MSC Cruises Complete Guide - Recent Changes & What's Included

Presenter Information

• Name: Ilana from LifeWellCruise.com
• Focus: Comprehensive MSC Cruises overview with 2025 updates

About MSC Cruises

Company Overview

• Type: European contemporary cruise line
• Growth: Rapidly expanding in North America
• Current Fleet: 23 ships
• Future Expansion: 25 ships total by 2027 (2 more coming)
• Known For:
  • Big, beautiful ships
  • Affordable prices
  • International atmosphere
  • Amazing attractions on newer mega ships
  • Unique booking experience options

Who It's For

• Not for everyone, but very good value
• Unique feature: Choose different experience levels on same cruise (unlike other cruise lines)
• Family-friendly with extensive kids' programs

Always Included in Your Cruise Fare

Accommodations

• Inside cabins
• Ocean view cabins
• Balcony cabins
• Family suites
• Suites
• MSC Yacht Club (luxury ship-within-a-ship)

Daily Services

• Daily housekeeping
• Cabin attendant service
• Towel replacement
• Basic toiletries (Kleenex, toilet paper)
• Hair dryer (may want to bring your own)
• Important: Pool/excursion towels from cabin (bring to pool deck to switch out - cannot pick up freely by pool as of MSC World America sailing)

Meals & Dining

• Three meals daily
• Snacks throughout day
• Main dining room (breakfast, lunch on sea days, dinner)
• Extensive buffet (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, late-night snacks)
• Highlight: Fabulous pizza in buffet
• Soft serve ice cream (in buffet, not pool deck)

Newer Ships (World Europa, World America) Include:

• Luna Park Pizza and Burger
• La Bocca Grill (by pool)
• Harbor Bar and Bites
• Complimentary morning pastries at Coffee Emporium

Fees Included

• Taxes
• Port fees (visible on website/through travel agent)

Entertainment & Activities

Evening Shows:

• Vegas-style production shows
• Comedians and guest entertainers
• Comedy club
• Dueling pianos
• Live music throughout ship
• Themed parties (including White Party - plan ahead)

Daytime Activities:

• Trivia
• Game shows
• Food demonstrations
• Pool games
• Sports tournaments

Recreational Facilities:

• Pools (including adult-only pool)
• Whirlpools
• Aqua parks
• Ropes courses (varies by ship)
• Drop slides (varies by ship)
• Gym/fitness center (classes are extra)

Attractions & Activities with Additional Cost

Onboard Attractions (Extra Charge)

Newer Ships:

• Robotron (MSC Seascape, MSC World America)
• Cliffhanger (MSC World America)

Multiple Ships:

• F1 Simulator
• Bumper cars
• Arcade

Pricing: $5-$15 per ride

Fun Pass Option

• What It Is: Prepaid card for attractions and arcade games
• Cost: $30-$100 USD
• Pro Tip: Add before cruise for discount or look for Embarkation Day promotions

MSC Booking Experiences (Unique Feature)

Overview

• Completely different from other cruise lines
• Experience chosen significantly impacts onboard experience
• Four options: Bella, Fantastica, Aurea, and Yacht Club

Bella (Budget Option)

Price: Lowest available

What's Included:

• Accommodation (guarantee cabin only)
• Cannot choose stateroom - cruise line assigns up to 4 days before cruise
• Fixed dining time (no control over 5:30pm, 7:30pm, or 9:00pm seating)
• No free room service (not even continental breakfast)

Good For: Budget travelers who don't mind cabin assignment and plan to eat in buffet

Fantastica (Mid-Tier - Presenter's Choice)

Price: Not significantly more expensive than Bella

What's Included:

• Choose your specific cabin (location and number)
• Free continental breakfast room service (great for excursion days)
• More dining time options (can choose preferred time)
• Example: 7:30pm dining accommodated

Why Worth It: More control, room service breakfast, minimal price difference

Aurea (Premium Option)

Price: Higher tier with significant perks

What's Included:

• Choose stateroom in preferred locations
• Free continental breakfast room service
• Thermal spa pass (biggest benefit)
• Thermal suite access for entire cruise
• Exclusive Solarium access (hot tubs, nice seating, much quieter, own bar, no pools)
• Welcome gift: Prosecco and chocolates
• Priority boarding
• Priority luggage drop-off

Why Consider: Spa lovers, those wanting quieter spaces, enhanced experience

MSC Yacht Club

• Ship-within-a-ship luxury concept
• Completely exclusive experience
• Separate section for this topic

Presenter's Note: Was happy with Fantastica, but after seeing Aurea exclusive areas, would consider it next time

Dining: What's Not Included

Specialty Restaurants (Extra Cost)

• Butcher's Cut
• Ola
• Tacos and Cantina
• Kaito
• Teppanyaki
• Venchi (some ships)
• Jean-Philippe Chocolate and Cafe (chocolate, pastries, gelato, specialty coffees)

Drinks Not Included (Without Package)

What's Free:

• Water in main dining room and buffet (safe to drink)
• Iced tea, lemonade, milk, coffee, tea in main dining room and buffet

What Costs Extra:

• Soda
• Juice
• Specialty coffee
• Alcoholic beverages
• Bottled water

Drink Packages (Major Changes for 2025)

Important Update

• Discontinued: Easy and Easy Plus packages
• New: Simplified to three packages

Premium Extra Package (Most Popular)

Includes:

• Cocktails
• Beer
• Wine by the glass
• Soda
• Bottled water
• Energy drinks
• Specialty coffee

Limits:

• 15 alcoholic drinks per day
• Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks

Alcohol-Free Package

Includes:

• Unlimited soft drinks
• Non-alcoholic cocktails
• Energy drinks
• Coffee

Minors Package

For: Under 18 or 21 (depending on sailing)

Includes:

• Soda
• Juice
• Mocktails
• Milkshakes

Pro Tips

• Book online before cruise: Save up to 40%
• Current Promotion: Bundled premium drink package + Wi-Fi at significantly discounted price
• Coffee Note: Among best coffee on any cruise line, available at most bars throughout ship

MSC For Me App

Features (Included)

• Available before and during cruise
• Daily planner of activities
• Daily printed planner also provided in cabin
• Chat feature: Communicate with other guests on ship

Internet & Wi-Fi (Extra Cost)

Package Options

Browse Package:

• Email
• Web browsing
• Social media
• No streaming

Browse and Stream Package:

• Faster speeds
• Streaming capable (YouTube videos, etc.)
• Better overall package

Pricing

• Cost: $9-$22 per device per day per person (varies by package)
• Bundled Deal: Drink package + Wi-Fi bundle requires no additional internet purchase

Kids & Family Activities

Kids Clubs (Included in Cruise Fare)

Age Groups with Dedicated Spaces:

• Baby Club: 0-2 years old (availability varies by ship)
• Mini Club: 3-6 years old
• Junior Club: 7-11 years old
• Young Club: 12-14 years old
• Teen Club: 15-17 years old

Teen Zone Features:

• Games and music
• Dance parties
• Movies
• Sports tournaments

New for 2025: LEGO Experience

• Availability: Fleet-wide
• Enhanced on: MSC World America

Includes:

• LEGO room (impressive dedicated space)
• LEGO parade
• Family game show
• Dedicated LEGO zone

Doremi Mascot Events

• Doremi dance party
• Family-themed activities

Kids Sail Free Promotion

• Frequency: Often available depending on sailing
• Requirement: Kids must stay in same cabin as parents

Additional Costs to Budget For

Shore Excursions

Three Options:

1. Explore independently
2. Book through MSC Cruises
3. Book through third-party providers

Spa Services

Included with Aurea Package:

• Thermal Suite access

Extra Costs:

• Spa treatments (massages)
• Salon services
• Acupuncture
• Teeth whitening

Gratuities/Hotel Service Charge

North America Sailings (Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, New England):

• $16 per adult per night
• $20 per person per night (Yacht Club)
• Free for children under 2

European Sailings:

• €12 per adult per night
• €6 per child (ages 2-11) per night
• Free for children under 2

Other Regions: Varies

Ocean Cay Marine Reserve (MSC's Private Island)

What's Included

• Access to all beaches
• All lounge chairs and beach chairs
• Lunch at beach restaurant
• Food trucks
• Drink package works on island
• Wi-Fi works on island

Extra Options

• Shore excursions available for booking

Special Feature

• Lighthouse Light Show: Watch while sailing away or if staying into evening

Voyagers Club & Status Match

Loyalty Program

• MSC's own program: Voyagers Club
• Nice benefits for repeat cruisers

Status Match Opportunity

Benefits at Highest Match Level:

• 5% discount on cruise fare
• Pro Tip: Complete status match BEFORE booking cruise to access discount

Related Content Recommendations

• MSC Yacht Club detailed video
• MSC World America ship tour
• Complete MSC Cruises playlist available

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Summary: Key Takeaways

What Makes MSC Unique

1. Booking experience tiers (choose your experience level)
2. European cruise line with international feel
3. Excellent value for money
4. Outstanding coffee program
5. Family-friendly with extensive kids programs
6. Beautiful newer mega ships with impressive attractions

Money-Saving Tips

1. Book drink packages online (save up to 40%)
2. Look for bundled drink + Wi-Fi promotions
3. Complete status match before booking (5% discount)
4. Consider Fun Pass for attractions
5. Watch for Kids Sail Free promotions
6. Look for Embarkation Day deals

Best Value Recommendations

• Fantastica Package: Good balance of price and control
• Aurea Package: Worth it for spa lovers and those wanting quieter spaces
• Pre-purchase packages: Always cheaper than buying onboard