MSC Italian Cruises

The Italian company MSC Cruises specialises in affordable worldwide voyages with a distinct European flavour. The cosmopolitan cruise line offers a traditional experience at sea, with a wealth of facilities and entertainment options, and a strong Italian influence in its design, cuisine and style. With itineraries to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, South America and Africa, MSC Cruises offer a variety of trips, ranging in length from 3 to 25 nights. 

A division of Mediterranean Shipping Company, the Naples-based MSC Cruises is the third-largest cruise line in the world. The company was formed in 1987 and now has a fleet of 8 ships, in 3 different categories. MSC Cruises basic Classic Class ships - the Melody and the Rhapsody - offer the best value for money and have a maximum passenger capacity of 1,064. The Premier Class consists of the Armonia, Lirica, Musica, Opera, Orchestra and Sinfonia, with capacity for between 1,445 - 2,550 passengers, as well as the flagship vessel, Poesia, weighing in at 92,409 tons and carrying over 3,000 guests. The Fantasia Class is the newest in the MSC cruise family, consisting of the Fantasia, Splendida and Magnifica, all of which offer a grand-scale luxury experience. The style of the MSC cruise line is elegant yet relaxed, with features on-board the ships including swimming pools, Jacuzzis, spas, gyms, internet centres, shops and boutiques, as well as plenty of organised entertainment and childcare facilities.    

MSC Cruises cater mainly to Europeans, but are attracting a wider client base in North America with their Caribbean cruises. Ports of call on the Mediterranean MSC cruises include plenty of Italian stops such as Naples, Genoa, Rome, Palermo and Sicily, as well as Rhodes, Palma, Malaga, Barcelona and the Canary Islands. Caribbean destinations on a MSC cruise include St Lucia, Antigua, Grand Cayman and the Bahamas, with other itineraries featuring exotic destinations such as Brazil, Cape Town and Zanzibar.