MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises plans to streamline its beverage program. Instead of offering three alcoholic packages, the cruise line will reduce the number of options to one simplified plan. 

Historically, guests sailing with MSC could select the Easy, Easy Plus, or Premium Drink Package. Effective December 18, 2024, the only alcoholic package available on sailings departing on or after April 1, 2025, is the Premium Extra Package, which eliminates the cheaper packages. 

Drink packages are a popular add-on for cruisers who want to save money or are worried about an unexpectedly large bill at the end of their cruise.

MSC Cruises offers their customers three different drink packages to suit different preferences and needs. Whether you want a few beers and a glass of wine or a more extensive package that provides top-shelf spirits, champagne, and specialty coffees, there is an option for everyone. 

While an MSC cruise offers us a chance to get away, relax, and disconnect, you may need to access the internet to keep in touch with family and friends back home. You may even need to check in with work! 

MSC Cruises is reportedly planning significant changes to its popular unlimited drink packages in 2025, capping the daily number of alcoholic drinks at 15. 

The news was first shared in a post on an MSC Cruises Voyagers Club Facebook Group and included a statement issued by the cruise line: "Discover our updated drinks packages to complement your guests on board experience, starting from 18th December 2024 for sailings from 1st April 2025 onwards." 

After being stranded for four days following engine and navigation issues, MSC Cruises canceled three sailings aboard MSC Bellissima, one of the largest cruise ships in Asia. 

The 171,598 gross registered ton ship was slated to depart from Naha, Japan, on December 6 for a 4-night sailing. However, guests awoke on Dec. 7 to find they were still docked in Naha rather than Ishigaki, Japan. Consequently, MSC Bellissima's Dec. 8 departure from Keelung and Dec. 10 departure from Naha were also canceled. 

A fire broke out shortly after MSC Seashore departed from Port Canaveral, Florida, on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Sunday. 

According to Doug Parker from Cruise News Today, the fire was reported in the emergency generator room on Deck 18. 

The fire was quickly put out, and no passengers were harmed. However, a few guests reported smoke and limited power because the ship could only operate on generator power. As a result, the elevators were shut down, and dining rooms were closed. 

MSC Cruises has made a significant investment in ship construction in the last 20 years, resulting in today’s diverse fleet that sails worldwide.

Whether it be a smaller ship that voyages to quaint ports in Europe or a mega ship with all the bells and whistles, MSC offers something for every cruiser, including visits to their private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, in The Bahamas. 

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 seventh largest cruise ship in the world, following Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas and Oasis Class vessels.

When it comes to mainstream cruise lines in North America, most people would immediately think of Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line.