First Impressions
Walking aboard MSC Meraviglia, the size of the ship alone is jaw-dropping. At 19 decks high and roughly 1,036 feet long, she can host up to about 5,700 passengers at full capacity MSC Meraviglia truly is a floating city. Yet, despite being one of the world’s largest cruise ships, the design is thoughtful and impressive. The heart of the ship is the Galleria Meraviglia, a two-deck indoor promenade capped by the largest LED dome at sea, an 80-metre digital sky that changes scenes from dawn to dusk. Strolling under this dazzling LED ceiling (which might show a starry night, a painted fresco, or a vibrant animation) is a real wow moment. The space is lined with boutiques, cafes, and even a gelato bar, giving a chic European “piazza” feel. I visited while the ship was in port, so it was quiet, but I could imagine this Galleria buzzing with life in the evenings. Still, even at full capacity it’s such a large area that it never felt claustrophobic in design.
Elsewhere, the atrium greets you with Swarovski crystal-studded staircases – a signature MSC touch – which sound flashy but actually come off as elegant and fun. The decor around the ship blends modern glitz (shiny chrome, mood lighting) with comfortable lounges. It’s definitely a modern style ship; think Las Vegas meets Italian flair. For instance, there’s a British-style pub onboard (the Brass Anchor Pub) and a sleek champagne bar, as well as an authentic Italian espresso bar – a little something for every taste. Overall, my first impression was that Meraviglia is built to impress. It wears its “wow factor” on its sleeve with the massive scale and high-tech features, yet it also has cozy corners (like a quiet library nook and a stylish infinity atrium lounge) where you can relax. It’s a big ship with a big personality, and I left those first few hours onboard feeling genuinely excited about what it offers.
Family Appeal
If there’s one area where MSC Meraviglia truly shines, it’s family-friendly value. MSC Cruises is well known for make cruising with kids very affordable – often kids 17 and under sail at reduced fares when sharing a stateroom with their parents. This is a huge draw for budget-conscious families, effectively allowing children to cruise at little extra cost. Meraviglia also offers a wide range of accommodations perfect for families. In addition to the usual cabins (interior, oceanview, balcony, etc.), there are clever modular family cabins that connect two or three rooms to accommodate up to 6 or even 10 guests as one unit. This means large families or multi-generational groups can all stay together in a connected suite of rooms – a unique feature not found on many other lines. And at the top end, for those wanting luxury, Meraviglia has the MSC Yacht Club suites (a “ship-within-a-ship” private enclave) so grandparents or parents can splurge on pampering while the kids live their best life in the main resort areas. In short, there’s something to suit every family’s size and budget, from comfy balcony staterooms to lavish duplex suites.
Of course, value is more than just price – it’s also what’s onboard for the kids. Meraviglia delivers big on family activities. The ship has a fantastic water park with twisting slides and even a ropes course up top for adventurous kids (and parents!). The kids clubs are some of the best I’ve seen at sea: there are dedicated play areas for every age group from 6 months up to 17 years. The partnership with LEGO is evident – the children’s area is LEGO-themed, and on my visit I saw giant LEGO bricks and themed playrooms that made me wish I were a kid again. Toddlers have a soft play Baby Club, younger kids get a Mini Club and Junior Club stocked with LEGO toys and games, and teens even have their own trendy teen lounge and digital arcade. It’s safe to say young cruisers won’t be bored: there’s everything from arts and crafts labs to sports tournaments and video game competitions.
Even outside the organised clubs, the ship is a playground. Families can bond over mini-bowling at the arcade, race each other on dual Formula 1 racing simulators, or catch a 4D cinema experience – all part of a large indoor Amusement Park area. I also noted lots of families enjoying the Atmosphere Pool deck during my tour – the main pool is spacious with plenty of deck chairs, and there’s a shallow splash area for little ones. Importantly, despite the ship’s upscale touches, it’s clear MSC designed Meraviglia to be enjoyed by all ages. The atmosphere is casually elegant rather than stuffy, so parents don’t need to worry about a fussy dress code or keeping excitable kids perfectly quiet at all times. From what I observed, families were very much at home on this ship. In sum, value for money for families is excellent – you get a lot of ship (and a lot of fun) for what you pay, especially if you take advantage of the reduced kids fares.
Entertainment
One thing I quickly learned on Meraviglia: you’ll never be bored. The ship is packed with entertainment options day and night. In the main Broadway-scale theater, MSC presents a lineup of production shows and live acts each evening. Impressively, they promise at least 6 different shows on a 7-night cruise, so you’re seeing something new almost every night. While I wasn’t on for an actual cruise, I did peek into the beautiful theater and the décor is modern with a touch of glitz. What really sets MSC apart, though, are the exclusive shows in the custom-built Carousel Lounge at the aft of the ship. MSC initially partnered with Cirque du Soleil for these, and today they continue to offer Cirque-style acrobatic spectaculars at sea. On Meraviglia there are two unique shows, currently “Rock Circus” (a rock-themed acrobatic show) and “House of Houdini” (inspired by the illusions of Houdini). These shows run twice nightly on most nights and feature amazing acrobats, aerial acts, and musicians performing in an intimate high-tech venue. It’s a smaller venue than the main theater, so they serve cocktails or a dinner package (for a fee) as you enjoy the performance – a really special cirque experience that you’d normally only find on land. If you enjoy shows like Cirque, this alone is a standout highlight of Meraviglia.
Beyond the stage shows, the ship’s entertainment extends into all corners. By day, you have everything from pool deck games, dance classes, and sports tournaments, to a full-blown sportsplex indoor court for basketball or soccer. By night, live music fills many of the bars (I heard a lovely trio playing in the atrium bar area). There’s even a funky little karaoke bar/TV studio space that doubles as a comedy club. One of my favorite areas was the Amusement Park & Arcade: a large indoor complex on Deck 16 that’s basically heaven for kids and teens (and young-at-heart adults). Here I found two realistic Formula 1 race car simulators, a two-lane bowling alley (with smaller bowling balls perfect for family play), a 4D interactive cinema ride, VR games, and more. It’s the kind of place you could lose track of time competing in games or doing a virtual rollercoaster. (Do note that these special activities cost extra, but there are package deals like an “Fun Pass” you can buy to save money if you plan to play a lot.) If traditional entertainment is more your style, Meraviglia also has an elegant casino, plus theme parties and events (Latin night on the promenade, 70s disco night, etc.) during a typical sailing. The bottom line: whether you’re into lavish theater productions, live music lounges, high-tech thrills, or just dancing the night away, this ship has you covered. It’s impossible to get bored with the array of entertainment on offer.
Dining
With a ship as large and diverse as Meraviglia, it’s no surprise that dining options are plentiful. Included dining consists of three main dining rooms (sit-down restaurants serving a different menu each night) and a huge buffet called the Marketplace Buffet. In the buffet I browsed, there was a mix of international cuisines – reflecting MSC’s European roots and global crowd – everything from Italian pastas and pizzas to Indian curries and British-style fish and chips. The main dining rooms have more formal multi-course meals. Menus typically blend Italian and Mediterranean favorites with some classic international dishes to please all palates. For example, one night’s menu might include risotto, grilled salmon, and steak, and another night might feature French onion soup and osso buco. I didn’t dine onboard during my short visit, but I did see the menus and they seemed to offer a good variety.
Foodies and those looking for more variety will appreciate the specialty restaurants (these carry an extra charge, but offer different cuisines and experiences). Meraviglia has quite a few: Butcher’s Cut steakhouse for a great cut of beef, Kaito Sushi Bar & Teppanyaki for fresh sushi and a fun Teppanyaki grill show, and Hola! Tacos & Cantina serving Mexican tapas and tacos. There’s alsoa Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Coffee shop on the promenade where you can indulge in gourmet chocolates, gelato, and crepes (I watched a chocolatier crafting a giant chocolate sculpture – very impressive). You definitely won’t go hungry on this ship, and it’s nice to have so many choices. That said, I always remind my clients that MSC is a European line, so the dining style can be a bit different than, say, the big American cruise lines. You might find more Mediterranean flavours and occasionally a dish that seems a little less “Americanized.” Most people I know enjoy the food just fine – especially things like the fresh pasta, pastries, and of course that pizza – but I have heard of mixed reviews from past passengers when it comes to food and service.
The dining experience on Meraviglia is generally enjoyable and you’ll always find something you like, but it may not blow everyone away equally. If you go in expecting Michelin-star cuisine and perfectly synchronised service, you might be a bit underwhelmed. If you go expecting family-friendly variety and a chance to try new dishes, you’ll be happy. Overall, Meraviglia’s dining offers choice above all – which is exactly what many cruisers want.
Final Thoughts
After spending a day exploring MSC Meraviglia, I came away impressed by just how much this ship manages to pack in. It’s a ship that truly aims to offer something for everyone. Families will love the value (seriously, reduced kids fares and endless activities make it a no-brainer for a family holiday) and the fun, casual vibe. Couples and adults will find plenty of areas to relax and enjoy – whether it’s sipping a cappuccino under the LED sky, catching a glamorous show, or unwinding in the adults-only solarium or spa. The design and amenities are as good as any mega-ship out there, with a distinct MSC twist that gives it a European flair. Is everything perfect? Not necessarily – if you’re a hardcore foodie or expect ultra-luxury, you might find aspects of dining or service that don’t quite measure up to pricier lines. But for a mass-market cruise ship at a friendly price point, MSC Meraviglia delivers a fantastic cruise experience.
I appreciated the honesty of the crew during our tour as well – they acknowledged they are always tweaking things based on feedback, and I get the sense MSC really wants to make a mark in the our market by exceeding expectations. The fact that Meraviglia sails year-round from New York now (and often in Europe too) shows they’re confident this ship can please a wide audience. In conclusion, MSC Meraviglia is a modern marvel on the seas – big, bold, and full of entertainment – yet still welcoming for travellers of all ages. I’d recommend it to clients who are looking for a lively, family-friendly cruise with tons to do, and who value great value for money. My expert tip: take advantage of the packages (drinks, dining, and that arcade Fun Pass) to enhance your trip, and keep an open mind to embrace the international atmosphere onboard. From my first impressions, I can honestly say I’d happily set sail on Meraviglia for a full cruise. Bon voyage!
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