MSC Poesia

Launched in 2008, the MSC Poesia is one of four Musica class vessels operated by MSC Cruises. Along with its sister ships, the Musica, Orchestra and Magnifica, it was built at the Aker Yards shipyard in France.

It was the first vessel in the fleet to have its naming ceremony outside of Italy - instead, the event took place in Dover and was presided over by the ship's godmother, Sophia Loren.

The Poesia splits its time between both sides of the Atlantic. During the summer, it can generally be found in Northern Europe, offering excursions to the Baltic Sea and the Norwegian fjords. Popular ports of call include Copenhagen, Stockholm and St Petersburg.

As the winter approaches, the vessel crosses the pond and is based in Fort Lauderdale, sailing to locations in the Caribbean like St Thomas, San Juan and Nassau. It also journeys along the eastern seaboard of the US and Canada, especially in the autumn when the changing leaves put on a spectacular display of colour that can be seen from the ship.

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Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 3,013
Year entered service: 2008
Beam (ship width): 105.6 feet
Draught (ship depth): 26.2 feet
Length: 963.9 feet
Tonnage: 92,490
Crew: 987
Maximum speed: 23 knots
Number of passenger decks: 13
Number of lifts: 13
Number of swimming pools: 2
Number of cabins: 1,275

Food, cuisine and dining

Meal time is a real treat on the Poesia and the two main dining rooms are called Il Palladio and La Fontaine. Both of these venues serve a traditional cruise dinner, with two separate sittings and a cuisine that is mainly Mediterranean inspired. Be sure to save room for dessert - a huge selection of pastries and sweet treats are provided at the end of every meal and it will be difficult to pick your favourite!

Breakfast and lunch are also served in one of the two dining rooms. They are provided as buffets, with open seatings and a more casual atmosphere.

Other options include the Villa Pompeiana, which serves a buffet for breakfast and lunch. At dinner it becomes a cafe that serves pizza and kebabs. There's also L'Obelisco, the ship's specialty restaurant, which provides a sophisticated atmosphere and a variety of gourmet treats.

One popular venue is Kaito, a for-fee Japanese restaurant that serves a variety of dishes, including sushi and sashimi. It's an elegantly decorated space with a Zen garden and a distinctly Asian decor throughout.

On-board entertainment and activities

Designed to be a comfortable and serene ship with plenty of amenities and luxurious spaces, one of the most popular places to sit back and relax is the three-storey-high atrium, which includes a large cascading waterfall.

There are several bars and lounges located around the vessel and passengers looking for a bit of entertainment should be sure to find a seat in the Teatro Carlo Felice. There's also a casino, disco, shopping, video games, bingo, karaoke, game shows, a library and plenty of places to soak up some sunshine.

Spas and fitness facilities

If you want to be pampered during your cruise, then a trip to the Aurea Spa should definitely be on your itinerary.

This tranquil space measures more than 13,000 square feet and offers a huge range of traditional and modern treatments like massages, bronzing and high-tech toning. Fresh fruit juice and herbal teas are served and guests can also opt for wellbeing consultations, with topics such as health, exercise regimes and nutrition.

The on-board gym offers plenty of space for a vigorous workout and includes a number of machines, as well as a fitness studio. Meanwhile, elsewhere on the ship you can find swimming pools, a jogging track and various other activities that will help to get your body moving and your heart pumping.

Cabins

Anyone considering a cruise on the Poesia will have a variety of accommodation options to choose from.

There are 12 price ranges, which are dependent on the room's size, location and amenities and those seeking cruise deals may well consider the interior cabins. Other options include quarters with outside views and private balconies, as well as the 18 luxurious suites, which are much more spacious.