msc cruise zoe

Mon - Fri 8:00am - 7:00pm Sat 9:00am - 1:00pm (AES/DT) Closed on Public Holidays.

YOUR VIRTUAL PERSONAL CRUISE ASSISTANT

A free, voice-enabled assistant found in every cabin, you can ask ZOE hundreds of questions about life on board and she will help you reserve restaurants and excursions, check your bill and more. ZOE is conversational and professional, and speaks an impressive seven languages. She’s easy to use too – just say, OK ZOE, and she’s ready to help. A true artificial intelligence, ZOE has been programmed to keep learning with every interaction, in order to better serve Guests.

DISCOVER ZOE ON BOARD

Available on MSC Grandiosa, ZOE is a first in the cruise industry, and another example of how MSC Cruises continues to exceed expectations in innovative guest experiences.

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Mon-Sun 9:00 am - 6:00 pm EST

Meet ZOE, The World's First Virtual Personal Cruise Assistant Powered By Artificial Intelligence - Designed Exclusively For MSC Cruises' Guests

Zoe – the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant – is poised to take msc cruises’ guest services to an exciting new level with guest-centric technology that will further enrich their cruise holiday..

MSC Cruises and HARMAN Connected Services co-create the future of the Cruise Experience using Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing and Smart Audio technology

Geneva, Switzerland (February 1, 2019) —   ZOE   – the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant  – is poised to take  MSC Cruises ’ Guest Services to an exciting new level with guest-centric technology that will further enrich the cruise vacation. Developed in partnership with HARMAN and Samsung Electronics, ZOE is a voice-enabled artificial intelligence (AI) tool found in every stateroom. ZOE can speak seven languages, answer hundreds of questions about the cruise and provide information about on board services, guidance and suggestions or help to book a service. An easy to use device – guests simply say, “OK ZOE”, and she’s ready to help. The advanced voice recognition feature makes it easy for everyone to control and access information using only voice commands.     ZOE is a first in the cruise industry and another example of how MSC Cruises continues to lead the way by employing technology to enhance the guest experience. ZOE will launch on  MSC Bellissima  and will then be available on each following new ship, including the upcoming  MSC Grandiosa  in 2019 and  MSC Virtuosa  in 2020.     Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO commented , “The cruise experience is constantly evolving to become ever-richer, offering an increasingly wide choice of services and facilities. In 2017, we introduced  MSC for Me , an industry-leading digital innovation platform that revolutionized the way that guests were able to customize and personalize their experience. The technology was built into the very design of the new ships, incorporated into every step of the development process of each prototype, from conception to construction.”     Mr Onorato continued,  “This was just the starting point in providing a connected cruise experience. There was a core guest need to be met, which was to find answers to common questions in a quick and easy way, enabling guests to make the most of their vacation. We researched the latest connected technologies and identified voice assistants and Artificial Intelligence as the way to meet this need, and the work on ZOE began.”     CO-CREATING INNOVATION   This ground-breaking AI guest service has been developed in partnership with the MSC Cruises’ Business Innovation team and  HARMAN International , a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. The collaboration has brought together the best-in-class expertise in voice-enabled technology and cruise expertise as part of a shared vision for connected living, now extended to the cruise industry.     “Today, customers have increasingly high expectations for connected experiences wherever they live, work and, now, travel,” said  Sanjay Dhawan, President - Connected Services and CTO, HARMAN . “Digital Assistants and voice recognition technologies are transforming the opportunity to create a guest experience that is highly personal, adaptable and intuitive. Our team at HARMAN Connected Services is incredibly excited to bring this innovation to MSC Cruises as we modernize and enhance the guest experience from the start to the end.”      ZOE’s physical design features advanced audio with far field microphones and a professional quality speaker to provide the best audio experience. Guests will enjoy fast response times, thanks to the integration of a top-of-the-line quad-core processor, and also have the opportunity to connect their phones directly to the device through Bluetooth to enjoy music, podcasts and more directly in their staterooms. In the future, ZOE will be able to offer further personalization and embedded experiences, and will also become a cross-channel personal assistant that will take on new forms within MSC for Me.     ZOE has been designed to enrich MSC for Me by interacting with the in-stateroom TV. Long-term innovation partner  Samsung Electronics , designed the Hotel Management System software that allows the personal assistant to connect with the TV to provide guests further in-depth information and other guest services.     Hyesung Ha ,  Senior Vice President Of Enterprise Product Marketing Group, Samsung Electronics commented,  “Samsung has always been committed to leveraging its technology leadership to improve the quality of people's lives and to bring innovations to the world. The partnership with MSC Cruises is an example of how our advanced solutions enhance the guest experience: not only displays to access information and infotainment content on board, but a true comprehensive digital experience. Thanks to this long-lasting partnership, Samsung and MSC Cruises are bringing innovation to the cruise industry.”     ANSWERING GUEST QUESTIONS FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR STATEROOMS   To ensure ZOE could respond effectively to all guests, she has been programmed and trained to respond to more than 800 of the most commonly asked questions with thousands of different variants of each question. The conversation designs, ZOE’s natural speech recognition and ability to transform speech into text and back again has undergone significant testing, in addition to a variety of other behavioral, experiential and performance tests. As an artificial intelligence solution, ZOE is designed to continue learning and developing her responses based on real guest interactions.     While ZOE acts as a 24/7 virtual personal cruise assistant, she is not designed to replace human interaction between crew and guest, but rather to provide guests with the flexibility to communicate and discover information from the comfort of their staterooms.     To find out more about ZOE visit  here  and to find out more about  MSC Bellissima  visit  here .

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Worldwide msc international, meet zoe, the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant powered by artifical intelligence - designed exclusively for msc cruises’ guests.

Mon - Fri 9 - 19 | Sat 9 - 18 | Sun 10 - 16

MSC FOR ME APP

MSC TECHNOLOGY AT THE SERVICE OF THE ART OF HOSPITALITY

DOWNLOAD THE FREE MSC FOR ME APP BEFORE YOU LEAVE TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR CRUISE

MSC for me FEATURES

Save valuable time.

Every cruise represents a special moment, and time onboard is precious. With new features on the MSC for Me app, Guests access the information they need, when they need it. Saving time during arrival and departure. And on getting oriented once on board.

DON'T MISS A THING

Miss a chance to have fun...Never! But with so many exciting possibilities on board, how can Guests decide? MSC for Me has additional features that help Guests plan their holiday, providing them with the information they need, when they need it.

• Guests can plan their cruise in real time, browsing through daily events, activities, and highlights
• Guests get notifications on relevant promotions, offers and events
• Discover The MSC Starship club with Rob, the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea: an immersive and futuristic experience for the full family - exclusively on MSC Virtuosa

TAILORED TO YOU

New MSC for Me features personalize guests’ cruise experience even more, for a holiday that meets their individual needs. When and where they want.

• MSC for Me Wristband* (from age 12) a wearable waterproof device, to enjoy ship without cruise card, making purchases, booking services and unlocking cabin
• Taste your personalized cocktails prepared by the first-ever humanoid, robotic bartender at sea – exclusively on MSC Virtuosa
• Pre-cruise booking means Guests can access MSC for me and start planning and purchasing services in advance*. And mobile check-in enables a smoother embarkation
• Zoe**, the new virtual personal cruise assistant, speaks seven languages, adapting to each Guest’s profile and preferences, and all from the comfort of our Guest’s cabin

*Available on MSC Bellissima and MSC Grandiosa

**Available for guests travelling on MSC Virtuosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview.The MSC for Me programme is also available on MSC Splendida and on MSC Magnifica, however it has reduced programme features. Coming soon on MSC Seashore. The MSC for Me app functionality may vary from ship to ship and across different countries. Included for MSC Aurea and MSC Yacht Club experience 

STAY IN TOUCH WITH EACH OTHER

Peace of mind is at the heart of a happy holiday. With messaging features, MSC for Me helps Guests stay in touch with loved ones. So they can take some time for themselves.

• MSC for Me Chat - message directly through the app without an internet package

Thank you for visiting MSC Cruises

Your browser may be out of date or not compatible with our new site and may not be secure.

For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below.

Thank you for visiting our site and we look forward to seeing you on board soon!

MSC Cruises

Mån-Fre 09-18

Meet ZOE, The World's First Virtual Personal Cruise Assistant Powered By Artificial Intelligence - Designed Exclusively For MSC Cruises' Guests

Zoe – the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant – is poised to take msc cruises’ guest services to an exciting new level with guest-centric technology that will further enrich their cruise holiday..

MSC Cruises and HARMAN Connected Services co-create the future of the Cruise Experience using Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing and Smart Audio technology Geneva, Switzerland 1st February 2019: ZOE the world's first virtual personal cruise assistant is poised to take MSC Cruises Guest Services to an exciting new level with guest-centric technology that will further enrich their cruise holiday. Developed in partnership with HARMAN and Samsung Electronics, ZOE is a voice-enabled artificial intelligence (AI) found in every cabin that can speak seven languages. Able to answer hundreds of questions about the cruise, she can provide information about onboard services, provide guidance and suggestions or help to book a service. An easy to use device – guests just say, “OK ZOE”, and she’s ready to help. The advanced voice recognition feature makes it easy for everyone to control and access information using only voice commands. ZOE is a first in the cruise industry and another example of how MSC Cruises continues to lead the way with employing technology to enhance the guest experience. ZOE will launch on MSC Bellissima and will then be available on each new ship following this, including the upcoming MSC Grandiosa and MSC Virtuosa in 2020. Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO commented, “The cruise experience is constantly evolving to become ever-richer, offering an increasingly wide choice of services and facilities. In 2017 we introduced MSC for Me, an industry-leading digital innovation platform that revolutionised the way that guests were able to customise and personalise their experience. The technology was built into the very design of the new ships, incorporated into every step of the development process of each prototype, from conception and construction.” Mr Onorato continued, “This was just the starting point in providing a connected cruise experience. There was a core guest need to be met, which was to find answers to common questions in a quick and easy way, enabling guests to make the most of their holiday. We researched the latest connected technologies and identified voice assistants and Artificial Intelligence as the way to meet this need and the work on ZOE began.” CO-CREATING INNOVATION This ground-breaking AI guest service has been developed in partnership with the MSC Cruises’ Business Innovation team and HARMAN International , a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. The collaboration has brought together the best-in-class expertise in voice-enabled technology and cruise expertise as part of a shared vision for connected living, now extended to the cruise industry. “Today, customers have increasingly high expectations for connected experiences wherever they live, work - and now, travel,” said Sanjay Dhawan, President - Connected Services and CTO, HARMAN. “Digital Assistants and voice recognition technologies are transforming the opportunity to create a guest experience that is highly personal, adaptable and intuitive. Our team at HARMAN Connected Services is incredibly excited to bring this innovation to MSC Cruises as we modernise and enhance the guest experience from the start to the end.” ZOE’s physical design features advanced audio with far field microphones and a professional quality speaker to provide the best audio experience. Guests will enjoy fast response times thanks to the integration of a top-of-the-range quad-core processor, and also have the opportunity to connect their phones directly to the device through Bluetooth to enjoy music, podcasts and more directly in their cabin. In the future, ZOE will be able to offer further personalisation and embedded experiences, and will also become a cross-channel personal assistant that will take on new forms within MSC for Me. ZOE has been designed to enrich the MSC for Me ecosystem and as such interacts with the in-cabin TV. Long-term innovation partner Samsung Electronics , designed the Hotel Management System software that allows the personal assistant to connect with the TV to provide guests further in-depth information and other guest services. Hyesung Ha, Senior Vice President Of Enterprise Product Marketing Group, Samsung Electronics commented, Samsung has always been committed to leveraging its technology leadership to improve the quality of people's lives and to bring innovations to the world. The partnership with MSC Cruises is an example of how our advanced solutions enhance the guest experience: not only displays to access information and infotainment content on board, but a true comprehensive digital experience. Thanks to this long-lasting partnership, Samsung and MSC Cruises are bringing innovation to the cruise industry”. ANSWERING QUESTIONS IN THE COMFORT OF THE CABIN To ensure ZOE could respond effectively to all guests, she has been programmed and trained to respond to more than 800 of the most commonly asked questions with thousands of different variants of each question. Testing was carried out on the conversation designs, ZOE’s natural speech recognition and ability to transform speech into text and back again, in addition to scores of other behavioural, experiential and performance tests. As an artificial intelligence solution, ZOE is designed to continue learning and developing her responses based on real guest interactions. While ZOE acts as a 24/7 virtual personal cruise assistant, she is not designed to replace human interaction between crew and guest, but rather to provide guests with the flexibility to communicate and discover information from the comfort of their cabins. To find out more about ZOE visit here  and to find out more about MSC Bellissima visit here 

Thank you for visiting MSC Cruises

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For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below.

Thank you for visiting our site and we look forward to seeing you on board soon!

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Meeting Zoe: MSC Bellissima’s brand new AI companion

In March this year, MSC Cruises is unveiled its newest ship, MSC Bellissima. The innovative ship features new MSC for Me technology which connects passengers to fellow guests, the crew and the ship itself. Furthermore, while on board, guests will experience the world’s first digital cruise assistant, Zoe, a voice-enabled AI device fitted in every cabin. Here is a look at what Zoe offers guests, how her personality was developed and how MSC Bellissima enabled MSC Cruises to increase its global reach.

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The launch of MSC Bellissima has marked something of a sea change for MSC Cruises. But as one of a fleet of 16 cruise ships the company now has in operation, and with 13 more new ships to come by 2027, Bellissima is far from being just one of the crowd.

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Part of a €13.6bn investment plan from MSC Cruises, Bellissima features 2,217 cabins, 1,418 of which have balconies and the capacity to accommodate 5,686 guests. The largest ship ever to be launched in the UK, the 315-metre-long Bellissima is a vessel through which MSC Cruises is already seeing increased market growth in the UK due to a carefully-targeted marketing strategy.

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Msc cruises ltd, clia s.r.o., chelsea company, chelsea football club ltd, samsung corp, high-profile uk event designed to grow the market.

The company has also succeeded in attracting global attention through its innovative technology, sustainability achievements, the brand’s star power and bringing thousands on board to experience MSC Cruises’ latest product.

The high-profile christening event, held on 1-3 March 2019 in Southampton (for which Sophia Loren was godmother, as she is to all MSC Cruises’ ships), saw TV presenter Holly Willoughby host the evening’s celebration, for which chef Raymond Blanc – who is one of the UK’s best-loved French chefs – prepared the gala dinner.

A TV sensation, Willoughby’s association automatically brought MSC Cruises into the conversations of a wider UK audience. A strategically organised three-day event, where 2,400 agents were invited on board to have the MSC Cruises’ experience for themselves on Bellissima , also helped to alter cruise misconceptions, especially because many were not specifically cruise agents.

A direct impact for travel agents

Antonio Paradiso, UK managing director at MSC Cruises, says that the number of agents booking a cruise with the company increased significantly following the christening.

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“I had an agent from TTNG on board who usually sells one or two cruises a year full stop,” he explains. “The same agent, the weekend following the naming ceremony, sold eight cruises in a weekend, so she made more than £25,000 of bookings in a single day and they were all MSC Cruises.”

The difference being that following her experience on Bellissima , the agent proactively suggested cruises to customers where she wouldn’t have done before.

“I can tell you many examples of agents who have been doubling or tripling their production,” he says. “March [2018] on March [2019] there was a 35% increase [in bookings].”

Record numbers of cruisers in the UK

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has just reported that the cruise market has grown by 2% in the last two years, with the industry hitting a record 2,009,000 passengers in 2018. This takes the UK market over the long-awaited threshold and making it the fourth country in the world to hit the two million mark.

CLIA’s #ChooseCruise campaign has been working hard to expand the UK market, and with popular television programmes such as Cruising with Jane McDonald getting such rave reviews, cruise is more accessible than ever in the UK.

MSC Cruises’ strategic approach to growing the UK market feeds in to many of the current trends that CLIA’s report for 2019 highlighted.

Travellers going solo ( Bellissima has cabins designed for solo passengers); conscientious travelling (for example, MSC Cruises has stopped single-use plastic and Bellissima has dual-fuel engines designed to run on LNG); more Gen Z (age 23-38) passengers; and guests using technology to improve and personalise their experience are all key trends driving the cruise market, which are also key aspects of Bellissima and the strategic marketing plan.

“We are presenting our product differently and engaging with customers in a different way,” says Paradiso, who says that MSC Cruises is working with influencers on social media than they were in the past. “The perception of a cruise experience is changing year after year and we’re using technology to break some of those barriers.”

Today in the UK, 95% of 25-54 year olds have smartphones . Around 45% follow more than ten influencers on social media and 31% feel uncomfortable if they are without their phones for 30 minutes or less.

New features

For the launch of MSC Bellissima , MSC Cruises has added new features and functionality to its multi-channel MSC for Me platform, as well as introducing the cruise industry’s first AI-powered virtual voice assistant Zoe.

Created in partnership with Samsung and Harman, Zoe is situated on the vanity desk in a cabin, at the optimum audio distance from the bed, so that guests can relax, avoid queuing at guest services and get their questions answered from their own stateroom. Zoe communicates in seven languages – each is slightly modified to create alignment between the different languages – and can answer more than 800 questions. She was asked more than 2,000,000 questions during training and because of machine learning, she will continue to improve her knowledge every day.

Creating Zoe was more complicated in reality than the team had first realised. Chief Business Innovation Officer Luca Pronzati, who was leading the project, said that at the start they didn’t realise they would need to create an identity for Zoe.

“The basic personality type for us is respectful, formal, simple, open, warm and enthusiastic,” he says. “The second major step was bringing the personality to life through expression.”

Another challenging aspect for the team was deciding what the “wake-up word” would be given so that Zoe could have the same activation command in each language. The team decided to go with “Ok Zoe”, as it is recognisable in all languages. Then they had to train the voice.

“We have selected different voices to align between the different languages,” explains Pronzati. ”We train a synthetic voice in order to get same kind of pronunciation. At the time we didn’t even know you could train a voice,” he says. “I realise now many parameters there are.”

While Zoe is designed to optimise the time guests and guest services spend answering questions, the MSC for Me platform is also making ship life easier on board, especially for Millennials and Gen Z cruisers.

Mobile check-in assists the embarkation process and the 3,050 beacons on board help guests to find their way around the ship with blue-dot wayfinding. The upgraded app also includes a new chat feature so that friends and family can stay in touch on board, and there is also a family and friends locator, which will show guests where people in their group are just by checking on their smartphone.

A marketing match made in heaven

Paradiso puts part of MSC’s increased growth down to the different ways they are approaching the customer, such as working with more influencers, in different sectors of the market.

A key partnership for MSC Cruises is with Chelsea Football Club. With tens of millions of fans around the world, it is a way to open up a new holiday market as MSC Cruises’ research has shown they have a strong interest in vacations. With 1.3 billion people interested in football , Paradiso says that 39% of Chelsea’s audience is female. Traditionally the ones in a household or family to make decisions about cruising holidays for their family, their research into Chelsea Football club showed that if the club recommended a holiday, they would trust the response. A fair share expressed an interest in cruise holidays, he says.

“Being a global partner of Chelsea means I can engage with the women’s team, the men’s team and the youth team, so I’ve got automatically three different audiences,” he says. “The women’s club is probably the most successful team in women’s football in Europe,” he stresses.

“If people do not get to see what MSC is all about and experience what we have to offer it will always be a barrier to our business,” says Paradiso. “The global outreach basically made the entire market talk about MSC and that’s priceless to me.”

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• Sunday, June 9, 2024

CruiseToTravel

Meet zoe… msc zoe, the worlds’ first personal cruise assistant.

What’s the first thing you do when you board a cruise ship? While most people check out the buffet restaurant or one of the bars, guests boarding MSC Bellissima will probably head straight to their stateroom. After all, who wouldn’t want to meet ZOE, the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant.

ZOE  is poised to take  MSC Cruises ’ Guest Services to an exciting new level with guest-centric technology that will further enrich the cruise holiday. Developed in partnership with HARMAN and Samsung Electronics, ZOE is a voice-enabled artificial intelligence (AI) found in every cabin that can speak seven languages. Able to answer hundreds of questions about the cruise, she can provide information about onboard services, provide guidance and suggestions or help to book a service. An easy to use device – just say, “ OK ZOE ”, and she’s ready to help. The advanced voice recognition feature makes it easy for everyone to control and access information using only voice commands.

ANSWERING QUESTIONS IN THE COMFORT OF THE CABIN

To ensure ZOE could respond effectively to all guests, she has been programmed and trained to respond to more than 800 of the most commonly asked questions with thousands of different variants of each question. Testing was carried out on the conversation designs, ZOE’s natural speech recognition and ability to transform speech into text and back again, in addition to scores of other behavioural, experiential and performance tests. As an artificial intelligence solution, ZOE is designed to continue learning and developing her responses based on real guest interactions.

While ZOE acts as a 24/7 virtual personal cruise assistant, she is not designed to replace human interaction between crew and guest, but rather to provide guests with the flexibility to communicate and discover information from the comfort of their cabins.

CO-CREATING INNOVATION

This ground-breaking AI guest service has been developed in partnership with the MSC Cruises’ Business Innovation team and  HARMAN International , a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. The collaboration has brought together the best-in-class expertise in voice-enabled technology and cruise expertise as part of a shared vision for connected living, now extended to the cruise industry.

ZOE’s physical design features advanced audio with far field microphones and a professional quality speaker to provide the best audio experience. ZOE will respond within seconds thanks to the integration of a top-of-the-range quad-core processor and offer the opportunity to connect your smartphone through Bluetooth so you can enjoy music, podcasts and more directly in your cabin. In the future ZOE will be able to offer further personalisation and embedded experiences and will also become a cross-channel personal assistant that will take on new forms within MSC for Me.

ZOE has been designed to enrich the MSC for Me ecosystem and as such interacts with the in-cabin TV. Long-term innovation partner  Samsung Electronics , designed the Hotel Management System software that allows the personal assistant to connect with the TV to provide further in-depth information and other guest services.

ZOE is a first in the cruise industry and another example of how MSC Cruises continues to lead the way with employing technology to enhance the guest experience. ZOE will launch on  MSC Bellissima  and will then be available on each new ship following this, including the upcoming  MSC Grandiosa  and  MSC Virtuosa  in 2020.

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This cruise ship has a smart speaker and voice assistant in every cabin

Msc cruises launches zoe the ai assistant, created in partnership with samsung and harman.

MSC Cruises is to fit a smart speaker in every cabin of its new ship, the Bellissima, equipped with Zoe, a purpose-built voice assistant which can answer over 800 common questions asked by passengers.

This is the first time a voice assistant has been used in the cruise ship industry in this way.

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The logic behind the new technology is that it can help passengers with simple queriers about the cruise ship, such as what time the swimming pools open and close, what's on at the theater, and where the nearest bar is on deck.

It is hoped that, by answering these questions, Zoe can reduce the need for passengers to head to the ship's main desk, then queue up and ask a member of staff for information.

Zoe will launch on the MSC Bellissima, then is to be installed on the new MSC Grandiosa in 2019 and MSC Virtuosa in 2020. Each Zoe system is tailored for the ship it is installed on, so that the information it gives regarding available amenities and deck layout is accurate.

Roughly the size of a Google Home , the speaker, which is installed in every one of the Bellissima's 2,244 cabins, is not connected to the internet. Instead, and because the satellite connection out at sea can be patchy, Zoe gets her information from the ship's local network, which is periodically updated with new information for the AI to share with passengers.

Samsung and Harman, the audio company it acquired two years ago, built the system, which can also be used as a Bluetooth speaker to play music from passengers' phones. Harman worked to ensure every Zoe speaker is located in the best position in the ship's 40 different cabin layouts.

Revealed at a media event attended by GearBrain in London on Thursday evening, the artificial intelligence can speak seven different languages and is said to understand 30 different regional accents. To get the assistant's attention, passengers say "Okay Zoe", much in the same way they would speak to Alexa, Siri, or the Google Assistant.

Although the Zoe speaker does not have a display of its own, it is connected to the Samsung television fitted in each cabin. This is where it can offer more information to supplement its spoken answers, and where it can serve up data pulled from the ship's internet connection.

Instead of Zoe connecting to the internet directly, as Alexa and the Google Assistant do , Zoe asks the cabin's television to connect to the web to show things like weather forecasts and news headlines. That way, Zoe's basic functionality - answering a range of 800 questions — is not affected by poor internet speeds out at sea.

Zoe cannot interact with other aspects of the cabin just yet, but MSC's long-term goal is to have the assistant provide voice controls for the lighting, heating and air conditioning. The company also explained how, in the future, when a cleaner notices a blown light bulb in a cabin, they could note the fault to Zoe, which would then contact the ship's maintenance team so they can replace the bulb.

If passengers do not want to use the system, the speaker can be switched off - or the microphones muted if they still want to play music — with the press of a button.

• Countdown to the launch of MSC Bellissima | MSC Cruises ›
• MSC Cruises & Harman International introduce first in-cabin digital ... ›
• MSC Cruises Officially Unveils "Zoe" the World's First Personal ... ›

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MSC VIRTUOSA

MSC Virtuosa's namesake comes from the word virtuoso, meaning "someone highly skilled in any field of activity", and so MSC Virtuosa was named to pay homage to the skill and expertise of the MSC Cruises architects and shipyard partners at Chantiers de l'Atlantique who designed and built this innovative class of ships.

MSC Virtuosa, along with her sister ships MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa and MSC Euribia, belongs to the “Meraviglia Class”, where the impressive array of onboard experiences come together in perfect harmony with the space and the destinations, to deliver the ultimate cruise holiday experience.

Itineraries

NORTHERN EUROPE

The Naming Ceremony of MSC Virtuosa took place in Dubai on 27th November 2021.

Read more  | Watch the video

MAIN FEATURES

Environmental stewardship.

Air emissions  98% reduction of sulphur oxide (SOx) and 90% reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions thanks to the most advanced technologies. Energy efficiency Wide range of energy-saving equipment to maximise efficiency such as smart heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Wastewater & Protecting Marine Life Advanced wastewater treatment system with higher purification standards than most wastewater treatment facilities ashore. Discover more on how the MSC Group is actively contributing to impactful environmental conservation and humanitarian programs at the MSC Foundation Centre on board.

Starship Club

Welcome to MSC Starship Club, home to Rob, the 1st humanoid robotic bartender at sea! MSC Starship Club offers a futuristic immersive experience, traveling on a journey through new galactic destinations all while Rob prepares your signature cocktail (and maybe even tells you a joke or shows off his dance moves)! 

Galleria Virtuosa

The indoor promenade features both Main and Specialty Restaurants along with numerous shops. With 1168m2 of retail space, MSC Virtuosa will exceed the already record breaking retail space onboard MSC Grandiosa, to present the largest shopping area at sea on any cruise ship with 11 state-of-the art boutiques and over 250 brands. The promenade is destined to become the ultimate destination for socializing and entertainment possibilities for guests.

Carousel Productions at Sea

Enjoy an all-new entertainment concept blending breathtaking acrobatics, dance and live music to create exclusive original productions specially designed for MSC Meraviglia Class ships. It offers avant-garde artistic and immersive performances combined with the innovative technology in a surprising mix of new expressions and experimentation that will make you feel part of the show.

On board MSC Virtuosa, you'll have the unique opportunity to admire two spectacular productions: AJEDREZ, inspired by the game of chess, and ARKYMEA, the story of a scientist in search of a hidden world. The shows take place twice a night, six nights a week, only at the Carousel Lounge, a glamorous, modern, technology-packed venue. Taste our Signature Cocktail while you enjoy a pre-show followed by this unique entertainment experience. (not included in the cruise fare, limited spaces, a signature cocktail package needs to be booked) DISCOVER MORE

Family & Children

MSC Cruises is known for its award-winning family offering and has a long-standing partnership with the LEGO Group to design the kids club areas as well as on board activities.  Discover all activities and services for children, tweens, teens and their parents here

MSC Virtuosa Pools

The numbers don't lie — 5 outstanding and unique pools, including one of the biggest and most intricate waterparks at sea!  The pools on MSC Virtuosa are capable of accommodating over 1,000 + guests with comfort. What's more? The Atmosphere Pool offers 18,000+ sq. ft. (which is equivalent to approx. 107 sq. ft. of public space per guest) and is one of the most plentiful to be found at sea. 

Spa & Wellness

MSC Aurea Spa includes a thermal area, massage & body treatments, facials and beauty services. Panoramic gym equipped with the latest Technogym machines, 5 outstanding pools and the TOP 19 Exclusive solarium.

MSC Yacht Club

Offering sweeping views and suites in the most premier location on the ship, the MSC Yacht Club  offers an all-inclusive, premium luxury experience. Guests staying in the MSC Yacht Club can enjoy private dining, a large private pool with solarium and whirlpool, a private lounge and bar and much more.

What's more? This all-inclusive experience includes complimentary drinks, unlimited wi-fi, complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa, an abundance of luxurious amenities and more.

  WATCH THE VIDEO

STATEROOMs & Suites

Whether you’re looking for a duplex suite with private whirlpool, an ocean view stateroom or stateroom for families, you’ll find it all on MSC Virtuosa.

• Comfortable king bed that can be converted into two single beds on request
• Luxury suites with premium decor
• Select suites have a balcony with private whirlpool
• Sitting area with sofa or separate living area
• Spacious closet
• Bathroom with shower and/or bathtub
• Interactive TV, telephone, safe and minibar
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• ZOE - in-cabin Bluetooth speaker
• Approx. 182 - 624 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 54 -753 ft 2
• Located on decks 9 - 18

Choose the Suite that best suits you:

• MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite (approx. 624 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 753 ft 2 , deck 15)
• MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite with Whirlpool (approx. 635 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 248 ft 2 , decks 9 - 12)
• MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite (approx. 312 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 54 ft 2 , decks 14 - 18) 
• MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite (approx. 183 ft 2 , decks 14 - 16) 

Discover a world of privileges with MSC Yacht Club. 

The image is representative only; the size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same stateroom category).

• Sitting area with double sofa bed
• Bathroom with shower or bathtub, vanity area and hairdryer
• Wi-Fi access available ($)
• Approx. 269 - 420 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 32 - 388 ft 2
• Located on decks 9 - 14
• Grand Suite Aurea with Terrace and Whirlpool (approx. 420 ft 2 with a large balcony that is approx. 388 ft 2 , deck 12)  
• Premium Suite Aurea with Terrace and Whirlpool (approx. 291 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 280 - 323 ft 2 , decks 9 - 13)  
• Premium Suite Aurea (approx. 269 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 32 - 151 ft 2 , decks 9 - 14) 
• Sitting area with single sofa bed
• Approx. 129 – 183 ft 2 with a balcony that is approx. 43 – 86 ft 2 Choose the stateroom type that best suits you:
• Balcony Aurea (best location, approx. 183 ft 2 , decks 11 - 13)
• Deluxe Balcony (approx. 183 ft 2 , decks 8 - 14)
• Deluxe Balcony with Partial View (approx. 183 ft 2 , decks 8 and 14)
• Studio Balcony (single occupancy, approx. 129 ft 2 , decks 13 - 14) The image is representative only; the size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same stateroom category).

Entertainment

MSC Virtuosa will offer a superb choice of entertainment for the whole family, from days in the water park or sports center to evenings in the super-amusement park or the multi-purpose karaoke bar, comedy club, TV studio & bar.

Restaurants & Buffet

A choice of 11 dining venues promises something special for every taste including a brand new Indochine restaurant concept - a delicious take on the Vietnamese classics with a French twist.

Indochine Restaurant

Guests will be able to choose from a savory selection of French-Vietnamese dishes, along with a variety of Vegetarian and Vegan options. The carefully selected wine list features both Old and New World wines and Tropical signature cocktails complement the authentic experience.

Hola! Tacos & Cantina

The new, fast-casual street food dining concept offers a selection of Latin American and Mexican-inspired dishes and drinks to be shared and enjoyed in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, open for lunch and dinner. Choose from an array of dishes including blue corn tacos and nachos, authentic beef empanadas and tasty tamales, tortilla soup or vegetarian tacos, all to be savored with our selection of Top 10 Tequilas and Mezcals!

Sea Pavilion

This exclusive restaurant is a world of contemporary Asian culinary emotions.

Kaito Sushi Bar

Tradition and modernity go hand in hand in this stylish sushi restaurant. This charming venue offers deliciously authentic Asian cuisine prepared on the spot with only the freshest, highest quality ingredients.

Kaito Teppanyaki

Step in, choose your spot at one of four cooking stations and watch your delicious Japanese dishes come to life, right before your eyes. Our expert chefs cook with flair on an open grill: a feast for the senses that sees flames and the finest sizzling ingredients coming together to form delicious dishes you'll remember forever.

Marketplace Buffet

The extensive buffet area includes various multifunction corners serving international dishes, ethnic cuisine, healthy options and a multitude of other tastes. It’s the ideal place for enjoying a great informal dining experience with a spectacular sea view.

Butcher's Cut

The traditional American-style steakhouse, Butcher’s Cut, celebrates the skill of a master butcher. Serving specialty cuts of meats including dry-aged tomahawk, t-bone, as well as surf and turf, this is a true steak-lovers dream, cooked in an open kitchen, giving onto a relaxed and sophisticated restaurant, inspired by the Golden Age of America.

Minuetto Restaurant

Blue danube restaurant, il campo restaurant, bars and lounges.

21 bars: 5 outdoor bars with breathtaking view and 16 indoor bars, each offering a unique experience  including the first humanoid Robotic Bartender at sea. The robot will be at the centre of an immersive bar experience and will entertain guests in eight different languages.

MSC Starship club

The 1 st  futuristic immersive experience at sea, MSC Starship Club takes our guests to a different world. Featuring Rob, the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea! This futuristic venue is much more than just a bar, it's an immersive entertainment experience.

What makes Rob & MSC Starship Club unique?

• Over 40 ingredients to create your own recipe
• 16 signature cosmic cocktails (alcohol and alcohol-free)
• Infinite personalized cocktail options
• Interactive Infinity Touchtable (a futuristic experience traveling in the solar system & beyond)
• 3D holographic futuristic projections
• Souvenir glass (themed futuristic glass to take home) 

Not only can Rob mix a range of signature cosmic drinks, he also speaks 8 languages, and enjoys entertaining guests with jokes, riddles and space facts. If he's in the mood, he may even show you his dance moves!

L’Atelier Bar & Art

This warm, elegant bar offers a carefully selected wine list and creative signature cocktails accompanied by the sound of live jazz music and a pop-up art gallery.

In addition, discover the Art Wall and the current exhibition of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, the pioneers of Pop Art. Read more

Dance away into the early hours in our chic nightclub. Grab yourself a drink from our extensive list of cocktails, mocktails, Spritz, Mojito’s, classic cocktails, beers or ciders and feel the beat. Dance the night away as skilled DJ’s spin the best of today’s dance and club favorites through a state-of-the-art sound system in our trendy nightclub.

Carousel Lounge

Sit back and enjoy the fun with an exclusive Signature Cocktail at the Carousel Lounge, a glamorous and modern, technology-packed venue specifically designed to meet the needs of Carousel Productions at Sea. This custom-built lounge covers 1,000 sq.m. and can accommodate up to 400 guests. Taste our Signature Cocktail while you enjoy a pre-show followed by this immersive entertainment experience. (Not included in the cruise fare. Limited spaces; a signature cocktail package needs to be booked).

Jean-Philippe Crêpes & Gelato

A gourmet ice cream parlour and French-style crêperie dreamed up by award-winning master pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury. Located in the impressive indoor promenade, it's the perfect place to enjoy a mouth watering made-to-order crêpe, with your choice of delicious sweet or savory fillings. Treat someone you love to our unique house-made gelato or sorbet. Jean-Philippe Maury’s award winning gelato is made on the premises, using only the finest quality ingredients and fresh fruit purees.

Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café

French master pâtissier Chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury brings his award-winning touch to this coffee and chocolate bar boutique where enticingly sweet delights are created just for you in our unique open concept chocolate kitchen. As well as choosing from a variety of exquisite Chef created chocolate candies, guests can also create their very own chocolate bar right at the tablet stations. The boutique offers also a wide assortment of delectable French macaroons and fresh roasted coffee. No matter your preference, there is something for everyone.

Red Gem Casino bar

Hit the jackpot at our spacious bar in Le Grand Casino. Get that James Bond feeling, order a drink from our skilled bar tenders and cast an eye over the Casino as you contemplate where lady luck will go to next. We have a wide variety of selected cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine and fine spirits to refresh yourself with as you take a break from play.

Enjoy the atmosphere of the big game in our unique sports bar. The wide and varied choice of draft beers, bottled beers, ciders and cocktails that we carefully selected are sure to quench even the strongest thirst. To satisfy any hunger pangs, you can snack on our freshly made hotdogs, a perfect accompaniment to any game.

Masters of the Sea

Atmospheric and charismatic, our traditional British pub is the perfect setting to drop in for a pint. Serving beer, premium spirits and a wide array of beer based cocktails, the pub is an ideal place to kick back and have fun. If hunger kicks in, you can also enjoy  burgers, hotdogs and the traditional beer battered fish and chips made with the freshest ingredients by our talented chefs to satisfy your hunger pangs. 

Infinity Bar

There are infinite choices in this ideal spot to join friends for an aperitif before a meal, or for a refreshing drink at any time of day. From traditional aperitifs, our Signature Cocktails to the contemporary classics, there is something to suit your taste.

TV Studio & Bar

Broadcasting live throughout the ship, our TV Studio and radio suite air live games, quizzes, talent contests and other fun content. An excellent selection of cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks are available to get you ready for your big performance.

Atmosphere Bar North

Relax at the poolside with friends and family, with a refreshing drink from the Atmosphere Bar North. From Signature Cocktails, beers, coladas, soft drinks, coffee and tea there is something to suit everyone’s taste.

Atmosphere Bar South

Days by the pool with the grill, what could be better! We realize that hunger can strike at any time and at the Atmosphere South Bar our expert chefs serve up fresh and tasty specialties hot off the grill 20 hours a day. Satisfy your cravings from our menu of freshly grilled food!

Savannah Bar

Top sail lounge.

Enjoy spectacular views in this elegant lounge, offering the Yacht Club bar list of spirits, craft cocktails, beers and wines, soft drinks and coffee drinks. You can also enjoy a fine selection of gourmet finger food throughout the day. 

DUBAI, ABU DHABI & QATAR

Use the deck plans to select your ideal stateroom or suite. The plan allows you to pinpoint the locations, while the colors distinguish the stateroom category.

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• 6. Beethoven
• 10. Gershwin
• 11. Puccini
• 12. Paganini
• 14. Tchaikovsky
• 15. Morricone
• 16. Debussy
• 18. Schumann
• 19. Mendelssohn
• Studio Interior
• Deluxe Interior
• Junior Ocean View with Obstructed View
• Junior Ocean View
• Deluxe Ocean View
• Premium Ocean View
• Studio Balcony
• Deluxe Balcony
• Deluxe Balcony with partial view
• Deluxe Balcony Aurea
• Premium Suite Aurea
• Grand Suite Aurea with terrace and whirlpool
• MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite with whirlpool
• MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite

° Single cabin with reduced size bed (140x200cm).

°° Reduced size bed (140x200cm).

• Our ships offer the possibility of combining 2 or 3 connecting cabins based on the ship class. Call our Contact Center to choose the best accommodation for you.

• All cabins have one double bed convertible to two single beds except for Studio Interior°.

• 3rd and 4th beds available in all categories except for Junior Ocean View with obstructed view °°, Junior Ocean View°° and MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite.

• 5th and 6th beds available in Premium Ocean View and Premium Suite Aurea

• Cabins 13265, 13376, 14235, 14278 have only bunk bed.

Ship configuration, data and descriptions may be subject to change depending on the season and on the destination and must be verified at the time of booking.

• Gross tonnage: 181,541
• Number of passengers: 6,334 guests
• Number of staterooms: 2,421
• Crew members: 1,704
• Length/Beam/Height: 1,086 ft.  / 141 ft. / 213 ft.
• Maximum Speed: 22.2 knots

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MSC Cruises

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MSC Cruises Review — Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

352 Published Articles 55 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 28 U.S. States Visited: 29

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

35 Published Articles 3260 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Director of Operations & Compliance

6 Published Articles 1179 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 10 U.S. States Visited: 20

Table of Contents

Basic information, departure ports, private ports/islands, onboard activities, dining and beverages, accommodations, msc voyagers club, martha stewart partnership, msc for me app, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Mediterranean Shipping Company has been in business since 1970. It started as a cargo shipping company and branched off into the world of passenger cruises in 1988 with its MSC Cruises division.

Today, MSC is the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line — the fourth-largest overall — and is a leader in Europe, South America, and southern Africa cruises.

Even though it might not be the most well-known among cruise ship industry leaders like Royal Caribbean or Carnival , it has big plans for expansion — expect up to a dozen new ships over the next decade.

Name: MSC Cruises

Parent Company: Mediterranean Shipping Company

Number of Ships: 17 (2 more coming by 2021)

Destinations: 150+

Loyalty Program: MSC Voyagers Club

Credit Card: None

MSC operates 17 ships with 2 more on the way. MSC Virtuosa will debut in November 2020 and MSC Seashore will debut in 2021.

• MSC Armonia
• MSC Bellissima
• MSC Fantasia
• MSC Grandiosa
• MSC Magnifica
• MSC Meraviglia
• MSC Orchestra
• MSC Preziosa
• MSC Seaside
• MSC Seaview
• MSC Sinfonia
• MSC Splendida

MSC Cruises sails to 69 countries across 6 continents from 52 departure ports.

MSC’s private island, located in the Bahama s, is called Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. This private oasis has 8 beaches, a Bahamian shopping village, local cuisine, massage huts on the beach, and so much more.

Your day at Ocean Cay can include any of the following activities, some of which come with an additional fee:

• Beach picnics
• Beach soccer and volleyball
• Ceclo luxury electric pedalo
• Deep-sea fishing
• Evening lighthouse show
• Latin dance classes
• Luna Libre Party
• Ocean Cay Olympic Games
• Scuba diving
• Stand up paddleboarding
• Stingray adventure
• Sunset Champagne cruise
• Waverunners

There’s plenty to eat and drink at Ocean Cay, too. You can grab lunch at Seakers Foodcourt or one of the many food trucks located around the island.

These locations serve up traditional buffet food as well as Bahamian specialties. If you need a drink or a snack like ice cream, stop by Lighthouse Bar, Springer’s Bar, The Smiling Fish Bar, or one of the many beach bars.

Hot Tip: Curious about award travel on cruises? Check out our guide to booking cruises with points and miles.

There’s a lot to do onboard an MSC ship. In addition to cruise ship staples like pools, a casino, and Broadway-style shows, MSC offers plenty of other unique activities.

Here is some of what you’ll find to do on an MSC cruise (not all activities are available on every ship; extra charges may apply):

• Arts and crafts
• Carnival party
• Dance classes
• Dancing shoes dance contest
• F1 simulator
• Fitness classes
• Flower Glory Party
• Himalayan Bridge sky walk
• Hollywood Stars
• Kelly and Kloe Onboard
• Kid’s Clubs for all ages (babies to teens)
• King and Queen of the Sea
• LEGO Experience On Board
• MSC Factor talent contest
• MSC’s Little Italy
• Officers and Gentlemen dance
• Oktoberfest
• Rock Star Tribute
• Sports tournaments (tennis, soccer, etc.)
• Stardust dance contest
• Virtual World
• Waterslides

Casual wear is acceptable onboard an MSC cruise during the day. On Gala Nights, formal wear is required in restaurants — this means suits and ties for men and cocktail dresses for women.

You’ll want to leave some room in your suitcase to bring outfits for your ship’s theme parties. Bring your 60s and 70s floral gear for the Flower Glory Party, white clothing for the White Party, and red, white, and green to celebrate MSC’s Little Italy.

Hot Tip: If you need some help deciding what to pack, use our handy printable cruise packing list.

Like most other cruise lines, MSC offers both complimentary dining as well as specialty restaurants that come with additional charges.

Complimentary Dining

Complimentary dining onboard an MSC ship consists of main restaurants and an extensive buffet.

Specialty Dining

You’ll also find restaurants on MSC that come with an additional charge. However, you can save up to 40% if you book before your cruise.

• Asian Fusion Restaurant
• Butcher’s Cut
• Chef Yamaguchi’s Asian Market
• Cirque du Soliel at Sea
• Galaxy Kaito
• Hola Tapas Bar
• In-room pizza delivery
• La Piazzetta
• L’Atelier Bistrot
• Kaito Sushi Bar
• Kaito Teppanyaki
• Ocean Cay Seafood Restaurant
• Oriental Plaza
• Room service
• Sea Pavillion Hot Pot
• Surf & Turf
• Venchi Gelateria

Bars and Beverages

Look for these bars and lounges on your next MSC cruise (not all locations available on every ship):

• Alchemist Bar
• Martini Bar
• Wine & Beer Bar

If you’d prefer to purchase your beverages ahead of time, you can opt for one of MSC’s beverage packages.

These packages are available at all onboard bars, the self-service buffet, and included restaurants.

Premium Plus Package: $79 per person per day

This package is for adults 21 and older and includes all drinks by the glass. It’s valid onboard including the specialty restaurants and at Ocean Cay.

This package includes drinks from the minibar and room service as well. You’ll also get a 30% discount on bottles of wine and Champagne.

• Cocktails, spirits, liquors, wine, and beer
• Soda, juice, bottled water, energy drinks
• Classic and premium hot beverages

Premium Package: $62 per person per day

This package is for adults 21 and older and includes drinks up to $12 each. It’s valid onboard including the specialty restaurants and at Ocean Cay.

• Cocktails, spirits, liquors
• Wines by the glass
• Draft and bottled beer
• Classic and premium hot drinks

Easy Package: $35 per person per day 

This package is for adults 21 and older and includes drinks up to $6 each. It’s valid onboard and at Ocean Cay.

• One brand of draft beer and/or bottled beer
• Selected spirits and cocktails, including non-alcoholic cocktails
• Classic hot drinks (espresso, cappuccino, latte, hot tea, hot chocolate)

Non-Alcoholic Package for Adults: $29 per person per day

This package is for adults and children ages 12 and up.

• Non-alcoholic cocktails
• Soda, energy drinks, juices
• Bottled and flavored water
• Premium coffee drinks, hot chocolate, tea
• Soft-serve ice cream

Non-Alcoholic Package for Children: $17 per person per day

This package is for children ages 3-11 and includes everything available in the Non-Alcoholic Package for Adults.

Drink packages must be purchased for the duration of your cruise. If 1 person buys a drink package, everyone else in that stateroom also needs to purchase a package .

If you purchase your package onboard, you’ll be charged a 15% service fee on top of the package price. To avoid this fee, purchase your beverage package ahead of time .

Bottom Line: The Premium Plus, Premium, and Easy beverage packages will transfer to Ocean Cay. Guests who purchase these packages will be able to use them on the island.

No matter what type of stateroom you choose on your MSC cruise, you’ll enjoy some standard amenities to make your voyage as comfortable as possible including a Dorelan mattress and pillows, widescreen TV, air conditioning, and a safe.

Here are some of the MSC stateroom highlights (not all stateroom types are available on every ship):

An Interior Studio is perfect for the solo traveler. Each small room has a single bed that can be converted into a sofa during the day.

If you’re traveling with a large group, check out the Family Stateroom options. This category of room consists of 2 or more adjoining staterooms and can sleep up to 10 people.

Hot Tip: Bring the kids because MSC is considered one of the best cruise lines for families .

If you want a stateroom that doesn’t feel like a stateroom, try the Duplex Suite. This 2-level suite features a master bedroom on the second level along with an additional double bed on the first level.

There are 2 bathrooms, 2 walk-in closets, and a large balcony with a private whirlpool tub.

A Two-Bedroom Grand Suite can accommodate up to 5 people. These rooms have 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms plus a large balcony.

For a luxurious experience, try a Suite with Private Whirlpool. These suites come with a queen-size bed and a large balcony with a private whirlpool bath.

For the ultimate in luxury, choose an MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite . These luxurious rooms have a bedroom with a king-size bed, separate living room, bathroom with tub and shower, refrigerator, coffee machine, fully stocked mini-bar, and a large balcony with a whirlpool tub.

Plus this room comes with all MSC Yacht Club benefits.

MSC Inclusive Experience

By choosing your stateroom on an MSC cruise, you’re also choosing your personalized MSC experience. Each experience comes with a set of perks and bonuses.

Bella Experience: Comes with Balcony, Ocean View, Outside with Partial View, Interior, and Interior Studio rooms

• Your dining time will be assigned according to availability
• Access to the buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Use of ZOE on select ships (voice-enabled virtual cruise assistant)
• MSC for Me app

Fantastica Experience: Comes with Suite, Balcony, Ocean View, Interior, and Staterooms for Families

• All Bella Experience benefits
• Ideally located staterooms with better views
• Assigned dining times, but with priority over Bella Experience guests
• Free 24-hour room service

Aurea Experience: Comes with Suite, Duplex Suite, Grand Suite, and Suite with Whirlpool and Balcony

• All Fantastica Experience benefits
• Complimentary Easy Drink Package
• My Choice Dining so you can select your dinner times
• Spa package that includes 2 50-minute massages per stateroom
• Access to private sun deck (adults only)
• Priority embarkation
• MSC for Me Wristband: a waterproof wristband you can use to make purchases, book services, and unlock your stateroom

MSC Yacht Club Experience: Comes with MSC Yacht Club rooms

• Luxury suites located on the top decks
• Access to Top Sail Lounge
• Private sun deck with pool, whirlpool, solarium, and bar
• Private restaurant with a choice of dining times
• Priority check-in and check-out
• Dedicated concierge and 24-hour a day butler service
• Unlimited drinks in MSC Yacht Club areas
• Selected complimentary beverages in all onboard restaurants and bars
• Access to Thermal Suite
• Premium internet package

Hot Tip: Kids ages 11 and under travel free on most MSC cruises .

MSC Voyagers Club is a loyalty club that you can join if you’ve sailed with MSC in the past or if you have an MSC cruise booked.

There are 5 levels of membership that offer perks based on points earned. You’ll earn points each time you cruise, book an onboard service, and make onboard purchases.

Here are just some of the benefits and perks you can earn as an MSC Voyagers Club member (benefits are cumulative):

MSC Voyagers Club membership is valid for 3 years. If it has been more than 3 years since your enrollment date or the day of disembarkation on your last cruise, your membership will expire and you’ll lose all Voyagers Club privileges.

Hot Tip: MSC offers a discount of up to 10% on select sailings to all current and retired U.S. or Canadian military personnel and their families as well as all current and retired government employees including teachers, police officers, and firefighters plus their families.

MSC Cruises has partnered with Martha Stewart to bring passengers special excursions and experiences. Whether you want to send a gift or try a new shore excursion, you can do with Martha Stewart style.

Plus, if you’re sailing on MSC during a holiday, you’ll get to experience a special Martha Stewart 3-course holiday meal. These are available during Easter, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve .

Martha Stewart Celebration Gifts

Send a special gift to someone on your MSC cruise that represents Martha Stewart’s values — good food, good company, and commemorating achievements and adventures. These are available on Caribbean sailings leaving from Miami and Tampa.

• Includes a personalized letter from Martha Stewart plus a special dessert and recipe card
• Includes a personalized letter from Martha Stewart, a special dessert, recipe card, and a bottle of wine
• Includes a personalized letter from Martha Stewart, a special dessert, recipe card, a bottle of wine, a free photograph taken by an MSC photographer, a 5×7 picture frame, and a canvas beach bag

Martha Stewart Excursions

On select cruises, you can experience a specialty excursion inspired by Martha Stewart. These activities celebrate each destination’s local flavors and traditions.

• Tastes of Belize — Street Food, Artisanal Cheese & Jungle Delights
• St. John Hike to Watermelon Cay & Snorkel Trip
• Bacalar Lagoon Kayaking & Pineapple Farm
• The Perfect Margarita Mixology Session
• Swimming Horses of Cayman Experience
• Historic Homes Walking Tour & Key Lime Pie
• Jamaican Flavors Tasting Tour & Craft Market
• Bush Medicine Gardens & Tea Tour
• Bahamian Cooking & Cocktail Class
• Konoko Falls & Murphy Hill Farm Tour
• Flavors of St. Maarten Culinary Course
• Exploring Roatan’s Fishing Villages
• Savor San Juan’s Culinary Delights

Hot Tip: Not sure where to get the best deal on your cruise? Dive into our guide on the best websites to book cruises at the cheapest prices.

The MSC for Me mobile app is available on select MSC smart ships including MSC Bellisima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, and MSC Splendida.

This mobile app is designed to help your onboard experience be fantastic. With the app, you’ll be able to save time, keep track of your onboard activities, and stay connected with options including:

• Mobile check-in
• Interactive map of the ship
• Displays of onboard events and activities
• MSC for Me Wristband
• MSC for Me Chat
• Family and Friends Locator (available for an extra charge)
• ZOE (virtual cruise assistant)

Hot Tip: Are you using the right credit card? Consult our guide to the best credit cards to book cruises to make sure you aren’t leaving any benefits on the table.

MSC Cruises might not be the most well-known brand in the industry, but it is still one of the biggest cruise lines, with plans to expand even more. Keep an eye out for plenty of new MSC ships over the next decade.

MSC will appeal to many different types of cruisers since it has lots of different types of activities onboard. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll appreciate the pool, waterslides, and waterpark.

If you’re a foodie, you’ll enjoy the specialty restaurant options, and if you’re looking for luxury, you’ll adore the MSC Yacht Club Experience!

If you’re a frequent cruiser, you’ll love the MSC Voyager Club perks like cruise discounts and priority boarding.

Whether you’re looking for a laid back getaway to the Caribbean or an exotic voyage to South Africa, you’ll find it on MSC Cruises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is msc a luxury cruise line.

Yes, you can definitely get a luxury experience on an MSC cruise. If luxury is what you’re after, check out the Aurea Experience and MSC Yacht Club Experience. These levels of cruising come with Suites, Duplex Suites, Grand Suites, and Suites with Whirlpool and Balcony plus MSC Yacht Club Rooms. With these 2 levels of experience, you’ll enjoy luxury benefits like complimentary drinks, My Choice dining, spa packages, access to a private sun deck, a private restaurant, and more!

What is the best MSC cruise ship?

MSC Bellissima is often cited as the best ship in the MSC fleet. Debuting in 2019, it’s the newest MSC ship and, like its sister ship MSC Meraviglia, is one of the fleet’s biggest. It features an aquapark, waterslides, the “Himalayan Bridge” sky walk, 4D cinema, and more.

How much is the drink package on MSC Cruises?

MSC Cruises offers multiple drink packages that range in price from $17 per person per day for a kid’s drink package to $79 per person per day for a package that includes all drinks by the glass (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic).

What is included on MSC Cruises?

An MSC Cruise includes the main dining rooms and an extensive buffet. Entertainment, onboard features like pools and waterslides, and kids’ activities are also included. You’ll pay extra for specialty restaurants, alcoholic drinks, specialty non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursions, and some onboard activities.

What is the dress code on an MSC cruise?

Resort casual wear (like shorts and t-shirts) is acceptable on an MSC cruise except for Gala Nights. On these nights, formal wear is required in the restaurants — suits and ties for men and cocktail dresses for women.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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MSC Unveils Zoe Virtual Personal Assistant

• February 1, 2019

MSC Cruises has officially revealed ZOE, a personal digital assistant that will be in every stateroom aboard the new MSC Bellissima.

MSC said the new guest-centric technology was developed in partnership with HARMAN and Samsung Electronics.

ZOE is a voice-enabled artificial intelligence (AI) tool found in every stateroom. ZOE can speak seven languages, answer hundreds of questions about the cruise and provide information about on board services, guidance and suggestions or help to book a service.

Guests simply say, “OK ZOE”, and she’s ready to help, MSC said.

The advanced voice recognition feature makes it easy for everyone to control and access information using only voice commands.

ZOE will launch on MSC Bellissima and will then be available on each following new ships in the MSC fleet, including the upcoming MSC Grandiosa in 2019 and MSC Virtuosa in 2020.

 Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO commented, “The cruise experience is constantly evolving to become ever-richer, offering an increasingly wide choice of services and facilities. In 2017, we introduced MSC for Me, an industry-leading digital innovation platform that revolutionized the way that guests were able to customize and personalize their experience. The technology was built into the very design of the new ships, incorporated into every step of the development process of each prototype, from conception to construction.

“This was just the starting point in providing a connected cruise experience. There was a core guest need to be met, which was to find answers to common questions in a quick and easy way, enabling guests to make the most of their vacation. We researched the latest connected technologies and identified voice assistants and Artificial Intelligence as the way to meet this need, and the work on ZOE began.”

 ZOE’s physical design features audio with far field microphones and a professional quality speaker, MSC said. Guests will enjoy fast response times, thanks to the integration of a quad-core processor, and also have the opportunity to connect their phones directly to the device through Bluetooth to enjoy music, podcasts and more directly in their staterooms.

In the future, ZOE will be able to offer further personalization and embedded experiences, and will also become a cross-channel personal assistant that will take on new forms within MSC for Me.

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MSC Cruises Unveils 2025-26 US Winter Sailings

M SC Cruises will have a record-setting seven ships sailing around the United States for the 2025-26 winter season, with ships homeporting in Miami, Port Canaveral, New York City and Galveston.

MSC Grandiosa will make its U.S. debut from Port Canaveral, while the cruise line as a whole will be celebrating its first-ever season sailing from Galveston with MSC Seascape. MSC World America will also have its first winter season sailing from Miami after the ship’s debut in April 2025 .

Most itineraries will visit Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve , which is getting several enhancements and updates at the moment. During the 2025-26 winter, guests will be able to take advantage of new excursion centers, a snorkel and dive center, new food and beverage options and an expanded Ocean House bar and restaurant for MSC Yacht Club guests.

“We are delighted to provide our guests more choices than ever before when it comes to embarkation ports, ships, itineraries and destinations, making it easy to find the perfect cruise,” says Rubén A. Rodríguez, president of MSC Cruises USA. “Combining world-class entertainment, dining and amenities onboard with the fantastic updates coming to Ocean Cay makes for an incredibly exciting future, which is perfect for everyone from first-time cruisers to our most devoted fans.”