MSC Cruise Club with Evhiz Travel
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5%
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£50 off
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MSC Cruises: A Complete Guide Based on Real Experience
Most people who research a cruise for the first time spend hours reading brochures and searching online — and still feel like they don't quite know what to expect. The information is out there, but it's scattered, and a lot of it reads like marketing copy rather than actual advice.
We've sailed with MSC across different ships and itineraries, with our daughter, and over time one thing becomes clear: what makes a cruise feel smooth isn't just what's included — it's how you approach it. This guide brings together everything we'd tell you before you book, before you travel, and once you're on board — whether it's your first MSC cruise or you're planning your next one.
Before You Book Your MSC Cruise
Before booking, it's worth understanding that even within the same cruise line, the experience can feel quite different depending on what you choose. For families especially, getting these decisions right from the start makes a significant difference to how the whole trip feels.
Cabin Types
The right cabin depends less on budget and more on how you plan to use your time on board.
Inside cabins — the most affordable option. A good choice for winter sailings or port-intensive itineraries where you won't spend much time in the cabin.
Ocean view cabins — natural light without the cost of a balcony.
Balcony cabins — a great option for summer sailings or scenic itineraries such as the Fjords or Alaska. For families, a balcony also gives you somewhere to sit quietly once children are asleep — worth more than it sounds.
Suites / Yacht Club — more space, priority services and access to exclusive areas.
In practice, the right choice depends less on price and more on how you expect to use your time on board.
In practice, the right choice depends less on price and more on how you expect to use your time on board.
Bella, Fantastica, Aurea or Yacht Club
These experience levels don't just change what's included — they change how your days on board feel.
- Bella → Lowest price, fewer inclusions
- Fantastica → Adds flexibility, including breakfast room service — a small detail that makes a real difference with children
- Aurea → Free access to the thermal spa area and My Time Dining (no fixed dining slot) — considerably more flexibility around your day
- Yacht Club → "Ship within a ship" with butler, concierge, private areas, premium drinks and WiFi included
For families travelling with MSC, Fantastica is often the sweet spot — enough flexibility without paying for inclusions you may not use. Solo parents should also take a look at our dedicated MSC Solo Parents page for specific advice on supplements and how to get the best value.
MSC drinks packages: What to know
The best time to book your drinks package is at the time of booking, when a heavily discounted Premium Drinks Package is often available. A few things worth knowing:
- Prices increase closer to departure
- Onboard prices are typically higher
- If one adult in a cabin has a package, the second adult must have the same
- Children will be on a non-alcoholic package
If you think you'll use it, it's worth deciding before you book rather than leaving it until you're on board.
Before You Travel : What to organise in advance
Once booked, you can manage almost everything through the MSC for Me app, available to download free from the App Store or Google Play. https://www.msccruises.co.uk/msc-for-me
From there, you can:
- Browse and book excursions
- Reserve speciality dining
- Purchase WiFi packages
- Buy the Fun Pass (arcade, bowling, VR, etc.)
- Complete Check-in
- Check your booking details
Booking these in advance isn't just about price — it means you arrive on board with the important things already sorted, rather than spending your first afternoon queueing. Theatre shows in particular sell out quickly, and popular excursions can fill up weeks before departure.
MSC Cruises Embarkation Day
You’ll be given an embarkation time to help manage the flow of passengers.
At the terminal:
- Documents are checked
- Luggage is handed over (with tags attached)
- You receive your cruise card
Your cruise card is:
- Your cabin key
- Your onboard payment method
- Your ID while on the ship
Luggage can take a few hours to arrive, so keep essentials (and swimwear if needed) in your hand luggage.
Muster Drill : A quick but important step
All passengers must complete the muster drill on embarkation day. Typically, this involves:
- Watching a safety video in your cabin
- Confirming completion
- Visiting your assigned muster station to be scanned
- It’s straightforward, but worth doing early so it doesn’t interrupt your first evening.
Your First Hours On Board : The part most people underestimate
The first few hours can feel busy, especially if you board early and the ship is still filling up. For first-time MSC cruise passengers especially, having a plan for this makes a real difference. We usually prioritise:
- Booking theatre shows via the app
- Registering children for the kids club — queues build quickly later on
- Setting up the onboard account and putting a spending limit on the children's cards
- Checking dining time and restaurant allocation
- Switching off data roaming
- Exploring the ship layout
It might feel like a lot at the start, but getting these sorted early means the rest of the cruise runs more smoothly from the first evening.
Life on Board an MSC Cruise
Dining
Buffet → open most of the day, flexible and casualg - good for families with unpredictable appetites
Main dining room → fixed dining times (unless Aurea)
Speciality restaurants → additional cost, more variety and a different atmosphere for an evening
If you’re not happy with your assigned dining time, you can request a change with the maître d’ onboard - there is usually a dedicated area for this on embarkation day. We’ve had to change dining times a few times, and it’s always been accommodated, but it’s much easier if you do it early in the cruise. Portions can feel smaller than expected, but you can always order additional courses.
MSC Kids Club: Age Groups and What to Expect
MSC is particularly strong for families, and the kids club is consistently one of the highlights for children. Clubs are divided by age group, with activities tailored accordingly:
- Baby Club — for the youngest children
- Mini Club — ages 3–6
- Junior Club — ages 7–11
- Young Club — ages 12–14
- Teen Club — ages 15–17
On embarkation day you'll need to register your child and link them to the check-in and check-out system, usually via a bracelet or your cruise card. Key things to know:
- Children are checked in and out securely
- Depending on age, some may be allowed more independence
- Activities run throughout the day — games, shows, sports, themed activities
- There is flexibility — children can attend without strict scheduling
There are also options for children to dine together in designated buffet areas, with kids club staff taking them back afterwards — or parents can sign them out directly after dinner. In our experience, this is one of the strongest parts of MSC. Our daughter absolutely loves it — to the point where some evenings she was more interested in going back to kids club than staying with us.
Entertainment & Activities
- There is a wide range of things to do onboard:
- Theatre shows (book early via the app)
- Pools, hot tubs and water park
- Sports areas
- Arcade, VR, bowling (Fun Pass applies)
- Live music and bars
Themed Nights
On most 7-night cruises, there are usually a few themed evenings, such as:
- Gala Night
- White Night
- A lighter themed evening (e.g. Sunshine / Tropical)
These are completely optional — some people enjoy dressing up, others keep it simple. The atmosphere is generally relaxed, so it doesn’t need to feel like pressure.
Spending On Board
Everything is charged to your cruise card.
- Register a payment method onboard
- Track spending via the app at any time
- Set spending limits for childre'ns cards - worth doing it early
- Check your account during the cruise rather than leaving it until the last day.
WiFi
- Access to the MSC app is free onboard
- Internet packages are chargeable
- Cheaper to buy before departure
Connection is via satellite, so:
- Good for messaging and basic use
- Less reliable for heavy browsing or streaming
Remember to switch off data roaming to avoid high charges at sea.
MSC Cruises Port Days & Excursions
Port days are often what people look forward to most — and also where trips can start to feel rushed if not planned properly. You have three main options:
Ship Excursions. Organised directly through MSC Cruises. Generally more expensive, but the key advantage is that the ship will wait for you if your excursion is delayed. For families travelling with MSC for the first time, this peace of mind is often worth the premium — particularly in ports where distances or logistics are less predictable.
Third-Party Excursions Booked independently through external providers. Often more affordable and sometimes with smaller group sizes or more tailored experiences. Some companies offer return-to-ship guarantees, but always check the terms carefully rather than booking purely on price.
Exploring Independently Usually what we do most of the time. The most flexible option — and often the most rewarding — but it requires preparation:
- Understand distances from port to city centre
- Check transport options in advance
- Be realistic about timing and local logistics
- Always check the last boarding time (not departure time)
- Make sure your phone or watch is set to ship time, especially when crossing time zones
Timing & Planning
A common mistake is trying to fit too much into one port day. We usually plan one or two key things per port, allow time to adjust, and aim to be back on board at least an hour or two before boarding closes. If you're travelling independently and something delays your return, the ship will not wait — which is why ship excursions feel safer for some itineraries and realistic planning matters more than trying to see everything.
MSC Cruises Disembarkation Guide
Before your final day, your cabin steward will leave luggage tags and instructions in your cabin. You'll be assigned a disembarkation time and meeting point.
The night before:
- Pack suitcases, label them and leave outside your cabin — usually by 10–11pm at the latest
- Keep a small bag with toiletries, nightwear and clothes for the morning
Your final bill:
- Settled automatically if a card is registered
- Otherwise pay at reception or onboard machines
- Check your account the day before — reception gets very busy on the last evening
On disembarkation morning:
- Vacate your cabin early — around 8am
- Breakfast is available
- Wait in your assigned area until your group is called
- Lifts are very busy — stairs are often quicker
- Self-disembarkation is an option if you prefer to leave early with your own luggage
We've always gone with the standard process — it makes for a more relaxed final morning.
A Final Thought
Cruising with MSC offers a lot — particularly for families, where the combination of kids club, onboard entertainment, and the variety of port days covers an impressive range of needs and ages. But what really shapes the experience isn't how much there is to do. It's how you structure your time around it.
If you’re planning a cruise
If you're planning a family cruise with MSC and want to talk through which ship, itinerary or package makes sense for you — we're here. As a bilingual MSC specialist agency with real experience sailing with them, we can help you put together something that actually fits how you travel.
No pressure — just a proper conversation.
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