Tag Archives: MSC

MSC to Add Yacht Club to Magnifica During Big Drydock

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MSC Magnifica under the Forth Bridge, photo credit Spacejunkie2 Flickr account for MSC Magnifica Images

MSC Cruises has announced that the MSC Magnifica will get its Yacht Club concept later this year as part of significant onboard enhancements that will also see the introduction of a new spa and gym.

What the company calls a substantial drydock refurbishment will take place during October and November at the Palumbo shipyard in Valetta, Malta, to transform some of the vessel’s public spaces.

Sales opened today for the MSC Yacht Club on the MSC Magnifica starting from summer 2026 that for the first time includes the luxury product being available on itineraries from Warnemunde in Germany to Baltic and Scandinavian destinations, plus the MSC Magnifica’s 2027 world cruise.

Gianni Onorato, CEO, MSC Cruises, said: “The MSC Yacht Club is one of our most highly regarded products, loved by guests for its outstanding level of service, elegant spaces and exclusive facilities, so we are proud to be bringing this to MSC Magnifica. The extensive remodelling is the largest we’ve undertaken in the last ten years and underlines our commitment to offer our guests the best possible guest experience across our entire fleet.”

Guests booking the 63 new MSC Yacht Club suites spanning five upper decks can benefit from an exclusive, all-inclusive experience featuring 24-hour butler and concierge service, elegant and spacious cabins, and access to a range of private facilities including an exclusive restaurant and lounge, and a private sundeck with a pool as well as a grill restaurant and bar.

The refurbishment work will also see a new 270 square metre MSC Aurea spa and a new Techogym fitness centre.

The MSC Magnifica’s Itineraries that will feature the new onboard enhancements include:

  • Summer 2026 – From Warnemunde, Germany on May 16 2026, to destinations such as Ronne in Denmark, Riga in Latvia, Tallinn in Estonia, Stockholm in Sweden and Helsinki in Finland.
  • MSC World Cruise 2027 – The MSC Yacht Club will, for the first time, offer its personalised and luxury service and facilities on one of the line’s global voyages.  The ship departs Civitavecchia to Genoa, Italy, Marseille and Barcelona on Jan. 5, 6, 7 and 8, 2027, respectively, with a new 121-night worldwide sailing that will visit 45 destinations in 25 countries.

MSC Meraviglia Temporarily Out of Service for Repairs in Maine

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The MSC Meraviglia is currently undergoing technical repairs after having this week’s cruise cancelled in mid-April.

Offering weeklong itineraries out of New York City, the 2017-built vessel was taken out of service ahead of the sailing that was scheduled for May 11, 2025.

According to a statement issued by MSC in late April, the Meraviglia was in need of technical repairs due to a mechanical issue.

The problem was impacting the vessel’s ability to operate at standard cruising speeds, as the company explained in a letter to affected guests.

“As a result, and with deep regret, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel your upcoming sailing,” MSC continued.

The MSC Meraviglia was set to offer a seven-night cruise to the Bahamas and Florida from its homeport at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

In addition to three days at sea, the original itinerary featured visits to Port Canaveral, Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Instead, the vessel is currently docked in Portland (Maine), where repairs are being carried out by specialised teams.

The decision to take the vessel out of service was made out of an abundance of caution, MSC added, and reflects the company’s “commitment to safety and delivering the best possible guest experience.”

In addition to offering guests rebooking or refund options, the company also noted that the technical issue never affected the safety of its crew and guests.

The MSC Meraviglia is now expected to resume service on May 18, 2025, kicking off a weeklong cruise to the Bahamas and Florida.

As with the cancelled cruise, the seven-night voyage features visits to Port Canaveral, Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Sailing from New York City on a year-round basis, the MSC Meraviglia offers seven-night cruises to Florida, the Bahamas and Bermuda.

In 2026, the 4,500-guest ship repositions to Europe for its first summer season in the Western Mediterranean in over five years.

Explora Journeys to Sail in Alaska in 2027

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The luxury brand announced that the Explora III will debut in the Alaska market, sailing mostly from Vancouver, in 2027.

Fourteen departures are scheduled from May to September.

Cruises range from seven nights to two weeks.

“As part of Explora Journeys’ newly announced Summer 2027 collection, the season will open a new chapter with the brand’s inaugural sailings to Alaska aboard Explora III. This exciting debut marks the beginning of a season defined by firsts, including newly curated journeys to maiden ports in the Mediterranean and the launch of a new ship, Explora IV. Fittingly, the season will set sail under the theme An Ocean of New,” the company said in a press release.