The delivery ceremony also included the signing of a new ship construction deal with STX France for a new series of mega cruise ships (World Class) at a total cost of EUR 4.5 billion. Fleet's first is the Technology Shop (wearables and other devices by leading tech brands like Bang & Olufsen, Bose, Apple, Samsung). Via an exclusive partnership with Swarovski Crystal, MSC sells limited-edition Mandarin Ducks and fleet's only Swarvoski Statement Necklace Collection and exclusive Swarovski MSC pens. Other partner brands are LEGO and Chicco (each selling exclusive MSC-logoed toys), and the jewelry brands Trollbeads (Denmark) and Infinity & Co (UK). Near Field Communication technology allows passengers to access their cabins, make onboard payments/booking and to locate their kids by using a bracelet, onboard card or smartphone. The name of the new ship (meaning "wonder" in Italian) was announced during the steel-cutting ceremony on April 20, 2015.
Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks
Having someone else handling the minutia felt frivolous and unnecessary; it took a few days for me to acclimate. The storage space for toiletries could also have been more generous. There were only two small metal shelves, which weren't enough for two people's things.
Restaurants & Bars
This intimate restaurant, found on Seaside-class ships and MSC Meraviglia, offers a menu of fresh fish and seafood dishes, as well as a selection of wines for appropriate pairing. Compared to its predecessor MSC Preziosa, the last of the Fantasia class ships, it is 23% larger, with plenty of room for more guests, amenities and onboard activities. World class theatre productions, including the Cirque de Soleil, top restaurants and reimagined spaces, are all huge wow factors onboard. Another mainstay of the newer ships, MSC Yacht Club, is not available on Lirica Class ships.
Edge Cocktail Bar
Wellness Suites even boasts Technogym equipment so you can conveniently work-out . MSC seems to have addressed some of the issues with a lack of dining venues, a complaint about some of its other classes of ships. MSC World Europa has 13 dining venues, including three buffets and 6 specialty dining restaurants in addition to the main dining room.
MSC Meraviglia
Four action-packed waterslides, a splash pool and champagne bowl will bring thrills galore at the immense water park. Thrill-seekers can attach themselves to a rope and cross the ship a nail-biting 200 feet above the water. A gourmet ice cream parlour and French-style crêperiedreamed up by award-winning master pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury. Located in the impressive indoor promenade, it's the perfect place to enjoy a mouth watering made-to-order crêpe, with your choice of delicious sweet or savoury fillings.
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While they have only 13 decks, the ships still provide a classic cruise experience with a theatre, gym, spa, shops, casino, pool area, solarium, arcades, kids programs, and more. The buffet and main dining room are the major food venues onboard; however, there are a couple more food options. Guests can enjoy some free sandwiches and pastries at an Italian-style café set in a stone piazza with shops. This is complemented by a number of specialty restaurants which include sushi, steak, and seafood. MSC Meraviglia has a large water park connected to an indoor amusement park on two levels and to a 2-deck entertainment space (interior promenade) housing specialty restaurants, bars, duty-free shops. The Promenade is covered by a LED dome ceiling (called "digital sky") displaying visual shows.
Cabins & Suites
The combination of state-of-the-art-technology and bold design allows the MSC Meraviglia to dock at exciting cruise ports around the world. The MSC Yacht Club is a private section on select MSC ships that offers cabins across several categories, including suites. A myriad of accommodations include "cluster cabins" that are ideal for large family groups and allow up to three staterooms to be combined for up to 10 people. The ship also has the line's first solo cabins for those traveling by themselves.
The light shows that take place in the ship’s Galleria at regular intervals each day, thanks to the humongous LED ceiling topping this promenade. The hard working crew aboard MSC Meraviglia does a great job of pulling together activities and “events” throughout the entire ship, so no matter where you are, you can just about always find something fun to join in on. There are parties and pool games, quizzes, dances, classes, gaming tournaments, parades and more.
The itinerary announcement was made on February 1, 2016, at the coin-laying ceremony in St Nazaire (STX France shipyard), where the ship was under construction. The ceremony was attended by the vessel's 3 initial godmothers - Charlotte Bellanger (Port Le Havre), Marie Gabrielle Gossiaux (STX France) and Mariella Castellano (MSC Cruises). The stylish Champagne Bar offers a vast choice of champagne, prosecco and other bubblies from around the world, accompanied by a mouthwatering array of caviar, oysters and crab.
While not quite as big as Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis Class and Icon Class vessels (the world's largest floating megaresorts), the World Class ships are not far behind in grandeur and amenities. They are bigger and more amenity-filled than any vessel you'll find at such rival big-ship lines as Norwegian, Carnival and Princess. The smaller ships also appeal to a subset of MSC Cruises fans who are willing to give up some onboard amenities in exchange for intimacy. These six groups, made up of ships constructed around the same time to the same basic design, are known in cruise industry lingo as "classes," and each has its own look and feel. As recently as early 2017, the line had just 12 ships in operation. But it's been adding new cruise vessels at a blistering pace, and it now operates 22 vessels.
Another pool and lounge area at the top of each ship is connected to the lower pool area by glass-enclosed elevators. As noted above, MSC Cruises is now the world's third largest cruise line, after several years of rapid growth. Not including pulldown bunks and pullout sofas, the line's 22 ships have 77,832 berths — about 24,000 more than Norwegian's fleet.
The Amusement Park features even more family-friendly fun, with a 4D cinema, bowling alley, F1 simulators and arcade. MSC Meraviglia offers plenty of ways to get active and work up a sweat, no matter who you’re traveling with. Families will love the family-friendly activities, which are abundant, but even older travelers and couples can get in on the fun. As of yet, the ship has not undergone any extensive refurbishments, but it hardly needs them, as it still remains relevant and modern by today’s standards. The ship launched MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia class, which also includes MSC Bellissima, which launched two years later in 2019, as well as the off-shoot Meraviglia Plus class, which is yet to be finished. The line's American clientele tends to dress more casually at night, as well, but the line suggests "smart casual" attire for dinner.
The feeling of overcrowding was exacerbated by service inconveniences like long waits for drinks, meals and elevators. During these shows, themed scenes — including deck plans for the muster drill, dinosaurs and volcanos during the "Jurassic" dome show and even famous ceilings — appear overhead. They're the metaphorical heartbeat of the ship, and you can't help but stop to watch. There have also been many complaints from passengers and several law suits are pending.
Gaze out over the stunning panorama of the ocean while you sip on a cocktail at the Horizon Bar. With our handpicked and carefully sourced drinks and fresh ingredients we are sure that you will be spoilt for choice. This pool-side ice-cream bar offers six flavours of delicious soft ice-cream and fresh fruit treats, as well as tropical and frozen drinks and coladas. Our pre-dinner bar is the ideal spot to join friends for an aperitif before a meal, or for a refreshing drink at any time of day. From traditional aperitifs, our Signature Cocktails to the contemporary classics, there is something to suit your taste. MSC Meraviglia’s main pool area sits on Deck 15 and consists of two connected pools.
One of the most fun and flashy locations on MSC Meraviglia cruises is the Galleria Meraviglia, a central indoor walkway similar to the Royal Promenade on Royal Caribbean ships. It's a long space flanked by bars, restaurants and shops with a feel similar to a shopping mall. However, the highlight for me is the giant LED screen, which runs the length of the space and hosts what the line calls "dome shows." Crew members were friendly, my cabin was comfortable, and the daily activity options were plentiful, varied and fun.
You'll see the LED projections on the ceiling, covering topics like famous ceilings, dinosaurs, space and the changing of the seasons. If you'd rather get your groove on, keep an eye out for dance lessons and themed parties hosted by the entertainment team. My favorite was the Snow Party, when the crew blasted fake snow (which appeared to be suds of some sort) as we danced on the blazing hot pool deck. The daytime schedule features plenty of options for those with a competitive spirit.
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