MSC Meraviglia

The 2017-built MSC Meraviglia cruise ship is the first of the Vista Project/Meraviglia-class vessels, with sistership MSC Bellissima (2019). Meraviglia was launched as MSC’s 13th vessel and is also the first of 13 newbuilds scheduled to join MSC’s fleet through 2026.

The vessel (IMO number 9760512) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 249973000) and registered in Valletta.

History - construction and ownership

MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Genoa and Naples. Founded in 1960, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) — the world's second-largest container shipping company. MSC Crociere is the world’s largest privately owned cruise line.

By annual passenger volumes, MSC ranks as the world’s third-largest cruise shipowner, following Carnival Corporation and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group.

The 4500-passenger MSC Meraviglia was delivered in May 2017. Her name (“wonder” in Italian) was announced during the steel-cutting ceremony on April 20, 2015. She is the largest cruise ship ever built for a Europe-based cruise line and the second-largest in capacity after Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class mega-ships.

Near Field Communication (NFC) technology allows passengers to access staterooms, make onboard payments and reservations, and locate their children via a bracelet, card, or smartphone.

Meraviglia was christened on June 3, 2017, in Le Havre, during the port’s 500th anniversary year. She was then deployed to Marseille for her inaugural Mediterranean season. The itinerary announcement was made on February 1, 2016, at the coin-laying ceremony in St Nazaire (STX France shipyard), attended by the ship’s three initial godmothers — Charlotte Bellanger (Port Le Havre), Marie Gabrielle Gossiaux (STX France), and Mariella Castellano (MSC Cruises).

Meraviglia is MSC’s first ship equipped with digital innovations designed to enhance the passenger experience. MSC partnered with Samsung to support NFC-based features, allowing guests to use smartphones, keycards, or bracelets for payments, access, and geolocation. Interactive screens throughout the ship enable real-time bookings and reservations. Beacon technology delivers location-based, customized notifications to guests’ devices.

Decks and Cabins

MSC Meraviglia staterooms (2244 total, in 32 categories) are offered in 14 types, and approximately 75% feature private step-out balconies. The largest accommodations are the MSC Yacht Club Royal Suites (700 ft2 / 65 m2, with a 430 ft2 / 40 m2 Jacuzzi terrace). The ship also has 46 wheelchair-accessible cabins and luxury Spa Suites. “Cluster cabins” (up to three interlinked staterooms for families) allow 2–3 adjacent rooms to be combined for up to 10 guests.

The vessel has 18 decks, of which 15 are accessible to passengers and 11 contain cabins.

MSC Meraviglia’s decks are named after some of the world’s most iconic architectural and historic sites.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The ship offers 12 dining venues, including the Mediterranean Village (specialty restaurant) and the exclusive Yacht Club Fine Dining Restaurant. The buffet is open 20 hours per day and serves international dishes, Mediterranean specialties, wellness options, and regionally inspired cuisine. Fine dining venues include Kaito Sushi Bar, Kaito Teppanyaki Restaurant, and the American steakhouse Butcher’s Cut, offering premium cuts from around the world.

Below is the full list of MSC Meraviglia restaurants and food bars.

• Marketplace Buffet (1345 seats, 3550 m2, Deck 15) — a self-service venue with open kitchens, serving international and Mediterranean dishes based on itinerary regions, plus healthy options. Open 20 hours daily.
• Panorama Restaurant (666 seats, 1000 m2, Deck 6) — a Main Dining Room with flexible dining, serving traditional Italian and international specialties. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (two fixed seatings).
• L'Olive Dore / L'Olivo D'Oro (912 seats, 1338 m2) — Main Dining Room with Flexi and MyTime Dining. Both venues share a central walkway with wine-dispensing machines and display areas.
• "HOLA! Tapas" bar by Michelin-starred chef Ramon Freixas (56 seats, 150 m2) — replacing the former Eataly Restaurant.
• Waves Restaurant (600 seats, 1050 m2, Deck 5) — the only restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Offers buffet-style items plus à-la-carte options.
• MSC YACHT CLUB Restaurant (142 seats, 405 m2) — exclusive venue for Yacht Club guests with no fixed dining times. Menu changes daily based on itinerary.
• La Piazzetta — buffet & pizzeria offering Afternoon Tea and a midnight buffet; includes Onboard Pizzeria and Steakhouse.
• Butcher’s Cut (68 seats, 125 m2, Deck 7) — American steakhouse with open kitchen and both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the promenade.
• Carousel Lounge (120 dinner seats, 590 m2, Deck 7) — dedicated venue for Cirque du Soleil shows with dinner and drinks.
• Food Market (58 seats, 150 m2, Deck 6) — featuring Slow Food products and Italian specialties by Eataly.
• Kaito Sushi Bar (26 seats, 32 m2, Deck 7) — Japanese specialty venue.
• Kaito Teppanyaki (30 seats, 92 m2, Deck 7) — Teppanyaki specialty restaurant.
• Jean-Philippe Chocolate and Coffee (106 seats, 230 m2, Deck 6) — patisserie, chocolate factory, and coffee bar.
• Jean-Philippe Crepes and Ice Cream (Deck 6).

An official MSC Cruises YouTube video highlights Meraviglia’s best features and onboard amenities.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MSC Meraviglia features a large water park connected to a two-level indoor amusement park and a two-deck interior promenade with specialty restaurants, bars, and duty-free shops. The promenade is covered by an LED dome ceiling (“digital sky”) displaying immersive visual shows.

The ship incorporates advanced wristband technology for onboard payments, specialty dining reservations, spa bookings, and child geolocation.

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

Below is the complete list of MSC Meraviglia lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Meraviglia Atrium (multi-deck midship area with live entertainment and glass-walled elevators)
• Infinity Atrium (22-seat reception and guest services area, 450 m2, Deck 5)
• Cyber Library (computer room and library)
• Cybercafe (Internet computer room)
• Broadway Theatre (985 seats, 1000 m2, Decks 5-6) — grand productions and classical concerts, two shows nightly.
• Carousel Lounge (413 seats, 1100 m2, Deck 7) — hosting 12 weekly Cirque du Soleil-style shows.
• Galleria Meraviglia (1035 m2, Decks 6-7) — the indoor promenade with 80-meter LED ceiling, shops, bars, restaurants, and nightly parades.
• Plaza Meraviglia (130 m2, Deck 6) — square with pastry bar, ice cream bar, live music, and multiple retail shops.
• Casino Imperiale (600 seats, 1400 m2, Deck 7)
• Casino Imperiale Bar (23 seats)
• Business Centre (58-seat conference room, 67 m2, Deck 5)
• Excursion Office (55 m2, Deck 5)
• Medical Centre (400 m2, Deck 4)
• Sky Lounge (180 seats, 630 m2, Deck 18) — panoramic lounge with Cigar Room.
• Attic Club (55-seat nightclub, Deck 18)
• Bamboo Bar (150 seats, Deck 15)
• Brass Anchor Pub (81 seats, 340 m2, Deck 7)
• Champagne Bar (155 seats, 700 m2, Deck 7)
• EDGE Cocktail Bar (60 seats, 160 m2, Deck 6)
• Infinity Bar (28 seats, Deck 5)
• Marketplace Buffet Bar (Deck 15)
• Sky Lounge & Bar (180 seats, Deck 18) — offering molecular cocktails.
• Sports Bar (24 seats, Deck 16)
• Theatre Bar and Lounge (64 seats, Deck 6)
• TV Studio & Bar (98 seats, 309 m2, Deck 7)
• Atmosphere Bars North & South (Deck 15)
• Atmosphere Ice Cream Bar (Deck 15)
• Horizon Bar (Deck 18)
• Polar Bar (Deck 19)
• Meraviglia Library (Deck 7)
• Himalayan Bridge (82-meter suspension bridge, Deck 19)
• Horizon Amphitheatre (1075 m2, Decks 16-18)
• Solarium (adults-only relaxation area)
• Main pool areas — 4 pools including Atmosphere Pool, Bamboo Pool, and Horizon Pool
• Top Sail Lounge — exclusive to Yacht Club guests
• MSC Yacht Club Pool & Bar (exclusive complex)
• MSC Aurea Spa (1100 m2) — full-service spa with thermal suite, 20 treatment rooms, thalassotherapy pools, and Jean Louis David salon.
• TOP 19 Exclusive Solarium (500 m2, Deck 19)
• MSC Gym by Technogym (570 m2, Deck 16)
• SPORTPLEX (208 m2, Deck 16)
• Virtual Games Arcade and Bowling (56 m2, Deck 16)
• 4D Cinema, F1 Simulator, Flight Simulator (Deck 16)
• Doremi Tech Lab (Deck 18)
• Doremi Studio (48 m2, Deck 18)
• Baby Club CHICCO (47 m2, Deck 18)
• Mini Club LEGO (65 m2, Deck 18)
• Juniors Club LEGO (70 m2, Deck 18)
• Young Club (80 m2, Deck 16)
• Teens Club (50 m2, Deck 16)
• Atmosphere Pool (1500 m2, Deck 15)
• Bamboo Pool (1000 m2, Deck 15)
• Horizon Pool (860 m2, Deck 16)
• Polar Aquapark (1000 m2)
• Power Walking/Jogging Track (328 m, Deck 16)

The retail area includes boutiques, fashion and accessories shops, jewelry stores, convenience shops, and MSC-branded merchandise outlets. Among the 200+ brands onboard are Guerlain, Dior, Bulgari, Damiani, Chopard, Omega, Longines, Armani, Lacoste, and Calvin Klein. Fleet firsts include the Technology Shop and exclusive Swarovski Crystal collections.

In 2022, MSC introduced two new shows in the Carousel Lounge — HOUSE OF HOUDINI and ROCK CIRCUS — developed under “Carousel Productions at Sea”. These 40-minute productions combine lighting, sound, music, dance, and live acrobatics.

Itineraries

MSC Meraviglia’s current deployment is Caribbean-based, homeporting in New York City (USA). From NYC, she sails Florida–Bahamas and Canada–New England itineraries. Florida calls include Miami and Port Canaveral/Orlando, and all Caribbean itineraries visit MSC’s private island Ocean Cay.

In February 2022, MSC announced that Meraviglia would be homeported year-round in NYC (Brooklyn Terminal) starting April 2023. As the company’s first year-round deployment, itineraries include Bermuda (6 days with 3-day overnights in King’s Wharf), Bahamas–Caribbean (7–8 days to Nassau and Ocean Cay), and Canada–New England (10–11 days).

In September 2023, Meraviglia began roundtrips from NYC to Canada and New England, visiting Newport RI, Boston MA, Halifax NS, Saint John NB, Sydney NS, Charlottetown PEI, and Portland ME.

In early June 2020, MSC announced that beginning in 2021, Meraviglia would be homeported at PortMiami (Florida) for 7-night Saturday departures. Her Western Mediterranean program featured 7-night roundtrips from Marseille, Barcelona, Genoa, and Naples. In summer 2018, Meraviglia was homeported in Hamburg, becoming the largest ship ever homeported there.

In August 2025, MSC announced that for winter 2026–2027, Meraviglia will be homeported in Miami instead of NYC.

The vessel (STX France, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, yard/hull number E34) has a volume of 171,598 GT, a deadweight tonnage of 12,200 tons, and a maximum draught of 9 m. The powerplant consists of four Wärtsilä marine diesel engines (2x 12V46F and 2x 16V46F) with a combined output of 67.2 MW (90,120 hp). Propulsion is provided by two Azipod thrusters with a combined output of 40 MW (53,640 hp). The registered shipowner is MSC MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING CO., while the registered manager is MSC CROCIERE S.p.A.

Meraviglia (together with her sistership MSC Bellissima) ranks second only to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels in terms of passenger capacity. The Meraviglia-class ships are also the largest passenger vessels ever built for a European-based company. The name “Meraviglia” translates from Italian as “wonder”. The ship’s Master/Captain is Mattia Manzi.

The vessel’s steel-cutting ceremony took place on April 20, 2015. The float-out followed on September 2, 2016. The keel-laying ceremony was held on February 1, 2016, at the St Nazaire shipyard (STX France). The vessel’s powerplant generates a total output of 38.4 MW (51,500 hp).

On May 31, 2017, the ship was delivered to MSC at the STX France shipyard in Saint-Nazaire. The ceremony was attended by MSC Cruises executives, numerous dignitaries (including France’s President Emmanuel Macron), and Zoe Africa Vago (daughter of Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman). The delivery event also included the signing of a new shipbuilding contract with STX France for a new series of mega cruise ships (World Class), valued at EUR 4.5 billion. Another MSC vessel launched in 2017 (December) was MSC Seaside.

On June 3, 2017, the ship was christened in Le Havre. The naming ceremony was led by MSC’s traditional godmother, Sophia Loren. The nearly two-hour event featured live performances by Patrick Bruel and Kids United and concluded with a major fireworks show. In 2017, Port Le Havre celebrated its 500th anniversary.

Meraviglia’s arrival marked a significant milestone for MSC, as she was the company’s first Meraviglia-class ship and part of the fleet’s largest expansion project. Two larger Meraviglia-Plus vessels followed: MSC Grandiosa (2019) and MSC Virtuosa (2020). MSC also planned the construction of a new mega-ship series (World Class) at the STX France shipyard, valued at EUR 4.5 billion.

On December 18, 2018, MSC announced a partnership with celebrity chef Harald Wohlfahrt (3-star Michelin). The German chef created new Mediterranean and international dishes for the exclusive MSC Yacht Club Restaurant on Meraviglia, Splendida, and Preziosa. The enhanced menu is offered only on Northern Europe itineraries. He also designed two new main courses for “Elegant Night”—the formal dinner event held in the Main Dining Room each voyage. Chef Wohlfahrt additionally conducted interactive training for MSC’s onboard culinary teams.

Meraviglia-Class ship technology

Prominent features of the Meraviglia-Class ships include:

• “cluster cabins” (interconnected staterooms for families, allowing up to three cabins to be opened together)
• “Near Field Communication” technology (enabling guests to access staterooms, make onboard payments, or geo-locate children using their MSC cruise card, bracelet, or smartphone)
• a large outdoor water park connected to an indoor amusement complex
• an interior promenade with specialty restaurants, bars, and shops, covered by a 5165 ft² LED dome ceiling (“digital sky”)

The Meraviglia class is the first in the MSC fleet to include a museum onboard—showcasing original masterpieces from The Louvre (Paris). The artworks are displayed behind bullet-proof glass, as in land-based galleries. MSC secured a special insurance policy requiring the company to personally replace any damaged or lost artwork. The ship’s museum is located on the two-deck indoor promenade (Galleria), covered by the LED “virtual sky”. On Meraviglia-Plus ships, this promenade was extended by 15 m / 49 ft.

In October 2017, MSC Cruises installed on Meraviglia a modern “Man Overboard Detection System”. The company also announced plans to deploy the technology fleetwide. This intelligent video system—combining real-time capture, image processing, and advanced analytics—was tested onboard for more than 25,000 hours and delivers a verified accuracy of 97%. Real-time CCTV video is processed by two independent systems, reducing false alerts. When an alarm is triggered, visual and acoustic signals alert the ship’s security officer, who reviews the footage and informs the Bridge to initiate rescue procedures.

Cruise vessel certifications and installed environmental/sustainability systems include:

• Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (scrubber), removing SOx from exhaust gases and meeting IMO emissions regulations.
• Advanced Wastewater Treatment System, mixing and filtering wastewater streams. The ship also has a two-day wastewater holding (non-discharge) capacity.
• Energy-efficient construction materials and technologies, contributing to reduced environmental impact and improved energy performance. The vessel holds ISO 50001 certification for energy management.
• OHSAS 18001 certification for crew health and safety management.
• ISO 22000 certification—the highest standard for onboard food safety—covering the full supply chain (“farm to fork”).
• ISO 14001 certification for environmental management systems.
• In March 2018, Meraviglia received Bureau Veritas’ “8 Golden Pearls” award for “Outstanding Sustainable and Environmental Stewardship”—the highest QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety, Environmental Management) certification in the maritime industry. MSC became the first cruise line in the world to receive this recognition.
• Bureau Veritas additionally granted the vessel CLEANSHIP notation.

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2017–2019

The ship’s inaugural voyage was a 5-day Mediterranean itinerary (June 4–9, 2017) departing from Le Havre-Paris and ending in Barcelona, with calls in Vigo (Spain) and Lisbon (Portugal).

• During her inaugural season (summer 2017), Meraviglia operated roundtrip itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, sailing from three homeports: Genoa (Italy), Barcelona (Spain), and Marseille (France).
• In early 2015, MSC announced that the first MSC Seaside (launched November 2017) would operate year-round from Miami, Florida. The company highlighted that Miami operations would benefit from MSC’s expanded dedicated berth and cruise terminal at PortMiami. There were speculations that the Vista-class Meraviglia could eventually be deployed in the Caribbean and homeported in Miami.

Below are the inaugural cruise itineraries with port sequences and times.

8 nights / 9 days “Inaugural Cruise” (maiden voyage) from Paris to Naples

7 nights / 8 days, Inaugural Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Barcelona

MSC Meraviglia began her inaugural North America season with a maiden call in New York City on October 7, 2019.

The ship offered three itineraries departing from NYC: two 10-night roundtrips and one 13-night repositioning cruise to Miami. The first 10-night roundtrip (October 8, 2019) visited Sydney NS, Corner Brook NL, Charlottetown PEI, and Quebec City (overnight). The second roundtrip (October 18, 2019) visited Bar Harbor ME, Saint John NB, Halifax NS, Sydney NS, Portland ME, and Boston MA. The third itinerary—a 13-night relocation cruise (October 28, 2019)—visited St Maarten (Philipsburg), Martinique (Fort-de-France), Barbados (Bridgetown), Grenada (St George’s), Curaçao (Willemstad), and Aruba (Oranjestad).

Before arriving in New York, Meraviglia operated a 17-night Transatlantic crossing from Kiel, Germany, with calls in Canada, Denmark, Iceland, and the UK.

Passengers booking Meraviglia’s inaugural North American itineraries beginning January 2, 2018, benefited from early booking rates and additional perks (Wi-Fi, onboard credit, and a mealtime drinks package offering unlimited wine and beer in the Buffet and Main Dining Room).

Godspeed!