MSC Cruises

Dining Options

Dining onboard an MSC cruise goes beyond the flavours of Italy, although the pasta, pizza, and risotto are all truly top-notch! Pizza dough is made onsite and pasta is handmade and fresh. You’ll have plenty of options to ensure your taste buds never get bored, with flexible, all-inclusive dining plans rounded out by speciality restaurants. The main restaurant is one of the cruise’s highlights, with a Mediterranean-influenced menu and crisp white linens. Visit the Buffet, open 20 hours out of the day to dish up specialities in 13 different stations.

The MSC Yacht Club is the dining area of choice for those in search of a gourmet experience, while families can enjoy plenty of kid-friendly options in the main restaurants. In addition to these universal dining options, you can also find an array of specialities to tempt your appetite whether you’re in the mood for sushi or Tex-Mex.

Drinks Packages

Cruise life can make you thirsty, so you’ll have the opportunity to save with MSC’s selection of individual drinks packages. Whether you’re a fan of fruit drinks or a beer snob, choose from packages featuring your top choice of tipple. These packages are available on cruises spanning a minimum of four nights.

• Unlimited Drinks – The Unlimited package is the gold standard, allowing you to drink what you want, when you want it! This includes unlimited spirits, liqueurs, cordials, cocktails, wines, beers, and most non-alcoholic beverages. There’s also a children’s version of this package with everything from soft drinks to smoothies included.
• Deluxe Drink Package – Give the regular Unlimited Package an upgrade by including Premium brands with this Deluxe Package. Like the regular Unlimited, a children’s version is on hand for passengers aged 3-17.
• Mealtime Restaurant Drink Package – Enjoy much of the same freedom as the packages above, during mealtimes. This package is ideal for those who enjoy a glass of wine or beer with dinner and are looking for great value.  

Entertainment

However you prefer to be entertained, there’s bound to be an evening attraction to take your fancy! Theme parties, talent contests and music quizzes get guests involved in the interactive entertainment programme, or you can test your luck in the casino with poker tournaments and games galore. MSC is known for being at the cutting edge of technology, so don’t miss electronic treats like the Formula 1 simulator and 4D cinema.

You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped off the ship and straight onto Broadway with the epic productions of MSC Show Time. The line has performed over 80 different productions, ensuring there’s plenty of variety to choose from whether you’re more in the mood for a piano bar singalong or gravity-defying Cirque du Soleil performance. And of course, you can dance the night away to international classics and modern pop hits in the cruise ship discos.

Amenities and Activities

MSC Cruises’ ships are designed to resemble floating cities, and you’ll find all the activities and amenities that one would expect from a bustling high street from shopping boutiques to a library. The talented entertainment team runs a varied programme of cultural events, dancing lessons and more so do check what’s on to avoid missing out.

• Aurea Spa

No matter where in the world you may be sailing, you can enjoy the distinct atmosphere of a Balinese spa at Aurea. Its lush interior whisks you away to exotic islands with a range of pampering treatments to leave you feeling amazing from top to toe. Hot stone massages, Turkish baths, and radio frequency beauty treatments are all examples of unique services on the menu. There’s even a menu just for teens.

• Sports Activities

Whether you want to stick to your usual fitness routine or feel the need to balance out all those afternoon ice creams and sunset cocktails, hit the gym. You’ll be able to work up a sweat whilst admiring panoramic sea views. If you prefer to exercise in a group, try joining an Aerobics, Spinning or Pilates class. Apart from the gym, you can log steps on the jogging track or challenge friends to a game like mini golf, football, basketball or shuffleboard.  

• Family Fun

Being a family-owned business, MSC is particularly geared to families so you’ll find plenty of activities designed with the littlest passengers in mind. All ages can enjoy the swimming pools, water slides and aqua park facilities, along with of-the-moment gaming consoles and the 4D cinema. Kids have their own play area with supervised activities and social events to help them make new friends onboard.

Service Charges

A daily Hotel Service Charge is added automatically to your shipboard account so you don’t have to worry about tipping staff members individually. This charge will vary according to your itinerary and cabin class. There’s an additional 15% Bar Service Charge added to all purchases apart from all-inclusive drinks packages.

Dress Code

Wondering what to pack? MSC Cruises are more relaxed than some other formal lines, but you’ll still have the chance to get glammed up for Gala Dinners. For day-to-day wear and onshore excursions, bring casual, comfortable clothing and resort wear - think summery frocks and polo shirts. During Gala evenings, the dress code runs to the more formal side with cocktail dresses and suit jackets. Your cruise will most likely include Theme Parties, ranging from hippie-chic Flower Glory to the vibrant festivities of Little Italy, so keep the entertainment schedule in mind when packing!