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Worldwide msc international, msc cruises updates covid-19 travel requirements.

London, UK – 26 September : MSC Cruises today updated its Covid-19 protocols and guidelines. For anyone departing from the UK from 1 October 2022 onboard an MSC Cruise, the requirement to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 has changed from “required” to “recommended”.

MSC Cruises has also updated it’s Covid-19 testing requirements for anyone departing from the UK. From 1 October 2022, all fully vaccinated guests presenting a valid vaccination certificate are recommended but not required to test before embarking. For any unvaccinated guests (5 years and older), a RT-PCR or Antigen test within 48 hours prior to the ship’s departure remains mandatory. MSC Cruises is also reminding its customers that COVID-19 insurance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.

Changes to Covid-19 travel requirements have also been applied to other embarkation ports including those in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean and others. Full details can be found at: https://www.msccruises.co.uk/health-and-safety-measures/mediterranean

New MSC Cruises Boarding Rules.

MSC Cruises ‘ new embarkation rules go into effect as of October 1, 2022.

For those embarking in the Mediterranean , Northern Europe , Red Sea , Caribbean and Antilles, there will no longer be a requirement for Covid19 vaccination, although it is strongly recommended. In addition, guests who are fully vaccinated (two doses of vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson) will no longer be required to submit a negative swab result, although it remains recommended. This requirement remains only for those who are not fully vaccinated, who have recovered from Covid19 without any vaccine dose, or who have a vaccine exemption due to medical conditions with QR code.

Msc Crociere

In the UAE or Qatar, for those 16 years and older, full vaccination from Covid19 remains mandatory. Here, too, the requirement for a swab within 48 hours of embarkation (except for those embarking from Doha), which is still strongly recommended, lapses, while it is only compulsorily required for those under 16 years of age who do not have a full vaccination certificate.

Finally, with regard to MSC World Cruise or for Grand Voyages , the requirement of the Covid 19 vaccine from 12 years and older and the antigenic or molecular test to be carried out in the 48 hours before embarkation (from 5 years and older) remains. We are glad for this relaxation of embarkation rules and look forward to always moving in this direction, always in the total safety of passengers who choose MSC Cruises .

For more information on the specific requirements for each itinerary, you can visit the dedicated section of the official MSC Cruises website –> www.msccruises.co.uk .

Don’t miss more Msc Cruises news, updates and reviews on Cruising Journal with photos, videos and cruises on offer.

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The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises ships and itineraries

MSC Cruises may be the biggest cruise line you've never heard of — assuming you're an American.

While the Switzerland-based company is the third-biggest cruise line in the world, it has far less name recognition among Americans than big U.S.-based lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line . That's because, until recently, MSC Cruises mostly catered to Europeans. A large percentage of its customers came from countries such as Italy, Germany, France and Spain.

That's all changing now — and in a big way.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

As it expands its fleet at a rapid pace , MSC Cruises is massively building its footprint in North America in an effort to woo more Americans. As recently as 2017, the line only had a single vessel based in North America. Now it's up to three ships sailing out of U.S. ports, and by the end of 2023, that number will have shot up to five.

All the North America-based ships are marketed heavily to Americans, and the line has tailored some of the features and activities on the vessels to a North American crowd.

Like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line , MSC Cruises has been building big resortlike vessels that offer every sort of amusement known to humans, from giant water parks to race car simulators. It currently operates eight of the 20 biggest cruise ships in the world — one of which (MSC Meraviglia) now calls North America home with year-round sailings out of New York City.

Related: Which cruise brand is right for you? A guide to the most popular lines

3 things TPG loves about MSC Cruises

• Its affordability
• The incredible array of activities on its ships
• The status match it offers with its loyalty program

What we could do without

• Onboard announcements in five languages (on overseas sailings)

The MSC Cruises fleet

MSC Cruises has grown enormously in recent years. As recently as early 2017, the line had just 12 ships in operation. But it's added new ships at a rapid pace over the past six years and now operates 22 vessels, more than any other major line besides Royal Caribbean and Carnival. It also has three more giant new ships on the way in the next few years.

If that sounds like too many ships to get your head around, note that all 22 of the vessels in operation, as well as the three on order, fall into six distinct classes . The ships within each of the classes have similar sizes and onboard attractions. If you know one ship in the class, you know them all.

Related: MSC Cruises ships from newest to oldest — a complete list

As a result of its rapid growth, MSC Cruises recently passed Norwegian to become the world's third-biggest cruise brand when measured by passenger capacity. Only Royal Caribbean and Carnival are bigger.

Not including pulldown bunks and pullout sofas, MSC Cruises' 22 ships have 77,832 berths — about 21,000 more than Norwegian's fleet. At its current pace of growth, MSC Cruises could soon pass Carnival to become the world's second-biggest line.

As noted above, the MSC Cruises fleet includes eight of the world's 20 biggest cruise vessels — MSC World Europa , MSC Euribia , MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia , MSC Bellissima, MSC Seashore and MSC Seascape . Built in the last six years, these eight ships aren't quite as big as Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis Class vessels (the world's biggest cruise ships), but they're right up there when it comes to amenities and passenger capacity.

The grande dame of the MSC Cruises fleet is its recently unveiled MSC World Europa. At 215,863 tons, it's the biggest MSC Cruises ship ever built and the first of a new series of so-called World Class vessels that are nearly as big as Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships.

The next-biggest ships in the MSC Cruises fleet are its recently unveiled Meraviglia Class vessels: MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Euribia. Similar in design, these five ships aren't quite as big as MSC World Europa, but they're right up there when it comes to size, amenities and passenger capacity.

MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Euribia, which debuted in 2019, 2021 and 2023, respectively, are a tad longer than MSC Bellissima and MSC Meraviglia and are considered a subset of the class known as Meraviglia Plus. Each can hold 4,842 passengers at double occupancy (or 6,334 passengers if every last pulldown bunk and pullout sofa is filled).

The other two Meraviglia Class ships, which date to 2019 and 2017, can carry more than 5,600 passengers with every berth filled.

In addition to these five giants, MSC Cruises also operates four large Seaside Class ships. Each has a total capacity of 5,336 to 5,632 passengers.

Add those in, and MSC Cruises operates 10 of the world's 35 biggest cruise ships, plus four somewhat smaller Fantasia Class vessels that can each hold around 4,400 passengers at maximum occupancy.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Together, the 14 World, Meraviglia, Seaside and Fantasia Class vessels make up MSC Cruises' big-ship fleet. The line's remaining eight vessels, split among two classes, are considerably smaller, with maximum occupancy topping out at 2,700 to 3,200 passengers.

The eight smaller ships, which in general are the line's older ships, allow MSC Cruises to offer itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of the World Class or Meraviglia Class vessels, although even the biggest MSC Cruises ships are still designed to be able to call at most ports around the world.

The smaller ships also appeal to a subset of MSC Cruises fans who are willing to give up some onboard amenities in exchange for intimacy. They're usually less expensive on a per-day basis, too.

In addition to all the above, MSC Group — the line's parent company — has announced plans for yet another class of big ships to start arriving later this decade, though few details have been released. MSC Group is also developing a series of small luxury vessels that'll operate under a separate brand called Explora Journeys.

Destinations and itineraries

MSC Cruises sails almost everywhere in the world, but its heaviest presence is in Europe, where it's the biggest cruise operator.

In a typical summer, the line will deploy the vast majority of its ships in the Mediterranean or northern Europe. In recent years, the line has also kept at least a couple of ships in Florida in summer for voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. This year, the line had two ships based in Florida for summer sailings to the Caribbean and the Bahamas, plus one ship sailing out of New York City for the summer.

During winter, MSC Cruises typically will add more ships to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. (For winter 2023-2024, it expects to have six in the region.) It'll also typically send four or five ships to South America in winter and often deploys vessels in winter to South Africa and the Middle East.

For winter 2023-2024, it'll have one ship in South Africa. The line's Middle East deployment this year has been cut back due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Additionally, MSC Cruises often offers an around-the-world cruise in winter on a single ship.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on an MSC Cruises ship

In North America, MSC Cruises ships have generally sailed out of Miami , but the line recently added Port Canaveral and New York City as home ports, too. The line also offers cruises from the Caribbean islands of Barbados, Martinique and Guadeloupe, and in a major development, the line opened its first private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve , in the Bahamas in 2019. It's a major stop for many MSC Cruises itineraries in the region.

In Europe, major MSC Cruises hubs include Southampton, England; Copenhagen; Kiel and Hamburg in Germany; Ancona, Venice, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, Bari and Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) in Italy; Barcelona, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca in Spain; and Marseille, France.

Who sails MSC Cruises?

MSC Cruises is increasingly known for having big, bustling megaships that'll appeal to people who like a megaresort experience. In other words, if you're the kind of person who loves staying on property at Disney World or at a giant Las Vegas resort , this could be the line for you.

The bigger MSC Cruises ships offer vacationers a ton of options for dining (some vessels have more than a dozen distinct places to eat dinner or at least grab a quick bite) or entertainment. They're lively and fun.

They also have an inordinate amount of teen- and tween-friendly attractions — everything from some of the largest waterslides at sea to sprawling amusement areas with race car simulators, flight simulators and XD cinemas (more on all this below). That makes them particularly appealing to families, including multigenerational groups. Families are a big part of MSC Cruises' business.

But it's not just families that flock to MSC Cruises.

The line's ships are designed to offer something for everyone, and they thus appeal to a wide demographic, including couples of all ages and even solo travelers (the line has added solo cabins on its newer ships and occasionally runs promotions for solo travelers). They also draw customers from a wide range of the income spectrum.

At one level, MSC Cruises ships have a for-the-masses feel. However, overlaid across many of the line's ships are high-end suites, upscale restaurants and luxury services — most notably the suites and amenities in the exclusive, upscale MSC Yacht Club areas found on some vessels (more on that later). As a result, the line draws a good number of luxury-seeking travelers.

The demographic profile of MSC Cruises ships can be markedly different depending on where the vessels are based. On Caribbean sailings out of Florida, you'll find that a large percentage of passengers are English-speaking North Americans.

MSC Cruises voyages in Europe are often heavily filled with Europeans speaking Italian, German, Spanish and French, as well as some English speakers. In Europe, the line offers onboard programming in all five of these languages (all crew members speak English no matter where the ships are sailing).

Reality check: Due to the diverse origins of passengers on European sailings, the line typically makes announcements in all five of the aforementioned languages. This can result in extraordinarily long announcements at times, which can be a distraction to some cruisers. The good news is that on sailings out of U.S. ports, only safety announcements are made in all five languages. Other announcements are in English only.

Cabins and suites

MSC Cruises offers a wide range of accommodations on its ships. On its newest vessels, you'll find everything from relatively low-cost, windowless "interior" cabins that measure as little as 172 square feet (perfect for the budget traveler) to suites more than five times that size that sprawl across two decks.

Still, MSC Cruises doesn't offer the sort of truly giant suites (more than 1,000 to 2,000 square feet) you'll find on some Norwegian and Royal Caribbean ships.

At the high end, the accommodations are aimed at affluent travelers who, for whatever reason, prefer the megaship experience to being on a luxury ship, and they can be quite impressive.

The biggest suites on MSC Grandiosa, which launched in 2019, span two levels and offer around 635 square feet of interior space, plus another 237 square feet of outdoor balcony space.

On more than half of MSC Cruises' ships, many of the top suites are part of an exclusive, keycard-accessed area called the MSC Yacht Club . Billed as an upscale "ship within a ship" and aimed at luxury travelers, the MSC Yacht Club is at the very top of vessels and comes with a private lounge, a pool, sunning areas and even its own restaurant.

Related: Everything you need to know about MSC Cruises cabins and suites

MSC Yacht Club accommodations also come with 24-hour butler service and a dedicated concierge.

Solo cabins (called interior studios) measuring just 127 square feet can be found on the line's seven newest vessels.

Insider tip: Passengers can use the interactive TVs in cabins to browse information, find out about daily events and activities, check bills and book services. On some ships, MSC for Me interactive wristbands can open your cabin door and also allow you to book services or make contactless payments for items on board.

Restaurants and dining

While a few of MSC Cruises' smallest ships have relatively limited dining venues, many of the line's vessels offer a wide range of choices.

On the line's recently unveiled MSC Euribia, for instance, there are nearly a dozen distinct eateries, as well as a number of bars and lounges that serve at least small bites. MSC Seashore has five specialty restaurants that feature waterfront, outdoor seating on the ship's boardwalk.

Every vessel has at least one or more main dining rooms and a casual buffet where meals are included in the fare.

For dinner in a main dining room, you must either have My Choice dining with the Aurea experience (a flexible dining option where you dine whenever you want) or classic dining (where you have a fixed table and time for dinner).

Nearly every ship also has at least one — and sometimes quite a few — extra-charge venues. Among the most common across the fleet is the American-style steakhouse Butcher's Cut, which is found on more than half the line's vessels. There also are sushi bars on more than half the line's ships, with varying names like Kaito Sushi and Galaxy Sushi.

The line's newest ships have teppanyaki restaurants, too, and passengers on MSC Cruises' Seaside Class ships, as well as MSC Meraviglia and MSC Splendida, can dine at a Mediterranean-style seafood restaurant.

Several of the line's newest vessels, including MSC Grandiosa and MSC Bellissima, also have the French cuisine-serving L'Atelier Bistrot.

Entertainment and activities

MSC Cruises offers a broad range of entertainment and activities on its ships. As noted above, the line's biggest vessels offer multiple entertainment venues, from Broadway-style theaters to spaces for circus-like performances; all manner of deck-top attractions; large casinos; and full-service spas. Plus, you'll find multiple bars, lounges and nightlife spots.

Theaters and shows

Like other megaship lines, MSC Cruises is known for big, glitzy theater productions performed in onboard theaters that are as state-of-the-art as anything you'll find on Broadway.

On the line's newer ships, such as MSC Euribia, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Grandiosa, there are main theaters that hold nearly 1,000 people. They offer as many as six different full-scale theatrical productions during a typical voyage, with multiple showtimes for each production and a range of styles. You'll find original Broadway-style musicals, piano concerts and even operas.

Some MSC Cruises ships have high-tech, multipurpose entertainment spaces that serve as comedy clubs and karaoke bars but can also transform into music venues. Dubbed the TV Studio & Bar on some ships, these spaces also house radio and TV broadcasting equipment, and they can host games, quizzes and talent contests aired live on TV sets in cabins.

Other interior attractions and activities

In addition to entertainment spaces, the interiors of MSC Cruises ships are loaded with other venues where passengers can kick back and let loose day and night, including a seemingly endless array of bars, lounges and nightspots.

Every MSC Cruises ship has a casino, and on the line's larger vessels, they are big operations. Le Grand Casino on MSC Grandiosa, for instance, has 164 slot machines, 12 table games (including blackjack, roulette and poker) and its own bar.

The five Meraviglia and Meraviglia Plus Class vessels also have soaring interior mall-like spaces called Gallerias with bars, restaurants and retail shops, as does the new MSC World Europa.

Many of the Gallerias, for example, are home to an innovative chocolate bar and boutique created by well-known French patissier and chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury.

The Gallerias on the five Meraviglia and Meraviglia Plus Class vessels — MSC Euribia, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima — are topped with one of the most stunning features found at sea: a dazzling "digital sky" made with curving LED screens that offer regular light shows during the day and evening. There's something similar on MSC World Europa.

The bigger MSC Cruises ships also have interactive game zones with such attractions as Formula One racing simulators, immersive XD cinemas, arcade games and even full-size bowling alleys.

For something more soothing, all MSC Cruises ships include spas. These can be quite big on the larger vessels, with expansive thermal areas and a wide choice of treatments and services.

Insider tip: Passengers can get information about onboard entertainment and restaurants (and make reservations) on the interactive screens found around MSC Cruises vessels.

Top-deck attractions

The top decks of MSC Cruises ships offer pools, hot tubs and plenty of lounge space, plus some spectacular family-focused fun zones — on the line's newest ships, at least.

On the line's Meraviglia and Seaside Class ships, top-deck amenities include sprawling back-of-the-ship water parks with multiple waterslides, ropes courses and watery play areas for the little ones.

Some ships even have zip lines — the longest at sea.

Additionally, the main pool areas on the newest MSC Cruises ships are among the biggest and most stunning at sea. Some of the line's ships also have adults-only pools topped with glass ceilings that can be opened on warm days.

Children's programs

MSC Cruises has some of the most extensive children's programs at sea, with dedicated clubs and activities for children as young as a couple of months old through the age of 17.

On most ships, the line offers programming for five distinct age groups.

For the very youngest cruisers, there's Baby Club, a program for babies and toddlers up to the age of 3. The line partnered with baby care brand Chicco to develop dedicated Baby Club play areas on every ship with toys, games and music and rhythm activities. You can leave your toddlers at the clubs, which have dedicated staff, or stay and play with them.

MSC Cruises ships also have a dedicated Mini Club (ages 3 to 6) and Junior Club (ages 7 to 11) with age-appropriate activities. Designed in partnership with the Lego Group, the Mini Clubs offer games, events and activities such as arts and crafts. Junior Clubs have a Masterchef at Sea Juniors competition, plus acting, dancing and singing activities.

Related: New MSC Cruises ship in New York is bigger than the city's biggest hotel

MSC Cruises ships also have Young Club, a tween program (ages 12 to 14) that includes sports tournaments, high-tech games and other activities.

Then there's Teen Club (ages 15 to 17), which hosts disco parties, karaoke parties and Wii, Xbox and PlayStation 4 tournaments. On MSC Grandiosa, teens even get the chance to pilot a drone through an obstacle course during an activity called the Drone Academy, and the ship holds a teen dance competition designed in partnership with the company behind "The X Factor."

Kids and teens clubs on newer MSC Cruises ships can also access cutting-edge equipment like 3D printing machines, virtual reality devices and 3D product scanning, all of which are used in activities.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

If you're a U.S. citizen on a cruise that starts and ends in a U.S. port, you'll need either a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to sail. Passports must be valid for at least six months.

For cruises from international ports, you'll need a passport. It's important that the name on your reservation is listed exactly as it appears on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

MSC Cruises adds an automatic service charge of $16 per person to final bills on sailings out of U.S. ports. Sailings with pricing in euros have a 12 euro charge ($13.13 at current exchange rates). Children 2 to 11 pay half the adult rate on most cruises. Children under 2 are not charged for service.

Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bills at bars for cruisers who do not have a drinks package. If you buy a drinks package, the gratuity charges for drinks is folded into the package price when you book it. A 15% service charge is also added to items in minibars, salons and spas.

Related: Tipping on a cruise ship: Everything you need to know

MSC Cruises has been rolling out Wi-Fi with speeds so fast that you'll be able to watch Netflix from your room on your mobile device. Unlike some lines, though, MSC Cruises doesn't offer flat-fee pricing for Wi-Fi. Instead, MSC Cruises charges by the number of devices you use and how you want to use the internet (think: browsing, texting, sending emails or video streaming).

Basic packages for browsing start around $72 for one device with unlimited data. A two-device plan with unlimited data for browsing costs about $109. There's also a four-device browsing plan for about $223. If you're looking to stream video along with other internet uses, you'll need a streaming plan. These start around $100 for one device and can be as high as $313 for a four-device plan.

Unlike other cruise lines, MSC Cruises does not let passengers switch their internet plan from one device to another during the cruise, even if they're only using one device at a time. Make sure you sign up for the Wi-Fi plan on the device you intend to use it with. If you'll want access on both your phone and your tablet, you will need a two-device plan.

Passengers can chat with friends and family on board ships even if they don't have an internet package by downloading the MSC for Me app to a smart device. The app also lets you book services on board.

Carry-on drinks policy

Unlike some lines, MSC Cruises doesn't allow passengers to bring their own alcohol on board.

Smoking policy

Smoking (including electronic cigarette smoking) is allowed in a limited number of designated areas on ships, with the primary smoking area on ships being an outdoor pool area that varies by ship and is indicated by signage. Smoking is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies, and those who violate this rule will face a $250 fee.

Unlike some lines, MSC Cruises does not build self-service launderettes onto its ships. Vessels offer extra-charge laundry and dry-cleaning services.

Electrical outlets

All vessels have standard North American-style, 110-volt outlets in rooms, as well as European-style, 220-volt outlets. A growing number of vessels also have USB ports in cabins.

For cruises in the Caribbean, South America and South Africa, as well as on MSC Grand Voyages going to Europe and to Australia, the onboard currency is the U.S. dollar.

On cruises in other parts of the world, the onboard currency is the euro. All vessels operate on a cashless system with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. You'll receive a Cruise Card (or, on the newer ships, an MSC for Me wristband) that you can use to make purchases.

Drinking age

You must be at least 21 years old to consume alcohol on sailings in the U.S. and the Caribbean. The drinking age on sailings everywhere else in the world is 18.

During the day, there's no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination and you're bound for the top deck, that means dressing for the beach — T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to put on when you go inside) are just fine.

On most evenings, the line recommends "smart casual" dress, meaning summery dresses for women and a lightweight jacket for men. On select days, the line also holds Gala evenings on its ships where the dress code can be more formal. For Gala evenings, if dining in a main dining room, the line suggests a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit and tie for men and a dressy outfit, formal gown or cocktail dress for women.

Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

MSC Cruises loyalty program

MSC Cruises has a point-based frequent cruiser program, the MSC Voyagers Club , that has four tiers ranging from Classic (requiring 1 point) to Diamond (10,000 points).

Members earn points based on the length of the cruises they take and which "experience" they book on those sailings. There are four different "experiences" you can book on an MSC Cruises sailing, each with different inclusions and price points. The most basic "Bella" experience will get you fewer points than the top "MSC Yacht Club" experience.

For a sailing of under five nights, for instance, your earnings would range from 200 to 800 points depending on the experience you book. For cruises that are five to nine nights in length, you'd earn from 500 to 1,500 points depending on the experience.

Every person in your stateroom will earn points for the cruise. You can also earn points with onboard spending and any bookings you made before embarkation. You'll earn 100 points for every $150 in prepaid and onboard expenses.

Know, though, that there are a couple of key caveats. Only the Voyagers Club member who makes the final payment for the onboard expenses will receive those points. For prepaid expenses, points will be equally distributed among the cabin occupants.

Say, for example, the total amount of prepaid onboard services that apply to all cabin occupants before the cruise is $600. If there are four cabin occupants, the spending for the points calculation of each member will be $150, which is equal to 100 points.

As is typical for cruise line loyalty programs, the entry-level tier (Classic) doesn't bring all that many truly valuable rewards. By far the most alluring benefit at this level is the 5% discount that members get when booking future sailings (note that this discount is not valid on Tandem and MSC Grand Tours). That's real savings every time you book a cruise.

The real perks begin at Diamond status, which brings a free dinner in an extra-charge restaurant, priority embarkation at the start of a cruise and priority disembarkation at the end of a cruise.

Unlike with most cruise line loyalty programs, you won't automatically keep your status forever with MSC Cruises. Once achieved, your status is good as long as you take a cruise at least once every 36 months. If you don't, not only will your points disappear, but your entire account will be erased, requiring you to re-enroll and start all over again.

That's the downside of the MSC Voyagers Club. However, the program also comes with one very big upside: MSC Cruises will let you status match your way to top-tier Diamond status based on your status level with any of more than two dozen other loyalty programs — not just those run by competing cruise lines but also those operated by Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton. It's very rare in the cruise world.

How much does an MSC Cruises voyage cost?

MSC Cruises is known for some of the most affordable ships at sea. It's not uncommon to find MSC Cruises voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas from under $75 per person, per night, including all taxes and fees — at least in the offseason.

For instance, at the time of publication, four-night sailings from Miami to the Bahamas in September 2024 start at just $249 per person, not including taxes and fees of $100. That works out to just $87.25 per person, per night, with taxes and fees, for a package that includes your lodging, transportation and meals.

As you might expect, pricing for ships will generally be lower during offseason periods such as September, October and parts of November.

The timing of when you book can also matter. Cruises book up much further in advance than airplanes or hotels, and many cruisers will tell you the best pricing for any given sailing often is available when cruises first go on sale (which can be a good two years before a departure). Booking far in advance also gives you the best chance of getting your preferred cabin type and location on a ship.

Once on board an MSC Cruises ship, you'll pay extra for most drinks, extra-charge restaurants, spa services, shore excursions, internet and a few other amenities — unless you've paid up for a more inclusive package.

When pricing cabins, MSC Cruises offers one of four main "experiences," each of which comes with different inclusions and varying price tags. The basic "Bella" experience includes your room, dining in the main restaurants and buffet, and access to all the included features of the ship, such as kids programs and theater shows.

Note that if you book the Bella experience, you cannot select a specific cabin. You can only choose between the broad categories of inside, ocean-view or balcony cabin, and a cabin is later assigned to you.

One step up is the more expensive "Fantastica" experience, which adds room service and breakfast delivered to your cabin, priority choice of dinner sittings, access to additional kids activities and classes, and more. At this level and above, you can pick a specific cabin when booking.

With the even pricier "Aurea" experience, you'll get complimentary access to the spa's thermal area, priority boarding and other perks. The Aurea experience also comes with access to My Choice dining and an exclusive sun deck area that on many ships features an exclusive bar and hot tubs.

Then there's the MSC Yacht Club experience, mentioned above, which is the ultimate in onboard living. Even with its higher price tag, the MSC Yacht Club still provides great value for its wide range of perks, such as unlimited drinks in all MSC Yacht Club areas, including premium spirits and minibar items.

Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their 1st cruise

How to book

If you're sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary — and about a dozen other things — you can head over to the MSC Cruises website to book directly.

That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise (there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process: trust us) we recommend you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises. A good travel agent will quiz you about your interests, travel style and preferences, and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. They also can help if something goes wrong just before, during or after your voyage.

If you're sure MSC Cruises is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who knows all about the line's various cabin categories and, preferably, has done ship inspections to see them firsthand.

Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your purchase when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases . This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve , which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card , which earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel (and dining).

Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles

Bottom line

Long a major player in Europe, MSC Cruises is growing fast in North America with a lineup of big, new, amenity-filled ships.

If you're a megaresort lover, you'll feel right at home on MSC Cruises' new World, Meraviglia and Seaside Class vessels, which rival the biggest vessels of Royal Caribbean and Norwegian for their array of onboard amusements.

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Worth It? Complete Guide to MSC Cruises Drink Packages

Sailing on MSC and ready to really go on vacation? Then you might start with a drink package . Instead of worrying about the price of your bar bill, you can pay one set daily fee and get your drinks included for the entire cruise.

On the surface, the MSC drink packages are pretty simple. You pay the daily cost, and you get to drink your fill of whatever you want. However, with any drink package there are always a lot of options, fine print, and caveats.

To help you sort through the details and make sure you get the right deal for you, we’ve covered all the ins and outs of MSC’s drink packages below. This includes how to figure if the package is worth it for your cruise.

In This Article...

What Drink Packages Are Offered on MSC?

Following a revamp in late 2021, MSC has a total of five drink packages. Of these, three are alcoholic packages and two are non-alcoholic.

Alcoholic Packages MSC offers several different options for those wanting to drink their fill of cocktails and beer on the ship. This includes the Easy Package, the Easy Plus Package, and the Premium Extra Package.

Easy Package: This deal offers selected drinks aboard the ship. Your options are somewhat limited, but it does include some beers, well cocktails, house wines, soft drinks, juices, bottled mineral water, and coffees. (A sample of the included drinks is shown later in this article.)

Easy Plus Package: A step above the Easy Package is the Easy Plus Package. This package offers drinks up to $10 per glass. Here you’ll find a much wider selection with cocktails, wines, and beers, as well as sodas, juices, energy drinks, and more.

Premium Extra Package: MSC’s top-of-the-line package is called Premium Extra. With this package (which is also the most expensive) you get drinks by the glass up to $16 each. This package is the most similar to drink packages found on other lines where you have the widest number of options across the ship. If you want a beer, cocktail, wine, specific brands of liquor, water, coffee, energy drinks, juices, and more, it’s almost surely included in this offer.

Non-Alcoholic Packages MSC also has two non-alcoholic packages that feature drinks across the ship that don’t have alcohol. This includes non-alcoholic cocktails, soda, energy drinks, juice, water, coffees, tea, and even ice cream. They are known as the Alcohol-Free Package and the Minors Package . These appear to have the same beverages offered, but a cheaper price for those under 21 sailing from the United States. 

How Much do MSC Drink Packages Cost?

Each of the packages has a different cost, ranging from as little as $21 per day to $104 per day at last price check. Note that prices can change at any time. You’ll see the latest prices when you book your cruise.

The most recent pricing we’ve seen is:

• Easy Package: $49 per person, per day
• Easy Plus Package: $64 per person, per day
• Premium Extra Package: $88 per person, per day
• Alcoholic-Free Package: $30 per person, per day (21+ years old); $21 per person, per day (3-20 years old)

As well, you receive a 15% discount if you purchase the package before sailing. That means you can save a substantial amount if you simply pre-purchase the package ahead of time versus waiting until on the ship. 

One note: Unlike other cruise lines, MSC does not charge a gratuity on top of the price of the package. So the price you see is that you pay each day.

Is Gratuity Included? Do I Need to Tip More?

Yes, gratuity is included in the cost of the package, according to MSC. So the price you see is the price you’ll pay.

And once at the bar, you don’t have to worry about additional charges or gratuity. It is already taken care of. You can tip more if you feel generous, but it’s not expected or required.

You should note that if you use the package to buy a drink while in port, you may be charged tax on the purchase.

Do I Have to Buy the Package For Each Day of the Cruise?

Yes. MSC requires guests who want the package to buy it for every day. You can’t purchase for single days. So if your cruise is a week, you’ll be charged for seven days, whether you have 10 drinks in a day or don’t drink anything at all.

Keep this in mind when considering the drink package. If you have a cruise with several days in port, you’ll still pay for the package even if you are off the ship and don’t use it (with the exception of Ocean Cay, where the package works on the island).

Also note that the package is not charged for debarkation day when your cruise arrives back home.

Does Every Person in a Cabin Have to Buy It If One Person Does?

Yes. MSC says that all guests sailing in a cabin must purchase the drink package if one person does. According to the terms posted on MSC’s website :

“Packages must be booked by all guests occupying the same cabin, and who are traveling together and wishing to dine at the same table. This includes minors, for whom the Minors Package must be booked. Packages are not obligatory for infants under three years of age.”

This is likely designed to limit sharing (one person buying the package and then getting drinks for someone without the package).

It’s important to note that this extends to kids as well. So if you are traveling with a minor that is three years or older, then you will have to purchase the non-alcoholic beverage package for them. There is a $21 cost for those under 21 years old. 

Kids under three don’t have to get a drink package.

What’s Included/Not Included in the Packages?

Each package is different in what it does and does not include. You can view the complete list of what’s included for each package on MSC’s website .

Here’s a breakdown for each:

Easy Package (select drinks) Includes one brand of draft beer (Heineken) and/or bottled Miller Lite, well cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails, house wines, soft drinks, juice, bottled mineral water, coffees, and hot chocolate.

Note: The Easy Package can’t be used in specialty restaurants. No drink packages can be used in MSC’s “signature venues,” which it says include “Venchi 1878 establishments, Lavazza Coffee Shops, Jean Philippe Chocolate, Coffee, Crepes & Gelato, Starship Club, Hola! Tacos & Cantina.”

Easy Plus Package (Up to $10 per drink) The Easy Plus Package includes everything in the Easy Package above, but has more options given the higher price ceiling. You’ll find a wide array of beers (around 20 beers, compared to two in the Easy Package), more cocktails, more wine by the glass and liquors. Specialty coffees, energy drinks, and canned soft drinks are also included. As well, drinks in specialty restaurants are available with this package.

Premium Extra Package (Up to $16 per drink) If you want the traditional drink package experience where you get your run of practically anything on the ship, then the Premium Extra Package may be ideal for you. It covers drinks on the ship up to $16 per glass. So you get any beer on the ship (as with the Easy Plus offer), most liquor brands, cocktails across the menu (including high-end cocktails), specialty coffees, juices, energy drinks, and more.  

Alcoholic-Free/Minors Package If alcohol isn’t your thing or you are sailing with kids, then you might be interested in the non-alcoholic package. It offers non-alcoholic cocktails, sodas, energy drinks, juices, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

This package doesn’t apply to the specialty restaurants, unless it’s for a minor whose group purchased the Easy Plus or Premium Extra alcoholic package.

Does the Drink Package Work on Ocean Cay?

Ocean Cay is MSC’s private island ( see our complete guide to the island here ), and yes, the MSC drink package works on Ocean Cay just as it does on the ship.

Since cruises aboard MSC from Florida typically include a stop here, it’s an extra day that you can get your money’s worth from buying the drink package. Simply head up to any of the numerous bars on the island and place your order.

One thing to keep in mind is that the menu on the island may be slightly different than what’s found on the ship.

Is There a Daily Limit on How Many Drinks I Can Get?

There is no mention of a daily limit on drinks mentioned with the packages. That said, if you appeared overserved, then don’t be surprised if the cruise line decides to refuse service.

Be sure to mix in some waters with those margaritas during your cruise!

I Bought the Free Drinks & Wi-Fi Offer. Which Drink Package Do I Get?

Currently, MSC is running an offer with drinks and wi-fi included with your cruise. In the case that you book this, you will be provided with the Easy Plus Drink Package (which offers drinks up to $10 per glass).

What Drinks Are Available With the Easy Package? What About Drinks $10 and Under for Easy Plus?

While the Easy Package is attractive at just $49 per day, many people wonder what alcoholic drinks are available. This used to be for drinks priced $6 or under. Now MSC labels the package as including “select drinks.”

According to the chart on MSC’s website, this includes a “draft beer” and Miller Lite, house wines, well drinks, as well as classic cocktails, mixed drinks with well spirits.

To give you a better idea, of what that means, below is a menu with low-priced simple mixed cocktails like a Moscow Mule, Long Island Iced Tea, Mojito, and more that would be available. These are the sort of drinks that would be included. Take a look:

As for beers, most are priced at $7.50, but you can get draft Heineken with the Easy Package. 

Your options are much greater under the Easy Plus Package that includes drinks up to $10. Here you get a much wider selection of beers and cocktails, as well as the ability to get drinks with name-brand liquors. For example, beers like Budweiser, Dos Equis, Sam Adams, Guinness, and Blue Moon are included (along with many more).

As well, you get more liquor brands as well. Just one example is that while the Easy Package offers well whiskey, the Easy Plus package offers brands like Crown Royal, Jim Beam, and Johnnie Walker. You also get more cocktail choices, like Contemporary Classics:

As for the $10 limit, that seems to have the largest impact on the cocktails and wines by the glass. There, the limit does come into play on some more unique/high-end cocktails and more expensive wines. For instance, the cocktails shown below would not available with the Easy Plus Package, but are with the highest-end Premium Extra Package:

What if I Buy a Drink Above the Dollar Limit for the Package?

Say you really want to try the Mango Mojito — priced at $13 — but only have the Easy Plus Package that’s good for drinks up to $10. Do you have to pay full price?

On MSC, you are given a discount and only pay the difference between the per drink allotment and the menu price. So in this case, you would only pay $3 for the higher-priced drink.

The discount is $8 per drink for the Easy Package, $10 per drink for the Easy Plus Package, and $16 per drink for the Premium Extra Package.

Who Is Each Package Best For?

Not sure which package is right for you? The three options are very different, which can make things a little confusing.

Easy Package: The most restrictive package, we’d suggest this offer for people who don’t mind a smaller number of options. The unique, fancy cocktails aren’t included, but you can get classics like Rum & Coke, or a Moscow Mule. House wines, fountain sodas and premium coffee are also included. So if you aren’t a big alcohol drinker or don’t need a lot of variety, then this package might be good for you.

Easy Plus Package: This package is best for beer drinkers and those who favorite mid-tier liquors. One of the biggest differences between the Easy Plus and Easy Packages is the beer lineup. The lower-tier Easy Package has only two alcoholic beers included. The Easy Plus offer has more than 20 included. 

As well, there are more name-brand liquors available for drinks, including Jameson, Tito’s, Captain Morgan, 1800 Reposado, and dozens more. However, some menu options (specifically cocktails) are over the $10 per glass limit, restricting choices somewhat. Even so, you’d still be able to find something that you like given the number of choices.

Premium Extra: If you’re looking for the classic drink package experience where you have nearly everything on the ship included, then you’ll want the Premium Extra. Not only do you get what’s included in the Easy Plus Package, but there are also more liquor brands included. As well, you have the greatest number of cocktail options included, as well as the most wines by the glass. It definitely offers the most options, making it better for those who like “higher end” drinks.

The cost for MSC’s highest-tier package ($88 per person, per day) is in line with what many other cruise lines charge for their packages.

Is the MSC Drink Package Worth It?

For some people the drink package is a great way to save money. For others, it can be a waste as you’ll spend more than you would otherwise. In general, we think many people that buy an MSC drink package will get their money’s worth due to the relatively affordable cost — although the price has increased recently, making the deal a little less attractive than it used to be.

Before you buy the package, it’s important that you do the math and think about how you will use it.

The first thing to do is figure out what sort of drinks you’ll want on the cruise and how many per day.

Beer drinker? Most beers run about $7-8 each. If you plan to drink five a day, then that’s $35-$40, compared to the $64 per day for the Easy Plus Package (price before the cruise) that’s needed to purchase them.

Cocktail prices vary widely, with some well drinks being $7-8, but many more options available in the $10-14 range.

But you also don’t want to forget other drinks that you might have, including non-alcoholic drinks. To give you an idea of what things cost, we have general prices below that we’ve seen:

• Beers: ~$7-$8
• Cocktails: ~$7-$16 
• Soda: ~$3.50
• Juice: ~$3.50
• Energy Drinks: ~$4.50-$5
• Bottled Water (Spring & Sparkling): ~$3.25-$6.50
• Coffees: ~$3.00-$5

Beyond considering how much you will drink each day, consider the number of ports of call on your cruise. Remember that you can’t use the package while off the ship, unless you are visiting Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island. There, you can use the package on the ship while it is in port.

If you’re the sort of person who likes to get out and explore, then that’s a lot of time that you won’t be able to use the package.

Finally, remember that if one person buys a drink package, then everyone in the cabin has to buy it. So if you are a couple and one person drinks and the other doesn’t, then it’s going to be much harder to get your money’s worth.

The drink package rule also applies to kids that are three years and older. Be sure to add in these costs when making your decision on if the package is worth the money.

To help you plan, we put together a drink package calculator that you can use to estimate what you’ll spend.

Have more questions about MSC’s drink package? Let us know in the comments below.

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How much is going to cost me to get a glass of wine for my dinner?(I don’t have any liquor plans)

It will depend on the wine, but expect it to run $8-$20 per glass.

Is there kosher wine on the menu?

That I’m not sure about!

Thanks for your article. Some questions for you about easy package: 1) Include alcoholic aperitives? (Bacardi Breezer and similars) 2) Include any cocktel with chocolate licor or any licor of chocolate or cream similar to Bayleys? Thanks for all!

Does MSC offer any non-alcoholic beverage (water, juice, soda) as part of the price? What happens if you don’t buy the drinks package? Is there any beverage included as part of the rate?

There is a 15 drink limit only for alcoholic beverages on Princess.

My partner mostly drinks prosecco. What level of package do we need to gdt so the prosecco is included?. I am happy to drink whatever is going 😉

How much are the ice creams and soft drinks for?

I am looking at the MSC Australia website. It says the easy plus package is $560 per adult. Is this Australian currency or USD

Could you provide the 2023 price list for alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks in order to figure out if is worthed or not to buy any of the beverage packages?

Headed on MSC in a couple of weeks. Will offer some update soon after!

There is a liquor store available on a ship. Can we purchase and consume?

No. The duty-free store that sells alcohol will package it up and hold it for you until the last night of the cruise.

If one of the guests in the room is pregnant could they get the nonalcoholic and the other person get the drink package? I know I will probably need to call just curious if it’s an option or no because the same room

You’ll need to call, but at least with other cruise lines this is usually possible.

On Princess all adults must purchase a beverage package in the same cabin even if its a soda or coffee package to go with another guest beverage package.

We have booked a cruise that includes the Easy Plus drinks package. I will probably pay the additional amount for the Premium Extra Package…. Will my wife have to upgrade also? She is more than satisfied with drinks on the Plan included?

Oh, that one I’m not sure about. If you find out, would you mind sharing what happened?

Good Day (once again), We have an Easy-Plus package, can you tell me if the drinks in the mini-fridge in our room are included with our drink package. Thank you

They are not.

We are leaving this Sunday on a 7-night MSC cruise. We prepurchased the Easy Plus Package. My travelling partner is concerned that the well drinks will not be of good enough quality. Do you have any way of checking which brands are included in each of the higher level packages? Thanks.

Sure, check out this page:

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/on-board/dining-drinks/drink-comparison-chart

Hello, thank you very much for the info. Just 1 quick question, I know the drink package works on Ocean Cay, but just to make sure, does the easy plus package works w/ the smiling fish and coffee bar (specifically the coffee bar)?

Hi, is it true that there’s a limit of how many times you can drink with the drink package? I heard 15 times per day??

On Carnival/Princess, there is a 15 drink limit. We know of no such limit for MSC.

Tanner, if my drink package includes up to $15 alcohol and I order $17 alcohol, will I be charged the difference in price or the full $17?

That I’m not sure about. I will be sure to ask the next time I am on MSC!

I have seen a few youtubers in the recent sailings confirming that MSC does it differently. It charges full price, not the difference.

I personally has never sailed w/ MSC before, but do have a sailing coming up in a few months, I can double check.

Thank you so much for posting the individual prices on drinks, Tanner. You’ve helped me decide not to get a drink package. Makes no sense being off the boat at excursions all day! Am I understanding this correctly- I’m cruising to Spain, Italy, and France and if I buy a local wine during the day, I can’t come back and enjoy it on my very expensive balcony in my very expensive room at night because they will confiscate said wine until the end of the cruise? (side eye on this).

That’s my understanding, however, rules may be different in Europe!

Can we buy a bottle of wine per day or do we need to pay by the glass?

Which drinks package applies from South Africa to Venice if anyone knows?

Can you bring non alcoholic drinks on board that you purchase in port? (Ie. Juice/soda) Is there a fridge in the room to keep drinks?

To my knowledge, MSC doesn’t allow you to bring on beverages. So if you bring them, they will be held until the end of the cruise and returned. There should be a small fridge in your cabin.

Hi there, what drinks are included in the free drinks and wifi package?

We have an Easy Plus Package included with our cruise, and have prepaid the “Hotel Service Charges”. Will we still have to pay the 15% Bar Service Charge every time we have an alcoholic drink over and above what is included in the package price?

No, that 15% is already included.

We’re about to go on our cruise in a couple weeks and have one question I haven’t seen yet. While coming from different places across the US and even out of the US, we’re meeting up with five other couples that are family or friends. We’ve been able to arrange us being grouped for dinners together. One couple in the group believes this means ALL parties (2 per cabin) would be forced to buy the same drink package. Any idea?

Did you all buy your cruise as one group or separately? I would think that the requirement to buy the package if another person does would apply only to those in the same cabin, or at most those who bought the cruise together. So if all the couples purchased cabins apart from each other, I doubt you’d have to all get the package.

We all booked individually and have our own booking numbers. I have tried talking to MSC on the phone and get disconnected when the initial people can’t answer without speaking to someone else. I haven’t received any calls back either, pretty sure all my information is in front of them on their computer screen. Anyway, too late to book a drink package at this point so I’ll have to wait until we board to ask in person. I will update this thread to help any others that have the same question.

If all of you are going to seat at the same table all of you must have the same drink package. You can find this exactly information at msc website.

Any updates on this Brad? Thx!

I believe its house wine in the package. I would be nice to know what is there house wine

Does MSC check your bags before boarding after a shore excursion?

Yes, every cruise line checks when you return to the ship.

Which brand is the energy drink thats included in the package? thank you.

Not sure on that one. Will check the next time onboard.

REd Bull 250ml

Do any of the packages include the cabin mini-bar? If not, is there price list available?

MSC says the mini-bar is not included in any packages.

Hello. If I have the easy plus drink package it seems to cover drinks up to $9. If I want a more expensive drink a time or two, does MSC allow you to get it with the package and pay the difference?

I believe MSC has a different policy that means the entire drink costs extra. So a $12 drink costs $12, not $3. However, that might have changed.

So just to be 100% clear, you don’t have to buy a drinks package with them, you can just purchase as you want if you aren’t a big drinker?

That’s correct.

I would check into this. I did some research, and it appears that you can purchase dinks on the ship. You have a gratutity added to the price. The drinks package has this already included. Trust me, they do not want to leave money on the table. If someone wants to buy something from them, they will allow it. Again, I would reach out directly to MSC to ask just to be sure.

What about if i want just rum nd no coke, thats the tricky part. They put more coke than rum and the the drink is undrinkable.

This may be where finding a bartender, tipping them well at the beginning of the cruise, and then going back to visit them may help get a drink mixed how you like it!

Can you take you bring your drink in the pool? And can you drink while sitting down watching a show on the auditorium?

Sure. In fact, there are bars at the pool.

If you have the Easy or Easy Plus drink package, and you want to get a drink on the premium list, do you have to pay the full list price? Or do you get any sort of discount?

I believe it is full price, however, not 100%. Haven’t done it personally and heard conflicting things.

This was really helpful, thank you! I was wondering can one person in the room get the easy package and the other person get the easy plus package? Or do they both have to get the higher option?

What drinks are included with NO package purchase?

Basic drinks like water, tea, coffee and flavored drinks.

hi, great read thank you just a few questions if you buy a drink either water coffee or beer can you bring to your room? how do they know what package you are on do you have a card? if you buy no package and just buy as you go do you have to tip? is water free any where on the ship with out any package or is it only by bottle and has to be paid for ? surely they have to supply water ? thanks again

– Yes, you can bring drinks back to the room – Your card may have a sticker on it, or when they scan it, the drink package will show up – If you buy as you go, a gratuity will automatically be applied to the menu price – You can get water around the ship. The easiest place is the buffet, but you can also get a glass from the bars.

Would it be easier to either bring a refillable bottle with you or just purchase a bottle of water and then refill it? Also, I read that the water is mineral water. So, wouldn’t that be different from distilled or spring? Would kids balk at the taste?

I’d suggest just bringing a refillable bottle. Holds more than the little cups you get at the buffet and you don’t have to head to a bar for a bottle each time.

I read that the kid’s package also includes soft server ice cream. Is that true? Also, when can you choose the drink packages (how many days after you reserve your cruise)?

Yes, it included soft-serve ice cream.

Are you not able to reserve? How long is your cruise? I’ve had the same issue and a call to MSC told me that you couldn’t buy a package before if the cruise was under 4 days long. (Mine is 3 days).

It’s not showing up, but maybe it’s because the cruise isn’t until March of 2024. So, they are probably waiting to publish the packages closer to sailing.

Can you purchase a drink package on a 3 day cruise

Yes, should be available.

no-minimum 4 days to be able to buy a drinks package

Thanks a lot for this complete review on the drinking package. Just realized they are not worth it. Saved me a lot of money. =)

I think the biggest part that may not make it worth it is having to get a drink package for the kids. My kids don’t drink soda or energy drinks. I don’t think it’s worth it for us, but we have until May to figure that out.

There are 3 of us sailing, The Mrs with me and the Grand daughter.We are not interested in the drinks packages for ourselves but can we purchase the kids one just for the Grand daughter. T.I.A

This is the most detailed and probably up-to-date breakdown of MSC drink packages I have seen. Makes a lot of sense now and I know what I’m getting myself into now. Thank you!

If you buy the Easy Package and you want to buy a $10 drink, can you? If so, are you charged $10 or the difference, $4?

Our understanding is that MSC charges the full price for a drink over the package limit. So in your example, you’d be charged $10.

Thanks for this great information. The most complete and concise explanation and comparison.

Drinks like Mud Slide, Bahama Mama, Miami Vice are they the Easy or Premium package?

You’ll want the higher package. The drinks on the Easy Package largely consist of simple two ingredient cocktails like rum and Coke, Cape Cod (cranberry vodka), etc.

Hello, so i know that each person in the cabin has to order a drink package. Will my husband be able to buy the Premium drink package, myself the Easy drink package and our daughter (19) the soda package? Regards, Rhonda

I believe you and your husband will need to get the same level drink package. Since your daughter is under 21, she can get the soda package.

When I was looking at ordering the drink package, it made me select the same drink package for me and my wife. They kids had to get the minors package.

What kinds of wines are included in the easy package.

Great question. I just looked through all the photos of menus taken onboard and don’t see a wine list anywhere.

I do notice that MSC makes no mention of wine in the Easy Package, but they do in the Premium Package. It could be that you need to have the Premium Package to have wines included.

i see in the basic non alcholic package it references coffee isnt coffee free in the buffet room

Yes. It likely means premium coffees.

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• Ultimate Guide to MSC Cruises' Carry On Beverage Policy: What You Need to Know

Introduction:

When planning a cruise vacation with MSC Cruises, it’s essential to understand their carry on beverage policy. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a cocktail lover, or simply enjoy having a refreshing drink on board, knowing the guidelines and restrictions can help you make the most of your cruising experience. In this ultimate guide, we will delve into MSC Cruises’ carry on beverage policy, providing you with all the essential information you need to know before setting sail.

To ensure a seamless embarkation process and a pleasant stay on board, it’s crucial to be aware of the rules and regulations regarding bringing your own beverages on MSC Cruises. To start, let’s take a look at the key points to know about their carry on beverage policy:

Understanding MSC Cruises’ carry on beverage policy is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable cruise experience. While there are restrictions on bringing alcoholic beverages on board, the cruise line offers alternatives and options to cater to guests’ preferences. It’s always advisable to review the official guidelines provided by MSC Cruises to ensure compliance and avoid any inconvenience during embarkation.

For more detailed information on MSC Cruises’ carry on beverage policy, please refer to the official MSC Cruises website [https://www.msccruises.com/].

What beverages can you bring on a MSC cruise?

When preparing for your MSC cruise, it’s important to know the beverage policy to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. MSC allows guests to bring a limited amount of non-alcoholic beverages, such as water, soda, and juice, on board. Each adult can bring one bottle of wine or champagne, while no spirits or beer are allowed. It’s worth noting that any beverages brought on board must be carried in your carry-on luggage and not in checked bags. For more details and specific guidelines, check out MSC Cruises’ official carry-on beverage policy (https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/MSC-Voyagers-Club/FAQ/Cruise-Preparation/Can-I-bring-alcohol-onboard.aspx).

Can you take your own drink on MSC Cruises?

MSC Cruises has a clear carry-on beverage policy that allows guests to bring their own drinks onboard. However, there are some important guidelines to follow. Guests are permitted to bring a limited amount of non-alcoholic beverages, such as bottled water, soft drinks, and juice, as long as they are in sealed, original packaging. Alcoholic beverages, on the other hand, are not allowed to be brought on board. MSC Cruises offers a variety of beverage packages that guests can purchase to enjoy a wide selection of drinks during their cruise. It’s important to review the detailed carry-on beverage policy on the official MSC Cruises website to ensure compliance and a smooth embarkation process.

Can you bring soda and water on MSC cruise?

MSC Cruises has a carry-on beverage policy that allows guests to bring soda and water on board. According to the Ultimate Guide to MSC Cruises’ Carry On Beverage Policy: What You Need to Know, each guest is allowed to bring up to 12 cans or bottles of non-alcoholic beverages, including soda and water, in their carry-on luggage. This policy ensures that guests have their preferred beverages readily available during their cruise vacation. However, it is important to note that any additional beverages beyond the allowed limit will be subject to a corkage fee. To learn more about MSC Cruises’ carry-on beverage policy and other important information, please refer to the official MSC Cruises website [https://www.msccruises.com/en-gl/Homepage.aspx].

Can you bring liquids through cruise security?

When it comes to bringing liquids through cruise security on MSC Cruises, it’s essential to understand their carry-on beverage policy. MSC Cruises allows guests to bring a limited amount of non-alcoholic beverages on board, but there are some restrictions to keep in mind. According to the Ultimate Guide to MSC Cruises’ Carry On Beverage Policy: What You Need to Know, each guest can bring a maximum of 12 sealed non-alcoholic beverages, with a limit of 17 ounces (500ml) per bottle. However, it’s important to note that all beverages must be carried in your hand luggage and not in your checked bags. To ensure a smooth embarkation process, it is recommended to review the detailed policies provided by MSC Cruises’ official website.

MSC Meraviglia

MSC Meraviglia is a stunning cruise ship that offers a wide range of amenities and activities for guests to enjoy. When it comes to the carry on beverage policy on MSC Meraviglia, passengers are allowed to bring a limited amount of non-alcoholic beverages on board. This includes items such as water, soda, and juice. However, it’s important to note that alcoholic beverages are not permitted to be brought on board. Guests can purchase a beverage package that suits their needs and preferences, allowing them to enjoy a variety of drinks throughout their cruise. It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the specific policies and guidelines before embarking on your MSC Meraviglia adventure. For more detailed information on MSC Cruises’ carry on beverage policy, you can refer to the Ultimate Guide to MSC Cruises’ Carry On Beverage Policy: What You Need to Know.

In summary, understanding MSC Cruises’ carry-on beverage policy is essential for any traveler planning to embark on a cruise with this renowned company. By familiarizing yourself with the rules and regulations surrounding the transportation and consumption of beverages on board, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience during your voyage.

First and foremost, it is important to note that MSC Cruises has specific guidelines in place regarding the quantities and types of beverages passengers are allowed to bring on board. As outlined in their official policy, guests are permitted to carry on a limited amount of non-alcoholic beverages, such as water, soda, and juice, in their hand luggage. However, it is crucial to abide by the restrictions imposed by the cruise line to avoid any potential inconvenience or confiscation of items.

To determine the exact limitations on carry-on beverages, it is advisable to consult MSC Cruises’ official website or reach out to their customer service representatives for the most up-to-date information. Their website provides comprehensive details on the specific quantities allowed, container sizes, and packaging requirements. By adhering to these guidelines, you can avoid any potential concerns or delays during the embarkation process.

Additionally, it is important to be aware of the policies regarding alcohol consumption on board MSC Cruises’ ships. As a general rule, the company does not allow passengers to bring their own alcoholic beverages on board, with the exception of wine and champagne for special occasions. However, guests can purchase a variety of alcoholic beverages from the ship’s bars and lounges, which offer an extensive selection to suit various tastes and preferences.

To enhance your understanding of MSC Cruises’ carry-on beverage policy, it is advisable to consult trusted sources and official websites. The MSC Cruises website itself is a valuable resource, providing detailed information on their policies and guidelines. Additionally, reputable travel websites and forums often feature discussions and insights from fellow cruisers, providing valuable firsthand experiences and tips.

It is worth noting that the rules and regulations surrounding carry-on beverage policies may vary between cruise lines. Therefore, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the specific guidelines of MSC Cruises to ensure compliance and a hassle-free experience. By understanding and respecting these policies, you can embark on a memorable cruise vacation without any unwanted surprises or inconveniences.

In conclusion, MSC Cruises’ carry-on beverage policy is an important aspect to consider when planning your cruise vacation. By familiarizing yourself with their guidelines and restrictions, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience on board. Remember to consult the official MSC Cruises website and trusted sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, understanding and adhering to the carry-on beverage policy will contribute to a stress-free and delightful journey.

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Everything you need to know about MSC Cruises cabins and suites

A relative newcomer in the North American market, MSC Cruises is equal parts elegant and kitschy. The line tends to appeal to a wide swath of cruisers, from Europeans who like to party into the wee hours of the morning to American families who book because of affordable fares and "kids sail free" pricing.

To satisfy its diverse passenger base, MSC offers accommodations to fit all types of travelers. Rooms include inexpensive inside cabins that sleep two people, midlevel staterooms with windows and balconies, and high-end suites that offer cruisers with larger budgets a private oasis in the form of the MSC Yacht Club .

A variety of connecting rooms and cabins with extra bunks accommodate larger groups and families who wish to share space.

Because your cruise cabin will be your home away from home for several days, it's important to book one that fits your needs. That's especially true if you're sharing it with several people.

Whether you're looking at an inside cabin for a cruise with friends, balcony accommodations for you and your significant other or a suite for your family, here TPG breaks down what you can expect when you book a room on one of MSC's ships.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

MSC Cruises cabin primer

MSC Cruises has become one of the fastest-growing lines in the cruise industry, with about two dozen ships in its fleet. The vessels fall into six classes : Lirica, Musica, Fantasia, Meraviglia, Seaside and World.

Although cabin offerings can vary from ship to ship and class to class, the standard types remain the same: inside, outside, balcony and suite.

Additionally, you'll find the same basic amenities in each room, unless otherwise noted below. They include two twin beds that can be joined to form a queen- or king-size bed; an in-cabin bathroom with a shower, a sink, a toilet and basic soap, shower gel and shampoo; a couple of nightstands; a chair or sofa; a desk/vanity; a closet; a safe; a hair dryer; a minifridge; a phone; USB outlets and a selection of both North American and European outlets.

On all ships except MSC Lirica, MSC Opera, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia, you'll also find an interactive TV that allows you to view the daily schedule, check your onboard account and choose from a selection of live TV programs and movies.

Twice-daily room tidying is provided by a room steward assigned to each cabin, and room service is available throughout the day for an added fee.

One confusing aspect of MSC's bookings is that you'll have to select an experience package in addition to a cabin type. Package tiers determine things like your ability to choose a specific cabin and preferred dining time and whether you'll receive welcome amenities in your room. Certain cabin types are only available in conjunction with certain package experiences and vice versa. Those are noted in each respective section below.

Accessible cabins , including accommodations for wheelchair users, are available on every ship in MSC's fleet. In addition to more space, they feature wider doorways and lowered sinks and toilets in the bathrooms, as well as grab bars.

MSC Cruises' experience packages

Here's what you get when you book each of MSC's three experience packages, which determine the perks you'll receive on your sailing.

• Accommodations
• Complimentary food in the dining room and buffet
• Broadway-style theater entertainment
• Access to the onboard gym, pool and kids club
• MSC Voyagers Club points
• One for-fee change to your cruise booking (with some restrictions)
• Drink package discount at time of booking
• All Bella perks
• Choice of specific cabin and location
• One free change to your cruise booking (with some restrictions)
• Ability to choose between early and late seating for dinner
• Room service (complimentary for breakfast, but fees apply for other meals)
• Discount on pre-cruise specialty dining package
• All Fantastica and Bella perks
• Flexible My Choice dining, which lets you eat at any time you choose between set hours
• Free 24-hour room service delivery
• Pillow menu
• A welcome package, including Prosecco and chocolates
• Complimentary access to your ship's solarium and thermal area
• A 10% discount on all spa treatments purchased on board
• Special Balinese massage offer when booked pre-cruise
• Complimentary use of bathrobe and slippers
• Priority boarding and luggage drop-off

Inside cabins on MSC Cruises ships

Inside cabins — rooms with no windows — are available on all ships in the MSC fleet. Ranging from 140 to 301 square feet (depending on the ship), they make for great sleeping because they're so dark. They're also ideal for passengers who are on a budget.

In addition to the standard amenities mentioned above, they provide room for anywhere from two to four passengers to sleep. (Rooms that sleep more than two feature bunks that pull down from the ceiling.)

These cabins are available with the line's Bella and Fantastica experiences.

If you're sailing solo, some MSC vessels offer cabins for one outfitted with a twin bed that converts into a couch. These interior studio accommodations are only available with the Bella package on MSC Meraviglia , MSC Bellissima and the line's World Class ships.

Ocean-view cabins on MSC Cruises ships

Ocean-view rooms are similar to insides in that they provide basic amenities — but with a view.

Offering 129 to 269 square feet of space (depending on the specific ship and ocean-view category), these staterooms allow you to see outside through a porthole or a window that doesn't open.

MSC's outside cabins are available to passengers who book Bella and Fantastica packages.

Additionally, if you're traveling with your family or another group, several of MSC Cruises' ships — particularly those in the Meraviglia and Seaside classes — feature space for as many as 10 passengers via a series of connecting rooms. Options are available at the ocean-view and balcony levels.

Balcony cabins on MSC Cruises ships

You might be surprised to discover that most of MSC Cruises' balcony cabins provide less interior square footage than what's available in inside or ocean-view staterooms.

Balcony rooms run anywhere from 129 to 205 square feet, but their key feature is, of course, a private balcony, which does add an extra 32 to 129 square feet, depending on the vessel and specific type of balcony room booked. These cabins are bookable in conjunction with MSC's Bella, Fantastica and Aurea experiences.

Although balcony cabins offer upgraded amenities, including MSC's brand of hand lotion and toiletries, they are largely the same as inside and ocean-view accommodations.

MSC's newest ships — including those in the Meraviglia, Seaside and World Classes — house connecting balcony rooms that can sleep up to 10 in the same group traveling together.

Additionally, on its World Class ships, the line has introduced inward-facing balconies, similar to the ones Royal Caribbean pioneered in 2009 with the debut of its Oasis Class vessels . On World Europa, for example, they overlook the ship's promenade, offering views of the activity below, rather than the ocean.

MSC Cruises suites

All ships in MSC's fleet have suites that can be booked as part of the Fantastica and Aurea packages, but it's Aurea that offers the largest number of perks, as outlined above.

The several types of suites vary by ship in terms of size and amenities. Some come with balconies, while others only offer floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows.

Junior Suites

Although this room type is listed as a suite, it's essentially a balcony cabin with a bit more space — 183 square feet of interior accommodation with a balcony that ranges from 140 to 183 square feet.

Standard suites include rooms with huge balconies larger than the cabin's interior space and ones with private whirlpool tubs. They run from 269 to 355 square feet, with balconies measuring 32 to 409 square feet.

Grand Suites

Coming in between 377 and 420 square feet, with balconies spanning from 32 to 495 square feet, Grand Suites — found on Seaside and World Class ships — come in two types. They include standard one-bedroom Grand Suites, as well as two-bedroom varieties.

The latter has one bedroom with a queen-size bed and another with two twins. It sleeps up to five passengers and offers two bathrooms — one with a shower and the other with a bathtub.

While most suites are designed for double occupancy, some suite accommodations on MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Magnifica can sleep up to five people.

MSC Yacht Club suites on MSC ships

All cabins located in the MSC Yacht Club — an exclusive, gated area on select ships — are called suites, even the smallest and least expensive, which don't have windows or balconies.

Yacht Club suite types range from insides to two-deck duplexes, all of which come with butler and concierge services, luxuriously appointed furnishings (such as real marble finishes, memory foam mattresses and Egyptian cotton sheets) and access to members-only restaurants, bars (alcohol is free there), lounges, pools and sun decks.

The Yacht Club features seven different types of rooms. Ships that have the MSC Yacht Club on board include MSC Bellissima, MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Seaside, MSC Seascape, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore, MSC Splendida, MSC Virtuosa and MSC World Europa.

Note: Not all Yacht Clubs have the same suite types available.

MSC Yacht Club Interior Suites

Although these 161- to 226-square-foot cabins don't offer a view or fresh air, they are elegantly decorated and include all the Yacht Club benefits mentioned above.

MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suites

These Yacht Club digs are the equivalent of a balcony cabin — but in a dedicated area that includes all the exclusive perks. They run 236 to 366 square feet and have balconies ranging from 54 to 86 square feet, so they also come with a bit more space, both inside and outdoors.

MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Grand Suites

Similarly, Deluxe Grand Suites are like the Yacht Club equivalent of booking a Grand Suite with more perks. Depending on the ship, they offer anywhere from 269 to 463 square feet of space, plus 65- to 129-square-foot balconies. Some Grand Suites also have two bedrooms instead of one. Further, these rooms on Seaside Class ships include bathrooms with bathtubs, as well as separate living areas.

MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suites

Rising two decks, MSC's duplex staterooms measure 495 to 635 square feet and come with 65- to 334-square-foot balconies. They feature living rooms with two-person sofa beds downstairs and master bedrooms upstairs, which also sleep two passengers.

Each of these accommodations comes complete with two walk-in closets and two bathrooms — one with a bathtub and one with a shower. Most duplexes on Meraviglia and World Class ships also have their own private whirlpool tubs.

MSC Yacht Club Executive and Family Suites

The line's Executive and Family Suites, available only on Fantasia Class vessels, are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to stay in the Yacht Club with a family or other group of more than two people.

This option, which is one type of suite (despite its confusing name), has space for up to five cruisers via a combination of bunk beds, sofa beds and beds that pull down from the ceiling, depending on the ship. The suites clock in at around 431 to 549 square feet, depending on the vessel.

The only drawback is that these staterooms have no balconies and no in-room dining areas, but they do include all the perks you'd find in Yacht Club cabins.

MSC Yacht Club Royal Suites

Although they only occupy one level, at 388 to 667 square feet, MSC's Yacht Club Royal Suites are right up there with the Duplex Suites in terms of space. They offer the second-largest amount of square footage after the Owner's Suites. They come with huge balconies comprising 355 to 753 square feet of outdoor area.

Additionally, bathrooms in these suites offer bathtubs on Fantasia, Meraviglia, Seaside and World Class ships, and the latter three have private whirlpool tubs, as well. All four classes' Royal Suites also include separate living room areas.

MSC Yacht Club Owner's Suites

The largest and most impressive of all MSC's cabins are the Owner's Suites found in the Yacht Club. Offering an impressive 840 to 1,119 square feet — larger than some land-based apartments — plus 269- to 670-square-foot balconies, they're some of the most luxurious rooms afloat.

Specific amenities vary by ship, but as an example, Owner's Suites on MSC World Europa offer floor-to-ceiling windows and walk-in closets. These accommodations on both the line's Seaside and World Class vessels also feature bathrooms with separate showers and bathtubs, as well as private whirlpool tubs and separate living room areas.

Bottom line

Although MSC Cruises' cabin types are straightforward, the line's add-on experiences can complicate things a bit.

Overall, what's key to remember is that MSC Cruises offers a wide variety of rooms and pricing to meet just about any budget or style of cruising. Each ship will offer accommodation choices from the least expensive, bare-bones interior rooms to the priciest suites, which come with butler and concierge services.

When you sail with MSC Cruises, you can expect function, style and comfort, regardless of the cabin type you book.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

These items are banned on cruises. Read this before you pack.

Few things can put a damper on pre-cruise excitement like having your bag flagged by security.

Much like airplanes, there are a number of items you cannot bring on a cruise ship. Some may seem obvious – such as illegal drugs or firearms – but others may surprise first-time passengers . 

Cruise lines’ lists of prohibited items often include “everyday things that people wouldn’t think twice about,” Scott Campbell, Manager, Cruise Relations at AAA, told USA TODAY. Packing without knowing the rules could cause travel headaches, including having your items confiscated.

Here’s what not to bring with you, though exact rules may vary by cruise line:

What items are banned on cruises?

The “biggest things” to keep in mind are electrical appliances, Campbell said. Of course, that doesn’t mean everything with a plug or battery pack is barred from a ship, but items with heating elements like coffee makers or clothes irons are generally no-gos.

Leave your candles at home too.

While cabins may have a limited number of outlets , Campbell noted passengers cannot bring power strips with surge protectors. “You have to get ones that are cruise ship compliant.”

Weapons like firearms are banned, and even items that look like them, such as gun-shaped novelty lighters, are often prohibited. Guests should also avoid packing sharp objects like knives and scissors, with some exceptions. Personal grooming items such as safety razors are permitted.

Other items that typically won’t be allowed on board include CBD products, fireworks and hoverboards.

Can I bring food on a cruise?

Passengers can generally bring nonperishable prepackaged food with them when they board. On a shore excursion, Campbell might bring a snack such as a bag of M&M’s “so I’m not getting crazy (hungry) on a long tour.”

However, other foods, like homemade snacks, will have to stay behind.

Can I bring alcohol on a cruise?

Beer and hard liquor are not allowed on board, but Campbell said guests can bring wine or champagne to drink during their sailing.

Royal Caribbean International, for instance, allows each passenger of legal drinking age to embark with one sealed 750-milliliter bottle per cruise.

“Boxed wine and other containers are prohibited,” the line’s website reads. “Guests who purchase alcohol bottles on board, in a port-of-call, or bring more than the one permitted bottle on boarding day, will have their items safely stored by the ship. These bottles will be returned on the last day on board for enjoyment once home.”

Cruise sea days: How to make the most of them

Campbell warned that cruise guests may be charged a corkage fee if they want to drink their own wine or champagne at a restaurant on board rather than in their cabin. Carnival Cruise Line, for example, charges $15 per 750-milliliter bottle "should guests wish to consume their wine or champagne in the main dining room, specialty restaurant or bar," according to its website .

Passengers may also be able to board with nonalcoholic beverages such as soda, but policies vary by line.

What happens if I have a prohibited item in my bag?

If you don’t realize an item is forbidden or forget it’s in your bag, there’s no need to stress. In most cases, the items will be confiscated and returned to passengers after their cruise, Campbell said.

He recommended doing some research ahead of time to avoid any hiccups. Cruise lines generally post lists of prohibited items on their websites, or you can ask your travel adviser.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Why Cruise Fares Are About To Get More ‘Honest’

To comply with a state’s junk fee ban, the world’s largest cruise operators will now disclose all taxes and mandatory fees up front. Experts say it’s a win for consumers.

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BYE-BYE, HIDDEN FEES: Thanks to a new California law banning junk fees, the cruise price you see will be the price you pay.

T his Monday, California’s new “ Honest Pricing Law ” goes into effect, requiring businesses to disclose all costs up front so that the price a consumer sees is the one they pay. It’s a ban on so-called “junk fees,” hidden charges added to the advertised or listed price for everything from hotel rooms and airline tickets to concert tickets and restaurant food.

For cruise fans, the impact of the law is reaching far beyond the Golden State. Starting July 1, the world’s largest cruise operators—Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean—will begin disclosing up front all taxes, port fees and other mandatory charges on all cruises, no matter where they originate.

This is a sea change in the way the cruise industry has been displaying prices for as long as anyone can remember. Currently, only Viking Cruises and Explora advertise fares inclusive of added fees, and they will continue to do so, according to Cruise Critic , a popular review site owned by Tripadvisor. But now transparent pricing will become the norm across the entire industry, at Carnival (and its sister brands, Holland America and Princess); Royal Caribbean (and its sister Celebrity); Norwegian Cruise Line; and MSC.

The industry-wide shift is a big win for consumers, says Aaron Saunders, senior editor at Cruise Critic. “It provides more transparency upfront, allowing travelers to more accurately gauge costs as part of the shopping process—versus further along in the booking process,” he says. “While overall fares will remain the same, shopping for a cruise will be easier knowing the total cost prior to narrowing down your choices.”

“We are updating the way we display our pricing in the U.S. beginning July 1,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirmed to Forbes . “Guests booking with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises will now see pricing that is inclusive of their selected cruise fare and all required taxes and fees.”

“To comply with this new law and to simplify the booking experience for all our guests based in the U.S. and Canada, Norwegian Cruise Line will be incorporating applicable taxes, fees and port expenses into our advertised pricing by July 1, 2024,” a Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson said in an email to Forbes , noting that the change “will only impact the way we display our prices and will not affect the prices that our guests pay.”

Carnival also confirmed a change in policy. “In compliance with new advertising rules, we are displaying prices to include mandatory fees and taxes for both the cruise fare and onboard products and services. The final price paid does not change, simply the way it is displayed,” a company spokesperson told Forbes .

Cruising’s new pricing transparency comes as more travelers than ever are taking to the high seas. In its 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report released in April, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reveals that 31.7 million people took a cruise last year— surpassing 2019 passenger volume by 7%.

The report also highlights that the industry is still growing, as 27% of cruisers over the past two years were coveted “new-to-cruise” travelers. More transparency is particularly good news for first-time cruisers. “Because cruise ships visit a number of destinations in one trip, the cost of these added fees is sailing-specific—based on the destinations on your itinerary, or the port from which you’re sailing,” explains Saunders . “Because of that, there’s currently no easy way to truly estimate what those added fees will amount to, and if you’ve never booked a cruise before, those fees—that amount in the hundreds—can often be a bit of a surprise.”

President Joe Biden has been railing against junk fees since he took office. The attorneys general in 19 states support a ban on hidden fees, which they say “can trap people into paying for goods and services they may not have purchased if they had known the total cost upfront.”

But while lawmakers in a handful of states—including Hawaii , Illinois , New York and Pennsylvania —have introduced bills that would prohibit “drip pricing” or “junk fees,” California became the first state to implement such a measure when the Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB478 last October.

Experts say more transparency is a good thing for consumers, who are often stunned at the difference between the listed price and true cost of a cruise. “This change will help to demystify added costs,” says Saunders, “and, in turn, eliminate much of that sticker shock.”

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Local News | As ships grow and seas rise, can Baltimore’s…

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Local News | As ships grow and seas rise, can Baltimore’s port use new bridge to raise the roof?

It’s a once-in-a-century opportunity, a decision that will define the vertical limits of the corridor for decades. Determining an optimal height for market and societal needs generations from now requires collaboration from state and federal entities, harbor pilots, and Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. — as well as predicting the size of ships and the rise of sea levels over the decades to come.

The Bay Bridge near Annapolis opened at roughly 185 feet in 1952. When another span was added in 1973 and the Key Bridge constructed in 1977 in Baltimore, each was built to about the same height. To date, that’s been sufficient for the Port of Baltimore’s cargo and cruise industries.

But with an eye to the future, owners of other bridges leading to East Coast ports have raised — or are considering raising — their bridge clearances, despite the high costs of doing so.

Potential builders submitted proposals by a Monday deadline to replace the Key Bridge , which collapsed March 26 when it was stuck by a container ship. The state of Maryland will select a winning team by the end of summer. That means that during the 150-year period from 1952 to well past 2100, this is likely to be the most opportune time to make a permanent change to Baltimore’s “ceiling.”

Too low and it could jeopardize the port’s future commerce, if shipping lines redirect cargo to rival ports with higher clearances. Too high and it needlessly increases construction costs and potentially makes for more dangerous conditions for vehicle drivers on the bridge deck.

Increasing the shipping channel’s ceiling also means computing its floor: Chesapeake Bay waters are expected to rise between 3 and 5 feet by 2120, according to a federal task force on sea-level rise. That’s higher than the global average.

The new Key Bridge, projected to open in 2028 and cost $1.7 billion, will be built to have a minimum of a 75-year life, although some engineers project it will stand at least 100 years. Meanwhile, the older of the two Bay Bridge spans only has about 15 or 20 years of life left so it, too, will need to be replaced. A new Bay Bridge almost certainly would be made to the same height as the new Key Bridge and that span would, similarly, be built to last more than 75 years.

Vertical clearance — the space between the water and the bottom of a bridge’s roadway — is one of many factors that will be decided as state officials work with a selected Key Bridge builder.

“We’re in the middle of that process right now — looking at the market today, the future market, what’s happening in the industry, and what makes sense for the Port of Baltimore,” Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said in an interview earlier this month.

The Key Bridge was knocked down after the cargo ship Dali lost power and smashed into a support pier, killing six road workers and partially blocking the shipping channel for months. The calamity illustrated the importance of planning — or at least trying to — for the future; the bridge wasn’t built with 100,000-ton ships in mind and was ill-prepared for vessel strike. It prompted a National Transportation Safety Board investigation into what went wrong and a Coast Guard probe into national port infrastructure.

Rebuilding the Key Bridge with the same, 185-foot clearance would probably suffice for the immediate future. But as public entities along the East Coast spend millions and billions to stretch out their spans and dredge channels deeper to accommodate larger vessels, planning likely will call for a taller bridge.

Big ships, rising tides

There are few things physically stopping container ships themselves — which doubled, then tripled and now have increased ten-fold in capacity since the 1960s — from growing. In fact, there is an economic incentive for them to get bigger.

But external factors could stall their growth. It’s not unlike semitrucks in the U.S. They could be built longer than 53 feet, but external factors (various states’ laws) limit them, said Jean-Paul Rodrigue, a Texas A&M University professor whose research focuses on transportation and logistics.

In the case of cargo ships, it isn’t laws that could restrict their size, but infrastructure. For one thing, there are barriers directly below and above them. Most shipping channels into ports are no deeper than 50 feet, and bridges often set a maximum height.

Capt. Jeffrey Monroe, a master mariner and education director for the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives, said that as ships have grown, “we began to dig deeper.” Baltimore’s channel has been 50 feet deep since the 1970s, but Charleston recently deepened its channel to 52 feet and New York/New Jersey is studying the possibility of dredging to 55 feet.

“Then we began to realize that now our biggest limitation is not the depth of the channel,” said Monroe, who consulted on a project to greatly increase the vertical clearance of the Bayonne Bridge, which connects New Jersey and Staten Island, New York. “Our biggest limitation is the infrastructure that flies over the top of it.”

Aside from channel depths and bridges, there are limitations to international shipping. The narrowness of a vital shipping channel near Singapore, the Malacca Strait, as well as the width of the Panama and Suez canals would complicate efforts to make ships larger.

But there are already ships built today that can’t fit into the Port of Baltimore. And it’s not just bridge height that limits them. Channel dimensions and the “capacities of a container terminal” also determine the size of a ship that a port can handle, said Richard Scher, spokesperson for the Maryland Port Administration.

“It’s about accommodating the right-sized ship, more than just a big ship,” he said in a statement.

Monroe also noted that logistical concerns mean it would not behoove many East Coast ports to aim to receive ships much larger than they already do. But “never say never,” he added. If it was up to him, he’d make the new Key Bridge 225 feet tall, to give “optimal flexibility.”

But there’s another vertical limitation on a ship’s way into the port: BGE power lines that run parallel to the Key Bridge and have a vertical clearance of 214 feet.

When asked about the potential height of the new bridge, Wiedefeld’s first thought were those cables: “It starts with the BGE line, that’s a certain height,” he said.

Before BGE erected those lines between 2020 and 2022, it received input in 2018 from the port administration “regarding current and potential future clearance requirements for shipping vessels,” BGE spokesperson Stephanie Weaver said in a statement. BGE is in “close communication” with officials regarding the reconstruction of the Key Bridge, she added.

Another variable is that, even if the Port of Baltimore never receives any ships taller than the ones it does now, the rising sea adds a challenge.

“That’s a whole ‘nother issue to weigh in, as well,” Wiedefeld said of Bay waters rising. “That’s definitely part of the analysis. You have to look at that.”

William Sweet, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration oceanographer, used to live in Annapolis and frequently took a sailboat under the Bay Bridge. Bay waters are just about guaranteed to rise a foot over the next 30 years, Sweet said.

Unless swift changes are made to carbon emissions, they’re expected to rise at a faster rate after that. A century from now, Bay waters are projected to be up at least 3 feet, and could be more than 5 feet higher. It depends on factors well beyond the Chesapeake Bay, including, Sweet noted, if ice sheets in Antarctica “become unhinged.”

“It could be higher,” he said of the Bay waters rising.

Building bridges to last a century requires educated guesswork. For example, decades from now, vehicular traffic patterns could look much different, noted Norma Jean Mattei, a University of New Orleans engineering professor and member of the White House’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council. The Bay waters are no different.

“The world gets fuzzier the further out you go,” she said, “and bridges are one of those pieces of infrastructure that we design for longer life.”

East Coast bridges grow

In a way, bridge height is simply a multibillion-dollar-industry version of keeping up with the Joneses. When recently discussing the possibility of  replacing a bridge in Savannah, Georgia , with a taller one, local officials there referenced the high vertical clearances of bridges leading to New York/New Jersey, a competing port.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is looking to increase the height of that Savannah span, the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, which is 185 feet tall — the same as Maryland’s Bay Bridge.

“As the fastest-growing port in the nation, the Port of Savannah is a significant economic engine for the Savannah region, Georgia, and the rest of the Southeast,” a spokesperson for Georgia’s transportation department said in a statement. “Potentially stifling future growth, however, is the Port’s accessibility to larger ships.”

Georgia also is considering replacing the bridge — which opened only 33 years ago — with a span that has 230 feet of vertical clearance.

A neighbor to the north of Baltimore already has changed a bridge’s height. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey increased the clearance of the Bayonne Bridge from 150 feet to 215 feet — a project that cost $1.7 billion.

“We raised the Bayonne Bridge in 2019 knowing that container ships were only growing bigger and demand for goods was only getting stronger,” port director Bethan Rooney said in a statement. “It paid off soon after, when the pandemic drove cargo volumes to numbers we weren’t expecting to see for another 10 years.”

Another New York-area bridge has even higher clearance: Big ships can easily fit under the 228 feet afforded by the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The 1,200-foot container vessels that call on New York typically have an air draft of about 175 feet to 195 feet, said James Mercante, president of New York’s Board of Commissioners of Pilots.

Cruise ships can come in even higher. The MSC Meraviglia, which sails under the Verrazzano, is 214 feet tall, according to the cruise line.

How tall the new Key Bridge will be remains undetermined, but one potential builder suggested a height of 213 feet in a May news release.

The Association of Maryland Pilots also might have hinted at the measurement its members prefer. The pilots, who guide large ships in Maryland waters, declined to comment for this article. But a representative discussed the possible height of a replacement Bay Bridge during a 2023 meeting of the Baltimore Harbor Safety and Coordination Committee — a joint industry-government advisory panel. Minutes from the meeting said pilots “have recommended a minimum bridge height of 228 ft, but preferably higher.”

Whatever height is chosen would not alter shipping traffic into Baltimore immediately, since the Bay Bridge remains 185 feet tall. Increasing the current Bay Bridge’s height would not be logical nor feasible, given its age. But “those bridges are basically coming to end of life, regardless,” said Wiedefeld, the transportation secretary.

The older of the two Bay Bridge spans has about 15 to 20 years left, he said. So, it’s possible that the Chesapeake Bay will see two new bridges in the coming decades; in doing so, the corridor’s ceiling might be altered for the next century.

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Luggage Limit Per Person

Each guest is limited to checking in:

• two suitcases per person* (not exceeding 90x75x43 cm in size and 23 kg in weight per bag)
• two pieces of hand luggage per person* (not exceeding 56x45x25 cm in size and 23 kg in weight per bag).

If you are travelling to your departure port by air, please check the luggage size and weight limitations with your airline as this may differ from the MSC Cruises policy.

The maximum amount of luggage in each cabin must not exceed 100 kg and/or 8 pieces total for all passengers in the same cabin. Any piece of luggage exceeding the allowance will not be accepted at Check-In. Guests exceeding these limits are invited to contact MSC Cruises directly or via their travel agents at the time of booking for information on how to ship luggage in excess separately via freight or cargo, at an additional charge. On embarkation day luggage will be delivered directly to the cabin. The expected delivery timeframe is from late afternoon through early evening. We recommend keeping any items needed for embarkation day and evening in your carry-on bag including clothes for the evening, medications, travel documents and personal identification.

*Please check your cruise ticket for more details.

Items to Keep In Hand Luggage

Travel documents and passport, money, jewellery and other precious items, electronic devices, medicines, nappies, and any other items you may need at short notice. 

On embarkation day luggage will be delivered directly to the cabin. The expected delivery timeframe is from late afternoon through early evening. We recommend keeping any items needed for embarkation day and evening in your carry-on bag including clothes for the evening, medications, travel documents and personal identification NB: Objects that are considered to be fragile, personal and/or valuable must be carried as hand luggage only since MSC Cruises cannot accept liability for their damage or loss. Make sure to keep your ID/Passport and all check-in documents handy. Valuable luggage and insurance: please note that luggage travels at your own risk. Insurance can be taken out through MSC Cruises, terms and conditions apply. 

Items Forbidden Onboard

Port Security has the duty to search Guests and luggage to confiscate any article internationally known as dangerous for the safety and security of Guests, Crew and ship. Such items will be confiscated and not returned. Alcohol, firearms, sharp objects such as blades and scissors, flammable and explosive material, items with heating elements, open flames (e.g. clothing irons, steamers, kettles, hotplates, candles, incense), and drones. Please notice that hair dryers, hair Irons and hair straighteners are excluded from the interdiction and accepted on board. If explosive material, guns  are detected, law enforcement will be immediately alerted. MSC MSC Cruises will be forced to deny access to any guests not complying with these mandated regulations. In the interest of health and safety, beverages and food (including partially eaten or home cooked items) may not be brought on board either. Exception: dry, packaged and commercially produced foods. Cruises will be forced to deny access to any guests not complying with these mandated regulations. In the interest of health and safety, beverages and food (including partially eaten or home cooked items) may not be brought on board either. Exception: dry, packaged and commercially produced foods.

DRUGS: Guests shall not bring onboard the Vessel any illegal drugs or other Controlled substances including but not limited to medical marijuana. Illegal drugs or controlled substances will be confiscated, MSC Cruises reserves the right, in its sole discretion to report violations of this prohibition to the appropriate authorities. Any attempt to bring Illegal drugs or controlled substances onboard, may lead to denial of boarding or prevented from boarding or re-boarding the ship.

You can find more information on our Guest Conduct Policy Here .

Items You Can Leave at Home

Pool towels or hairdryers (you’ll find these in your cabin); sun cream or beauty products (all available from the onboard shops).

On embarkation day luggage will be delivered directly to the cabin. The expected delivery timeframe is from late afternoon through early evening. We recommend keeping any items needed for embarkation day and evening in your carry-on bag including clothes for the evening, medications, travel documents and personal identification.

Strollers and Wheelchairs

Managing luggage during boarding and disembarking.

Prior to reaching the cruise terminal, guests are advised to label their luggage using the tags received with the cruise ticket, and hand it to MSC staff at the terminal.  

Two days before the end of each cruise, guests receive directly in their cabins the disembarkation procedures and luggage tags. Please leave labelled luggage outside the cabin door the night before disembarking. The luggage will be collected and delivered directly in the terminal building during disembarkation. Please note that the luggage embarkation and disembarkation process can vary between ports.

Lost or damaged luggage or personal effects

MSC Cruises, its employees and agents accept no responsibility for loss, damage or theft of guests’ luggage or personal effects. MSC Cruises’ responsibility with respect to lost, damaged, or undelivered luggage is explained in the Booking Terms and Conditions.

In the unfortunate event of luggage or personal effects being lost or damaged, it is crucial to immediately notify a representative of MSC Cruises and complete the necessary form, which is mandatory for our resolution process.  Click  here  to fill out form. This form is only for ships that depart from US ports.

If the passengers sailed from a non-US port they should contact  [email protected] along with your:

• Booking number
• Ship & sail date
• Guest full name & contact information
• Any description of lost item(s).
• If the problem occurs upon embarkation, guests have to contact the Guest Services Desk on board that will provide prompt assistance and resolution of the case.
• If the problem occurs upon disembarkation, guests have to contact our staff members at the Terminal that will fill out the relevant Luggage Form.

The guest will still need to complete the form above or contact post-cruise even when they complete the form at the Terminal

Air Transport and Lost Luggage

If traveling to your departure port by air, please check the size and weight limitations on your luggage at the time of booking. Airlines reserve the right to charge a supplement for excess luggage. MSC Cruises accepts no responsibility for issues arising during airport departure or arrival. In the unfortunate event of a luggage handling error by the airline, we offer a luggage recovery service. Working with the Lost & Found offices of each airport, we will make every effort to track your luggage and, where possible, have it sent directly to the ship at one of the subsequent ports of call..

In order to help you trace any lost luggage in the most efficient way, we ask you to present a copy of the P.I.R. (Property Irregularity Report) prepared at the Lost Property Office of the airport where you reported the luggage missing.

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