MSC have 23 ships in operation and the New MSC Euribia as of 2023. This post looks at MSC Cruise Ships By Age and size. MSC from Newest To Oldest and MSC ships size, weight, passenger and crew numbers’s. It is always good to know these facts about your favourite cruise line when booking a cruise for 2023 or 2024.
Finding out these MSC cruise ship facts and whether the ship is newer or bigger is really handy to know when you are booking your next MSC cruise. The newer Ships in the Fleet have more amenities and entertainment options such as bigger theaters and casinos. They may have better facilities such as restaurants and dining venues, more pools, slides and better Spa facitilies.
Newer ships may also be set out better for multigenerational families with more family cabins and suites too. The newer ships also have lots of kids facilities and new state of the art experience’s on board and too.
It is also worth bearing in mind that some of the older ships may be smaller but this does not mean they are not as good. Some of the smaller ships have a more intimate feel which also can mahke the ships feel quite special.
This is everthing you need to know about MSC Cruise Ships By Age, Size, Weight and Passenger Numbers 2023
Who are MSC cruises?
MSC is one of the biggest Shipping companies in the world. The group MSC Cruises is a Swiss-Italian global cruise line registered in Switzerland and based in Geneva. Therefore it has many cruise ships and new ships joining the fleet every year.
MSC Ships By Age Newest To Oldest
MSC have 22 ships. This is a list of MSC ships in order of newest to oldest at a glance;
- MSC Euribia Coming June 2023
- MSC Seascape
- MSC World Europa
- MSC Seashore
- MSC Virtuosa
- MSC Grandiosa
- MSC Bellissima
- MSC Seaview
- MSC Seaside
- MSC Meraviglia
- MSC Preziosa
- MSC Divina
- MSC Magnifica
- MSC Splendida
- MSC Fantasia
- MSC Poesia
- MSC Orchestra
- MSC Musica
- MSC Opera
- MSC Lirica
- MSC Sinfonia
- MSC Armonia
What Was MSC’s First Ever Cruise Ship?
MSC’s first cruise ship was Monterey in 1988 and was purchased from Lauro cruise line. MSC was actually first founded by Gianluigi Aponte in 1970 when a young Italian seaman and former bank teller. Gianluigi purchased his first ship, Patricia. He acquired an even bigger vessel in 1971, which he named after his wife, Rafaela, followed by the carrier, Ilse, in 1973. MSC now own over 560 vessels not all of which are Cruise passenger ships but shipping container vessels.
How Many Ships Do MSC Have in use?
MSC have 22 cruise ships.21 cruise ships are currently in service, with MSC Euribia being launched in June 2023 which will bring the total number of ships in the fleet to 22.
MSC Cruise Ships By Age and Size class table
The following table shows MSC Cruises ships ordered by newest to oldest and all the details of size, passenger capacity and the amount of crew onboard.
This table also shows if the MSC ships have been refurbished thus giving you an idea if it is up to date and modern.
If you look at the Gross tonnage this measurement will give you an of the overall internal volume of a ship. Combine this with the passenger capacity of the ship and you will get an idea of the size of the cruise ship.
| MSC Ship | Class | Year | Refurbished | Passengers | Crew | Weight Gross Tons | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSC Euribia | Meraviglia-Plus Class | June 2023 | 6,334 | 1,704 | 181,541 | ||
| MSC Seascape | Seaside | 2022 | 5877 | 1648 | 169,4 | 323 m | |
| MSC World Europa | World Class | 2022 | 6774 | 2138 | 205,7 | 333 m | |
| MSC Seashore | Seaside | 2021 | 5632 | 1648 | 169.4 | 339 m | |
| MSC Virtuosa | Meraviglia | 2021 | 6334 | 2421 | 181.5 | 331 m | |
| MSC Grandiosa | Meraviglia | 2019 | 6334 | 1704 | 181.5 | 331.4 m | |
| MSC Bellissima | Meraviglia | 2019 | 5655 | 1595 | 171,598 | 315.8 m | |
| MSC Seaview | Seaside | 2018 | 5079 | 1413 | 153.5 | 323 m | |
| MSC Seaside | Seaside | 2017 | 5084 | 1513 | 153,516 | 323 m | |
| MSC Meraviglia | Meraviglia | 2017 | 5642 | 1608 | 171,598 | 315.83 m | |
| MSC Preziosa | Fantasia | 2013 | 4345 | 1388 | 139,072 | 333.3 m | |
| MSC Divina | Fantasia | 2012 | 2017 | 4245 | 1388 | 139,072 | 333.3 m |
| MSC Magnifica | Musica | 2010 | 2021 | 3013 | 987 | 95,128 | 293,8 m |
| MSC Splendida | Fantasia | 2009 | 2017 | 4363 | 1370 | 137,936 | 333.3 m |
| MSC Fantasia | Fantasia | 2008 | 2019 | 4363 | 1370 | 137,936 | 333.3 m |
| MSC Poesia | Musica | 2008 | 2018 | 3013 | 987 | 92,627 | 293,8 m |
| MSC Orchestra | Musica | 2007 | 2021 | 3013 | 987 | 92,409 | 293,8 m |
| MSC Musica | Musica | 2006 | 2016 | 3013 | 987 | 92,409 | 293,8 m |
| MSC Opera | Mistral | 2004 | 2015 | 2579 | 721 | 65,591 | 274,9 m |
| MSC Lirica | Mistral | 2003 | 2015 | 2548 | 752 | 65,591 | 274,9 m |
| MSC Sinfonia | Mistral | 2002 | 2015 | 2546 | 721 | 65,542 | 274,9 m |
| MSC Armonia | Mistral | 2001 | 2014 | 2520 | 780 | 65,542 | 274,9 m |
How big are MSC cruise ships?
MSC cruise ships are some of the largest in the industry. The smaller ships being the likes of MSC Opera and Lirica and the larger biggest ships being the MSC Virtuosa and the brand new World Europa class.
What Is The Newest MSC Ship?
The Newest MSC ship last year launched in 2023 was the MSC Euribia.
What is the biggest MSC ship?
The biggest MSC ship is the MSC World Europa which launched in 2022 she has a capacity for 6700 passengers.
What is the smallest MSC ship?
The smallest MSC ships are the;
- MSC Armonia
- MSC Sinfonia
- MSC Lirica
- MSC Opera
What are the different classes of MSC Ships?
The different classes of MSC ships form newest to oldest are;
- World Class
- Meraviglia Class
- Meraviglia Plus class
- Seaside Class
- Fantasia Class
- Musica Class
- Mistral Class
Which MSC ships are in World class?
World class ship class on MSC is the World Europa ship
Which MSC ships are in Meraviglia class?
MSC Meraviglia class ships include;
- MSC Meraviglia
- MSC Belissima
- MSC Grandiosa
- MSC Virtuosa
Which MSC ships are in Seaside class?
The MSC Seaside ships include;
- MSC Seaside
- The MSC Seaview
- MSC Seashore
- MSC Seascape
Which MSC ships are in Fantasia class?
MSC Ships in Fantasia Class are;
- MSC Fantasia
- The MSC Splendida
- MSC Magnifica
- The MSC Divina
- MSC Preziosa
Which MSC ships are in Musica class?
The MSC Musica class Ships are;
- MSC Musica
- The MSC Orchestra
- MSC Poesia
- MSC Magnifica
Which MSC ships are in Mistral class?
Mistral Class MSC ships include;
- MSC Armonia
- The MSC Sinfonia
- MSC Lirica
- MSC Opera
Full list of MSC Ships with facts and statistics
MSC Euribia
- Launched 2023
- Gross Tons 181,541
- Passengers capacity 6,334 Passengers
- Number of Crew 1,704
MSC Seascape
- Launched 2022
- Class, Seaside
- Length, 323 metres
- Width, 41 m
- Gross Tons, 169,400
- Has a capacity of 5,877
- And a crew of 1,648
- Decks, 20
- Cabins, 2,270
- Cruising Speed of knots 21.8
MSC World Europa
- Launched 2022
- Class, World Class
- Length, 333.3m
- Width, 47m
- Gross Tons, 205,700
- Has a capacity of passengers 6,762
- And a crew of 2,138
- Decks, 21
- Deck theme names, Capital Cities
- Cabins, 2,626
- Cruising Speed of knots 27.7
MSC Seashore
- Launched in 2021
- Class, Seaside
- Length, 339m
- Width, 41m
- Gross Tons, 169,400
- Has a capacity of passengers 5,632
- And a crew of 1,648
- Decks, 19
- Cabins 2,270
- Cruising Speed of knots maximum of 21.8
MSC Virtuosa
- Launched in 2021
- Class, Meraviglia class
- Length, 331m
- Width, 43m
- Gross Tons, 181,541
- Has a capacity of passengers 6,334
- And a crew of 1,704
- Decks, 19
- Deck theme names are composers
- Cabins, 2,421
- Cruising Speed of knots, 22.2 knots max
MSC Grandiosa
- Launched in 2019
- Class, Meraviglia class
- Length, 331.43m
- Width, 43m
- Gross Tons, 181,541
- Has a capacity of passengers 6,334
- And a crew of 1,704
- Decks, 19
- Deck theme names are Artists- see post on the art of Grandiosa here
- Cabins 2,421
- Cruising Speed of knots 20.1 max
MSC Bellissima
- Launched in 2019
- Class, Meraviglia class
- Length, 315.83m
- Width, 43m
- Gross Tons, 171.598
- Has a capacity of passengers 5,655
- And a crew of 1,595
- Decks, 19
- deck Theme names are the names of MSC ships
- Cabins 2,201
- Cruising Speed of knots 23.15 max
MSC Seaview
- Launched in 2018
- Class, Seaside class
- Length, 323m
- Width, 41m
- Gross Tons, 153,516
- Has a capacity of passengers 5,079
- And a crew of 1,413
- Decks, 20
- Deck themes are seas and oceans
- Cabins 2,026
- Cruising Speed of knots 22.98 max
MSC Seaside
- Launched in 2017
- Class, Seaside Class
- Length, 323m
- Width, 41m
- Gross Tons, 153,516
- Has a capacity of passengers 5,084
- And a crew of 1,513
- Decks, 20
- Deck theme names are beaches or world
- Cabins 2,026
- Cruising Speed of knots 22,95 max
MSC Meraviglia
- Launched in 2017
- Class, Meraviglia class
- Length, 315.83m
- Width, 43m
- Gross Tons 171,598
- Has a capacity of passengers 5,642
- And a crew of 1,608
- Decks, 19
- Deck Theme names are all UNESCO World heritage sites
- Cabins 2,214
- Cruising Speed of knots 22.89 max
MSC Preziosa
- Launched 2013
- Class, Fantasia
- Length, 333,3m
- Width, 38m
- Gross Tons, 139,072
- Has a capacity of passengers 4,345
- And a crew of 1,388
- Decks, 18
- Deck theme names are all precious stones
- Cabins, 1,751
- Cruising Speed of knots 24,21 max
MSC Divina
- Launched in 2012
- Refurbished in 2017
- Class, Fantasia class
- Length, 333.3m
- Width, 38m
- Gross Tons, 139,072
- Has a capacity of passengers 4,345
- And a crew of 1,388
- Decks, 18
- Deck names are greek gods
- Cabins, 1,751
- Cruising Speed of knots 23.75 max
MSC Magnifica
- Launched 2010
- Refurbished in 2021
- Class, Musica class
- Length, 293.8m
- Width, 32.2m
- Gross Tons, 95.128
- Has a capacity of passengers 3,013
- And a crew of 987
- Decks, 16
- Deck names are Italian coastal towns
- Cabins, 1,259
- Cruising Speed of knots 22.9
MSC Splendida
- Launched in 2009
- Refurbished in 2017
- Class, Fantasia class
- Length, 333,3m
- Width, 37.9m
- Gross Tons, 137.936
- Has a capacity of passengers 4,363
- And a crew of 1,370
- Decks, 18
- Deck Names are all renaissance Artists
- Cabins, 1,637
- Cruising Speed of knots 23.78 max
MSC Fantasia
- Launched in 2008
- Refurbished in 2019
- Class, Fantasia Class
- Length, 333,30 m
- Width, 37,92 m
- Gross Tons, 137.936
- Has a capacity of passengers 4,363
- And a crew of 1.370
- Decks, 18
- Deck names are Italian words such as Encanto
- Cabins 1.637
- Cruising Speed of knots 23.64 max
MSC Poesia
- Launched in 2008
- Refurbished in 2018
- Class, Musica Class
- Length, 293.8m
- Width, 32.2m
- Gross Tons, 92,627
- Has a capacity of passengers 3,013
- And a crew of 987
- Decks, 16
- Deck names are all Italian Poets and writers
- Cabins, 1,275
- Cruising Speed of knots 23 max
MSC Orchestra
- Launched in 2007
- Refurbished in 2021
- Class, Musica Class
- Length, 293.80
- Width, 32.2
- Gross Tons, 92,409
- Has a capacity of 3013 passengers
- And a crew of 987
- Decks, 16
- Decks names are all classical instruments
- Cabins 1,275
- Cruising Speed of knots 23 max
MSC Musica
- Launched in 2006
- Refurbished 2016
- Class, Musica class
- Length, 293.80
- Width, 32.2
- Gross Tons, 92.409
- Has a capacity of passengers 3,013
- And a crew of 987
- Decks, 16
- Deck names are Musical compositions
- Cabins, 1,275
- Cruising Speed of knots 23 max
MSC Opera
- Launched in 2004
- Refurbished in 2015
- Class, Mistral class
- Length, 274.9m
- Width, 28.8m
- Gross Tons, 655,91
- Has a capacity of passengers 2,579
- And a crew of 721
- Decks, 13
- Decks are named after classic Italian Operas
- Cabins 1,071
- Cruising Speed of knots 20.3 max
MSC Lirica
- Launched in 2003
- Refurbished in 2015
- Class, Mistral class
- Length, 274.9m
- Width, 28.8m
- Gross Tons, 65.591
- Has a capacity of passengers 2,548
- And a crew of 752
- Decks, 13
- Deck names are composers
- Cabins 992
- Cruising Speed of knots 21.7 max
MSC Sinfonia
- Launched in 2002
- Refurbished 2015
- Class, Mistral Class
- Length, 274.9m
- Width, 28,8m
- Gross Tons, 65.542
- Has a capacity of passengers 2546
- And a crew of 721
- Decks, 13
- Deck names are composers
- Cabins 980
- Cruising Speed of knots 20.9
MSC Armonia
- Launched In 2001
- Refurbished 2014
- Class, Mistral Class
- Length, 274.9m
- Width, 28.8m
- Gross Tons, 65.542
- Has a capacity of passengers 2520
- And a crew of 780
- Decks, 13
- Deck names are precious stones
- Cabins 936
- Cruising Speed of knots 20.1 max
Where do MSC Ships sail?
MSC cruises operates a large fleet of ships, and the itineraries can vary depending on the season and year. They even have private island too. Here is a general overview of some of the ship voyages and the destinations they typically visit:
MSC Grandiosa: This is one of the newest ships in the MSC fleet, and it typically sails around the Mediterranean, visiting ports such as Barcelona, Marseille, Naples, and Palermo.
The MSC Seaside: This ship is known for its innovative design and typically sails to the Caribbean, visiting ports such as Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas.
MSC Splendida: This ship is often found in Asia and the Middle East, visiting ports such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.
The MSC Meraviglia: This ship typically sails to Northern Europe, visiting ports such as Amsterdam.
MSC Orchestra: This ship often sails around the Mediterranean and the Middle East, visiting ports such as Santorini, Mykonos, and Jerusalem.
The MSC Lirica: This ship is one of MSC oldest and smallest ships and is often found in South America. It often visits ports such as Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo. It also has recently sailed in the med around the Costa DeL Sol and Costa Blanca.
Again, it’s also important to note that MSC cruises’ Itineraries can vary depending on the season and year, and the ships can also be repositioned to different regions. It’s best to check with the Cruise line or a travel agent for the most up-to-date information on the ships and future destinations.
We have sailed many cruise lines over the past 30 years including MSC; first one was bad, second one was disgusting..the food on the buffet was always cold and nothing in the dining room appealed to us. Reading the comments on Facebook, we are not alone..never again!