MSC Magnifica
MSC Magnifica / MSC Cruises
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Main Pool
Main Pool / MSC Cruises
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Aurea Spa
Aurea Spa / MSC Cruises
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Bowling Alley
Bowling Alley / MSC Cruises
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Underwater World Playroom
Underwater World Playroom / MSC Cruises
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Tiger Bar
Tiger Bar / MSC Cruises
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Balcony Stateroom
Balcony Stateroom / MSC Cruises
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MSC Magnifica

Our Ship Review
Deal Expert / Travel Blogger

The fourth vessel in MSC Cruises’ Musica class, the 2,518-guest MSC Magnifica, doesn’t have the size of the Italian line’s newest mega ships, but it does have tons of bells and whistles: an Asian fusion restaurant, a bowling alley, and gelato by the scoop. In the evenings, catch a show in the 1,200-seat theater with daring acrobatics or enjoy a nightcap in one of the vibrant tiger-print or purple-hued lounges. This is a budget-friendly ship with European flair and an over-the-top design aesthetic, not to mention seemingly endless energy.

What We Love

On-Deck Dancing: Multiple classes in different genres — salsa, bachata, tarantella, sirtaki — are offered daily. Later, you can hone your new skills in the ship's 12 bars and clubs, where live music fuels the ambiance and a high-energy staff will get you on your feet.

Italian Specialties: Cuisine from the mother country is what this Italian ship does best — and at every meal there’s an opportunity to indulge, whether that be fresh-sliced prosciutto and Napoli salami at the buffet’s salumeria or a slice of quattro formaggi pizza made by the in-house pizzaiolo. At dinner, you can expect rich pastas, such as cannelloni alla tosca and seafood risotto, with creamy Venchi gelato for dessert.

Best Known For

Mediterranean Vibe: Because Magnifica captures the spirit and energy of the region she visits, it's easy to experience the good life on board — be it sipping a Prosecco poolside or chatting with friends over osso buco.

Who It's Best For

Polyglots: Magnifica caters to a big mix of nationalities — mostly European — which lends a lot of color and spice to the onboard vibe (if you don’t mind announcements in several languages). The staff is impressively fluent in multiple tongues, and you can even schedule language lessons on board.

Couples and Families: Sailings on Magnifica skew younger than the typical cruise crowd, with lots of theme parties and round-the-clock entertainment to keep seagoers energized and busy. The ship also caters to an even a younger set with dedicated indoor and outdoor spaces, a 4D cinema and arcade, a teen spa menu, and activities-packed programs.

Don't Say We Didn't Warn You

Some Public Spaces Feel Crowded: Some of the facilities seemed too small for the number of passengers on board: The gym was always packed, the pool decks were constantly overpopulated, and peak buffet times meant long lines and sharing tables with strangers.

Large Smoking Areas: Cigarette and cigar smokers can hang out on an entire side of the pool deck — good news for puffers but bad for those who have a hard time tolerating smoke.

Lisa Cheng
Deal Expert / Travel Blogger