Are you going on a cruise on MSC cruise? Here are some essential cruise tips and important things to know about MSC cruises that will help you maximize your cruise vacation.
Free Text
Texting is free at MSC Cruise! You can text for free via the MSC Cruise app chat feature. The best part is you don’t even have to be subscribed to their WiFi plan. You can just connect to their free MSC WiFi hotspot to access the cruise app for texting. It’s a great feature to have so you can easily communicate and make plans with family and friends during your cruise. The only downside is that they won’t let kids join the chat feature for privacy reasons so my 12 year old son was always left out of the family group chat.
White Party
Don’t forget to pack your white outfit for the White Party on MSC. The White Party is a well-loved event on MSC cruises.
On the night of the White Party, you’ll spot a lot of people dressed in white for dinner. This popular event takes place on the pool deck after dinner. The atmosphere is fun and family-friendly, with black lights making your white clothes glow.
The cruise staff even organizes group dances to get everyone up and dancing. While it’s not mandatory to wear white, joining in the fun adds to the experience. Besides, it’s the perfect opportunity to capture a family photo after dinner, with everyone decked out in white attire.
Dinner Assignment
At MSC Cruise, you will receive your table, restaurant, and dining time assignment on the first day of your cruise. This information will be printed on your cruise key card.
If you’re not happy with your dinner assignment, you should go to the designated food and beverage staff on the first day, who will handle any changes.
Main Dining Room
When you board the ship, find out which dining rooms have three seatings. You want to be seated in the dining room with only two seatings; otherwise, you will feel rushed during dinner.
If you end up being assigned to the dining room with three seating areas, see if you can switch to another dining room on the first day.
It’s Not all Pizza and Pasta
You’ve probably read reviews praising the pizza and pasta on MSC cruise ships since it’s an Italian cruise line. While the pizza and pasta are undeniably good (the lasagna is even better than the pizza), you’ll also find a range of sophisticated food options on MSC cruises.
Some of the stand-out dishes on MSC cruises are braised short ribs, osso bucco, fried calamari, Japanese karaage chicken, Caprese salad, shrimp cocktail, French onion soup, and vegetable spring rolls.
Cake
Make sure you have cake for dessert at your next MSC cruise! Their cakes have been consistently delicious.
The carrot cake is delicious, and the Grandma’s Chocolate cake is amazing.
Delicious Caesar Salad
The Caesar salad on MSC Meragvilia is amazing. It’s, without a doubt, the best Caesar salad I’ve ever had on any cruise ship.
It’s so good that my son, who never eats vegetables, got hooked. He can’t get enough Caesar salad!
I don’t know if this is unique to MSC Meragvilia or if the Caesar salad is equally amazing on all MSC cruise ships. (I sure hope so!)
Restaurant Menu
Unlike other cruise lines, the restaurant menu at MSC Cruises is not printed. The waiters typically bring a few printed menus, but it’s never enough for everyone at the table. Guests are expected to scan the QR code on their table to access the menu electronically on their phones.
It’s quite inconvenient. In my experience, we always end up sharing menus, which is not ideal and detracts from the dining experience. Also, not everyone has a phone, especially kids, so you’ll inevitably have to share menus from a tiny cellphone screen!
Free Juices
MSC Cruise serves complimentary lemonade, iced tea, and a selection of juices, including apple, pineapple, and mango. The best part is that these complimentary drinks are available all day, not just during breakfast. You can help yourself to these free beverages from the drink dispenser at the buffet.
Book Shore Excursions in Advance
If you want to save money, you should book your shore excursions in advance. It really is a lot cheaper to book it online on MSC’s website prior to boarding the ship.
Do know that they close advance bookings two days before sailing. I tried to book the day before, and it didn’t work. So, don’t procrastinate on this.
Even rentals on Ocean Cay, their private island, are cheaper if you book ahead. For example, if you book an umbrella rental in advance, it’s $19 per day, but if you wait until the cruise, it’s $29 per day.
Keycard on the Door
When checking in, instead of receiving your cruise keycard at the terminal like with other cruise lines, you’ll be directed to your cabin, where your keycards will be hanging on the door.
Cruise Card Kiosks
Before boarding your MSC cruise, you’ll have the option to link your credit card to your cruise card on the MSC cruise website. If you don’t, you can link your credit card on the cruise ship or pay in cash during the cruise.
If you are worried you will have to stand in line at guest services just to link your credit card, don’t worry. The nice thing about MSC Cruise is you can easily link your credit card to your cabin keycard at the cruise card kiosks located throughout the ship. There is no need to waste your time standing in line at guest services!
MSC Cruise App
Don’t forget to download the MSC cruise app before you board the ship. You can also download it while you’re on the ship, but I think it’s easier and probably faster to do it using your home WiFi.
The MSC cruise app is a must while you’re on board. It allows you to text other passengers, check your billing statement, and make theater reservations.
Daily Planner
Don’t be surprised if you don’t get a printed daily planner delivered to your cabin every evening. Instead, you’re supposed to use a QR code to access a digital version of the daily planner as a PDF.
Personally, I find it a bit inconvenient because I’m always searching for the paper with the QR code on it. I really wish they would just print out the daily planner! Or at least give you the option to get a printed daily planner if you want.
Theater
You’ll need to book theater reservations for your cruise. There are three seatings to choose from.
A cruise staff member will be at the door to scan your cruise card so you cannot sneak into the theater. If you don’t have reservations, you can still watch the show. All you have to do is wait for the staff to leave and go in late. But do know, you will end up with bad seats.
My advice is to reserve your theater seats for every evening using the MSC cruise app. It’s easy—just do it on the first day, and you won’t have to worry about it again.
Kids Club
You can register for the Kids Club on embarkation day. Complete a registration form, and your child will receive a wristband that they must wear throughout the entire cruise. This only applies to children under 12 years old.
Those older than 12 don’t need to register and won’t get a wristband. They can just hang out at the teen club, which has video games, board games and foosball.
Adults Only Pool
There is an adults-only pool on MSC cruises. On MSC Meragvilia, the adults-only pool is at the back of the cruise ship. It’s an outdoor pool with a bar, hot tubs and plenty of lounge chairs.
Do Online Check-In with a Camera
When checking in online for your MSC cruise, make sure to use a computer with a built-in camera. It’s important to have a camera because you’ll be required to take a picture of yourself during the check-in process.
Also, make sure you are in a well-lit area. The website is very sensitive and will ask you to move to a brighter location to take your photo.
Also, after completing your online check-in, make sure you have access to a printer so you can print out your cruise documents, which are needed at the cruise terminal on embarkation day. You will also need to print out your luggage tags for your check-in luggage.
Different Levels
MSC Cruises is quite similar to Norwegian Cruise Lines in terms of having different classes for passengers. For Norwegian, there are haven and non-haven passengers, while MSC Cruise has the Yacht Club and non-Yacht Club passengers. However, MSC Cruise further divides non-Yacht Club passengers into 3 different classes.
On MSC Cruise, the lowest class is the Bella Experience. This means you pay the cheapest fare, but you can’t select your cruise cabin; it’s like a guaranteed fare. As a Bella passenger, you’ll incur several extra fees, such as additional room service fees.
The next level up is the Fantastica experience, which is the second cheapest cruise fare. The main advantage is being able to choose your cruise cabin in advance.
For both Bella and Fantastica passengers, the dining room seating is assigned. Upon boarding the cruise ship, you’ll be allocated a restaurant, table, and dining time. I honestly think there is not much difference between Bella and Fantastic Experience.
The next level up is the Aurea experience passenger. Aurea passengers pay more for their cruise but receive premium rooms, such as mid-ship cabins with larger balconies or cabins with jacuzzi in their private terraces. They also have access to the spa thermal area, the solarium, and they get priority boarding.
The most significant difference is that they have anytime dining, allowing Aurea passengers to eat whenever they want, seated in a less crowded section of the main dining room. If you value the spa experience, then Aurea is worth it, but if not, you’ll be happy as a Fantastica passenger.
One thing to note is that the food menu remains the same for Aurea, Fantastica, and Bella passengers. Aurea passengers also go to the same buffet as Fantastica and Bella passengers.
Finally, the most expensive and most exclusive level on MSC Cruises is the Yacht Club. Yacht Club passengers receive the red carpet treatment, a suite with access to the exclusive Yacht Club restaurant, solarium, and Ocean House beach on Ocean Cay. They experience VIP treatment with a dedicated butler and perks like reserved seats at the theater. Plus, they receive priority embarkation, and everything is included, such as a premium beverage package, high-speed internet, and thermal spa access.
Room Service
If you’re sailing with MSC Cruises, be aware that there is a charge for room service. This is not unique to MSC since many other cruise lines also charge a fee for room service.
Continental breakfast room service is complimentary for Fantastica passengers, but if you order non-continental breakfast items like eggs, omelets, and breakfast meats, you will be charged a room service fee.
For Bella experience passengers, there is a room service charge regardless of whether you order continental or non-continental breakfast. It is much more expensive to order non-continental breakfast.
Ocean Cay
If your cruise stops at Ocean Cay, MSC Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas, you shouldn’t miss it! It’s an incredibly beautiful private island, arguably one of the best among cruise line private islands.
The water is stunning turquoise, and the sand is incredibly soft and white. The island has over seven beaches, ranging from secluded private beaches to the exclusive Ocean House beach for Yacht Club passengers and lagoon-facing beaches. The best part is there is no need for tender boats to get to Ocean Cay; the cruise ship can dock directly at the island!
There’s also a lighthouse on the island, and at night, there is a beautiful evening lighthouse show. If you’re on the starboard side of the cruise ship, you can even catch the lighthouse show from your balcony cabin. Check out 22 Things to Pack in Your Cruise Private Island Beach Bag (Free Packing List)
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