MSC Cruises is a privately owned international cruise line headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Part of MSC Group, it operates a global fleet of 23 ships and offers voyages across five continents, visiting more than 250 destinations in over 100 countries.
History and ownership
MSC Group was founded by Captain Gianluigi Aponte in 1970 and developed into a major shipping and logistics business. The group entered the cruise sector in 1988 with the purchase of the liner Monterey and subsequently took over the structures of Lauro Lines. After adding Rhapsody and Melody, MSC Cruises was formally established as the group's cruise subsidiary.
MSC Cruises remains part of the privately held MSC Group. It is distinct from Explora Journeys, the group's separate luxury ocean-travel brand, although both sit within MSC Group's wider cruise division.
MSC Cruises fleet
MSC Cruises currently operates 23 ships across six principal ship families:
- World Class: MSC World Europa and MSC World America.
- Seaside Class: MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore and MSC Seascape.
- Meraviglia generation: MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Euribia.
- Fantasia Class: MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida, MSC Divina and MSC Preziosa.
- Musica Class: MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica.
- Lirica Class: MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Lirica and MSC Opera.
The fleet ranges from the smaller Lirica-class vessels to the large World-class ships. MSC World Europa, delivered in 2022, was the line's first LNG-powered vessel, followed by MSC Euribia in 2023 and MSC World America in 2025.
Further expansion is scheduled. MSC World Asia is due to begin Mediterranean cruises in December 2026, while MSC World Atlantic is planned to enter service from Port Canaveral in November 2027. These future ships are not included in the current 23-ship operating fleet count.
Where MSC Cruises sails
MSC operates year-round cruises in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, including calls at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas. Seasonal programmes cover Northern Europe, the Canary Islands and Madeira, North and South America, Alaska, the Panama Canal, the Middle East, Southern Africa and Asia.
The line's global deployment model includes cruises from numerous regional embarkation ports. Selected ships also operate longer Grand Voyages and world cruises connecting several continents.
Onboard experience
MSC Cruises combines European-influenced design with an international onboard atmosphere. Facilities vary by ship but can include main and speciality restaurants, theatres, live music, casinos, water parks, sports areas, children's clubs, spas, shopping galleries and technology-based attractions.
Many of the line's larger ships feature MSC Yacht Club, a private “ship within a ship” area offering suites, an exclusive restaurant and lounge, dedicated outdoor space, concierge service and 24-hour butler service. Yacht Club is a premium accommodation category within MSC Cruises rather than a separate cruise line.
Leadership
Pierfrancesco Vago is executive chairman of MSC Group's cruise division, while Gianni Onorato is chief executive officer of MSC Cruises. The business employs a large multinational workforce both aboard its ships and in shore-based offices around the world.