MSC Preziosa

The 2013-built MSC Preziosa cruise ship is the fourth and last of MSC's Fantasia-class liners, with sisterships Divina, Fantasia, and Splendida.

The vessel (IMO number 9595321) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 371861000) 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, today MSC Crociere operates as a subsidiary of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) — the world’s second largest containership company. MSC Crociere is the world’s largest privately owned cruise company.

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

On June 4, 2010, STX France and the Libyan state-owned GNMTC (General National Maritime Transport Corporation) signed a letter of intent to build one cruise vessel based on the MSC Fantasia–class design.

• The vessel was named “Phoenicia,” with an innovative design featuring a 120-ton aquarium with live sharks (requested by Muammar Gaddafi’s son Hannibal).
• During construction, in February 2011, the Libyan Civil War broke out. In June 2011, STX France cancelled the contract, resulting in an unfinished hull.
• On March 13, 2012, MSC officially announced the purchase of the vessel for EUR 550 million. The updated specifications matched those of MSC Divina. Renamed “MSC Preziosa,” the ship was delivered to MSC in March 2013.

The 4000-passenger MSC Preziosa is one of the largest ships in the MSC fleet. The vessel impresses not only with her size but also with her extensive amenities. Over 80% of all cabins offer ocean views, and many come with private balconies. More than 99 staterooms on MSC Preziosa are designated as “VIP.”

Initially commissioned by Hannibal Gaddafi, who wanted a tank for six sharks incorporated into the design, the project was interrupted when the Libyan regime was overthrown in June 2011. MSC later purchased the partially built ship in 2012.

Decks and Cabins

MSC Preziosa staterooms (1751 total, in 12 grades) include 134 Suites, 1133 Balcony, 116 Oceanview, and 405 Inside cabins. Most staterooms are Balcony units (190 ft² / 18 m²), with balconies sized 40 ft² / 4 m². The largest accommodations are the Yacht Club Royal Suites (400 ft² / 37 m²) with a 170 ft² / 16 m² wraparound terrace.

The ship has 17 decks, 14 of which are passenger-accessible, with cabins located on 9 decks.

MSC Preziosa’s decks are named after precious stones and minerals.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

MSC Preziosa offers a wide range of dining experiences, with four main restaurants onboard. For culinary enthusiasts, the Galaxy Restaurant — an open-kitchen venue serving dishes throughout the day — is a highlight.

The following is a full list of MSC Preziosa’s restaurants and food bars:

• The Golden Lobster Restaurant (two-level forward Dining Room; Decks 5–6; capacity 790 seats on Deck 5 / 534 seats on Deck 6; breakfast 7–10 am, lunch 12–2 pm, dinner with two fixed seatings at 7:00 and 9:45 pm; menus feature regional Italian cuisine, a 7-course dinner menu, vegan/vegetarian options)
• L’Arabesque Restaurant (aft Dining Room with panoramic views; capacity 740 seats; Mediterranean cuisine; Deck 6; open for breakfast, lunch, and two-seating dinner)
• La Locanda (115-seat wine bar and Italian specialty restaurant, à la carte; tapas, pizzas; Deck 7)
• Butcher’s Cut (121-seat American steakhouse; open kitchen; large cuts of meat including steak, lamb, bison; seafood starters; desserts such as lava cake and cheesecake; Deck 7)
• Sports and Bowling Diner (54-seat sports bar with large TVs, two 10-pin bowling lanes/surcharge, serving snacks, burgers, cocktails, and beer; Deck 7)
• Inca and Maya Buffet Restaurants (Deck 14; 304 and 608 seats; open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; multiple food stations including Grill Corner, Pizza, Pasta, Carving, Bakery, Mediterranean, Ethnic, Children’s Corner, salads, fruits, and desserts)
• La Palmeraie (110-seat aft Dining Room on Deck 15 for MSC Yacht Club guests only; French-Italian gourmet cuisine)
• Galaxy Lounge & Sky & Stars Disco (122-seat à la carte restaurant and nightclub; Deck 16)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MSC Preziosa is the 12th vessel in the MSC fleet. With her, MSC further refined the Mediterranean cruising experience. Her signature highlights include the longest waterslide in the MSC fleet, the exclusive MSC Yacht Club, and more than 30,000 m² of public spaces. These features allow guests to tailor each moment of their voyage according to their mood and preferences.

Onboard, guests enjoy Mediterranean-inspired design elements including Swarovski crystal staircases, a real-stone piazza, and an infinity-style pool. The Aurea Spa offers a wide range of wellness and beauty treatments. For outdoor relaxation, the adults-only “Top 18 Exclusive Solarium” provides premium sun deck space, ocean views, spa services, and complimentary fruit skewers — ideal for couples, groups of friends, or parents seeking quiet time.

Additional leisure offerings include a Broadway-style theater, full-scale casino, MSC Yacht Club private areas with butler service, the Doremi Castle kids’ aqua park, and the Vertigo water slide — the longest single-rider slide at sea. The ship features 12 Jacuzzis and 4 swimming pools (including the covered La Playa Pool and the MSC Yacht Club’s The One Pool).

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

The following is the complete list of MSC Preziosa’s lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for children, teens, and adults:

• Medical Center (6-bed infirmary; Deck 4; open 24 hours; operated by resident doctors and nurses; payments via onboard account; private insurance policies generally do not apply)
• Preziosa Atrium (five-deck-high midship atrium with live entertainment)
• Reception / Guest Services (128 seats; reservations and assistance; Deck 5)
• Preziosa Bar (43-seat Atrium Lobby bar; Deck 5)
• Cybercafé & Library (14-station Internet room and library; 24-hour; Deck 5)
• Platinum Theatre (1645 seats; grand-style production shows, concerts, acrobatics, comedy, opera; two shows nightly at 8:00 and 10:15 pm)
• Millennium Star Casino (258 seats; smoking allowed; slot machines, table games, full bar; Deck 6)
• Poker Room (Texas Hold’em lounge; Deck 6)
• Video Games Arcade (Deck 6)
• Phoenician Plaza (117-seat Italian-style square with live music; Ice Cream Bar; Coffee, Chocolate & Pastry Shop; Deck 6)
• The Mini Mall (duty-free alcohol, tobacco, electronics; Deck 6)
• La Boutique (fashion apparel; Deck 6)
• MSC Logo Shop (MSC-branded apparel, toys, souvenirs; Deck 6)
• Il Gioiello (jewelry and accessories; Deck 6)
• Accessories (leather goods; Deck 6)
• La Profumeria (perfumes and cosmetics; Deck 6)
• Diamond Bar & Library (93-seat cocktail bar with multilingual book collection; Deck 6)
• Excursion Office (shore excursion desk; Deck 6)
• L’Angolo dell’Oggetto (sunglasses, jewelry, accessories; Deck 6)
• La Caramella (candy shop; Deck 6)
• El Dorado Bar (124-seat piano bar; Deck 7)
• Art Gallery (Deck 7)
• Fashion Bijoux (jewelry shop; Deck 7)
• MSC Logo Shop (Deck 7)
• Photo Shop (photo services and products; Deck 7)
• The Green Sax Bar (116-seat jazz bar; rare liquors; molecular cocktails; live music and quizzes; Deck 7)
• Il Cappuccino Bar (70-seat specialty coffee bar; Deck 7)
• Safari Lounge (313-seat aft lounge for shows, bingo, trivia; dance floor and full bar; Deck 7)
• MSC Aurea Spa (18300 ft² / 1700 m²; Deck 14; Thermal Suite, steam rooms, saunas, relaxation room, thalassotherapy, heated pool, whirlpools; juice bar; Harmony Suite; Frigidarium; Beauty Salon; Barber Shop)
• Fitness Centre (complimentary; ages 14+; Deck 14)
• Adidas Corner (sports apparel shop inside the gym)
• The Pool Shop (swimwear and accessories; Deck 14)
• La Playa Preciosa Pool (with sliding glass roof, whirlpools, drinks bar; Deck 14)
• Aqua Park (main pool, whirlpools, splash zones; Deck 14)
• Turquoise Bar (Aqua Park ice cream and beverages; Deck 14)
• Saphir Bar (Aqua Park bar; Deck 14)
• Top Sail Lounge (141-seat Yacht Club lounge; panoramic views; live music; buffet service; Deck 15)
• MSC Yacht Club / Concierge Area (Deck 15)
• Jogging Track (6.5 laps = 1 mile; Deck 15)
• Graffiti’s Disco & Club (teen-only venue; karaoke, games, parties; Deck 15)
• Doremiland (kids’ area; Mini Club 3–6, Junior Club 7–12; LEGO Experience at Sea program; Deck 15)
• Vertigo Waterslide (120 m / 394 ft; entrance Deck 18; exit Deck 15)
• The Garden Pool (adult-only infinity pool; Deck 15)
• The Garden Bar (alfresco bar for Garden Pool; Deck 15)
• Brezza Marina (solarium with loungers and whirlpools)
• Doremi Castle Aqua Park (water play area; Deck 16)
• Teens Area (ages 13–17; music, games, activities; Deck 16)
• Virtual World (video games arcade; Deck 16)
• F1 Simulator (Formula 1 ride simulator; Deck 16)
• 4D Cinema (moving-seat theater; Deck 16)
• MSC Arena Sports Center (basketball/volleyball/soccer court with stadium seating; outdoor movie screen; Deck 16)
• Shuffleboard, Table Tennis, Squash (Deck 16)
• The One Pool (MSC Yacht Club–exclusive pool with whirlpools; Deck 18; served by The One Bar)
• Top 18 Exclusive Solarium (adult-only premium sun deck with whirlpool, relax area, Tiki Bar; Deck 18; day/cruise passes available)

Itineraries

MSC Preziosa’s itinerary program is based on Northern European roundtrip voyages departing from Southampton, Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Le Havre/Paris. Seasonally, Preziosa is deployed in South America, operating from Santos/Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires.

The vessel (STX France, Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard / hull number X32) has a volume of 139072 GT, a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 12614 tons, and a maximum draught of 8.7 m. The powerplant consists of GE Power Conversion marine diesel engines (Converteam model 16V46C) with a combined output of 43.7 MW (58,600 hp). The registered shipowner is PREZIOSA CRUISE LTD, and the registered manager is MSC CROCIERE SA.

Preziosa is one of MSC’s modified Fantasia-class vessels (inaugural cruise on March 25, 2013), with sisterships Divina, Fantasia, and Splendida. The ship was originally ordered as "Phoenicia" by the Libyan company General National Maritime Transport Corporation, featuring a large shark aquarium in its design. Due to the Libyan Revolution (February–October 2011), STX cancelled the contract and searched for a new buyer. On March 13, 2012, MSC reached an agreement with STX to purchase the vessel for USD 550 million.

Compared to her sister ships, Preziosa has 100 additional staterooms, the Eataly specialty restaurant, an enlarged MSC Yacht Club (VIP suite complex), an infinity-edge pool in the adults-only “Top 18 Exclusive Solarium,” the 394-ft / 120-m “Vertigo” waterslide, and the “Doremi Castle” outdoor playground/adventure park for kids.

The ship’s Master is Captain Corrado Iaconis.

On December 18, 2018, MSC announced a partnership with celebrity chef Harald Wohlfahrt (3-star Michelin). He developed a new menu of Mediterranean and international specialties for the exclusive MSC Yacht Club Restaurant on Meraviglia, Splendida, and Preziosa. The enhanced menus are offered only on Northern Europe cruises. He also created two new main courses for "Elegant Night," the formal dining event held in the Main Dining Room on each voyage, and conducted interactive training for all MSC shipboard chefs.

MSC Preziosa refurbishments review

Drydock 2025

The ship’s drydock refurbishment in April 2025 was carried out in Holland at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam.

The 2-week project included routine maintenance, classification and safety inspections, technical works (including propulsion system overhaul), hull cleaning and repainting, and updates to passenger staterooms and public areas (flooring, carpeting, upholstery).