MSC Cruises ships from newest to oldest — a complete list

3 weeks ago 16

What's the newest MSC Cruises ship? It can be hard to keep track, as MSC Cruises has been rolling out new cruise ships in quick succession over the past few years. However, it's a good thing to know if you're in the market for an MSC Cruises voyage.

The newest MSC Cruises ship is typically also the MSC Cruises ship with the most up-to-date cabins, restaurants, bars and attractions. Book it if you want the vessel with the most bells and whistles for your MSC Cruises vacation.

Right now, the newest MSC Cruises ship is MSC Euribia, which debuted in June 2023. Although it's just a year old, it'll soon be supplanted as the newest MSC Cruises vessel by another new MSC Cruises ship, MSC World America, which is scheduled to begin sailing in April 2025.

Other relatively new MSC Cruises ships include MSC World Europa, MSC Seascape, MSC Seashore and MSC Virtuoso. All began sailing in the past four years.

In all, MSC Cruises operates 22 cruise vessels — up from 17 in 2020. On average, the line comes out with about one new ship a year, though its rollout of ships has been more rapid the past few years. MSC Cruises typically keeps vessels in its fleet for 20 to 25 years before retiring them from the fleet. The oldest MSC Cruises ship, MSC Armonia, is 23 years old.

In general, the newest MSC Cruises ships are far bigger and much more amenity-packed than its older ships. If you crave a lot of activities in an MSC Cruises cruise vacation, you'll want to stick to vessels built in the past decade or so.

The oldest MSC Cruises ships — those built in the early 2000s — are less than a third the size of the line's newest vessels and have far fewer venues on board.

The newest MSC Cruises ships are particularly known for being bustling, activity-packed ships.

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Here, every MSC Cruise ship currently in operation is ranked from newest to oldest:

1. MSC Euribia

Maiden voyage: 2023
Size: 184,011 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,810

2. MSC World Europa

Maiden voyage: 2022
Size: 215,863 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 5,200

3. MSC Seascape

Maiden voyage: 2022
Size: 170,400 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,540

4. MSC Seashore

Maiden voyage: 2021
Size: 170,412 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,540

5. MSC Virtuosa

Maiden voyage: 2021
Size: 181,541 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,842

6. MSC Grandiosa

Maiden voyage: 2019
Size: 181,541 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,842

7. MSC Bellissima

Maiden voyage: 2019
Size: 171,598 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,488

8. MSC Seaview

Maiden voyage: 2018
Size: 153,516 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,132

9. MSC Seaside

Maiden voyage: 2017
Size: 153,516 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,132

10. MSC Meraviglia

Maiden voyage: 2017
Size: 171,598 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,488

11. MSC Preziosa

Maiden voyage: 2013
Size: 139,400 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,502

12. MSC Divina

Maiden voyage: 2012
Size: 139,400 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,502

13. MSC Magnifica

Maiden voyage: 2010
Size: 95,128 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,518

14. MSC Splendida

Maiden voyage: 2009
Size: 137,936 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,274

15. MSC Fantasia

Maiden voyage: 2008
Size: 137,936 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,274

16. MSC Poesia

Maiden voyage: 2008
Size: 92,627 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,550

17. MSC Orchestra

Maiden voyage: 2007
Size: 92,409 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,550

18. MSC Musica

Maiden voyage: 2006
Size: 92,409 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,550

19. MSC Opera

Maiden voyage: 2004
Size: 65,591 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,150

20. MSC Lirica

Maiden voyage: 2003
Size: 65,591 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 1,984

21. MSC Sinfonia

Maiden voyage: 2002
Size: 65,542 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 1,984

22. MSC Armonia

Maiden voyage: 2001
Size: 65,542 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,199

What is the newest MSC Cruises ship?

The newest MSC Cruises ship is MSC Euribia. As noted above, it debuted in June 2023 and is currently sailing in Europe.

Measuring 184,011 gross tons, MSC Euribia is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world — only 12 cruise vessels are bigger. However, it's not the biggest MSC Cruises ship. That's the almost-as-new MSC World Europa, which debuted in December 2022. At 215,863 gross tons, MSC World Europa is the eighth-largest cruise ship in the world.

What is the oldest MSC Cruises ship?

The oldest MSC Cruises ship is MSC Armonia. Unveiled in 2001, it's not just the oldest MSC Cruises ship but also one of the smallest MSC Cruises ships — far smaller than the newest MSC Cruises vessels. Measuring just 65,542 gross tons, it's just a third the size of the largest MSC Cruises ship (MSC World Europa) and has far fewer venues.

MSC Armonia and three other similar sisters in the MSC Cruises fleet (known as the Lirica class of ships) don't have the big water parks that are common on newer MSC Cruises ships. For the most part, their top decks are lined with pools, whirlpools and sunning areas, as is typical for ships built in the early 2000s.

MSC Armonia and its sister vessels (MSC Sinfonia, MSC Lirica and MSC Opera) also have fewer restaurants, bars and lounges than newer MSC Cruises ships.

What new MSC Cruises ships are coming?

MSC Cruises currently has three new cruise ships on order — all sister vessels to the line's new MSC World Europa. The first to arrive will be MSC World America, scheduled to be deployed in Florida in 2025. Two more of the vessels, known as World Class vessels, are scheduled for completion in 2026 and 2027.

The World Class vessels are being built at the giant Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

In addition to the above, MSC Group — the line's parent company — has announced plans for yet another class of big MSC Cruises ships to start arriving later this decade, though few details have been released. MSC Group is also developing a series of small luxury vessels that'll operate under a separate brand to be called Explora Journeys.

What is the newest MSC Cruises ship available for booking?

MSC World America is the newest MSC Cruises ship that you can book right now. While the ship isn't yet sailing, its initial sailings scheduled for April 2025 already are on sale, as are future sailings through December 2026. The two other MSC Cruises ships on order for delivery in 2026 and 2027 have yet to open for bookings.

What is the newest class of MSC Cruises ships?

The World Class is the newest class of MSC Cruises ships. It'll be made up of at least four vessels, only the first of which (MSC World Europa) is already sailing.

At 215,863 gross tons, MSC World Europa is the biggest MSC Cruises ship ever built and the eighth biggest cruise ship in the world from any line. The next three ships in the series will be of a similar size.

Unveiled in the final days of 2022 (so close to year's end that we considered it a new vessel for 2023 when we listed the year's most exciting new ships), MSC World Europa can hold up to 6,762 passengers, which is almost as many as can fit on Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis Class and Icon Class vessels — the world's largest cruise ships.

What's the difference between newer and older MSC Cruises ships?

Newer MSC Cruises ships are generally bigger than older MSC Cruises ships — sometimes much bigger. As a result, they have room for a lot more onboard venues and attractions than the line's older vessels.

The new MSC World Europa, for instance, has a whopping six pools and 14 hot tubs, making it one of the most pool-covered ships at sea. The offerings also include a water park with multiple waterslides that integrate virtual reality technology. There is also a family sundeck.

In addition, MSC World Europa has a stunning array of 13 dining venues, including the new-for-the-line Chef's Garden Kitchen (an outlet focused on microgreens) and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with alfresco seating. In a twist, the ship has three separate buffet restaurants, each with its own ambience. You'll also find lots of venues for entertainment and pampering on the ship, including a large casino and an equally large spa.

In short, the new MSC World Europa is like a giant floating version of the megaresorts you find in the Orlando area or Las Vegas, and it appeals to people who like a megaresort experience.

The oldest ships in the MSC Cruises are less than a third the size of the newest MSC Cruises ships and lack many of the above features. They have a much more intimate feel, at least in the pantheon of relatively big, mass-market ships, and they hold far fewer people. While World Class ships are being built to hold nearly 7,000 passengers with every berth full, the line's four oldest vessels (known as the Lirica class) are only designed to carry about 2,000 passengers at maximum occupancy.

That makes them a good choice for someone who wants to try MSC Cruises but isn't eager to travel with huge crowds. The oldest ships in the MSC Cruises fleet thus appeal to a subset of MSC Cruises fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.

In addition, because of their size, the oldest ships at MSC Cruises are able to operate itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of MSC World Europa.

Note that all MSC Cruises ships are renovated and upgraded on a regular schedule every few years, so even the oldest MSC Cruises vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates. In many cases, they also have had entire eateries and bars renovated over the years with concepts that first debuted on newer vessels.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Read Entire Article