 MSC Meraviglia off Malta | |
| Brief information | |
| Head office | Geneva |
|---|---|
| Passenger volume | 2.4 million (2018) |
| Internet | www.msc-kreuzfahrten.de |
MSC Cruises is the cruise company of the Mediterranean Shipping Company with headquarters in Geneva, Avenue Eugene Pittar 40. A subsidiary for the German market has its headquarters in Ridlerstrasse. 37, 80339 Munich.
background
The Mediterranean Shipping Company was founded in 1970. Initially, the company had used ships with which it transported general cargo and containers. It now has 460 container ships with a transport capacity of around 2.4 million standard containers, making it one of the largest container shipping companies in the world.
In 1987, MSC took over the cruise lines of the Lauro lines, whose most famous ship was the Achille Laurowhich sank in 1994. In 1995 the company became MSC Crociere(MSC cruises) renamed. In the years from 2003 new ships were put into service,
fleet
At the moment (as of 2019) MSC Cruises has the following ships:
- Lirica class: MSC Opera (2004) - MSC Lirica (2003) - Sinfonia (2002) - MSC Armonia (2001)
- Musica class: MSC Magnifica (2010) - MSC Poesia (2008) - MSC Orchestra (2007) - MSC Musica (2006)
- Fantasia class: MSC Preziosa (2013) - MSC Divina (2012) - MSC Splendida (2009) - MSC Fantasia (2008)
- Meraviglia class: MSC Bellissima (2019) - MSC Meraviglia (2017)
- Meraviglia Plus class: MSC Virtuosa (*2020)- MSC Grandiosa (*2019)
- Seaside class: MSC Seaview (2018) - MSC Seaside (2017)
The ships put into service before 2017 sail under the flag of Panama. With the new construction of the MSC Meraviglia, a ship was placed under the flag of Malta for the first time, and the other new constructions also sail under the Maltese flag.
The ships' fuel is heavy oil or marine diesel. Four more MSC ships are currently under construction, they should be delivered from 2022, their fuel is the more environmentally friendly LNG - LPG.
Cabins
The types are staggered in price
- Inside cabins
- Cabins with sea views
- Balcony cabins
- Suites
All cabins with double bed, on request two single beds. Limited number of barrier-free cabins. Air conditioning, bathroom with shower or bathtub, hairdryer, telephone, TV, safe, minibar, WiFi for a fee.
Services
MSC has its accommodation, service and activities in Worlds of experience staggered.
- Bella: The services available to all passengers include the offers of the restaurants (except specialty restaurants. Entertainment program: theater, concerts, use of the pool area and the fitness center. Most of the cabins are on the lower decks, the cheapest option.
- Fantastica: Cabins on the upper decks or in a preferred location, 24-hour cabin service.
- Aurea: Preferred embarkation, Easy drinks package, bathrobe and slippers, free access to the thermal area (sauna, steam bath)
- Yacht Club: Not available on all ships. Luxury such as butler service, special equipment in the suites.
The restaurants on board are free of charge, including table drinks. Exception: specialty restaurants. Drinks outside of meals are not free, for example Drink prices 0.33 l beer € 5, 1 l water € 2.75, plus a 15% service fee. (As of 2019),
Alternatively: Beverage package easy € 29 / day, non-alcoholic € 19 / day
Booking options
Cruise routes
Regions:
- Mediterranean Sea
- Northern Europe
- Caribbean, Cuba, Antilles
- Dubai, Abu Dhabi, India
- South America: east coast
- Southern Africa
- USA, Canada: East Coast
- Asia: China, Japan, Korea
Transfer routes:
- MSC Grand Voyages, short trips
World travel:
- MSC World Cruise 2019 (completed)
- World tour 2020 on the MSC Magnifica: 05.01.2020 - 30.04.2020 (completed)
- World tour 2021 on the MSC Magnifica: 05.01.2021 - 03.05.2021, planned route:
- Civitavecchia - Genoa - Marseille - Barcelona - Strait of Gibraltar - Funchal - Bridgetown - Saint George - Willemstad - Oranjestad - Cartagena - Puerto Limón - Panama Canal - Puntarenas - Corinto - Puerto Quetzal - Puerto Vallarta - Cabo San Lucas - San Diego - San Francisco - Kahului - Honolulu - Apia - Suva - Auckland - Sydney - Brisbane - Cairns - Alotau - Kiriwina - Rabaul - Boracay - Manila - Keelung - Ishigaki - Naha - Osaka - Shimizu - Tokyo - Nagasaki - Busan - Shanghai - Hong Kong - Shekou - Da Nang - Nha Trang - Singapore - Port sound - Penang - Colombo - Dubai - Khasab - Muscat - Aqaba - Suez Canal - Heraklion - Civitavecchia – Genoa
activities
Practical advice
- On-board language English, German-speaking contacts on board
- Tips: MSC recommends € 10 / day. The on-board account is debited with this amount. This recommendation can be followed, but the amount of the tip can also be on Guest Relations Desk can be customized.
- The ships have a medical center, medical care and a supply of medicines. The costs incurred are billed to the passenger's cruise card. Travel health insurance is recommended.
MSC Voyagers Club
The Voyagers Club is a loyalty program open to anyone who has been on an MSC trip or booked a cruise in the past few years. The points achieved depend on the type of trip as well as the booked extras such as excursions, SPA package, etc. Depending on the status, you receive some discounts such as € 50 on-board credit, welcome cocktail, free birthday cake and maybe really interesting: 5% discount on the travel price.
- Welcome - 1 confirmed booking
- Classic - 1 to 2,199 points
- Silver - 2,200 to 4,299 points
- Gold - 4,300 to 9,999 points
- Diamond - 10,000 points and more
Anyone who has never traveled with MSC but has taken cruises with other companies can do one Status match apply for. Then, for example, the AIDA Gold status can be recognized by MSC, and you receive the benefits as with MSC Diamond.
