MSC Musica has entered the Palumbo Shipyard (within the Grand Harbour in Valletta, Malta) for a 45-day refurbishment that will introduce an MSC Yacht Club complex, two speciality restaurants and upgrades to public and wellness spaces.
The 2,550-passenger vessel arrived at the Maltese shipyard earlier in September as part of MSC’s four-ship refurbishment programme. The most significant modification will be the addition of the ship-within-a-ship complex MSC Yacht Club, comprising 63 suites and exclusive facilities.
Most of the new Yacht Club accommodations will be created by combining existing smaller staterooms. The complex will also feature a restaurant, bar lounge and sundeck.
The refurbishment will add two speciality dining venues already available on other MSC ships: Butcher’s Cut (steakhouse) and Kaito Sushi Bar (Japanese restaurant).
The ship’s wellness facilities will also be modified. A new fitness centre and gym will occupy space previously used by the nightclub, while the MSC Aurea Spa will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment.
Following completion of the work, the ship is scheduled to leave Palumbo Malta Shipyard in early November and reposition to South America without passengers.
Commercial operations will resume in Brazil on November 16th, following the transatlantic crossing. The initial schedule will consist of 3- and 4-night round-trips from Brazil, with calls in destinations in Rio de Janeiro state including Búzios and Ilha Grande.
In late December, MSC Musica will reposition to the southern Brazilian coast for a series of 7-night itineraries departing from Paranaguá and Itajaí. The itineraries, scheduled to operate through March 2027, will include calls at Ilhabela, Ilha Grande, Búzios and Rio de Janeiro, with embarkation also available in Rio.
MSC Musica is scheduled to return to Europe in mid-April 2027. The ship will then operate 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises through late October, visiting destinations in Spain, France and Italy.