MSC Magnifica

The 2010-built MSC Magnifica cruise ship is the fourth and final vessel in MSC Cruises’ Musica class, joining sisterships Orchestra, Poesia, and Musica.

The vessel (IMO number 9387085) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 352594000) and registered in Colon.

History – construction and ownership

MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Genoa and Naples. Established in 1960, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) – the world’s second-largest containership operator and the world’s largest privately owned cruise company.

By annual passenger volume, MSC ranks as the third-largest cruise shipowner, behind only Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Group.

The 2,500-passenger MSC Magnifica entered service in March 2010 with Mediterranean itineraries. She was the first MSC vessel to cross the Atlantic to New York, a rare move for a European-based cruise line.

Decks and Cabins

MSC Magnifica staterooms (1317 total, in 22 grades) include 116 Suites (64 Yacht Club), 779 Balcony cabins, 173 Oceanview cabins, and 249 Interior cabins. Most staterooms measure 130–190 ft2 / 13–18 m2, while most balconies are ~40 ft2 / 4 m2. The largest accommodations are the Balcony Suites (235 ft2 / 22 m2 plus a 100 ft2 / 10 m2 terrace).

Following the drydock refit in 2025, to the ship's cabin categories were added the MSC Yach Club suites (64 total) WHIRLPOOL ROYAL SUITE (1), EXECUTIVE FAMILY SUITE (4), GRAND SUITE (14), DELUXE SUITE (42), and INTERIOR SUITE (2).

The ship has 16 decks, of which 13 are accessible to passengers and 8 contain cabins.

MSC Magnifica’s decks are named after iconic Italian Riviera port towns.

MSC Yacht Club Concept (“Ship-within-a-Ship”)

Introduced in 2025, MSC Magnifica's Yacht Club complex added a high-end suite enclave, upgrading this mid-size mainstream cruise ship with a luxury boutique experience available on MSC's newest and largest ships.

The MSC Yacht Club is a premium suite enclave designed as a “ship within a ship”. This is a private luxury zone whose access is restricted by keycard to suite guests only. It includes exclusive facilities, private venues, and enhanced service levels, notably 24-hour butler and concierge service.

Yacht Club passengers have dedicated dining, lounging, and sunbathing areas while still enjoying the wider entertainment, dining, and relaxation options available on the rest of the ship.

The Yacht Club Restaurant (Deck 15 forward) offers gourmet dining with an upscale menu and attentive service, supported by a dedicated culinary team and sommelier. Guests benefit from a quieter, more refined environment compared with the ship's main dining rooms.

The Top Sail Lounge (Deck 16 forward) is an observation lounge/social hub that functions as the Yacht Club's private living room and cocktail lounge. It features comfortable seating and floor-to-ceiling windows offering unobstructed top-deck views.

The Yacht Club Private Sundeck & Pool (Deck 16 forward) is an outdoor retreat/sundeck featuring an exclusive pool area with loungers, whirlpools, cabanas, and The One Grill & Bar offering casual outdoor dining and beverages.

Shipboard dining options – Food and Drinks

MSC Magnifica offers two formal restaurants serving Mediterranean and Italian cuisine with traditional fixed seatings. Two buffet restaurants operate as a combined casual dining venue for breakfast and lunch. In the evenings, the aft buffet transitions into a seated venue featuring a steakhouse-style menu (surcharge), while the forward buffet serves pizzas.

The a la carte sushi and Asian specialty restaurants require reservations and carry additional charges. Room service is limited to a selection of cold sandwiches and continental breakfast. Midnight buffets vary from gala presentations to themed snacks.

Below is the full list of MSC Magnifica restaurants and food venues:

• L’Edera Restaurant (720-seat dining room; Italian cuisine; open for breakfast 7:00–9:30 a.m., lunch 12:00–2:00 p.m., and dinner with two fixed seatings at 7:00 and 9:30 p.m.; 7-course dinner menu; vegan and vegetarian options)
• Quattro Venti Restaurant (714-seat main dining room; dinner only; two fixed seatings)
• Oriental Plaza Restaurant (54-seat Asian specialty venue; open for lunch and dinner)
• Sahara Cafeteria Restaurant (472-seat self-service buffet; offers afternoon and occasional midnight buffets)
• Onboard Pizzeria (located within Sahara; surcharge applies)
• L’Oasi Restaurant (250-seat venue within Sahara; Mediterranean cuisine; dinner only)
• Yacht Club Restaurant (exclusive to MSC Yacht Club guests)
• The One Grill & Bar (exclusive to MSC Yacht Club guests)

Shipboard entertainment options – Fun and Sport

MSC Magnifica offers a wide variety of entertainment and leisure facilities, including a casino, 4D cinema, bowling, billiards, library, fitness center, three swimming pools, eight Jacuzzis, sauna, and solarium. One pool is covered by a retractable “Magrodome” roof, making it ideal for all-weather use. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy tennis, basketball, and a jogging track.

The ship is also known for its relaxing ambiance, enhanced by the spa’s Turkish bath, beauty salon, and massage rooms.

Additional amenities include complimentary 24-hour room service, supervised children's programs, Internet/WiFi access, and laundry service.

Below is the complete list of MSC Magnifica lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues:

• Magnifica Atrium (3-deck atrium with live entertainment)
• Le Gocce Bar (142-seat atrium lobby bar; specialty coffees)
• Cybercafe (Internet lounge)
• Royal Theatre (1240-seat, two-deck theater; grand productions and concerts; shows nightly at 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.)
• Tiger Lounge and Bar (439-seat lounge with full bar and dance floor; hosts shows, bingo, trivia, aerobics)
• Purple Bar (45-seat cocktail bar)
• Topazio Bar (220-seat piano bar)
• Sequola Bar (45-seat); Ruby Bar (45-seat cocktail bar)
• Atlantic City Casino (222-seat; smoking permitted; full bar)
• Card Room (28 seats); Library (books, board games)
• Cuba Lounge (32-seat smoking lounge with bar)
• L’Olimpiade Bar (120-seat sports bar)
• L’Ametista Lounge and Bar (330-seat; karaoke, dance competitions, game shows, cooking demos, midnight buffets)
• Duty-Free Shops; MSC Logo Shop; Accessories Shop; Le Parfum; L’Angolo dell’Oggetto; Bond Street Boutique; Rubino; Photo Gallery and Shop
• Art Gallery
• MSC Aurea Spa and Fitness (1160 m2 complex: sauna, relaxation room, frigidarium, treatment rooms, thalassotherapy tubs, 2 whirlpools, aerobics/yoga studio, beauty salon, spa bar)
• Fitness Center (complimentary gym; paid fitness classes)
• Le Grand Bleu Pool (with 2 whirlpools, table tennis; served by La Conchiglia Bar)
• T32 Disco and Nightclub (172-seat club with dance floor and bowling lanes; daytime teen club)
• Teen Club (ages 13–17)
• Children’s Playrooms; Underwater World kids’ area
• Video Games Arcade; Shuffleboard; Deck Quoits; 9-hole Mini Golf Course
• Solarium (adults-only area with 2 whirlpools; served by Il Bar Del Sole)
• 4D Cinema (8 motion seats)
• LED Wall (outdoor virtual gaming screen)
• Sports Center (court for volleyball, basketball, tennis)
• Power Walking/Jogging Track
• Top-Sail Lounge (exclusive to MSC Yacht Club guests

Itineraries

MSC Magnifica’s itinerary program includes South America cruises from Buenos Aires and 7-day Eastern Mediterranean voyages from Venice to ports in the Adriatic, Greece, and Turkey. Affordable Transatlantic repositioning cruises connect Europe and South America.

In November 2016, MSC announced its first-ever World Cruise aboard Magnifica, departing Genoa on January 5, 2019. The 119-day voyage featured 49 ports in 32 countries, including extended stays—four full days in Polynesia, three days each in San Francisco and Hawaii, and two in Los Angeles.

In October 2017, MSC announced another World Cruise aboard Magnifica, departing in January 2020. This 3-month voyage visited 40 ports in 23 countries across five continents, and was bookable as a roundtrip from Civitavecchia–Rome, Genoa, Marseille, and Barcelona. Highlights included a Transatlantic crossing and a Suez Canal transit, with destinations such as Argentina, Chile, Easter Island, Australia, Pacific Islands, Malaysia, India, Oman, and Jordan.

In summer 2021, the stretched/renovated Magnifica was homeported in Southampton (England, UK), operating 24 roundtrip voyages. Itineraries ranged from 2-night mini-cruises to 14-night sailings to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Madeira, the Baltic, and Northern Europe. Bookings opened September 12, 2019, with fares from GBP 149 (~EUR 167) for mini-cruises and GBP 549 (~EUR 615) for Norwegian Fjords itineraries.

On October 6, 2021, MSC opened bookings for Magnifica’s Northern Europe winter 2021–2022 season—the company’s first-ever winter deployment in the Baltic Sea. Beginning November 14th, the program offered 7-night roundtrips from any port of call on the itinerary (Hamburg, IJmuiden–Amsterdam, Zeebrugge–Bruges, Le Havre–Paris, Southampton–London) with extended port stays of up to 12 hours.

The vessel (STX France, Chantiers de l'Atlantique yard/hull number T32) has a volume of 95,128 GT, a deadweight capacity of 9,429 tons, and a maximum draught of 7.9 m. The powerplant consists of Wartsila W16V38B marine diesel engines with a combined output of 36.05 MW (48,340 hp). The registered shipowner is S32 LEASING CO LTD, and the registered manager is MSC MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING CO.

MCS Magnifica was delivered to MSC on February 25, 2010, and christened in Hamburg on March 1st by godmother Sofia Loren.

Magnifica belongs to MSC’s Musica class, together with Musica, Orchestra, and Poesia. Magnifica was MSC’s first vessel to test the Canada–New England market with homeporting in New York City (NYC). The deployment followed her inaugural Mediterranean season (winter 2010–2011), operated as 7-, 10-, and 11-day voyages homeporting in Venice.

MSC Magnifica refurbishments review

Drydock 2025

The ship’s last drydock refurbishment was in October–November 2025 at Malta’s Palumbo Shipyard in Valletta. This refit introduced major enhancements, including a new wellness complex (spa and gym) and the addition of an MSC Yacht Club luxury enclave spanning five upper decks.

• The new MSC Yacht Club facilities include a private restaurant, bar lounge, and sundeck (with a swimming pool, bar, and grill restaurant), along with 63 newly added top-tier suites.
• The redesigned wellness complex (270 m2 / 2,900 ft2) combines the MSC Aurea Spa and a Technogym Fitness Center.

Drydock 2021

In 2021, Magnifica underwent a USD 140 million reconstruction and refurbishment project. The vessel was stretched by 23 m (76 ft) through the insertion of a pre-fabricated midship section.

After the January–March 2021 drydock, the ship gained 215 additional cabins (including 92 balcony cabins), a new Aqua Park with waterslide, a fully redesigned children's playground, two new restaurants, and a larger shopping complex. The number of staterooms increased from 1,259 to 1,774.

The refit added 7,000 m2 (75,350 ft2) of onboard space. Machinery upgrades included installation of SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction), AWT (Advanced Wastewater Treatment), and shoreside power connectivity.

MSC World Cruise 2028

In December 2025, MSC opened for booking 2028 World Voyage.

The 115-night itinerary is scheduled for departure from four homeports, leaving roundtrip from Civitavecchia, Genoa, Marseille, or Barcelona (January 4-7, 2028).

The global voyage visits 42 destinations (in 29 countries), including 7  overnight ports.

The extended itinerary is planned to include a series of overnight port stays and daytime port calls around the globe. The range of new and scheduled calls encompasses destinations such as Nuku’alofa (Tonga), Manta (Ecuador), Arica (Chile), Callao/Lima (Peru), Chan May (Vietnam), Sihanoukville (Cambodia), Grand Turk Island (Turks and Caicos), and Puerto Limon (Costa Rica).

MSC World Cruise 2027

In December 2024, bookings opened for the 2027 MSC World Voyage, originally planned for MSC Musica. In June 2025, the voyage was reassigned to MSC Magnifica.

The 121-night itinerary includes 45 destinations across 25 countries on 5 continents, crossing the Equator twice and covering more than 37,000 nautical miles.

Embarkation is available from four European homeports: Civitavecchia–Rome (January 4), Genoa (January 5), Marseille (January 6), and Barcelona (January 7).

The world voyage visits South America, the South Pacific (Australia, New Zealand), the USA (Hawaii and the West Coast), includes a Panama Canal transit, explores the Caribbean, and concludes with a Transatlantic crossing.

The itinerary features extended full-day and overnight stays in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Ushuaia, Valparaiso–Santiago, Hobart (Tasmania), Sydney (NSW), and Papeete (Tahiti).

When the bookings were opened, fares started at EUR 19,445 (USD 20,220, GBP 16,139 per person), inclusive of 15 complimentary shore excursions, a food and beverage package (house wines, draft beer, soft drinks - during lunch and dinner), and a 30% discount on onboard laundry services.

MSC Voyager (loyalty program) members benefited from a 5% discount on the cruise. Points earned from the voyage are tripled and credited to members' accounts before departure.

MSC World Cruise 2026

On December 5, 2023, MSC opened for booking Magnifica's World Cruise 2026.

Original itinerary

Traditionally for MSC, roundtrip departures are offered from four homeports (Civitavecchia-Rome, Genoa-Milan, Marseille, Barcelona) from which the voyage departs, respectively, on January 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th.

The original 119-day/118-night itinerary visited 47 ports/destinations in 32 countries (on 5 continents) and featured ~36000 NM (~66680 km/41430 mi) of sea navigation and 7 overnight ports (San Francisco, Honolulu, Auckland, Sydney NSW, Manila, Tokyo, Dubai).

The voyage started with a westbound Transatlantic crossing from Europe to the Caribbean, follows a Panama Canal transit to the Pacific Ocean, visits Central American ports (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico), West Coast USA (San Francisco), Hawaii, American Samoa, South Pacific (Fiji, New Zealand, Australia).

From Australia, the ship continued to Asia (Philippines, Vietnam/Da Nang, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan/Tokyo, China/Shanghai and Hong Kong), then to the Indian Ocean and the Middle East (UAE, Oman) and via the Suez Canal back to Europe/Mediterranean (Heraklion Crete Greece).

The voyage's prices are inclusive of 15 shore excursions, a Dine & Drink Package, 30% onboard laundry discount. MSC Voyager Club (loyalty program members) additionally receive 5% booking discount. The points gained from booking World Cruise 2026 are tripled and added to each account before departure, which instantly grants various privileges and extras.

However, due to ongoing regional safety concerns, in September 2025, MSC made significant changes to the itinerary, rerouting the Magnifica away from the Red Sea. The adjustments extended the voyage by 12 days.

Revised itinerary

The revised 131-night/132-day World Cruise 2026 maintains the original itinerary until April 8th, after which the ship is diverted southward to circumnavigate Africa via the Cape of Good Hope.

This extension also introduced new ports in the Seychelles, Mauritius, La Reunion, South Africa, Namibia, and Cape Verde. Conversely, previously scheduled visits in Sri Lanka, the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, and Greece were canceled. Additional adjustments included port replacements in the USA (San Francisco with Los Angeles, and Honolulu with Hilo) and adding American Samoa (Pago Pago) to the schedule.

The extended itinerary entailed no additional costs for the booked customers. Pre-purchased onboard packages were automatically extended for an additional 12 days. Shore excursions booked for canceled ports were refunded to the original payment method automatically. MSC also offered full refunds without penalties for customers opting to cancel due to the revisions.

MSC World Cruise 2025

On February 15, 2023, MSC opened for booking Magnifica's World Cruise 2025.

Roundtrip departures are offered from four homeports (Civitavecchia-Rome, Genoa-Milan, Marseille, Barcelona) from which the voyage departs, respectively, on January 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th.

The 116-night/117-day itinerary visits 50 ports/destinations (including 7 overnight stays) in 21 different countries on 5 continents, across 3 oceans (Atlantic, Pacific, Indian), and navigating 30,000+ NM (55560+ km / 34520+ mi).

MSC World Cruise 2023

Next table shows Magnifica's 116-day "World Cruise 2023". The itinerary includes 43 destinations (ports and islands, including 9 in-port overnight stays) in 24 different countries on 5 continents.

Departing in January 2023, the voyage was available for booking as a roundtrip from either Civitavecchia-Rome, Genoa, Marseille or Barcelona. It also featured a Transatlantic crossing and a Suez Canal transit.

Prices started from USD 30200 per person with double occupancy.

World Voyage 2023 was also available for booking in smaller segments.

• (Jan 5) from Genoa to Sydney NSW (72 days) and to Singapore (93 days)
• (Jan 6) from Marseille to Valparaiso-Santiago (35 days) and to Sydney (71 days)
• (Jan 7) from Barcelona to Valparaiso-Santiago (34 days) and to Sydney (70 days)
• (Jan 26) from Buenos Aires to Sydney (51 days)
• (Feb 10) from Valparaiso-Santiago to Sydney (36 days) and to Civitavecchia-Rome (79 days)
• (Mar 18) from Sydney Australia to Singapore (21 days), to Civitavecchia-Rome (43 days), to Genoa (44 days) and to Barcelona (46 days)
• (Apr 8) from Singapore to Civitavecchia-Rome (22 days) and to Genoa (23 days)

MSC World Cruise 2020

In October 2017, MSC announced a second "around the world" voyage on Magnifica. Departing in January 2020, the itinerary had planned a total of 40 ports of call in 23 countries on 5 continents. The 3-month long voyage was available for booking as a roundtrip from either Civitavecchia-Rome, Genoa, Marseille or Barcelona. It also featured a Transatlantic crossing and a Suez Canal transit.

The next table shows the 116-day "MSC World Cruise 2020" itinerary as planned ports of call and port stay times (arrival/departure).

Due to the global Coronavirus pandemic, the itinerary was altered (the voyage was subsequently canceled) as on March 14th MSC suspended cruise shipping operations fleetwide and globally.

World Voyage 2020 was also offered as 116-day roundtrips from Genoa (January 5 through April 30), from Marseille (January 6 - May 1) and from Barcelona (January 7 - May 2).

For the voyage, MSC hired the renowned restaurateurs and celebrity chefs Ramon Freixa (Spanish), Christophe Krywonis (French), Harald Wohlfahrt (German), Roy Yamaguchi (Japanese-American), Serge Dansereau (French-Canadian), Vikas Khanna (Indian-American), Jereme Leung (Singaporean), Allan Vila Espejo (Brazilian), Jorge Rausch Wolman (Colombian), James Berckemeyer Anderson (Peruvian).

MSC World Cruise 2019

In November 2016, MSC announced its first-ever world cruise on Magnifica, departing from Genoa on January 5, 2019.

The 119-day itinerary included a total of 49 ports in 32 different countries. MSC arranged extended stays in ports that no other cruise companies offer, including 4 full days in Polynesia, 3 full days in both San Francisco and Hawaii, and 2 full days in Los Angeles.

For the 118-day "MSC World Cruise 2019" (two departures - January 5th roundtrip from Genoa, and January 6th roundtrip from Marseille), MSC hired the celebrity chefs Ramon Freixa (Spain), Vikas Khanna (India), Carlo Cracco (Italy), Jean-Philippe Maury (France), Jereme Leung (China), Allan Vila Espejo (Brazil), Jorge Rausch (Colombia), Serge Dansereau (Canada).

Each chef developed one 3- or 4-course menu during a themed evening. The exclusive meals also allowed passengers to meet and interact with celebrities.