Not only are MSC Cruises proud to be the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line but they are proud of their European heritage, with more ships sailing in the Mediterranean region than anyone else. MSC Cruises’ fleet is currently made up of 12 ships (with 11 more on order) ideal for all types of cruise holiday from busy and active family holidays to relaxing couples’ holidays. Two new ships will be arriving in 2017, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside. Dubbed as the ship for all seasons, MSC Meraviglia will start life in the Med whereas MSC Seaside will be the ship that follows the sun and will be permanently based in the Caribbean and will be home to some fantastic attractions just perfect for families, including a water park and high ropes. There are a wide range of itineraries on offer to suit all ages and interests, whether it’s soaking up the culture in a picturesque European city, enjoying the sunshine in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean or admiring the breathtaking Norwegian fjords. MSC Cruises sails in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean (including Cuba), South America, South Africa and the Middle East.
Each MSC Cruises ship is a destination in itself. Every day there is a packed programme of activities for you to enjoy or you can simply relax by the pool with a good book. Simply decide where you would like to go and MSC Cruises will take you there in comfort and style.
When it comes to dining, MSC Cruises really has got it all. Over 140 different recipes are served on board every day across the different restaurants. There is fine dining and excellent service in the main restaurant, casual dining available 20 hours a day in the buffet and speciality dining in the themed restaurants (including sushi, Tex Mex, Mediterranean fusion and Teppanyaki). The food is inspired by the destinations visited on the cruise giving a broad range and an acclaimed pan-Asian chef and a French chocolatier will also impress you.
West End-style entertainment is the order of the day with six shows scheduled for a seven-night cruise. Expect vibrant and energetic dancing, mesmerising acrobatics and spectacular singing in the theatre, and dancing till dawn in the ships’ nightclubs. Cirque du Soleil shows will start on board MSC Meraviglia from July 2017. You can also see if Lady Luck is on your side with a visit to the ships’ stylish and lively casino. Open until late, the casino offers tournaments for both novices and seasoned players alike, as well as promotions for those high-rollers who really know what they are doing.
The award-winning MSC Aurea Spa is the only Balinese spa at sea and offers a complete haven of relaxation and tranquillity. With 20 different massages, 19 body and beauty treatments, a sauna and steam room and even a Turkish bath, the Aurea Spa is the perfect place to be pampered from top to toe. There is also a state-of-the-art gym with spectacular views and fitness classes including yoga, Pilates and spinning.
As a family-owned company, MSC Cruises know how important it is for everyone to have a good time on holiday. Swimming pools, waterslides and spray parks allow children to splash around but what else is there on offer? Five Kids’ Clubs provide entertainment, sport and dining options and there is also the possibility of a family shore excursion where a member of the entertainment team joins a trip ashore to ensure the little ones are kept entertained. For parents there are theatre shows, bars, lounges and the MSC Aurea Spa to relax in while the children enjoy themselves in the Kids’ Clubs.
Docking at more than 200 ports in 72 countries means that MSC Cruises really does offer you the chance to see the world. Make sure you explore the destinations you visit to the full with one of the many shore excursions on offer. Visit iconic sites with multilingual guides and dedicated excursions to suit everyone from groups to families and they’re so well organised you’ll be back at the ship in good time! There are also family-friendly shore excursions available where a member of the entertainment team will accompany you and your family ashore.
Holidays are personal, so make yours perfect. MSC Cruises offers four different Experiences for guests to book, based on the type of holiday that they would like to have. The Bella Experience offers unlimited access to entertainment, activities and great dining options. The Fantastica Experience offers flexibility with breakfast in your cabin and a choice of dining times. The Aurea Experience is for those who love relaxing and being pampered and those wanting to keep fit shouldn’t miss the new Wellness Experience by Technogym®, which includes active shore excursions, sports kit in the cabin and one-to-one sessions with a qualified personal trainer.
MSC Cruises boasts exclusive partnerships with brands such as Lego and Chicco. They are the only cruise line to have dedicated Lego play areas so children of all ages now have the chance to play with these iconic building bricks and become a ‘Junior Lego Master Builder’ by completing Lego-themed activities on board. A partnership with Italian baby brand Chicco takes the stress out of travelling with young children as Chicco’s market-leading products – including strollers, bottle warmers and baby backpacks ¬– are now all available for families to borrow during their holidays, giving mums and dads the option of fun, stress-free sailing around the world.
MSC Cruises currently have 12 ships in the fleet, with two new ships being delivered in June and December 2017 and nine more to follow until 2026. They are revolutionising the cruise industry with innovative designs, unique features and cutting-edge technology to make every holiday special. Life on board an MSC ship can be as active or as sedate as you like. Sip a cocktail by the pool while the children go wild in one of the five Kid’s Clubs on board, or treat yourself to a massage in the award-winning MSC Aurea Spa. You can even escape to the adult-only sun deck where waiters will serve drinks to your sun lounger and bring you a fruit kebab or two. If you are feeling a bit more energetic, however, the gym and fitness facilities will ensure you keep up with your fitness regime – you can even request the help of one of the dedicated personal trainers. Those of you who want to strut your stuff can do so in a dance class with a professional dance teacher, and you can even practise your backhand on the tennis court.
Enjoy a stylish home from home on board an MSC cruise ship. It’s also worth noting that the line offers more balcony cabins on board than any other cruise line. Whichever cabin you choose you will find spacious designer décor, a flat screen TV, a spacious wardrobe with a safe, a powerful shower and a well-stocked mini bar. Super Family cabins provide enough space for families and groups and come at a fixed one-cabin price, regardless of how many people use it. But if you are looking for complete privacy and luxury, it has to be the MSC Yacht Club. Located at the front of the ship, the Yacht Club comes complete with private pool, lounge, sun deck and restaurant and each cabin is served by a personal butler, 24 hours a day. The only thing you have to think about is which ship you will choose.