MSC Cruise Line is the third-largest cruise line in the world and a major juggernaut in Europe. In North America, however, it’s still gaining recognition as the months go by. Sure, we hear a lot more about Royal Caribbean and Carnival here, but MSC is steadily upping its game year by year with the release of ships like MSC Seascape, MSC Seashore, and, more recently, MSC World America.
MSC appeals to those who want to try a new itinerary on a budget-friendly yet high-quality cruise. Sometimes, it's seen as a jack of all trades and master of none. They offer some cool stage shows, though they don’t rank among the best you’ll see. Their specialty restaurants are solid, but offerings like Disney’s Palo or Carnival’s Fahrenheit 555 tend to stand out more.
You know what MSC does really well? Pricing and itinerary options. Even MSC World America, which launched in April 2025, features some amazing deals. You can pay, for example, around $700 for a 7-day Caribbean cruise. That’s incredible value for a brand-new ship packed with entertainment options and ranking among the largest in the world. For comparison, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas averages about $1,400 for a one-week cruise, and Celebrity Ascent can cost even more, especially if you're sailing in Europe.
If you want to learn even more about MSC Cruise Line, be sure to check out our Planning a Cruise on MSC Cruise Line guide. The article you’re reading now will focus more on pricing, MSC’s main features, and a quick overview of what to expect from this huge cruise line.
Here is what we will cover:
- What Can I Expect from MSC Cruise Line?
- How Many Ships Does MSC Cruise Line Have?
- How Much Does a MSC Cruise Line Vacation Cost?
- What is Included in a MSC Cruise Line vacation?
- What is NOT Included in a MSC Cruise Line vacation?
- MSC Kids Club
- The Unique Features of MSC Cruise Line
As always, feel free to send us a message or click the "Request a Quote" button above to get in touch. We’re happy to answer any questions and help you decide if an MSC Cruise is right for you. And don’t worry, our assistance is completely free!
Okay, let’s now check out each topic in detail. Ready? Let’s go!
What Can I Expect from MSC Cruise Line?
That’s not a hard question to answer, honestly. You can expect a good cruise, but don’t expect MSC to be the top cruise line in every category. They’re great at what they do, but as we mentioned, Disney and Royal Caribbean offer better stage shows, Celebrity and Virgin Voyages have superior food, and Norwegian often has more exciting entertainment options.
That’s understandable - after all, you’re often paying half of what you would with those other cruise lines. Yet the overall cruise experience with MSC is still quite solid. I mean, if you're paying $700 for a phone, you wouldn’t expect it to have all the features of a $2,000 iPhone, right? The thing is, with MSC, you still get a lot of cool features that could easily be behind a paywall. They have awesome waterparks and waterslides for families, some enjoyable stage shows, some of the best pizza across all cruise lines, and a decent Kids Club.
MSC is a great option for first-time cruisers, travelers looking for a budget-friendly vacation, guests who want to try new itineraries, or anyone curious about what MSC is all about. They’re a European cruise line at heart, but certain aspects are gradually becoming more Americanized, especially on their latest vessels. For example, MSC World America features a sports bar where you can catch the latest football games, along with expanded buffet options.
How Many Ships Does MSC Cruise Line Have?
Let’s just say that MSC has a ton of ships.
MSC currently has a fleet of 24 ships, including MSC World Asia, which is set to launch in December 2026, and the recently debuted MSC World America, now sailing out of Miami. This makes MSC the third-largest cruise line in the world, just behind Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line.
Their largest ships are massive, even if they don’t quite match the size of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas or its Oasis-class vessels. Speaking of Royal Caribbean, MSC’s new World class ships were clearly inspired by the themed districts and variety of entertainment options found on ships like Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas. MSC ships now feature expansive waterparks, a wide range of entertainment, and multiple complimentary dining venues for guests.
Here are some of their newest ships:
- MSC World America (2025)
- MSC World Europa (2022)
- MSC Seascape (2022)
- MSC Seashore (2021)
How Much Does a MSC Cruise Line Vacation Cost?
Good news, friends! MSC Cruise Line ranks among the most affordable cruise lines in the world. Looking to save money while still enjoying a mega-resort experience at sea? You can’t go wrong with MSC. Even their newest ships, like MSC World America, average around $700 for a one-week Caribbean cruise, significantly less than something like Icon of the Seas, which averages $1,400.
In that sense, MSC is more comparable to Carnival Cruise Line, where a one-week cruise on a newer ship like Mardi Gras starts at around $730.
Here are some prices:
- A 4-Night Caribbean Cruise onboard MSC Seashore: $390
- A 7-Night Caribbean Cruise onboard MSC World America: $700
- A 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise onboard MSC World Europa: $1000
- A 11-Night Caribbean Cruise onboard MSC Seascape: $1050
- A 14-Night Caribbean Cruise onboard MSC World America: $1350
Keep in mind that these prices are for inside staterooms. Upgrades like the MSC Yacht Club come at a significantly higher cost. For example, a 7-night Mediterranean cruise aboard MSC World Europa starts at around $1,000 for a standard cabin, but the price jumps to about $2,400 if you're staying in a Yacht Club Suite.
What is Included in a MSC Cruise Line vacation?
What’s included in your MSC cruise actually depends on the type of fare you select at the time of booking. You can go with the standard fare, of course, but there are also special packages that include perks like a drink package or a drink package plus Wi-Fi. The MSC Yacht Club adds even more premium benefits, which we’ll cover shortly.
Here’s what’s included in a standard MSC cruise fare:
- Your Stateroom
- Main Dining Rooms and buffet options
- Water, milk, tea and coffee
- Fitness Center
- Most Live Shows
- Fitness Center
- Entertainment Options like Mini Golf, Pools, Waterparks and Rope Bridges.
- Kids Club
What’s Included in your MSC Yacht Club fare?
MSC Yacht Club gives you everything listed above, plus extra perks like:
- 24-hour Butler Service
- Exclusive complimentary Yacht Club restaurant
- Premium Drink Package
- Premium Wi-Fi
What is NOT Included in a MSC Cruise Line vacation?
Here is what’s not included in a standard MSC Cruise fare:
- Gratuities
- Wi-Fi
- Beverages and Premium Coffee
- Specialty Restaurants
- Shore Excursions
- Laundry
- Spa
- Carousel Production at Sea Shows
- Entertainment Options like bowling, Zipline, 4D cinema, Arcade, the Cliffhanger
MSC Kids Club
MSC has an alright kids club that is included in your fare. The Kids Club is divided into different age groups as follow:
- Baby Club (0-3 years old)
- Mini-Club (3-6yo)
- Junior Club (7-11)
- Young Club (12-14)
- Teen Club (15-17)
Activities include playing with LEGOs, arts and crafts, dance competitions, and video games. All of the Kids Clubs are free to use, including the Baby Club. The Baby Club can fill up quickly, so it is important to reserve a two-hour time slot in advance. While the clubs do close for lunch, they are sometimes open during dinner, and the staff can supervise the children if parents are comfortable with that.
The Unique Features of MSC Cruise Line
A Traditional Sailing Experience
MSC doesn’t offer a freestyle cruising experience - instead, there’s an enforced dress code and assigned dining times in the Main Dining Room. On certain nights, like gala evenings, guests are expected to dress up, so be sure to pack a nice suit or a formal dress. As for dining times, there are typically two seatings: one around 5:30pm and another around 7:30pm.
For more info about Dining, make sure to visit our Dining Options Onboard MSC Cruise Line guide.
Mega-Resorts at Sea
MSC’s most popular cruise ships are similar to what you might be used to seeing with Royal Caribbean and Carnival, as they are designed with families in mind. That means entertainment is a major focus, so you can expect large waterparks, waterslides, arcades, F1 simulators, 4D cinemas, and more onboard.
For more info about activities, make sure to check our Activities Onboard MSC Cruise Line guide.
MSC Cabin Experiences
MSC offers more than just a choice between an inside or balcony stateroom - they also provide what's called Cabin Experiences, which include Bella, Fantastica, and Aurea.
These experiences allow you to customize your cruise with benefits like preferred stateroom location, discounts on drink packages, and other perks. For example, the Fantastica experience includes 24-hour room service, complimentary breakfast delivered to your cabin, and the ability to choose your cabin and its location.
For more information about MSC Cabin Experiences, make sure to read our Room Options Onboard MSC Cruise Line guide.
MSC Yacht Club
MSC Yacht Club is similar to Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven - both offer luxurious suites with a wide range of exclusive perks. In MSC’s case, the Yacht Club includes access to a dedicated restaurant, a private lounge, a private pool, Premium Wi-Fi, a Premium Drink Package, and even a personal butler to assist you throughout your cruise. It’s the perfect way to elevate your MSC experience and enjoy a more elegant, upscale atmosphere.
MSC & LEGO
MSC is the only cruise line with an official partnership with LEGO, which means you will find several LEGO-themed play areas throughout their ships, especially inside the Kids Club. Even better, some ships such as MSC World America feature daily parades with LEGO characters roaming around the ship. Now that is cool!
Ocean Cay
Most major cruise lines have a private island, and MSC is no exception. Many of their Caribbean itineraries include a stop at Ocean Cay, so pack your sunscreen and get ready for a relaxing beach day. The island offers complimentary food, and best of all, there’s no need for tenders! The ship docks directly at the island, significantly cutting down on transportation time.
MSC World America
While this isn’t exactly a “feature,” it’s worth noting that MSC is making major investments in the North American market. MSC World America is a prime example - launched in April 2025, the ship is clearly inspired by Royal Caribbean’s largest vessels. It’s divided into themed districts and features bold entertainment offerings, including Cliffhanger, a swing that extends over the side of the ship. The best part? You can sail on a 7-night cruise aboard World America for as little as $700.
Great Pizza
MSC has one of the best pizzas across all cruise lines. Does this deserve a spot in the “Unique Features” section? Oh yes.
Ready to book your first MSC cruise, or finally experience MSC World America? Get in touch with us free of charge and let us help plan your next vacation. You can also stay connected with Famvia and explore our other guides and reviews about MSC. Until next time!
