msc yacht club 2023

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MSC YACHT CLUB

Step into the MSC Yacht Club, an exclusive private sanctuary onboard only accessible by key card. Here, you can discover elegance with luxury suites offering a 24/7 butler service. Enjoy curated menus in a private restaurant and unwind on the secluded pool deck. An elevated experience awaits you on a vacation that’s a step above.

WELCOME TO A WORLD OF LUXURY

Experience unparalleled service from the moment you check in. Gain access to priority embarkation and disembarkation, your own concierge team, a dedicated butler available 24/7, and premier room service delivered to you at any hour.

Enjoy access to areas that are exclusive for MSC Yacht Club guests during your cruise vacation. Delight in fine dining at our dedicated restaurant, unwind on a private sun deck, and admire captivating sunsets from the Top Sail Lounge.

When you choose MSC Yacht Club, you unlock unique exclusives, all-inclusive packages, and VIP access available only to you including entry to Ocean House Beach on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, our private island in the Bahamas.

Allow us to indulge you

Step into a world where your suite is just the beginning and where every detail is meticulously attended to.

AT YOUR SERVICE

Our butlers are prepared to meet your needs, whether that be bringing a late-night treat-or turning down your room. From the minute you step on board, your dedicated butler will be by your side for a memorable experience.

Ask your MSC Yacht Club concierge to secure the best reservations at all our incredible venues, including specialty restaurants, and consider it done. Revel in VIP seating for entertainment, partake in private shopping trips, and enjoy curated excursions.

Your journey with us is tailored to perfection, guaranteeing every moment is marked by exceptional comfort and convenience.

EXTRA TOUCHES

Allow our dedicated MSC Yacht Club team to bring your ultimate cruise vacation to life. We prioritize every detail, from the perfect pillow selection from our exclusive Dorelan® menu to a fully stocked personalized mini bar at your fingertips.

Any questions you may have can always be answered by our 24-hour concierge service, available to you from the moment you step on board.

EXCLUSIVITY AWAITS

Immerse yourself in elegant spaces and experience elevated design in a beautiful setting.

TOP SAIL LOUNGE  

The Top Sail Lounge is the ultimate place to rest and relax after shore excursions or days at sea. Throughout the day, take in crystal-clear panoramic views of the ocean while enjoying crafted drinks, gourmet finger foods, and desserts. At night, relish in exclusive access to live music and after-dinner drinks.   

When you visit the Top Sail Lounge, you'll have the time to unwind and watch the world sail by.

PRIVATE SOLARIUM

Recharge on a sundeck featuring dipping pools and whirlpool baths where you can cool off and lounge for total relaxation. Take in the sun and the ocean breeze with your preferred poolside beverage delivered right to your chair.

YACHT CLUB RESTAURANT 

With a dedicated restaurant on each ship, the MSC Yacht Club offers an elevated menu. Enjoy fine dining served with five-star service and a selection of beverages and wines from around the world.  

You can savor the finest flavors in a space meant for you—no reservations needed.

MSC YACHT CLUB’S OCEAN HOUSE

The MSC Yacht Club experience continues on land at the private Ocean House Beach on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. A serene space with ocean views, beachfront cabanas, and complimentary amenities.

COMFORT AWAITS

MSC Yacht Club offers guests luxurious onboard accommodations for the ultimate in comfort. Explore our wide range of staterooms to enhance your MSC Cruises luxury experience.

The Owner's Suites feature a spacious living area, a walk-in closet, a large balcony with a private whirlpool, and a panoramic glass wall. 

Every Royal Suite has a separate living area and all the comforts you would expect in first-class accommodations. 

These two-deck suites offer a separate living space with a double sofa bed, walk-in closet, and a balcony with a private whirlpool. 

These suites are ideal for families with children. They come with a separate sitting area and a bathroom with a bathtub.

These suites have also their own private balcony and all the comforts you expect in first-class accommodations. 

Guests on our newest ships can enjoy all the comforts of the MSC Yacht Club with an interior suite.

ALL-INCLUSIVE, ALL THE TIME

PREMIUM BEVERAGE PACKAGE

Our Premium Extra Package is included as an MSC Yacht Club benefit. Delight in a wide selection of beers, cocktails, wines, top-shelf liquor, and an array of non-alcoholic beverages.

HIGH-SPEED INTERNET

Stay connected with a premium internet package from anywhere on board, an exclusive benefit for guests. Unlimited Wi-Fi allows you to browse on up to two devices.

THERMAL SPA ACCESS

Experience ultimate pampering at the MSC Aurea Spa, where you can enjoy complimentary access to the serene Thermal Suite, enhanced further by an exclusive 10% discount on all treatments.

explore further

Discover the best of both worlds as a guest of MSC Yacht Club. Enjoy VIP access to amenities throughout

your journey, from dining to captivating entertainment, while experiencing the personalized touch that

extends from your suite to every corner of the ship.

SIGNATURE DINING

Savor the flavors of exquisite specialty restaurants such as Butcher's Cut, Kaito Sushi & Teppanyaki, HOLA Tacos, and Ocean Cay.

Elevate your dining experience with exclusive perks like priority reservation times, premium seating, and the luxury of a personal butler escort if you choose.

TOP-TIER ENTERTAINMENT

As an MSC Yacht Club guest, there’s always more to discover. Get priority access to our show-stopping Broadway and Vegas-style shows brought to you by Carousel Productions at Sea.

Plus, you can always explore the myriad of entertainment areas on board, from thrilling water parks to trying your luck at the state-of-the-art MSC Casino.

PREMIUM WELLNESS

Unleash your active side by checking out our sports facilities, including outdoor walking tracks, basketball courts, and a fully-equipped gym boasting Technogym® equipment.  

For those seeking an even more tailored experience, indulge in specialty classes and personal training sessions, reserved by your MSC Yacht Club concierge team.

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Journey to the ultimate destinations on board the MSC Yacht Club, whether it’s crossing places off your bucket list or delighting in quick weekend getaways.

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I tried a ship-within-a-ship cruise experience and it was worth it for the endless perks—here’s why

The MSC Yacht Club affords travelers a totally different cruising experience, but you’ll have to splurge.

I heard tales of luxury from people about the ritzy MSC Yacht Club , the ship-within-a-ship concept where discerning passengers enjoy their own area of the cruise ship that includes a dedicated restaurant, private lounge, separate pool and sundeck as well as private butlers and concierges to take of any whim while cruising. The elevated Yacht Club boasts priority everything while sailing MSC.

I sailed on a four-night cruise on the new MSC Seashore, a glitzy ship with Italian flair intermingled with references to New York City at every turn. Although the ship was well-appointed and had amazing dining, drinking and entertainment venues, and a bountiful Top Sail main buffet, thousands of passengers made the ship feel crowded at times, elevators were slow, and as I strolled through the general pools, they were boisterous and crowded.

RECOMMENDED: 10 things about cruising on an adults-only ship that might surprise you

Switch gears to MSC Seashore’s Yacht Club, passkey-protected for lucky guests, and is a 180 from the ship’s general spaces. Once you scan your handy Yacht Club wrist badge, or your room key, you’re instantly given entrance to a breathtaking retreat of 131 staterooms and suites. All this luxury does come at a price. Cruise fares will vary based on destination, time of year, and cabin category, but generally speaking you can expect to pay double for the Yacht Club. And from my experience, it’s worth it. Read more about why you should splurge.

You’re fast-tracked through everything

The Yacht Club’s exclusivity and impeccable service standard started from the moment I got dropped off at the Port Canaveral cruise terminal. There were hundreds of people waiting to board at 1pm on embarkation day. I saw in the distance a canopy that said MSC Yacht Club. My husband and I wheeled our carry-on luggage to the representative under the canopy. I gave her my name and within two seconds, she gave me a sticker to wear and up we ascended on the escalator to check in. Just five minutes later, I was directed to the dedicated check-in area for Yacht Club guests. To my right, I saw about 1,000 people serpentine through ropes to do general check-in. I felt a sense of relief; who wants to wait in that line? Five minutes later, a butler from the Yacht Club insisted on wheeling my luggage to board the ship and I was in my room in a total on 12 minutes from the time I stepped foot out of the car to my stateroom in the Yacht Club.

Relaxing and streamlined

In addition, Yacht Club guests have the freedom to get off the ship first for excursions. Your butler will happily escort you off the ship with a smile. Guests also can disembark on the last morning first, which is a big convenience. Your butler walks you right to the place you disembark, bypassing crowds and hassles. Port Canaveral is about an hour away from Orlando International Airport, and we took a 10 am flight home. We didn’t have to linger around until the afternoon for our flight home.

Another perk is that there’s a special seating area in the theater for shows. All the shows were excellent during my voyage. All other ship passengers have to make reservations in advance for shows but that’s not the case for the privileged Yacht Club passengers. As long as you arrive about 10 minutes before any show you choose, a crew member from the Club will allow you entry into a special roped-off section. Again, no rushing through dinner—you have the flexibility to plan your evenings your way.

Your Yacht Club package is packed with remarkable value

The price tag may sound daunting, but there’s lots of value there. All Yacht Club cabins and suites include a premium drink package that covers beverages up to $15. You can use this perk both in the Yacht Club and throughout the ship. In addition, your package includes a two-device Wi-Fi package, which worked well during my sailing. Finally, you get access to the thermal spa suite, which is a place to indulge after a day in port or a sea day. Commonly, there’s a taboo regarding mini-bars, but not in the Yacht Club. It’s stocked each day with the beverages you want; just tell your butler and consider it done.

You get perks ashore too

If your sailing includes a call to Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, Yacht Club guests get an elevated experience there too. Yacht Club guests enjoy a private area, and a dedicated restaurant called the Ocean House. While other ship guests were hosted to a buffet of predictable fare, I enjoyed a lobster roll, and my husband chose carne asada. In my opinion, one thing that could be improved was the tram service to the Yacht Club’s private area. We were told the last tram back was 3:30pm if we didn’t want to trek a 15-minute walk in the heat. Since we were docked in Ocean Cay for the evening and weren’t sailing, I was a bit dismayed by this logistical quirk. I felt like I was keeping an eye on my phone to make sure I didn’t miss the last tram.

You have private areas with curated food and drink and outdoor spaces

Within the Yacht Club complex, there’s the Yacht Club Restaurant, Top Sail Lounge and the One Pool Buffet, which are all exclusive to Yacht Club guests. Obviously, the food and service are steps above other dining venues of the ship, I can vouch for that. Although the food is delicious, if you don’t want to pay extra to dine at the specialty restaurants or fuss in the main buffet, eating three meals a day in the Yacht Club restaurant can get a bit monotonous. The breakfast is the same daily, and lunch and dinner offer a menu with daily specials plus a few standby selections like a hamburger or pasta each day. Although the Yacht Club Restaurant concept is desirable, I would strongly suggest dining in other venues on board, especially for dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed specialty dining in Ocean Cay Restaurant, Butcher’s Cut, and Kaito Teppanyaki. I also want to mention that late afternoon high tea is offered daily at the Yacht Club Restaurant. It was one of the nicest I have experienced at sea.

Also available exclusively to Yacht Club passengers is the Top Sail Lounge, which offers panoramic water views and has chef-curated selections from morning through late night. We enjoyed popping into the lounge at all hours to try finger foods and sweets. The One Pool Buffet offers a more casual option for breakfast and lunch by the pool. The buffet has grilled fish, sandwiches and lots of delicious options if you want to dine outside.

There’s also an exclusive area with a private pool and two whirlpools for Yacht Club guests only. The sun deck loungers are very comfortable and I never had to worry about finding a lounger, there are ample. One issue I had was that there was almost no shade on the sun deck; there were shaded day beds for Royal Suite and Owners Suite guests, but beyond those, I couldn’t find any shade, which was disappointing.

You can justify the price at the end of your cruise

Overall, the best way to explain my enthusiasm for my MSC Yacht Club experience is this: it’s better to book an interior stateroom in the Yacht Club than a luxe cabin outside the Yacht Club. It’s worth the splurge and you return home feeling truly pampered and it’s money well-spent. And I make this prediction: Once you try a ship-within-a-ship concept like the MSC Yacht Club, you won’t want cruise any other way. Bon Voyage!

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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MSC Meraviglia review: What it's like to cruise on MSC's 1st New York-based ship

For the first time, MSC Cruises has based a ship in New York. Given that the vessel, MSC Meraviglia, is the fifth-largest in the line's fleet of two dozen ships in terms of tonnage and the sixth-largest by passenger capacity, the ship's presence in the Big Apple is a big deal. As one colleague astutely pointed out, when it's docked there, it's the largest hotel in the city .

I recently sailed on MSC Meraviglia out of its Red Hook homeport in Brooklyn, and I have mixed feelings. Overall, the ship is lively and aesthetically beautiful. Its specialty restaurants and nightly shows are some of the most consistently superb on any vessel, and it offers one heck of a luxury product in its Yacht Club suite enclave .

However, passenger flow is an issue, with many public spaces so crowded they're uncomfortable, and service is painfully slow in some bars and restaurants. You'll likely end up paying a lot more than you originally planned because some of the most enticing things to do come with added fees. And, as my travel companion so succinctly put it, I've never been told "no" so many times on a cruise.

Here, I'll take you through some of the activities I tried, the places I ate and the experience I had so you can better determine if MSC Meraviglia is right for your next voyage.

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Overview of MSC Meraviglia

MSC Cruises' Meraviglia was the first in the line's Meraviglia Class of ships. When it debuted in 2017, it became the line's largest vessel, with space for up to 5,655 people at capacity (4,475 at double occupancy). It has since been overtaken, in terms of passenger capacity, by subsequent vessels in the Meraviglia Class, as well as those in the World Class.

The ship exudes the same glitz that's typical of other MSC vessels, despite its mass-market appeal and penchant for attracting budget travelers. Lavish artwork, chrome accents and bold jewel tones convey a sense of opulence throughout public spaces, and no ship in the fleet would be complete without an atrium staircase adorned with thousands of Swarovski crystals.

Like MSC's other modern ships, MSC Meraviglia has an extra-fee chocolate shop on board — this one through a partnership with chocolatier and pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury — where you can purchase chocolate, macarons, candy and specialty coffees.

There's also a sizable water park on the top deck, a shopping mall-style promenade area and several decks of cabins that are part of the line's Yacht Club, which affords passengers exclusive access to a dedicated restaurant, lounge, bar and pool deck just for them, as well as butler service.

What I loved about MSC Meraviglia

Largely, my onboard experience was great. Crew members were friendly, my cabin was comfortable, and the daily activity options were plentiful, varied and fun. At night, most shows fell into the "excellent" category, and the food in every extra-fee restaurant and the Yacht Club was phenomenal.

Specialty dining

MSC's food consistently receives less-than-stellar reviews from passengers, particularly regarding the line's complimentary dining experiences. Much of the main dining room fare is indeed so-so — palatable but largely underseasoned and mass-produced, so that it often looks like it's been sitting under a heat lamp when it reaches you. Food in the buffet is varied and tasty, but it can also become repetitive after a week, and the space is frequently crowded and confusing to navigate.

So why am I including food under the "what I loved" category? I think that MSC's alternative, for-fee restaurants — including the ones on MSC Meraviglia — are some of the best. If you're willing to shell out the money, you can have a fantastic meal on this ship.

Of the ship's specialty restaurants, my favorites are Hola! Tacos & Cantina and Kaito Teppanyaki.

Even though Hola! levies extra charges, passengers have the option of paying a la carte for items individually priced as low as $2.95 or paying $17.99 for unlimited menu items. The salsa and guacamole are wonderful, the tortilla soup always hits the spot for me, and the tacos are small, so you'll be able to try several to find your favorite without feeling overstuffed.

If you know me, you know the fact that I'm recommending Kaito Teppanyaki is shocking. I'm notoriously not a fan of this type of cooking, particularly when it comes with a side of cringeworthy performances by the chefs. However, the food there on MSC Meraviglia was so great that I didn't mind the cook's jokes.

The MSC Yacht Club is a private section on select MSC ships that offers cabins across several categories, including suites. Passengers booked in those cabins have special keycard access to a dedicated guest services and concierge desk; an exclusive pool, sun deck, lounge and bar (with free drinks); and complimentary anytime dining at a special restaurant just for Yacht Club cruisers.

Cabins are outfitted with higher-quality materials and furnishings, and each comes with the services of a butler. Meri was mine, and she was the best. She was able to make dining and spa reservations for me, escort me to priority seating in the theater for nightly shows and have crackers and green apples delivered to my cabin when the second night's rough seas made me feel seasick.

I absolutely loved the special touches MSC provides to Yacht Club passengers, including a special afternoon tea service and a private, intimate final-night performance by Lorraine Crosby — the female vocalist from Meat Loaf's "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" — who sometimes makes guest appearances on board. (She also put on two larger shows for the entire ship earlier in the sailing.) Additionally, I had access to Yacht Club perks at private island Ocean Cay Marine Reserve , including dedicated trams, a shaded waiting area with cold water and access to a private beach and restaurant.

Although the Yacht Club comes at a premium — at the time of publication, rooms on MSC Meraviglia started at $1,199 per person for a Yacht Club inside cabin on a six-night Bermuda sailing — fares include drinks and tips, along with Venchi pillow chocolates, free room service and minibar selections, plus one round of in-cabin snacks and a choice of one bottle of vodka, gin or whiskey delivered to your room. (I normally drink rum, and they were able to substitute it for me, even though it's not one of the spirits normally offered.)

Above all, the most valuable component of the Yacht Club for me on this sailing was the ability to escape the general chaos that is the rest of the ship. Don't get me wrong: I immersed myself in the buzz outside of the Yacht Club as often as possible, but as an introvert who dislikes crowds and noise more and more the older she gets, I found it essential to have a separate area to which I could retreat.

Galleria Meraviglia

One of the most fun and flashy locations on MSC Meraviglia cruises is the Galleria Meraviglia, a central indoor walkway similar to the Royal Promenade on Royal Caribbean ships. It's a long space flanked by bars, restaurants and shops with a feel similar to a shopping mall. However, the highlight for me is the giant LED screen, which runs the length of the space and hosts what the line calls "dome shows."

During these shows, themed scenes — including deck plans for the muster drill, dinosaurs and volcanos during the "Jurassic" dome show and even famous ceilings — appear overhead. They're the metaphorical heartbeat of the ship, and you can't help but stop to watch.

The nearby chocolateria, Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Cafe, is an excellent place to grab a cuppa, and the adjacent Meraviglia Bar & Lounge is home to trivia, live music and more. Mix in a shore excursion desk; shops that sell high-end jewelry and purses; a counter serving for-fee gelato, crepes and smoothies; and Hola! Tacos & Cantina (one of the best Mexican restaurants at sea), and Galleria Meraviglia feels like the place to be.

There's little I enjoy more than a relaxing arcade day , and MSC delivers with its Sportplex gaming complex. It features a small traditional arcade with air hockey, alien shooter games and first-person driving games, as well as prize machines; several immersive virtual-reality pods (most of which were down for maintenance during my sailing); two Formula One racing simulators; a 4D cinema where several players attempt to take out zombies and killer clowns; and a sports court that hosts basketball, pickleball, dodgeball and other activities.

But my ultimate favorite was the bowling alley. My travel companion and I inexplicably wound up in Sportplex after dinner on formal night. We played for half an hour — enough time for two games if it's only two people and you move quickly — and were ultimately joined by the Yacht Club director, Craig (who won easily). It was a ton of fun, but I don't recommend bowling in a ballgown.

The drawback is that, like lots of other cool pastimes on MSC Meraviglia, it all costs extra (except for sports court use). The arcade charges per game with the tap of your keycard. The simulators can be purchased on a per-ride basis, and bowling is charged in chunks of either 30 or 60 minutes.

To save money, passengers can purchase packages where you get a certain dollar amount free. (For example, if you prepurchase $150 worth of gaming credits, your card will be loaded with $220.)

What I didn't love about MSC Meraviglia

As with all things, in travel we take the bad with the good. While most experiences on this sailing fell in the latter category, it wouldn't be a fair review without calling attention to the things that I think the line needs to address.

The departure port

When MSC first announced that MSC Meraviglia would be sailing from New York, the ship's homeport was Manhattan. I groaned when I heard its docking spot had changed to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood.

Brooklyn's terminal is difficult to reach, particularly if you don't have a car. Anyone venturing to the port from Manhattan will need to take the subway, followed by a ferry — not an easy feat if you're toting luggage. Park-and-ride-style buses also seemed to be an option, according to several passengers on my sailing who arrived from outside of the city. If you're like me and decide to drive to the port, know that parking is at a premium, and fees are steep. (At $45 per night, I paid $360 to park there for eight nights.)

Waits on embarkation day are another concern. When I arrived, lines snaked outside the terminal and down the sidewalk in front of the building. I had multiple passengers throughout my voyage tell me that they waited between two and three hours in line to board the vessel.

It's unclear whether the terminal is ill-equipped to deal with passenger flow for such a large ship or if MSC hasn't quite brought its embarkation processes up to speed, but if you don't have priority boarding privileges, either through a high loyalty status tier or a Yacht Club booking, expect the process to take a while.

On the plus side, you'll have great views of the Statue of Liberty as you sail away, assuming the weather isn't rainy or foggy.

At 19 decks, MSC Meraviglia is huge. On my voyage, the ship was only sailing at about half capacity (about 3,000 passengers out of a possible 5,655, or 53%). However, a perfect storm of events converged to create a situation that was less than pleasant for anyone not booked in a Yacht Club cabin.

A large group booking of about 1,000 people overtook many of the public areas on a daily basis, which drew complaints from cruisers who weren't in the group. For example, trivia was standing-room-only on several days, and the buffet was so continuously crowded that I ate there only twice on the entire voyage.

Additionally, it rained during our first two days on board — embarkation day and the following sea day — meaning that the ship's outdoor spaces weren't utilized. Because everyone was stuck inside, the ship felt even more crowded. (I shudder to imagine what it would have been like if the ship had been sailing completely full.)

Although the weather certainly isn't the cruise line's fault, it seems that the ship should be better equipped to deal with situations where passengers are stuck inside. I also thought that, perhaps, the large group booking was a one-off and that it wouldn't be the norm on other sailings. However, I spoke with one of the officers on board who told me that the cruise line is actively recruiting similar large group bookings.

One of the biggest contributing factors was the ship's layout and flow. Some areas lead to dead ends, while others force you to enter busy areas — like the massive Marketplace Buffet — to find stairs to go up or down a deck. In several bars and lounges in the main atrium, tables and chairs are scattered so close to the main staircase that it's difficult for two-way passenger traffic to move through the space.

The feeling of overcrowding was exacerbated by service inconveniences like long waits for drinks, meals and elevators.

Confusing policies and procedures

Some of the things MSC does truly confuse me, and they began almost immediately after boarding.

When cruises first returned following the 18-month COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, many lines decided to go digital with their muster drills. Passengers watched videos on their mobile apps or on their cabin TVs before reporting, at their leisure (to maintain social distancing), to their muster stations for verification. MSC has chosen to institute a bizarre version where all passengers watch a video and then report to their muster stations at the same time.

If everyone is going to the same place at the same time, why not do the muster drill in person? On the flip side, if you're going to make people watch a video instead of doing a live demonstration, why make everyone go to their stations simultaneously? The process creates a chaotic environment where, in my case, people were required to walk into the theater, do a lap around it (for reasons nobody ever actually explained) and immediately exit again.

Speaking of the theater, no drinks are allowed in there, which is odd, given that all other cruise lines allow passengers to order drinks during shows or at least carry them in with them to enjoy while they watch. We saw several surprised cruisers being told they had to dump their beverages or drink them before they'd be allowed inside.

The drink situation gets worse when you try to order cocktails in the ship's restaurants. When I did so in one of the main dining rooms, I was told that only wine was available. When I visited the alternative eateries, I was told I could only order from what was on the menu, some of which wasn't included with the beverage package. What's the point of selling pricey beverage packages (which can cost more than $70 per person, per day, for the most expensive) if there are so many exclusions?

Specialty coffee from the onboard chocolate shop also isn't included with the packages, nor are coffees on private island Ocean Cay, which leads me to my next head-scratcher. I had the single best coffee drink of my life when we called on Ocean Cay. The Coco-Nilla Latte is espresso, vanilla flavoring and coconut milk, and I loved it so much that I tried to have it replicated on board.

I went to three of the ship's regular bars, each of which is equipped to make espresso that's included in the line's beverage packages, as well as the specialty coffee bar at the for-fee chocolate shop. At each location, I was given some sort of excuse:

"We don't have vanilla syrup at this bar."

"We don't have coconut milk here."

"Oh, those are only made at Ocean Cay."

It's likely if this happened on a ship in any other fleet, the response would have been, "We don't have the ingredients, but let me see if we can find them."

The crew culture on MSC Meraviglia seems to be one that either doesn't encourage them or doesn't allow them to go the extra mile. My request wasn't a lavish one; vanilla syrup and coconut milk are standard accouterments at most cafes on land. The ship has a passenger-to-crew ratio of 3:1, which is better than that of other cruise lines with fares at a similar price point, so I don't feel like I'm asking too much from an affordable cruise line.

I must also mention some weird food-related practices I saw on board. Both times I ate at the Marketplace Buffet, I witnessed crew members stopping adults from taking food from a particular section of kid-friendly foods. "No, those are for children only," a crew member behind the counter told a parent who was trying to grab dessert for his son, who was outside by the pool.

"You mean I can't take this out to my kid?" the guy asked in shock. The crew member told him he would have to go to the pool, get his son, bring him inside and have him pick out the dessert, which he grudgingly did. But talk about a disruptive experience.

On the other occasion, I saw a couple of adults eyeing the chicken nuggets that were on offer. They were forbidden by a crew member from taking any. I have never seen something so absurd on a sailing in my life. Children aren't the only ones who enjoy chicken nuggets, nor are they the ones who pay the cruise fares. Adults, whether they have kids on board or not, should be allowed to eat whatever they wish from the buffet that they paid for — even if it comes from the children's menu.

Another head-scratcher is you might still have to pay a supplement to eat in certain restaurants, even if you booked a dining package that includes a set number of specialty restaurants for a set fee. It depends on what you order.

For example, I had a dining package, but when I dined at Kaito Teppanyaki, the waiter informed me that there would be an extra $10 surcharge to order the Geisha and Samurai options and a $30 upcharge for the Emperor option. Again, what's the point of selling dining packages if they don't cover what they're supposed to?

Additionally, on a ship of 3,000 people, MSC Meraviglia had only one of four main dining rooms open for lunch on a rainy sea day when everyone was stuck inside. It was open for one measly hour, from noon to 1 p.m. I saw the hours posted as I was passing by the line that was quickly forming, so I decided to eat there to evaluate the situation. Spoiler alert: It wasn't great.

Finally, MSC Meraviglia's sports equipment is kept under actual lock and key. You have to sign out everything from pickleball paddles to basketballs for use on the indoor sports court and volleyballs for the pits on Ocean Cay. However, when I tried to sign out a basketball during posted rental hours, the person working told me no and offered no explanation. When I checked with guest services, they told me that shouldn't have happened. But it did. Twice.

On a separate occasion, when my travel companion and I showed up for scheduled volleyball time, the attendant cut the game off at 45 minutes because he said he had to leave. When we asked if we could keep the ball to continue playing, he refused. There seems to be no flexibility, and staff members are not empowered to deviate from protocol on the fly, even when it makes sense.

Most cruise lines' ships have unmonitored equipment available for passengers to use when the courts are open. It's often stored in unlocked chests that passengers can access at any time. Sign-out, which seems like an unnecessary step, is not required with most other cruise lines, which brings me to this: To quote one of my TPG colleagues when she referenced an MSC sailing on a different ship, "I have never said, 'No other cruise line does it like this,' as much as I did on [my cruise]. And it wasn't a good thing."

MSC Meraviglia cabins and suites

MSC bookings can be confusing for first-timers because, in addition to selecting a cabin type (inside, outside, balcony or suite), passengers must also choose from one of three experience packages. Dubbed Bella, Fantastica and Aurea, they all come with different perks and inclusions, as noted below.

Bella: This is the most basic, bare-bones package. It includes accommodations, free meals in the main dining rooms and buffet, and free daily activities and nightly entertainment. Passengers with this package will be assigned to set-seating dining times after they board. They also will be charged for any room service orders, as well as changes to their cruise booking reservations.

Fantastica: This package includes everything listed under the Bella package, plus the ability to change sailing date reservations one time for free, complimentary delivery of room service breakfast and the ability to choose a preferred set-seating dining time for dinner prior to embarkation.

Aurea: Aurea comes with everything in the Bella and Fantastica packages, as well as free access to the ship's top-deck Solarium area, a welcome package that includes prosecco and chocolates, anytime dining (go whenever you want with no set seating time), a 10% discount on spa treatments, priority boarding and free 24-hour room service (not just at breakfast).

MSC Meraviglia houses 2,244 rooms in various types with several configurations, some of which sleep more than two passengers. Of those staterooms, 55 are accessible for cruisers with mobility issues. In those cabins, passengers will find additional space for maneuvering things like wheelchairs and scooters, as well as zero-entry door thresholds and shower grab bars. (Theaters and most public areas are also accessible, but unfortunately, I didn't see a single lift at any of the ship's four pools.)

Cabin types are the standard ones found on just about all cruise ships: inside or interior (no windows or balcony), outside or ocean-view (a window or porthole that doesn't open), balcony or verandah (a sliding glass door that opens onto a small balcony, usually with chairs and a small table) and suite (cabins with balconies and more square footage and/or special perks like those afforded in the Yacht Club).

On my Meraviglia sailing, I was booked in an MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite — a balcony cabin in the Yacht Club suite area — on Deck 18. At about 280 square feet, plus an additional 54 square feet of balcony space, the room felt generously sized for two people. (Note: Yacht Club has all types of cabins, from insides all the way up through massive Royal Suites and two-deck duplexes.)

The room was furnished with a king-size bed that converts into two twins on request, a couch and a desk/vanity area. It featured a closet and cabinet space for storage and an en suite bathroom.

Standard amenities included a hair dryer and a TV (with a random smattering of TV channels, for-fee movies and ship-created programs like jewelry and port seminars and navigational information). My cabin had several electrical outlets, including three 110-volt North American outlets, three 220-volt European outlets and one USB port at the desk/vanity area. One USB port is not enough, and there were no outlets near the bed, which was frustrating.

Special for Yacht Club guests, the suite was equipped with a Nespresso machine, free minibar drinks restocked daily (including bottled water, San Pellegrino, juices, flavored iced teas, soda and beer), one complimentary round of snacks (Toblerone chocolate, Pringles and mixed nuts) and a choice of one complimentary bottle of spirits (whiskey, gin or vodka).

My cabin came with a pillow menu, which I only discovered after two nights of neck pain, thanks to mismatched pillows. The bed was topped with a memory foam mattress, which was like sleeping on a cloud.

Closets in my cabin were just the right size for two people. There were two, one with a bar to hang clothes and another with cubbies for shoes, intimates and the cabin safe. I did find the closets' location in a small enclave that led to the bathroom a bit awkward.

Underbed storage was perfect for hiding empty suitcases. Bathrobes and slippers were provided, and I made good use of both when I went for a massage at the spa.

Cabin bathrooms in the Yacht Club are stocked with MSC's own brand of toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, bar soap, a shower cap and sewing kit. Fluffy white towels and elevated fixtures like marble countertops and floors and showers with both standard and rainfall showerheads add to the air of elegance.

However, some of that was offset by the fact that the shower in my bathroom had no lip, so water leaked all over the first time I used it. Each time after, I put towels outside the door to sop up the mess. The toilet also often smelled like sewage, even when not in use.

The storage space for toiletries could also have been more generous. There were only two small metal shelves, which weren't enough for two people's things. The rest had to be stored inside cabinets where the garbage can was located.

Gratuities, room service and premium alcohol and Wi-Fi packages are included in all Yacht Club fares. You do not need to purchase add-ons or pay added fees like you would in cabins outside the Yacht Club.

A Yacht Club booking also entitles you to priority embarkation, disembarkation and tender access; 24-hour butler and concierge services; complimentary spa thermal suite access; luggage unpacking and repacking services; daily newspaper delivery and one free pre-cruise booking change.

I made good use of the free Wi-Fi inclusion (for two devices per person). The free room service was handy when I just had to order late-night pizza. Plus, the priority boarding perk meant we went from shore to ship in less than 10 minutes while other passengers waited two to three hours in rainy conditions to embark.

My butler, Meri, went above and beyond to help me make spa and specialty restaurant reservations, and she met us each evening to escort us to dinner and to the theater, where reserved Yacht Club seating was waiting. She did her job superbly, but I generally like to do things for myself. Having someone else handling the minutia felt frivolous and unnecessary; it took a few days for me to acclimate.

Concierge service was generally good. However, on the first day, when I had questions about dining, the person who assisted me waived me off in the face of a long line at the desk and told me to ask my butler. My interactions there improved markedly after the stress of the first day calmed down, and all of my subsequent questions were answered promptly and cheerfully.

The exclusive Top Sail Lounge was a great place to relax with a drink and view, read or get some work done. The Yacht Club sun deck was a lovely space, but it was often too hot for me, so I didn't spend much time up there. The area was home to a pool, a hot tub, tons of seating, solarium access and a daily outdoor buffet at the Yacht Club Grill. Although the food looked tasty, it was, unfortunately, often surrounded by flies.

The indoor Yacht Club Restaurant, however, was a dream. Everything I ordered was fantastic — flavorful, well prepared and cooked to order instead of looking like it had been sitting out for a while. I particularly enjoyed the breakfasts there and highly suggest the omelets and pancakes.

Overall, I found my Yacht Club experience to be a great way to escape when other areas of the ship felt overwhelming, which they often did.

MSC Meraviglia restaurants and bars

Included in the price of each sailing is free dining at the massive Marketplace Buffet, in one of four main dining rooms or in the Yacht Club Restaurant (depending on your booking). The four main dining rooms often felt crowded, and service was inconsistent. The buffet was even worse.

The quality of the complimentary food was unremarkable — not great but not terrible, either. Waiters in the dining rooms often seemed rushed and unwilling to fill drink orders. (I found out later it's because the galleys don't have bars, so waiters have to run all over the ship to fill drink orders, which often take an inordinate amount of time to arrive.)

Due to its size, MSC Meraviglia can offer lots of different cuisines. While the Marketplace Buffet has an "ethnic" section typically serving Asian and Indian fare, the largest variety and the highest quality come from the specialty restaurants. They include seafood, steak, Mexican, sushi and teppanyaki, and all cost extra.

MSC offers dining packages, which allow passengers to pre-purchase a set number of meals in alternative restaurants. When those meals are cashed in, cruisers can choose from a preselected list of menu items designated for package holders. Generally, if you're planning to eat at more than two or three specialty restaurants, booking a package will save you money.

There's at least one bar in every public space, so you won't have to go far to whet your whistle.

Restaurants

Free restaurants

Waves, Panorama, L'Olive Dorée and L'Olivo D'Oro are MSC Meraviglia's four main dining rooms, where passengers can eat dinner for free. (Specific restaurants will also be open on certain days for breakfast and lunch, depending on the day's schedule.) Menus, which change daily, are the same across all four.

Waves, on Deck 5, is the smallest. The largest — L'Olive Dorée and L'Olivo D'Oro, which are mirrors of one another — are found on Deck 6, across from one another and flanking the hallway that eventually leads to Panorama. All four dining rooms offer set seating, except Panorama, which also accommodates passengers with Aurea bookings who have anytime dining.

As mentioned above, I was booked in the Yacht Club and dined in either the Yacht Club Restaurant or one of the specialty restaurants for dinner each night.

However, I did try lunch in Waves twice, as it was the only main dining room open to the ship's 3,000 passengers for lunch. The first time, we were seated at a table for two that might as well have been a table for six; it was so close to the tables for two on either side of it that there were only about 2 or 3 inches separating them.

After we sat, it took 15 minutes for someone to bring us water. We never received bread. It was another 10 minutes until our waiter took our food order, and not once did anyone ask us if we'd like something other than water to drink. When my travel companion finally requested a beer, the waiter's response was, "Be patient, sir." My jaw dropped.

The pacing between courses was silly. Our appetizers arrived shortly after we ordered, which was great, but mine — spinach and artichoke dip — arrived looking dried out and crusty with five broken chips on the side. (The waiter obliged when I requested a few more.) After the starters were cleared, it was another 10 minutes until our mains were delivered. I thoroughly enjoyed my cobb salad, but my beef burrito was build-your-own style, and it was largely flavorless.

My companion never did see the beer he ordered. Eventually, we gave up and left, as did the man at the table next to us, who said he had been waiting half an hour for a dessert that didn't materialize.

The second experience was significantly better, with our waiter seating us at a table for two near a window and asking if we wanted drinks (which arrived quickly). The food was still just OK, and both experiences were crowded and exceptionally loud.

MSC Meraviglia's buffet, Marketplace, spans the entire aft of Deck 15. It has a decent variety of stations, but the food is often the same from day to day. The layout is confusing to navigate, too, with lots of nooks and crannies that can make it difficult to find what you're looking for. It was crowded beyond reason during mealtimes, so I avoided it whenever possible, only eating there twice during the voyage for research purposes.

Stations include bread; salad; soup and pasta; a rotisserie section with a carving station and sides like mashed potatoes, rice and baked beans; cold cuts and cheeses; an "ethnic" counter, which tended to serve Asian and Indian cuisine; and outposts for desserts and both hot and cold drinks.

The pizza was both a highlight and a pleasant surprise. It comes out hot and fresh, and it's available by the slice in several types from two separate counters in the buffet.

There are some other small complimentary food locations throughout the ship, too, including a poolside grill with burgers, fries and hot dogs and an ice cream counter with free soft-serve in cones or cups and optional toppings.

Restaurants that cost extra

Hola! Tacos & Cantina is the Mexican restaurant on MSC's newest vessels. It offers tapas-style small plates; I highly encourage you to order a few, as there's a lot on the menu that's delicious. My favorites are the guacamole, tortilla soup and cheese quesadillas. For tacos, I highly recommend the Chipotle Carnitas (pulled pork with chipotle, black bean salsa and cilantro), Barbacoa (ancho-chili beef, chipotle and red cabbage) and Ancho Tingo (shredded chicken, poblano peppers and pico de gallo).

You can pay a la carte if you're in the mood for something light or go with the all-you-can-eat option if you've worked up a serious appetite.

Margaritas are also a must if you're craving an adult beverage. Basic margs are included in the line's alcohol packages, but specialty ones — featuring frozen flavors like mango and strawberry and on-the-rocks selections with smoky salt or sweet berry sugar rims — cost extra, ranging from $11.99 for a single drink to $30 for a 1-liter pitcher. There's also a selection of Spanish beer, fresh fruit juices, spiked milkshakes and other fun concoctions. The service was so great there that I returned on a different night just to order drinks.

If you've done one teppanyaki restaurant, you've done them all. Or at least that's what I thought when I grudgingly made a reservation at Kaito Teppanyaki, another of MSC's extra-charge dining choices.

Yes, the cheesy jokes, singalongs, "catch this food in your mouth when I throw it" challenges and other performative cooking are standard, but the actual dishes are so much tastier than any of a similar variety I've had on land. Top-notch quality and expert seasoning make the dishes stand out. (For context, I usually skip meat when I order teppanyaki, but the sirloin steak looked so good that I ordered it. I'm glad I did.)

Every person who orders receives miso soup and a small salad as starters, along with sushi and sashimi with tempura vegetables. Then they choose from one of several prix fixe menu options: Geisha (sea bass fillet and chicken breast), Samurai (Scottish salmon, tiger prawns and sirloin), Emperor (yellowfin tuna tataki, scallops and half of a Maine lobster), vegetarian (egg wash roll and sesame tofu steak) and a kids menu (spring chicken teriyaki with vegetables).

I ordered the Samurai, and the salmon and sirloin were absolutely delicious. All options include egg fried rice and a dessert of caramelized pineapple, ginger ice cream and mint. The latter was underwhelming. Drinks are limited to what's on the Kaito-specific menu (Japanese beer, whisky and sake, plus a small selection of wine by the glass and Champagne by the bottle).

Kaito also has a separate sushi bar with an a la carte selection of sushi, sashimi, nigiri, tataki, yakitori and other items, including combo platters and desserts.

Butcher's Cut, MSC Meraviglia's a la carte steakhouse, is heaven for meat lovers, but vegetarians beware: As expected, there's not a lot on the menu for you to eat, with the exception of some of the starters.

When you arrive, your waiter will bring a breadbasket for the table. Ours included baguettes, raisin walnut bread and bacon cheese rolls, but what stood out to me were the smoked maple and paprika butters served alongside them. They were so good.

Appetizers include burrata and beet salad, Caesar and house salads, hearts of palm, a goat cheese tart, shrimp, crabcakes and oysters Rockefeller. Or, if you're feeling extra-spendy, try one of the featured starters, such as caviar, a shellfish platter, bone marrow, Kobe sliders and foie deviled eggs. For soups, choose between smoked tomato and lobster chowder.

Non-steak mains consist of roasted chicken, scallops Benedict, halibut and sockeye salmon. However, if steak is what you're after, you can choose from a 36-ounce dry-aged tomahawk for two, 24-ounce dry-aged T-bone, 12-ounce flat iron, 8-ounce filet mignon, 20-ounce rib-eye, 14-ounce New York sirloin, 16-ounce American bison and 13-ounce double lamb chops.

I ate there on one night of my sailing and decided to go big by adding jumbo lump crab to my filet mignon. However, I misread the menu and didn't realize it was actually jumbo lump crab Oscar, which meant it arrived mixed with hollandaise sauce. It looked like scrambled eggs, and I'm not a hollandaise fan, so I didn't eat it.

The steak, however, was phenomenal, particularly with the accompanying sauces (mushroom, peppercorn, chimichurri and bearnaise). Each steak comes with one side; additional sides cost extra. Choose from Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, French fries, asparagus, onion rings, macaroni and cheese, and more.

Among the dessert options, the best are the chocolate lava cake, the New York cheesecake and the peanut butter and milk chocolate cookie.

I'm not a huge seafood fan, so I avoided Ocean Cay, but I heard rave reviews from other passengers. This intimate restaurant, found on Seaside-class ships and MSC Meraviglia, offers a menu of fresh fish and seafood dishes, as well as a selection of wines for appropriate pairing.

For a between-meal treat or a caffeinated pick-me-up, snacks and coffee tied to chocolatier and pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury are solid options. The cookies-and-cream gelato at the Jean-Philippe Crepes & Ice Cream counter is to die for, as is the Green Goddess smoothie, made with coconut juice, spinach, fresh mint, banana, passion fruit and lemon sorbet. They didn't have the lemon sorbet when I ordered, but I asked to substitute mango instead. It was exceptionally good.

At the cafe just across the way, you can buy chocolate replicas of the ship, chocolate bars with fun toppings like nuts and berries, macarons and candy by the pound, as well as gift boxes of sweets. It also sells coffee drinks that include espresso, cappuccino, Americano, lattes and spiked coffees.

If you're a coffee lover who's heading ashore at MSC's private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve , you won't want to miss the extra-fee Coco-Nilla Latte, found at The Smiling Fish. A combination of espresso, vanilla syrup and coconut milk, either hot or iced, it's far and away my favorite coffee drink anywhere, ever.

A more affordable option than most alternative restaurants is room service. My pick is the pizza, which will be delivered to your room hot and fresh, with a variety of options available, including Margherita, vegetable, pepperoni, four cheese, marinara, MSC style (tomato sauce, ham, arugula, mozzarella, Grana Padano cheese and olive oil) and supreme. It's free if you're staying in the Yacht Club. A la carte pricing and delivery fees will apply to other cabin types, depending on the experience package you book.

As with most cruise ships, you don't have to go far to find a stiff drink on MSC Meraviglia.

My go-to was the Brass Anchor Pub, reminiscent of an English local where you can snag a bottle or a pint and some extra-fee pub grub. TVs throughout the space broadcast a variety of sporting events (subject to satellite availability), and trivia and live music take place there throughout the sailing.

I also spent some time at the Casino Imperiale bar, which was open on my sailing longer than any of the other onboard watering holes. It serves a selection of beer and cocktails.

The centrally located Meraviglia Bar & Lounge, found along Galleria Meraviglia (the ship's promenade) next to Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Cafe, is also home to trivia competitions, live music and dancing throughout the day. It's the bar often frequented by passengers before and after shows in the nearby Broadway Theatre.

Sky Lounge is the place to be for sweeping views through floor-to-ceiling windows. It provides a comfy and often quiet space to read, work or gather with friends.

If you're seeking the oft-missed cigar lounge, look for the entrance on the starboard (right, when facing forward) side of the Sky Lounge entrance, or enter the lounge and follow it around to the starboard side.

Edge Cocktail Bar is another centrally located place to grab beer, wine and specialty cocktails — including the delicious Purple Rain, a combo of vodka, white rum, blue curacao, gin, peach schnapps, sweet and sour, and grenadine that turns a shade of purple when you mix it. One deck above it is the Champagne Bar, which sometimes also serves seafood. One deck below is the Infinity Bar, so named because it's found at the base of the Infinity Atrium.

The ship's TV Studio & Bar is where you can find the cruise director filming the ship's daily morning show the night before. It's also the site of trivia competitions, several of which were standing-room-only.

There's a Sports Bar in the ship's Sportplex, but I never saw it open, even when the area was crowded. Three bars (Atmosphere Bar North, Atmosphere Bar South and Bamboo Bar) by the main Atmosphere Pool serve up classic umbrella drinks, as well as beer and other libations. You'll also find bars in the Marketplace Buffet, on the Yacht Club sun deck and in the Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge.

MSC Meraviglia activities

MSC Meraviglia hosts a variety of activities to keep you busy when you're not ashore. You might start your day with a free guided morning stretch or aerobics, or pop into the gym for a self-led session or a for-fee class like yoga or spin.

The daytime schedule features plenty of options for those with a competitive spirit. They range from golf putting, foosball, Ping-Pong soccer and pickleball tournaments to giant darts and trivia (visual trivia like airline logos and "name that place," as well as "name that tune" and general knowledge trivia).

If you'd rather get your groove on, keep an eye out for dance lessons and themed parties hosted by the entertainment team. My favorite was the Snow Party, when the crew blasted fake snow (which appeared to be suds of some sort) as we danced on the blazing hot pool deck.

Napkin folding, bingo, movie screenings, arts and crafts, and passenger talent shows (yes, you have to audition) round out the list of pastimes.

As you pass back and forth between events, don't miss the regularly scheduled dome shows along the Galleria Meraviglia promenade. You'll see the LED projections on the ceiling, covering topics like famous ceilings, dinosaurs, space and the changing of the seasons.

Beware of seminars on jewelry, health and wellness, and other topics that are thinly veiled sales pitches.

Feeling like a day of swimming or sunbathing? Pull up a lounge chair by the main Atmosphere Pool. If you're looking for a more sauna-like experience, head to the Solarium's covered Bamboo Pool; check out the aft Horizon Pool for better views and more peace and quiet. There's also a small pool on the private Yacht Club sun deck.

Looking to relax in a hot tub instead? You can find two of them one deck up from the Atmosphere Pool, as well as two at the Bamboo Pool and one on Deck 18's aft sun deck (behind Sportplex). There's also one at the Yacht Club Pool.

The Polar Aquapark on Deck 19 aft offers plenty of wet fun for kids and adults. Attractions include three slides — a bowl slide, where riders awkwardly end in the bowl and then exit via a flight of steps, and two twisty slides that require rafts — and a splash area with sprayers and dump buckets. There's no fee to use the space, but you'll need to sign a waiver and obtain a wristband before riding the waterslides.

Speaking of children, the ship has a dedicated kids club, called Doremiland (named after the cruise line's mascot, Doremi, as in the first three notes of a musical scale). The club is divided into Baby Club (infants and toddlers up to 3 years), Mini Club (ages 3 to 6 years), Junior Club (7 to 11 years), Young Club (12 to 14 years) and Teen Club (15 to 17 years).

Each group has age-appropriate activities scheduled, and all — except the tweens and teens, who can come and go as they please — are heavily supervised by qualified staff. Sample activities might include storytime, arts and crafts, and Lego playtime for younger children, while tweens and teens enjoy less structured pastimes like video games and dance parties.

MSC Meraviglia shows

As with most MSC ships, MSC Meraviglia's entertainment is stellar. From free live music, theater shows and promenade dance parties to extra-fee Cirque du Soleil-style performances, the options are varied and feature talented singers, dancers, magicians, acrobats and more.

Each production show is offered once per sailing, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in the Broadway Theatre. Some are staples, while others rotate.

"Born to Rock," "One Day More," "Cool" and "Journey" are the ship's recurring shows, which each appear once per weeklong cruise. They focus on popular songs in the rock 'n' roll and pop genres, Broadway hits, music from the '70s and '80s, and cultural favorites from Spain, Italy, France and more.

As part of a rotating selection of limited-time performers, English duo The Conjurors performed two shows during my sailing, featuring numbers games, mindreading and pre-show predictions that impressively came true by the end. The duo is scheduled for more than a dozen sailings. Other limited-engagement performers include comedians and pianists.

Speaking of limited-time performances, on the second-to-last night of the voyage, I sat in the theater unsure of what to expect from the headliner, Lorraine Crosby. "You might be thinking, 'She sounds like the lady who sings that Meat Loaf song.' Well, that's because I am the lady who sings that Meat Loaf song," Crosby joked. Her biggest claim to fame is that she rocked the female vocals in Meat Loaf's "I'd Do Anything for Love, But I Won't Do That."

What followed was a vocal performance that gave me chills. Crosby's range and ability to adapt to different genres are astounding. She belted out favorites by Queen, Tina Turner and Celine Dion and arguably did a better job of it than they did.

On the final night on board, she held an intimate performance for Yacht Club passengers in the suite area's private lounge. Again, I shivered as she took on the likes of Adele, AC/DC and others.

Another free entertainment option worth mentioning is daytime street theater that includes contortionists, roving musicians, magic workshops and flash mob-style performances by the onboard singers and dancers. If you happen to be passing through the promenade area when a flash mob happens, you're likely to see a punk rock-themed song-and-dance routine or, perhaps, one where the cast is dressed up like flowers, insects and birds.

Shows for a fee

Carousel Productions, MSC's own brand of Cirque du Soleil-style shows, are offered six days a week on MSC Meraviglia, with each of two shows — "House of Houdini" and "Rock Circus" — running three nights, on alternating days, with two performances each night (8 p.m. and 10 p.m.). Originally designed to house dinner theater, the Carousel Lounge is set up as a theater in the round and no longer serves food. (That ended when the cruise line shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the line has no current plans to bring it back.)

The for-fee performances levy a nominal charge for attendance and include a welcome drink for each showgoer.

"Rock Circus" is a mix of acrobatics, aerial performances, and song and dance to some of rock's greatest hits, including songs by Guns N' Roses and AC/DC.

"House of Houdini," which follows a clearer storyline than "Rock Circus," loosely tells the tale of Houdini's great underwater escape from a straitjacket and chains. A group of singers, dancers, acrobats and aerialists dressed as circus performers show Houdini the ropes as he prepares for his greatest feat.

MSC Meraviglia itineraries and pricing

Through at least September 2024, MSC Meraviglia is sailing seven- and eight-night voyages to Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas from Brooklyn.

It also features six-night Bermuda cruises that spend three days docked at King's Wharf, as well as 10- and 11-night Canada and New England sailings that feature calls on Boston; Portland, Maine; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; and Saint John, New Brunswick. The 11-night itinerary also visits Newport, Rhode Island.

A couple of 11-night Western Caribbean voyages visit Port Canaveral (the port for Orlando) and Miami in Florida, Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico and Ocean Cay.

MSC Meraviglia offers some of the lowest prices in the industry. At the time of publication, inside cabin prices were starting from $299 per person ($43 per person per night) for a seven-night Bahamas cruise, $379 per person ($63 per person per night) for a six-night Bermuda sailing, $449 per person ($41 per person per night) for an 11-night Western Caribbean voyage and $619 per person ($56 per person per night) for an 11-night trip to Canada and New England.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

As with a sailing on any ship, there's certain paperwork you'll need to cruise on MSC Meraviglia. If you're a U.S. citizen sailing from and returning to a U.S. port, you can sail with either an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license (both are required) or a passport. I recommend the latter, and it must be valid for at least six months.

MSC Cruises adds an automatic service charge of $14.50 per person, per day, to final bills on all sailings. For children 2 and older, the daily charge is half, or $7.25.

Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bills at bars for cruisers who do not have a drinks package. If you have a drinks package, you'll pay a 15% service charge when you purchase the package, but not on individual drinks. A 15% service charge is also added to items in minibars, salons and spas.

MSC Cruises' Wi-Fi, available through the MSC for Me app, is fast enough to be competitive with all of the other major cruise lines. But pricing varies, based on the number of devices you use and whether you're OK with simply browsing the web and checking e-mail or would prefer to use Netflix or other streaming services.

Expect to pay about $72 for one device with unlimited data on a basic package. A two-device plan for the same runs about $109. There's also a four-device plan for about $223. If streaming video is what you're hoping to do, you'll need one of the more expensive plans, which range from about $100 to more than $300.

Be warned that plans are tied to specific devices, and you cannot switch between them. For example, if you buy a one-device package, you cannot use it for your cellphone, log out and then log back in with your tablet. In that case, you would need to purchase a two-device package.

MSC's MSC for Me app allows passengers on the same ship to chat with one another for free without purchasing a Wi-Fi package. The app also lets you make dining reservations, check the daily schedule and view your onboard bill.

Carry-on drinks policy

MSC does not allow passengers to bring any of their own alcohol on board.

Smoking policy

Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is permitted in a few designated areas, including the port side of the main pool deck. It's also allowed on one side of the casino. Nonsmokers, beware: The separate sides do nothing to keep the smell from wafting. It was enough to keep me away from the area for the duration of my sailing. Smoking isn't allowed in cabins or on cabin balconies; violators will receive a $250 fine.

MSC Cruises does not offer self-service laundry facilities on any of its ships. However, passengers can send their clothing out to be washed, folded, pressed or dry-cleaned for a fee.

Electrical outlets

MSC Meraviglia's cabins all have a mix of 110-volt North American outlets, 220-volt European outlets and USB ports. In my Yacht Club balcony stateroom, I had three North American outlets, three European outlets and one USB port, all at the desk/vanity area — none near the bed.

The onboard currency for MSC Meraviglia when it sails from New York is the U.S. dollar.

Drinking age

You must be 21 to consume alcohol on MSC Meraviglia's sailings from the U.S.

Passengers on MSC Meraviglia's warm-weather itineraries from Brooklyn can be found in T-shirts, shorts, bathing suits and cover-ups during the day, when there's no set dress code.

The line's American clientele tends to dress more casually at night, as well, but the line suggests "smart casual" attire for dinner. That might include khakis with button-down or polo-style collared shirts for men and sundresses or nice pants with a flowy top for women. Dark, unripped jeans are also acceptable for both men and women.

On "gala" evenings (usually one per weeklong sailing), the dress code is more refined. Passengers might choose to wear tuxedos, suits, khakis with button-downs and blazers, cocktail dresses or sparkly ball gowns.

On my sailing, the ship also had "tropical" and "white" listed on the daily schedule as suggested attire. Pack accordingly.

Bottom line

MSC Meraviglia is a beautiful ship with great food, shows and public spaces, but it has a few pain points.

In addition to feeling crowded, the vessel charges extra for many things that will make your overall cruise better. If you're on a strict budget, either resign yourself to doing only the free activities and eating in the main dining room and buffet, or plan to sail with a different cruise line.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

msc-world-europa-cabins-&-suites

• Owner’s Suite n°16002 - Surface 78  sqm with large balcony ( 48 sqm ) and private whirlpool bath, deck 16
• Owner’s Suite n°18001 - Surface 104 sqm with large balcony ( 65   sqm ) and private whirlpool bath, deck 18
• Large balcony with private whirlpool bath and outdoor living area
• Panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors
• Separate dining and living room area
• Bathroom with large shower and imperial tub
• Vanity Area with hairdryer
• Large walk-in wardrobe with shoe rack and luggage storage
• Comfortable double bed
• Interactive TV, Wi-Fi connection, telephone and safe
• Bar setup, refrigerator, and espresso coffee machine
• Air conditioning

Discover a world of privileges with MSC Yacht Club including:

• 24-Hour Butler service and dedicated concierge
• Premium Extra Drink and Internet packages included
• Complimentary Access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea SPA
• Balinese massage package and Specialty restaurants package, available up to 2 days prior to embarkation; 10% discount on all spa treatments purchased on board..
• 1 Free cruise change

The image is representative only; the size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same cabin category).

• Surface 51-58 sqm with large balcony ( 42-51 sqm ) and private whirlpool bath, deck 16 and 18
• Large balcony with private whirlpool bath and outdoor dining area
• Walk-in wardrobe and luggage storage
• Bathroom with large shower and tub (some cabins feature large tub only)
• Accommodates up to 4 persons

Main feature:

• Open living/dining room with Double sofa bed
• Bathroom with shower and hairdryer

  Level 2:

• Master bedroom with comfortable double bed
• Bathroom with large tub and hairdryer
• Spacious wardrobe

Balcony area:

• Private Sundeck
• Private Whirlpool bath
• Dining table
• Other amenities:
• Mini bar and Air conditioning.

Main features

• Master bedroom
• Bathrooms with tub and hairdryer

Size, layout and furniture may vary from that shown (within the same cabin category).

The image is representative only.

• Surface 25 sqm with private balcony approx. 5 sqm, deck 15-21
• Bathroom with a and large shower hairdryer
• Comfortable double bed which can be converted in two single beds (on request)
• Surface 15 sqm, deck 15-16
• Accommodates up to 2 persons
• Surface 35 sqm with large balcony  ( 37-46 sqm ) and private whirlpool bath,  deck 15-16
• Setting Area with double sofa bed
• Interactive TV, Wi-Fi connection (for a fee), telephone and safe
• Mini bar and Air conditioning
• Surface 35 sqm  with private Premium Balcony  (25-35 sqm), deck 11-14
• Surface  35 sqm with private balcony (approx. 8-9 sqm), deck 9-10
• Sitting Area with double sofa bed
• Surface  25 sqm with balcony 4 sqm, deck 12-14
• Spacious wardrobes
• Bathroom with tub and hairdryer
• Interactive TV, telephone and safe. Wi-Fi connection available (for a fee)
• Can accommodate up to 6 people
• Surface 17 sqm with large private sundeck 13-17 sqm, deck 9
• Interactive TV, telephone and safe. Wi-Fi connection available (for a fee).
• Surface 27 sqm with private Balcony (9 sqm) overlooking the Promenade, deck 11
• Sitting Area with double sofa bed (for double occupancy) or separate living room with double sofa bed (for quadruple occupancy)
• Surface  20 sqm with private Balcony (7 sqm) overlooking the Promenade, deck 16
• Surface  17 sqm with balcony (3 sqm), deck 10-16

Some cabins feature partial view

• Surface  17 sqm with balcony 3 sqm, deck 9-10
• Surface 17 sqm with balcony 3 sqm, deck 15-16
• Surface  16 sqm with balcony (5 sqm) overlooking the Promenade, deck 9-15
• Surface approx. 16 sqm with balcony (5 sqm) overlooking the Promenade, deck 10-11
• Surface  20 sqm

Some cabins have panoramic sliding window that turns into a glass balustrade when open*

*Officers of bridge may need to keep the windows of Infinite Ocean View closed without allowing passengers to reopen them. This may be necessary for weather conditions, maintenance, safety and bunker operation. The guest will be notified directly by the on-board staff.

• Surface 20 sqm

*Officers of bridge may need to keep the windows of Infinite Ocean View closed without allowing passengers to reopen them. This may be necessary for weather conditions, maintenance, safety and bunker operation. The guest will be notified directly by the on-board staff

• Surface 16 sqm, deck 5-9

Some cabins have panoramic sliding window that turns into a glass balustrade when open

• Surface  12 sqm, deck 5-14
• Surface 15 sqm, deck 5-14
• Surface  10 sqm, deck 11-19

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• Norwegian Cruise Line

MSC Yacht Club vs Haven ?

By 2boyzmom , December 15, 2022 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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We are considering the MSC Divina for an Italy trip this summer and see they have an area similar to the Haven. Has anyone sailed this ship and can compare with the Haven for me? Thank you!

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22 minutes ago, 2boyzmom said: We are considering the MSC Divina for an Italy trip this summer and see they have an area similar to the Haven. Has anyone sailed this ship and can compare with the Haven for me? Thank you!

 I've sailed in both. The biggest difference of MSC is that the restaurant has a different menu daily. I'm sure it varies by staff/ship, but I found the butler on MSC absolutely useless. I had requested room service menus, they never showed, he offered to escort us off the ship but never showed up to do so.

  I personally found the staff on MSC Yacht Club restaurant amazing compare to NCL, but the sailing I was on also had only 45 people in the Yacht Club which may have made a big difference.

  I did enjoy the lounge on MSC a bit more that NCL, the bar was in the front facing lounge so it was much less crowded, they also had live music in the evenings if that's your thing.

  I sailed on the Meraviglia which has a different Yacht Club layout than the Divina, so there may be some differences.

cruiseny4life

Thanks for asking this! I really want to try out MSC Yacht Club. My husband...he loves NCL's Haven. I need to find something to entice him, so maybe someone on here will have that magic bean for him.

45 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said: Thanks for asking this! I really want to try out MSC Yacht Club. My husband...he loves NCL's Haven. I need to find something to entice him, so maybe someone on here will have that magic bean for him.

Look at the ship tours of the area. Yacht Club area is very well put together and is different than what NCL really offers with the Haven.

Possibly looking at the layout you might find that its better suited to how you might want to cruise.

CruizinSusan70

Not knowing what your thoughts are regarding balconies, but the Yacht Club does have inside cabins as well that are a cost savings.  The category is YIN.

nonchalant_muse

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said: Thanks for asking this! I really want to try out MSC Yacht Club. My husband...he loves NCL's Haven. I need to find something to entice him, so maybe someone on here will have that magic bean for him.

I'm a huuuge fan of MSC Yacht Club! Will be sailing in YC (on the Seaview) in early Feb 2023.

I'll start off by saying that I have never sailed in the Haven (or on NCL, first-ever sailing with them will be in mid-April) but, from what I've read about it, it's a similar concept to the YC with the private section of the ship closed off and dedicated only to Haven guests (i.e. "ship within a ship" concept). I love this as I can enjoy all the benefits that come with cruising on a very large vessel while at the same time enjoy a more private and less crowded space to retreat to when I need a breather 🙂

Anyways, this is what I've learned as far as the positives of MSC YC over NCL Haven:

1. YC restaurant menu rotates day to day; there are a select core of entrees that remain the same throughout the cruise, all the rest change on each day of the cruise, lots of variety. My understanding is that the Haven restaurant menu does not change.

2. YC guests are allowed unlimited access to the MSC Thermal Spa area; this is one of my favorite perks regarding YC, you automatically get free, unlimited everyday entry to their Thermal Spa (and it is sweeet!!!) As a Haven guest, access to the NCL Thermal Spa requires an additional charge unless one is booked in a Haven Spa suite. 

3. In YC, room service is included and is free, including delivery of alcoholic beverages for free. My understanding is that Haven does not allow for delivery of alcoholic beverages without a fee (although room service for other items is free and included). 

4. High tea service in the YC Lounge every late afternoon (roughly 4 pm). Another one of my favorite perks of the YC, you receive personalized high tea service in the YC Lounge every afternoon of your cruise. I love tea and absolutely adore their high tea service; they bring a cart with a selection of various teas and brew it in front of you, along with a tiered plate setting of scones, clotted cream, jams, tea sandwiches, and petit four desserts. I do not believe this type of tea service is offered in Haven. 

5. This is something new and I think may only be offered on the newer MSC ships (Meraviglia-class and newer) but YC guests are given a wristband in addition to a room key card. The wristband works just like the card; you use it to unlock and enter your cabin, to scan and receive beverages from the bar/cafe, to unlock and enter private YC areas of the ship, etc. It's great because one can just wear the wristband without having to carry around a room key card (I found this especially useful while lounging/swimming in the pool, and yes, wristbands are waterproof). To my knowledge Haven does not have this feature, but correct me if I'm mistaken. 

As an aside, you DO need your room key card whenever disembarking the ship while at port. Only the room key card will allow you to disembark/embark the cruise ship. 

That's all that comes to mind for now, hopefully you and your husband will be able to try out MSC YC at least once. It's generally a hecka lot cheaper than NCL Haven, too, if price point matters to you 🙂  

28 minutes ago, nonchalant_muse said:   I'm a huuuge fan of MSC Yacht Club! Will be sailing in YC (on the Seaview) in early Feb 2023.   I'll start off by saying that I have never sailed in the Haven (or on NCL, first-ever sailing with them will be in mid-April) but, from what I've read about it, it's a similar concept to the YC with the private section of the ship closed off and dedicated only to Haven guests (i.e. "ship within a ship" concept). I love this as I can enjoy all the benefits that come with cruising on a very large vessel while at the same time enjoy a more private and less crowded space to retreat to when I need a breather 🙂   Anyways, this is what I've learned as far as the positives of MSC YC over NCL Haven:   1. YC restaurant menu rotates day to day; there are a select core of entrees that remain the same throughout the cruise, all the rest change on each day of the cruise, lots of variety. My understanding is that the Haven restaurant menu does not change.   2. YC guests are allowed unlimited access to the MSC Thermal Spa area; this is one of my favorite perks regarding YC, you automatically get free, unlimited everyday entry to their Thermal Spa (and it is sweeet!!!) As a Haven guest, access to the NCL Thermal Spa requires an additional charge unless one is booked in a Haven Spa suite.    3. In YC, room service is included and is free, including delivery of alcoholic beverages for free. My understanding is that Haven does not allow for delivery of alcoholic beverages without a fee (although room service for other items is free and included).    4. High tea service in the YC Lounge every late afternoon (roughly 4 pm). Another one of my favorite perks of the YC, you receive personalized high tea service in the YC Lounge every afternoon of your cruise. I love tea and absolutely adore their high tea service; they bring a cart with a selection of various teas and brew it in front of you, along with a tiered plate setting of scones, clotted cream, jams, tea sandwiches, and petit four desserts. I do not believe this type of tea service is offered in Haven.    5. This is something new and I think may only be offered on the newer MSC ships (Meraviglia-class and newer) but YC guests are given a wristband in addition to a room key card. The wristband works just like the card; you use it to unlock and enter your cabin, to scan and receive beverages from the bar/cafe, to unlock and enter private YC areas of the ship, etc. It's great because one can just wear the wristband without having to carry around a room key card (I found this especially useful while lounging/swimming in the pool, and yes, wristbands are waterproof). To my knowledge Haven does not have this feature, but correct me if I'm mistaken.    As an aside, you DO need your room key card whenever disembarking the ship while at port. Only the room key card will allow you to disembark/embark the cruise ship.      That's all that comes to mind for now, hopefully you and your husband will be able to try out MSC YC at least once. It's generally a hecka lot cheaper than NCL Haven, too, if price point matters to you 🙂  

Thanks so much. We just got off a 14 night Haven Breakaway cruise and that same menu everyday is nuts. One night i requested some pasta with tomato sauce and they said special items need to be ordered 24 hours in advance! I realized it's time to widen our experiences with our cruise lines

I preferred the Yacht Club to the Haven.  Number 1 reason was the pool.  I don't like indoor pools, and the YC is outside.

I also liked that they never asked for a room card while in the YC.  

I loved the Top Sail lounge, especially at night with light entertainment.

I though I'd have enough to choose from in the Haven restaurant to not get bored with the same menu every night....but I did.  DH, on the other hand, had lobster every night and still talks about that!

In the YC you don't have to upgrade your drink package to get water!

Sounds like I didn't like the Haven...but I did.  Just prefer the YC more. 

However, Prima has an outdoor pool, so that'll be one of my next bookings.  😊

Not going to reiterate what others have posted here.

Generally speaking, Haven has better Concierges.  They seem to be able to get you into sold out shows, restaurants, make billing problems disappear and solve internet problems, seemingly like magic.  YC Concierges are good.  But, if you want reservations anywhere that you can't get on your own, neither can they.  Still, they're polite and helpful if they can help.

YC Butlers are around all the time.  From the time you drop off your luggage at the sidewalk YC tent at the pier, to serving drinks at the YC Lounge, they are very visible and willing to help.  Haven Butlers are a strange bunch.  Sometimes they're always around, sometimes they disappear for days.  Sometimes the follow instructions to a "T".  Sometimes they just ignore them.

If you've booked a Haven Spa Suite, you also get unlimited access to the NCL Spa.  Depending on the ship, the spas on NCL are some of the best at sea.  Again, YC spas are nice (depending on ship).  I just like NCL's better because of the varied areas of the spa.

Bottom line...both are good.  They do have differences, however.  

Let us know your priorities and we'll recommend which like does it better.

We’ve cruised in both extensively, although not on the Divina. The YC is much better value. The Haven is getting way overpriced. We prefer the YC restaurant because the portions are smaller and more manageable. I get turned off getting portions I can’t possibly eat. As others have said the YC lounge is a lot nicer and the pool deck has a bar and patio serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks. We think the butlers are better in the YC. The bartenders are much better in the Haven. You are able to use multiple devices with the free wifi in the YC. The thermal spa is included free of charge in the YC. The Haven has a larger variety of cabin choices. I would rank the booze package superior in the YC. As others have said you can order drinks delivered to your room and the mini bar fridge is restocked each day with juices and the beer of your choice. You also receive a free bottle of liquor. The DSC is way less on MSC. I know you’re planning a cruise in Italy, but I’ll end by saying if you’re planning on booking a Caribbean cruise, every MSC itinerary includes a stop at their private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve where YC guests can dine at a private restaurant overlooking breathtaking vistas. Ocean Cay is hands down the best private island in the Caribbean. If you sail out after dusk, you can also watch the lighthouse show from your balcony.

Dr. Cocktail

I have sailed on both many times and they are both very different especially as we're comparing not only different cruise lines but different classes of ships.

While we loved the YC and made it work, we won't return for one very big reason - no shade outdoors whatsoever. The decks on Divina are slightly hotter than the surface of the sun whereas the Seaside class ships offer some shade if you're willing to constantly keep moving and jump when someone else moves.

The Haven outdoor decks severely lack a bar but have ample shade with the pool with sliding glass roof and the many umbrellas offered.  I absolutely HATE the disposable NCL plastic glasses for any drinks served outside - soooooo much waste.

The Haven menu does indeed never change but while food is extremely subjective, the quality of the raw ingredients is far superior to those served in the YC.  As an example, YC Prime Rib is .... likely beef cut to resemble a Prime Rib but actually ridiculously awful. Nearly everyone who sails on NCL will have a dining package and will get a few dinners out - that's NCL's brand - eat at different places at different times.  I like the specialty restaurants on both.

The main shows on NCL are generally Broadway lite and superb but .... there's usually only two different shows on any giving sailing. MSC offers click-tracked "extravaganzas" that have to be seen to be believed - but not in a good way. While they have many different titles, they're uniformly bewildering, noisy and frenetic.

The Top Sail lounge is great in that it offers live music all evening to late at night.  I also like not having to ever take out my key card or sign for anything.

Again - both are great but the lack of shade is a deal breaker for me on warm weather cruises.

Much already covered but like Havens on NCL, the YC on MSC has evolved too.  The first class of MSC ships having YC includes Divinia and our first trip was on Divinia as was our last on MSC.  Divina YC is very good.  Main complaints is restaurant is in back, not a big deal but fixed on newer class and lack of shade by pool which also partially corrected on Divinia but more so on newer classes.

Grill by pool.  Butlers have always been great vs NCL who are so so.  On Divinia behind YC is jungle pool with movable roof if weather bad.

Overall rooms smaller but nicely appointed.  Note Divinia does not have YC interiors but on the newer ships they are small and shower is literally coffin sized.

So I can't bring myself to follow thru with an MSC YC cruise.  The two hurtles I have are the small balconies/no loungers with the vast majority of YC cabins AND I'm a little concerned that we won't like the Europeanish food choices.  I'm not saying we won't ever do an MSC cruise but I know what I'm getting with Norwegian and Royal.

51 minutes ago, chill6x6 said: So I can't bring myself to follow thru with an MSC YC cruise.  The two hurtles I have are the small balconies/no loungers with the vast majority of YC cabins AND I'm a little concerned that we won't like the Europeanish food choices.  I'm not saying we won't ever do an MSC cruise but I know what I'm getting with Norwegian and Royal.

Wait till the MSC World America comes out in 2025.  It will be built specifically for the US and should be more to your liking.

Georgia_Peaches

My understanding with Divina is that the YC restaurant is not in the YC area. Kinda like some older NCL ships that added a Haven after the fact. However, since this is an itinerary in Italy, chances are you will spend a great deal of time off the ship so the YC facilities may not matter as much. In general, I have come to enjoy and appreciate the YC experience more than the Haven.. and we loved the Haven. But the pricing on NCL had us looking elsewhere.  One final thought, sailing Divina in Europe is going to be a much different experience than sailing Divina from USA. English will not be the first language spoken…. Or the second, third,… don’t get me wrong, I love a multicultural vibe but when we cruised in Europe, it was very comforting to be able to land at the end of the day where English was the first language (we were on RCCL). 

Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin

We sailed the Med in the MSC YC on the Belissima.  Fabulous trip.  We have sailed almost exclusively in the Haven on NCL.  I loved the experience on both.  YC generally less expensive than Haven.  Haven has gotten ridiculously high, but I notice that YC is trying to catch up.  Loved the live music in the YC area in the evenings.  I had asked at restaurant if they were going to serve a dish I like.  They were not, but the Maitre 'd actually had it prepared specifically for us the next night.  We were in the largest suite with a hot tub on the deck, so no issues with outside loungers, etc. (this was back when MSC was trying to break into the US market, so VERY reasonable price!)  Something I have not seen mentioned (sorry if I missed it), those arm bands also give you priority on the elevators.  We usually take stairs, but were spoiled by the rapid elevator to the YC.  Downside was all announcements in multiple languages, so it took a while to get through them.  And embarkation/disembarkation at every port, as opposed to everyone getting on/off at a single point.  My overall thoughts were YC is certainly an experience that I enjoy.  Not sure I would appreciate an MSC cruise outside of the YC.

Have a cruise on Divinia coming up in May; YC.  Then depart her to board NCL (suite, no haven on ship).  So, both cruise lines offer an enjoyable experience!  I'm hoping that when everyone has finally spent all the pandemic FCC, that prices will ease back down!

Right, on Divinia the YC restaurant is in the back.  People complain about having to walk outside to get there or having to go down to seven then back up (which is how butler takes you first night)

Just go down to 13 and walk aft then back up.

The funny thing is the restaurant overlooks the aft adult pool.  Our first lunch people were changing into swimsuits to go swimming.  There is an outside bar port side just outside the restaurants.  That is also a smoking area fyi.

Divina is not a smart ship so it does not use the wristbands.

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Worldwide msc international, five reasons why the msc yacht club is the ultimate way to cruise.

London, UK – 19 October 2023 – The MSC Yacht Club ‘ship within a ship’ concept offers an exclusive holiday sanctuary on board many of MSC Cruises’ ships, providing guests an unparalleled cruise experience with complete serenity, added exclusivity and privacy within a world of choice. This privatised, key-card access area of the ship is only accessible to MSC Yacht Club guests, offering stylish facilities, lavish accommodations with a host of dedicated amenities, such as a panoramic lounge, high-end restaurant, elegant pool and secluded sun deck.

Guests staying in the MSC Yacht Club benefit from a range of privileges and personalised service, that is sure to make them feel pampered. These perks are available around-the-clock and are designed to cater to their specific needs and preferences, ensuring a seamless luxury experience at sea. The MSC Yacht Club also offers a myriad of dedicated leisure and entertainment possibilities, allowing guests to enjoy the exclusivity of a private club while also having access to the countless recreation and entertainment options available throughout the larger ship.

Whether guests are looking for a relaxing escape or a lavish holiday, the MSC Yacht Club provides an exclusive haven for guests to savour the sophistication and elegance of a luxury cruise experience, ensuring the utmost privacy and comfort where every detail is designed to surpass guests’ expectations and create memories of a lifetime.  

MSC Yacht Club is available on more than half of MSC Cruises’ modern fleet, allowing travellers to experience the same level of exceptional, personalised services across many destinations.

Highlights of the MSC Yacht Club benefits include:

• 24-HOUR PERSONALISED SERVICE

MSC Yacht Club’s all-inclusive experience is fully personalised with a dedicated 24-hour butler service and concierge, making the cruising experience truly personal and tailored to each individual guest’s needs. The butler service will quickly get to know each guest’s personal preferences, providing the highest level of customised service to ensure all guests feel pampered and relaxed. From shoeshining to 3 a.m. room service, no request is too small. Meanwhile, the dedicated concierge is on hand to facilitate any request, from organising shore excursions and making reservations for the spa to arranging for the newspaper to be brought to the cabin each morning.

• PRIVILEGED ACCESS

MSC Yacht Club is sure to exceed expectations with a host of privileges that create an effortless experience, from the moment guests step on board to the moment they depart. This luxurious cruise experience offers a dedicated priority check-in and check-out, ensuring a seamless embarkation and disembarkation, so guests can start enjoying their holidays as soon as possible. They will also receive the full VIP service with a variety of offerings including the possibility to organise a tailored shopping session in the o nboard boutiques outside regular opening hours, embark on exceptional private excursions or take advantage of the complimentary use of the Thermal Suite and MSC Aurea Spa to decompress and rejuvenate while at sea.

These private-access areas extend ashore in a number of destinations:

• MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, The Bahamas – MSC Cruises’ private island, founded on a strong commitment to the preservation of marine resources and the conservation of coral reefs and marine life. Northwest of Ocean Cay lies a private beach area exclusively reserved for guests of the MSC Yacht Club, with privileged access to enjoy sunbeds and cabanas with butler service as well as a dedicated restaurant to relax, sip a cocktail and enjoy a 3-course dedicated lunch surrounded by sea breezes.
• Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates – A beach lover’s paradise just off the southwest coast of Abu Dhabi, offering guests a stunning tropical oasis to unwind. The island features a MSC Yacht Club zone with premium sunbeds and dedicated transportations, barbecue lunch and bar service to ensure the utmost comfort and privacy for guests during a day ashore.
• PRIVATE AND LUXURIOUS LEISURE AMENITIES

Designed to provide the utmost in service and comfort, MSC Yacht Club guests have exclusive access to a range of private and elegant spaces to enhance their cruise experience, including the dedicated Top Sail Lounge. It offers panoramic views for guests to enjoy, while they sit back and relax in a sophisticated setting and indulge in an array of gourmet finger foods, delicious drinks and high tea service, as well as enjoy live music each evening. The club’s private sundeck, complete with a private pool, whirlpool, sundeck and bar, will offer guests the chance to soak up the sun and enjoy complimentary refreshments in complete comfort while taking in the best views on board across the bow of the ship and out to sea.

The high tea service particularly, is sure to fascinate and delight British tea enthusiasts and is exclusive only to Yacht Club guests. The star of the show is MSC Cruises’ own Tea Master from Sri Lanka, with over 35 years of expertise in the science and artistry of tea alongside encyclopaedic knowledge of the growing process and optimal brewing method. MSC Cruises’ direct relationships with tea producers allow them to source the freshest, finest quality teas for guests and the full team is equipped with the knowledge to get the best out of any of the teas available for passengers, whether that be the unique properties of each tea or the best tea for the time of day.

• LAVISH ACCOMMODATION

Experience the finest luxury accommodation with the MSC Yacht Club’s wide variety of suites to meet all guests’ preferences. The stylish and spacious accommodations set themselves apart and include options with stunning ocean views from the cabin’s private balcony, as well as suites like the Duplex Suites, Royal Suites and Owner’s Suites, offering a private whirlpool bath on the balcony . From sumptuous Myform Memory mattresses and crisp Egyptian cotton bedding to an indulgent Dorelan pillow menu, luxurious marble bathrooms and complimentary minibars, the MSC Yacht Club offering will surely provide unparalleled comfort for an unforgettable holiday.

• CULINARY DELIGHTS FROM DAY TO NIGHT

With a dedicated restaurant, the MSC Yacht Club offers guests the opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of an exquisite fine-dining experience with five-star service. Offering sophisticated cuisines with an à la carte menu, guests can savour an array of the finest dishes served exclusively for them from a dedicated kitchen staff, accompanied by a spectacular selection of drinks, including fine wines from around the world with a dedicated sommelier available to further enhance the food and wine pairing experience . The private restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner where guests can dine at any time that suits their needs.

This is on top of MSC Yacht Club guests having a premium drinks package included as standard. From the finest whiskey or vodka brands to glasses of champagne – toast to total relaxation.

To learn more about MSC Cruises’ Yacht Club, click here

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With PriceS – UPDATED

Last Updated on June 12, 2024

We spent a lot of time on a recent voyage with MSC Cruises trying to decipher the MSC drink menus and drink packages. We are posting the entire range of MSC drink menus to accompany the information recently published comparing the drink packages. These menus will also help people with the MSC Easy drink package better understand what’s included!

MSC Cruises Gratuities on Bar / Drink Purchases

Onboard bar purchases will incur gratuities, automatically added to all purchases : 15% gratuities on European, Emirates, South Caribbean, Red Sea, South America (Brazil and Argentina), and Far East itineraries, and 18% gratuities on North America itineraries. If you purchase a drink or beverage package, the price of the package includes the gratuities and you will not pay anything additional!

MSC Drink Menus

Ship wide drink list with prices *updated 2024 menus*.

This is the shipwide menu for bars, pool areas, main dining rooms, and lounges. This menu does not apply to specialty restaurants that have their own specific menus.

Master Wine List – Available in main dining rooms

This list is what is generally presented in any dining area or main dining room on MSC ships.

MSC Champagne Bar Menu

For MSC cruise ships with a Champagne Bar, this menu is presented, but they often have a full bar as well.

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Brass Anchor Pub

The pub features quite a few beer options but pay attention to the prices if you are planning on using a drink package. Additionally, there are paid items to eat at certain times.

• TRY IT : We’ve created an MSC Drink Calculator to see if buying a beverage package is worth it on your next cruise!

For people who have chosen the Easy Package or get it free with their cruise fare, there is a separate menu:

A word about the drinks on MSC Cruises

If you plan on enjoying your cruise without purchasing a drink package, you’ll see by the above menus that the prices of drinks really aren’t terrible compared to other cruise lines. However, a drink package is now more commonly included as a perk or incentive when booking a cruise with MSC . Even if there is a slight upcharge for an included Easy Package for you’re next cruise, you’ll likely find that it’s well worth it given that it includes bottled water, sodas and specialty coffee which is uncommon with most cruise lines.

Learn more about the MSC drink packages that are available and how they are used.

You might also be interested in…

MSC Cruises Dining Packages Explained – Are They Worth It? What to Know Before You Go!

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MSC Cruises Drink Packages & Prices (UPDATED)

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23 Comments

Thanks for this ! Do you know if the basic drink package covers say a bourbon and coke drink ?

You know, that’s a good question. Our travel buddies were ordering generic like rum & coke – Vodka Tonic, etc… but didn’t ever hear anyone order any basic Bourbon. BUT They did seem to have something included in the easy / basic package for all alcohol types, so I can only assume they have a bourbon. If not, you only pay the difference in price if what you want isn’t included in the Easy package. The few times I have done that, it’s only been $2 or so for better drinks.

Hi Phil, yesterday I sent a small message about the MSC transfer between Milan Malpensa Airport and Genoa Port. A small modification: we should get from Milan to Genoa in the morning of June 22, not June 21, so I would like the information (timetable, etc.) by the 22 of June.Sorry for the modification.Thanks in advance for your reply: Agnes

Hi Agnes – I’m unfortunately not famliar with how MSC Handles busses or shuttles from the Milan airport 🙁 – but I do know the transport is usually only on the morning of the cruise for when they DO offer shuttles. If you’re arriving early, you’ll be on your own to get to Genoa and it’s a few hours by train. The trains are generally pretty reliable an on time, but give yourself plenty of room to work with. You can use Rome2Rio (link) and plan a route or hire a private car (expect to spend 200 euro to get there though!). Here’s a link to private services on Viator

Hi! We have a cabin (Seaside from Genoa – 7 nights) for 4 people: 2 adults, 2 children, we have Easy Package for all four people. By definition, children do not drink alcoholic beverages, but my question is, is ice cream(for the children) included in Easy Packae? Thanks in advance: Agnes

Hi Agnes, I think if you call MSC, they will downgrade the kids to a soft drink package and save you money. As for icecream, it was available at the outside cafe at no charge but it will not cover the specialty ice cream / Gelato at Philippe Maury & Venchi Chocolate

Does the prices in the drinks menu include the gratuity? Or we have to add the 18% to know the total price?

Lizette, If you don’t have a drink package, and you are purchasing the drinks one by one, then you’ll pay the gratuity on top of the price you’re seeing. I believe the gratuity has just increased to 18% from 15%

We are two people traveling on MSC Meraviglia. Looking at these prices (some of them equal to or better than any hotel or Pub), I don’t think we are going to spend $560 (2 non-alcoholic packages) on water, coffee, and sodas in our 10-day cruise.

I agree- The prices really aren’t bad compared to other cruise lines! The packages make the most sense when they’re included as a promotion in the base fare at a discounted rate. I have friends that recently did a 2 week cruise with MSC and the drink packages were as much as the cruise. They declined and ended up spending a fraction of what the drink package would have been. Definitely worth doing the math!

how can i find out what brands of scotch are included in the easy plus package

Hi Bill & Susan, You can see the main menu above (first menu) and page 7 has “whisky” …. which they’ve sort of put all scotch and whisky together.

Remember it’s anything up to $10 per drink, so there are quite a few basic options available.

It’s explained on another page here that the Easy Package includes drinks up to $7.50, but I don’t see these drinks listed in the menu provided above, only the $9 ones. Did I miss something? Or is it $7.50 plus a 20% gratuity so it is $9.00 as listed on the menu which also includes the tip.

Hi Cory – If you look at the menu at the top of this page – and flip to the first page of the menu, it has the drinks up to 7.50 which are included in the “easy” package. MSC Generally has a menu for drinks that are part of the “Easy Package” and not all have a price associated with them (They’re just included). The $7.50 amount has been established since they now allow you to get a drink that is more than the $7.50 limit by paying the difference. I hope that makes sense!

Thanks! Don’t know how I missed that. I did the calculation and for our group of mostly light or non-drinkers, the packages don’t make financial sense when everybody has to get the same package, especially when we are going to be in port during most days and will get paid drinks there.

Sure! If you’re light drinkers, MSC Often has a promo for Easy or Easy plus as part of a cruise fare. I find that is the best way to go when it’s available since it covers everything from premium coffee & bottled water, etc. Not sure if you saw our MSC Drink Calculator (here) . This might help as well!

I noticed one can order bottles of wine pre cruise to be delivered to your stateroom. The prices for which seemed reasonable at @$32. My question is can you get a bottle at a bar on board and take it to your room or would there be a corkage fee?

Hi Kim! If you get the bottles onboard where they are available, you’ll pay a gratuity but not a true “corkage” fee by just taking them back to your room. So Expect to pay whatever their automatic gratuity / service charge is – but nothing else.

Hi. Are these prices in australian dollars?

Hello! The prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted (sometimes we post prices in Euro, but it’s clearly stated).

Your not in Alice Springs anymore, mate!

Are these also the same prices if you were to buy the drinks a la carte?

Hi Josh – Yes, this is the ship-wide price list even if you’re paying for the drinks 1 at a time. For package customers, it’s a reference as to what the package will cover more than anything.

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MSC World Europa Decks and Cabins

• 11 Stockholm
• 12 Copenhagen
• 15 Brussels
• 21 Valletta
• 22 Amsterdam
• Click here for ALL
• Infinite Ocean View
• Promenade Balcony
• Suite with Sundeck
• Family Suite
• Promenade View Suite
• Grand Suite
• Whirlpool Bath Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Interior
• MSC Yacht Club Deluxe
• MSC Yacht Club Duplex
• MSC Yacht Club Whirlpool Duplex
• MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Owners Suite
• Ship info and tracking
• Cabins Check

Built in 2022, the MSC Cruises MSC World Europa cruise ship weighs 216K tons and has 2631 staterooms for up to 6314 passengers served by 1413 crew . There are 20 passenger decks, 12 with cabins. You can expect a space ratio of 34 gross tons per passenger on this ship. On this page are the current deck plans for MSC World Europa showing deck plan layouts, public venues and all the types of cabins including pictures and videos.

MSC Cruises MSC World Europa

LIVE SHIP TRACKING

STATEROOM CABINS COMPLETE LIST BELOW

MSC YACHT CLUB OWNERS SUITE

Floor Diagram YC Owners Suite Cabin 18001

Sleeps up to: 4 2 Cabins Cabin: 839 sqft (79 m 2 ) Balcony: 699 sqft (66 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

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More Info [+/-]

Deck locations, stateroom cabin features, important size information, stateroom cabin perks, more diagrams of this cabin type.

MSC YACHT CLUB ROYAL SUITE

Floor Diagram Yacht Club Royal Suite YC3

Sleeps up to: 4 4 Cabins Cabin: 548 sqft (52 m 2 ) Balcony: 452 sqft (42 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

MSC YACHT CLUB WHIRLPOOL DUPLEX

Floor Diagram Yacht Club Duplex Whirlpool YJD

Sleeps up to: 4 6 Cabins Cabin: 495 sqft (47 m 2 ) Balcony: 322 sqft (30 m 2 )

MSC YACHT CLUB DUPLEX

Floor Diagram Yacht Club Deluxe Starboard Suite YCD

Sleeps up to: 4 3 Cabins Cabin: 495 sqft (47 m 2 ) Balcony: 64 sqft (6 m 2 )

MSC YACHT CLUB DELUXE

Floor Diagram Yacht Club Deluxe Suite YC1

Sleeps up to: 4 130 Cabins Cabin: 269 sqft (25 m 2 ) Balcony: 53 sqft (5 m 2 )

MSC YACHT CLUB INTERIOR

Floor Diagram Yacht Club Interior YIN

Sleeps up to: 2 7 Cabins Cabin: 161 sqft (15 m 2 )

WHIRLPOOL BATH SUITE

Floor Diagram Grand Whirlpool Suite SJ3

Sleeps up to: 4 4 Cabins Cabin: 376 sqft (35 m 2 ) Balcony: 398 sqft (37 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

GRAND SUITE

Floor Diagram Grand Suite SE3

Sleeps up to: 4 10 Cabins Cabin: 376 sqft (35 m 2 ) Balcony: 96 sqft (9 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

PROMENADE VIEW SUITE

Floor Diagram Promenade Suite 4 passengers

Sleeps up to: 4 4 Cabins Cabin: 226 sqft (21 m 2 ) Balcony: 75 sqft (7 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

FAMILY SUITE

Floor Diagram Family Suite S3

Sleeps up to: 6 40 Cabins Cabin: 269 sqft (25 m 2 ) Balcony: 43 sqft (4 m 2 )

SUITE WITH SUNDECK

Floor Diagram Seat with Private Sundeck S2

Sleeps up to: 4 46 Cabins Cabin: 182 sqft (17 m 2 ) Balcony: 161 sqft (15 m 2 )

 Accessible Info [+/-]

Floor Diagram Balcony B1, B2, B3

Sleeps up to: 4 1092 Cabins Cabin: 182 sqft (17 m 2 ) Balcony: 32 sqft (3 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

PROMENADE BALCONY

Floor Diagram Balcony Promenade View BC1

Sleeps up to: 2 196 Cabins Cabin: 172 sqft (16 m 2 ) Balcony: 53 sqft (5 m 2 )

INFINITE OCEAN VIEW

Floor Diagram Infinite Oceanview OV2, OV3

Sleeps up to: 4 170 Cabins Cabin: 215 sqft (20 m 2 )

Floor Diagram Oceanview O1, O2

Sleeps up to: 4 77 Cabins Cabin: 172 sqft (16 m 2 )

Floor Diagram Interior I1, I2

Sleeps up to: 4 818 Cabins Cabin: 161 sqft (15 m 2 )

Floor Diagram Studio Oceanview

Sleeps up to: 1 22 Cabins Cabin: 118 sqft (11 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

MSC World Europa Deck Page Menu

Click deck pictures to go to individual cruise deck plan pages where you can see all the public areas, venues and stateroom cabins categories for each deck.

MSC World Europa Quick Stats

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MSC World Europa Links

• PDF of all the decks
• PDF (choose your own decks)
• MSC World Europa DECK DRAG
• MSC World Europa Cabin Check

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Galveston and MSC Cruises announce $140M terminal development

A recent announcement by Galveston Wharves and MSC Cruises (the world's third-largest cruise shipowner) marks a significant milestone in the expansion of cruise and commercial shipping traffic at Port Galveston (Texas USA) .

This year, construction will commence on the port's 4th cruise terminal, set to become the homeport for the 1112-foot MSC Seascape ship starting in November 2025.

The US$140 million development follows two years of negotiations between Galveston Wharves and MSC Cruises, culminating in a 20-year agreement with options for 5-year extensions. The project involves transforming a former Del Monte Foods cargo warehouse into a 165,000-square-foot cruise terminal, complete with a parking garage, passenger boarding bridge, and other infrastructure enhancements.

Galveston, a maritime commercial hub since 1825, boasts an 840-acre port located just 45 minutes from open seas. The port's infrastructure supports its growing cruise, cargo, and commercial operations. The early 1980s saw the port's shift towards tourism, and its current 40-Year Strategic Master Plan envisions further improvements to enhance public access and enjoyment. The agreement with MSC is a key part of this strategic expansion.

As the 4th most popular cruise homeport in the USA, Galveston hosted 1.49 million cruise tourists in 2023, marking a 43% increase from 2022 and a swift recovery from the COVID downturn in 2020 when passenger numbers dropped below 500,000. Cruise ship traffic continues to be a crucial component of the port's future.

In November 2022, RCI-Royal Caribbean International inaugurated Galveston's 3rd cruise terminal. This US$125 million facility allows the port to accommodate RCI's Oasis Class vessels - the world's largest passenger ships .

MSC Cruises Unveils 2025-26 US Winter Sailings

M SC Cruises will have a record-setting seven ships sailing around the United States for the 2025-26 winter season, with ships homeporting in Miami, Port Canaveral, New York City and Galveston.

MSC Grandiosa will make its U.S. debut from Port Canaveral, while the cruise line as a whole will be celebrating its first-ever season sailing from Galveston with MSC Seascape. MSC World America will also have its first winter season sailing from Miami after the ship’s debut in April 2025 .

Most itineraries will visit Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve , which is getting several enhancements and updates at the moment. During the 2025-26 winter, guests will be able to take advantage of new excursion centers, a snorkel and dive center, new food and beverage options and an expanded Ocean House bar and restaurant for MSC Yacht Club guests.

“We are delighted to provide our guests more choices than ever before when it comes to embarkation ports, ships, itineraries and destinations, making it easy to find the perfect cruise,” says Rubén A. Rodríguez, president of MSC Cruises USA. “Combining world-class entertainment, dining and amenities onboard with the fantastic updates coming to Ocean Cay makes for an incredibly exciting future, which is perfect for everyone from first-time cruisers to our most devoted fans.”