from that of most mainstream cruise lines. These differences lead to a lot of uncertainty around MSC, which causes many cruisers to wonder if they would enjoy the experience.

While MSC Cruises may be different, the experience is undeniably enjoyable. However, there are some key aspects that every cruiser should be aware of before embarking on their first MSC cruise.

In this post, I share everything you should know before you take your first MSC cruise. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned cruise, this will help you know what to expect on an MSC cruise.

15 Things To Know Before Cruising With MSC

1. the food on msc is different from other cruise lines.

If you’ve been on contemporary mainstream cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, or Carnival, you’ll find MSC’s dining experience different. In particular, MSC cruise ships have fewer casual dining options.

Onboard MSC, you can eat in the buffet, main dining room, or specialty restaurants. Unlike other mainstream cruise lines, there’s no pool-side grill, cafe or included casual fast food options disbursed around the cruise ship.

Throughout the day, the main place to eat is in the buffet. However, the buffet onboard MSC is good and plentiful, serving a variety of classical American dishes, Italian dishes, fresh fruit, and other healthy options. There’s also MSC’s famous pizza, which lives up to the hype.

Furthermore, the buffet has a kids-only section, serving children’s food options at a lower counter height.

Before we went on our MSC Seascape cruise, we heard some mixed reviews and criticisms of the food onboard. However, in our experience, the food was quite tasty, and there was always a wide variety of choices.

2. MSC Safety Drill

MSC’s safety drill is done a little differently from most other cruise lines. This is important to know as it’s one of the things you’ll need to do on embarkation day.

Nowadays, most cruise lines have a virtual or e-muster drill, which includes watching a safety video on a cell phone via the cruise line app, as well as a check in at the muster station. It’s fast and efficient.

However, this is just one thing that is different about boarding day on an MSC cruise.

On MSC cruises, you must watch the safety video on your stateroom TV, then use the in cabin phone and call #881 to confirm this is done. You’ll also need to check-in at your muster station and have your cruise card scanned.

This is definately something I wish I knew before I went on my first MSC cruise. It only takes an extra few minutes, but it’s important to be aware.

3. Elevators

MSC Cruises has a different elevator system than traditional cruise lines. Instead of pressing a button to go up or down, you press which floor you’d like to go to on a screen outside of the elevator, and then it will assign you an elevator.

Although this elevator system differs, I have seen a similar elevator system on Carnival Venezia and the brand-new Sun Princess .

The elevators are different and takes some time to get used to. While sometimes we felt like we waited longer than on other cruise ships, it is fast and efficient when the cruise ship is quiet. The best part is that an accurate waiting time is indicated.

4. Bring a White Outfit

When you cruise with MSC, packing a white outfit is important. During your MSC cruise, you’ll have a white party, during which everyone will dress in white. The white night begins at dinner and ends with a deck party!

One of the most memorable aspects of our MSC cruise was the white night event. I was pleasantly surprised to see how many people had packed their best white outfits , ready to join in the fun. 

The fact that every cruise passenger participated, from the youngest to the oldest, created a sense of unity and made the white night even more special.

Our cruise was filled with a variety of themed parties, from a tropical party to the glow party. Each one was a unique experience, offering a different atmosphere and style of entertainment. 

These themed parties are a must-attend and a fun time for everyone.

Related: 25 Gorgeous White Dresses to Wear on a Cruise

5. Guests Speak Many Different Languages

When you sail with MSC, be prepared for guests to speak different languages. Compared to American cruise lines, MSC passengers come from all over the world.

During our cruise, I heard people speaking English, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Portugese, Mandarin and more. Although you may hear many unfamiliar languages, this created a unique cruising experience.

At times, you may be in an elevator, and you’ll hear 5 different languages being spoken. For the most part, cruise passengers understand English. However, it’s not the first language for many people on an MSC cruise.

Rest assured, the crew onboard MSC is fluent in English, ensuring smooth and effortless communication throughout your cruise vacation.

Related: Why We’re Excited for the New MSC World America

6. Status Match

The MSC Status Match program allows cruise passengers to receive comparable or even better loyalty benefits than they would receive on other cruise lines. 

To receive the benefits, you must join the MSC Voyagers Club. Once approved, you will receive an immediate 5% discount on any future MSC cruises, onboard discounts for spa services, photo packages, Wi-Fi, complimentary gifts, and other valuable savings.

If you have a high status on another cruise line, you’ll definitely want to apply for the MSC Voyagers Club. They offer some great benefits that are worth taking advantage of.

7. MSC Cruise Ship Hot Tubs Aren’t Actually Hot

Something that is very different on an MSC cruise is the hot tubs. To our surprise, the hot tubs onboard were not hot!

Instead, the hot tubs were lukewarm at best, which wasn’t exactly our cup of tea. When checking the various hot tubs around the cruise ship, we came to find out that this was the norm, unless you were at the spa.

If you like a very warm or hot traditional jacuzzi style hot tub, you might be dissapointed.

8. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve Private Island

If you’re taking a Caribbean cruise with MSC, there’s a good chance that your itinerary will include Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Ocean Cay is MSC’s private island , and it is a perfect place for an amazing beach day.

When you visit Ocean Cay, you’ll have free beach access and lounge chairs, and your drink package works on land. Furthermore, if you’ve purchased the ship’s Wi-Fi, you will get Wi-Fi on the island.

The private island consists of eight different beach areas, each offering a unique ambiance. You’ll also find several bars, a charming lighthouse, and an included dining when you where you can eat a delicious barbecue buffet lunch.

Related: 10 Mistakes to Avoid on Cruise Private Islands

9. MSC For Me Wristband

In addition to a cruise card, MSC has an optional wristband wearable device available at an extra charge. The MSC For Me waterproof wearable device has some similarities to the  Princess Medallion  or The Band on Virgin Voyages .

With the MSC Wristband, you can get into your room and get drinks instead of using your cruise card. However, you do still need to use your cruise card to get on and off the cruise ship in ports of call.

The MSC For Me Wristband is available for guests to purchase onboard most newer MSC cruises. However, The MSC Wristband is provided free of charge for Yacht Club and Aurea members.

10. Bars Serve Espresso and Specialty Coffee

MSC offers a unique feature that you won’t find on other cruise ships – specialty coffee and espresso served at all the bars. As a coffee lover, I really enjoyed this feature.

Rather than having to go to a cafe in the atrium or promenade (like on other cruise ships), on MSC you can order a coffee at any of the bars. This was super convenient, as I never had to wait in long lines to get my morning coffee.

11. Certain Activities Cost Extra

It’s important to note that certain activities have an additional charge onboard MSC cruise ships. Attractions like Robotron and the Formula 1 Racing Simulator have an extra charge.

However, there are also many fun activities that are free or included. For example, on our recent MSC Seascape cruise, the Pirates Cove Aqua Park and 4 water slides were included.

You’ll also find a kid’s club, sports court and other included activities and entertainment options that the whole family can enjoy.

12. There Won’t Be Many Americans on European Sailings

Since MSC is a European cruise line, they are much more popular in Europe than they are in North America. So, if you’re thinking of booking an MSC cruise in Europe, something to know is that Americans won’t make up the majority of passengers.

Typically, MSC sailings in Europe attract more Europeans than Americans. There’s nothing wrong with this, but it can be a different cruise experience than other American cruise lines.

For example, announcements are likely to be in several languages, the entertainment may rely on music and visuals, so as to appeal to the multiple languages of the guests.

While MSC is growing rapidly in the USA and attracting more American and Canadian passengers for Caribbean and other North American sailings, MSC’s European cruises will feel a bit different.

Related: 10 Things I Wish I knew Before Going on my Mediterranean Cruise

13. Different Booking Process

It’s important to know that MSC has a different booking process and offers three different types of cruise experiences at different price points.

Bella is your introductory package, Fantastica is the mid-tier package, which includes choosing your own dining time and a few perks, and Aurea includes spa access and other perks.

Before booking your cruise, it’s important to consider which package aligns with your budget and vacation style. We, for instance, found the Fantastica package to be a perfect fit for our needs and thoroughly enjoyed our cruise.

14. MSC Yacht Club

MSC Yacht Club is for those who want the ultimate cruise experience. You’ll have access to private dining venues, an exclusive sun deck, and 24-hour butler service when you’re a Yacht Club member.

You’ll also get priority check-in and check-out, the premium drinks package, the premium Wi-Fi package, and a dedicated concierge.

While we didn’t have the opportunity to experience the MSC Yacht Club on our recent MSC cruise, we were captivated by this exclusive retreat. In fact, we’ve heard from many cruisers who have tried MSC Yacht Club and say they could never go back!

It’s a testament to the fact that the MSC Yacht Club offers a transformative experience that can truly enhance your cruise vacation.

15. The Pizza Lives Up to the Hype

Since MSC Cruises is an Italian cruise line, they are known for having some of the best cruise pizza at sea. As a pizza lover, I have to admit that MSC really does have a great pizza!

The pizza they served had large slices, was freshly made, and they offered a variety of tasty flavors. When you sail with MSC, you have to give their pizza a try.

Bonus: Download The MSC App

If you have an upcoming MSC cruise, remember to download the MSC App!

On the MSC App, you can view your daily activities and dining times, book excursions, dining reservations, and spa appointments, and access your spa treatments. It’s best to download the app in advance, as the Wi-Fi may not be great at the cruise port.

Video: Our First MSC Cruise Wasn’t What We Expected. Here’s Why

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• 12 Ways to Store More in Small Cruise Cabins
• 27 Things People Forget to Pack for a Cruise
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• 7 Money Saving Cruise Secrets I Wish I Knew Sooner

Final Thoughts On Things To Know About Cruising With MSC

MSC Cruises is one of my favorite cruise lines as it has a great variety of activities and a fun nightlife, and they offer a unique cruising experience.

As someone who has taken over 35 cruises, cruising with MSC was a better than I expected. The price was competitive and the experience was in line with what we would expect from a contemporary cruise line.

Although MSC may not be for everyone, it is worth trying. You never know, you may just love it!

Have you taken an MSC Cruise, or would you consider it? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

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The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises ships and itineraries

MSC Cruises may be the biggest cruise line you've never heard of — assuming you're an American.

While the Switzerland-based company is the third-biggest cruise line in the world, it has far less name recognition among Americans than big U.S.-based lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line . That's because, until recently, MSC Cruises mostly catered to Europeans. A large percentage of its customers came from countries such as Italy, Germany, France and Spain.

That's all changing now — and in a big way.

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

As it expands its fleet at a rapid pace , MSC Cruises is massively building its footprint in North America in an effort to woo more Americans. As recently as 2017, the line only had a single vessel based in North America. Now it's up to three ships sailing out of U.S. ports, and by the end of 2023, that number will have shot up to five.

All the North America-based ships are marketed heavily to Americans, and the line has tailored some of the features and activities on the vessels to a North American crowd.

Like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line , MSC Cruises has been building big resortlike vessels that offer every sort of amusement known to humans, from giant water parks to race car simulators. It currently operates eight of the 20 biggest cruise ships in the world — one of which (MSC Meraviglia) now calls North America home with year-round sailings out of New York City.

Related: Which cruise brand is right for you? A guide to the most popular lines

3 things TPG loves about MSC Cruises

• Its affordability
• The incredible array of activities on its ships
• The status match it offers with its loyalty program

What we could do without

• Onboard announcements in five languages (on overseas sailings)

The MSC Cruises fleet

MSC Cruises has grown enormously in recent years. As recently as early 2017, the line had just 12 ships in operation. But it's added new ships at a rapid pace over the past six years and now operates 22 vessels, more than any other major line besides Royal Caribbean and Carnival. It also has three more giant new ships on the way in the next few years.

If that sounds like too many ships to get your head around, note that all 22 of the vessels in operation, as well as the three on order, fall into six distinct classes . The ships within each of the classes have similar sizes and onboard attractions. If you know one ship in the class, you know them all.

Related: MSC Cruises ships from newest to oldest — a complete list

As a result of its rapid growth, MSC Cruises recently passed Norwegian to become the world's third-biggest cruise brand when measured by passenger capacity. Only Royal Caribbean and Carnival are bigger.

Not including pulldown bunks and pullout sofas, MSC Cruises' 22 ships have 77,832 berths — about 21,000 more than Norwegian's fleet. At its current pace of growth, MSC Cruises could soon pass Carnival to become the world's second-biggest line.

As noted above, the MSC Cruises fleet includes eight of the world's 20 biggest cruise vessels — MSC World Europa , MSC Euribia , MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia , MSC Bellissima, MSC Seashore and MSC Seascape . Built in the last six years, these eight ships aren't quite as big as Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis Class vessels (the world's biggest cruise ships), but they're right up there when it comes to amenities and passenger capacity.

The grande dame of the MSC Cruises fleet is its recently unveiled MSC World Europa. At 215,863 tons, it's the biggest MSC Cruises ship ever built and the first of a new series of so-called World Class vessels that are nearly as big as Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships.

The next-biggest ships in the MSC Cruises fleet are its recently unveiled Meraviglia Class vessels: MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Euribia. Similar in design, these five ships aren't quite as big as MSC World Europa, but they're right up there when it comes to size, amenities and passenger capacity.

MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Euribia, which debuted in 2019, 2021 and 2023, respectively, are a tad longer than MSC Bellissima and MSC Meraviglia and are considered a subset of the class known as Meraviglia Plus. Each can hold 4,842 passengers at double occupancy (or 6,334 passengers if every last pulldown bunk and pullout sofa is filled).

The other two Meraviglia Class ships, which date to 2019 and 2017, can carry more than 5,600 passengers with every berth filled.

In addition to these five giants, MSC Cruises also operates four large Seaside Class ships. Each has a total capacity of 5,336 to 5,632 passengers.

Add those in, and MSC Cruises operates 10 of the world's 35 biggest cruise ships, plus four somewhat smaller Fantasia Class vessels that can each hold around 4,400 passengers at maximum occupancy.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Together, the 14 World, Meraviglia, Seaside and Fantasia Class vessels make up MSC Cruises' big-ship fleet. The line's remaining eight vessels, split among two classes, are considerably smaller, with maximum occupancy topping out at 2,700 to 3,200 passengers.

The eight smaller ships, which in general are the line's older ships, allow MSC Cruises to offer 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 the World Class or Meraviglia Class vessels, although even the biggest MSC Cruises ships are still designed to be able to call at most ports around the world.

The smaller ships also appeal to a subset of MSC Cruises fans who are willing to give up some onboard amenities in exchange for intimacy. They're usually less expensive on a per-day basis, too.

In addition to all the above, MSC Group — the line's parent company — has announced plans for yet another class of big 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 called Explora Journeys.

Destinations and itineraries

MSC Cruises sails almost everywhere in the world, but its heaviest presence is in Europe, where it's the biggest cruise operator.

In a typical summer, the line will deploy the vast majority of its ships in the Mediterranean or northern Europe. In recent years, the line has also kept at least a couple of ships in Florida in summer for voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. This year, the line had two ships based in Florida for summer sailings to the Caribbean and the Bahamas, plus one ship sailing out of New York City for the summer.

During winter, MSC Cruises typically will add more ships to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. (For winter 2023-2024, it expects to have six in the region.) It'll also typically send four or five ships to South America in winter and often deploys vessels in winter to South Africa and the Middle East.

For winter 2023-2024, it'll have one ship in South Africa. The line's Middle East deployment this year has been cut back due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Additionally, MSC Cruises often offers an around-the-world cruise in winter on a single ship.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on an MSC Cruises ship

In North America, MSC Cruises ships have generally sailed out of Miami , but the line recently added Port Canaveral and New York City as home ports, too. The line also offers cruises from the Caribbean islands of Barbados, Martinique and Guadeloupe, and in a major development, the line opened its first private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve , in the Bahamas in 2019. It's a major stop for many MSC Cruises itineraries in the region.

In Europe, major MSC Cruises hubs include Southampton, England; Copenhagen; Kiel and Hamburg in Germany; Ancona, Venice, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, Bari and Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) in Italy; Barcelona, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca in Spain; and Marseille, France.

Who sails MSC Cruises?

MSC Cruises is increasingly known for having big, bustling megaships that'll appeal to people who like a megaresort experience. In other words, if you're the kind of person who loves staying on property at Disney World or at a giant Las Vegas resort , this could be the line for you.

The bigger MSC Cruises ships offer vacationers a ton of options for dining (some vessels have more than a dozen distinct places to eat dinner or at least grab a quick bite) or entertainment. They're lively and fun.

They also have an inordinate amount of teen- and tween-friendly attractions — everything from some of the largest waterslides at sea to sprawling amusement areas with race car simulators, flight simulators and XD cinemas (more on all this below). That makes them particularly appealing to families, including multigenerational groups. Families are a big part of MSC Cruises' business.

But it's not just families that flock to MSC Cruises.

The line's ships are designed to offer something for everyone, and they thus appeal to a wide demographic, including couples of all ages and even solo travelers (the line has added solo cabins on its newer ships and occasionally runs promotions for solo travelers). They also draw customers from a wide range of the income spectrum.

At one level, MSC Cruises ships have a for-the-masses feel. However, overlaid across many of the line's ships are high-end suites, upscale restaurants and luxury services — most notably the suites and amenities in the exclusive, upscale MSC Yacht Club areas found on some vessels (more on that later). As a result, the line draws a good number of luxury-seeking travelers.

The demographic profile of MSC Cruises ships can be markedly different depending on where the vessels are based. On Caribbean sailings out of Florida, you'll find that a large percentage of passengers are English-speaking North Americans.

MSC Cruises voyages in Europe are often heavily filled with Europeans speaking Italian, German, Spanish and French, as well as some English speakers. In Europe, the line offers onboard programming in all five of these languages (all crew members speak English no matter where the ships are sailing).

Reality check: Due to the diverse origins of passengers on European sailings, the line typically makes announcements in all five of the aforementioned languages. This can result in extraordinarily long announcements at times, which can be a distraction to some cruisers. The good news is that on sailings out of U.S. ports, only safety announcements are made in all five languages. Other announcements are in English only.

Cabins and suites

MSC Cruises offers a wide range of accommodations on its ships. On its newest vessels, you'll find everything from relatively low-cost, windowless "interior" cabins that measure as little as 172 square feet (perfect for the budget traveler) to suites more than five times that size that sprawl across two decks.

Still, MSC Cruises doesn't offer the sort of truly giant suites (more than 1,000 to 2,000 square feet) you'll find on some Norwegian and Royal Caribbean ships.

At the high end, the accommodations are aimed at affluent travelers who, for whatever reason, prefer the megaship experience to being on a luxury ship, and they can be quite impressive.

The biggest suites on MSC Grandiosa, which launched in 2019, span two levels and offer around 635 square feet of interior space, plus another 237 square feet of outdoor balcony space.

On more than half of MSC Cruises' ships, many of the top suites are part of an exclusive, keycard-accessed area called the MSC Yacht Club . Billed as an upscale "ship within a ship" and aimed at luxury travelers, the MSC Yacht Club is at the very top of vessels and comes with a private lounge, a pool, sunning areas and even its own restaurant.

Related: Everything you need to know about MSC Cruises cabins and suites

MSC Yacht Club accommodations also come with 24-hour butler service and a dedicated concierge.

Solo cabins (called interior studios) measuring just 127 square feet can be found on the line's seven newest vessels.

Insider tip: Passengers can use the interactive TVs in cabins to browse information, find out about daily events and activities, check bills and book services. On some ships, MSC for Me interactive wristbands can open your cabin door and also allow you to book services or make contactless payments for items on board.

Restaurants and dining

While a few of MSC Cruises' smallest ships have relatively limited dining venues, many of the line's vessels offer a wide range of choices.

On the line's recently unveiled MSC Euribia, for instance, there are nearly a dozen distinct eateries, as well as a number of bars and lounges that serve at least small bites. MSC Seashore has five specialty restaurants that feature waterfront, outdoor seating on the ship's boardwalk.

Every vessel has at least one or more main dining rooms and a casual buffet where meals are included in the fare.

For dinner in a main dining room, you must either have My Choice dining with the Aurea experience (a flexible dining option where you dine whenever you want) or classic dining (where you have a fixed table and time for dinner).

Nearly every ship also has at least one — and sometimes quite a few — extra-charge venues. Among the most common across the fleet is the American-style steakhouse Butcher's Cut, which is found on more than half the line's vessels. There also are sushi bars on more than half the line's ships, with varying names like Kaito Sushi and Galaxy Sushi.

The line's newest ships have teppanyaki restaurants, too, and passengers on MSC Cruises' Seaside Class ships, as well as MSC Meraviglia and MSC Splendida, can dine at a Mediterranean-style seafood restaurant.

Several of the line's newest vessels, including MSC Grandiosa and MSC Bellissima, also have the French cuisine-serving L'Atelier Bistrot.

Entertainment and activities

MSC Cruises offers a broad range of entertainment and activities on its ships. As noted above, the line's biggest vessels offer multiple entertainment venues, from Broadway-style theaters to spaces for circus-like performances; all manner of deck-top attractions; large casinos; and full-service spas. Plus, you'll find multiple bars, lounges and nightlife spots.

Theaters and shows

Like other megaship lines, MSC Cruises is known for big, glitzy theater productions performed in onboard theaters that are as state-of-the-art as anything you'll find on Broadway.

On the line's newer ships, such as MSC Euribia, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Grandiosa, there are main theaters that hold nearly 1,000 people. They offer as many as six different full-scale theatrical productions during a typical voyage, with multiple showtimes for each production and a range of styles. You'll find original Broadway-style musicals, piano concerts and even operas.

Some MSC Cruises ships have high-tech, multipurpose entertainment spaces that serve as comedy clubs and karaoke bars but can also transform into music venues. Dubbed the TV Studio & Bar on some ships, these spaces also house radio and TV broadcasting equipment, and they can host games, quizzes and talent contests aired live on TV sets in cabins.

Other interior attractions and activities

In addition to entertainment spaces, the interiors of MSC Cruises ships are loaded with other venues where passengers can kick back and let loose day and night, including a seemingly endless array of bars, lounges and nightspots.

Every MSC Cruises ship has a casino, and on the line's larger vessels, they are big operations. Le Grand Casino on MSC Grandiosa, for instance, has 164 slot machines, 12 table games (including blackjack, roulette and poker) and its own bar.

The five Meraviglia and Meraviglia Plus Class vessels also have soaring interior mall-like spaces called Gallerias with bars, restaurants and retail shops, as does the new MSC World Europa.

Many of the Gallerias, for example, are home to an innovative chocolate bar and boutique created by well-known French patissier and chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury.

The Gallerias on the five Meraviglia and Meraviglia Plus Class vessels — MSC Euribia, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima — are topped with one of the most stunning features found at sea: a dazzling "digital sky" made with curving LED screens that offer regular light shows during the day and evening. There's something similar on MSC World Europa.

The bigger MSC Cruises ships also have interactive game zones with such attractions as Formula One racing simulators, immersive XD cinemas, arcade games and even full-size bowling alleys.

For something more soothing, all MSC Cruises ships include spas. These can be quite big on the larger vessels, with expansive thermal areas and a wide choice of treatments and services.

Insider tip: Passengers can get information about onboard entertainment and restaurants (and make reservations) on the interactive screens found around MSC Cruises vessels.

Top-deck attractions

The top decks of MSC Cruises ships offer pools, hot tubs and plenty of lounge space, plus some spectacular family-focused fun zones — on the line's newest ships, at least.

On the line's Meraviglia and Seaside Class ships, top-deck amenities include sprawling back-of-the-ship water parks with multiple waterslides, ropes courses and watery play areas for the little ones.

Some ships even have zip lines — the longest at sea.

Additionally, the main pool areas on the newest MSC Cruises ships are among the biggest and most stunning at sea. Some of the line's ships also have adults-only pools topped with glass ceilings that can be opened on warm days.

Children's programs

MSC Cruises has some of the most extensive children's programs at sea, with dedicated clubs and activities for children as young as a couple of months old through the age of 17.

On most ships, the line offers programming for five distinct age groups.

For the very youngest cruisers, there's Baby Club, a program for babies and toddlers up to the age of 3. The line partnered with baby care brand Chicco to develop dedicated Baby Club play areas on every ship with toys, games and music and rhythm activities. You can leave your toddlers at the clubs, which have dedicated staff, or stay and play with them.

MSC Cruises ships also have a dedicated Mini Club (ages 3 to 6) and Junior Club (ages 7 to 11) with age-appropriate activities. Designed in partnership with the Lego Group, the Mini Clubs offer games, events and activities such as arts and crafts. Junior Clubs have a Masterchef at Sea Juniors competition, plus acting, dancing and singing activities.

Related: New MSC Cruises ship in New York is bigger than the city's biggest hotel

MSC Cruises ships also have Young Club, a tween program (ages 12 to 14) that includes sports tournaments, high-tech games and other activities.

Then there's Teen Club (ages 15 to 17), which hosts disco parties, karaoke parties and Wii, Xbox and PlayStation 4 tournaments. On MSC Grandiosa, teens even get the chance to pilot a drone through an obstacle course during an activity called the Drone Academy, and the ship holds a teen dance competition designed in partnership with the company behind "The X Factor."

Kids and teens clubs on newer MSC Cruises ships can also access cutting-edge equipment like 3D printing machines, virtual reality devices and 3D product scanning, all of which are used in activities.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

If you're a U.S. citizen on a cruise that starts and ends in a U.S. port, you'll need either a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to sail. Passports must be valid for at least six months.

For cruises from international ports, you'll need a passport. It's important that the name on your reservation is listed exactly as it appears on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

MSC Cruises adds an automatic service charge of $16 per person to final bills on sailings out of U.S. ports. Sailings with pricing in euros have a 12 euro charge ($13.13 at current exchange rates). Children 2 to 11 pay half the adult rate on most cruises. Children under 2 are not charged for service.

Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bills at bars for cruisers who do not have a drinks package. If you buy a drinks package, the gratuity charges for drinks is folded into the package price when you book it. A 15% service charge is also added to items in minibars, salons and spas.

Related: Tipping on a cruise ship: Everything you need to know

MSC Cruises has been rolling out Wi-Fi with speeds so fast that you'll be able to watch Netflix from your room on your mobile device. Unlike some lines, though, MSC Cruises doesn't offer flat-fee pricing for Wi-Fi. Instead, MSC Cruises charges by the number of devices you use and how you want to use the internet (think: browsing, texting, sending emails or video streaming).

Basic packages for browsing start around $72 for one device with unlimited data. A two-device plan with unlimited data for browsing costs about $109. There's also a four-device browsing plan for about $223. If you're looking to stream video along with other internet uses, you'll need a streaming plan. These start around $100 for one device and can be as high as $313 for a four-device plan.

Unlike other cruise lines, MSC Cruises does not let passengers switch their internet plan from one device to another during the cruise, even if they're only using one device at a time. Make sure you sign up for the Wi-Fi plan on the device you intend to use it with. If you'll want access on both your phone and your tablet, you will need a two-device plan.

Passengers can chat with friends and family on board ships even if they don't have an internet package by downloading the MSC for Me app to a smart device. The app also lets you book services on board.

Carry-on drinks policy

Unlike some lines, MSC Cruises doesn't allow passengers to bring their own alcohol on board.

Smoking policy

Smoking (including electronic cigarette smoking) is allowed in a limited number of designated areas on ships, with the primary smoking area on ships being an outdoor pool area that varies by ship and is indicated by signage. Smoking is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies, and those who violate this rule will face a $250 fee.

Unlike some lines, MSC Cruises does not build self-service launderettes onto its ships. Vessels offer extra-charge laundry and dry-cleaning services.

Electrical outlets

All vessels have standard North American-style, 110-volt outlets in rooms, as well as European-style, 220-volt outlets. A growing number of vessels also have USB ports in cabins.

For cruises in the Caribbean, South America and South Africa, as well as on MSC Grand Voyages going to Europe and to Australia, the onboard currency is the U.S. dollar.

On cruises in other parts of the world, the onboard currency is the euro. All vessels operate on a cashless system with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. You'll receive a Cruise Card (or, on the newer ships, an MSC for Me wristband) that you can use to make purchases.

Drinking age

You must be at least 21 years old to consume alcohol on sailings in the U.S. and the Caribbean. The drinking age on sailings everywhere else in the world is 18.

During the day, there's no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination and you're bound for the top deck, that means dressing for the beach — T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to put on when you go inside) are just fine.

On most evenings, the line recommends "smart casual" dress, meaning summery dresses for women and a lightweight jacket for men. On select days, the line also holds Gala evenings on its ships where the dress code can be more formal. For Gala evenings, if dining in a main dining room, the line suggests a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit and tie for men and a dressy outfit, formal gown or cocktail dress for women.

Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

MSC Cruises loyalty program

MSC Cruises has a point-based frequent cruiser program, the MSC Voyagers Club , that has four tiers ranging from Classic (requiring 1 point) to Diamond (10,000 points).

Members earn points based on the length of the cruises they take and which "experience" they book on those sailings. There are four different "experiences" you can book on an MSC Cruises sailing, each with different inclusions and price points. The most basic "Bella" experience will get you fewer points than the top "MSC Yacht Club" experience.

For a sailing of under five nights, for instance, your earnings would range from 200 to 800 points depending on the experience you book. For cruises that are five to nine nights in length, you'd earn from 500 to 1,500 points depending on the experience.

Every person in your stateroom will earn points for the cruise. You can also earn points with onboard spending and any bookings you made before embarkation. You'll earn 100 points for every $150 in prepaid and onboard expenses.

Know, though, that there are a couple of key caveats. Only the Voyagers Club member who makes the final payment for the onboard expenses will receive those points. For prepaid expenses, points will be equally distributed among the cabin occupants.

Say, for example, the total amount of prepaid onboard services that apply to all cabin occupants before the cruise is $600. If there are four cabin occupants, the spending for the points calculation of each member will be $150, which is equal to 100 points.

As is typical for cruise line loyalty programs, the entry-level tier (Classic) doesn't bring all that many truly valuable rewards. By far the most alluring benefit at this level is the 5% discount that members get when booking future sailings (note that this discount is not valid on Tandem and MSC Grand Tours). That's real savings every time you book a cruise.

The real perks begin at Diamond status, which brings a free dinner in an extra-charge restaurant, priority embarkation at the start of a cruise and priority disembarkation at the end of a cruise.

Unlike with most cruise line loyalty programs, you won't automatically keep your status forever with MSC Cruises. Once achieved, your status is good as long as you take a cruise at least once every 36 months. If you don't, not only will your points disappear, but your entire account will be erased, requiring you to re-enroll and start all over again.

That's the downside of the MSC Voyagers Club. However, the program also comes with one very big upside: MSC Cruises will let you status match your way to top-tier Diamond status based on your status level with any of more than two dozen other loyalty programs — not just those run by competing cruise lines but also those operated by Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton. It's very rare in the cruise world.

How much does an MSC Cruises voyage cost?

MSC Cruises is known for some of the most affordable ships at sea. It's not uncommon to find MSC Cruises voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas from under $75 per person, per night, including all taxes and fees — at least in the offseason.

For instance, at the time of publication, four-night sailings from Miami to the Bahamas in September 2024 start at just $249 per person, not including taxes and fees of $100. That works out to just $87.25 per person, per night, with taxes and fees, for a package that includes your lodging, transportation and meals.

As you might expect, pricing for ships will generally be lower during offseason periods such as September, October and parts of November.

The timing of when you book can also matter. Cruises book up much further in advance than airplanes or hotels, and many cruisers will tell you the best pricing for any given sailing often is available when cruises first go on sale (which can be a good two years before a departure). Booking far in advance also gives you the best chance of getting your preferred cabin type and location on a ship.

Once on board an MSC Cruises ship, you'll pay extra for most drinks, extra-charge restaurants, spa services, shore excursions, internet and a few other amenities — unless you've paid up for a more inclusive package.

When pricing cabins, MSC Cruises offers one of four main "experiences," each of which comes with different inclusions and varying price tags. The basic "Bella" experience includes your room, dining in the main restaurants and buffet, and access to all the included features of the ship, such as kids programs and theater shows.

Note that if you book the Bella experience, you cannot select a specific cabin. You can only choose between the broad categories of inside, ocean-view or balcony cabin, and a cabin is later assigned to you.

One step up is the more expensive "Fantastica" experience, which adds room service and breakfast delivered to your cabin, priority choice of dinner sittings, access to additional kids activities and classes, and more. At this level and above, you can pick a specific cabin when booking.

With the even pricier "Aurea" experience, you'll get complimentary access to the spa's thermal area, priority boarding and other perks. The Aurea experience also comes with access to My Choice dining and an exclusive sun deck area that on many ships features an exclusive bar and hot tubs.

Then there's the MSC Yacht Club experience, mentioned above, which is the ultimate in onboard living. Even with its higher price tag, the MSC Yacht Club still provides great value for its wide range of perks, such as unlimited drinks in all MSC Yacht Club areas, including premium spirits and minibar items.

Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their 1st cruise

How to book

If you're sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary — and about a dozen other things — you can head over to the MSC Cruises website to book directly.

That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise (there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process: trust us) we recommend you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises. A good travel agent will quiz you about your interests, travel style and preferences, and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. They also can help if something goes wrong just before, during or after your voyage.

If you're sure MSC Cruises is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who knows all about the line's various cabin categories and, preferably, has done ship inspections to see them firsthand.

Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your purchase when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases . This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve , which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card , which earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel (and dining).

Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles

Bottom line

Long a major player in Europe, MSC Cruises is growing fast in North America with a lineup of big, new, amenity-filled ships.

If you're a megaresort lover, you'll feel right at home on MSC Cruises' new World, Meraviglia and Seaside Class vessels, which rival the biggest vessels of Royal Caribbean and Norwegian for their array of onboard amusements.

You'll also love their affordability. Among the world's biggest ships, they offer some of the lowest pricing. You'll be sharing your vacation with hordes of other people, of course — as many as 6,000 on some MSC Cruises vessels. However, even the biggest MSC Cruises ships have quiet nooks where you can escape the crowds.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu & Fri 08:00 - 17:00, Sat 09:00 - 12:00, Sun & Public Holidays Closed

Angra dos Reis cruises

Welcome to Angra dos Reis

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

At this port, the ship may anchor offshore, requiring Guests to use a tender boat (a smaller vessel) to reach the shore. Please be aware that the tender may not be suitable for individuals with disabilities, reduced mobility, or balance issues. Ensuring the safety of our guests is our top priority, so it is crucial that guests can safely use the tender. For further details, please refer to our  Terms & Conditions  (Section 29).

Cruises from / to Ilha Grande in 2024

Excursions & Activities Ilha Grande

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Mon - Fri 8:00am - 7:00pm Sat 9:00am - 1:00pm (AES/DT) Closed on Public Holidays.

Port Canaveral (Orlando) tours and MSC Shore Excursions

Excursions in Port Canaveral and Orlando

With boundless things to see in Port Canaveral, it’s tough to know where to begin. On Port Canaveral tours, you can learn space travel from astronauts, explore a natural gem by boat, or indulge in dining and shopping at Orlando attractions.

Port Canaveral excursions plant you in the middle of a rare coastal ecosystem with pontoon cruises of the Indian River Lagoon. Orlando tours take you inland to ‘ The City Beautiful ’, home to theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

Learn from a real astronaut at Kennedy Space Center

Ever wondered what travelling through outer space is like? Ask a real astronaut on an excursion to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. If the exhibits, displays and live shows about NASA’s journeys beyond Earth’s atmosphere don’t impress you, the Rocket Garden – where you can stroll among real rockets from NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space programs – surely will.

At the Apollo Saturn V Center, housed within Kennedy Space Center, you can stand underneath the 111-metre long Saturn V rocket, the largest to ever soar through space.

Orlando theme parks: rides and games for the whole family

Immersive rides, unique dining experiences, shopping and live entertainment – it’s no wonder that Orlando theme parks attract dreamers of all ages. Dress up like a princess or your favourite Disney character at Walt Disney World Resort, home to EPCOT , a special corner where you can try cuisines from vendors representing 11 nations. And then there’s Universal Orlando Resort , a massive entertainment complex where you can get up-close and personal with your favourite television and movie characters at three theme parks, including a water park.

Drop in on a wildlife sanctuary by boat on Merritt Island

Excursions to Merritt Island bring you to a sanctuary for species of coastal animals you’re unlikely to see anywhere else, including endangered or threatened species such as the dinosaur-like wood stork and the gentle West Indian manatee .

These animals and more call the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge home, and you can learn what life is like for them on a pontoon cruise excursion guided by eco-tourist experts. Bring binoculars to catch glimpses of bald eagles, brown pelicans or bright pink roseate spoonbills soaring through the air.

Book your cruise to Port Canaveral (Orlando)

Central Florida’s Space Coast is a place of wonder. Book a Port Canaveral cruise to visit Kennedy Space Center, take a boat tour around the Indian River Lagoon or indulge in retail therapy and worlds of entertainment at one of several Orlando theme parks.ì Port Canaveral cruises also unlock dream-like Caribbean settings – islands such as Antigua and Barbuda, Martinique, and St. Maarten are easy to fall in love with, but difficult to leave.

Why choose MSC Shore Excursions to Port Canaveral and Orlando

Port Canaveral tours and excursions FAQ

In which language port canaveral excursions are conducted, are port canaveral tours always available to be booked, can port canaveral excursion programme be changed.

The MSC shore excursions programme gives a guided summary of available Port Canaveral tours. The exact itinerary and cost will be confirmed during the cruise. Both the programme and schedules may change depending on conditions within the tour area.

The shore excursions programme is subject to change in order to comply with local regulations, laws and other factors.

Is there a boat tour of Orlando?

MSC Cruises doesn’t offer a boat tour of Orlando, but it does offer an excursion around the lagoons surrounding Port Canaveral. The ‘ Pontoon Lagoon Cruise ’ tour involves a cruise along the Banana River south of Port Canaveral, exploring the Thousand Islands Conservation Area at Cocoa Beach, an area known for its range of wildlife.

The cruise then moves to the saltwater marshes and mangrove tunnels of the Indian River Lagoon – look out for manatees, eagles and bottlenose dolphins.

What is included in the Kennedy Space Center tour?

Cape Canaveral is synonymous around the world with Kennedy Space Center, the place where NASA’s rockets are spectacularly launched into space, as you'll learn on MSC Cruises’ ‘ Kennedy Space Center ’ excursion.

Explore the history of the launch area and walk amongst engineering marvels in the Rocket Garden, before visiting the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and the famous countdown clock. Thrill-seekers can also get an idea of what it feels like to blast off into space via the Shuttle Launch Experience, a thrilling eight-and-a-half-minute simulation.

What is involved in the Space Coast Highlights tour?

The ‘ Space Coast Highlights ’ excursion offered by MSC Cruises involves a coach tour of this beautiful region’s varied sights. During the course of the tour, you’ll visit Space View Park (a pretty area by the water, with monuments and plaques paying tribute to astronauts and other space workers) and Playalinda Beach on the Canaveral National Seashore, with fantastic coastal views.

Continue on to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge for more fantastic views and potential wildlife-spotting, before driving past NASA’s history-making Kennedy Space Center.

Thank you for visiting MSC Cruises

Your browser may be out of date or not compatible with our new site and may not be secure.

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Thank you for visiting our site and we look forward to seeing you on board soon!

MSC Cruises