MSC Cruises Ships: Class, Age, and Size Overview 2024

MSC Cruises Ships: Class, Age, and Size Overview 2024

Mediterranean Shipping Company, commonly known as MSC Cruises, stands as the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line, boasting a fleet of 23 vessels. At a global level, MSC Cruises ranks as the third-largest cruise company, offering a selection of 140 destinations and 50 boarding points during the summer season. With year-round operations in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, MSC Cruises also explores various regions such as South America, Southern Africa, North America, Northern Europe, Dubai, Asia, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the Red Sea.

The extensive array of cruise options provided by MSC Cruises covers popular destinations like South America, Europe, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Eastern Canada, New England, the Persian Gulf, and more. To assist in planning your MSC Cruises journey, we’ve compiled comprehensive information about each MSC Cruise ship, detailing their classes, years, and sizes.

MSC CRUISE SHIPS BY CLASS

  1. Lirica Class
    • MSC Armonia: Built in 2001, it accommodates 760 crew members and 2,065 passengers, sailing to the Mediterranean, MSC Grand Voyages, and South America.
    • MSC Sinfonia: Launched in 2002, it has a maximum speed of 21.7 knots and sails popular Mediterranean destinations, accommodating 2,646 passengers.
    • MSC Lirica: As the first newbuild cruise ship for MSC Cruises, it carries 2,648 passengers and 721 crew members, navigating the Mediterranean and South America.
    • MSC Opera: Built-in 2004, it serves as the flagship of the company, hosting 2,658 passengers and 728 crew members, and sails to destinations like MSC Grand Voyages, Emirates, and the Mediterranean.
  2. Musica Class
    • MSC Musica: Constructed in 2006, it has 1,014 cabins, accommodating 3,223 passengers, with destinations including the Mediterranean, MSC Grand Voyages, South America, Saudi Arabia, and the Red Sea.
    • MSC Orchestra: Launched in 2007, it offers a luxurious experience with marble and wood interiors, catering to 3,223 passengers and around 940 crew members, sailing to the Mediterranean and MSC Grand Voyages.
    • MSC Poesía: Built in 2008, it has a capacity of 3,223 passengers and 1,039 crew members, cruising the Mediterranean, MSC Grand Voyages, and Northern Europe.
    • MSC Magnifica: Launched in 2009, it sails global destinations, including the Caribbean & Antilles, Mediterranean, MSC Grand Voyages, and more, with 3,223 passengers.
  3. Fantasia Class
    • MSC Fantasia: MSC Fantasia, inaugurated in 2008, features a 4D cinema, spa, race car simulator, and musical fountains, accommodating 4,363 passengers and 1,370 crew members, sailing to ports in the Mediterranean and MSC Grand Voyages.
    • MSC Splendida: Originally named “MSC Serenata,” it was built in 2009, offering a system to program multiple songs, luxury, and comfort to 4,363 passengers serving South Africa, Mauritius, and other destinations.
    • MSC Divina: As the third ship in the Fantasia Class, MSC Divina is larger than its predecessors, sailing to the private island destination, “Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve,” Bahamas.
    • MSC Preziosa: Launched as an amplified version of its sister ships, MSC Preziosa sails to destinations in South America, MSC Grand Voyages, and Northern Europe.
  4. Seaside Class
    • MSC Seaside: Debuted in 2017, MSC Seaside is the first ship of the Seaside Class, offering open-air bars, convertible staterooms, and luxury suites, accommodating 5,179 passengers and sailing to the Caribbean & Bahamas, the Mediterranean, and MSC Grand Voyages.
    • MSC Seaview: Serving as a family-friendly sister cruise to MSC Seaside, it explores the Mediterranean, South America, and Western Mediterranean, featuring the longest zip lines at sea and various activities for all.
  5. Seaside EVO Class
    • MSC Seashore: Entered service in 2021, MSC Seashore is the lead ship of the Seaside EVO Class, sailing to the Western Caribbean, Bahamas, and Eastern Caribbean, accommodating 5,632 passengers.
    • MSC Seascape: Similar to MSC Seashore, it offers a glitzy, New York City-inspired aesthetic, accommodating approximately 5,877 passengers, sailing from Miami to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
  6. Meraviglia Class
    • MSC Meraviglia: Launched in 2017, it is the biggest ship in the European market, offering an overnight stay on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Canada/New England, with a capacity of 5,642 passengers.
    • MSC Bellissima: Debuting in March 2019, it is known for family-friendly facilities, including Cirque du Soleil at Sea, pools, a ropes course, a water park, and a large central promenade. MSC Bellissima sails to Asia, accommodating 5,655 passengers.
  7. Meraviglia-Plus Class
    • MSC Grandiosa: The first cruise ship of the Meraviglia-Plus Class, launched in 2019, featuring more public space areas and innovations, sailing to MSC Grand Voyages, the Mediterranean, and South America, accommodating 6,334 passengers.
    • MSC Virtuosa: The second ship in the Meraviglia-Plus Class, entering service in May 2021, it shares similar features with MSC Grandiosa, accommodating 6,334 passengers.
    • MSC Euribia: This family-friendly cruise offers a variety of activities and sustainable technologies, sailing to the Baltic Sea and the Middle East with a capacity of 6,327 passengers.
  8. World Class
    • MSC World Europa: Debuting in 2022, it stands as MSC’s first green technology cruise ship, accommodating 6,762 passengers and sailing in the Mediterranean.
    • MSC World America: Expected to join the fleet in Spring 2025, MSC World America will offer tropical 7-night itineraries in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, accommodating 6,762 passengers.

MSC CRUISE SHIPS BY AGE (FROM NEWEST TO OLDEST)

Ship (Newest to Oldest)Year BuiltRefurbishedCost (In Million USD)
MSC World America20241125
MSC Euribia2023850
MSC World Europa20221255
MSC Seascape20221000
MSC Seashore20211000
MSC Virtuosa2021850
MSC Grandiosa2019850
MSC Bellissima2019950
MSC Seaview2018745
MSC Seaside2017745
MSC Meraviglia2017950
MSC Preziosa20132021550
MSC Divina20122021550
MSC Magnifica20102021550
MSC Splendida20092017550
MSC Fantasia20082021550
MSC Poesia20082021360
MSC Orchestra20072021480
MSC Musica20062019360
MSC Opera20042022270
MSC Lirica20032021270
MSC Sinfonia20022015245
MSC Armonia20012019245

MSC CRUISE SHIPS BY SIZE

CruiseGross TonnageCabinPassenger Capacity
MSC World America215,86326266,762
MSC Euribia183,50024196,327
MSC World Europa215,86326266,762
MSC Seascape169,40022705,877
MSC Seashore169,40022705,632
MSC Virtuosa181,54124216,334
MSC Grandiosa181,54124216,334
MSC Bellissima171,59822015,655
MSC Seaview153,51620265,079
MSC Seaside153,51620265,079
MSC Meraviglia171,59822145,642
MSC Preziosa139,07217514,345
MSC Divina139,07217514,345
MSC Magnifica95,12812793,223
MSC Splendida137,93616374,363
MSC Fantasia137,93616364,363
MSC Poesia92,62712753,223
MSC Orchestra92,40912753,223
MSC Musica92,40910143,223
MSC Opera65,59110702,658
MSC Lirica65,5919882,648
MSC Sinfonia65,5919762,646
MSC Armonia65,5429762,620

MSC Cruises delivers a wide range of cruise ships, allowing travelers to choose based on their preferences. Whether you opt for the intimate atmosphere of the Lirica Class or the grandeur and advanced technology of the MSC World Class Cruises, your journey with MSC Cruises promises global exploration with a touch of luxury and relaxation.

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