MSC Fantasia

Launched in 2008, MSC Fantasia is the first of MSC Cruises Fantasia-class ships, together with Divina, Preziosa and Splendida.

History - construction and ownership

MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Genoa and Naples. It was established in 1960. Today, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) - world's 2nd largest containership company. MSC Crociere is the world's largest privately-owned cruise company. By annual passenger shipping volumes, MSC is ranked world's 4th largest cruise company (after Carnival Corporation, RCCL-Royal Caribbean and NCL-Norwegian) with over 5% global market share.

The 137,936-ton, 3,959-passenger cruise ship MSC Fantasia debuted in December 2008. At that time her capacity made this MSC cruise ship the largest ever built for the line. Fantasia is a brand-new class representative for this rapidly growing company. 

Cruise itinerary program

MSC Fantasia itinerary program is based on 7-day Western Mediterranean cruises from  Rome, Naples, Barcelona and Marseille. Fantasia also sails on Holy Land voyages and to the Canary Islands.

Cabins

MSC Fantasia has a total of 1637 cabins (of which 107 Suites, 1149 Balcony, 294 Inside rooms) in 11 grades. Most MSC Fantasia staterooms are 210-sq. foot Balcony rooms. The largest aboard MSC Fantasia is the Yacht Club Royal Suite (215 ft2). There are also 31 Aurea Spa Suites. MSC Fantasia ranks quite well among all new ships because it has about 75% ratio of cabins with private balconies. It is also with the highest rank of MSC Cruises ships. The major benefit to a high ratio of verandas is that the more balconies a ship offers, the more affordable they are. 

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The ship's MDR, Red Velvet, is split between two decks and features furnishings ranging from Murano glass chandeliers, refined porcelain and crystal glasses to red velvet cushions and silver flatware. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Red Velvet serves a different menu each evening, inspired by an Italian region with typical cuisine and renowned wines. The breakfast menu features an MSC Express breakfast or a selection of fried, scrambled, hard-boiled or poached eggs cooked to order, omelettes, bacon, tomatoes, cold meats, yogurt, cereals,fresh fruit, pastries, bread, smoked salmon, cheese, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and juices along with a special of the day. A 3-course menu is served for lunch comprising of starters, main course, a special dish and desserts.

Follows the complete list of MSC Fantasia restaurants and food bars.

• Red Velvet Restaurant (626-seat, 2-level forward Dining Room, offers different Italian traditional meals and wines; open for Breakfast 7:00-9:30 a.m., Lunch 12:00-2:00 p.m., and Dinner with 2 fixed seatings at 7:00 and 9:30 p.m.; with 7-course dinner menu; also features vegan and vegetarian meals)
• Il Cerchio d’Oro Restaurant (766-seat aft Dining Room, open for Breakfast 7:00-10:00 a.m., Lunch 12:00-2:00 p.m., and Dinner with 2 fixed seatings at 7:00 and 9:45 p.m., features a 3-course menu for lunch, 7-course for dinner)
• El Sombrero Steakhouse Restaurant (136-seat reservations-only speciality restaurant; features a show gallery)
• Zanzibar (412-seat, forward) and L’ Africana (404-seat, aft) Buffet Restaurants (self-service complimentary cafeterias with various food stations - Grill Corner, Pasta, Pizza, Carving Show, Ethnic Corner, Mediterranean, Bakery, Kids corner)
• L’ Etoile Restaurant (136-seat aft Dining Room; MSC yacht club Suite guests only)
• Le Muse (yacht club).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MSC Fantasia offers a casino, theatre, and library. For those who are keen on sports, there is a modern fitness centre, sauna, 12 jacuzzis, 4 pools (Aqua Park, Il Tropici, Catalano, The One/yacht club). Among the best features of this MSC ship, are the signature “Aurea Spa” treatments, the “MSC Yacht Club” complex with its 71 beautiful suites, and the adults-only “Top 18” premium deck area. 

Ship's beauty is a perfect mix of advanced technology and elegance, combined with exclusive services. For the very first time on a ship, guests can walk on stairs made from Swarovski crystal. Transparent ceiling allows passengers to experience all the magic of the night sky while cruising.

Additional amenities include complimentary 24-Hour Room-Service, Supervised Children Program, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

Follows the complete list of MSC Fantasia lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Fantasia Atrium (5-deck high central ship area with live entertainment)
• Fantasia Bar (28-seat Atrium Lobby bar)
• Cyber Library (Internet computers room and 10-seat library)
• Cybercafe (Internet computers room)
• Teatro L’Avanguardia Theatre (1600-seat, 2-level; features grand-style show productions and classical concerts, with 2 shows per night - at 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.)
• Casino Delle Palme (323-seat, smoking allowed area, own full bar)
• Poker Room (separate card games lounge)
• The Cigar Lounge and Bar (31-seat smoking room with full bar)
• Piazza San Giorgio (80-seat Italian Square area with live music, Ice Cream Bar, Cocktail- and Wine Bars, Coffee Bar, Chocolate and Pastry shop)
• Duty-Free Shop; La Boutique; MSC Logo Shop; Il Gioiello; L’Angolo dell’Oggetto; La Caramella; La Profumeria; The Pool Shop; Photo Gallery and Shop
• La Vele Bar (98-seat, with live music from ship's Atrium)
• Il Transatlantico Bar (108-seat piano bar with live music and speciality cocktails)
• Gallery Plaza (art exhibitions and auctions)
• Manhattan Bar (106-seat jazz bar with liquor selection, live music and quiz games)
• Sports Bar (87-seat; has large TVs and bowling lanes)
• Il Cappuccino Bar (58-seat speciality coffee bar; offers complimentary cookies and pastries)
• La Cantina Toscana (105-seat tapas and wine bar)
• L’ Insolito Lounge (268-seat aft show lounge with full bar and dance floor; hosts shows, bingo, trivia quizzes)
• MSC Fantasia Aurea Spa (1700 m2 complex, with 2 Steam Rooms and 4 Saunas, Relaxation Room, Treatment Rooms, Thalassotherapy hot tubs, 3 Whirlpools, sliding-roof heated pool, Aerobics Studio/Yoga classes, Solarium Area, Beauty Salon, Bar)
• Fitness (complimentary Gym, fitness classes at a surcharge)
• Il Tropici Pool (has a sliding glass roof, Whirlpool; served by I Tropici Bar)
• LED Wall (games screen, promotional videos)
• Aqua Park (family pool, two Whirlpools, splash area, water jets, fountains, slide)
• Bar Delle Fontane (97-seat poolside bar)
• The Glass Bar (Aqua Park poolside bar)
• Top Sail Lounge (141-seat MSC Yacht Club Lounge with piano live music, afternoon tea)
• Il Polo Nord (kids play area with kids pool, TVs, movies, crafts, games, climbing area, mini-football; with a 2-section Kids Club - for children 3-6 yo, and Junior - for 7-12 yo; also hosts feature activities by MSC-LEGO partnership called “Lego Experience at Sea”)
• Graffiti’s Disco and Club (31-seat teens only club); Teens Toboga (3-deck high Divina water slide); Teen’s Area (live music, dance classes, sports and video games)
• Lido Catalano Pool (adult-only “infinity pool” with 2 Whirlpools, served by Gaudi Bar)
• Liquid Disco and Nightclub (120-seat disco club with a full bar)
• Le Prive Club (22-seat MSC Yacht Club passengers only area within Liquid Disco)
• Video Games Arcade; Virtual World (ten video games arcades); F1 Simulator (Formula 1 car racing)
• 4D Cinema (ten moving seats)
• MSC Arena Sports Center (combined sports court- basketball, volleyball, soccer, with stadium seating and outdoor large movie screen); Shuffleboard, Table Tennis, Squash
• MSC Yacht Club Area; The One Pool (MSC Yacht Club members only, with 2 Whirlpools, served by The One Bar)
• Top 18 Exclusive Solarium (adult-only area, with one Whirlpool, garden, Tiki Bar)
• Power Walking/Jogging Track.

Fantasia is NSC's first Fantasia-class liner, with sisterships Divina, Preziosa, Splendida. At the time of its launch, this was the largest passenger ship ever built for a European company. One of the most beautiful and affordable big cruise ships, 75% of all cabins are with private balconies.

Fantasia is the first MSC cruise ship to visit the line's new private island in the UAE. This is a small isle, connected to the main Sir Bani Yas island. It is for MSC passengers only, open when their ship stops at Sir Bani Yas as part of its Dubai cruise itinerary.