MSC Crociere

This Italian company based in Geneva is the result of the acquisition of Flotta Lauro by Mediterranean Shipping Company for its cruise division. In its early years they operated under the name of Starlauro with three ships Achille Lauro, Angelina Lauro and Monterrey. The fatal ending of the Achille Lauro that sank near the coast of Somalia in 1994, speed up the process of replacing the brand Starlauro by MSC Crociere. They started operations in 1995 with the Symphony, Rhapsody (chartered to substitute Achille Lauro) and Monterrey.

Talking about price, MSC currently has rates that benefits the advanced purchase (Premia Prima). It is also an ideal company to travel with children as it has great discounts for them if they share stateroom with you, or the Tandem rate for children under 18 (they can have their own cabin next to yours at a reduced price). They also have special prices for young people under 34 years.

MSC currently has eleven ships, mostly built by the giant STX:

FANTASIA CLASS. With two ships, MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida. Starting operations in 2008 and 2009 respectively both ships are the largest ones built for a European company until now (137,000 GT). The Swarovski stairs at the entrance is one of the most distinctive features. Although both have the same facilities, the Splendida has a bowling alley in the Sports Bar that cannot be found aboard MSC Fantasia

MSC FANTASIA HALL

MUSICA CLASS. It has four ships, MSC Musica, MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra and MSC Magnifica with approximately 92,000 GT. The four ships have their distinctive features such as the water area at guest relations of MSC Poesia, but the MSC Magnifica includes 44 suites on deck 14 (almost like Yacht Club but they are not) and a glass dome in the solarium like MSC Fantasia.

LIRICA CLASS. It is also called Mistral Class (59.000 GT), because the MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia are stretched versions of the Mistral (Grand Mistral of Ibero Cruceros). They were built by Chantiers de L'Atlantique for Festival Cruises. This class is distinguished by the sports court and the net in the upper deck. There are also two other ships belonging to this class MSC Lirica and MSC Opera, which were the first ships built directly for MSC, and starting point for MSC modern fleet.

The MSC Melody is the last stronghold of the old cruise ships and keeps alive the spirit of the Starlauro fleet. With approximately 35,000 GT, the Melody serves the area of ​​classic cruises with a nostalgic atmosphere, sailing the Mediterranean in summer and the Mauritius and South Africa the rest of the year.

MSC YACHT CLUB. With the entry into service of MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida, MSC implemented a new category of staterooms and a new way to "crucering". The MSC Yacht Club is an area of ​​99 suites, where the lucky occupants will have a number of privileges such as 24-hour butler service to help you unpack, an exclusive reception desk, a private pool, drinks included... and of course they can access the whole ship. The most interesting benefit is that with the room key you can access the Yacht Club area with the lift, but when inserting the card, you will go through all the floors without stopping until you reach your destination. Let's say you're on deck 5 and you take the elevator to deck 15 to your cabin, the elevator will skip the rest of the floors and will not stop until reaching your destination.

ENTERTAINMENT ON BOARD. MSC's shows are, in my point of view, the best of all cruise companies. They are excellent quality and suitable for any nationality of passengers. Some are music, juggling and mood (without dialogue), so you do not need to speak other languages to understand, just have fun. In addition, the shows are presented in the 5 major languages. The rest of the entertainment is done the "Italian" way.

DESTINATIONS. MSC has the policy that their newest ships remain in the vicinity of their base until they have spent a couple of years since its launch, so the MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia and MSC Magnifica stay in winter in the Mediterranean, Istanbul and the Canary Islands. The rest of the fleet is dispersed to Brazil for the most part, the Caribbean and South Africa/Mauritius.

MSC FANTASIA

FOOD AND PACKAGES. You'll enjoy very good pasta and risotto on MSC ships. The buffet on the other hand tends to be always the same with little variety, so I recommend making the maximum number of meals in the main restaurants. Unlike U.S. companies, MSC offers beverage packages that CAN ONLY BE USED IN BUFFET AND RESTAURANT, so it is not recommended all-inclusive packages.

In my point of view MSC is a good option for traveling around the Mediterranean with children if you are spanish, because you don't have to worry too much about the language, since spanish and italian cultures are very similar and both are Mediterranean characters. For American or English people I would rather recommend Royal Caribbean