Before Cruising

• Travel Documents: U.S. citizens sailing on a closed-loop cruise departing from and returning to the same U.S. port may generally travel with an original or certified birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID. A valid passport book is still strongly recommended in case an emergency requires you to return home by air from a foreign country.
• International Itineraries: Cruises beginning or ending in different countries, along with many international itineraries, require a valid passport book. Some destinations also require passports to remain valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
• Non-U.S. Citizens: Passport, visa, and residency document requirements vary depending on your citizenship, residency status, itinerary, and ports of call. Review the latest requirements well before your sailing date.
• Name Matching: The name on your reservation must exactly match your government-issued identification. If your name has changed because of marriage, divorce, or another legal reason, carry the appropriate supporting documentation during your trip.
• Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is strongly recommended, particularly for international cruises. Third-party policies often provide broader medical, cancellation, baggage, trip interruption, and emergency transportation coverage than plans purchased directly through the cruise line.
• Research Your Ship: MSC ships feature contemporary European design, impressive public spaces, international dining, and innovative entertainment. Reviewing your ship's deck plans before sailing will help you quickly locate restaurants, theaters, lounges, pools, and your stateroom once onboard.
• MSC Voyagers Club: MSC's loyalty program rewards repeat cruisers with discounts, onboard benefits, priority offers, and additional perks based on your membership level.
• Pre-Cruise Savings: Beverage packages, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, spa treatments, and other onboard experiences are often less expensive when purchased before sailing.
• Carry-On Essentials: Pack medications, passports, valuables, electronics, swimwear, and a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage. Checked bags may not arrive at your stateroom until later in the afternoon.

MSC for Me App

• Your Cruise Companion: The MSC for Me App helps you manage your cruise before and during your vacation. Download it before sailing and sign in with your MSC account to access your voyage information.
• Before You Sail: Use the app or MSC website to complete online check-in, review your travel documents, purchase beverage packages, reserve specialty dining, book shore excursions, and prepare for embarkation.
• Once Onboard: The app displays your daily schedule, restaurant reservations, deck plans, onboard account, entertainment, and other voyage information throughout your cruise.
• Daily Planning: MSC offers live entertainment, themed parties, family activities, enrichment programs, and numerous events throughout the day. Reviewing the app each morning helps you make the most of your time onboard.
• Connected Experience: On many ships, MSC for Me integrates with onboard technology to help guests navigate the ship, locate family members, and receive personalized activity recommendations.

Tipping / Gratuities

• Hotel Service Charge: MSC Cruises applies a daily Hotel Service Charge to most sailings, covering crew members who contribute to your cruise experience. The amount varies depending on your itinerary and departure region.
• Prepay or Pay Onboard: Depending on your booking, the Hotel Service Charge may be prepaid before sailing or automatically added to your onboard account during the cruise.
• Additional Service Charges: An automatic service charge is added to beverages, specialty dining, spa treatments, salon services, and many other onboard purchases.
• Exceptional Service: While never required, many guests choose to provide additional cash tips to crew members who provide exceptional service during their voyage.

Embarking

• Online Check-In: Complete online check-in through the MSC for Me App or MSC Cruises website before arriving at the terminal. During check-in you'll upload travel documents, receive your boarding pass, and review your embarkation details.
• Arrival Time: Arrive during your assigned embarkation window for the smoothest boarding experience. MSC Yacht Club guests typically enjoy priority check-in and embarkation.
• Carry-On Beverages: Alcohol policies vary depending on the itinerary and departure region. Review the current policy for your sailing before bringing beverages to the terminal, as restrictions may differ between North American and international departures.
• Carry-On Essentials: Keep medications, travel documents, valuables, electronics, swimwear, and a change of clothes with you. Checked luggage may not arrive at your stateroom until later in the afternoon.
• Embarkation Day Lunch: The buffet is usually open shortly after boarding, providing a convenient place to enjoy lunch while waiting for your stateroom to become available.
• Explore The Ship: Take time to familiarize yourself with restaurants, lounges, theaters, pools, the MSC Yacht Club (where applicable), and other public spaces before sailaway.
• Airplane Mode: Switch your phone to Airplane Mode before sailing and connect only to the ship's Wi-Fi if you've purchased an internet package to avoid international roaming charges.
• All-Aboard Time: MSC Cruises strictly enforces all-aboard times at every port. Plan to return at least 30 to 60 minutes before the published departure time.

Cabin

• Stateroom Amenities: MSC staterooms include comfortable bedding, a private bathroom, individually controlled climate settings, television, mini refrigerator, hair dryer, in-room safe, closet space, and multiple charging outlets. Amenities vary by ship and cabin category.
• Cabin Steward: Your cabin steward services your stateroom each day and can assist with additional towels, pillows, blankets, ice, and other reasonable requests throughout your voyage.
• Room Service: Room service is available throughout the day. Menu selections and delivery charges vary by ship, itinerary, and stateroom category.
• Storage Space: Store luggage under the bed after unpacking to maximize available floor space. MSC cabins generally provide generous closet and drawer storage.
• Balcony Cabins: Keep the balcony door completely closed whenever the air conditioning is operating. Opening the balcony door disables the air conditioning system on many MSC ships until the door is fully closed.
• MSC Yacht Club: Available on many MSC ships, the MSC Yacht Club offers an exclusive ship-within-a-ship experience featuring luxury suites, a private restaurant, dedicated lounge, exclusive sundeck, butler service, concierge assistance, and priority embarkation and disembarkation.

On Deck

• Pools & Relaxation: MSC ships feature multiple pools, whirlpools, spacious sun decks, and family-friendly recreation areas designed for guests of all ages.
• Galleria Promenade: Meraviglia and World Class ships feature an impressive indoor promenade with restaurants, lounges, shopping, and a spectacular LED ceiling that hosts themed visual displays throughout the day and evening.
• Entertainment: Depending on your ship, you'll find water parks, ropes courses, zip lines, sports courts, Formula 1 simulators, virtual reality attractions, and other activities throughout the voyage.
• Chair Etiquette: MSC asks guests not to reserve loungers for extended periods without using them. During busy times, unattended belongings may be removed to make seating available for other guests.
• International Atmosphere: One of MSC's defining characteristics is its international guest mix. Announcements, entertainment, and activities often reflect the diverse backgrounds of passengers sailing from around the world.
• MSC Yacht Club Sundeck: Yacht Club guests enjoy exclusive access to a private pool deck with premium loungers, whirlpools, attentive beverage service, and a quieter atmosphere.

Dining

• Main Dining Rooms: MSC offers traditional multi-course dining with Mediterranean and international influences. Depending on your booking, you may have assigned dining times or flexible dining options.
• Buffet Dining: MSC's buffet restaurants feature an extensive variety of international cuisine and are open for many meals throughout the day, including late-night dining on many ships.
• Specialty Dining: Depending on your ship, specialty restaurants may include Butcher's Cut Steakhouse, Kaito Sushi & Teppanyaki, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Ocean Cay Restaurant, and several additional premium venues available for an extra charge.
• MSC Yacht Club Restaurant: Guests staying in the MSC Yacht Club enjoy access to an exclusive restaurant featuring elevated cuisine, attentive service, and flexible dining hours.
• Dietary Requests: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and many other dietary needs can usually be accommodated. Notify MSC before sailing whenever possible and remind your dining team once onboard.
• Reservations: Specialty restaurants often provide discounted dining packages when reserved before sailing, offering better value than booking individual meals onboard.

Food & Beverage

• Included Dining: Complimentary dining varies by ship and may include the Main Dining Rooms, Marketplace Buffet, pizza station, and several casual dining venues. Dining options differ throughout the MSC fleet.
• Complimentary Beverages: Coffee, hot tea, iced tea, fountain water, and select breakfast juices are available during meals, while additional complimentary beverage options vary by ship and itinerary.
• Specialty Coffee: MSC's cafés serve premium espresso drinks, specialty coffees, teas, pastries, and desserts throughout the day. These beverages may be included with eligible beverage packages.
• Hydration: Spending time in the sun, participating in shore excursions, and consuming alcoholic beverages can quickly lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of water throughout your voyage.
• Late-Night Dining: Many MSC ships keep portions of the buffet open late into the evening, providing convenient dining after shows and nighttime entertainment.

Easy Package

• Everyday Favorites: The Easy Package includes a selection of cocktails, house spirits, beer, wine by the glass, fountain soft drinks, juices, coffee beverages, and other eligible drinks up to the package's current price limit.
• Great Entry-Level Value: Guests looking for a convenient beverage package without paying for premium brands often find the Easy Package provides excellent value.

Easy Plus Package

• Expanded Selection: The Easy Plus Package increases the maximum beverage value and includes a broader selection of cocktails, premium spirits, wines by the glass, beers, specialty coffees, bottled water, soft drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Most Popular Choice: Many guests choose Easy Plus because it provides access to a significantly larger beverage selection while remaining more affordable than the premium package.

Premium Extra Package

• Premium Experience: Premium Extra offers MSC's widest beverage selection, including top-shelf spirits, premium cocktails, an expanded wine list, craft beers, specialty coffees, bottled water, energy drinks, fresh juices, and numerous non-alcoholic beverages.
• Maximum Flexibility: Guests who enjoy premium wines, high-end spirits, or specialty beverages throughout the day generally receive the greatest value from the Premium Extra Package.

Alcohol-Free Package

• Alcohol-Free Option: This package includes specialty coffees, premium teas, bottled water, soft drinks, mocktails, smoothies, fresh juices, and other eligible non-alcoholic beverages throughout your cruise.
• Perfect For: Guests who don't consume alcohol but enjoy premium coffees, bottled water, soft drinks, and specialty beverages often find this package offers excellent value.

Private Destinations & Ocean Cay

• Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve: MSC's private island in The Bahamas offers beautiful white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, nature trails, water sports, family beaches, and quiet relaxation areas, all surrounded by a protected marine environment.
• Beach Clubs & Cabanas: Complimentary beach access is included, while premium cabanas, beachfront experiences, and additional water activities are available for an extra charge.
• Beverage Packages: MSC beverage packages are accepted throughout Ocean Cay, allowing eligible guests to enjoy beverages without additional charges at participating bars and restaurants.
• Beach Towels: Complimentary beach towels are available onboard and may be taken ashore. Remember to return them before leaving the island.
• Evening Stays: Many Caribbean itineraries remain docked into the evening, allowing guests to experience Ocean Cay after sunset and enjoy nighttime entertainment that isn't available at most private cruise destinations.

Onboard Planning & Reservations

• MSC for Me App: The app serves as your onboard planner, displaying daily activities, entertainment, dining reservations, deck plans, onboard account information, and your personalized itinerary throughout the cruise.
• Entertainment: MSC offers Broadway-style productions, live music, themed parties, game shows, family entertainment, and numerous activities throughout each voyage.
• Spa Appointments: Sea days are generally the busiest at the MSC Aurea Spa. Booking treatments early in the cruise or choosing a port day often provides the greatest availability.
• Daily Schedule: Review the daily planner each evening to organize the following day's dining, entertainment, and onboard activities.
• Reservations: Specialty restaurants, shore excursions, spa treatments, and select entertainment may fill before sailing. Booking early provides the best selection of dates and times.

Ports / Shore Excursions

• MSC Shore Excursions: Booking directly through MSC provides additional peace of mind because the cruise line coordinates your return if an MSC-sponsored excursion is delayed through no fault of your own.
• Independent Exploration: Independent operators often provide smaller group sizes and unique local experiences. Research operators carefully and always allow sufficient time to return before the published all-aboard time.
• Ship Time vs. Local Time: Some destinations observe a different time zone than the ship. Always verify whether MSC is using ship time or local time before exploring independently.
• Return Early: Plan to return to the ship at least 30 to 60 minutes before the published all-aboard time. Ships cannot delay departure for late-arriving guests.
• Global Itineraries: MSC sails throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America, the Middle East, Asia, and South Africa, offering one of the industry's widest selections of international itineraries.

Casino

• MSC Casino: MSC casinos feature slot machines, blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, and other popular table games. Gaming is generally available only while the ship is sailing in international waters.
• Casino Promotions: MSC frequently offers slot tournaments, table game competitions, jackpots, and other promotional events throughout the cruise.
• Rewards Program: Eligible casino play may qualify guests for future cruise offers, onboard credits, complimentary cruises, and additional promotional benefits through MSC's casino rewards program.
• Cashless Play: Many gaming transactions can be charged directly to your onboard account, providing a convenient cashless gaming experience. Additional fees may apply to certain account advances.

Wi-Fi / Internet Access

• Browse & Browse and Stream Plans: MSC offers multiple internet packages ranging from basic browsing and messaging to higher-speed plans that support streaming, video calls, and remote work. Available plans vary by ship.
• Pre-Cruise Savings: Internet packages purchased before sailing are often less expensive than purchasing onboard.
• Performance: Internet speeds continue to improve across the fleet with expanded satellite connectivity, although performance varies depending on your location, weather conditions, and the number of guests online.
• MSC for Me App: The MSC for Me App continues to provide access to many onboard features, including your daily schedule, reservations, and onboard account, even without purchasing a full internet package on supported ships.
• Airplane Mode: Keep your mobile devices in Airplane Mode while at sea and connect only through the ship's Wi-Fi to avoid expensive international roaming charges.

Families & Kids

• Award-Winning Kids Clubs: MSC offers complimentary supervised youth programs for children and teens, with activities tailored to different age groups from toddlers through teenagers.
• LEGO Partnership: MSC partners with LEGO to provide themed building activities, competitions, and interactive experiences that are especially popular with younger cruisers.
• Family Entertainment: Families can enjoy game shows, live performances, sports tournaments, movies, deck parties, arcades, water parks, and numerous activities designed for guests of all ages.
• Baby Club: MSC offers dedicated programs for younger children, including Baby Club Chicco and Mini Club activities on many ships, with age requirements varying throughout the fleet.
• Family-Friendly Cabins: Many MSC ships feature connecting staterooms and family accommodations that make traveling with larger families more comfortable.

Complimentary Extras

• Broadway-Style Entertainment: Every MSC ship offers live production shows, musical performances, acrobatic acts, and themed entertainment throughout your voyage at no additional charge.
• International Cuisine: Complimentary dining features a diverse selection of Mediterranean and international cuisine that reflects MSC's European heritage.
• Pools & Recreation: Enjoy complimentary access to pools, whirlpools, sports courts, fitness centers, walking tracks, and many onboard recreational activities.
• Youth Programs: Supervised children's and teen clubs are included for eligible age groups, providing activities throughout the day while parents enjoy other parts of the ship.
• Ocean Cay Beaches: Guests visiting Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve enjoy complimentary access to the island's beaches, walking trails, and many recreational areas during their visit.
• Fitness Center: Modern fitness centers with cardio equipment, strength machines, and free weights are available aboard every MSC ship at no additional charge.

Disembarking

• Express Departure: Guests carrying all of their own luggage may choose Express Departure, allowing them to leave the ship as soon as local authorities clear the vessel.
• Standard Departure: Guests placing luggage outside their stateroom the night before departure receive luggage tags with an assigned departure group. Wait comfortably in the designated public area until your group is called.
• Final Morning: Enjoy breakfast before leaving the ship, review your onboard account one final time, and make sure you've collected all personal belongings from your stateroom.
• Customs & Immigration: Many cruise terminals now use facial recognition technology to speed arrival processing for eligible travelers. Guests traveling with passports often experience the quickest processing.
• Ground Transportation: Whether using MSC transfers, ride-share services, taxis, rental cars, or personal vehicles, review your transportation plans before leaving the terminal to help ensure a smooth trip home.
• Before You Leave: Before leaving your stateroom, check the safe, closets, drawers, charging outlets, bathroom, and under the bed one final time. Taking a few extra moments can help prevent accidentally leaving behind passports, medications, electronics, or other valuables.