12 of the best MSC cruise ships

Times

21 hours ago

'A cocktail a day keeps the doctor away,' jokes the barman as he spins around and puts down my Cosmic Cloud, mixed with white rum, grapefruit and lime juice. Turning to another customer he says: 'Come here and try one of the best drinks in the galaxy.' Rob, the robotic barman, is among the many reasons I love MSC ships; they're always full of surprises.
As the world's fastest-growing cruise brand, MSC has a ship to suit all tastes, whether you're travelling with family or looking for a peaceful solo getaway. The line — which stands for Mediterranean Shipping Company — has a whopping 24 ships in its fleet, with a new vessel due in late 2026 and another the following year. The newest, glitziest ships are all in MSC's World Class category and have elegant European-style design flourishes, improved sustainability and an upgraded on-board experience with high-end restaurants and an expanded pool deck. Extra bonuses on some ships include excellent kids' clubs, impressive on-board activities including 4D cinemas and high-ropes courses and flexible embarkation and disembarkation ports, particularly in the Med. These are the 12 best MSC cruise ships.
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The largest in the fleet and based in the Med, this bumper 6,762-passenger ship is packed with firsts. There's MSC's first microbrewery at sea, making beers from desalinated seawater; and the trendy Gin Project bar with 70-plus craft gins. Brits will also love the retro Raj Polo Tea House, which serves a tea blend only available on MSC World Europa. In the Chef's Garden Kitchen restaurant there's the first-at-sea hydroponic garden, with edible plants grown without soil. World Europa also has green credentials — it's the first MSC ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the cleanest marine fuel.Launched in 2023, the fifth Meraviglia-class ship is the line's newest vessel. Billed as the most sustainable of its ships, it's the first to have colourful artwork — including the hashtag #savethesea — on the hull. The Helios wine bar is a standout venue, with wine-tasting sessions at multi-touch tables activated by digital coasters. There are sailings from the UK, including three-night Channel hops out of Southampton, which are a great way for first-timers to find out what MSC is all about. For those who wish to go further, MSC Euribia sails to destinations including the UAE.In 2008 MSC partnered with Swarovski on its first Fantasia-class ship. The result has become one of MSC's signature features; sweeping atrium staircases studded with 61,000 glittering crystals. These stairs have become a hallmark on all subsequent MSC vessels — aside from MSC World Europa, where they're in the exclusive Yacht Club. The 3,300-passenger MSC Fantasia, based in the Mediterranean, was the first to introduce the Yacht Club premium ship-within-a ship concept, which offers a quieter environment.The first Seaside EVO-class ship, launched in 2021 and carrying up to 5,632 passengers, is a reimagined version of sister ships MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview. Designed to sail in sunny climes, it has panoramic windows, a promenade deck and an adults-only infinity pool. Other outside spaces include the first alfresco seating area at MSC's signature Butcher's Cut steakhouse. Based in the Caribbean, MSC Seashore is among the ships that sail to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the line's private Bahamian island.Presiding over the futuristic Starship Club, bartender Rob is the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea — capable of mixing up to 30 drinks an hour and talking to passengers in eight different languages. MSC Virtuosa, one of the vessels sailing out of Southampton, is another of the Meraviglia-plus class ships, alongside MSC Grandiosa and MSC Euribia, which carry up to 6,200 guests. The spectacular heart of the ship is Galleria Virtuosa: two decks of shops, bars and restaurants.The second Seaside-class ship after MSC Seaside includes an evolution of the Yacht Club complex. All the facilities are in one place at the front of the ship (on earlier vessels, accommodation was separate), so passengers can, if they wish, remain in their sanctuary for the entire voyage away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the 5,429-passenger ship. In common with subsequent Yacht Clubs, the enclave has its own lounge, dining room and pool deck. A popular ship for sun-worshippers, MSC Seaview sails around the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
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Launched in 2001 and carrying 2,520 guests, MSC Armonia is MSC's oldest and smallest ship. One of four in the Lirica class, it's notable for having had a radical makeover in 2014, when it was cut in half to allow a new section to be slotted in , adding 193 passenger cabins, including balcony rooms, and children's facilities. It marked the start of a £160 million facelift that saw the three other Lirica ships — MSC Sinfonia, MSC Lirica and MSC Opera — also go under the knife to get stretched. The ship sails in South America and the Med.MSC has always been a family-friendly line, with some of the biggest children's clubs at sea and a partnership with the Italian baby brand Chicco to provide facilities for the tiniest sailors. Launched in 2017, MSC Meraviglia was the first of the Meraviglia class. It introduced the 'cluster cabin' concept where families can book up to three interlinking cabins. The 5,700-passenger ship is based in New York and sails year-round to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and New England.MSC Opera, which sails in the Mediterranean, was the last in the quartet of medium-sized Lirica class vessels. Like its fleetmates, it was stretched to add more cabins, and a new interactive Spray Park for youngsters. With room for 2,150 guests, it's a good choice for first-time cruisers who might feel overwhelmed by MSC's larger ships. As well as week-long Med sailings there are three and five-night voyages — perfect for anyone looking to test the proverbial water.Launched in 2013 and refurbished in 2021, the 3,500-guest MSC Preziosa marked the last of MSC's four-strong Fantasia class. It added new features to the fleet including Vertigo, a waterslide that packs plenty of thrills as it spirals down from deck 18 to 15, with a transparent section extending over the side of the ship. It also introduced the Doremi Castle Aqua Park, where youngsters can splash away to their heart's content, and is home to the first first Eataly restaurant, with the accent on Mediterranean flavours. Itineraries include northern Europe, the Norwegian fjords and South America.Introduced in 2006, MSC Musica was the first of the new namesake class. While larger than the earlier Lirica ships, the 2,550-passenger Musica — and fleetmates MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica — is a far cry from the mega-ships and a great choice for a quieter and more intimate version of the MSC vibe. You won't find waterparks and thrill-packed attractions, but there's a good choice of bars and lounges, plenty of live entertainment and a kids' club to keep everyone happy. The ship currently sails out of Durban and Cape Town on three to 12-night South African itineraries.The first of the line's Meraviglia-plus class ships, which are bigger than the earlier Meraviglia vessels, MSC Grandiosa has been sailing since 2019 and introduced the first exclusive restaurant for Aurea Experience passengers. This is one of the optional upgrades available for guests booking balcony cabins and suites. Other Aurea perks include discounts on spa treatments and flexible dining times. It also has a high-octane amusement area with two Formula One racing car simulators, also found on subsequent ships in the fleet. MSC Grandiosa mainly sails in South America and the Med.
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Additional reporting by Siobhan Grogan