MSC Magnifica

The latest Musica class ship to be built, the MSC Magnifica is a luxury cruise vessel that was completed in 2010. Built by STX Europe, the liner is the largest of its class, with sister ships Musica, Orchestra and Poesia being only slightly smaller.

In its first year of service, the Magnifica crossed the Atlantic to provide the first North American voyages ever offered by MSC Cruises. These trips proved to be popular amongst passengers wishing to see New England and Canada on a cruise ship aimed at the European, rather than American, audience.

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These days, the Magnifica can usually be found in the waters around Europe. It regularly departs on Mediterranean voyages, with ports of call including Gibraltar, Barcelona and Genoa, Athens, Dubrovnik, Rhodes and Venice.

Baltic cruises are available to destinations like St Petersburg, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Bergen, while other voyages can take passengers to places like Lisbon and Casablanca.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 3,013
Year entered service: 2010
Beam (ship width): 105.6 feet
Draught (ship depth): 25.2 feet
Length: 963.9 feet
Tonnage: 93,330
Crew: 987
Maximum speed: 23 knots
Number of passenger decks: 13
Number of lifts: 17
Number of swimming pools: 2
Number of cabins: 1,259

Food, cuisine and dining

The Magnifica has two main dining rooms. L'Edera is a beautiful venue decorated in a stunning ocean-blue motif. It offers diners a variety of dishes, so there's sure to be something to suit every palette - while a special emphasis placed on Mediterranean and Italian fare.

Quattro Venti is the name of the other main eatery. It has an elegant purple decor and stunning chandeliers, providing a stylish and modern ambiance.

Both of these restaurants serve three meals a day. Breakfast and lunch are open seating, while there are two dinner services. As is customary with most cruises, you'll be seated with the same table-mates every night, giving you the chance to enjoy friendly conversation and maybe even make some new friends.

Other dining options include the Sahara Cafeteria, which serves breakfast and lunch buffets, while fast food items like burgers and pizza are provided on the pool deck. Hot drinks and pastries are available in the stunning atrium lobby, while staff members can often be found wandering around the ship with trays of late-night snacks.

There are also two extra-charge restaurants: Shanghai for Chinese fare and L'Oasi for a la carte items inspired by two-star Michelin chef Mauro Uliassi.

On-board entertainment and activities

The main entertainment venue on the Magnifica is the Royal Theatre. This large show lounge covers three decks and plays host to various acts throughout the journey, such as concerts and cabaret. The space can also be reserved for large functions.

L'Amethista Lounge is a popular venue for dancing and also offers cooking demonstrations and live music. Alternatively, there's the T32 disco - which is named after the ship's hull number when it was under construction.

A number of bars and lounges can be found on decks six and seven, while the selection of public spaces also includes an internet cafe, a video games room, a library and shops selling everything from electronics and branded souvenirs to jewellery, cosmetics and duty free products.

Other options include a casino, which has a number of games tables and slot machines and is generally quite busy. Various quizzes, bingo and karaoke are available at different times of the day and night and films are often shown on the giant screen located above the main pool.

The ship and its amenities are primarily designed for young couples and families wishing for a holiday at sea. However, MSC does not typically provide vast facilities exclusively for children like many of its competitors. There is a basic kids' club on the vessel and both indoor and outdoor play areas, but in general, families are expected to enjoy their time on the cruise together, rather than in separate parts of the ship.

Spas and fitness facilities

There are three swimming pools on the Magnifica and one features a retractable glass roof, which is used when the weather gets unpleasant. It turns the entire pool deck into a large green house, where you can enjoy the sun's natural warmth, even if it's a bit chilly outside.

There are also four whirlpools located throughout the ship, which provide the perfect way to relieve any muscle tension.

If you need some extra pampering, then the luxurious Aurea spa, which is located at the heart of the ship, is the ideal destination. This Balinese-inspired venue offers a range of relaxing treatments from massages and acupuncture, through to facials and pedicures. There's also a thermal suite.

Alternatively, there's a large gym with various exercise equipment, you could go for a run on the jogging track,or take part in a game of tennis or basketball.

Cabins

Those planning a voyage on this vessel will have 12 different price ranges to choose from, and these vary depending on the location and size of the room, as well as the amenities provided.

The most popular accommodation option is the outside view cabins - which make up the majority of the 1,259 rooms. There are also 18 suites, 17 wheelchair accessible cabins and a number of interior staterooms that are ideal for those seeking cruise deals, as they are the rooms with the lowest price.