msc meraviglia yacht club benefits

• Cruise Podcast

The MSC Meraviglia Yacht Club Experience Review

Doug Parker

• February 3, 2024

Contents Show

Doug talks with Mark and Rocky of TheCruiseLife this week about their nine-night cruise aboard MSC Meraviglia.

They dive into their bougie MSC Meraviglia Yacht Club experience, from exclusive embarkation to dedicated amenities like a butler, private lounge, dining room, and sun deck. They discuss the superior dining options, including specialty dishes and a unique cheese trolley, and the benefits of their status-matching loyalty program status.

One of MSC Cruises’ larger vessels , Mark and Rocky also touch on the onboard entertainment, the ship’s atmosphere, and ports of call, including a visit to MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay.

Find Rock and Mark’s coverage of MSC Meraviglia :

• ThisCruiseLife YouTube channel features their cruises across all lines.
• The MSC Meraviglia playlist has several videos from their sailing.
• Read the MSC Yacht Club experiences on ThisCruiseLife website .

MSC Meraviglia Review Transcript

Doug (00:01:01) – Mark and Rocky had just returned from a nine-night cruise aboard MSC Maravilla. It was out of New York City, in the Bahamas, Florida area, and staying in the yacht club. They join us on the line right now. Hey, guys, how are you?

Guest (00:01:16) – Good, Doug.

Doug (00:01:17) – I’m excited to talk about this because we haven’t had an MSC Yacht Club experience in a long time. We’ve had the ones that were like three-nighters and were fast, but I’m excited to hear what it’s like spending extended time beyond seven nights in that yacht club. So what we’ll do here before we get started, we’ll get some pre-cruise thoughts. You’re in the Phoenix area. What made you want to take this nine-niner out of New York City.

Guest (00:01:40) – Honestly, it was just the idea of getting to check out a new cruise line. We’ve been looking at MSC for a long time, and the idea that sailing out of New York in the heart of January, when it is very cold outside, uh, the pricing was very lucrative to get ourselves onto that ship, as well as to fly across the country to New York.

Guest (00:02:01) – So all the stars aligned and just made it worthwhile for us.

Doug (00:02:04) – Now, there were some, uh, a little bit of weather going through the country about the time when you all boarded. It might have missed you by a day or two. Did that impact your flights going into Manhattan?

Guest (00:02:14) – It did not impact the flights at all. It did impact sail away a bit. Um, as you can imagine, uh, the storms, uh, it was pretty rocky on the seas. Uh, it was really cool because it was the first time ever.

So we’ve been to Alaska several times, but it was the first time ever we’ve actually seen snow on a cruise ship. And so to see the crew, it was the first time many had seen snow on a cruise ship. And they were out running out, uh, TikTok ING and taking selfies. It was a really special experience, uh, being able to see that snowstorm.

Doug (00:02:48) – That is so cool.

Doug (00:02:49) – So did you any pre cruise time in the city before boarding in Brooklyn?

Guest (00:02:57) – You know, we always suggest that the best way to do it is to fly a day ahead of time. Uh, this time we flew in two days in advance to take some time and explore Brooklyn, because that’s where the cruise terminal is for MSC. And then we also took the subway into Manhattan and just kind of hung around Times Square, went to a couple of bars, a couple of restaurants, and, uh, just kind of got ourselves situated in New York before we set sail. We met up with we met up with one of, uh, the solo’s that I met on board, uh, Norwegian Cruise Line. So I did a Norwegian cruise line earlier in 2023. Uh, we met a bunch of solos in our solo cabins, and we actually met up with them to hang out, and they showed us New York, which was a ton of fun.

Guest (00:03:36) – You see.

Doug (00:03:36) – You never know what connections you’ll make on a ship, right? Right.

Guest (00:03:39) – Exactly.

Doug (00:03:40) – Yeah. It’s it’s so awesome. So you make your way to Brooklyn the following day and you go to embark MSC Maravilla. How was that embarkation process? And, did you get any kind of special treatment embarking since you were in the Yacht Club?

Guest (00:03:54) – Goodness gracious. It was an embark like none that I’ve ever experienced. We’ve all been through embark. We know the lines, we know the queues. We know all of the seating areas. Um, the moment that we got there, immediately there was signage for yacht club. And so the, the, the porter, the luggage porter whisked us over and tagged our bags with yacht club tags and pointed us to his colleague standing at the door with a yacht club sign. They literally escorted us through the terminal to our own dedicated security line for yacht club. Um, they didn’t have a they didn’t have us waiting in the general queue.

Guest (00:04:28) – And so we went through that security queue, uh, very quickly. And another, yet another Yacht Club representative whisked us to our private lounge, where they did one on one check ins with us, um, and then handed us glasses of champagne and canapés and sparkling water. Um, and it was a private area, very quiet, very secluded from the rest of the terminal. And we enjoyed mimosas and, uh, sparkling water, uh, that as we waited to board the ship.

Doug (00:04:57) – How long did it take you from curb to ship, then?

Guest (00:05:00) – It took us about an hour and a half. So unfortunately the the sailing before ours was the New Year’s cruise. And so they had a lot of passengers to disembark from that ship. So they were slightly delayed on clearing the ship down to zero counts for us to start the embark process. So yeah, about an hour and a half from when we arrived. Fortunately, the lounge was great. We had butlers in there waiting on us, so it was a really pleasant experience getting to stand around and wait until the ship was ready.

Guest (00:05:28) – Literally. Butlers, butlers, refilling our champagne glasses, walking around with bottles of champagne, saying, oh, would you like a refill on your champagne? Well, okay. Yes, we would love that.

Doug (00:05:38) – It’s like being stuck in an airport and being able to be in an airline lounge instead of in the regular common area, right? Just kind of, uh. Yeah, yeah, living it up in there. So you make your way on board the ship. You’re mentioning this was your first time on the ship. So what were your first impressions of MSC Meraviglia?

Guest (00:05:54) – So it’s kind of funny you ask that we didn’t actually get to see the whole ship for the first four hours that we were on board when they when the yacht club boards, we get priority boarding service. So they bring us into the main atrium, and that’s about the most of the ship we get to see. From there, we walk down a corridor of rooms to the very forward of the ship, where they have elevators that they can badge in, giving you priority access to the elevator.

Guest (00:06:21) – They loaded us into these elevators and took us up to the 16th deck where the topsail lounges, which is the exclusive lounge space for the top or the yacht club. Uh, and they put us in there with, again, more champagne and more canapés and live music that was being performed for us. So we spent most of the first four hours on board in that topsail lounge. Well, they took us from the Topsail Lounge. Then they opened up the Topsail Restaurant, the exclusive restaurant for yacht clubbers. And so we literally went from canapés and champagne up to the lunch in the Topsail restaurant.

Normally we run around taking pictures and exploring the ship. We literally were just kind of in the lap of luxury those first several hours onboard. Oh, we met our butler as well during that time. And so we didn’t actually leave the yacht club as Rocky mentioned, until about four hours after boarding.

Doug (00:07:12) – So a lot to unpack here. So I want to actually take a step back.

Doug (00:07:15) – And I want to ask, um, we were chatting before we started recording here, and you mentioned you had an upgrade offer. So how much of a premium, um, once you accept that upgrade, is it for the yacht club against just staying in a regular balcony cabin?

Guest (00:07:29) – So that’s exactly what we had booked. We booked a balcony cabin and received an offer to bid on an upgrade. Now, because we had already booked that balcony and paid for a balcony, the upgrade amount was not wildly expensive. I think it was. We we could have started the upgrade process offer at $300 per person. Wow. And Rocky was like, okay, should we just start there? And I was like, how often will we get to stay in the yacht club? We are maxing that bit out. And so I think we each maxed our bid out at about $600. So for another $1,200 or so plus tax and all of that stuff, um, we could move from the balcony we had into.

Guest (00:08:09) – We actually dug and bid for an interior yacht club cabin because we were like, okay, we’re just gonna make sure we get into this thing. Well, they were they must have been sold out because our dreams were answered. We got the upgrade and they put us into a deluxe suite.

Doug (00:08:24) – I love it. Let’s discuss that deluxe suite in the yacht club and give us all the details.

Guest (00:08:30) – As you walk in, the first thing that meets your eye is the size of this cabin. I would say that this cabin is the same depth as your standard balcony cabin that you find on any cruise ship. However, the width is probably equivalent to one and a half to anywhere up to two times the width of a standard balcony cabin. Huge space, um, between the foot of the bed and the credenza and wall units that they had where all of the minibar was located. There was probably a good 4 to 5ft of space between those two areas. Um, inside the bathroom, it was upgraded amenities.

Guest (00:09:05) – You had marble tile throughout, a very large, spacious walk in shower with a rainfall head, uh, or the rain shower head. Um, the balcony was the same width as the room, so it was a pretty sizable balcony. They only put two chairs and one side table out there, but you could have easily had another two. Uh, very large and spacious room.

Doug (00:09:29) – So the question is, how do you use the butler on your cruise? Well.

Guest (00:09:33) – You know, because we often have butlers on our cruises. Uh, I kid, um, it was the first experience. And so literally the butler introduced himself. We were in the room. He he knocked and came in and he said, what questions do you have for me? And we said, well, we don’t even know what questions to ask. And so he’s like, well, let’s start with your pillow selections. Are your pillows up to your liking? And Rocky joked, he’s like, well, we’ll sleep on him tonight and let you know.

Guest (00:09:59) – Um, but but the. Butler took care of our minibar, so he asked us specifically for our preferences in terms of sodas, juices and beers.

He asked for our liquor selection because the yacht club comes with a bottle, comes with bottle service, a single bottle. And so we, uh, we shared our, uh, bottle selection with him, and then he just let us know that he would be the person that would escort us to dinners if we wanted. He would escort us to the theater for shows.

He would arrange our bookings if we wanted to go to any specialty restaurant. And so it was, you know, Rocky and I asked as we were getting ready, we’re like, is this just going to be an upgraded room steward, like a room steward that wears a suit? Um, and no, it was it was significantly more than just a room steward. In fact, we had a junior butler as well and, and a third person who helped service the room.

Guest (00:10:50) – So there were three people servicing the room. But that Butler experience was really unique and new to us. Yes, I love it.

Doug (00:10:58) – So you were on there for nine nights. Was there enough space in your room to put everything?

Guest (00:11:01) – Yeah, there was um, I think one of the challenges that we discovered when we were unpacking our room was the closet space was a little bit smaller than what we’re used to on some of the other balcony rooms that we’ve had in the past. Um, the way it’s set up, you walk in and the, the closet space is your entrance to the bathroom.

And so it’s kind of a strange layout. We discovered that there were some challenges with that. However, there was a three-drawer storage space in the main room area that was part of the main. I don’t know what you call it. Credenza. Yeah. And so that actually made up for some of that lost space. And fortunately, these beds were designed to hold luggage under or suitcases under them.

Guest (00:11:41) – It was easy to unpack our room and get moved in for those nine days. Oh, and don’t forget both of the nightstands next to the bed. So there were additional storage tables next to the bed as well. And so there was plenty of storage. But to Rocky’s point that the closet seemed to be a little bit smaller than than other rooms.

Doug (00:11:59) – ThYacht Club is like Norwegian’s Haven, a ship within a ship concept. So outside of your room, what amenities did you have within your ship?

Guest (00:12:07) – I’m telling you, they design it so you don’t have to leave the yacht club. They tell you when you’re going through the booking process. They say it’s exclusive and it’s private. And that is very true. And so the entrance to the yacht club on each of the floors are glass doors. Truly. They look out into the elevator bank. I think MSC has designed it so that people can see in and you can see out, but you have to badge in and out to get in.

Guest (00:12:33) – And so the spaces are beautiful. They’ve got those crystal staircases. What are those crystals? The Swarovski, Swarovski, uh, staircases, the spiral staircases. So we would leave our room and take the staircase up to the next deck. Uh, the 16th deck, which is where the concierge was at the Topsail lounge. Topsail lounge was windows all at the front of the ship.

The view of of New York, we commented that was probably the best view of New York we’ve ever had in that topsail lounge. Oh yeah, the canopy. Like, there’s just so much to unpack in that, um, the full bar.

And then again, you take up another spiral staircase and you are there at the exclusive restaurant, and then one more spiral staircase up, and you are at deck 19, which is your dedicated, uh, lounging space, pool, and hot tub. There’s a daily buffet that they put up there for, for just yacht club guests, along with a bar.

Doug (00:13:23) – Let’s talk about some of the food on MSC Maravilla.

Doug (00:13:26) – Once you get out of your haven complex and go to the buffet with the common folk, how was the buffet and the food throughout the nine days?

Guest (00:13:34) – So we didn’t discover the buffet area until that first night. It was the second day that we discovered it. Yeah. Uh, now that I think back on the experience, um, we like to refer to those areas as Jen and Pop. And, uh, as we walked in to the buffet, we were we kind of felt like we were in someone else’s place. We didn’t feel like we knew that our way around, because we had spent so much time on the ship before we found the buffet. But once we did find it, I’ll tell you, Doug, we spent a good amount of time there, especially for late-night buffets. Uh, this was the first time that we’d really seen a cruise line dedicate a late-night buffet to its passengers consistently. Every night from midnight until 2 a.m..

Guest (00:14:14) – They served food. And we’re not just talking about just, you know, a quick little grab here and there. They have their pizzas available. They have little small sandwiches that you could grab. They had burgers and hot dogs. They sometimes had nachos. Sometimes, they would do a breakfast with some scrambled eggs and bacon every night. I think I got scrambled eggs and bacon every single night of the cruise.

They had the healthy corner like they had salads. And so it wasn’t even just that fried stuff that you sometimes find on the late night buffet. They had salads in a healthy corner. I mean, it was the largest. So we’ve seen late night buffets right on Carnival. We’ve seen it on, uh, we’ve seen it on the other lines. This was the I mean, it was the size of a regular buffet at from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m.. It brought me back to old days of cruising.

Doug (00:14:57) – Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sounds like it. So for your main. You were mentioning.

Doug (00:15:01) – You had your dining room in the topsail area. So how was the dining in the yacht club, and was there much of a selection like, do they rotate the menus? How does that play out?

Guest (00:15:12) – Very much a dedicated menu for the, uh, those that were in the yacht club. Um, the options that they, they had on the menu, there was some mirroring that happened to the main dining rooms on the ship, but they were elevated to a different level with the offerings and the types of food. Uh, there was a selection of classics that were served every night.

For example, you could get your classic filet mignon, or a salmon would be available. And I think they also had a lobster on that classics menu. On the classics menu, you had lobster and filet mignon. I mean, this is this is next level here. Right. And then uh, for the regular offerings every day they had a rotation of several different items. Usually there was a daily result of that was available.

Guest (00:15:53) – There was also a different daily lamb that was on the menu. Uh, so definitely a higher caliber of food offerings on the menu. And the way that they were prepared and plated were very beautiful. Uh, you had, of course, your main waiter and then you had your, your waiters’ assistants and they would all work in harmony together to deliver your breads, appetizers, entrees, and desserts.

Speaking of desserts, don’t forget that the maitre d would flambé the dessert. So we had cherries jubilee one night where he flambé and served that, um, they, they did the cheese trolley where they would literally, they literally had a cheese trolley where you could choose the cheeses and, and jams and jellies that you wanted as part of your dessert option. It was it was definitely. Where do you find a risotto on a cruise on the difficulty to actually prepare that correctly for the masses. Um, you can’t do that. But you can in a private small restaurant that’s dedicated to a subset of your passengers.

Doug (00:16:53) – And how were the lines up there?

Guest (00:16:57) – We don’t know what you mean by lines.

Doug (00:17:00) – Fair enough.

Guest (00:17:02) – Yeah, because there was such a small capacity within the yacht club itself on the ship. Right. And because you only have those people that have access to it, our dining times for dinner was available from 6 p.m. until 830.

That was when you could get seated, and it was open to your time. Whenever you wanted to go in, you would show up. There was one knife that I can think of, and I believe it was the second gala night. We had to wait maybe three minutes, maybe get seated. Yeah. Um, overall, the amount of seating that they have both in the lounge and the restaurant are ample for the number of people that are in there, and they know that they’re going to turn over tables throughout the evening from guests that are doing early versus later dining.

Doug (00:17:42) – Did you enjoy any specialty dining on board this one?

Guest (00:17:45) – So this sailing specifically, we chose to stick to the yacht club so that we could capture each of the menus and actually record some reviews each dinner. We actually are right now looking at booking, uh, another MSC cruise, we committed to ourselves that we would do a yacht club and we would do non-Yacht Club. And so that is where that’s sailing, where we plan to actually explore some of those additional, um, upstairs upcharge specialty restaurants. But for this sailing we literally stuck to the Yacht Club restaurant. That exclusive restaurant.

Doug (00:18:16) – I meant to ask you, before you sailed, did you do the status match with them?

Guest (00:18:20) – Yeah, both of us actually ended up doing status match. Um, with Mark having diamond status with Carnival and I have platinum status, we were both able to match into their gold status or gold level with the Voyagers club.

Doug (00:18:33) – So you stepped right into gold. So do you know, like what that gets you compared to just being a first-time MSC cruiser?

Guest (00:18:39) – Great question.

Guest (00:18:40) – Because, uh, MSC is not known for their loyalty program having the strongest perks, but what it did get us is it it got us a welcome back reception where they had cocktails, which when you’re in the yacht club, it doesn’t really have a huge impact. Uh, because we had champagne up and up in our private lounge.

We also got a little gift. It was a little backpack or drawstring backpack that we got. There’s also when you’re part of the when you’re part of the loyalty program, you get a discount on sailings with MSC, and on future sailings with MSC. And so I think it’s a 5% discount that you get as, as a member of that level. And so there are some perks.

They don’t actually do priority. Like many lines have priority boarding and don’t do that until you hit their very top level, which is diamond. And that’s the only group with priority boarding and demarcation. So that’s our goal. My goal is to hit Diamond on Carnival and MSC.

Guest (00:19:36) – We’ll see how long it takes.

Doug (00:19:37) – Double diamond. There you go.

Guest (00:19:39) – I like it I like.

Doug (00:19:40) – That. How about around the ship like you mentioned Carnival. So we’ll stick with that. Uh, they have the guys burger joint, which is complimentary dining. Does MSC have anything like that around the ship? Kind of a grab and go type place. Yeah.

Guest (00:19:52) – So, uh, it was kind of surprised. And that was one of the conversations that we had at Post Cruise is the fact that there really aren’t those. Types of grab and go quick serve restaurants on board. You do have the buffet, which is very well divided. They have their ethnic corner and they have their pastas, and they have a pizza spot and some burgers, but it’s really only confined to that area as well as the main dining restaurant restaurants. Aside from that, everything is upcharge. They have a Mexican place that’s an upcharge. They have, uh, I can’t remember all of them. There’s a there’s a couple other ones.

Guest (00:20:27) – One thing that I would call out that was unique, that I’ve never seen before on any of our sailings, is they had a kid’s buffet, a dedicated buffet for the kids so that they didn’t have to be in the main area of the buffet. And then the only other kind of separate areas that they had were out on the lido deck.

They had that kind of they had like side buffets. It was the same buffet food on the inside of the buffet, but it was just right outside on Lido, so you didn’t have to go in. But there was no you know, I think about even Celebrity Apex had the burger and fries station and Carnival and all of their side restaurants that they have that are included. None of that. It is focused on the buffet and their and their main dining room for the included options.

Doug (00:21:10) – Let’s discuss the entertainment on board Maravilla. I know that MSC gave up the Cirque partnership located at the back of the ship. What’s going on back there now?

Guest (00:21:22) – So I will say that we were pleasantly surprised with the show performances that were put on in the main Broadway theater, which is their main theater in the forward of the ship. We actually attended one of the Meet the cast type of, uh, presentations, if you will, and we had a really great interaction with them.

We found out that all of the shows in that forward lounge were designed specifically for that cast and this ship. So in all, we were very impressed and enjoyed all of the shows we saw in that forward lounge. Now, going to your question about Cirque du Soleil partnership, you can see that there still is some residual, um, design with the shows that they have in that back lounge that does still exist, they still do aerial acts, and we very much enjoyed those performances. But one thing to be aware of is MSC still continues to consider that an upcharge and add-on type of experience.

Guest (00:22:20) – So if you buy it on the ship, it’s $18 a person to get into one of those shows. The nice thing is they sweeten the deal because they throw a drink at you that you can enjoy during the show, but it’s definitely a bit different of an experience than what we’ve seen on most of the other cruise lines.

Doug (00:22:37) – Gotcha. And did you guys, uh, like, what kind of show was you mentioned? It was like an acrobatics thing, but it was just an MSC-branded show.

Guest (00:22:47) – Yeah. So they put on a magic show. Houdini is the name of the show. And so there’s a lot of singing, dancing, acrobats flying through the air, and a little juggling and jumping out into the audience. And so definitely had, I would say Cirque vibes, but just not with the branding. But to Rocky’s point, they’re still charging that upcharge for the Cirque like show.

Doug (00:23:10) – Gotcha. Okay. Historically, MSC Cruise Entertainment is more visual and less like comedians because of the international audience. Is it like this on MSC Meraviglia?

Guest (00:23:22) – Actually, no. I feel like there was a lot, a lot of the presentations that we saw were done primarily in English, surprisingly. Okay. Uh, the one thing that caught us off guard was the overhead announcements.

Anytime the captain would make his announcements, it would always be done by the captain. Again in Italian. Uh, during the safety briefings when we were on the embark day, they were doing announcements in both English and Mandarin. For safety reasons, there were so many Mandarin-speaking passengers on board. But overall, most of the shows were done and performed in English leading up to the show’s start.

They would do a couple of announcements in Mandarin and Italian and English and German. So they did do several pre-calls for those shows. But overall the actual shows themselves were primarily in English, if there was any speaking at all. Yeah, it turns out it turns out those songs are universal. You know, the journey is universal across all languages.

Doug (00:24:19) – Let’s talk about the sea days. As far as crowds and congestion, I know that you were up there in the yacht club for probably most of it, but as you made your way further south, you mentioned the snow on the sail out, but that it eventually warm up once you got around the Carolinas or Florida.

Guest (00:24:36) – Warmed up is relative. Uh, it was warmer than than the snow, but we there weren’t a lot of folks spending time out on deck or making use of of the water slides. Um, it was still pretty chilly until, honestly, the nicest day we had was in Nassau. And so it took us, uh, five days into the cruise before the weather was, was to a point where you would want to actually be out on deck or layout, you know, you could be out. I mean, we were like, jackets and jeans, uh, throughout the sailing. Uh, but but it wasn’t it didn’t get really warm until we got down into the Bahamas.

Doug (00:25:07) – As far as the crowds and congestion around the ship, was there any of that since everyone was inside?

Guest (00:25:16) – Really? Honestly, the only crowds we experienced were in the Meraviglia Galleria Meraviglia, which is a domed area. If you deck six and deck seven, it’s a two-story area. They’ve got a beautiful dome, similar to the Fremont Experience in Las Vegas, where they’ve got that led that runs almost the entirety of the ship. That’s where they would do many of their dance parties and events, because it was too cold up on deck to do it.

We didn’t feel that space was designed to host those parties. And so it’s a throughput for traffic on the ship. And so you’ve got people trying to make their way throughout the ship and people dancing and singing. And that was really the only time we felt like we were crowded, or that we were kind of annoyed a little bit by the traffic flow of the ship. Otherwise I would I would tell you, we didn’t feel crowds, even the buffet, the buffets, were sometimes a little bit busy, but but not to the point where we’ve seen it wear on other lines.

Guest (00:26:12) – What did you think of that promenade area with the ceiling that lights up?

Guest (00:26:15) – Beautiful. Uh, we were stunned by the design and how gorgeous that space was, and they really maximize the usage of those LED screens throughout the sailing, including on Embark day, when they’re showing you where all of the different muster stations are located. But overall, that space was beautiful.

It was definitely wide enough to walk through it when there wasn’t an event happening, you could easily take yourself up onto the next deck up and look down from the mezzanine and really enjoy the sights and the and sounds and even the smells coming from the chocolate factory. As you were sailing along, so it was very enjoyable.

Speaking of speaking of those multi-use screens, remember, even on the welcome back party, they played the Welcome Back video that that that MSC sizzle reel. They played the video thing. Welcome back. I appreciate your loyalty. They played that up on those screens. And so literally everyone at the Welcome Back party headed to the sky watching them talk about what a great experience MSC is.

Doug (00:27:11) – The casino. How was that as far as the smoking situation in and around it?

Guest (00:27:17) – They had a smoke-free casino. It appears that it was an afterthought based on our conversations with the other passengers on board. The smoke-free casino was nice. However, they didn’t have any gaming tables for the smoke-free gamblers.

Now, the exciting thing was the placement of the Cirque theater. You have to walk through the smoking casino to get to the theater, which was kind of a strange setup, but the way the casino was set up. They put the main bar in the center of it. So you’re not diving into the main casino itself. Overall, the casino seemed like a pretty ample size, comparable to what we’re familiar with on some of Carnival’s Vista ships .

Doug (00:27:59) – Okay. Very cool. So, let’s talk about the ports of call you hit on this nine-night cruise. And what we’ll do here is hit the first one, give us a highlight, then we’ll go to the next one and so on.

Guest (00:28:10) – The first cruise port we visited was the exotic location, Port Canaveral in Florida. We had something else arranged. We have some really good friends that we’ve also met through going on cruises who live in the Orlando area, they ended up picking us up, and we had a fun day at SeaWorld for the day. So, it’s definitely a little bit different. We didn’t book anything through MSC because we’ve been to Port Canaveral before, so we wanted to check it out through the locals.

Doug (00:29:01) – So what was after Port Canaveral?

Guest (00:29:04) – Next was Miami and the day was unexpected. Icon of the Seas was scheduled to arrive in Miami the day before.

However, due to the weather, they kept her out for an extra day. And so we literally got to see icon of the seas sail. And we did a live, uh, we did a YouTube live where we streamed her sailing into Port Miami for the first time. We watched her turn around in the basin, return, and dock at the Royal Caribbean Terminal. There.

We got off the ship, and we hiked our excursion that day. We hiked about a mile up to the Royal Caribbean Terminal, climbed up to the very top of the parking garage, Royal Caribbean parking garage, and we just took pictures and filmed a bunch of stuff up there because it was like such a wow moment for for a couple of cruise nerds.

Doug (00:29:53) – Yeah. No, definitely. So after Nassau, you headed over to the Bahamas. Uh, what was the first Bahamas port?

Guest (00:29:59) – We first stopped at MSC’s Private Island, MSC’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. It’s a beautiful private island destination.

You can tell that MSC put a lot of thought and consideration when they were designing this port. It’s huge. It is massive, huge. And it’s nice because the ship can dock directly onto the port there, instead of you having to do a water shuttle taxi service to get in.

It is a very large and sprawling island, with tons of places for people to go out and lounge and layout, grab food, and have a nice relaxing day. Now. Now they don’t have, you know, big water parks and they don’t have hot air balloons that go up in the air like some, you know, private islands do. But but I mean, it had everything that you could want.

Guest (00:30:48) – It had many different beaches. Uh, to Rocky Point food trucks, uh, included food trucks throughout the island, as well as some upcharge food trucks where you could get, you know, seafood, you could get your lobster rolls and some of that fresh seafood.

Doug (00:31:00) – You were in the yacht club, right? So I know they have that yacht club area on the other side of the island, like on the other side from where the ship docks. How was that space, or I guess, did you utilize that space? And would you think of it if you did?

Guest (00:31:12) – Yeah, we actually, uh, as soon as we got off of the ship via escort from our butler. It’s just fun to say that. I’m sorry. Uh, we were escorted over to the yacht club’s meeting point, where they picked us up by golf cart and drove us to that exclusive area. It just made it a little bit easier to get there so we can maximize our time. Uh, the area is referred to as the Ocean House.

And so that’s actually where they serve lunch. And it’s a lovely, large colonial-style building. Uh, the lunch there included amazing bites from a lobster roll to crab ceviche. The ceviche was so good. The beach was delicious. Uh, they also had your standard fare of burgers on the menu, and then a couple of salads and other options.

Overall, it was a great area. As you approached it, there was signage, so you knew it was reserved for the yacht club guests. Uh, there was a private beach. And that’s the one downside that I would say about the exclusive area is the Yacht Club’s Ocean House. The beach is probably the least nice of the beaches that are found on the island.

It’s a little bit rough. Uh, there’s some larger sand bits, if you want to call them that. Uh, so getting in the water makes it a bit tough. And due to the weather that we encountered, we really didn’t even touch the water because we touched the water.

We just didn’t get into the water. It’s it’s rocky, says sand. But I would say sharp rock. So the folks that had been there before had water shoes and were in the water. That was a that’s a great tip. If you’re going to Ocean Cay and in the yacht club, make sure to bring water shoes because. It will make your day better.

Doug: .That’s a good tip. There are a lot of beaches around the island so you get to explore most of them?

We did. We met people on the cruise, as we always do on cruises. And so we went out and we got to explore a little bit with them. In hindsight, I wish we had done the exploration first because it started to pour. Uh, it started to downpour and it was a cold downpour in the Bahamas. And so we we didn’t get to explore as much as we’d like, but we got to see several of the lagoons.

Guest (00:33:15) – We got to see the lighthouse. We got to enjoy one of the food trucks. We did eat at one of the food trucks just so we could say we, you know, ate with our friends. Um, Rocky. Rocky always says we ate with the common people. Um, and so we enjoyed the food on the mainland. And then there’s shops, there’s shops, there’s you can buy ice cream cones and various things on land as well. Before we headed back to the ship. And, and unfortunately, that was the only we were this point spoiled us, Doug. Um, we were looking for our butler escort back onto the ship, but but there was not one on to the ship. And so we had to wait in the rain with the rest of the ship that had all run back to get onto the ship as well.

Doug (00:33:55) – Oh, no. Horrible. Did you get to stay at night to see the lighthouse lit up? Yeah.

Guest (00:34:01) – Back on board wasn’t scheduled until 8:00 that evening. Uh, most of the passengers had embarked on the ship by about 330 or 4 due to the weather, but we stayed docked there, and we were wondering about that lighthouse show because we’d heard about it. And so we went to the concierge, who gave us a great recommendation on where to go to view it, so we could also hear the music playing through the show.

Uh, and so we had the opportunity to watch it and it was impressive. We enjoyed it. And hopefully, we’ll be able to return to Ocean Cay again in the future, where we won’t encounter poor weather. We can be on the beach and see the light show from the ground.

And because of the concierge tip, we know the crew smoking area on MSC Meraviglia. And so it was a great tip and we got to hang out with crew as they watched the light show.

Doug (00:34:54) – He probably know this, but if you’re ever feeling energetic or you want to work out, you can climb that lighthouse. It’s like $15 or 20 maybe, but you got some great views up there and there’s quite a few steps, so, uh, yeah, pack your energy. Yeah.

Guest (00:35:06) – No. And that’s another reason why we want to go back. You know, I don’t think, uh, the weather was really in our favor to be able to do that type of an excursion, but definitely in the books for us to do it again.

Doug (00:35:16) – So your final port of call was Nassau. How was your day there?

Guest (00:35:19) – Nassau was great. Uh, as Mark had mentioned, it was the best weather that we saw on the entire cruise, and we were a little bummed that it was our final port day, but we made the most of it. We were docked in Nassau with four other ships. So a standard busy Nassau day. Uh, nothing unusual there.

Guest (00:35:36) – Uh, we have a tradition whenever we’re in Nassau, where we go visit a rum distillery in a little bit deeper into town. And so we decided to do that at this time. We took the trek and walked around and checked out the updates that they made to the port of Nassau, because that was our first time there since they did all the construction since they finished the construction.

Yeah, we’ve been several times during. Yeah. And then from there we walked up to the distillery and enjoyed a little tasting up there before returning to the port and getting on the ship. It was a pretty quiet day, but we’re looking forward to the opportunity to get to lay out on deck on the cruise ship before sail away took place.

Doug (00:36:12) – Yeah, perfect day for it. So you leave Nassau for a couple of days and you head back to Brooklyn. How were your sea days going up?

Guest (00:36:19) – The weather, I will say, was more cooperative on the way back, but. So it wasn’t as bumpy and rocky, but there were times when you would sleep at night and roll on or you would.

Guest (00:36:31) – You knew you were on a ship. You know, when Rocky and I first boarded, one of the things we commented as we were sitting in, I think it was the topsail restaurant. After spending time in the lounge, we said, we don’t feel like we’re on a cruise ship, but you just felt like you were almost at an all-inclusive resort.

We knew we were on a cruise ship on the sea days out and on the sea days back. The weather was left, the ocean a bit rocky. We had some. You saw some gale-force winds. There were some swells, but they had the magnetic, uh, bags out, the thick bags out in the elevator banks. They had those out for, for all of the passengers. We did talk to several folks who said they might not sail again in January, but but we liked it. But I know the sign us up.

Doug (00:37:18) – So it’s time to get off the ship in Brooklyn.

Doug (00:37:20) – Was the process as smooth and bougie as that embark?

Guest (00:37:25) – I love that you say the bougie because it continued through. Uh, we always go for a very relaxed, dark morning. We try to stay on the ship as long as possible.

We book later flights knowing that there’s always the possibility that a ship could be delayed returning to port. Uh, and fortunately for us, the ship did arrive on time, however. We didn’t end up disembarking from the ship until much later.

We we decided to go down and have breakfast down in the main restaurant, the topsail restaurant, in the yacht club area. And once we were done eating there, we went down to the lounge and enjoyed a quick beverage and a couple of little canapés. You know, just trying to get our last bits in and chatted with the bartenders.

The bartenders were tremendously friendly the entire sailing, and we just hung out with them and enjoyed some coffee and drinks. Yep. And then once we were ready to get off of the ship, we went to the concierge and actually, we ended up seeing our butler at the concierge desk, and he offered to help us get off the ship.

Guest (00:38:26) – And so he took Marc’s two suitcases that he was carrying from his hands and wheeled them to the elevator, took us down to the lower deck, and wheeled us over to where they take you off the ship. Or they scan your card to say you are officially disembarked from the ship. So we continued that experience as long as we could.

And the cool thing about the luggage program, if you decide to put your luggage out the night before the cruise ends, all of the yacht club luggage gets delivered to one specific spot, so you’re not rushing to get off.

You’re not rushing to go find where your luggage was placed. When it’s in that terminal building, it’s very easy to locate and get to pick up your suitcases and you’re on your way. Once again, those yacht club signs. Right this way. Um, a dedicated area, even for your luggage.

Doug (00:39:16) – Awesome. Very cool. Does Brooklyn have facial recognition for the dark?

Guest (00:39:21) – Yes they did. We were very excited when we saw that we’re getting off the ship.

Doug (00:39:25) – Yeah. It sure makes a difference. Looking back here as first-time MSC cruisers and in the yacht Club, do you have any first-time tips to offer anyone sailing MSC or sailing out of Manhattan?

Guest (00:39:39) – Uh, goodness gracious. If you get that upgrade offer and it’s within your means, you bid that upgrade offer up. Suppose you can get into the yacht club from a balcony. That would be my biggest tip because not only does it include all of those amenities that we’ve talked about. They grant you into the premium drinks package as well.

So the premium drinks package on this sailing would have been 790 a person, a person. We paid less for the entire yacht club experience, including those premium drinks. It included Wi-Fi on each of our devices, and it included all of those exclusive amenities that we’ve talked about.

And so that would be my number one tip is if you get that offer to upgrade to the yacht club, really look at what it would cost you to have that experience and just individually and take that for serious take.

Guest (00:40:29) – Be serious about that. And if you can get that upgrade and it’s in your means, do it. Yeah, absolutely. And then I would also say the other thing is that this cruise ship departs out of the Brooklyn terminal.

So instead of paying the 60 plus dollars that it would cost to get an Uber or a lift, you could take the subway, and the train system, all of which will be super easy to get over there. And there’s a water taxi or ferry. Ferry, I guess it is, uh, that takes you from Wall Street.

If you were to go into Manhattan and stay the night out there, you can quickly get onto the ferry from Wall Street over to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Easy. And it’s quite cost-effective.

Doug (00:41:09) – Yeah, that’s one thing I’ve heard over the years is that a lot of people who are doing cruises out of either Brooklyn or Manhattan, they kind of get taken by surprise how much it actually cost to get from the airport to the cruise port.

Doug (00:41:20) – But a little extra research can save you quite a few bucks, and it’s not that bad. I think it’s.

Guest (00:41:25) – Scarier being in New York traffic. Quite honestly. When we the Uber, we took an Uber from the hotel to the cruise terminal. I think that was scarier than the subway was, you know, the night before when we had flown in. And so, yes, I think it’s great.

Doug (00:41:41) – Well, looking back, what was your biggest highlight of this cruise?

Guest (00:41:56) – I would say the biggest highlight was probably being in the yacht club. What a treat it was for us to be able to experience that. Um, it was so exciting walking into the Topsail Lounge in that exclusive yacht Club area, no matter how many times a day we walked in there, we always discovered new canopies that were waiting for us to try.

Guest (00:42:17) – The bartenders and servers in the topsail lounge were all very friendly. They started to get to know us, what drinks we enjoyed the most, and they would start making recommendations based on the spirits we were drinking to make our journey that much more enjoyable. I think for me, um, one of the best bites of food I’ve had on a cruise ship was, uh, in the Eden restaurant onboard Celebrity Apex.

And I would say fast forward. That was a couple of years back now for Thanksgiving. But fast forward to this. To have that daily rotating risotto to me was a surprise and delight that menu in Topsail restaurant. You just don’t see food like that on a cruise ship. And it was fantastic.

And it was included in that experience. It wasn’t we weren’t, you know, dropping 150 for the meal. It was included in that yacht club experience. That, to me was a surprise and delight.

Guest (00:43:10) – I did not expect how good and high-quality that food would be.

Doug (00:43:22) – Well, uh, in closing here, your final thoughts of MSC Maravilla.

Guest (00:43:27) – the MSC Meraviglia is a gorgeous ship. MSC did a great job in designing and developing this class of ship. The size of it was great. We did have a lower capacity on the ship during our sailing, but we still managed to have a great time. We met a lot of great friends.

We found places to call our own that maybe we’re not in the yacht club specifically. Still, we discovered the Sky lounge as a great place to meet people and to be able to enjoy the company of others that were not a part of the yacht club, and really just kind of put ourselves with the rest of the population that was sailing. Very good. The Champagne Bar was another one of my favorites. That the Edge bar.

Guest (00:44:09) – The champagne bar, you know, that looked out over the water as the ship was sailing. That was great. Those champagne cocktails were excellent. And that’s the beauty, right? When you have. We would flash our yacht club bracelets and I will tell you, I joke. I’ve made this joke now lines would disappear and people would just randomly appear.

Servers would appear, you flash that yacht club bracelet and it didn’t matter what bar we were at, if we were at the horizon bar, after the champagne bar, or at the Sky lounge, they just showed up and took such great care of us. You can tell that even the rest of the ship is trained to pay attention to yacht club guests, because it was just such a fantastic experience.

I’m excited to go back on MSC Meraviglia in in the in the standard amenities in the non-yacht club amenities to be able to experience it truly and compare and contrast to be able to talk about what does that value look like and how it feels to sit down in the main dining room each night for dinner versus in your dedicated restaurant? And so I am excited to get back on the ship.

Guest (00:45:10) – We’ve looked we’ve booked on the inaugural on MSC World America, World America. And so it was it was a great experience and great sailing. And so MSC gets a lot of bad rap out there. There’s a lot of negativity about people who love or hate it. And I will tell you from our experience where we’re looking at booking two more already. So it was it was in it was in a really good category for us.

Doug (00:46:34) – Awesome. We’ll link to it also in the show notes at Cruise Radio dot net. Mark Rocky, thank you all so much.

Guest (00:46:40) – Thank you so much, Doug.

Recent Posts

• Sun Princess Trip Report: Getting On Board and Settled

Cruise Ship Incident Claims Two Lives Aboard Holland America Vessel

Large billows of smoke over florida alarm locals, locals activists take to paddle boards to protest cruise ship, share this post, popular posts.

Bar Harbor cruise passenger limit partially waived for 2024 season

Disney Cruise Line details new destinations in 2025, sends Fantasy to Europe

Bringing you 15 years of cruise industry experience. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips.  Learn more  about our team . 

Quick links

Cruise Radio, LLC © Copyright 2009-2024 | Website Designed By   Insider Perks, Inc

Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm EST Sat-Sun 9am - 6pm EST

MSC YACHT CLUB

Step into the MSC Yacht Club, an exclusive private sanctuary. Here, you can discover elegance with luxury suites offering a 24/7 butler service. Enjoy curated menus in a private restaurant, and unwind on the secluded pool deck. An elevated experience awaits you on a vacation that’s a step above.

Step into the MSC Yacht Club, an exclusive private sanctuary available to you on MSC Cruises. Here, you can discover elegance with luxury suites offering a 24/7 butler service. Enjoy curated menus in a private restaurant, and unwind on the secluded pool deck. An elevated experience awaits you on a vacation that’s a step above.

WELCOME TO A WORLD OF LUXURY

Experience unparalleled service from the moment you check in. Gain access to priority embarkation and disembarkation, your own concierge team, a dedicated butler available 24/7, and premier room service delivered to you at any hour.

Enjoy access to areas that are exclusive for MSC Yacht Club guests during your cruise vacation. Delight in fine dining at our dedicated restaurant, unwind on a private sun deck, and admire captivating sunsets from the Top Sail Lounge.

When you choose MSC Yacht Club, you unlock unique exclusives, all-inclusive packages, and VIP access available only to you including entry to Ocean House Beach on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, our private island in the Bahamas.

Allow us to indulge you

Step into a world where your suite is just the beginning and where every detail is meticulously attended to.

AT YOUR SERVICE

Our butlers are prepared to meet your needs, whether that be bringing a late-night treat-or turning down your room. From the minute you step on board, your dedicated butler will be by your side for a memorable experience.

Ask your MSC Yacht Club concierge to secure the best reservations at all our incredible venues, including specialty restaurants, and consider it done. Revel in VIP seating for entertainment, partake in private shopping trips, and enjoy curated excursions.

Your journey with us is tailored to perfection, guaranteeing every moment is marked by exceptional comfort and convenience.

EXTRA TOUCHES

Allow our dedicated MSC Yacht Club team to bring your ultimate cruise vacation to life. We prioritize every detail, from the perfect pillow selection from our exclusive Dorelan® menu to a fully stocked personalized mini bar at your fingertips.

Any questions you may have can always be answered by our 24-hour concierge service, available to you from the moment you step on board.

EXCLUSIVITY AWAITS

Immerse yourself in elegant spaces and experience elevated design in a beautiful setting.

TOP SAIL LOUNGE  

The Top Sail Lounge is the ultimate place to rest and relax after shore excursions or days at sea. Throughout the day, take in crystal-clear panoramic views of the ocean while enjoying crafted drinks, gourmet finger foods, and desserts. At night, relish in exclusive access to live music and after-dinner drinks.   

When you visit the Top Sail Lounge, you'll have the time to unwind and watch the world sail by.

PRIVATE SOLARIUM

Recharge on a sundeck featuring dipping pools and whirlpool baths where you can cool off and lounge for total relaxation. Take in the sun and the ocean breeze with your preferred poolside beverage delivered right to your chair.

YACHT CLUB RESTAURANT 

With a dedicated restaurant on each ship, the MSC Yacht Club offers an elevated menu. Enjoy fine dining served with five-star service and a selection of beverages and wines from around the world.  

You can savor the finest flavors in a space meant for you—no reservations needed.

MSC YACHT CLUB’S OCEAN HOUSE

The MSC Yacht Club experience continues on land at the private Ocean House Beach on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. A serene space with ocean views, beachfront cabanas, and complimentary amenities.

COMFORT AWAITS

MSC Yacht Club offers guests luxurious onboard accommodations for the ultimate in comfort. Explore our wide range of staterooms to enhance your MSC Cruises luxury experience.

The Owner's Suites feature a spacious living area, a walk-in closet, a large balcony with a private whirlpool, and a panoramic glass wall. 

Every Royal Suite has a separate living area and all the comforts you would expect in first-class accommodations. 

These two-deck suites offer a separate living space with a double sofa bed, walk-in closet, and a balcony with a private whirlpool. 

These suites are ideal for families with children. They come with a separate sitting area and a bathroom with a bathtub.

These suites have also their own private balcony and all the comforts you expect in first-class accommodations. 

Guests on our newest ships can enjoy all the comforts of the MSC Yacht Club with an interior suite.

ALL-INCLUSIVE, ALL THE TIME

PREMIUM BEVERAGE PACKAGE

Our Premium Extra Package is included as an MSC Yacht Club benefit. Delight in a wide selection of beers, cocktails, wines, top-shelf liquor, and an array of non-alcoholic beverages.

HIGH-SPEED INTERNET

Stay connected with a premium internet package from anywhere on board, an exclusive benefit for guests. Unlimited Wi-Fi allows you to browse on up to two devices.

THERMAL SPA ACCESS

Experience ultimate pampering at the MSC Aurea Spa, where you can enjoy complimentary access to the serene Thermal Suite, enhanced further by an exclusive 10% discount on all treatments.

explore further

Discover the best of both worlds as a guest of MSC Yacht Club. Enjoy VIP access to amenities throughout

your journey, from dining to captivating entertainment, while experiencing the personalized touch that

extends from your suite to every corner of the ship.

SIGNATURE DINING

Savor the flavors of exquisite specialty restaurants such as Butcher's Cut, Kaito Sushi & Teppanyaki, HOLA Tacos, and Ocean Cay.

Elevate your dining experience with exclusive perks like priority reservation times, premium seating, and the luxury of a personal butler escort if you choose.

TOP-TIER ENTERTAINMENT

As an MSC Yacht Club guest, there’s always more to discover. Get priority access to our show-stopping Broadway and Vegas-style shows brought to you by Carousel Productions at Sea.

Plus, you can always explore the myriad of entertainment areas on board, from thrilling water parks to trying your luck at the state-of-the-art MSC Casino.

PREMIUM WELLNESS

Unleash your active side by checking out our sports facilities, including outdoor walking tracks, basketball courts, and a fully-equipped gym boasting Technogym® equipment.  

For those seeking an even more tailored experience, indulge in specialty classes and personal training sessions, reserved by your MSC Yacht Club concierge team.

discover more

Journey to the ultimate destinations on board the MSC Yacht Club, whether it’s crossing places off your bucket list or delighting in quick weekend getaways.

CARIBBEAN CRUISES

MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES

NORTHERN EUROPE CRUISES

Thank you for visiting MSC Cruises

Your browser may be out of date or not compatible with our new site and may not be secure.

For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below.

Thank you for visiting our site and we look forward to seeing you on board soon!

MSC Cruises

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best things in life are free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

I tried a ship-within-a-ship cruise experience and it was worth it for the endless perks—here’s why

The MSC Yacht Club affords travelers a totally different cruising experience, but you’ll have to splurge.

I heard tales of luxury from people about the ritzy MSC Yacht Club , the ship-within-a-ship concept where discerning passengers enjoy their own area of the cruise ship that includes a dedicated restaurant, private lounge, separate pool and sundeck as well as private butlers and concierges to take of any whim while cruising. The elevated Yacht Club boasts priority everything while sailing MSC.

I sailed on a four-night cruise on the new MSC Seashore, a glitzy ship with Italian flair intermingled with references to New York City at every turn. Although the ship was well-appointed and had amazing dining, drinking and entertainment venues, and a bountiful Top Sail main buffet, thousands of passengers made the ship feel crowded at times, elevators were slow, and as I strolled through the general pools, they were boisterous and crowded.

RECOMMENDED: 10 things about cruising on an adults-only ship that might surprise you

Switch gears to MSC Seashore’s Yacht Club, passkey-protected for lucky guests, and is a 180 from the ship’s general spaces. Once you scan your handy Yacht Club wrist badge, or your room key, you’re instantly given entrance to a breathtaking retreat of 131 staterooms and suites. All this luxury does come at a price. Cruise fares will vary based on destination, time of year, and cabin category, but generally speaking you can expect to pay double for the Yacht Club. And from my experience, it’s worth it. Read more about why you should splurge.

You’re fast-tracked through everything

The Yacht Club’s exclusivity and impeccable service standard started from the moment I got dropped off at the Port Canaveral cruise terminal. There were hundreds of people waiting to board at 1pm on embarkation day. I saw in the distance a canopy that said MSC Yacht Club. My husband and I wheeled our carry-on luggage to the representative under the canopy. I gave her my name and within two seconds, she gave me a sticker to wear and up we ascended on the escalator to check in. Just five minutes later, I was directed to the dedicated check-in area for Yacht Club guests. To my right, I saw about 1,000 people serpentine through ropes to do general check-in. I felt a sense of relief; who wants to wait in that line? Five minutes later, a butler from the Yacht Club insisted on wheeling my luggage to board the ship and I was in my room in a total on 12 minutes from the time I stepped foot out of the car to my stateroom in the Yacht Club.

Relaxing and streamlined

In addition, Yacht Club guests have the freedom to get off the ship first for excursions. Your butler will happily escort you off the ship with a smile. Guests also can disembark on the last morning first, which is a big convenience. Your butler walks you right to the place you disembark, bypassing crowds and hassles. Port Canaveral is about an hour away from Orlando International Airport, and we took a 10 am flight home. We didn’t have to linger around until the afternoon for our flight home.

Another perk is that there’s a special seating area in the theater for shows. All the shows were excellent during my voyage. All other ship passengers have to make reservations in advance for shows but that’s not the case for the privileged Yacht Club passengers. As long as you arrive about 10 minutes before any show you choose, a crew member from the Club will allow you entry into a special roped-off section. Again, no rushing through dinner—you have the flexibility to plan your evenings your way.

Your Yacht Club package is packed with remarkable value

The price tag may sound daunting, but there’s lots of value there. All Yacht Club cabins and suites include a premium drink package that covers beverages up to $15. You can use this perk both in the Yacht Club and throughout the ship. In addition, your package includes a two-device Wi-Fi package, which worked well during my sailing. Finally, you get access to the thermal spa suite, which is a place to indulge after a day in port or a sea day. Commonly, there’s a taboo regarding mini-bars, but not in the Yacht Club. It’s stocked each day with the beverages you want; just tell your butler and consider it done.

You get perks ashore too

If your sailing includes a call to Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, Yacht Club guests get an elevated experience there too. Yacht Club guests enjoy a private area, and a dedicated restaurant called the Ocean House. While other ship guests were hosted to a buffet of predictable fare, I enjoyed a lobster roll, and my husband chose carne asada. In my opinion, one thing that could be improved was the tram service to the Yacht Club’s private area. We were told the last tram back was 3:30pm if we didn’t want to trek a 15-minute walk in the heat. Since we were docked in Ocean Cay for the evening and weren’t sailing, I was a bit dismayed by this logistical quirk. I felt like I was keeping an eye on my phone to make sure I didn’t miss the last tram.

You have private areas with curated food and drink and outdoor spaces

Within the Yacht Club complex, there’s the Yacht Club Restaurant, Top Sail Lounge and the One Pool Buffet, which are all exclusive to Yacht Club guests. Obviously, the food and service are steps above other dining venues of the ship, I can vouch for that. Although the food is delicious, if you don’t want to pay extra to dine at the specialty restaurants or fuss in the main buffet, eating three meals a day in the Yacht Club restaurant can get a bit monotonous. The breakfast is the same daily, and lunch and dinner offer a menu with daily specials plus a few standby selections like a hamburger or pasta each day. Although the Yacht Club Restaurant concept is desirable, I would strongly suggest dining in other venues on board, especially for dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed specialty dining in Ocean Cay Restaurant, Butcher’s Cut, and Kaito Teppanyaki. I also want to mention that late afternoon high tea is offered daily at the Yacht Club Restaurant. It was one of the nicest I have experienced at sea.

Also available exclusively to Yacht Club passengers is the Top Sail Lounge, which offers panoramic water views and has chef-curated selections from morning through late night. We enjoyed popping into the lounge at all hours to try finger foods and sweets. The One Pool Buffet offers a more casual option for breakfast and lunch by the pool. The buffet has grilled fish, sandwiches and lots of delicious options if you want to dine outside.

There’s also an exclusive area with a private pool and two whirlpools for Yacht Club guests only. The sun deck loungers are very comfortable and I never had to worry about finding a lounger, there are ample. One issue I had was that there was almost no shade on the sun deck; there were shaded day beds for Royal Suite and Owners Suite guests, but beyond those, I couldn’t find any shade, which was disappointing.

You can justify the price at the end of your cruise

Overall, the best way to explain my enthusiasm for my MSC Yacht Club experience is this: it’s better to book an interior stateroom in the Yacht Club than a luxe cabin outside the Yacht Club. It’s worth the splurge and you return home feeling truly pampered and it’s money well-spent. And I make this prediction: Once you try a ship-within-a-ship concept like the MSC Yacht Club, you won’t want cruise any other way. Bon Voyage!

• Erica Lamberg

Share the story

An email you’ll actually love

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Copyright agent
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising

Time Out products

• Time Out Worldwide

This Cruise Life

Msc yacht club 2024 on board msc meraviglia.

To say we were pampered is the understatement of the year (although, considering it’s only January, fingers crossed there’s more pampering ahead)! We had the opportunity to sail MSC Meraviglia out of New York earlier this month; we were excited to check out the new-to-us cruise line. But what we didn’t expect: an upgrade to MSC’s exclusive Yacht Club!

What is the Yacht Club?

The Yacht Club is MSC’s “ship within a ship” concept that promises both privacy and exclusivity. The experience includes amenities most could only dream about: white-glove butler service, 24×7 concierge, an exclusive restaurant on the ship and on MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay, unlimited drinks anywhere on the ship, a private pool, hot tub, lounge deck, and so much more.

Upgrade Offer

In early December, just over a month from our sailing date, we received an email inviting us to bid on an upgrade . We were already in a balcony cabin, so it seemed odd bidding on an interior cabin – but that’s just what we did! We maxed out our bid on an interior Yacht Club stateroom in hopes that the upgrade fairies would grant our wish.

On December 13, 2023, that’s exactly what happened!

Thank you Twitterverse!!! You made our MSC Yacht Club dreams come true. Our upgrade was accepted this morning. Full review of the MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite and experience coming January! 💙💙💙 #thankyou #msc #yachtclub pic.twitter.com/ZNDRZcfKKH — This Cruise Life (@thiscruiselife) December 13, 2023

Yacht Club Check-In

Fast-forward a month to January 9, 2024 when we checked in to board MSC Meraviglia. Again, to say this check-in process was different would be a huge understatement. Unlike your typical check-in with long queues, growling stomachs, and throngs of people, we waited in our own lounge with champagne and canapés away from the crowds. We made sure to document the entire experience so that we could share it with you:

First Impressions

So what is it like to sail on a ship within a ship? Is the Butler actually a real person, or is it just a glorified room steward? And what exactly is a canapé? The first 24 hours on board was a whirlwind. There were so many new experiences – and so much food! Considering this was our first-ever MSC cruise, it was a GREAT first impression! You can check out our detailed review of that first 24 hours, along with what we thought about MSC Meraviglia:

Full Review to Come!

Now that we’re back on solid ground, we’re working on our full review of our 9-day sailing on board MSC Meraviglia in the Yacht Club. We’re going to cover the things that we loved, didn’t love, and a couple things that we hated about the ship and experience.

As always, thanks for joining this cruise life of ours and following our adventures! -Mark and Rocky

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Cruise Review: MSC Yacht Club on MSC Meraviglia

MSC Meraviglia at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.

During my decades of cruising, I have tallied more than 100 voyages across all kinds of cruise lines and cruise ships. I have enjoyed them all for the variety of styles and charms that they offered.

I really am simple. I do prefer a balcony but have stayed in interior cabins. Big ships are great for the variety of dining options, large pool decks, spas, fitness center and broad range of entertainment. I especially think the mega-vessels are perfect for friends and family getaways.

The intimacy of a river cruise and intensely fun experiences available on expeditions ships really help you connect as a traveler and explorer in amazing destinations around the world. I can enjoy the most rustic and austere conditions, and sometimes, I even prefer them.

Like I said, I enjoy all types of cruise travel. But every now and then, it sure is nice to bask in a little luxury and pampering.

We sailed on MSC Cruises' MSC Meraviglia for a weeklong trip in the Bahamas (with a stop at Ocho Rios, Jamaica).

I know what you're thinking. MSC can hardly be considered a luxury cruise line.

True enough.

MSC Meraviglia is definitely a mass-market, budget-friendly mega cruise vessel.

But it also features the MSC Yacht Club. This is a ship-within-a-ship experience that turns the typical big-ship cruise into a next-level experience that will leave you plenty spoiled and craving this type of cruise again and again.

MSC Yacht Club is offered on many MSC ships, and on Meraviglia it is located in a complex spanning Decks 14 to 19 at the front of the ship and only accessible by your key card or a wristband (wearable wireless tech that acts the same as your sea pass card).

This was our first stay in MSC Yacht Club. We had heard a lot about the experience and that people who book these cabins swear by it as the only way to cruise with MSC.

I wanted to give you a look at our week onboard MSC Meraviglia and what it's like to stay in the exclusive MSC Yacht Club.

I'll start by telling you that it makes you feel as if you are having a boutique yacht experience despite being within the confines of a massive cruise ship.

We arrived to Port Miami for our check in, and we soon learned that the ship would be carrying slightly fewer than 1,500 cruisers. That meant the ship felt quite roomy all week, as Meraviglia can carry more than 4,500. These uncrowded cruises have been typical all year as the industry restarts after a long shutdown from the pandemic.

This shutdown cost tens of thousands of people worldwide their jobs and livelihoods. So, it has been refreshing to be able to get back on the ships to enjoy vacation travel and to interact again with the crew who are so grateful to be back at work. This was evident in the early moments when we checked in for the cruise and met our butler Putra at the special MSC Yacht Club check-in lounge at Port Miami. 

The special touches associated with staying in the Yacht Club begin right away as you are greeted by friendly agents and MSC staff who offer refreshments and then escort you onto the ship. We had Putra, who we learned is from Indonesia, and MSC Meraviglia's MSC Yacht Club director Robbie help us with our luggage and walk us to our special enclave on the ship.

Our first stop was the Top Sail Lounge for a glass of bubbly before we were shown our suite. Our stateroom was located on Deck 16, port side and was the forward-most cabin. It offered wonderful balcony views for sunrises and sunsets. We were just two decks above the bridge wing. In the MSC Yacht Club complex, Deck 16 is home to the concierge desk and Top Sail Lounge with its bar area, small buffet serving small bites and sweet treats all day and the great views through the windows right at the front of the ship.   We also would come here for a cocktail most nights before dinner while we enjoyed the live piano music.

We stayed in a spacious suite No. 16001 (video tour below).

Here is what else you can enjoy with the MSC Yacht Club program, in addition to a spacious suite with a balcony and highly attentive butler service: 

Top Sail Lounge, a panoramic lounge with sea views, a bar, light snacks, premium drinks, afternoon tea and live music;  

Dedicated concierge to book spa treatments and shore excursions and make theater and dining reservations; 

MSC Yacht Club Restaurant (exclusive dining room just steps away from your cabin); 

Unlimited drinks in all MSC Yacht Club areas and from your in-cabin minibar; 

Yacht Club Sun Deck, Pool & Bar (lounge chairs, daybeds, buffet breakfasts and lunches, small swimming pool and a hot tub); 

Private beach and the Ocean House experience, with special lunch menu on MSC's private beach Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas (certain itineraries); 

MSC Aurea Spa, unlimited access to the Thermal Suite, which offers a range of shower experiences, therapy pools, sauna and steam rooms.

MSC Meraviglia is a large ship that offers plenty of lounges, bars and restaurants throughout gorgeously designed spaces. The centerpiece is the stunning Galleria, a two-deck promenade that features The Dome, an LED ceiling that offers daily animated shows with fun light-and-sound displays.

We loved having lunch at Hola! Tacos and Cantina, a Mexican street tacos-style eatery. We also booked specialty dining at Ocean Cay for seafood delicacies and at Butcher's Cut, the steakhouse on MSC Meraviglia.

We participated in trivia contests every night in Brass Anchor Pub, a lively British pub that is also a great place to watch live music performances or catch a game on the TVs while enjoying a beer or craft cocktail. Of course, we also got in a daily workout at the well-equipped fitness center. Plus, we treated ourselves to a couple of spa treatments (a Balinese massage and a shave treatment for me) and a few trips to the Thermal Suite.

However, most of our time was spent enjoying our time in our suite. Now, about the accommodations and amenities you will enjoy on MSC Meraviglia when staying the MSC Yacht Club: They are awesome!

The whole experience is affordable, too, when compared with other luxury cruise experiences that offer butler service and so many inclusions with your fare.

Your cabin comes with a comfy bed with Egyptian cotton sheets, a memory foam mattress and a pillow menu. It also features premium toiletries.

We had breakfast most mornings at the Yacht Club Sun Deck.

Our butler Putra made our cruise especially delightful with his warm and attentive service with a smile.

From Day 1, when Putra, our butler, showed us to our room and helped us get familiarized with our new home for the week, we knew that we were in good hands and would have a special experience. We're not unfamiliar with butler service, but Putra went the extra mile at every turn, always ready to help with a dinner reservation, escorting us to the lounge for cocktail hours, to the theater for shows and even off the ship for our time ashore.

He also was up early to greet us for breakfast on the Yacht Club Sun Deck and always on call when we wanted to have a meal in our suite (the pizza is the best!). He would come and set up the table, clean up when we were done and always had our mini fridge stocked with our favorite beverages.

For us, though, our experience went beyond the service we received from Putra and all of the others in the MSC Yacht Club. (We had wonderful interactions with about a dozen warm, friendly and highly efficient staffers there.)

We rented a cabana at Ocean Cay and were pampered by Rakesh and his colleagues.

The whole week gave us a fantastic perspective about why we love to travel and cruise so much. It allows us to connect with new people, unplug from the daily pressures or routines and gives us a chance to refresh and rejuvenate our souls.

The past year and a half has been much tougher on some people, and those who rely on the travel and hospitality industry to make livings and support their families have been especially affected. Colleen and I savored the chance to disappear into our retreat during the day and wander out into the main areas of the ship (or not) when certain activities or shows appealed to us. It was actually quite blissful to have a special quiet space, and we really enjoyed getting to know Putra. He is from Ubud on the island of Bali in Indonesia, and was just starting his third week back at work. The worldwide cruising shutdown ended this summer, and workers have been excitedly coming back to the ships from their home countries during the restart of operations this summer.

Putra is new to his job as a new butler and extremely proud to have worked his way up to the "famous job" after beginning his career with MSC Cruises more than a decade ago. We appreciated his highly professional work ethic and energetic and personable approach to the job.

He said that he and his colleagues have been so relieved to be able to work again. I told him that we also have learned not to take travel for granted and are so glad that we are able to get to make new friends like him once again.

We visited Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve two times during our cruise, and the first time, we reserved a cabana (extra fee) on the exclusive Yacht Club beach. Yacht Club perks include the beach area and Ocean House, which offers a bar and lounge area, plus a large porch on which to relax, enjoy lunch and bask in the gorgeous ocean views and warm breezes.

With all that's included, MSC Yacht Club is something you have to consider when looking at a cruise with MSC.

Thanks for reading, JR

Holland America Rotterdam Cruises a Perfect Way to Sail In New Era of Cruising

Luxury cruise line silversea reveals innovative wellness program.

MSC Meraviglia review: What it's like to cruise on MSC's 1st New York-based ship

For the first time, MSC Cruises has based a ship in New York. Given that the vessel, MSC Meraviglia, is the fifth-largest in the line's fleet of two dozen ships in terms of tonnage and the sixth-largest by passenger capacity, the ship's presence in the Big Apple is a big deal. As one colleague astutely pointed out, when it's docked there, it's the largest hotel in the city .

I recently sailed on MSC Meraviglia out of its Red Hook homeport in Brooklyn, and I have mixed feelings. Overall, the ship is lively and aesthetically beautiful. Its specialty restaurants and nightly shows are some of the most consistently superb on any vessel, and it offers one heck of a luxury product in its Yacht Club suite enclave .

However, passenger flow is an issue, with many public spaces so crowded they're uncomfortable, and service is painfully slow in some bars and restaurants. You'll likely end up paying a lot more than you originally planned because some of the most enticing things to do come with added fees. And, as my travel companion so succinctly put it, I've never been told "no" so many times on a cruise.

Here, I'll take you through some of the activities I tried, the places I ate and the experience I had so you can better determine if MSC Meraviglia is right for your next voyage.

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

Overview of MSC Meraviglia

MSC Cruises' Meraviglia was the first in the line's Meraviglia Class of ships. When it debuted in 2017, it became the line's largest vessel, with space for up to 5,655 people at capacity (4,475 at double occupancy). It has since been overtaken, in terms of passenger capacity, by subsequent vessels in the Meraviglia Class, as well as those in the World Class.

The ship exudes the same glitz that's typical of other MSC vessels, despite its mass-market appeal and penchant for attracting budget travelers. Lavish artwork, chrome accents and bold jewel tones convey a sense of opulence throughout public spaces, and no ship in the fleet would be complete without an atrium staircase adorned with thousands of Swarovski crystals.

Like MSC's other modern ships, MSC Meraviglia has an extra-fee chocolate shop on board — this one through a partnership with chocolatier and pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury — where you can purchase chocolate, macarons, candy and specialty coffees.

There's also a sizable water park on the top deck, a shopping mall-style promenade area and several decks of cabins that are part of the line's Yacht Club, which affords passengers exclusive access to a dedicated restaurant, lounge, bar and pool deck just for them, as well as butler service.

What I loved about MSC Meraviglia

Largely, my onboard experience was great. Crew members were friendly, my cabin was comfortable, and the daily activity options were plentiful, varied and fun. At night, most shows fell into the "excellent" category, and the food in every extra-fee restaurant and the Yacht Club was phenomenal.

Specialty dining

MSC's food consistently receives less-than-stellar reviews from passengers, particularly regarding the line's complimentary dining experiences. Much of the main dining room fare is indeed so-so — palatable but largely underseasoned and mass-produced, so that it often looks like it's been sitting under a heat lamp when it reaches you. Food in the buffet is varied and tasty, but it can also become repetitive after a week, and the space is frequently crowded and confusing to navigate.

So why am I including food under the "what I loved" category? I think that MSC's alternative, for-fee restaurants — including the ones on MSC Meraviglia — are some of the best. If you're willing to shell out the money, you can have a fantastic meal on this ship.

Of the ship's specialty restaurants, my favorites are Hola! Tacos & Cantina and Kaito Teppanyaki.

Even though Hola! levies extra charges, passengers have the option of paying a la carte for items individually priced as low as $2.95 or paying $17.99 for unlimited menu items. The salsa and guacamole are wonderful, the tortilla soup always hits the spot for me, and the tacos are small, so you'll be able to try several to find your favorite without feeling overstuffed.

If you know me, you know the fact that I'm recommending Kaito Teppanyaki is shocking. I'm notoriously not a fan of this type of cooking, particularly when it comes with a side of cringeworthy performances by the chefs. However, the food there on MSC Meraviglia was so great that I didn't mind the cook's jokes.

The MSC Yacht Club is a private section on select MSC ships that offers cabins across several categories, including suites. Passengers booked in those cabins have special keycard access to a dedicated guest services and concierge desk; an exclusive pool, sun deck, lounge and bar (with free drinks); and complimentary anytime dining at a special restaurant just for Yacht Club cruisers.

Cabins are outfitted with higher-quality materials and furnishings, and each comes with the services of a butler. Meri was mine, and she was the best. She was able to make dining and spa reservations for me, escort me to priority seating in the theater for nightly shows and have crackers and green apples delivered to my cabin when the second night's rough seas made me feel seasick.

I absolutely loved the special touches MSC provides to Yacht Club passengers, including a special afternoon tea service and a private, intimate final-night performance by Lorraine Crosby — the female vocalist from Meat Loaf's "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" — who sometimes makes guest appearances on board. (She also put on two larger shows for the entire ship earlier in the sailing.) Additionally, I had access to Yacht Club perks at private island Ocean Cay Marine Reserve , including dedicated trams, a shaded waiting area with cold water and access to a private beach and restaurant.

Although the Yacht Club comes at a premium — at the time of publication, rooms on MSC Meraviglia started at $1,199 per person for a Yacht Club inside cabin on a six-night Bermuda sailing — fares include drinks and tips, along with Venchi pillow chocolates, free room service and minibar selections, plus one round of in-cabin snacks and a choice of one bottle of vodka, gin or whiskey delivered to your room. (I normally drink rum, and they were able to substitute it for me, even though it's not one of the spirits normally offered.)

Above all, the most valuable component of the Yacht Club for me on this sailing was the ability to escape the general chaos that is the rest of the ship. Don't get me wrong: I immersed myself in the buzz outside of the Yacht Club as often as possible, but as an introvert who dislikes crowds and noise more and more the older she gets, I found it essential to have a separate area to which I could retreat.

Galleria Meraviglia

One of the most fun and flashy locations on MSC Meraviglia cruises is the Galleria Meraviglia, a central indoor walkway similar to the Royal Promenade on Royal Caribbean ships. It's a long space flanked by bars, restaurants and shops with a feel similar to a shopping mall. However, the highlight for me is the giant LED screen, which runs the length of the space and hosts what the line calls "dome shows."

During these shows, themed scenes — including deck plans for the muster drill, dinosaurs and volcanos during the "Jurassic" dome show and even famous ceilings — appear overhead. They're the metaphorical heartbeat of the ship, and you can't help but stop to watch.

The nearby chocolateria, Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Cafe, is an excellent place to grab a cuppa, and the adjacent Meraviglia Bar & Lounge is home to trivia, live music and more. Mix in a shore excursion desk; shops that sell high-end jewelry and purses; a counter serving for-fee gelato, crepes and smoothies; and Hola! Tacos & Cantina (one of the best Mexican restaurants at sea), and Galleria Meraviglia feels like the place to be.

There's little I enjoy more than a relaxing arcade day , and MSC delivers with its Sportplex gaming complex. It features a small traditional arcade with air hockey, alien shooter games and first-person driving games, as well as prize machines; several immersive virtual-reality pods (most of which were down for maintenance during my sailing); two Formula One racing simulators; a 4D cinema where several players attempt to take out zombies and killer clowns; and a sports court that hosts basketball, pickleball, dodgeball and other activities.

But my ultimate favorite was the bowling alley. My travel companion and I inexplicably wound up in Sportplex after dinner on formal night. We played for half an hour — enough time for two games if it's only two people and you move quickly — and were ultimately joined by the Yacht Club director, Craig (who won easily). It was a ton of fun, but I don't recommend bowling in a ballgown.

The drawback is that, like lots of other cool pastimes on MSC Meraviglia, it all costs extra (except for sports court use). The arcade charges per game with the tap of your keycard. The simulators can be purchased on a per-ride basis, and bowling is charged in chunks of either 30 or 60 minutes.

To save money, passengers can purchase packages where you get a certain dollar amount free. (For example, if you prepurchase $150 worth of gaming credits, your card will be loaded with $220.)

What I didn't love about MSC Meraviglia

As with all things, in travel we take the bad with the good. While most experiences on this sailing fell in the latter category, it wouldn't be a fair review without calling attention to the things that I think the line needs to address.

The departure port

When MSC first announced that MSC Meraviglia would be sailing from New York, the ship's homeport was Manhattan. I groaned when I heard its docking spot had changed to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood.

Brooklyn's terminal is difficult to reach, particularly if you don't have a car. Anyone venturing to the port from Manhattan will need to take the subway, followed by a ferry — not an easy feat if you're toting luggage. Park-and-ride-style buses also seemed to be an option, according to several passengers on my sailing who arrived from outside of the city. If you're like me and decide to drive to the port, know that parking is at a premium, and fees are steep. (At $45 per night, I paid $360 to park there for eight nights.)

Waits on embarkation day are another concern. When I arrived, lines snaked outside the terminal and down the sidewalk in front of the building. I had multiple passengers throughout my voyage tell me that they waited between two and three hours in line to board the vessel.

It's unclear whether the terminal is ill-equipped to deal with passenger flow for such a large ship or if MSC hasn't quite brought its embarkation processes up to speed, but if you don't have priority boarding privileges, either through a high loyalty status tier or a Yacht Club booking, expect the process to take a while.

On the plus side, you'll have great views of the Statue of Liberty as you sail away, assuming the weather isn't rainy or foggy.

At 19 decks, MSC Meraviglia is huge. On my voyage, the ship was only sailing at about half capacity (about 3,000 passengers out of a possible 5,655, or 53%). However, a perfect storm of events converged to create a situation that was less than pleasant for anyone not booked in a Yacht Club cabin.

A large group booking of about 1,000 people overtook many of the public areas on a daily basis, which drew complaints from cruisers who weren't in the group. For example, trivia was standing-room-only on several days, and the buffet was so continuously crowded that I ate there only twice on the entire voyage.

Additionally, it rained during our first two days on board — embarkation day and the following sea day — meaning that the ship's outdoor spaces weren't utilized. Because everyone was stuck inside, the ship felt even more crowded. (I shudder to imagine what it would have been like if the ship had been sailing completely full.)

Although the weather certainly isn't the cruise line's fault, it seems that the ship should be better equipped to deal with situations where passengers are stuck inside. I also thought that, perhaps, the large group booking was a one-off and that it wouldn't be the norm on other sailings. However, I spoke with one of the officers on board who told me that the cruise line is actively recruiting similar large group bookings.

One of the biggest contributing factors was the ship's layout and flow. Some areas lead to dead ends, while others force you to enter busy areas — like the massive Marketplace Buffet — to find stairs to go up or down a deck. In several bars and lounges in the main atrium, tables and chairs are scattered so close to the main staircase that it's difficult for two-way passenger traffic to move through the space.

The feeling of overcrowding was exacerbated by service inconveniences like long waits for drinks, meals and elevators.

Confusing policies and procedures

Some of the things MSC does truly confuse me, and they began almost immediately after boarding.

When cruises first returned following the 18-month COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, many lines decided to go digital with their muster drills. Passengers watched videos on their mobile apps or on their cabin TVs before reporting, at their leisure (to maintain social distancing), to their muster stations for verification. MSC has chosen to institute a bizarre version where all passengers watch a video and then report to their muster stations at the same time.

If everyone is going to the same place at the same time, why not do the muster drill in person? On the flip side, if you're going to make people watch a video instead of doing a live demonstration, why make everyone go to their stations simultaneously? The process creates a chaotic environment where, in my case, people were required to walk into the theater, do a lap around it (for reasons nobody ever actually explained) and immediately exit again.

Speaking of the theater, no drinks are allowed in there, which is odd, given that all other cruise lines allow passengers to order drinks during shows or at least carry them in with them to enjoy while they watch. We saw several surprised cruisers being told they had to dump their beverages or drink them before they'd be allowed inside.

The drink situation gets worse when you try to order cocktails in the ship's restaurants. When I did so in one of the main dining rooms, I was told that only wine was available. When I visited the alternative eateries, I was told I could only order from what was on the menu, some of which wasn't included with the beverage package. What's the point of selling pricey beverage packages (which can cost more than $70 per person, per day, for the most expensive) if there are so many exclusions?

Specialty coffee from the onboard chocolate shop also isn't included with the packages, nor are coffees on private island Ocean Cay, which leads me to my next head-scratcher. I had the single best coffee drink of my life when we called on Ocean Cay. The Coco-Nilla Latte is espresso, vanilla flavoring and coconut milk, and I loved it so much that I tried to have it replicated on board.

I went to three of the ship's regular bars, each of which is equipped to make espresso that's included in the line's beverage packages, as well as the specialty coffee bar at the for-fee chocolate shop. At each location, I was given some sort of excuse:

"We don't have vanilla syrup at this bar."

"We don't have coconut milk here."

"Oh, those are only made at Ocean Cay."

It's likely if this happened on a ship in any other fleet, the response would have been, "We don't have the ingredients, but let me see if we can find them."

The crew culture on MSC Meraviglia seems to be one that either doesn't encourage them or doesn't allow them to go the extra mile. My request wasn't a lavish one; vanilla syrup and coconut milk are standard accouterments at most cafes on land. The ship has a passenger-to-crew ratio of 3:1, which is better than that of other cruise lines with fares at a similar price point, so I don't feel like I'm asking too much from an affordable cruise line.

I must also mention some weird food-related practices I saw on board. Both times I ate at the Marketplace Buffet, I witnessed crew members stopping adults from taking food from a particular section of kid-friendly foods. "No, those are for children only," a crew member behind the counter told a parent who was trying to grab dessert for his son, who was outside by the pool.

"You mean I can't take this out to my kid?" the guy asked in shock. The crew member told him he would have to go to the pool, get his son, bring him inside and have him pick out the dessert, which he grudgingly did. But talk about a disruptive experience.

On the other occasion, I saw a couple of adults eyeing the chicken nuggets that were on offer. They were forbidden by a crew member from taking any. I have never seen something so absurd on a sailing in my life. Children aren't the only ones who enjoy chicken nuggets, nor are they the ones who pay the cruise fares. Adults, whether they have kids on board or not, should be allowed to eat whatever they wish from the buffet that they paid for — even if it comes from the children's menu.

Another head-scratcher is you might still have to pay a supplement to eat in certain restaurants, even if you booked a dining package that includes a set number of specialty restaurants for a set fee. It depends on what you order.

For example, I had a dining package, but when I dined at Kaito Teppanyaki, the waiter informed me that there would be an extra $10 surcharge to order the Geisha and Samurai options and a $30 upcharge for the Emperor option. Again, what's the point of selling dining packages if they don't cover what they're supposed to?

Additionally, on a ship of 3,000 people, MSC Meraviglia had only one of four main dining rooms open for lunch on a rainy sea day when everyone was stuck inside. It was open for one measly hour, from noon to 1 p.m. I saw the hours posted as I was passing by the line that was quickly forming, so I decided to eat there to evaluate the situation. Spoiler alert: It wasn't great.

Finally, MSC Meraviglia's sports equipment is kept under actual lock and key. You have to sign out everything from pickleball paddles to basketballs for use on the indoor sports court and volleyballs for the pits on Ocean Cay. However, when I tried to sign out a basketball during posted rental hours, the person working told me no and offered no explanation. When I checked with guest services, they told me that shouldn't have happened. But it did. Twice.

On a separate occasion, when my travel companion and I showed up for scheduled volleyball time, the attendant cut the game off at 45 minutes because he said he had to leave. When we asked if we could keep the ball to continue playing, he refused. There seems to be no flexibility, and staff members are not empowered to deviate from protocol on the fly, even when it makes sense.

Most cruise lines' ships have unmonitored equipment available for passengers to use when the courts are open. It's often stored in unlocked chests that passengers can access at any time. Sign-out, which seems like an unnecessary step, is not required with most other cruise lines, which brings me to this: To quote one of my TPG colleagues when she referenced an MSC sailing on a different ship, "I have never said, 'No other cruise line does it like this,' as much as I did on [my cruise]. And it wasn't a good thing."

MSC Meraviglia cabins and suites

MSC bookings can be confusing for first-timers because, in addition to selecting a cabin type (inside, outside, balcony or suite), passengers must also choose from one of three experience packages. Dubbed Bella, Fantastica and Aurea, they all come with different perks and inclusions, as noted below.

Bella: This is the most basic, bare-bones package. It includes accommodations, free meals in the main dining rooms and buffet, and free daily activities and nightly entertainment. Passengers with this package will be assigned to set-seating dining times after they board. They also will be charged for any room service orders, as well as changes to their cruise booking reservations.

Fantastica: This package includes everything listed under the Bella package, plus the ability to change sailing date reservations one time for free, complimentary delivery of room service breakfast and the ability to choose a preferred set-seating dining time for dinner prior to embarkation.

Aurea: Aurea comes with everything in the Bella and Fantastica packages, as well as free access to the ship's top-deck Solarium area, a welcome package that includes prosecco and chocolates, anytime dining (go whenever you want with no set seating time), a 10% discount on spa treatments, priority boarding and free 24-hour room service (not just at breakfast).

MSC Meraviglia houses 2,244 rooms in various types with several configurations, some of which sleep more than two passengers. Of those staterooms, 55 are accessible for cruisers with mobility issues. In those cabins, passengers will find additional space for maneuvering things like wheelchairs and scooters, as well as zero-entry door thresholds and shower grab bars. (Theaters and most public areas are also accessible, but unfortunately, I didn't see a single lift at any of the ship's four pools.)

Cabin types are the standard ones found on just about all cruise ships: inside or interior (no windows or balcony), outside or ocean-view (a window or porthole that doesn't open), balcony or verandah (a sliding glass door that opens onto a small balcony, usually with chairs and a small table) and suite (cabins with balconies and more square footage and/or special perks like those afforded in the Yacht Club).

On my Meraviglia sailing, I was booked in an MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite — a balcony cabin in the Yacht Club suite area — on Deck 18. At about 280 square feet, plus an additional 54 square feet of balcony space, the room felt generously sized for two people. (Note: Yacht Club has all types of cabins, from insides all the way up through massive Royal Suites and two-deck duplexes.)

The room was furnished with a king-size bed that converts into two twins on request, a couch and a desk/vanity area. It featured a closet and cabinet space for storage and an en suite bathroom.

Standard amenities included a hair dryer and a TV (with a random smattering of TV channels, for-fee movies and ship-created programs like jewelry and port seminars and navigational information). My cabin had several electrical outlets, including three 110-volt North American outlets, three 220-volt European outlets and one USB port at the desk/vanity area. One USB port is not enough, and there were no outlets near the bed, which was frustrating.

Special for Yacht Club guests, the suite was equipped with a Nespresso machine, free minibar drinks restocked daily (including bottled water, San Pellegrino, juices, flavored iced teas, soda and beer), one complimentary round of snacks (Toblerone chocolate, Pringles and mixed nuts) and a choice of one complimentary bottle of spirits (whiskey, gin or vodka).

My cabin came with a pillow menu, which I only discovered after two nights of neck pain, thanks to mismatched pillows. The bed was topped with a memory foam mattress, which was like sleeping on a cloud.

Closets in my cabin were just the right size for two people. There were two, one with a bar to hang clothes and another with cubbies for shoes, intimates and the cabin safe. I did find the closets' location in a small enclave that led to the bathroom a bit awkward.

Underbed storage was perfect for hiding empty suitcases. Bathrobes and slippers were provided, and I made good use of both when I went for a massage at the spa.

Cabin bathrooms in the Yacht Club are stocked with MSC's own brand of toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, bar soap, a shower cap and sewing kit. Fluffy white towels and elevated fixtures like marble countertops and floors and showers with both standard and rainfall showerheads add to the air of elegance.

However, some of that was offset by the fact that the shower in my bathroom had no lip, so water leaked all over the first time I used it. Each time after, I put towels outside the door to sop up the mess. The toilet also often smelled like sewage, even when not in use.

The storage space for toiletries could also have been more generous. There were only two small metal shelves, which weren't enough for two people's things. The rest had to be stored inside cabinets where the garbage can was located.

Gratuities, room service and premium alcohol and Wi-Fi packages are included in all Yacht Club fares. You do not need to purchase add-ons or pay added fees like you would in cabins outside the Yacht Club.

A Yacht Club booking also entitles you to priority embarkation, disembarkation and tender access; 24-hour butler and concierge services; complimentary spa thermal suite access; luggage unpacking and repacking services; daily newspaper delivery and one free pre-cruise booking change.

I made good use of the free Wi-Fi inclusion (for two devices per person). The free room service was handy when I just had to order late-night pizza. Plus, the priority boarding perk meant we went from shore to ship in less than 10 minutes while other passengers waited two to three hours in rainy conditions to embark.

My butler, Meri, went above and beyond to help me make spa and specialty restaurant reservations, and she met us each evening to escort us to dinner and to the theater, where reserved Yacht Club seating was waiting. She did her job superbly, but I generally like to do things for myself. Having someone else handling the minutia felt frivolous and unnecessary; it took a few days for me to acclimate.

Concierge service was generally good. However, on the first day, when I had questions about dining, the person who assisted me waived me off in the face of a long line at the desk and told me to ask my butler. My interactions there improved markedly after the stress of the first day calmed down, and all of my subsequent questions were answered promptly and cheerfully.

The exclusive Top Sail Lounge was a great place to relax with a drink and view, read or get some work done. The Yacht Club sun deck was a lovely space, but it was often too hot for me, so I didn't spend much time up there. The area was home to a pool, a hot tub, tons of seating, solarium access and a daily outdoor buffet at the Yacht Club Grill. Although the food looked tasty, it was, unfortunately, often surrounded by flies.

The indoor Yacht Club Restaurant, however, was a dream. Everything I ordered was fantastic — flavorful, well prepared and cooked to order instead of looking like it had been sitting out for a while. I particularly enjoyed the breakfasts there and highly suggest the omelets and pancakes.

Overall, I found my Yacht Club experience to be a great way to escape when other areas of the ship felt overwhelming, which they often did.

MSC Meraviglia restaurants and bars

Included in the price of each sailing is free dining at the massive Marketplace Buffet, in one of four main dining rooms or in the Yacht Club Restaurant (depending on your booking). The four main dining rooms often felt crowded, and service was inconsistent. The buffet was even worse.

The quality of the complimentary food was unremarkable — not great but not terrible, either. Waiters in the dining rooms often seemed rushed and unwilling to fill drink orders. (I found out later it's because the galleys don't have bars, so waiters have to run all over the ship to fill drink orders, which often take an inordinate amount of time to arrive.)

Due to its size, MSC Meraviglia can offer lots of different cuisines. While the Marketplace Buffet has an "ethnic" section typically serving Asian and Indian fare, the largest variety and the highest quality come from the specialty restaurants. They include seafood, steak, Mexican, sushi and teppanyaki, and all cost extra.

MSC offers dining packages, which allow passengers to pre-purchase a set number of meals in alternative restaurants. When those meals are cashed in, cruisers can choose from a preselected list of menu items designated for package holders. Generally, if you're planning to eat at more than two or three specialty restaurants, booking a package will save you money.

There's at least one bar in every public space, so you won't have to go far to whet your whistle.

Restaurants

Free restaurants

Waves, Panorama, L'Olive Dorée and L'Olivo D'Oro are MSC Meraviglia's four main dining rooms, where passengers can eat dinner for free. (Specific restaurants will also be open on certain days for breakfast and lunch, depending on the day's schedule.) Menus, which change daily, are the same across all four.

Waves, on Deck 5, is the smallest. The largest — L'Olive Dorée and L'Olivo D'Oro, which are mirrors of one another — are found on Deck 6, across from one another and flanking the hallway that eventually leads to Panorama. All four dining rooms offer set seating, except Panorama, which also accommodates passengers with Aurea bookings who have anytime dining.

As mentioned above, I was booked in the Yacht Club and dined in either the Yacht Club Restaurant or one of the specialty restaurants for dinner each night.

However, I did try lunch in Waves twice, as it was the only main dining room open to the ship's 3,000 passengers for lunch. The first time, we were seated at a table for two that might as well have been a table for six; it was so close to the tables for two on either side of it that there were only about 2 or 3 inches separating them.

After we sat, it took 15 minutes for someone to bring us water. We never received bread. It was another 10 minutes until our waiter took our food order, and not once did anyone ask us if we'd like something other than water to drink. When my travel companion finally requested a beer, the waiter's response was, "Be patient, sir." My jaw dropped.

The pacing between courses was silly. Our appetizers arrived shortly after we ordered, which was great, but mine — spinach and artichoke dip — arrived looking dried out and crusty with five broken chips on the side. (The waiter obliged when I requested a few more.) After the starters were cleared, it was another 10 minutes until our mains were delivered. I thoroughly enjoyed my cobb salad, but my beef burrito was build-your-own style, and it was largely flavorless.

My companion never did see the beer he ordered. Eventually, we gave up and left, as did the man at the table next to us, who said he had been waiting half an hour for a dessert that didn't materialize.

The second experience was significantly better, with our waiter seating us at a table for two near a window and asking if we wanted drinks (which arrived quickly). The food was still just OK, and both experiences were crowded and exceptionally loud.

MSC Meraviglia's buffet, Marketplace, spans the entire aft of Deck 15. It has a decent variety of stations, but the food is often the same from day to day. The layout is confusing to navigate, too, with lots of nooks and crannies that can make it difficult to find what you're looking for. It was crowded beyond reason during mealtimes, so I avoided it whenever possible, only eating there twice during the voyage for research purposes.

Stations include bread; salad; soup and pasta; a rotisserie section with a carving station and sides like mashed potatoes, rice and baked beans; cold cuts and cheeses; an "ethnic" counter, which tended to serve Asian and Indian cuisine; and outposts for desserts and both hot and cold drinks.

The pizza was both a highlight and a pleasant surprise. It comes out hot and fresh, and it's available by the slice in several types from two separate counters in the buffet.

There are some other small complimentary food locations throughout the ship, too, including a poolside grill with burgers, fries and hot dogs and an ice cream counter with free soft-serve in cones or cups and optional toppings.

Restaurants that cost extra

Hola! Tacos & Cantina is the Mexican restaurant on MSC's newest vessels. It offers tapas-style small plates; I highly encourage you to order a few, as there's a lot on the menu that's delicious. My favorites are the guacamole, tortilla soup and cheese quesadillas. For tacos, I highly recommend the Chipotle Carnitas (pulled pork with chipotle, black bean salsa and cilantro), Barbacoa (ancho-chili beef, chipotle and red cabbage) and Ancho Tingo (shredded chicken, poblano peppers and pico de gallo).

You can pay a la carte if you're in the mood for something light or go with the all-you-can-eat option if you've worked up a serious appetite.

Margaritas are also a must if you're craving an adult beverage. Basic margs are included in the line's alcohol packages, but specialty ones — featuring frozen flavors like mango and strawberry and on-the-rocks selections with smoky salt or sweet berry sugar rims — cost extra, ranging from $11.99 for a single drink to $30 for a 1-liter pitcher. There's also a selection of Spanish beer, fresh fruit juices, spiked milkshakes and other fun concoctions. The service was so great there that I returned on a different night just to order drinks.

If you've done one teppanyaki restaurant, you've done them all. Or at least that's what I thought when I grudgingly made a reservation at Kaito Teppanyaki, another of MSC's extra-charge dining choices.

Yes, the cheesy jokes, singalongs, "catch this food in your mouth when I throw it" challenges and other performative cooking are standard, but the actual dishes are so much tastier than any of a similar variety I've had on land. Top-notch quality and expert seasoning make the dishes stand out. (For context, I usually skip meat when I order teppanyaki, but the sirloin steak looked so good that I ordered it. I'm glad I did.)

Every person who orders receives miso soup and a small salad as starters, along with sushi and sashimi with tempura vegetables. Then they choose from one of several prix fixe menu options: Geisha (sea bass fillet and chicken breast), Samurai (Scottish salmon, tiger prawns and sirloin), Emperor (yellowfin tuna tataki, scallops and half of a Maine lobster), vegetarian (egg wash roll and sesame tofu steak) and a kids menu (spring chicken teriyaki with vegetables).

I ordered the Samurai, and the salmon and sirloin were absolutely delicious. All options include egg fried rice and a dessert of caramelized pineapple, ginger ice cream and mint. The latter was underwhelming. Drinks are limited to what's on the Kaito-specific menu (Japanese beer, whisky and sake, plus a small selection of wine by the glass and Champagne by the bottle).

Kaito also has a separate sushi bar with an a la carte selection of sushi, sashimi, nigiri, tataki, yakitori and other items, including combo platters and desserts.

Butcher's Cut, MSC Meraviglia's a la carte steakhouse, is heaven for meat lovers, but vegetarians beware: As expected, there's not a lot on the menu for you to eat, with the exception of some of the starters.

When you arrive, your waiter will bring a breadbasket for the table. Ours included baguettes, raisin walnut bread and bacon cheese rolls, but what stood out to me were the smoked maple and paprika butters served alongside them. They were so good.

Appetizers include burrata and beet salad, Caesar and house salads, hearts of palm, a goat cheese tart, shrimp, crabcakes and oysters Rockefeller. Or, if you're feeling extra-spendy, try one of the featured starters, such as caviar, a shellfish platter, bone marrow, Kobe sliders and foie deviled eggs. For soups, choose between smoked tomato and lobster chowder.

Non-steak mains consist of roasted chicken, scallops Benedict, halibut and sockeye salmon. However, if steak is what you're after, you can choose from a 36-ounce dry-aged tomahawk for two, 24-ounce dry-aged T-bone, 12-ounce flat iron, 8-ounce filet mignon, 20-ounce rib-eye, 14-ounce New York sirloin, 16-ounce American bison and 13-ounce double lamb chops.

I ate there on one night of my sailing and decided to go big by adding jumbo lump crab to my filet mignon. However, I misread the menu and didn't realize it was actually jumbo lump crab Oscar, which meant it arrived mixed with hollandaise sauce. It looked like scrambled eggs, and I'm not a hollandaise fan, so I didn't eat it.

The steak, however, was phenomenal, particularly with the accompanying sauces (mushroom, peppercorn, chimichurri and bearnaise). Each steak comes with one side; additional sides cost extra. Choose from Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, French fries, asparagus, onion rings, macaroni and cheese, and more.

Among the dessert options, the best are the chocolate lava cake, the New York cheesecake and the peanut butter and milk chocolate cookie.

I'm not a huge seafood fan, so I avoided Ocean Cay, but I heard rave reviews from other passengers. This intimate restaurant, found on Seaside-class ships and MSC Meraviglia, offers a menu of fresh fish and seafood dishes, as well as a selection of wines for appropriate pairing.

For a between-meal treat or a caffeinated pick-me-up, snacks and coffee tied to chocolatier and pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury are solid options. The cookies-and-cream gelato at the Jean-Philippe Crepes & Ice Cream counter is to die for, as is the Green Goddess smoothie, made with coconut juice, spinach, fresh mint, banana, passion fruit and lemon sorbet. They didn't have the lemon sorbet when I ordered, but I asked to substitute mango instead. It was exceptionally good.

At the cafe just across the way, you can buy chocolate replicas of the ship, chocolate bars with fun toppings like nuts and berries, macarons and candy by the pound, as well as gift boxes of sweets. It also sells coffee drinks that include espresso, cappuccino, Americano, lattes and spiked coffees.

If you're a coffee lover who's heading ashore at MSC's private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve , you won't want to miss the extra-fee Coco-Nilla Latte, found at The Smiling Fish. A combination of espresso, vanilla syrup and coconut milk, either hot or iced, it's far and away my favorite coffee drink anywhere, ever.

A more affordable option than most alternative restaurants is room service. My pick is the pizza, which will be delivered to your room hot and fresh, with a variety of options available, including Margherita, vegetable, pepperoni, four cheese, marinara, MSC style (tomato sauce, ham, arugula, mozzarella, Grana Padano cheese and olive oil) and supreme. It's free if you're staying in the Yacht Club. A la carte pricing and delivery fees will apply to other cabin types, depending on the experience package you book.

As with most cruise ships, you don't have to go far to find a stiff drink on MSC Meraviglia.

My go-to was the Brass Anchor Pub, reminiscent of an English local where you can snag a bottle or a pint and some extra-fee pub grub. TVs throughout the space broadcast a variety of sporting events (subject to satellite availability), and trivia and live music take place there throughout the sailing.

I also spent some time at the Casino Imperiale bar, which was open on my sailing longer than any of the other onboard watering holes. It serves a selection of beer and cocktails.

The centrally located Meraviglia Bar & Lounge, found along Galleria Meraviglia (the ship's promenade) next to Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Cafe, is also home to trivia competitions, live music and dancing throughout the day. It's the bar often frequented by passengers before and after shows in the nearby Broadway Theatre.

Sky Lounge is the place to be for sweeping views through floor-to-ceiling windows. It provides a comfy and often quiet space to read, work or gather with friends.

If you're seeking the oft-missed cigar lounge, look for the entrance on the starboard (right, when facing forward) side of the Sky Lounge entrance, or enter the lounge and follow it around to the starboard side.

Edge Cocktail Bar is another centrally located place to grab beer, wine and specialty cocktails — including the delicious Purple Rain, a combo of vodka, white rum, blue curacao, gin, peach schnapps, sweet and sour, and grenadine that turns a shade of purple when you mix it. One deck above it is the Champagne Bar, which sometimes also serves seafood. One deck below is the Infinity Bar, so named because it's found at the base of the Infinity Atrium.

The ship's TV Studio & Bar is where you can find the cruise director filming the ship's daily morning show the night before. It's also the site of trivia competitions, several of which were standing-room-only.

There's a Sports Bar in the ship's Sportplex, but I never saw it open, even when the area was crowded. Three bars (Atmosphere Bar North, Atmosphere Bar South and Bamboo Bar) by the main Atmosphere Pool serve up classic umbrella drinks, as well as beer and other libations. You'll also find bars in the Marketplace Buffet, on the Yacht Club sun deck and in the Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge.

MSC Meraviglia activities

MSC Meraviglia hosts a variety of activities to keep you busy when you're not ashore. You might start your day with a free guided morning stretch or aerobics, or pop into the gym for a self-led session or a for-fee class like yoga or spin.

The daytime schedule features plenty of options for those with a competitive spirit. They range from golf putting, foosball, Ping-Pong soccer and pickleball tournaments to giant darts and trivia (visual trivia like airline logos and "name that place," as well as "name that tune" and general knowledge trivia).

If you'd rather get your groove on, keep an eye out for dance lessons and themed parties hosted by the entertainment team. My favorite was the Snow Party, when the crew blasted fake snow (which appeared to be suds of some sort) as we danced on the blazing hot pool deck.

Napkin folding, bingo, movie screenings, arts and crafts, and passenger talent shows (yes, you have to audition) round out the list of pastimes.

As you pass back and forth between events, don't miss the regularly scheduled dome shows along the Galleria Meraviglia promenade. You'll see the LED projections on the ceiling, covering topics like famous ceilings, dinosaurs, space and the changing of the seasons.

Beware of seminars on jewelry, health and wellness, and other topics that are thinly veiled sales pitches.

Feeling like a day of swimming or sunbathing? Pull up a lounge chair by the main Atmosphere Pool. If you're looking for a more sauna-like experience, head to the Solarium's covered Bamboo Pool; check out the aft Horizon Pool for better views and more peace and quiet. There's also a small pool on the private Yacht Club sun deck.

Looking to relax in a hot tub instead? You can find two of them one deck up from the Atmosphere Pool, as well as two at the Bamboo Pool and one on Deck 18's aft sun deck (behind Sportplex). There's also one at the Yacht Club Pool.

The Polar Aquapark on Deck 19 aft offers plenty of wet fun for kids and adults. Attractions include three slides — a bowl slide, where riders awkwardly end in the bowl and then exit via a flight of steps, and two twisty slides that require rafts — and a splash area with sprayers and dump buckets. There's no fee to use the space, but you'll need to sign a waiver and obtain a wristband before riding the waterslides.

Speaking of children, the ship has a dedicated kids club, called Doremiland (named after the cruise line's mascot, Doremi, as in the first three notes of a musical scale). The club is divided into Baby Club (infants and toddlers up to 3 years), Mini Club (ages 3 to 6 years), Junior Club (7 to 11 years), Young Club (12 to 14 years) and Teen Club (15 to 17 years).

Each group has age-appropriate activities scheduled, and all — except the tweens and teens, who can come and go as they please — are heavily supervised by qualified staff. Sample activities might include storytime, arts and crafts, and Lego playtime for younger children, while tweens and teens enjoy less structured pastimes like video games and dance parties.

MSC Meraviglia shows

As with most MSC ships, MSC Meraviglia's entertainment is stellar. From free live music, theater shows and promenade dance parties to extra-fee Cirque du Soleil-style performances, the options are varied and feature talented singers, dancers, magicians, acrobats and more.

Each production show is offered once per sailing, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in the Broadway Theatre. Some are staples, while others rotate.

"Born to Rock," "One Day More," "Cool" and "Journey" are the ship's recurring shows, which each appear once per weeklong cruise. They focus on popular songs in the rock 'n' roll and pop genres, Broadway hits, music from the '70s and '80s, and cultural favorites from Spain, Italy, France and more.

As part of a rotating selection of limited-time performers, English duo The Conjurors performed two shows during my sailing, featuring numbers games, mindreading and pre-show predictions that impressively came true by the end. The duo is scheduled for more than a dozen sailings. Other limited-engagement performers include comedians and pianists.

Speaking of limited-time performances, on the second-to-last night of the voyage, I sat in the theater unsure of what to expect from the headliner, Lorraine Crosby. "You might be thinking, 'She sounds like the lady who sings that Meat Loaf song.' Well, that's because I am the lady who sings that Meat Loaf song," Crosby joked. Her biggest claim to fame is that she rocked the female vocals in Meat Loaf's "I'd Do Anything for Love, But I Won't Do That."

What followed was a vocal performance that gave me chills. Crosby's range and ability to adapt to different genres are astounding. She belted out favorites by Queen, Tina Turner and Celine Dion and arguably did a better job of it than they did.

On the final night on board, she held an intimate performance for Yacht Club passengers in the suite area's private lounge. Again, I shivered as she took on the likes of Adele, AC/DC and others.

Another free entertainment option worth mentioning is daytime street theater that includes contortionists, roving musicians, magic workshops and flash mob-style performances by the onboard singers and dancers. If you happen to be passing through the promenade area when a flash mob happens, you're likely to see a punk rock-themed song-and-dance routine or, perhaps, one where the cast is dressed up like flowers, insects and birds.

Shows for a fee

Carousel Productions, MSC's own brand of Cirque du Soleil-style shows, are offered six days a week on MSC Meraviglia, with each of two shows — "House of Houdini" and "Rock Circus" — running three nights, on alternating days, with two performances each night (8 p.m. and 10 p.m.). Originally designed to house dinner theater, the Carousel Lounge is set up as a theater in the round and no longer serves food. (That ended when the cruise line shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the line has no current plans to bring it back.)

The for-fee performances levy a nominal charge for attendance and include a welcome drink for each showgoer.

"Rock Circus" is a mix of acrobatics, aerial performances, and song and dance to some of rock's greatest hits, including songs by Guns N' Roses and AC/DC.

"House of Houdini," which follows a clearer storyline than "Rock Circus," loosely tells the tale of Houdini's great underwater escape from a straitjacket and chains. A group of singers, dancers, acrobats and aerialists dressed as circus performers show Houdini the ropes as he prepares for his greatest feat.

MSC Meraviglia itineraries and pricing

Through at least September 2024, MSC Meraviglia is sailing seven- and eight-night voyages to Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas from Brooklyn.

It also features six-night Bermuda cruises that spend three days docked at King's Wharf, as well as 10- and 11-night Canada and New England sailings that feature calls on Boston; Portland, Maine; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; and Saint John, New Brunswick. The 11-night itinerary also visits Newport, Rhode Island.

A couple of 11-night Western Caribbean voyages visit Port Canaveral (the port for Orlando) and Miami in Florida, Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico and Ocean Cay.

MSC Meraviglia offers some of the lowest prices in the industry. At the time of publication, inside cabin prices were starting from $299 per person ($43 per person per night) for a seven-night Bahamas cruise, $379 per person ($63 per person per night) for a six-night Bermuda sailing, $449 per person ($41 per person per night) for an 11-night Western Caribbean voyage and $619 per person ($56 per person per night) for an 11-night trip to Canada and New England.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

As with a sailing on any ship, there's certain paperwork you'll need to cruise on MSC Meraviglia. If you're a U.S. citizen sailing from and returning to a U.S. port, you can sail with either an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license (both are required) or a passport. I recommend the latter, and it must be valid for at least six months.

MSC Cruises adds an automatic service charge of $14.50 per person, per day, to final bills on all sailings. For children 2 and older, the daily charge is half, or $7.25.

Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bills at bars for cruisers who do not have a drinks package. If you have a drinks package, you'll pay a 15% service charge when you purchase the package, but not on individual drinks. A 15% service charge is also added to items in minibars, salons and spas.

MSC Cruises' Wi-Fi, available through the MSC for Me app, is fast enough to be competitive with all of the other major cruise lines. But pricing varies, based on the number of devices you use and whether you're OK with simply browsing the web and checking e-mail or would prefer to use Netflix or other streaming services.

Expect to pay about $72 for one device with unlimited data on a basic package. A two-device plan for the same runs about $109. There's also a four-device plan for about $223. If streaming video is what you're hoping to do, you'll need one of the more expensive plans, which range from about $100 to more than $300.

Be warned that plans are tied to specific devices, and you cannot switch between them. For example, if you buy a one-device package, you cannot use it for your cellphone, log out and then log back in with your tablet. In that case, you would need to purchase a two-device package.

MSC's MSC for Me app allows passengers on the same ship to chat with one another for free without purchasing a Wi-Fi package. The app also lets you make dining reservations, check the daily schedule and view your onboard bill.

Carry-on drinks policy

MSC does not allow passengers to bring any of their own alcohol on board.

Smoking policy

Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is permitted in a few designated areas, including the port side of the main pool deck. It's also allowed on one side of the casino. Nonsmokers, beware: The separate sides do nothing to keep the smell from wafting. It was enough to keep me away from the area for the duration of my sailing. Smoking isn't allowed in cabins or on cabin balconies; violators will receive a $250 fine.

MSC Cruises does not offer self-service laundry facilities on any of its ships. However, passengers can send their clothing out to be washed, folded, pressed or dry-cleaned for a fee.

Electrical outlets

MSC Meraviglia's cabins all have a mix of 110-volt North American outlets, 220-volt European outlets and USB ports. In my Yacht Club balcony stateroom, I had three North American outlets, three European outlets and one USB port, all at the desk/vanity area — none near the bed.

The onboard currency for MSC Meraviglia when it sails from New York is the U.S. dollar.

Drinking age

You must be 21 to consume alcohol on MSC Meraviglia's sailings from the U.S.

Passengers on MSC Meraviglia's warm-weather itineraries from Brooklyn can be found in T-shirts, shorts, bathing suits and cover-ups during the day, when there's no set dress code.

The line's American clientele tends to dress more casually at night, as well, but the line suggests "smart casual" attire for dinner. That might include khakis with button-down or polo-style collared shirts for men and sundresses or nice pants with a flowy top for women. Dark, unripped jeans are also acceptable for both men and women.

On "gala" evenings (usually one per weeklong sailing), the dress code is more refined. Passengers might choose to wear tuxedos, suits, khakis with button-downs and blazers, cocktail dresses or sparkly ball gowns.

On my sailing, the ship also had "tropical" and "white" listed on the daily schedule as suggested attire. Pack accordingly.

Bottom line

MSC Meraviglia is a beautiful ship with great food, shows and public spaces, but it has a few pain points.

In addition to feeling crowded, the vessel charges extra for many things that will make your overall cruise better. If you're on a strict budget, either resign yourself to doing only the free activities and eating in the main dining room and buffet, or plan to sail with a different cruise line.

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
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

MSC YACHT CLUB: THE ULTIMATE LUXURY CRUISE EXPERIENCE

Feel the finesse/elegance of luxury cruises with MSC Yacht Club , an exclusive haven of refined indulgence .

Surround yourself in unparalleled comfort and personalized service as you embark on an astounding voyage aboard our finest ships.

Discover a world where  privacy  meets  luxury , where every detail is meticulously crafted to exceed your highest expectations.

Savour the sophistication  and  elegance of luxury cruises from the very first step onboard.

Our  dedicated staff  will cater to your every need, ensuring that your  journey  is nothing but sensational.

Welcome to  MSC Yacht Club , where every moment is designed to surpass all your desires and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Attentive butler service around the clock

Enjoy the exceptional service of your butler, who will attend to your every need and ensure unforgettable moments throughout your exclusive cruise. From personalized recommendations to organize services onboard or ashore, from shoeshine to 3am treats, always with a meticulous attention to detail, your butler is dedicated to enhancing your voyage and creating cherished memories. Indulge in a privileged journey of luxury, where your desires are met with impeccable service.

The Essence of Luxury, Delivered

Immerse yourself in the essence of luxury aboard MSC Yacht Club. With a private lounge, priority check-in, and seamless embarkation and disembarkation, every moment of your private cruise is tailored to provide exclusivity and tranquility. Experience a dedicated sun deck adorned with a pool, whirlpool, solarium, the possibility to organize a tailored shopping session and private excursions and a curated selection of refreshments. Discover a sanctuary of luxury, where privacy and indulgence harmonize.

A Culinary Journey of Exquisite Delights

Embark on a culinary journey like no other within MSC Yacht Club. Delight in gourmet creations and five-star service that will tantalize your taste buds. Our world-class chefs and attentive staff will ensure each meal is an extraordinary experience, where every bite is a moment of pure pleasure. Savor the finest flavors as you indulge in a gastronomic adventure curated exclusively for you during this high end cruise.

Endless Privacy and Pleasures Await 

Immerse yourself in a world of endless pleasures and privacy within MSC Yacht Club, where luxury, relaxation, and entertainment converge. Taste our selection of cocktails or other drinks among our offered beverages available in all onboard bars and restaurants. As a guest of The MSC Yacht Club, indulge in exclusive amenities such as the complimentary use of Thermal Suite and MSC Aurea Spa: elevate your luxury cruise experience to unparalleled heights of privilege.

Unrivaled comfort and exquisite luxury

Experience the finest luxury accommodation during your  MSC Yacht Club luxury cruise . Discover lavishly appointed suites designed with meticulous attention to detail .

Immerse yourself in the epitome of comfort with  luxurious amenities and elegant touches .

From Myform Memory mattresses to Egyptian cotton bedding and mattresses and a Dorelan pillow menu ,  marble bathrooms to complimentary minibars, your every need is catered to for a truly exceptional luxury cruise .

Live an high end accommodation on our newest ships , featuring innovative options like  Interior Suites, Executive and Family Suites , Deluxe Suites, Duplex Suites , and our remarkable  Royal Suites and Owner's Suite .

Enjoy exclusivity savoring panoramic views from your private balcony , immersing yourself in a five-stars cruise cabins that brings you closer to the sea while enveloping you in an unparalleled sense of premiumness .

• Surface 26 sqm, balcony 5 sqm, deck 14-18
• Sitting area with sofa
• Spacious wardrobe
• Bathroom with shower or bathtub , vanity area with hairdryer
• Comfortable double or single beds (on request)
• Wifi connection included
• Interactive TV, telephone, safe and minibar
• ZOE - in-cabin Bluetooth speaker

The image is representative only: displayed cabins from MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Euribia Size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same cabin category)

• Surface 58 sqm, balcony 39 sqm, deck 15
• Balcony with private whirlpool bath and dining table
• Separate living area and dining room
• Walk-in wardrobes
• Bathroom with tub and shower, vanity area with hairdryer
• Wifi connection included; ZOE - in-cabin Bluetooth speaker
• Surface 59 sqm with a balcony 23 sqm, deck 9-12
• Two-deck-high cabin
• Easy access to the Yacht Club areas
• Open living/dining room with sofa that converts to double bed
• Bathroom with shower

Second level

• Master bedroom with double bed which can be converted into two single beds (on request)
• Two walk in wardrobes.
• Bathroom with tub

Terms & Conditions

• The free cruise change is applicable either on the cruise dates or on the destination. Such change needs to be performed up to 30 calendar days before departure, for a new cruise to sail within 90 calendar days from the original departure. Any cruise change shall be requested through MSC Book or our contact centers.
•  You can discover the ultimate in MSC exclusivity with the MSC Yacht Club, available on board of all our ships except: MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Magnifica, MSC Musica, MSC Opera. MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia and MSC Sinfonia.
• Possibility to organise tailor made excursions depending from itineraries.
• For more information about the premium extra drink package please click here .

Thank you for visiting MSC Cruises

Your browser may be out of date or not compatible with our new site and may not be secure.

For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below.

Thank you for visiting our site and we look forward to seeing you on board soon!

MSC Cruises

• MSC Cruises

Just scored an upgrade to Yacht Club on the Meraviglia - any tips on taking full advantage?

By douglanglois , January 14, 2020 in MSC Cruises

Recommended Posts

douglanglois

Any tips on getting the maximum benefit from the amenities of MSC Yacht Club? The wife and I are generally pretty low maintenance, so left to our devices there's a good chance we'd never even think to ask and end up missing out. I'm not sure we even get the full service from a regular cruise porter, never mind a butler!

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

How did you get that upgrade....what did you do....

4 minutes ago, Preziosa said: How did you get that upgrade....what did you do....

Well you know, I'm kind of a big deal... Kidding. After much discussion of the relative merits, we put in an offer via the plusgrade program.

MSC staff and butlers do a great job.  The first day upon boarding the maitre de or host/ess will track you down and try to get an idea of when you want to eat even though there are no set times in YC.  You'll meet your butler at some point, he may ask if you want beds separate or together.

In the lounge, just sit down and someone will readily take your drink order.  Up by he pool, they aren't as quick to do so, so we just walk up to the bar and order.

Guessing you'll also have access to the spa for free.  You'll have a wristband that does everything except let you on/off the boat as far as charging for things or unlocking your door.  The butlers also usually escort you to places like the nightly shows if you desire.  They'll also escort you off and in some cases back on the ship.  If you are at GC, there is a separate line to get on the tenders.

Concierge in main area to help with reservations.

Eat, drink an be merry.

Enjoy the perks that are specific to YC, such as the Top Sail Lounge, One Pool, access to the thermal area of the spa.  Preferred and escorted exits on port days are swell.  We are also relatively low maintenance, so shoe shine, laundry, and a caffé latte in the morning are pretty much it for us.

Congratulations to you! Enjoy. Our first MSC cruise (and YC experience) starts in two days. 

22 minutes ago, Zephyr173 said: Eat, drink an be merry.   Enjoy the perks that are specific to YC, such as the Top Sail Lounge, One Pool, access to the thermal area of the spa.  Preferred and escorted exits on port days are swell.  We are also relatively low maintenance, so shoe shine, laundry, and a caffé latte in the morning are pretty much it for us.

Have never asked a MSC butler to shine my shoes.

I have done so prior to the first gala evening on each YC cruise.  Just remember it's preferable (as a courtesy to the butler) to give your shoes the day before.

3 hours ago, douglanglois said: Any tips on getting the maximum benefit from the amenities of MSC Yacht Club?

I haven't sailed YC before, but if I did I can only imagine the things I would request just to see how far they would go to accommodate me. You're welcome to take this list and call it your own...good luck!

- Have the butler iron your shorts each day while you're at breakfast.

- Tell GS you have an aversion of 'crushed' ice and you'll need one of those block cubes in the glass for each drink order.

- Have the butler iron your socks and fold them in to a tight triangle each day while you're at the YC pool.

- Let the YC Matre D know you prefer your vegetables to be arranged on your plate in the form of a smiley face.

- Let the butler know it would really make your day if he could share one or two 'Dad jokes' whenever you run in to him.

Of course as the trip progresses you'll come up with dozens more ideas like this that'll take your trip from good to GREAT!

4 minutes ago, Ray_Ray said: I haven't sailed YC before, but if I did I can only imagine the things I would request just to see how far they would go to accommodate me. You're welcome to take this list and call it your own...good luck!   - Have the butler iron your shorts each day while you're at breakfast. - Tell GS you have an aversion of 'crushed' ice and you'll need one of those block cubes in the glass for each drink order. - Have the butler iron your socks and fold them in to a tight triangle each day while you're at the YC pool. - Let the YC Matre D know you prefer your vegetables to be arranged on your plate in the form of a smiley face. - Let the butler know it would really make your day if he could share one or two 'Dad jokes' whenever you run in to him.   Of course as the trip progresses you'll come up with dozens more ideas like this that'll take your trip from good to GREAT!   Enjoy.      

hahaha they will had you a laundry slip and charge the account

BermudaBound2014

5 hours ago, douglanglois said: Any tips on getting the maximum benefit from the amenities of MSC Yacht Club? The wife and I are generally pretty low maintenance, so left to our devices there's a good chance we'd never even think to ask and end up missing out. I'm not sure we even get the full service from a regular cruise porter, never mind a butler!

Congratulations on a scoring an upgrade. Was this complimentary or did you bid?

IMO, the best part of YC is that there is zero crowding in top sail lounge and the pool. No need to secure a chair. We didn't find service exceptional in YC, but we seem to be in the minority. We didn't ask our butler for anything really as I'm just not that type. For us, the ONLY time being in YC had a great benefit was debarkation. We got into Miami several hours late and it took until 2 p.m. to debark the whole ship. We had a flight out at noon and our butler escorted us to the front of the line. That was worth a bunch!

Oh, you can over ride the elevator with your YC card.  Some people like doing that. Personally, I think it's in extremely poor taste and would never ever attempt this. Ever. Seriously, who can't wait for an elevator to stop at a few extra floors?  But again, I seem to be in the minority as many YC guests liked to use this feature. 

We like to do the elevator access just to see how often it works. Read reports of Divinia being spotty and it was.  Seaside seems to work better though, but not 100%.

12 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said: ....Oh, you can over ride the elevator with your YC card.  Some people like doing that. Personally, I think it's in extremely poor taste and would never ever attempt this. Ever. Seriously, who can't wait for an elevator to stop at a few extra floors?  But again, I seem to be in the minority as many YC guests liked to use this feature. 

Well said, agree entirely so we are in that minority also....have never used it on our 3 YC cruises, and would only do so in an 'emergency' situation e.g. DW requiring a quick expedite to cabin for urgent wc use!

perakcruiser

Let the YC restaurant staff sing "For he's a jolly good fellow" for you with every meal conducted by your butler. Yes, every meal includes breakfast also, certainly. 

14 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:   Congratulations on a scoring an upgrade. Was this complimentary or did you bid?   IMO, the best part of YC is that there is zero crowding in top sail lounge and the pool. No need to secure a chair. We didn't find service exceptional in YC, but we seem to be in the minority. We didn't ask our butler for anything really as I'm just not that type. For us, the ONLY time being in YC had a great benefit was debarkation. We got into Miami several hours late and it took until 2 p.m. to debark the whole ship. We had a flight out at noon and our butler escorted us to the front of the line. That was worth a bunch!   Oh, you can over ride the elevator with your YC card.  Some people like doing that. Personally, I think it's in extremely poor taste and would never ever attempt this. Ever. Seriously, who can't wait for an elevator to stop at a few extra floors?  But again, I seem to be in the minority as many YC guests liked to use this feature. 

We bid for the upgrade.  I was having the same thought about the elevator override. We were on the Seaside in the summer, and when it was busy, it was quite annoying seeing the elevator zip past with the YC-override symbol showing. I think most of us have come to terms with the fact that money buys privilege, but this particular upgrade feels like something taken away from regular passengers, rather than just an extra bought by YC passengers. Felt a bit 'in your face'. To make matters worse, I was told there were a bunch of teenagers in yacht club that had decided tying up the elevators was great sport.

lifeasme123

We are traveling with another couple, but they have not received the upgrade email (yet).  They have a guaranteed cabin and has not been assigned a cabin yet for our April cruise.  When do you assign the cabin?

We are debating on whether to upgrade because our friends will not be in the YC.

3 hours ago, lifeasme123 said: We are traveling with another couple, but they have not received the upgrade email (yet).  They have a guaranteed cabin and has not been assigned a cabin yet for our April cruise.  When do you assign the cabin?

When booking a cabin category as guarantee MSC now shows the following:

Your stateroom will be assigned approximately 4 days prior the date of sailing. Kindly note that in case of a guarantee stateroom booked for 4 or more passengers, you may be assigned 2 separate staterooms instead of a quadruple stateroom (with no price difference). In this case, the staterooms will be on the same Deck and same ship side, as close as possible to each other but without a connecting door.

With the ships using the new bidding system I think they are less likely to assign guarantee cabins before the last minute.

On 1/14/2020 at 12:34 PM, douglanglois said: Any tips on getting the maximum benefit from the amenities of MSC Yacht Club?

Please understand that I grew up with irrationally frugal parents where we combined soap scraps to create new bars and spent cross-country vacations in campgrounds, with KOA as the exception because it was "too fancy". Suze Orman could best explain what happened when I became independent of my parents. So from that perspective, the two things that are most intoxicatingly delightful for me about MSC Yacht Club are: (1) anything that is slightly "askew" or would require waiting in line is taken care of, such as the time that my luggage was confiscated because my awesomely over-engineered nail clipper designed by orthopedic surgeons was mis-identified as a forbidden tool in X-ray inspection by ship security (photo below with butler taking care of the situation in the background), and (2) no lines! (See South Park: Season 5, Episode 6, Cartmanland.)

May I ask a question as I was recently upgraded also via bid.  My edocs still say "Bella" on booking info page, on embarkation sheet, and luggage tags.  Is this case with you? Original experience still on docs?

 Futher back it has a page that lists all the plusgrade amenities. 

Trying to get Q answered, CS with Meraviglia gave another number to call, cant reach that.

Thanks if anyone can answer this one.  

I am going to answer my own question, and hopefully it helps someone else.  I called the second customer support number, which they asked me not to post because it is for travel agents (I am NOT a TA!)   I think they gave me the number to get me off the phone.

Here is the answer--they cannot remove the "experience " of the original reservation.  However, at embarkation the agent will have  "hidden" notes on the reservation that show the YC upgrade and amenities thereof.    Whew!

She did give me an email address to share with CC members--turnaround is generally 2 days.  Perhaps it is on this board somewhere but I have not found it.

[email protected]

1 hour ago, brandy3415 said: May I ask a question as I was recently upgraded also via bid.  My edocs still say "Bella" on booking info page, on embarkation sheet, and luggage tags.  Is this case with you? Original experience still on docs?  Futher back it has a page that lists all the plusgrade amenities.    Trying to get Q answered, CS with Meraviglia gave another number to call, cant reach that. Thanks if anyone can answer this one.  

When I view my reservation online, and on pages 3&5 of our E-ticket packet, our experience is listed as yacht club. Did you try clicking "Request E-Tickets" on the website again after you got the upgrade notification?

Funny.  When I request e tickets it gives me my old cabin number!  The ones I have on for me page 4-your cruise booking information, while 'experience' is Bella the category is "YC1 -Yacht Club Deluxe Suite".   These came by email minutes after the bid was accepted.   Page 6 -purchased services says only "Plusgrade".  Page 7, has full description of YC amenities, also under 'purchased services.  

And as I stated above, the very nice travel agent support agent said that it was not possible for them to remove the experience part.  Maybe because I was Bella?????She did not say.   I am now going to cease worrying that I will be turned away from Top Sail or the restaurant!!!

Thanks for your input!

I'll suggest a few small things:

• If you know what you think you'll want in your mini-fridge, ask for it when you meet him/her. That way when you come back in the evening it'll be all ready for you from then on.
• Go to afternoon tea in topsail lounge
• Ask for a cheese plate to be made up and delivered to your room. 
• Ask for coffee/tea to be delivered each morning.
• Specifically on the Meraviglia, ask for a curry --- you have to ask the day before - the chef is from India and makes excellent curry, but needs to plan it so it doesn't negatively impact the ability to make/serve the rest of the planned meals. 
• If you find something you really like one day, and nothing on the menu the next day appeals to you, see if they can make the meal you really liked. For example, if you like cheese risotto, and but they have a risotto that doesn't appeal to you, you can ask if they can make the cheese risotto.
• If you have already booked the Cirque shows, tell the concierge ASAP and you'll be switched to the YC seating area.

Personally, my butler was only so-so, so don't go in expecting super service.  I would have complained, but I heard that any complaints mean automatic firing, and while it wasn't top notch service, it wasn't worth having the person fired for.

BTW - the reason your ticket says Bella is because outside of YC, you only get the level of experience you paid for originally. You will NOT get drinks, etc. at outside bars unless you paid for a drink package. You will get access to the thermal spa, and access to the special seating areas for the theater and Cirque - and the topsail lounge and restaurant you can eat and drink at - you just can't get a drink outside the YC without paying for it.

9 hours ago, Lookn4Sun said: I'll suggest a few small things: If you know what you think you'll want in your mini-fridge, ask for it when you meet him/her. That way when you come back in the evening it'll be all ready for you from then on. Go to afternoon tea in topsail lounge Ask for a cheese plate to be made up and delivered to your room.  Ask for coffee/tea to be delivered each morning. Specifically on the Meraviglia, ask for a curry --- you have to ask the day before - the chef is from India and makes excellent curry, but needs to plan it so it doesn't negatively impact the ability to make/serve the rest of the planned meals.  If you find something you really like one day, and nothing on the menu the next day appeals to you, see if they can make the meal you really liked. For example, if you like cheese risotto, and but they have a risotto that doesn't appeal to you, you can ask if they can make the cheese risotto. If you have already booked the Cirque shows, tell the concierge ASAP and you'll be switched to the YC seating area. Personally, my butler was only so-so, so don't go in expecting super service.  I would have complained, but I heard that any complaints mean automatic firing, and while it wasn't top notch service, it wasn't worth having the person fired for.  

Having been in the Mera YC twice, and another booked, this is the best and most balanced suggestions and comments I read on this thread.....All of it is sound, and those things (with suggested timelines) would never come across as demanding. The one thing that disappointed us was the afternoon tea, we thought it was average at best....but go and experience it as YMMV.

9 hours ago, hamrag said:   Having been in the Mera YC twice, and another booked, this is the best and most balanced suggestions and comments I read on this thread.....All of it is sound, and those things (with suggested timelines) would never come across as demanding. The one thing that disappointed us was the afternoon tea, we thought it was average at best....but go and experience it as YMMV.

I'm flattered.

I was trying to think about how to describe the YC experience and the butler - whom, BTW, is shared among, I think 8 cabins on the Meraviglia.

One way to think of it as that the YC and the butler are there to help your trip be as stress free as possible. YC members get less stress when boarding, don't have to deal with the crowded buffet or dining room or pool deck or bar; delicious food is easy to get (with quality between the MDR and the specialty restaurants), you only have to worry about high end drinks, they help you get off at ports, they make sure your room is as you want it, they will escort you to shows and help make sure you have a good view (or in the main theater at least a seat!),  you get access to the places to relax and unwind in the thermal spa, etc..  If you are on a longer cruise, they will start to remember you and your preferences - if you order a Pina Colada Zero every day around 5 as your pre-dinner drink, by the third time they will more than likely see you and suggest it if not start making it. You tend to know the servers and others in the dining room.

While some people want to "test the limits" or push to see what they can ask for, I'd suggest you think what will make your cruise as relaxing, stress free, and comfortable as possible (within reason) . Want to have coffee each morning without having to order it? Done. Want to have large print version of a newspaper? Done. Want to order a pizza because you slept through lunch and don't want to deal with the pool deck or buffet? Done [as long as the pizzeria is open, which was noon to midnight on the cruise I was on]. Want to arrange (and pay) for a private tour during one of the stops? Done. Don't like the pillow you have? Need another blanket? Done.  Want to surprise your SO with towel animals on a particular night? Ask and it's done. Never want to leave your room and just want to enjoy your suite because you just want to totally decompress/write your novel/whatever? Order every meal and/or pizza from room service --- note, however, that they will not deliver food from the dining room unless you are sick, so that might become old very fast! Want to relax right away? They can help you unpack. Want to spend as much time as possible enjoying the last day/night? They can help you pack. 

A bit off from the original question, but I hope that helps the OP and others when thinking about how to utilize YC and the butler.

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started Friday at 03:57 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 08:42 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 02:44 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 11:22 AM

LauraS · Started Tuesday at 02:51 PM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

Guide to the MSC Meraviglia Cruise Ship and Things to Do

Posted on Published: 10/05/2023  - Last updated: 10/17/2023

While Boston isn’t necessarily thought of as a cruise ship destination, it is a popular port of call in the summer and fall months. Last week, Boston welcomed the largest ship to visit the Flynn Boston Cruiseport this year – the MSC Meraviglia. The ship, which originated in Brooklyn, visited Boston on the way to Canada as part of a New England/Canada itinerary.

While I didn’t sail on the MSC Meraviglia, I did have the opportunity to visit the ship for the day at the Flynn Cruiseport to see all of the activities on board. I also enjoyed lunch at the Butchers Cut Steak restaurant on board.

Disclosure: My day and lunch on the MSC Meraviglia were at no cost. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links and a purchase/click through this post may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you.

Find prices on your next MSC sailing here .

About the MSC Meraviglia Cruise Ship

MSC cruise line, which is headquartered in Switzerland, is the third-largest cruise brand in the world and has been growing in North America. The MSC Meraviglia, which was first introduced in 2017, has a passenger capacity of 5,700 guests across 19 passenger decks.

She’s 1,036 feet long and 213 feet tall (one of the largest cruise ships) and has a current home port in New York City (Brooklyn Cruise Terminal). The MSC Meraviglia is the first of the Meraviglia class ships.

When I talk to people about large cruise ships, they are often concerned about getting lost. I felt comfortable in the Meraviglia right away, however, and already had a good sense of direction after a few hours on board. Maps and deck plans by the elevators can help aid in directions as you try to find different destinations on the ship.

The centerpiece of the ship is the Galleria Meraviglia, a 315-foot atrium/indoor promenade with an LED domed ceiling. I loved the open atmosphere of this area, where you’ll find many of the shops and restaurants on board.

Activities on the MSC Meraviglia

As someone who was very new to the MSC brand, and who is very focused on family travel, I wasn’t sure what type of kid-friendly activities to expect about the ship. I was very impressed by the amount and quality of family entertainment on board, however. There’s a lot for a family to enjoy in between port stops.

Water Park: The Meraviglia actually offers a water park at sea, right on the top deck. This water park has three twisty slides and is a great place to hang out during days at sea between port stops.

Ropes Course: Located along the water park is the Himalayan Bridge ropes course, the centerpiece of which is a bridge walk. Be sure to pack the appropriate footwear if you plan to take advantage of the ropes course.

Swimming Pools: The pool deck is always one of the most popular destinations during a family cruise. MSC offers several pools, including an indoor pool with a retractable roof – the Bamboo Pool (perfect for cooler weather itineraries). There’s also an adult-only pool.

MSC Aurea Spa: In recent years, I’ve been finding myself spending more and more time in spas on board ships. So, while I was on board the ship, I made sure to take a quick tour of the Aurea spa, including the thermal suite.

This area includes saunas, steam rooms, a Himalayan salt room, hot tubs, and much more. You can also choose to book a spa treatment. An additional fee applies for the spa.

Kids’ Club : My kids always enjoyed spending time in cruise ship kids’ clubs, so I was eager to see the offerings on the MSC Meraviglia. There are five different kids’ clubs for different ages/stages, from 0-17 years old. MSC has a partnership with LEGO, and that can easily be seen as soon as you enter the Doremiland Kids’ Club area.

Sportsplex and Gym: You don’t have to worry about skipping your workouts when you are on board the MSC Meraviglia. In addition to a TechnoGym with loads of fitness equipment, there’s also a Sportsplex area. In this indoor area, you can play basketball, pickleball, volleyball, and more, away from the elements.

Entertainment Area: One of the most impressive areas on the ship for families, in my opinion, is the small entertainment area overlooking the Sportsplex. Here, you’ll find a 4D theater, an F1 racing simulator, a flight simulator, and a bowling alley. I think this area of the ship will be especially appealing to teens.

Theaters: Want to see a show while onboard? There are two different entertainment venues. The Carousel, which requires an additional fee, offers two dynamic shows – Rock Circus and House of Houdini. There’s also the Broadway Theater, which offers six different shows during every sailing.

Casino : There’s a large casino on board, as well as a separate area with just slot machines.

Restaurants on the MSC Meraviglia

With 20 bars and 12 restaurants, you’ll never go hungry or thirsty. Here are some of the venues (including bars and specialty restaurants) you’ll find on board:

Butchers Cut: This high-end steakhouse is a splurge, but it’s absolutely delicious. I enjoyed a burrata and beet appetizer and a small filet mignon entree. Another highlight is the bacon cheese bread.

Kaito Teppanyaki: Enjoy Japanese food cooked right in front of you in this Teppanyaki restaurant located on the ship.

Kaito Sushi Bar: Sushi is one of my favorite foods, so I’m always happy to see a sushi restaurant on board a ship. Kaito Sushi Bar is located adjacent to Kaito Teppanyaki.

L’Olivio d’Oro and L’Olive Doree – two separate sides of a restaurant that is included as two of the main dining rooms. They are open for dinner.

Waves Restaurant: Another included restaurant is Waves Restaurant. It offers all three meals.

Panorama Restaurant: A restaurant offered exclusively to guests booked in the Aurea Class.

Marketplace Buffet: This is your typical cruise ship buffet, but it also offers pizza as well as freshly made mozzarella.

Ocean Cay: If you want to have some seafood while you are onboard, you’ll want to make a reservation at this specialty restaurant.

Hola! Tacos and Cantina: This is a newer concept for MSC and is extremely popular.

There’s also the Jean Philippe Chocolat and Cafe, (by French chocolatier Jean Philippe Maury), Jean Philippe Crepes and Gelato, the Carousel Lounge, Edge cocktail bar, the Champagne Bar, the Brass Anchor Pub, the Meravilglia Bar and Lounge, the TV Studio and Bar, the Attic Club nightclub, Atmosphere North and South bars, the Bamboo Bar, the Sports Bar, the Sky Lounge, the Horizon Bar, the Top Sail Lounge (exclusive to MSC Yacht Club sailors), and the Polar Bar.

Shops on the MSC Meraviglia

While you are on board the ship, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do some shopping. Like all cruise shops, these stores are not open when the cruise ship is in port.

Shops include an MSC merchandise shop, a duty-free shop, a jewelry shop, an accessory shop, and a clothing shop.

Yacht Club on the MSC Meraviglia

Guests booking a cruise on the MSC Meraviglia (and every MSC ship) have the option to book the MSC Yacht Club. This premium experience does cost more but offers a “ship within a ship” experience.

Benefits of the Yacht Club include:

• A premium stateroom in this exclusive section of the ship
• Access to the Top Sail Lounge
• Priority elevator access
• Priority embarkation and disembarkation
• Access to the Thermal Spa
• Exclusive access to the private pool deck just for Yacht Club guests
• An exclusive Yacht Club restaurant
• A premium beverage package
• 24-hour room service

MSC Meraviglia Itineraries

Ready to set sail on the Meraviglia? There are some great itineraries offered on the ship, including some that stop at MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay. These include (not a complete list):

• The Bahamas and Florida: 7-night sailings stopping at Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Ocean Cay, 8-night sailings stopping in Miami , Nassau, and Ocean Cay, 9-night sailings shopping in Port Canaveral, Miami, Nassau, and Ocean Cay, 16-night sailings going to Port Canaveral, Miami, Nassau, and Ocean Cay, and 10-night sailings stopping in Puerto Plata , San Juan, USVI, and St. Maarten.
• Bermuda: 5 and 6-night sailings going to Bermuda, 12-night sailings going to Bermuda , Port Canaveral, Ocean Cay, and Nassau, and 14-night sailings going to Bermuda, Miami, Ocean Cay, and Nassau
• Caribbean and Bahamas: 11 and 20-night sailings stopping in Port Canaveral , Miami, Ocean Cay, Cozumel, and Costa Maya
• Canada and New England: 10-night sailings stopping in Newport, RI, Boston, MA, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, and St. John, and 11-night sailings stopping in Newport, RI, Boston, MA, Portland, ME, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, and St. John

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

David Perlman

Friday 6th of October 2023

Nicely written, informative article. My best friend from high school and his wife are onboard for the Oct 4th, 2023 sailing and this article lets me know more than he will! Thanks.

Everything MSC Meraviglia – Part 4 – Cabins and Experiences Guide

Cabins and Experiences on MSC Meraviglia

We spent a week onboard  MSC Meraviglia  in October 2018. In case you missed it, you can  read our entire live-blog  here .

Since our return, we’ve written some detailed guides for anyone who is considering sailing on  MSC Meraviglia . We’ll cover everything from where to get a drink, see a show, the services onboard to even what your cabin includes!

Our fourth guide shows you the cabins and experiences available on  MSC Meraviglia .

If you have never booked an MSC Cruise before you will find they offer a unique booking experience that other cruise lines don’t offer. After you have decided on your ship and itinerary, you pick a cabin grade that you wish to cruise in (inside, balcony, etc) and then an  experience . The experience ranges from a standard inclusive no-addons  (Bella)  to full spa and all-inclusive drinks  (Aurea Spa)  for the duration of your cruise.

MSC Meraviglia also offers one of the newer experiences that some of the older ships in the fleet don’t have which is called MSC Yacht Club. This is part of the ship which is secluded from the rest of the ship with more luxurious cabins, services and facilities.

Please note, this information was correct as of November 2018 . However, from Summer 2019 the Wellness experience will no longer exist and cabins designed for the Wellness experience will be designated to one of the three other experiences ( Bella , Fantastica or Aurea ), see the deck plan below for details.

[xyz-ihs snippet=”bc-inarticle”]

First, we’ll list what is standard in all of the cabins throughout the ship:

• Interactive TV (including safety videos and channels in multiple languages), voyage map and information, show and restaurant reservations, your daily agenda, information about the next port. Movies on demand (chargeable).
• Bedside cabinets with bed light and separate LED reading light
• Wardrobe with several built-in storage drawers and electronic safe.
• Hair dryer (located in the desk drawer)
• Air conditioning controls
• WiFi – for connecting MSC for Me App (free), internet access (chargeable)
• Desk area with drawer, seat and bin, large mirror
• Ice bucket (fillable on request), glasses.
• Do not disturb button
• Make up room button
• Three coat hooks behind the door
• 2 x beach/sunbed towels
• Bathrooms include: Shower, bath towels, storage shelves and cupboard, razor socket, shower and shampoo gel (fixed containers within shower), clothes drying line (located in the shower), hand soap dispenser. Tissues.

Next, onto what cabin types with which experience is available and where you can find them on the ship:

Interior cabin

The interior cabin has an approx area of 16 sq. m (172 sq. foot) and includes two single beds (which can be made into a double on request).

Availability:

• Interior (Bella) – Decks 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14
• Interior (Fantastica) – Decks 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14
• Interior (Wellness) – Deck 13

Total number available: 667

Ocean View cabin

The Ocean View cabins include a porthole-style window that looks out to sea. They have an approx area of 15 sq. m (160 sq. foot) and include a double bed that can be made into two single beds on request. These cabins also include a three-seat sofa (check the deck plans at the bottom for which ones can be made into a bed). The Ocean View cabin also has a large desk area which spans above the minibar and includes a small stool which slides under the desk area.

• Ocean View (Bella) – Decks 5 & 8
• Ocean View (Fantastica) – Decks 5 & 8
• Ocean View (Wellness) – Deck 8

Total number available: 136

Balcony cabin

The Balcony cabins include a spacious balcony, complete with two chairs and a small table outside. The balcony doors slide across (patio-style) and have a child-lock 3/4 of the way up the door. They have an approx area of 19 sq. m (204 sq. foot). This cabin type also includes a three-seat sofa (check the deck plans at the bottom for which ones can be made into a bed). The Balcony cabin also has a large desk area which spans above the minibar and includes a small stool which slides under the desk area.

• Balcony cabin (Bella) – Decks 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13
• Balcony cabin (Fantastica) – Decks 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14
• Balcony cabin (Wellness) – Decks 8, 13 & 14
• Balcony cabin (Aurea) –  Decks 13 & 14

Total number available: 1,274

The Suites are available with the Aurea experience only. They range in size from 27 sq. m (290 sq. foot) to 39 sq. m (420 sq. foot). The Suites offer the same as a Balcony cabin but with a separate lounge/dining area from the bedroom, a larger balcony (usually angled) which also contains its own private whirlpool bath.

• Suites (Aurea) – Decks 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13 (all based forward)

Total number available: 10

Duplex Suites

The Duplex Suites are available with the Aurea experience only. They are 59 sq. m (635 sq. foot) in size over two levels. Downstairs you have a sofa bed, a bathroom with shower and a dining/lounge area, leading out to a large balcony with a private whirlpool bath. Upstairs you have the master bedroom with double bed, full glass window views over your balcony area and there are two walk-in wardrobes and a large bathroom complete with bath.

Availability: 

• Duplex Suites (Aurea) – Decks 9, 10, 12 & 13 (all based forward)

Total number available: 8

MSC Yacht Club suites

The MSC Yacht Club and its suites are all located at the front of the ship from Decks 14 to 18. This area is via keycard access only and also contains the Top Sail Lounge (Deck 16), Top Sail Restaurant (Deck 18), MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Bar, MSC Yacht Club Grill, Solarium, Pool and whirlpool baths. This area also has its own lift to the MSC Aurea Spa and priority lifts to the rest of the ship.

Interior Suites

These suites are 16 sq. m (170 sq. foot) in size and are available in the MSC Yacht Club only. They include a double bed (which can be made into two singles if requested), a small desk area with large mirror and two chairs.

• Interior Suites (MSC Yacht Club) – Decks 14, 15 & 16

Total number available: 15

Deluxe Suites

The MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suites are based on the Balcony cabins throughout the rest of the ship. However, they are larger in size at 28 sq. m (300 sq. foot). They offer a double bed (available to be made into singles at request) a larger lounge area, with a two-seat sofa, tables and two chairs, Large desk area with large mirror and large flatscreen TV, bathroom with large shower and area. Plus, a large balcony with two chairs and a table. Additionally, a Nespresso-type machine is located in your suite.

• Deluxe Suites (MSC Yacht Club) – Decks 14, 15, 16 & 18

Total number available: 75

Wellness Deluxe Suites

The MSC Yacht Club Wellness Deluxe Suites are the same as the Deluxe Suites but offer an in-room TechnoGym Kinesis; enabling you to work out in the comfort of your suite. These suites will no longer be available after Summer 2019 and will be converted to Deluxe Suites.

• Wellness Deluxe Suites (MSC Yacht Club) – Deck 14

Total number available: 2

Royal Suites

The MSC Yacht Club Royal Suites are the grandest suites on MSC Meraviglia . They are 56 sq. m (624 sq. foot) in size. They offer a double bed (which can be converted into singles if requested), a large dining/lounge area, large corner balcony with private whirlpool bath and seating area. Nespresso-type machine and walk-in wardrobe.

• Royal Suites (MSC Yacht Club) – Deck 15

Cabins for guests with reduced mobility or disabilities

Throughout MSC Meraviglia there are 54 cabins (32 Balcony / 22 Interior) and 1 Deluxe Suite (MSC Yacht Club) which are slightly larger than the rest for people with disabilities or reduced mobility. These are part of the cabins above and not separate. They include a larger cabin and bathroom door width, larger floor area around the cabin, grab rails on the toilet and a fold-down seat in the shower. Please see the deck plans for the location of these cabins.

Cabins for families

Throughout MSC Meraviglia there are 85 cabins available for families, these are part of the cabins listed above and not separate. They are capable of accommodating up to 10 people in comfort by connecting two or three cabins together (Balcony, Ocean View or Interior). They are only available with the Fantastica experience. Please see the deck plans below for details of these cabins.

All MSC Meraviglia bathrooms (apart from the suites and some disabled cabins) look like the following:

Experiences

After you have picked your cabin type, you need to pick an  experience type. The MSC Experiences available on MSC Meraviglia are as follows:

Bella Experience

This is the default experience type. It includes all your food from the buffet and dining rooms for the entire voyage (but not the speciality restaurants or room service items). It also doesn’t include drinks or anything from your minibar. But drinks from the self-service area in the buffet are free, as is water in the restaurants. It also includes the gym (but not spa), all your shows and entertainment and the kids’ clubs. Finally, it also includes indoor and outdoor pools and whirlpool baths.

Fantastica Experience

The  Fantastica  experience offers everything in the  Bella  and better cabin locations, free room-service breakfast (no charge or delivery fee), free room service delivery (the food is still chargeable), additional kids club classes, priority choice of dinner setting (early or late), 50% discount on fitness classes and personal trainer discount and one complimentary photo taken during the Mediterranean night for each guest in the cabin.

Wellness Experience

The  Wellness  experience offers everything the  Fantastica  experience offers and in addition a 1:1 health check-up exclusive Wellness shore activities and one compliment fitness class per day, one sports drink per day in your minibar, unlimited water in your cabin, restaurants and buffet, Welcome Wellness kit in your cabin (T-Shirt, shorts, sports towel and wellness device), inclusive laundry service for your gym gear, tailored fitness programme and a complimentary group photo of everyone else on the  Wellness  experience!

The  Wellness experience will be phased out on MSC Meraviglia from Summer 2019 when the new deck plans come into effect (see the bottom of the post for further details).

Aurea Experience

The  Aurea  package is the top package available on  MSC Meraviglia  it includes all the benefits of the  Bella  and the  Fantastica  packages and also the standard unlimited drinks package, full unlimited access to Top 19 the Exclusive Solarium sundeck with private whirlpool (see our  deck by deck guide  for details on this), a wellness package which includes one massage of your choice from the spa menu, tanning shower, spa welcome cocktail, private wellness consultation and full access to the MSC Aurea Spa thermal area (sauna, steam room and many others), a Med by MSC room diffuser (100ml), bathrobe and slippers in your cabin, priority boarding on your embarkation day, free choice of dining (just turn up between 6.30pm and 9.30pm to dine in the Panorama Restaurant).

MSC Yacht Club

The MSC Yacht Club is the most luxurious way to travel onboard MSC Meraviglia . Comprising of a separate set of areas at the front of the ship, with keycard-only access this experience is becoming rapidly popular with MSC passengers.

It offers everything the  Aurea experience offers along with:

• Dedicated priority check-in and check-out
• Butler service available 24 hours
• Dedicated concierge 24 hours a day
• Relaxation amenities in each suite (including bathrobe and slippers)
• Unlimited drinks in all MSC Yacht Club areas including the mini-bar in your suite. Unlimited deluxe beverage selection will also be available in all bars and restaurants of the ship according to the drink selection available in each venue.
• Free Thermal Suite and direct private lift to the MSC Aurea Spa
• 24-hour room service (delivery is free)
• Gourmet dining in the private MSC Yacht Club restaurant; free choice of dining time during restaurant opening hours
• Dedicated exclusive Sun Deck with pool, whirlpool, solarium and bar
• Panoramic Top Sail Lounge with bar, afternoon tea service and light food service 20 hours a day
• Live music available every night in the Top Sail Lounge

MSC Yacht Club is in high demand, so much so that MSC Cruises are building four MSC Yacht Club only cruise ships in the next few years.

Please note you can purchase the drinks packages, spa packages and access to the Top 19 deck individually before you sail with any package. You can also book these onboard, but they will be more expensive and possibly have a 15% service charge added. Check the MSC website for details.

• MSC Meraviglia deck plans (from Summer 2019) [MSC Website]
• MSC Experiences comparison table [pdf]
• MSC Yacht Club benefits on MSC Meraviglia [pdf]
• MSC Meraviglia deck plan key  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 5 deck plan  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 6 deck plan  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 7 deck plan  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 8 deck plan  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 9 deck plan  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 10 deck plan  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 11 deck plan  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 12 deck plan  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 13 deck plan  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 14 deck plan  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 15 deck plan  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 16 deck plan  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 18 deck plan  [image]
• MSC Meraviglia deck 19 deck plan [image]

We hope you enjoyed this guide! In our next guide, we’ll be covering all the included dining options available whilst sailing on  MSC Meraviglia .

Similar Posts

MSC Seashore Completes Keel-laying and Coin Ceremony

MSC Magnifica Cabin and Experiences Guide

MSC Cruises takes delivery of new flagship MSC Seaview

Day 1 – Southampton, UK

MSC Cruises Announces New Cruise Terminal at PortMiami

Day 8 – At Sea

MSC Meraviglia Cabins

A lot of thought has gone into the MSC Meraviglia cabins in terms of design, decor and little touches. For example, every cabin has a mini-bar, (even Insides), a USB port on the desk and a magazine/newspaper rack underneath the TV. The decor is stylish in muted grays, steels and chocolate, creating an elegant, understated feel. Design-wise there are some nice touches with bedside lights activated by touch, switch controlled Do Not Disturb and Make Up My Room signs and lots of extra spots for storage, such as the bedside tables and magazine racks.

There are about a dozen cabin types on MSC Meraviglia, ranging from 172-square-foot Interior staterooms to 700-square-foot Royal Suites with massive terraces. A total of 94 suites are part of the exclusive MSC Meraviglia Yacht Club, which offers a great array of additional perks and services.

Irrespective of category, all staterooms on MSC Meraviglia come with two twin beds (which can be made into a double) and are high enough to store a big suitcase underneath; a double wardrobe, a desk with European two-pin sockets and a USB socket, footstool, fixed bedside lighting, two bedside tables, a phone, safe, hair dryer and a large interactive TV with numerous channels in multiple languages. Wi-Fi on MSC Meraviglia is an extra charge (internet packages are available for purchase) except for Yacht Club guests.

All standard cabins have a shower room with a shower stand with glass doors, a footrest for leg shaving and a clothes wire for drying laundry. Products are generic in fixed dispensers. There is a single basin with a fixed soap dispenser and a small cupboard with shelves. There is no trash can.

MSC sells its cruises by "Experience" rather than cabin size or type, and it's worth noting that some cabins are only available depending on the experience you buy. For example, you can only stay in a suite if you have opted for the Aurea experience.

Bella represents a value-for-money cruise which includes all meals, entertainment, activities and preferred choice of dinner sitting, subject to availability. Fantastica includes extra perks such as free in-room breakfast, priority choice of dinner sitting and discounted drinks. Aurea is aimed at those who want a more exclusive cruising experience, with free Wi-Fi, free 24-hour room service, access to a private solarium, free use of the Thermal Suite, pillow menus, discounted spa rates, and welcome drinks and sweets.

Studio Interior: At 129 square feet, these are the smallest cabins on MSC Meraviglia. They’re located on decks 5 to 14 and are just big enough to fit two single beds pushed together, an armchair, and a bathroom with a shower.

Deluxe Interior:  On MSC Meraviglia, Deluxe Interior cabins come in at 183 to 237 square feet, which is bigger than the industry average. As a result, they feel surprisingly roomy, perhaps due to a large open space beside the wardrobe below the TV. It helps that the line does not store life jackets in cupboards, which frees up extra closet space. These units can be found on decks 5 to 14.

Oceanview:  These are pretty much the same as Interior cabins, with the addition of an oblong window that on deck 8 offers an obstructed ocean view.

Balcony:  There are dozens of balcony cabins on MSC Meraviglia spread over decks 8 to 14 and in different categories. They come in at 129 to 237 square feet with balcony sizes varying from between 43 square feet to 151 square feet, depending where the cabin is. There is enough space for two chairs (not loungers) and a small table. Note that balcony cabins on Deck 8 have obstructed views.

Some of these cabins have tubs instead of showers.

At 129 square feet, Studio Balcony cabins are the smallest, while Premium Balcony staterooms – located on deck 10 and up – are the largest, with 237 square feet of indoor space, and up to 151 square feet of outdoor areas.

Family: There is a large number of Family cabins on MSC Meraviglia, all of which are a combination of two or more connecting cabins, including units of different categories and types.

Accessible: There are 55 accessible cabins, all with wide doors, ramps and fully accessible bathrooms, across various cabin categories.

MSC Meraviglia Suites Feature Terraces and Outdoor Whirlpools

MSC Meraviglia Suites are only bookable on Aurea experience, which offers all the benefits of the Fantastica package with additional privileges such as My Choice dining, priority boarding, free 24-hour room service, exclusive access to the Solarium, free access to the Thermal Suite, pillow menu, and welcome drinks and sweets.

Premium Suite Aurea:  Located on decks 9 to 13, these cabins come in at 291 square feet and include a 280 to 323-square-foot terrace with a hot tub, loungers and a small table. Inside, you'll find three rooms -- a living room, a shower room, and a separate main bedroom. The living room has a double sofa bed, small table and five chairs. There is a desk with a wall-mounted TV above. Both rooms lead out onto the balcony.

Grand Suite Aurea: These 420-square-foot cabins are located on deck 12 and feature 388-square-foot terraces with private hot tubs, sun loungers and a table. Walk-in closets and double sofa beds round out the experience.

MSC Meragivlia Yacht Club Suites Feature Wonderful Extras and Exclusive Access to Some Areas

The exclusive Yacht Club is MSC Meraviglias's ship-within-a-ship complex. This section includes the top suites with upgraded in-room amenities, as well as exclusive access to a lounge, a dining room and a sun deck with pool and bar. The Yacht Club takes up the front of the ship across five decks (9 and 14 to 19).

All of MSC Meraviglia’s Yacht Club suites, irrespective of category, come with a Nespresso coffee machine and free Wi-Fi. Other perks include: Bathrobe, slippers, MSC Med range of bathroom products, and unlimited in-suite mini-bar drinks.

Yacht Club Interior Suite:  Located on decks 14 to 16, these are 183 square feet, and it's misleading to label them "suite" as they are clearly not -- they are exactly the same size and shape as a regular Interior cabin. The only difference is the addition of a small table and two chairs, a Nespresso coffee machine and free Wi-Fi access.

Yacht Club Deluxe Suite:  Although not technically a suite (i.e. two separate rooms), these are a decent size at 280 to 312 square feet and do have two areas -- a living area with sofa, coffee table, two chairs and a fixed desk; and a double bed. It also has a fixed desk which runs the length of the room as well as two wardrobes. The bathroom, which can have a shower or a tub, is a decent size with marble fitting and products from the MSC Med range, rather than from generic dispensers.

Yacht Club Duplex Suite:  Located on decks 9 to 12, these suites come in at a hefty 635 square feet and feature 248-square-foot terraces. The lower floor consists of a living area with a double sofa bed; a shower room with toilet; wardrobe, and dining area which leads out onto a balcony with a whirlpool. The upper area consists of a double bed, a bathroom with tub and two walk-in closets.

Yacht Club Royal Suite:  There are two Royal Suites, both on Deck 15, which come in at a whopping 603 square feet with a 129-square-foot balcony. The layout is as follows: bedroom with its own small private balcony, ensuite bathroom with tub and separate shower stall; living room with L-shaped sofa, a coffee table and two armchairs. Double sliding doors lead out to the balcony which has its own dining table at one end a hot tub at the other.

Find an MSC Meraviglia Cruise from $289

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

Mon - Fri 9 - 19 | Sat 9 - 18 | Sun 10 - 16

• Book your cruise with our Consultants
• I have already booked my cruise

MSC YACHT CLUB: THE ULTIMATE LUXURY CRUISE EXPERIENCE

Feel the finesse and elegance of luxury cruises with MSC Yacht Club , an exclusive haven of refined indulgence .

Surround yourself in unparalleled comfort and personalized service as you embark on an astounding voyage aboard our finest ships.

Discover a world where  privacy  meets  luxury , where every detail is meticulously crafted to exceed your highest expectations.

Savour the sophistication  and  elegance of luxury cruises from the very first step onboard.

Our  dedicated staff  will cater to your every need, ensuring that your  journey  is nothing but sensational.

Welcome to  MSC Yacht Club , where every moment is designed to surpass all your desires and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Attentive butler service around the clock

The Essence of Luxury, Delivered

A Culinary Journey of Exquisite Delights

Endless Privacy and Pleasures Await 

Unrivaled comfort and exquisite luxury.

Experience the finest luxury accommodation during your  MSC Yacht Club luxury cruise . Discover lavishly appointed suites designed with meticulous attention to detail .

Immerse yourself in the epitome of comfort with  luxurious amenities and elegant touches .

From Myform Memory mattresses to Egyptian cotton bedding and mattresses and a Dorelan pillow menu ,  marble bathrooms to complimentary minibars, your every need is catered to for a truly exceptional luxury cruise .

Live an high end accommodation on our newest ships , featuring innovative options like  Interior Suites, Executive and Family Suites , Deluxe Suites, Duplex Suites , and our remarkable  Royal Suites and Owner's Suite .

Enjoy exclusivity savoring panoramic views from your private balcony , immersing yourself in a five-stars cruise cabins that brings you closer to the sea while enveloping you in an unparalleled sense of premiumness .

• Surface 26 sqm, balcony 5 sqm, deck 14-18
• Sitting area with sofa
• Spacious wardrobe
• Bathroom with shower or bathtub , vanity area with hairdryer
• Comfortable double or single beds (on request)
• Wifi connection included
• Interactive TV, telephone, safe and minibar
• ZOE - in-cabin Bluetooth speaker

The image is representative only: displayed cabins from MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Euribia Size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same cabin category)

• Surface 58 sqm, balcony 39 sqm, deck 15
• Balcony with private whirlpool bath and dining table
• Separate living area and dining room
• Walk-in wardrobes
• Bathroom with tub and shower, vanity area with hairdryer
• Wifi connection included; ZOE - in-cabin Bluetooth speaker

• Surface 59 sqm with a balcony 23 sqm, deck 9-12
• Two-deck-high cabin
• Easy access to the Yacht Club areas
• Open living/dining room with sofa that converts to double bed
• Bathroom with shower

Second level

• Master bedroom with double bed which can be converted into two single beds (on request)
• Two walk in wardrobes.
• Bathroom with tub

Terms & Conditions

• **The free cruise change is applicable either on the cruise dates or on the destination. Such change needs to be performed up to 30 calendar days before departure, for a new cruise to sail within 90 calendar days from the original departure. Any cruise change shall be requested through MSC Book or our contact centers.
•  You can discover the ultimate in MSC exclusivity with the MSC Yacht Club, available on board of all our ships except: MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Magnifica, MSC Musica, MSC Opera. MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia and MSC Sinfonia.
• Possibility to organise tailor made excursions depending from itineraries.
• For more information about the premium extra drink package please click here .

Thank you for visiting MSC Cruises

Your browser may be out of date or not compatible with our new site and may not be secure.

For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below.

Thank you for visiting our site and we look forward to seeing you on board soon!

MSC Cruises

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.