MSC Magnifica Cruises

Life aboard MSC Magnifica
In early 2020 MSC Magnifica commences a 116-night World Cruise that leaves Rome and heads west to feature South America, Easter Island, French Polynesia, New Zealand, and Sydney (72 nights thus far). She leaves Sydney for Pacific islands, the Great Barrier Reef and PNG, Indonesia, India, the Middle East, Suez Canal and Rome (this part taking 44 nights). MSC Magnifica spends the rest of 2020 in the Mediterranean. From May to September she sails from Venice and Bari, Italy, for 7-night tours of the Balkan coast, Athens and Greek islands. Late in the year cruises sail from Genoa and Civitavecchia (the port for Rome). From there are two choices: West to Spain, the Canary Islands and Morocco; or east to Greece and Israel. MSC Cruises offers good affordable cruise vacations the Italian Way, filled with fun activities and having a wide appeal.

MSC Magnifica will be upgraded in early 2021, adding two new restaurants, a new water park and kids’ area, and a 23 m extension that will add 215 new cabins. Launched in 2009, MSC Magnifica at 89,600 GT carries 2,550 passengers. She is one MSC Cruise Line's "Musica" family of ships. The interior décor of wood and marble, soft furnishings and colour reflects high Italian quality. English-speaking Italians have aimed this ship at English-speakers – but expect many German-speakers and others. The vessel is roomy, with plenty of lounges and bars, and has excellent alternative restaurants offering Italian and Japanese fare. Hear music day and night. Your fellow guests will be an eclectic mix from Europe and North America. MSC Cruises are family orientated, and children are very much catered for, filling the ship in school holidays. Children sail free on certain itineraries, sharing a cabin with two adults. The Mini Club (ages three to ten), organises arts and crafts activities, dancing, painting courses, treasure hunts and a mini-Olympics.

Accommodation
Four out of five cabins have an outside view, and of these four out of five have a balcony. Cabins are stylish. For all cabins continental breakfast is complimentary from 7.30 to 10 am, while room service snacks can be bought at other times. In suites a basket of fruit is provided at embarkation, and replenished daily. Cabins come with a mini-bar, personal safe, ample closet, shower-only tub, terrycloth robes, flat-screen TV, and excellent 24-hour room service. Suites have in addition fresh flowers, daily tray of canapés, hangers, upgraded toiletries, bathroom with tub, and king-size bed (or two singles).

Ninety-eight ‘Ocean View’ cabins on deck 8 have obstructed views, so be alert to this. Suites also have a large lounger area and walk-in closet, vanity desk with hair dryer. Some very popular staterooms are at the aft of the ship with views of the wake from balcony cabins. There are 18 suites with a private balcony, no single cabins, and 17 that are wheelchair-accessible.

Food and Dining
The two main dining rooms, L’Edera and Quattro Venti, are located aft with large ocean-view windows. There are two seatings for dinners. Instead of paying for cold water in dining rooms, fill your own bottle in your cabin, chill it in the mini-bar, and bring it with you at meal times. Guests in suites and deluxe grades are assigned seats in a quieter section of the restaurant. Dishes range from traditional and tasty Mediterranean fare, to the most refined international recipes. There is the "Always Available" menu, which includes spaghetti and grilled chicken, beefsteak or salmon. The alternative specialty restaurant is Oriental Plaza, a Chinese venue with the best of Asian menus and dim sum. The quality is high, and it is really worth having at least one meal here.

There’s no tea or coffee for lunch and dinner in the dining rooms, only in the buffet. You may have to ask for milk. For a quick breakfast or lunch choose the lido Sahara buffet, offering the utmost quality and variety in Italian and international cuisine, or the pool-deck fast-food grill and pizzeria. Coffee/tea and pastries are available at several bars near the atrium. Each of the 17 bars is inspired by a different theme and offers an excellent wine and food selection. Restaurants at breakfast and lunch may have you seated with others of a different language, given the continental background of the passengers.

Entertainment
The state-of-the-art 1240 seat two-deck Royal Theatre is the principal showlounge. Some productions may be short, just 30 minutes. The Shakers Lounge is the main centre for social dancing, and other dance floors are spread throughout other lounges. The young and lively go to the loud and futuristic T32 Disco. View big-screen movies on the large screen above the forward pool. The Atlantic City Casino boasts over 600 square metres of casino gaming. Play Virtual Games in the video games room. Daytime activities include a broad range of traditional competitions, quizzes and auctions, as well as Italian lessons, cooking demonstrations and exercise classes. As for shore excursions, there is a wide range of options, but the queues can be long.

Fitness programs include a small gym with classes, and courts that include a shortened tennis court, jogging area, shuffleboard, mini-golf, a golf simulator, and table tennis. The MSA Aurea Spa facility comes with all the expected health treatments – colourful, and boasting two Turkish baths, three hot tubs and two saunas, all private and with great views. The Spas are operated by Blue Ocean, and treatments include acupuncture. Children are well provided for, from three years to late teens. A “baby-parking” service is helpful when parents want to go on shore excursions.

Explore the decks

16 - Sport 15 - Capri 14 - Positano 13 - Porto Cervo 12 - Portovenere 11 - Ischia 10 - Riccione 9 - Panarea 8 - Camogli 7 - Amalfi 6 - Portofino 5 - Sorrento