The Ultimate Guide to MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises, established in 1988 (not 300 years old), has become a global leader in the cruise industry. They offer a variety of exciting itineraries, ensuring an unforgettable vacation experience.

MSC Cruises caters to a range of preferences. While they may not be the absolute top tier in luxury, they offer a comfortable and stylish experience. Popular destinations include the Mediterranean, the Caribbean (including the Bahamas), Northern Europe, South America, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. They also feature unique itineraries like a Red Sea exploration or a West Africa voyage (depending on the season). World cruises are also available for the ultimate adventure.

Tailored Experiences to Suit You

MSC Cruises provides different experience options to personalize your trip. These may vary slightly depending on the specific itinerary, but some common choices include:

• MSC Aurea: This experience offers priority boarding, a specialty dining package, and a selection of premium beverages.
• MSC Bella: This is the core experience, with access to all onboard facilities and a variety of dining options.
• MSC Yacht Club: For an exclusive retreat, consider the MSC Yacht Club. This premium option features private balconies, 24-hour butler service, and dedicated concierge services.

Planning Your Dream MSC Cruise

When booking your MSC cruise, you'll choose your desired ship, itinerary, and experience level.

In the next section of our guide, we'll delve deeper into each MSC Cruise experience and provide tips for finding the best deals.

What Different Experiences Are Available on the MSC Cruise Line?

When you book your MSC cruise, you can choose between three different experiences during your trip. These are the Bella experience, the Fantastica experience, and the Aurea experience. These different selections will give you access to different types of cabins, drink and food options, amenities, and onboard services.

Each experience class has its own benefits for different travelers, so you need to make sure that you pick the right one for you. Read below for a review of MSC Cruises’ classes and what each one includes.

MSC Bella Class Bookings

The Bella class is the standard type of booking on an MSC cruise ship and is also the most affordable of the three options. However, you shouldn’t assume that, just because this is the cheapest option of the three, you won’t still have access to great services and amenities during your vacation. Here is a breakdown of the benefits that will be available to you during your trip:

· Access to the main restaurant. (Including fine dining and buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – as well as midnight snacks!)

· Access to the cruise ship’s gym facilities.

· You can use the swimming pools.

· Enjoy the open-air sports courts aboard the ship.

· View a Broadway-style show in the evening.

· Children’s Club Activities.

In terms of cabin choice, you will be given more flexibility when booking an MSC Fantastica, or Aurea experience. You may also be assigned a cabin with an obstructed or partially obstructed balcony view or a promenade view. You will also not be able to choose your cabin number, this will be assigned to you within four days before the scheduled departure of the ship. You can make changes to your booking but will need to pay a fee.

What MSC Cruise deals are available on Bella Class?

When you book a MSc Bella experience you can select drink discount packages at the time of booking. You can choose between five different packages according to your preferences, these vary from a Premium Extra drinks package to Minor and Alcohol-Free drink packages.

You will also be able to earn MSC Voyager Club credits during your stay. These can be used to give you discounts on ship services and give you access to extra perks when you book your next trip with the MSc cruise line.

The MSC Fantastica Class

For some more perks and benefits during your vacation, you can choose the MSC Fantastica experience. This is the next level up from the Bella experience, and you will have to pay more to access this enhanced experience. However, if you want to elevate your cruise experience to the next level, this might be the right booking class for you!

The benefits of the Fantastic booking on an MSC cruise include:

· You can choose your cabin and cabin location.

· Amend your booking once without paying a fee.

· Your breakfast can be delivered to your cabin with no extra fee.

· Get the first refusal on dining times while staying in a suite or balcony room.

· Access 24-hour room service (for a fee.)

· You will also be able to book the specialty restaurant package giving you access to the top dining options for a fantastic price. These MSC cruise deals give you a fantastic 20% off of the best dining options on the ship.

As you can see the MSc Fantastica option gives you more flexibility when choosing where you will stay and also widens your options when it comes to where and when you will dine. If you value being able to select what kind of cabin and view you would prefer, then this might be the option for you.

The MSC Aurea Class

This is the highest class available when you book with the MSc cruise line and will give you access to the best benefits available on the ship. If you plan on making extensive use of the fitness and spa facilities during your cruise, then this may be the best package for you. However, the price also reflects the luxurious services and amenities on offer.

Whether this is the right choice will depend upon how much use you will get out of the perks that this option brings. The benefits available to those booking an Aurea package include:

· Booking flexibility.

· Choose your own cabin.

· Free 24-hour room service.

· A welcome gift of prosecco and chocolate when you arrive.

· You can dine whenever you choose.

· Priority when boarding the ship and during luggage drop-off.

· Complimentary access to the Top Exclusive Solarium.

· 10% discount on all of the spa treatments you book onboard.

· Access to Balinese massage session pre-cruise.

· Choose your preference on the pillow menu.

· Robe and slippers in your cabin.

What MSC Cruise deals are available in Aurea Class?

When you book an Aurea package you will be able to access a 40% discount on prepaid spa packages and 10% on spa treatments you book while on the cruise. You’ll also be able to access 20% discounts with the prepaid specialty restaurant package (as you would with the Fantastica option.) You will also be rewarded with some free drinks and discounted drink packages when you make your booking.

If you are planning on using the spa and wellness facilities frequently during your time on the MSc cruise line, then this may be the best option for you. If you only plan on using these facilities infrequently, then you may have to weigh up whether this luxury option presents the best value for you during your trip.

Review of MSC Cruises Experiences – Which is the Best Option for You?

MSC Cruise Line is world-renowned and has been providing high-class sailing for literally hundreds of years. You can feel confident in both the standard of service and the level of facilities across their fleet. However, you do need to think about which experience will provide the best value for you.

If you aren’t particularly bothered about the view from your cabin and don’t want to make use of the spa facilities, then the Bella class may be a great fit. However, if you want more flexibility about where you stay and when you dine, you may prefer the Fantastica package. For the ultimate in luxury and convenience during your cruise, the Aurea option may be for you. Read through our review of MSC cruises to decide which is the best fit for you.

No matter which package you pick you will be able to access great benefits and MSC cruise deals on drinks and dining when you book.