MSC Cruises

Alcoholic drink packages are an extremely common add-on to purchase for an MSC cruise. Being able to enjoy an unlimited amount of tropical beverages while onboard is well worth the cost for many passengers. The cost of a drink package, however, can add up to over $500 for a weeklong sailing.

Even though I’ve been on nearly two dozen cruises, I’ve always been hesitant to purchase a cruise line’s drink package. While I enjoy drinking a cocktail or two each day, I never thought I would be able to “break even” on the cost of a drink package.

Every cruise line has their haters and fans. Carnival, for instance, is often referred to as the “Walmart” of the seas by those who prefer to sail on lines like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. 

While not a brand-new cruise line MSC Cruises has started to gain a following in North America, as they have begun to deploy some of their newest ships to sail from Florida and New York. 

MSC Cruises is known for their low prices and is becoming increasingly popular with cruisers who want to make the most of their vacation budget. 

While the European cruise line has a number of ongoing sales and promotions to help save you money on the price of your cruise, there is one strategy I use to make sure I get the most bang for my buck. 

When browsing MSC’s website last winter, I came across an extremely cheap cruise deal: a 7-night cruise on MSC Seaside with a $616 per person cruise fare. Because this cruise was in July during the peak summer season, the price was a total steal.

Of course, that fare did not include taxes and gratuities, which would be added to the price, but still, it was a deal hard to pass up. Most of the other weeklong cruises I browsed were at least $500 more per person, many of which were on older, smaller ships.

Have you ever considered trying an MSC cruise? While I have sailed on other cruise lines and had a good time, I recommend MSC for first-timers. 

There are a whole host of reasons why you may want to try this European-based cruise line for a cruise. Incredible prices, a growing fleet of large and innovative ships, a wide range of onboard activities and entertainment, and a vast array of itineraries are just some of the advantages of cruising with MSC Cruises. 

I recently returned from a 7-night cruise on MSC Seaside, an MSC cruise ship launched in 2018. 

As a budget cruiser, I booked an interior cabin for my sailing, and I was curious to see what a stateroom on this relatively new ship would look like.

The total cost of an inside cabin for two adults, including taxes and fees, was $1518, or just $759 per person. I found this to be a fantastic price for a new cruise ship in the peak summer season, but what made it even better was MSC’s drink package and wifi promo.

Have you ever considered solo cruising? I had the opportunity to take my first solo cruise on MSC Divina, and the experience surprised me. So what is it like to cruise all by yourself? Fun? Lonely? Scary? Maybe a little bit of everything! 

I have cruised a number of times with my family and traveled a little on my own, but this was a new experience, and I was not sure how I would fare on my own, especially in the bustling port of Nassau. 

Explora I, the first ship for the brand-new luxury cruise line Explora Journeys, was delivered on July 20, 2023. 

Explora Journeys is an upscale brand that is owned by the MSC Group that aspires to create a unique "Ocean State of Mind" by connecting guests not only with the sea, but with themselves and other like-minded individuals on sailings to less common ports of call to evoke a sense of discovery.    

Construction on the $550 million Explora I began on July 10, 2021, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. 

MSC Cruises has an impressive 22 cruise ships in service, with several more on the way. This is a result of their aggressive growth plans, which have seen them become the third-largest cruise brand in the world. 

So which is the best ship and class to pick? That depends on several things. The type of cruise experience, travel preferences, destination, cabin options, and onboard amenities all play a role in picking the right cruise ship.