MSC Cruises has completed a substantial refurbishment of MSC Magnifica at the Palumbo Malta Shipyard, returning the vessel to service ahead of her winter Mediterranean programme and in preparation for the 2026 MSC World Cruise. The work concludes a two-month dry-dock period and represents one of the most significant upgrades undertaken within the company’s fleet in the past decade.
Delivered in 2010, MSC Magnifica has been fitted with a range of new passenger facilities, including the introduction of two specialty dining venues, Butcher’s Cut and the Kaito Sushi Bar. Public spaces have been reworked with a redesigned MSC Aurea Spa and an upgraded Technogym Fitness Centre, now incorporating new training studios, a Gentleman’s Barber, and an expanded outdoor Aurea area. These enhancements are available to guests immediately as the ship resumes Mediterranean operations.
A further phase of upgrades will be unveiled in summer 2026, when MSC Magnifica enters Northern European service from Warnemünde. At that point, the vessel will debut the full MSC Yacht Club concept, offering a private enclave with 24-hour butler and concierge service. The Yacht Club will comprise 63 suites across five categories, including family-oriented configurations and a Royal Suite with a private hot tub and expansive terrace. Dedicated facilities will include a private sundeck with pool and Grill & Bar, the Top Sail Lounge with panoramic sea views, and an exclusive restaurant supported around the clock by culinary and wine staff.
In parallel, sister ship MSC Poesia is scheduled to enter dry dock at the same Maltese yard in February 2026 for a comparable programme of enhancements. Her refit will include the addition of an MSC Yacht Club with 69 suites, an All-Stars Sports Bar, and the same portfolio of specialty dining, spa, and fitness upgrades. She is expected to rejoin the fleet in time for her inaugural Alaska season in May 2026.
Following her return to service, MSC Magnifica is operating Mediterranean itineraries before embarking on a 132-day World Cruise in January 2026. During summer 2026, she will be deployed in Northern Europe from Warnemünde, calling at Baltic capitals and Norwegian fjords, before repositioning back to the Mediterranean later in the year. In 2027, the ship is scheduled to undertake a 121-night MSC World Cruise visiting 45 destinations in 25 countries, marking the first time the MSC Yacht Club will be available on a World Cruise itinerary.
Bookings have also opened for the 2028 MSC World Cruise, planned as a 115-night voyage linking the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Pacific, Australasia, Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula before returning to Europe. The itinerary is set to include new ports of call and a transit of the Panama Canal, further extending the scope of MSC Cruises’ long-range deployments.