MSC Musica has entered the Palumbo Malta Shipyard for a 45-day refurbishment that will introduce an MSC Yacht Club area, two new speciality restaurants and upgrades to several public and wellness spaces.
The 92,400-gross-tonne vessel arrived at the Maltese shipyard earlier in September as part of MSC Cruises’ four-ship refurbishment programme. The most significant modification will be the addition of the cruise line’s ship-within-a-ship MSC Yacht Club concept, comprising 63 suites and dedicated facilities for guests staying in the area.
Most of the new Yacht Club accommodation will be created by combining existing smaller staterooms. The complex will also feature a private restaurant, lounge and sun deck.
The refurbishment will add two speciality dining concepts already available on other MSC Cruises ships. Butcher’s Cut, the company’s steakhouse concept, and Kaito Sushi Bar will both be introduced aboard MSC Musica.
The ship’s wellness and fitness 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.
MSC Musica entered service in 2006 and has capacity for ~2,550 passengers. 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, 2026, following the transatlantic repositioning. The initial programme will consist of 3- and 4-night cruises 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 cruises 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.