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 strategy of internationalization that allowed it to achieve a powerful foothold in different key markets, together with the U.S.

Like different main cruise traces (similar to Carnival and Royal Caribbean), MSC has a large 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 are you aware which one is the very best? Effectively, right here’s a rating from the worst to the best possible.

The rating relies on a mean of scores from evaluate web sites mixed with a private rating from an editor. These evaluations are subjective and needs to be taken as such.

22. MSC Opera

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

The ship positively has smaller measurement, and because of this there is probably not a lot to do through the day, or the eating choices might be extra restricted.

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

It’s actually not appropriate for those who’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 leisure and leisure actions.

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

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

20. MSC Poesia

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

It’s recognized for its peaceable ambiance, excellent for these searching for a pleasing cruise with out stress.

The cabins are snug, and there’s number of eating choices on board. It will probably carry a most of three,000 passengers so it might be a good selection for many who don’t like ships with too many individuals, though its age remains to be vital.

19. MSC Lirica

MSC Lirica is without doubt one of the oldest ships within the firm’s fleet. Was launched in 2003 however had a significant revamp in 2015.

Regardless of the refurbishment, its age nonetheless exhibits, in keeping with some visitors.

It may be a good selection for vacationers who aren’t anticipating an excessive amount of from the ship itself and like to concentrate on 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 features, then again, primarily concern the inside design of the ship. Some areas could be very crowded at sure occasions of the day, and repair could be missing.

17. MSC Seascape

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

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

I imagine this may be as a result of passengers have extremely excessive expectations for brand spanking new ships. Even minor flaws can depart some feeling disenchanted.

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 fashionable comforts.

It’s a medium-sized ship, which has earned optimistic evaluations from these in search of leisure. The ambiance on board is calm and laid-back, with out massive crowds.

Nevertheless, the drawbacks are typical of older ships. Because it’s from 2006, you may discover its age regardless of it nonetheless being effectively maintained.

15. MSC Splendida

MSC Splendida, the sister ship of Fantasia, affords magnificence, consolation, and enjoyable. Visitors usually benefit from the ship as a complete, with many discovering its measurement good.

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

There are some unfavourable evaluations 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 expertise and all kinds of decisions to have enjoyable.

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

PRO TIP: Overcrowding on massive cruise ships is sort of frequent. You may 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 better gross tonnage.

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

On board, there are various eating places and leisure actions. On the identical time, its measurement could make it considerably difficult to search out your means round.

12. MSC Armonia

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

Some may assume the oldest ship can be the worst, however that’s not the case.

MSC Armonia has obtained good evaluations as a result of it affords a extra basic and intimate expertise. On board, you may get pleasure from a cozier vibe, preferrred for these searching 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 might really feel a bit dated in comparison with newer cruise ships.

10. MSC Magnifica

MSC Magnifica combines conventional type 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).

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

Naturally, its drawbacks embody not having a few of the newer options you could find on the newest ships within the fleet. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a strong mid-range ship.

9. MSC Preziosa

MSC Preziosa was launched in 2013 and has obtained combined evaluations through the years.

Many passengers reward the ship’s cleanliness and spacious cabins. One other optimistic level can also be the service, which in keeping 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: Take into account that a evaluate of a ship’s meals might turn out to be much less dependable after a couple of years. Cooks on cruise ships change periodically, and menus are adjusted primarily based on seasonal substances.

8. MSC Meraviglia

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

Visitors significantly loved the assorted on-board actions catering to all ages—from a superb children’ 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 evaluations level to extreme crowding in frequent areas, however solely throughout peak season.

7. MSC Seaside

MSC Seaside is without doubt 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 fantastic out of doors deck providing breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean and the ports visited.

On the identical time, as a draw back, the out of doors areas could be much less accessible if the water is dangerous and through winter.

For that reason, many cruisers take into account it probably the greatest 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 ambiance and extra manageable measurement, making it a favourite amongst visitors preferring smaller ships.

Evaluations 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 concentrate on 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 totally get pleasure from all of the areas.

4. MSC Euribia

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

It’s lauded for its fashionable design, intensive facilities, and family-friendly ambiance. A passenger stated that all the things on board regarded brilliant, clear, and recent.

An vital factor to underline is that ​MSC Euribia stands out as some of the 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 complicated waste administration and recycling system.

3. MSC Divina

Third place goes to MSC Divina, a ship that sits proper within the center: neither too previous nor too new, neither too massive 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 ambiance on board and nice choice of eating places. In brief, it is a superb alternative for many who need a secure wager.

2. MSC World Europa

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

It’s the most recent ship by far, having entered service in 2022, and it’s naturally probably the most revolutionary, that includes cutting-edge expertise.

The primary criticism talked about in evaluations issues getting round on board. Because of its measurement and format, some cruisers discover it a bit disorienting.

Aside from that, the ship excels in lots of areas. Given its newness, all the things on board is in excellent situation, and there are numerous sights, areas, and actions for eating, leisure, and leisure.

Many evaluations emphasize that you just’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 concentrate on expertise and luxury.

Most evaluations spotlight the top quality of the meals each on the buffet and within the eating places.

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

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

Apart from 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 take into account it the very best by way of measurement: neither too massive nor too small.

Have you learnt the very best ships from different main cruise traces? Take a look at the 2025 rankings: