About MSC Cruises

After 300 years at sea, MSC Cruises knows the treasures that lie off the beaten path. Our cruises are designed to enrich, delight and create unforgettable emotions. Our well-travelled crew members are ready to help you uncover the best-kept secrets of each new destination. We have a passion for the sea and a commitment to excellence in hospitality, mastering all the details that make each cruise a unique experience while respecting the sea and the environment.

 

Embark on a world of discovery with MSC Cruises

 
 

Health and Safety

Our number one priority has always been the health and safety of guests and crew, as well as the communities we serve.

 

In August 2020, we implemented a new comprehensive and robust health and safety protocol to become the first major line to return to the sea. Thanks to these measures embarking on an MSC Cruise Ship is like entering in a safe bubble, and our guests can enjoy a safe and stress-free holiday.

 

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Health and Safety

A crew member assisting guests in a stylish onboard shop | MSC Cruises

Our Cruises

At MSC Cruises, our love for the sea goes back many generations. And we are eager to pass this passion on to future generations. That’s why we are dedicated to making each of our cruises a voyage of discovery and unforgettable emotions for every guest. We offer an enriching, immersive and safe cruise experience, where you can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programmes and the latest user-friendly technology on board. 


With our cruises you can decide where to go and for how long. Choose among the best cruise destinations, with a wide variety of itineraries mapped to reveal the sights, sounds and flavours of the world's most intriguing cultures. Our ships sail year-round in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean (visiting also Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, our private island in the Bahamas). Our seasonal itineraries include Northern Europe, South America, Southern Africa, Asia, North America and Saudi Arabia & Red Sea.

 

With us you can discover the world, from few days at a time to all at once on a four-month cruise around the globe with MSC World Cruise.

 

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Our Cruises

A couple enjoying the ocean view from their cruise ship balcony | MSC Cruises

The Fleet

We want you to discover the world in absolute style, comfort and safety. That’s why we are constantly expanding and improving our fleet, not only to give you a greater choice of destinations, but also to offer you an amazing state-of-art cruising experience wherever you go.

 

We have a modern fleet of 18 vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new ships. The 18 current ships across our five classes of ship include:

 

MSC Virtuosa, the Company’s most environmentally-advanced ship to date, delivered in February 2021. With a total guest capacity of 6,334 passengers, she is the largest ship in the MSC Cruises global fleet. Her sister ship MSC Grandiosa (from the Meraviglia Plus Class), came into service in November 2019.  

 

The smaller sister ships MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima were the first two Meraviglia Class ships that came into service in 2017 and 2019. In 2023 another vessel powered by LNG will join the Meraviglia Plus Class fleet.

 

  

MSC Seaside (2017) and MSC Seaview (2018) rewrite the rule book of cruise ship design, blending indoor and outdoor areas to connect guests with the sea like never before. With a guest capacity over 5000 passengers, MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview add a game-changing element to MSC our fleet. Two additional larger Seaside EVO ships, representing a further enhancement of the prototype, will have a capacity of 5,632 guests. The first one, MSC Seashore, will be delivered in 2021. Her sister ship will join in 2023 and will complete MSC Cruises' Seaside Class.
 
The four Fantasia Class ships – MSC Preziosa (2013), MSC Divina (2012), MSC Splendida (2009) and MSC Fantasia (2008) – are large-size and modern ships. MSC Preziosa and MSC Divina can accommodate 4,345 guests, while MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia carry 4,363 guests. 

 

The Musica Class ships MSC Magnifica (2010), MSC Poesia (2008), MSC Orchestra (2007) and MSC Musica (2006) carry around 3,000 guests each.

 
The fleet is completed by the Lirica Class ships – MSC Sinfonia (2005), MSC Armonia (2004), MSC Opera (2004) and MSC Lirica (2003) – each carrying around 2,000 guests.

 

The fleet is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025, with options for six vessel orders in place through 2030.

 

 
 

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The Fleet

MSC Cruises fleet

Sustainability

MSC Cruises is borne out of a long line of captains and ship owners who have been playing their part in the history of navigation and seamanship. Our family started their journey at sea in 1675 and ever since, we haven’t stopped exploring. 

The oceans and seas have always been the basis of MSC Cruises and we feel a deep responsibility to preserve and protect them. More than anything else, we care for the environment in which we operate, the guests who sail with us, the people who work with us, the cities we call, and the communities we visit.

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Sustainability

The MSC Seaview cruise ship sailing on a calm ocean under a clear blue sky | MSC Cruises

Awards

Renowned worldwide for our cutting-edge ships, MSC Cruises has been honored with accolades throughout the years. These achievements reflect MSC's dedication to delivering unforgettable journeys, prioritizing guest satisfaction, exceptional design, and making a positive impact across all facets of the cruise experience.

 

Awards

Butler at your service - Yacht Club | MSC Cruises

History

A centuries-old relationship with the sea
Having a history is a privilege. While others need to invent theirs, we have a true story to tell. It begins more than 350 years ago, with the seafaring Aponte family from Sorrento in Italy. Building on the experience and expertise gained over the centuries, this family of ship owners and captains went on to create MSC Cruises, now the largest privately owned cruise company in the world.
  • 1675 1675
    First record of the Aponte family’s involvement in maritime transport to and from Naples.
    The Aponte family records date back to the 17th century and testify to its long and unbroken activity in an area with ancient seafaring traditions - the Sorrento Peninsula. The first mention of them is from 1675 and concerns the felucca Giovannina, which for many years plied the routes between Naples and Castellamare on the one hand, and Calabria and Sicily on the other to and from Naples.
  • 1970 1970
    Gianluigi Aponte founds the MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company with the purchase of single ship. MSC has since grown to become a world leader in global container shipping operating 1000 vessels.
    MSC was founded by Gianluigi Aponte, a young Italian seaman and former bank teller who had the courage and foresight to purchase his first ship, Patricia, in 1970. He acquired an even bigger vessel in 1971, which he named after his wife, Rafaela, followed by the carrier, Ilse, in 1973. These three cargo ships represented the pioneering beginnings of MSC, which has since grown to become a world leader in global container shipping operating 1000 vessels.
  • 1988 1988
    MSC announces its entry into the cruise business, purchasing the iconic liner Monterey.
    Following the purchase of the Monterey, MSC took over the Lauro cruise line structures in honour of Gianluigi Aponte’s mentor, the Italian shipping magnate Achille Lauro. When two more ships, Rhapsody and Melody, were added to the fleet, MSC Cruises was formally established as a subsidiary of the larger MSC Group.
  • 2003 2003 - 2013
    Start of a €5.5 billion investment programme to build the world’s most modern cruise fleet.
    MSC Cruises invested in research and development to grow the fleet with dynamic ships. In just over a decade, they built four ‘Lirica' class ships, followed by four ‘Musica' class ships and the four ‘Fantasia’ class flagships. All of them feature MSC Cruises’ trademark blend of classic design, providing an elegant backdrop to the much-loved traditional service.
  • 2008 2008
    MSC Cruises is the first cruise company in the world to be awarded the coveted ‘6 Golden Pearls’ for its outstanding standards in environmental protection, health and safety.
    This unprecedented award was given by the international classification agency Bureau Veritas in recognition of the company’s compliance with the three highest international standards in the areas of environmental protection, health & safety and food safety. The company remains committed to safeguarding the marine environment and ensuring outstanding quality for its guests.
  • 2014 2014
    MSC Cruises launched an ambitious €5.1 billion investment plan that comprises the order of up to seven new ships and the Renaissance Programme to enlarge four existing ships of the MSC Cruises fleet.
    MSC Cruises launched a new €5bn investment plan to build four revolutionary new ships, plus options for three more, with STX France and Fincantieri. In addition, the Lirica class ships were enlarged and renewed by Fincantieri under the €200m “Renaissance Programme”, which was completed by late 2015. These ships now have a gross tonnage of 65,000 tonnes and carry over 2,000 passengers.
     
  • 2016 2016
    This second phase investment plan is increased from €5.1 billion to €9 billion with the signing of a letter of intent to build a further four World class ships.
    Each of these ships is fueled by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).
  • 2017-18 2017-2018
    MSC Cruises consolidated its second fleet expansion plan with orders for two additional Seaside ships and a fifth Meraviglia vessel, bringing the total investment for the 2014-2026 period to €11.6 billion.
    The two Seaside EVO ships, delivered in 2021 and 2023, represented an evolution of the successful Seaside platform and have a capacity of 5,646 guests. The fifth Meraviglia ship, which was delivered in 2023, has a capacity for 6,334 guests. Like the World class ships, she is fueled by LNG.
  • A large MSC cruise ship docked near a red and white striped lighthouse | MSC Cruises 2019
     
    MSC Cruises’ fleet grows with the delivery of MSC Bellissima and MSC Grandiosa. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve welcomes its first guests. Two Meraviglia generation cruise ships are built in Saint-Nazaire, France and delivered to MSC Cruises, increasing the fleet’s size to 17 ships. Capable of accommodating up to 5,714 guests, MSC Bellissima enters service in March, offering West Mediterranean itineraries before being deployed to Dubai, United Arab Emirates in the autumn. With a capacity for 6,334 guests, her bigger sister MSC Grandiosa starts service in November, becoming the biggest ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet. She also starts operating in the West Med. Also in 2019, and after three years of intensive work, MSC Cruises’ private island destination in the Bahamas Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve welcomes its first guests in December. As part of a multi-faceted restoration strategy, MSC Cruises has transformed this former industrial sand excavation site into a stunning tropical destination, working with environmental engineers and other experts to revitalize the surrounding ocean beds, marine life and endangered coral. 1,500 tons of scrap metal were removed and throughout the clean-up process, a team of expert divers and marine biologists carefully removed individual hard coral colonies from debris on the ocean bed and relocated them to an approved location outside the construction area. Actions were taken to create a biodiverse and sustainable environment and more than 75,000 plants and shrubs were planted across the island.   
     
  • Vibrant coral reef with colorful fish and a rocky island above water | MSC Cruises 2020
    MSC Cruises became the first major cruise line to restart after COVID-19, supported by a comprehensive health and safety protocol, and published its first Sustainability report.
    Following the COVID-19 pandemic and a temporary halt to the entire global cruise industry, MSC Cruises developed and implemented a comprehensive Health and Safety protocol that enabled them to become the first major cruise line to restart operations in August in the Mediterranean with its flagship MSC Grandiosa. Having worked with internationally renowned health experts and in partnership with relevant international, national and local authorities, MSC Cruises new operational protocol was designed to protect the health and safety of guests, crew and the coastal communities.
    In 2020 MSC Cruises also published its first Sustainability report. The Report is structured around four key pillars: Planet, People, Place and Procurement. The Report also highlights key sustainability milestones achieved in the past year.
  • MSC Seashore | MSC Cruises 2021
    Completion of MSC Virtuosa and MSC Seashore
     Despite the challenges of the pandemic, two new cruise ships joined the fleet in 2021 – MSC Virtuosa and MSC Seashore. MSC Cruises also advanced with their ambitions to grow the portfolio of cruise terminals, which allow them to anchor their presence in marquee homeports and offer the best service to guests while enabling them to foster a front-to-end integrated experience. In November, the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban, South Africa opened its doors. MSC Cruises also obtained final clearance to start building their exclusive cruise terminals in Barcelona and Miami as key embarkation ports in the western Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
  • MSC World Europa, Promenade | MSC Cruises 2022
    Delivery of MSC World Europa, the first LNG-fueled ship of our fleet and introduced technologies to reduce our impact on the environment.
     In 2022, MSC Cruises saw the restart of the entire fleet and progressively and safely eased COVID-19 restrictions and launched two new ships.
    MSC World Europa, delivered in October, was the first to be LNG-fueled. It featured shore-to-ship power connectivity to minimise engine use at ports. MSC Seascape was delivered in November. MSC Protectours, the dedicated shore excursions specifically designed to educate our guests and promote responsible tourism and responsible travel, become more widely available.
  • MSC Euribia LNG Ship | MSC Cruises 2023
    MSC Cruises conducted the world's first ever net zero Greenhouse Gas emissions voyage, inaugurated our new terminal facilities in Durban, South Africa and launched EXPLORA I, the first of six ships from its new luxury brand, Explora Journeys.
    In 2023, MSC Euribia, completed her maiden journey from Saint Nazaire to Copenhagen using over 400 tonnes of bio-LNG supplied by Gasum, delivered via mass-balance in full compliance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive and independently certified by ISCC.
    The first steel was cut for the second of our World Class ships, MSC World America. Sales opened for her itineraries, where she will homeport in our new state-of-the-art terminal at Port Miami, from 2025. A further two World Class ships were confirmed with shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique, with an option for a fifth.
    MSC Meraviglia became MSC Cruises’ first ship to homeport in New York, conducting year-round sailings. This marked a third homeport in the USA, in addition to Miami and Port Canaveral. This was followed by sales opening at our fourth homeport of Galvaston, Texas.
    MSC Cruises conducted an industry first, as two ships departed at the same time for separate 117 and 119-day world cruises - MSC Magnifica and MSC Poesia.
    And in South Africa, MSC Cruises celebrated the inauguration of its new terminal facilities in Durban.
    In the autumn, a new era for the Cruise Division of MSC Group began, with the launch of EXPLORA I, the first of six ships from our new luxury brand, Explora Journeys, expanding the options for ocean travel to a new audience of luxury traveller.
  • Canary Islands & Madeira | MSC Cruises 2024
    Providing even more destination options for guests to choose from, MSC Cruises expanded its offerings with a brand-new itinerary to some of the most sought-after destinations in the Canary Islands.
    This year also marked the five-year anniversary since the opening of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas, which has since welcomed guests from around the globe to enjoy a one-of-a-kind holiday experience.
    MSC Cruises equipped its fleet with SpaceX’s Starlink to boost internet connectivity for passengers onboard.
    MSC Cruises introduced shore excursions exclusively bookable for MSC Yacht Club guests, providing an even more exclusive and intimate experience.
  • MSC World America | MSC Cruises 2025 and beyond
    MSC World America joined the fleet, increasing the fleet’s size to 23 modern ships.
    MSC Cruises opened two brand-new, state-of-the-art cruise terminals: MSC Barcelona Terminal and MSC Miami Terminal at Port Miami, one of the world’s largest and most advanced cruise terminals.
    It also expanded its North American presence with the opening of a fourth U.S. homeport in Galveston Texas, where MSC Seascape commenced her inaugural sailings from her new homeport.
    This year we celebrated the float out of MSC World Asia, which is set to become the third ship in the World Class series. Sales opened for her itineraries, where she will homeport at the new MSC Barcelona Terminal, from December 2026.
    The company celebrated the coin ceremony of MSC World Atlantic and opened sales for her itineraries. She will be deployed in the Caribbean Sea from Port Canaveral, U.S., for her winter 2027-2028 season.
    A further two World Class ships were confirmed with shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
    MSC Magnifica underwent a major refurbishment featuring a new MSC Yacht Club, two specialty dining venues and a redesigned MSC Aurea Spa and MSC Gym Powered by Technogym®.

MSC Foundation

Life-changing programmes worldwide

Certifications

MSC Cruises is proud to uphold high standards in quality, safety, environmental responsibility, and information security. By achieving internationally recognised ISO certifications, MSC Cruises demonstrates its ongoing dedication to excellence and continuous improvement across all areas of its operations.