Since MSC Cruises was founded in 1988, they have grown to be one of the largest cruise lines in the world, with 22 ships sailing globally. Their fleet is expected to expand to 25 by 2027, as they have three more ships on order.
MSC Cruises' ships range in size from just a little over 65,000 to 215,000 gross registered tons. In fact, MSC World Europa is the sixth largest cruise ship in the world, following Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class vessels.
Whether you are a fan of newer ships that are packed to the brim with amenities or smaller ships that are able to visit more unique ports of call, MSC Cruises has a ship that will satisfy every traveler. Here's a breakdown of MSC's ships by age from newest to oldest.
Read more: The ultimate guide to MSC Cruise ship classes
MSC World America (2025)
When MSC World America launches in 2025, she will be the second ship in the cruise line's World Class at sea. She won't be identical to MSC World Europa, though, as the ship will feature new bars, restaurants, and public spaces designed specially to cater to the North American cruising market.
Upon her debut, MSC World America will be based out of Miami, Florida and sail to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, visiting ports such as Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico, Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; and Roatán, Honduras.
She'll be joined by two more World Class ships in 2026 and 2027, respectively. At the time of writing, MSC Cruises has not announced their names or where they'll sail to.
Gross tonnage: 215,683
Passenger capacity: 6,762
Length: 1,092ft
Beam: 155ft
Read more: MSC Cruises opens bookings for new cruise ship to launch in 2025
MSC Euribia (2023)
MSC Euribia is MSC's newest ship at sea; she set sail on her maiden voyage on June 10, 2023 and is the company's most environmentally advanced vessel.
Not only is there a wide range of energy-saving equipment on board, but there is also an advanced onboard wastewater treatment system that helps prevent alien ocean organisms from being transported from one area of the ocean to another and potentially threatening local ecosystems.
Gross tonnage: 183,500
Passenger capacity: 6,327
Length: 1,087ft
Beam: 141ft
MSC World Europa (2022)
MSC World Europa is the seventh largest cruise ship in the world, behind Royal Caribbean's Icon and Oasis Class vessels. Prior to her inaugural cruise on December 20, 2022, she served as a floating hotel during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
She is the first LNG-powered ship launched by the cruise line. Onboard, the 22-deck vessel, you will find "The Venom Drop @ The Spiral," the longest dry slide at sea that sends guests from Deck 20 all the way to Deck 8.
Gross tonnage: 215,683
Passenger capacity: 6,762
Length: 1,093ft
Beam: 154ft
Read more: 10 things MSC got right with the MSC World Europa, the cruise line’s biggest ship
MSC Seascape (2022)
MSC Seascape's first-ever cruise departed from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy on November 18, 2022 and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to New York.
According to Fincantieri, "MSC Seascape offers a range of brand-new features, venues, and experiences for guests, as 65% of the public areas have been reimagined to take the guest experience to a new level."
Gross tonnage: 169,400
Passenger capacity: 5,877
Length: 1,112ft
Beam: 135ft
MSC Seashore (2021)
Launched in 2021, MSC Seashore was the first Seaside EVO ship. This subclass is larger than the two previous Seaside vessels and provides guests with more outdoor spaces, dining options, and entertainment venues.
While nearly identical, the one major distinguishing feature that sets MSC Seashore apart from the other Seaside EVO ships is that the latter -- MSC Seascape -- is the only cruise ship in the world to feature the three-seater Robotron thrill ride.
Gross tonnage: 169,400
Passenger capacity: 5,877
Length: 1,112ft
Beam: 135ft
Read more: 13 things I loved and hated onboard MSC Seashore
MSC Virtuosa (2021)
Originally, scheduled to launch in November 2020, MSC Virtuosa's delivery and entry were delayed due to the pandemic. She officially began sailing in May 2021.
Onboard, you will find a bowling alley, an interactive water park for children, a humanoid bartender named Rob, a high ropes course, Formula One simulator, and more. There is truly something for everyone on MSC Virtuosa!
Gross tonnage: 181,541
Passenger capacity: 6,334
Length: 1,087ft
Beam: 141ft
MSC Grandiosa (2019)
MSC Grandiosa was the first of three Meraviglia Plus subclass ships, with the other two being MSC Virtuosa (2021) and MSC Euribia (2023). These ships are a little bit larger than earlier Meraviglia Class ships and have some new amenities, as well as more eco-friendly technologies.
Gross tonnage: 181,541
Passenger capacity: 6,334
Length: 1,087ft
Beam: 141ft
Read more: MSC Meraviglia class ships
MSC Bellissima (2019)
MSC Bellissima departed on her inaugural cruise on March 4, 2019. MSC Cruises will be the first international cruise line to return to mainland China, as they are deploying MSC Bellissima starting in March 2024.
Gross tonnage: 171,598
Passenger capacity: 5,655
Length: 1,034ft
Beam: 141ft
MSC Seaview (2018)
The second Seaside Class ship, MSC Seaview launched one year after the class' namesake. While the cost to ride is not included in your base fare, you will find two of the longest zip lines at sea onboard.
Gross tonnage: 153,516
Passenger capacity: 5,079
Length: 1,060ft
Beam: 135ft
Read more: What’s included on an MSC Cruise?
MSC Seaside (2017)
MSC Cruises announced that they had ordered two new ships in May 2014. Construction on MSC Seaside began a little over one year later on June 22, 2015.
She was christened at Terminal B in PortMiami on December 21, 2017, making her the first MSC cruise ship to ever be christened in North America.
Gross tonnage: 153,516
Passenger capacity: 5,079
Length: 1,060ft
Beam: 135ft
Read more: All about MSC Cruises Seaside Class of ships
MSC Meraviglia (2017)
MSC Cruises launched another new class of ship in 2017: the Meraviglia Class. MSC Meraviglia debuted a little bit earlier than MSC Seaside, setting sail in June rather than December.
At the time, she was the sixth largest cruise ship in the world, following Royal Caribbean's four Oasis Class ships and AIDAnova.
Gross tonnage: 171,598
Passenger capacity: 5,642
Length: 1,036ft
Beam: 141ft
MSC Preziosa (2013)
MSC Preziosa was the last ship launched by MSC Cruises for about four years and was the fourth, and final, Fantasia Class ship added to the fleet.
The ship wasn't actually ordered by MSC, though. It was initially ordered by the Libyan government. Due to the civil war that broke out in the country, the General National Maritime Transport Company defaulted on a payment that was owed to the shipyard. MSC bought the ship for $665 million.
Gross tonnage: 139,072
Passenger capacity: 4,345
Length: 1,094ft
Beam: 124ft
MSC Divina (2012)
MSC Divina is the third ship of the Fantasia Class and was built after MSC Splendida and Fantasia. She, as well as MSC Preziosa, are part of the modified Fantasia Class, as they are larger than the first two ships in the class.
She has 100 more staterooms onboard, meaning she has a higher passenger capacity. Plus, MSC Divina's energy savings and electrical systems were upgraded to be more efficient.
Currently, MSC Divina sails year-round to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Florida.
Gross tonnage: 139,072
Passenger capacity: 4,345
Length: 1,094ft
Beam: 124ft
MSC Magnifica (2010)
MSC's Musica Class is one of two classes where all ships measure under 100,000 gross registered tons. In March of 2021, she was supposed to undergo a two-month-long dry dock that would extend the ship's length by 75 feet and add new restaurants, a water park, 215 cabins, and more. However, this never occurred.
Gross tonnage: 95,128
Passenger capacity: 3,223
Length: 964ft
Beam: 106ft
MSC Splendida (2009)
MSC Splendida, a Fantasia Class ship that departed on her maiden voyage on July 4, 2009, was initially supposed to be named MSC Serenata. The name was changed prior to her launch in honor of the interior design work that was completed by the ship's architects.
Gross tonnage: 137,936
Passenger capacity: 4,363
Length: 1,093ft
Beam: 124ft
MSC Fantasia (2008)
MSC Fantasia was the first ship of the Fantasia Class. When launched, this was the largest class of ship at sea for MSC Cruises. Today, the ships are about 36% smaller than the cruise line's largest ship, MSC World Europa.
Gross tonnage: 137,936
Passenger capacity: 4,363
Length: 1,093ft
Beam: 124ft
MSC Poesia (2008)
MSC Poesia was the first MSC ship to be named outside of Italy. Her ceremony took place at the Port of Dover in England.
Since her launch, she has been involved in three incidents, two of which were collisions with other vessels. The third occurred in 2012 when she ran aground a reef while en route to Port Lucaya in the Bahamas.
Gross tonnage: 92,627
Passenger capacity: 3,223
Length: 964ft
Beam: 106ft
MSC Orchestra (2007)
The second Musica Class ship, MSC Orchestra, launched in 2007. Three years later, eight passengers were arrested after over $1 million worth of cocaine was found onboard. The ship was docked in the United Kingdom at the time.
Gross tonnage: 92,409
Passenger capacity: 3,223
Length: 964ft
Beam: 106ft
MSC Musica (2006)
MSC Musica was the very first ship built for MSC Cruises over 66,000 gross registered tons. In 2023, she broke the record as the largest cruise ship to ever sail from Israel. She sailed weekly trips from Haifa to Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey.
Gross tonnage: 92,409
Passenger capacity: 3,223
Length: 964ft
Beam: 106ft
MSC Opera (2004)
MSC Opera was the last Lirica Class ship to be built for MSC Cruises. All four vessels were constructed at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in France. For Carnival Cruise Line fans, these ships are even smaller than Fantasy Class ships, with Carnival Elation measuring over 71,000 gross registered tons.
Gross tonnage: 65,591
Passenger capacity: 2,658
Length: 902ft
Beam: 94ft
Read more: Carnival ships by size
MSC Lirica (2003)
Despite the cruise line launching in the late 1980s, their first new-build ship did not enter service until 2003. The other two Lirica Class ships were purchased from the now-defunct Festival Cruises after they went bankrupt.
Gross tonnage: 65,591
Passenger capacity: 2,648
Length: 902ft
Beam: 105ft
MSC Sinfonia (2002)
Prior to going defunct, MSC Sinfonia sailed as MS European Star for Festival Cruises. She was the last ship to be built for the cruise line. MSC Cruises purchased the vessel for $220 million in July 2004. She began sailing as MSC Sinfonia in mid-2005.
Gross tonnage: 65,591
Passenger capacity: 2,646
Length: 902ft
Beam: 94ft
MSC Armonia (2001)
Like MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia began her career as MS European Vision for Festival Cruises. She is the oldest ship operating for MSC Cruises today, albeit not as old as some other cruise lines' oldest ships!
Grandeur of the Seas, for instance, is Royal Caribbean's oldest ship at sea. She entered service in 1996!
Gross tonnage: 65,542
Passenger capacity: 2,620
Length: 902ft
Beam: 104ft
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
