Best and Worst MSC Cruise Ships (2025 Ranking)

MSC is a cruise line that has been increasing quickly in recent times. It began because the chief within the Italian market after which began on a means of internationalization that allowed it to realize a powerful foothold in different key markets, together with the U.S.

Like different main cruise strains (reminiscent of Carnival and Royal Caribbean), MSC has an enormous fleet of twenty-two ships, with MSC World America set to debut in April 2025.

In brief, MSC is an organization that’s rising and increasing quick. However with so many ships to select from, how have you learnt which one is one of the best? Effectively, right here’s a rating from the worst to the very best.

The rating is predicated on a mean of rankings from overview web sites mixed with a private rating from an editor. These critiques are subjective and must be taken as such.

22. MSC Opera

Sadly, MSC Opera ranks final amongst MSC’s ships. Cruisers, due to this fact, contemplate it one of many worst ships within the fleet.

The ship positively has smaller dimension, and for that reason there might not be a lot to do through the day, or the eating choices could possibly be extra restricted.

It may be ship if chosen by skilled cruisers who know what they need and what to anticipate.

It’s definitely not appropriate in the event you’re in search of cutting-edge leisure or a brand new ship. In that case, it’s higher to think about different choices.

21. MSC Orchestra

Launched in 2007, MSC Orchestra affords steadiness of rest and leisure actions.

Though it’s not a really giant ship, it nonetheless gives a choice of eating places and bars, together with a well-structured leisure program. Nonetheless, don’t count on the identical selection you’ll discover on the bigger and extra trendy ships.

Relating to drawbacks, many passengers discover the structure complicated, and in some areas, the ship positively reveals its age.

20. MSC Poesia

MSC Poesia was launched in 2008, only one 12 months after MSC Orchestra (which we simply lined).

It’s identified for its peaceable environment, excellent for these looking for a nice cruise with out stress.

The cabins are comfy, and there’s number of eating choices on board. It may possibly carry a most of three,000 passengers so it could be a sensible choice for individuals who don’t like ships with too many individuals, though its age continues to be important.

19. MSC Lirica

MSC Lirica is likely one of the oldest ships within the firm’s fleet. Was launched in 2003 however had a serious revamp in 2015.

Regardless of the refurbishment, its age nonetheless reveals, in accordance with some visitors.

It may be a sensible choice for vacationers who aren’t anticipating an excessive amount of from the ship itself and like to give attention to the itinerary and the locations they’ll be visiting.

18. MSC Seashore

MSC Seashore was the primary ship of the Seaside EVO class and is actually an upgraded model of her sister ships, Seaside and Seaview.

Among the many positives, many passengers spotlight the spacious cabins and well-designed out of doors areas.

The unfavourable points, then again, primarily concern the inside design of the ship. Some areas may be very crowded at sure instances of the day, and repair may be missing.

17. MSC Seascape

It’s shocking to see a ship like MSC Seascape to this point down within the rankings.

“How is that attainable?” you would possibly ask. It’s a brand-new ship, launched solely in 2022.

I imagine this is likely to be as a result of passengers have extremely excessive expectations for brand new ships. Even minor flaws can go away some feeling upset.

Seascape is legendary for its revolutionary design, and lots of passengers have discovered it extraordinarily stunning. As well as, quite a few visitors have praised the ship’s beautiful interiors and wonderful eating and leisure choices.

16. MSC Musica

Launched in 2006, MSC Musica combines a basic design with trendy comforts.

It’s a medium-sized ship, which has earned constructive critiques from these in search of rest. The environment on board is calm and laid-back, with out giant crowds.

Nonetheless, the drawbacks are typical of older ships. Because it’s from 2006, you possibly can discover its age regardless of it nonetheless being properly maintained.

15. MSC Splendida

MSC Splendida, the sister ship of Fantasia, affords magnificence, consolation, and enjoyable. Friends typically benefit from the ship as a complete, with many discovering its dimension excellent.

One other very constructive facet of this ship is its leisure. Many visitors say they by no means get bored.

There are some unfavourable critiques concerning the meals, which can be why the ship is within the decrease half of the rating.

14. MSC Virtuosa

MSC Virtuosa solely entered service in 2021, making it one of many latest ships within the fleet.

It stands out for its technological improvements and leisure choices. On board, you’ll discover cutting-edge know-how and all kinds of selections to have enjoyable.

Like many different ships, the primary draw back is overcrowding. A number of prospects complained about excessively lengthy queues at each the buffet and reception.

PRO TIP: Overcrowding on huge cruise ships is kind of widespread. You possibly can simply keep away from it by skipping peak journey seasons.

13. MSC Grandiosa

MSC Grandiosa was the primary ship of the Meraviglia-Plus class, similar to the Meraviglia class however with some enhancements and a barely larger gross tonnage.

The ship is famend for its spectacular dimension and its big selection of leisure choices.

On board, there are various eating places and leisure actions. On the similar time, its dimension could make it considerably difficult to seek out your method round.

12. MSC Armonia

MSC Armonia is the oldest MSC ship, launched in 2001 and refurbished in 2014.

Some would possibly assume the oldest ship could be the worst, however that’s not the case.

MSC Armonia has acquired good critiques as a result of it affords a extra basic and intimate expertise. On board, you possibly can get pleasure from a cozier vibe, preferrred for these looking for a quieter cruise.

Naturally, the drawbacks are just about what you’d count on. Being the smallest ship, it additionally has fewer eating and leisure choices.

11. MSC Fantasia

Launched in 2008, MSC Fantasia combines luxurious and innovation, and it sits proper in the midst of our rating.

Though it has been a superb ship, a few years have handed since its debut, and its flaws have gotten extra noticeable.

For that reason, there’s an opportunity that MSC Fantasia could really feel a bit dated in comparison with newer cruise ships.

10. MSC Magnifica

MSC Magnifica combines conventional model with modernity. It was launched in 2010 and is a part of the Musica class, nevertheless it’s barely bigger than its three sister ships (Orchestra, Musica, and Poesia).

Considered one of its strengths is the nice mixture of eating places and leisure actions, making it preferrred for all ages.

Naturally, its drawbacks embody not having a number of the newer options you will discover on the most recent ships within the fleet. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless a strong mid-range ship.

9. MSC Preziosa

MSC Preziosa was launched in 2013 and has acquired combined critiques through the years.

Many passengers reward the ship’s cleanliness and spacious cabins. One other constructive level can be the service, which in accordance with many is attentive and pleasant.

In distinction, one draw back is the meals high quality in predominant eating areas, which some have described as mediocre.

PRO TIP: Remember the fact that a overview of a ship’s meals could turn into much less dependable after a number of years. Cooks on cruise ships change periodically, and menus are adjusted primarily based on seasonal elements.

8. MSC Meraviglia

MSC Meraviglia is a cutting-edge ship that includes a spectacular LED promenade and a variety of leisure choices.

Friends notably loved the varied on-board actions catering to all ages—from a superb youngsters’ membership to adult-focused leisure. Additionally they praised the ship’s inside design, which is taken into account luxurious and tasteful.

Like many bigger ships, some unfavourable critiques level to extreme crowding in widespread areas, however solely throughout peak season.

7. MSC Seaside

MSC Seaside is likely one of the firm’s most extremely rated ships. It was launched in 2017, and its philosophy facilities on emphasizing its connection to the ocean.

Amongst its strengths is the great out of doors deck providing breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean and the ports visited.

On the similar time, as a draw back, the out of doors areas may be much less accessible if the water is unhealthy and through winter.

For that reason, many cruisers contemplate it among the finest ships for summer season cruises or itineraries in heat locations.

6. MSC Sinfonia

MSC Sinfonia was decrease within the rankings however climbed a number of spots after some modernization work was carried out in 2015.

The ship stands out for its cozy environment and extra manageable dimension, making it a favourite amongst visitors preferring smaller ships.

Opinions spotlight how simple it’s to get round on board and the way the service is extra attentive, given the less variety of passengers. Amongst its drawbacks are the extra restricted leisure choices in comparison with bigger ships.

5. MSC Seaview

Launched in 2018, the MSC Seaview affords the same expertise to the Seaside, with a give attention to out of doors areas.

Amongst its benefits are the spacious decks, swimming swimming pools, and the chance to participate in quite a few out of doors actions.

Some passengers discovered it a bit too crowded, and as with the Seaside, you want good climate through the cruise to completely get pleasure from all of the areas.

4. MSC Euribia

​MSC Euribia was launched in 2023 and is one among MSC Cruises’ latest ships.

It’s lauded for its trendy design, intensive facilities, and family-friendly environment. A passenger mentioned that every part on board appeared brilliant, clear, and contemporary.

An necessary factor to underline is that ​MSC Euribia stands out as one of the crucial environmentally superior ships in MSC Cruises’ fleet.

Euribia launched a number of applied sciences and practices, together with using Liquefied Pure Gasoline, Shore Energy Connectivity, and a sophisticated waste administration and recycling system.

3. MSC Divina

Third place goes to MSC Divina, a ship that sits proper within the center: neither too outdated nor too new, neither too huge nor too small.

It was launched in 2012, and it’s nonetheless famend for its magnificence and complicated design.

It has earned excessive marks for its refined environment on board and nice choice of eating places. In brief, it is a superb alternative for individuals who need a secure wager.

2. MSC World Europa

In second place within the rating of MSC Cruises’ greatest and worst ships is the fleet’s flagship, MSC World Europa.

It’s the latest ship by far, having entered service in 2022, and it’s naturally probably the most progressive, that includes cutting-edge know-how.

The principle criticism talked about in critiques considerations getting round on board. Because of its dimension and structure, some cruisers discover it a bit disorienting.

Other than that, the ship excels in lots of areas. Given its newness, every part on board is in excellent situation, and there are numerous points of interest, areas, and actions for eating, leisure, and leisure.

Many critiques emphasize that you simply’ll by no means get bored on this ship!

1. MSC Bellissima

First place went to MSC Bellissima, which was launched in 2019 and refined the cruise expertise with a give attention to know-how and luxury.

Most critiques spotlight the prime quality of the meals each on the buffet and within the eating places.

Nonetheless, there are combined opinions concerning the adoption of options which might be maybe too technological, reminiscent of having to make use of the “MSC for Me” app.

Some critiques additionally level to often gradual service and extreme crowding within the ship’s predominant areas.

Except for that, MSC Bellissima appears to be wonderful in lots of respects. First amongst these is cleanliness, rated as excellent each within the cabins and all through the ship.

Passengers additionally contemplate it one of the best when it comes to dimension: neither too giant nor too small.

Have you learnt one of the best ships from different main cruise strains? Try the 2025 rankings: