MSC is the cheapest cruise line that isn’t cutting corners you don’t want cut. Cheaper options exist, but they lack that basic decency that you want out of a cruise. Instead, MSC offers “European-style” cruising. What that means is ambiguous, but here is what makes MSC a good cruise option:
- Narrow categories for children
- There are 5 age groups for children on MSC cruises, versus the more common 3. This means that they can tailor their offerings to the more narrow age group. This means that it is very family friendly.
- Cheap!
- MSC is often overlooked. They aren’t as famous as the old Big 3 (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and NCL), but they are presently the third largest cruise line. They don’t have any outstanding characteristics that might drive up the price, but that is good for some travelers.
Summary
MSC is your best choice for cheap cruising. It is your second-best choice for family cruising.
Ships
| Ship | Passengers | Tonnage | Tons to Passengers Ratio |
| Splendida | 3274 | 137936 | 42 |
| Fantasia | 3274 | 137936 | 42 |
| Prezoisa | 3502 | 139400 | 40 |
| Divina | 3502 | 139400 | 40 |
| Euriba | 4810 | 184011 | 38 |
| Seascape | 4540 | 170400 | 38 |
| Seashore | 4540 | 170412 | 38 |
| Bellissima | 4488 | 171598 | 38 |
| Magnifica | 2518 | 95128 | 38 |
| Meraviglia | 4488 | 171598 | 38 |
| Seaside | 4132 | 153516 | 37 |
| Seaview | 4132 | 153516 | 37 |
| Grandiosa | 4842 | 181541 | 37 |
| Virtuosa | 4842 | 181541 | 37 |
| Poesia | 2550 | 92627 | 36 |
| Orchestra | 2550 | 92409 | 36 |
| Musica | 2550 | 92409 | 36 |
| Sinfonia | 1984 | 65542 | 33 |
| Lirica | 1984 | 65591 | 33 |
| World America | 6762 | 215863 | 32 |
| World Atlantic | 6762 | 215863 | 32 |
| World Europa | 6762 | 215863 | 32 |
| World Asia | 6762 | 215863 | 32 |
| Armonia | 2199 | 65542 | 30 |
| Opera | 2150 | 65591 | 30 |
To Book:
If you want to book a cruise with MSC, and you aren’t sure where to start (or you just want someone else to deal with the details), we can help. Go to the travel advising or max-service travel advising pages and fill out the form there. We will reach out shortly.
Theory Contact:
If you just want to have a theoretical conversation, put your email here and we will send you a questionnaire from our host agency, then we will get back to you in the next few weeks.