Inside Cabin with Butler Service
We all know that booking an inside cabin is the most cost-effective way to cruise, but did you know that you can still indulge in the absolute luxury of the MSC Yacht Club whilst having an inside cabin? Every new MSC cruise ship launched since the MSC Meraviglia has inside Yacht Club cabins. For around the price of a Fantastica balcony with drinks package you can snap up one of these cabins. We’re trying it for the first time on the MSC Grandiosa’s maiden sailing from Hamburg to Marseille.
If an inside cabin isn’t your first choice, MSC also often run a promotion called ‘Get the Best’ where you can book an inside and have a free upgrade to balcony. This offer is currently available direct through MSC UK and UK Travel Agents.
To find out more about our previous Yacht Club cruises check out our review of Fantasia.
Flexible itineraries
This can be a bug bear for some cruisers, but in most sailing areas except cruises departing Miami, you can embark an MSC cruise at nearly every port of call. This gives cruisers the flexibility of choosing from a wider variety of airports to fly from to meet the ship. Use a reputable travel agent and create your own package with flights from your local airport and a pre or post cruise stay near the port. This gives an excellent opportunity to explore Meditteranean gems such as Naples, Barcelona and Rome among others.
What else do we love about this? Quite simply the fact that you’re not experiencing the whole ship changing over on one day, which speeds up embarkation.
Ever walked on crystals?
MSC have a bit of a ‘thing for bling’ – every ship launched since MSC Fantasia features Swarovski Crystal staircases. We were told on MSC Splendida that the silver ones are €5000 per step and the golden ones in the Yacht Club €10000 per step! To put that in to perspective, MSC Magnifica’s world cruise first went on sale at around £10000 per person.
A ship for all seasons
MSC Meraviglia was dubbed as a ship for all seasons. With her indoor promenade it doesn’t matter if there’s bad weather ahead. Whilst everyone would prefer to cruise in pleasant sunshine, it’s inevitable that certain parts of the world, such as northern Europe it’s not guaranteed. The inside spaces mean that guests can still take full advantage of the cruise experience as what would usually be a deck party can be transferred inside. The promenade, or Galleria, is also topped with a stunning LED dome that’s used to project scenes from under the sea, space, fireworks around the world and more!
Testament to the ability of this space to hold parties has got to be during the naming ceremony of MSC Bellissima when we were ushered inside as a storm was making the marquee wobble! Read more about our experience of Bellissima here.
The ship that follows the sun
At almost the opposite end of the spectrum to MSC Meraviglia class ships focussing on the inside is the Seaside class of ship which focuses on getting guests closer to the sea. A boardwalk promenade offers dining space and also comfortable places to sit right outside the bars. A pool on deck 7 with the surrounding bars and ice cream parlour is a fabulous place to hang out! Not forgetting the longest zip wire at sea, an excellent water park and other amazing outdoor spaces there’s no wonder we loved Seaview so much on her maiden voyage we had to go on her again just a few months later! Check out our blogs on Seaview here – MSC Seaview so far…
Michelin starred chefs
MSC Cruises have partnered with Michelin starred chefs to create signature dishes for the elegant nights onboard the ships. Harald Wolfahrt, Ramon Freixa, Carlo Cracco and Roy Yamaguchi all have partnerships with MSC cruises. Ramon Freixa has also put his name to the Hola! tapas restaurant onboard.
On elegant night be sure to check out Ramon Freixa’s signature dish of duck royale or Carlo Cracco’s braised blade of beef!
Tim Thorpe Travels 
Again horrendous solo supplements.
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