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6th Mar 2027 | 15 nights | MSC Cruises | MSC Meraviglia
Why do we love this cruise holiday? Trade grey skies for two weeks of Caribbean sunshine, starting with a night in Miami before setting sail on an island-hopping adventure. Discover the beautiful beaches of Grand Turk, enjoy a day at Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, and soak up the Bahamian atmosphere in Nassau. After returning to Miami, your journey continues to the colourful streets of Philipsburg, the Caribbean charm of St John’s and the gorgeous beaches of St Thomas, before another call in Nassau. With return flights, a Miami hotel stay, drinks and tips included, you can enjoy a wonderfully varied escape with the key details taken care of, leaving you free to relax, explore and make the most of every sunny day.
What's included?
Cruise Circle Collection packages adhere to our 6 point charter:
Start your holiday with a flight out to Miami today.
A quick stay before the cruise in a lovely 4* hotel.
Miami, a glittering subtropical metropolis on Florida's south-eastern tip, is a high-energy cultural melting pot where sleek skyscrapers meet the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The city's beating heart is the historic Art Deco Historic District in vibrant Miami Beach, a world-famous stretch of pastel-hued, neon-lit 1930s architecture that lines the bustling beachfront promenade of Ocean Drive. Across Biscayne Bay, the city’s rich cultural tapestry unfolds through the aromatic, cigar-scented streets of Little Havana—filled with traditional salsa music and open-air domino parks—and the eye-popping, open-air street murals of the trendy Wynwood Walls arts district. Fringed by pristine, palm-shaded beaches, glamorous yacht marinas, and the nearby mangrove wilderness of Biscayne National Park, Miami seamlessly fuses sophisticated global dining and design with a sun-drenched, Caribbean-infused rhythm.
In many Caribbean ports, active excursions such as zip-lining, kayaking and hiking have replaced lazy days on the beach and the gridlock in shopping and sightseeing areas. But even though it's the capital of the island chain Turks and Caicos, Grand Turk maintains a slower pace of life. Though Grand Turk is part of Eastern Caribbean itineraries, it is interesting to note that Turks and Caicos is not a part of the Caribbean at all. Each island is surrounded on all sides by the Atlantic Ocean, and though it's only about 30 miles south of the Bahamas, it's not a part of that chain of islands, either. Shore excursions on Grand Turk run the gamut from horseback riding to fly fishing -- and one of the biggest draws is diving, with the islands -- technically in the Atlantic, not the Caribbean -- lying along one of the largest barrier reefs in the world. But traffic is sparse, and with a population of about 5,000, most people know one another's names. There are no fast-food restaurants or chain hotels. You may even see a horse or donkey, once a means of transportation during the days of Grand Turk's salt industry, roaming along Governor's Beach or through the narrow alleys in historic Cockburn Town. Though only smaller-ship and luxury cruise lines such as Crystal and Silversea once called at Grand Turk, Carnival Corporation has committed time -- and money -- to positioning the port as a mainstream cruise destination. Carnival Corp.'s cruise terminal is a destination in its own right, with retail shops, a recreation area on the beach and a huge pool. The pier can accommodate two mega-ships, theoretically from any of the many cruise lines under Carnival Corp.'s umbrella, including Princess, Carnival and Holland America. The company is also developing a new downtown welcome centre. In 1962, long before cruise lines were interested in this little island, John Glenn -- the first American to orbit Earth -- splashed down just a mile or two off the coast of Grand Turk and spent his first couple of days thereafter his historic space flight. Some reports quote Glenn as saying it "must be paradise" when he spotted the 40 coral islands from space. Whether viewing it from space or sea, we have to agree. In 2012, Grand Turk celebrated the 50th anniversary of the splashdown with new murals, monuments and additions to Splashdown Grand Turk, a 3,500-square-foot attraction explaining the space program and Friendship 7 mission, located at the cruise centre. This exhibit is free and open to the public.
MSC Cruises' Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, opened in December 2019, is part of the Bimini chain of islands in the western Bahamas, 20 miles south of Bimini and just 65 miles east of Miami. The former sand-mining site is home to eight beaches and a coral reef, across the 64 square miles of marine reserve. The island's Bahamian-style village offers a wide range of places to shop, eat, drink and relax, with island-infused cuisine, cocktails and a Bahamian straw market. Ships dock directly at a pier, with an easy walk onto the island. MSC Cruises is the only line to call at Ocean Cay and will offer late nights in the port, with special evening activities, due to its close proximity to Miami.
With its blend of influences from West Africa to England and Haiti to the United States, Nassau is one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean and Bahamas.
The yellow and blue stripes on the Bahamian flag represent the nation's sandy beaches and surrounding ocean, while the black triangle stands for unity and the people's determination to develop the land and the sea. With endlessly developing hotels, resorts and shopping areas, it isn't hard to make this connection in Nassau, the capital of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Nassau is located on the 21-mile-long-island of New Providence and is connected, via bridge, to Paradise Island, another popular Bahamian destination.
The city of Nassau features tropical, tree-lined streets, filled with horse-drawn surreys, ruled by policemen in white starched jackets and colorful pith helmets; soft-sanded beaches for kicking back and catching ocean breezes; lavish, Vegas-type casinos; and a decent range of duty-free shopping stops. But, as much as this vibrant town center is a cruise visitor's first impression, most head out on beach adventures at massive hotel and resort complexes like Atlantis or boating adventures ranging from dolphin encounters to booze cruises.
Nassau's central location, just off the coast of Southern Florida, is one of its chief pluses, making it an easy mini-cruise port of call for ships passing through on the way to the Caribbean islands.
Miami, a glittering subtropical metropolis on Florida's south-eastern tip, is a high-energy cultural melting pot where sleek skyscrapers meet the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The city's beating heart is the historic Art Deco Historic District in vibrant Miami Beach, a world-famous stretch of pastel-hued, neon-lit 1930s architecture that lines the bustling beachfront promenade of Ocean Drive. Across Biscayne Bay, the city’s rich cultural tapestry unfolds through the aromatic, cigar-scented streets of Little Havana—filled with traditional salsa music and open-air domino parks—and the eye-popping, open-air street murals of the trendy Wynwood Walls arts district. Fringed by pristine, palm-shaded beaches, glamorous yacht marinas, and the nearby mangrove wilderness of Biscayne National Park, Miami seamlessly fuses sophisticated global dining and design with a sun-drenched, Caribbean-infused rhythm.
St. Maarten is busier than ever, as cruise lines call on Philipsburg with their biggest ships. (Sometimes there are a half-dozen in port at one time.) There's also more to do once you disembark, with shopping and beaches serving as the primary attractions.
That can be viewed as either good news (more shopping choices, better deals and more beach activities) or bad news (more people) for this port of call, which, along with neighbouring St. Martin, makes up the world's smallest island inhabited by two countries.
St. Maarten, like many other Caribbean islands, was spotted by Christopher Columbus in 1493. But the island's real history began with French and Dutch settlers who divided the island in 1648. They have lived side-by-side ever since. St. Maarten, governed by the Netherlands Antilles until 2010, is now a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (along with Aruba, Curacao and the Netherlands), while St. Martin is part of the French West Indies. What's particularly fun is that you can easily swing back and forth from the Dutch to the French sides and enjoy the best of both.
On either side of the mountainous island, lovely beaches -- including the famed clothing-optional part of Orient Beach -- rival the best in the Caribbean. Plus, duty-free prices for electronics and liquor in Philipsburg might be the best deals around.
Antiguans like to boast that they have 365 beaches -- one for each day of the year. And while no one counts to ensure the accuracy of this catchy marketing claim, the squiggly shaped island indeed is full of beachy gems, each with its own unique appeal. Part of the West Indies, Antigua was first occupied by the peaceful Arawak Indians around 200 B.C. They stayed until the arrival of the Caribs, an Amazonian tribe, whose name was derived from the Spanish word "caribal," meaning "cannibal." Then, the island was known as Wadadli until 1493 when Columbus, who never made landfall, sailed by and named the island in honor of Maria de la Antigua, a saint he worshipped in Seville. The English arrived in 1632, establishing sugar plantations and bringing African slaves; slavery was fully abolished in 1838. Great Britain held the island until 1981, when Antigua (pronounced "An-tee-gah") achieved independence. The island was an important colonial base of the Royal Navy, with English Harbour serving as its headquarters. The remains of the navy's presence represent some of the most fascinating attractions -- a walk around historic Nelson's Dockyard and the grounds of Shirley Heights reveals remnants of a working Georgian-era harbor, old forts and officer's quarters, as well as a multitude of crumbling sugar mills from the days when sugar plantations ruled the island. In more recent years, English Harbour has become the capital of international yachting and sailing, and those activities are responsible for a surge in population during the winter months. The season opens in December with the Antigua Yacht Show and ends in May with Antigua Sailing Week, one of the largest annual regattas in the Caribbean. Since gaining independence, Antigua has all but abandoned its agricultural heritage in favor of a tourist economy. The island can hold its own in the duty-free shopping category, but the real highlights lie well beyond the capital and port town of St. John's. And if all those beaches aren't enough, Antigua's sister island, Barbuda, is accessible by ferry for day-trippers. The ferry drops you in the middle of 14 miles of unspoiled pink shell beaches -- including one that used to be a favorite of Princess Diana; it's now named in her honor. Antigua owns an average high temperature of a pleasant 81 degrees, but it's a slightly less hospitable climate in the summer when the trade winds die down. Antiguans celebrate these slower summer months with the annual Carnival at the end of July and beginning of August. The island is susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, with a direct hurricane hitting about every seven years on average. The highest risk is in early September -- so there's little need to worry during peak cruising season. Bring your umbrella, though, because more than half of the days in November through February experience rainfall.
With its blend of influences from West Africa to England and Haiti to the United States, Nassau is one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean and Bahamas.
The yellow and blue stripes on the Bahamian flag represent the nation's sandy beaches and surrounding ocean, while the black triangle stands for unity and the people's determination to develop the land and the sea. With endlessly developing hotels, resorts and shopping areas, it isn't hard to make this connection in Nassau, the capital of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Nassau is located on the 21-mile-long-island of New Providence and is connected, via bridge, to Paradise Island, another popular Bahamian destination.
The city of Nassau features tropical, tree-lined streets, filled with horse-drawn surreys, ruled by policemen in white starched jackets and colorful pith helmets; soft-sanded beaches for kicking back and catching ocean breezes; lavish, Vegas-type casinos; and a decent range of duty-free shopping stops. But, as much as this vibrant town center is a cruise visitor's first impression, most head out on beach adventures at massive hotel and resort complexes like Atlantis or boating adventures ranging from dolphin encounters to booze cruises.
Nassau's central location, just off the coast of Southern Florida, is one of its chief pluses, making it an easy mini-cruise port of call for ships passing through on the way to the Caribbean islands.
Miami, a glittering subtropical metropolis on Florida's south-eastern tip, is a high-energy cultural melting pot where sleek skyscrapers meet the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The city's beating heart is the historic Art Deco Historic District in vibrant Miami Beach, a world-famous stretch of pastel-hued, neon-lit 1930s architecture that lines the bustling beachfront promenade of Ocean Drive. Across Biscayne Bay, the city’s rich cultural tapestry unfolds through the aromatic, cigar-scented streets of Little Havana—filled with traditional salsa music and open-air domino parks—and the eye-popping, open-air street murals of the trendy Wynwood Walls arts district. Fringed by pristine, palm-shaded beaches, glamorous yacht marinas, and the nearby mangrove wilderness of Biscayne National Park, Miami seamlessly fuses sophisticated global dining and design with a sun-drenched, Caribbean-infused rhythm.
Please take your flight back to the UK after the cruise.
MSC Meraviglia, launched as MSC's largest ship at the time and among the world's top five, signifies the start of a major shipbuilding programme. This 171,598-ton, 4,475-passenger vessel represents a significant investment and is part of a series of new ships.
MSC Cruises, a prominent player in Europe, South Africa, and South America, is expanding its reach.
MSC Cruises is known for its "Mediterranean way of life" experience. Meraviglia builds on this foundation with international influences. English is used for signage, communication, and announcements. New dining options include a teppanyaki restaurant and a steakhouse.
Meraviglia incorporates popular concepts seen on other cruise lines, such as the teppanyaki restaurant, a central promenade, a high-tech theatre, and duplex suites. MSC Cruises adds its unique touches, including the Yacht Club, a chocolate shop and cafe, partnerships with LEGO and Eataly, and Swarovski crystal-studded stairs in the atrium.
Despite its capacity, Meraviglia offers a spacious experience, with various venues for relaxation. The ship provides a lively atmosphere with pool parties, clubs, parades, and shows.
MSC Cruises has focused on enhancing its dining and service. The line has partnered with chefs like Carlo Cracco and chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury and invested in staff training. High-quality service is a feature of the cruise.
Meraviglia is technologically advanced, introducing MSC for Me, an app for managing bookings and preferences. RFID wristbands are also used for cabin access and onboard purchases.
MSC Meraviglia showcases thoughtful design, combining MSC Cruises' strengths with an international flavour.
Daytime: Casual attire, with swimwear and flip-flops common.
Evening: Smart casual dress is suggested, with two "elegant" nights per cruise. Jackets and dresses are suggested for elegant nights, though formal wear isn't required.
Restrictions: T-shirts and shorts are not permitted in public areas in the evenings. Swimwear is not allowed in main dining rooms. Jeans are not permitted in the dining room on elegant nights.
Broadway Theatre (Deck 6): This large theatre hosts various shows, including flamenco, opera, and contemporary productions. Shows are designed to cater to different tastes and age groups. The theatre is also used for daytime activities, including children's programs.
Carousel Lounge (Deck 7): Cirque du Soleil presents two unique productions, designed specifically for MSC Meraviglia. These shows take place in the purpose-built Carousel Lounge, featuring a circular stage and advanced LED technology. The Cirque du Soleil shows are available as part of a Dinner & Show or Cocktail & Show experience.
Meraviglia offers a range of activities throughout the day. The main pool area is a hub for pool games, dance classes, quizzes, and tournaments. Other activities include bingo, video quizzes, and parades along the Galleria Meraviglia. The Galleria's LED ceiling displays various scenes.
Live music can be found throughout Meraviglia, in bars, lounges, and the reception area. Themed parties take place in the Galleria Meraviglia. The Casino Imperiale offers slots, gaming tables, and tournaments.
Meraviglia features a variety of bars and lounges, each with its own atmosphere. These include the Infinity Bar, Champagne Bar, Edge Bar, Meraviglia Bar & Lounge, TV Studio & Bar, Carousel Lounge Bar, Casino Bar, Brass Anchor Pub, Atmosphere Bar North, Atmosphere Bar South, Atmosphere Ice Cream Bar, Bamboo Bar, Top Sail Lounge (Yacht Club only), Sports Bar, Horizon Bar, Attic Club, Sky Lounge, and Polar Bar.
Pools: Meraviglia has several pools, including the main pool, Bamboo Pool, Horizon Pool, and a Yacht Club pool. The main pool area is a lively space, while other pools offer different experiences. The Solarium offers whirlpools and relaxation areas.
Recreation: The ship features the Himalayan Ropes Course and Polar Aqua Park. The Polar Aqua Park includes a kids' splash area and water slides. The Sportplex is a multi-use facility for sports and transforms into a disco at night. The Amusement Park offers various attractions, including F1 simulators, a bowling alley, a 4D cinema, and a flight simulator.
Sun Decks: Ample sun deck space is available, including the exclusive Top 19 sun deck for Aurea and Wellness guests.
The main reception area houses reception, a shore excursions desk, the Infinity Bar, and a business center. The photo gallery, library, and Champagne Bar are located above. Shops are located along the Galleria Meraviglia. Wi-Fi packages are available. Laundry service is offered.
Aurea Spa (Deck 7): The spa offers a variety of treatments, including massages and beauty therapies. The Thermal Suite includes steam rooms, saunas, a salt room, and relaxation areas. A Jean Louis David salon is located within the spa.
MSC Gym by TechnoGym (Deck 16): The gym is equipped with cardio and weight training equipment. A separate spinning room and classes are available. A jogging track is located on Deck 16.
MSC Cruises has invested in its dining experience, partnering with chef Carlo Cracco. Fresh pasta, pastries, bread, cakes, and mozzarella are made onboard daily.
Four main dining rooms offer the same menus but different dining experiences (classic, flexi, or fixed). There are a few specialty restaurants, and the ship's offerings are high-quality. MSC caters to dietary needs and allergies.
Breakfast is served buffet-style in Waves, with à la carte options. Lunch is a three-course meal. Dinner is four courses. Vegetarian and vegan options are available. A kids' menu is offered in all restaurants.
Room Service: Available 24/7
Cirque du Soleil (Deck 7): Dinner and show or cocktail and show options
A lot of thought has gone into the cabins onboard Meraviglia in terms of design, decor and little touches. For example, every cabin has a mini-bar, (even Insides), a USB port on the desk and a magazine/newspaper rack underneath the TV. The decor is stylish in muted greys, steels and chocolate, creating an elegant, understated feel. Design-wise there are some nice touches with bedside lights activated by touch, switch controlled Do Not Disturb and Make Up My Room signs and lots of extra spots for storage, such as the bedside tables and magazine racks.
All cabins come with two twin beds (which can be made into a double) and are high enough to store a big suitcase underneath; a double wardrobe, a desk with European two-pin sockets and a USB socket, footstool, fixed bedside lighting, two bedside tables, a phone, safe, hair dryer and a large interactive TV with numerous channels in multiple languages.
All standard cabins have a shower room with a shower stand with glass doors, a footrest for leg shaving and a clothes wire for drying laundry. Products are generic in fixed dispensers. There is a single basin with a fixed soap dispenser and a small cupboard with shelves. There is no trash can.
There are 85 interconnected cabins, as well as specially-designed Family cabins (see below).
Meraviglia also has the biggest Yacht Club in the fleet, which includes 94 cabins.
MSC sells its cruises by "Experience" rather than cabin size or type, and it's worth noting that some cabins are only available depending on the experience you buy. For example, you can only stay in an Interior if you have opted for the Bella, Fantastica or Wellness experience, and you can only stay in a suite if you have opted for the Aurea experience etc.
Interior: These come in at 172 square feet which is a bit bigger than the industry average and as a result, they feel surprisingly roomy, perhaps due to a large open space beside the wardrobe below the TV. It helps that the line does not store life jackets in cupboards, which frees up extra closet space.
As indicated above, these cabins are available for passengers who book the Bella, Fantastica or Wellness experience. Bella represents a value-for-money cruise that includes all meals, entertainment, activities and preferred choice of dinner sitting, subject to availability. Fantastica includes extra perks such as 24-hour room service, priority choice of dinner sitting and cabins on the upper decks. Wellness, the newest experience to be introduced by MSC, is aimed at those who want to try and keep cruising calories at bay. It includes a one-to-one health check, personalized exercise program, with a free daily gym class, a laundry service for gym gear, free water and welcome wellness kit (T-shirt, shorts and sports towel).
Oceanview: These can be a bit bigger than an interior, ranging from 161 to 183 square feet. The rest is the same, with the addition of an oblong window. Bookable on Bella, Fantastica and Wellness experiences.
Balcony: These come in on average at 204 square feet (though note the accessible cabins are bigger). The balcony size varies from between 48 square feet to 59 square feet, depending on where the cabin is. There is enough space for two chairs (not loungers) and a small table.
These are available for all four experiences: Bella, Fantastica, Wellness and Aurea. The Aurea offers all the benefits of the Fantastica package with additional privileges such as the All-Inclusive beverage package, spa package including a welcome cocktail, one massage of choice, wellness consultation, free access to the Thermal Suite, My Choice dining, priority boarding and superior cabins on the upper decks.
Suite: These corner cabins come in at an impressive 301 to 409 square feet, and include a 63-square-foot wrap-around balcony with its own hot tub. The balcony has plenty of space for loungers and chairs; it comes with two loungers and a small table. Inside, you'll find three rooms -- a living room, a shower room, and a separate main bedroom. The living room has a large sofa, small table and five chairs. There is a desk with a wall-mounted TV above. Both rooms lead out onto the balcony.
All suite categories, excluding the Yacht Club which has a separate pricing structure and inclusions, are available to passengers booking the Fantastica, Wellness or Aurea experiences.
Duplex Suite: Another cabin category brand new to MSC, these suites come in at a hefty 559 square feet. There are just eight of them, all of which are located right at the front on Deck 9 and would suit a family or perhaps two couples sharing. They are accessed from Deck 9, but there is a door through the wardrobe to Deck 10, effectively giving them two entrances. The lower floor consists of a living area, with a sofa bed which converts into a double bed; a shower room with toilet, wardrobe, dining area with a table that would seat four people and which leads out onto a 19 square foot balcony complete with hot tub. The upper area (which is really half a floor), consists of a double bed, a bathroom with tub and a wardrobe.
Bookable on Fantastica, Wellness and Aurea experiences.
Yacht Club: The exclusive Yacht Club is MSC's ship-within-a-ship complex, which has been taken to new heights (and size) on Meraviglia. For the first time on an MSC ship, the Yacht Club has been put all in one place: right at the front of the ship across five decks (14 to 19). Most of the top suites are here, with the exception of the eight Duplex Suites at the aft of the ship and the Corner Suites, as well as exclusive access to a lounge, a dining room and a sun deck, with pool and bar.
All Yacht Club cabins, irrespective of category, come with a Nespresso coffee machine.
Other perks include: Dedicated priority check-in and check-out; 24-hour butler service; 24-hour concierge; bathrobe, slippers and MSC Med range of bathroom products; unlimited drinks in all MSC Yacht Club areas, including the in-suite mini-bar; unlimited beverage selection in all bars and restaurants; free Thermal Suite access and direct private lift to the MSC Aurea Spa; free room service delivery.
Interior Suite: There are 15 of these, which are 52 square feet, and it's misleading to label them "suite" as they are clearly not -- they are exactly the same size and shape as a regular Interior cabin. The only difference is the addition of a small table and two chairs, as well as the Nespresso coffee machine.
Deluxe Suite: Although not technically a suite (i.e. two separate rooms), these are a decent size at 301 square feet and do have two areas -- a living area with sofa, coffee table, two chairs and a fixed desk; and a double bed. It also has a fixed desk which runs the length of the room and has cupboard space and the coffee machine atop; as well as two wardrobes. The bathroom, though without a tub, is a decent size with marble fitting, a large shower and products from the MSC Med range, rather than from generic dispensers.
Wellness Deluxe Suite: There are two of these which are the same as the Deluxe Suite, but equipped with a Technogym Kinesis for working out in your cabin.
Royal Suite: There are two Royal Suites, both on Deck 15, which come in at a whopping 699 square feet with a 430 square foot balcony. The layout is as follows: bedroom with its own small private balcony, ensuite bathroom with tub and separate shower stall; living room with L-shaped sofa, a coffee table and two armchairs. Double sliding doors lead out to the balcony which has its own dining table at one end a hot tub at the other.
Family: New for Meraviglia, these "Super Family Cabins" cabins are an exciting addition to the family offerings onboard, allowing family groups of up to 10 (or groups of friends) to stay together. They are basically two Balcony cabins (though aft balconies, so bigger and deeper than a standard balcony), joined by an Interior -- a total square footage of 580 square feet. They are all at the back of the ship. There is a main room in a square shape which has a recessed bunk bed and a small cupboard which you can close off with a curtain, as well as a large double bed. Inside is a small sofa, a desk top and a shower room. It leads out onto a large balcony. The room is connected to an inside room which has a sofa bed and a shower room. It also has a virtual window, another first for this ship. This middle room can be connected to a third cabin, which is a standard balcony cabin shape, leading out to a big balcony. These are only available as part of the Fantastica experience.
Studio Cabin: The small cabin sandwiched between the two cabins which make up the Super Family Cabins is a single cabin and can be purchased as such. It is 172 square feet. Unlike previously advertised, these are not clustered together and nor is there a separate lounge.
Accessible: There are 55 accessible cabins, all with wide doors, ramps and fully accessible bathrooms, across various cabin categories.
Travellers looking for an action-packed, around-the-clock party, plus families with kids on a budget
Recluses looking for a small ship feel with plenty of quiet spaces, penny pinchers looking to avoid extra expenses
MSC Cruises is one of the most diverse cruise lines you can sail on with a multicultural mix of Italians, Brits, Spanish, Germans and French in the Mediterranean, with more North Americans in the Caribbean (but still lots of Italians and Spanish-speaking passengers), and a big local market in South Africa and South America. You'll also come across all ages. The lively night scene means these ships work well for teens and younger cruisers, while the decent kids' clubs (particularly on the newer ships) and the clever arrangements of clustered family cabins mean a lot of families travel during school holidays.
Yes, a little. The usual dress code is informal during the day and smart-casual at night -- think nice trousers and shirt for men and nice pants/skirts with blouse or cocktail dress for women. There's usually one gala night per cruise, when black tie or dark suit and tie are encouraged for men, as is a formal dress for women. This is not enforced, but people do make an effort.
No, unless you're in one of the Yacht Club suites, and even then, not everything is included. MSC sells its cruises through a somewhat bewildering array of packages: Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and Yacht Club. All include your accommodation, meals in specified restaurants and big-stage entertainment, along with basic coffee and tea, and select juices at breakfast and lunch. Beyond that, perks and inclusions vary by which package you've purchased, with Bella having no additional inclusions and Aurea featuring unlimited beverages. The Yacht Club has the most inclusions, with extra dining venues for eating, spa thermal suite passes and most beverages (plus access to a personal butler and a dedicated Yacht Club lounge and pool).
The action onboard an MSC ship is nonstop, with cruisers flocking to participate in pool games, sports contests, shopping promotions, trivia, karaoke and filling the nightclubs until late. On newer ships, high-tech arcade games are all the rage, including a 4D cinema, laser maze, F1 simulator and bowling. Many MSC cruisers are also just as happy to park themselves by a pool and stay there all day, and when the ship is in port, you'll find the vast majority of cruisers off the ship on ship-sponsored or independent tours.
Interior Cabin | Bella Experience
Ocean View Cabin | Bella Experience
Balcony Cabin | Bella Experience
