MSC Magnifica
MSC Magnifica: An impressive mix of comfort, design & technology
Our review
Snapshot
As its name would suggest, MSC Magnifica is a true jewel within the MSC Cruises family — you are welcomed aboard with Italian style, Mediterranean luxury and an atmosphere infused with energy.
A revolutionary cruise ship, MSC Magnifica marries extraordinary comfort with pioneering design and breakthrough technology that takes energy efficiency and environmental performance to new levels.
The ship offers space aboard for 2,500 passengers, the majority of whom can enjoy the luxury of a sea-facing cabin with balcony. Every stateroom aboard MSC Magnifica is beautifully presented, and its balcony options are some of the best within this size range.
You'll find three swimming pools on board — one with a retractable roof — several restaurants, spa and hair salon, fitness center, sports center, several bars and lounges, theater, gaming arcade, casino and a cool interactive 4-D cinema.
Who will like sailing on MSC Magnifica
MSC Magnifica is best for people looking for something a little different in a cruise vacation, and it's an ideal choice for young couples and families. Passengers come from all over the world, so there is a constant mix of nationalities onboard — this is always fun during daytime activities on the open deck — and the onboard programs are conveyed in several different languages; no need to ask at reception, your cabin steward will arrange the right program for you.
Where MSC Magnifica sails
MSC Magnifica sails to some superb destinations. In the Mediterranean you can choose from 7-night voyages starting in Venice with stops in Mykonos and Athens (Piraeus) or 11-night sailings starting in Genoa with stops in Rome, Haifa, Rhodes, Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona, Málaga, Costa del Sol, Casablanca, Canary Islands and Funchal, Madeira. Farther afield, the ship also visits Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan in the Middle East as well as Northern Europe.
My voyage: I embarked on a journey to explore the Med way of life, and I was not disappointed. I joined MSC Magnifica in Amsterdam for a short three-night cruise. We stopped in Hamburg, Germany, before I reluctantly disembarked in Dover, England.
Top dining options on MSC Magnifica
MSC Magnifica offers two main restaurants, L'Edera and Quattro Venti. Each one boasts a wide selection of Italian, Mediterranean and international cuisine. Every product is fresh and carefully handled, including a superb selection of delicious breads, all baked onboard with the passion and knowledge of the most distinctive boulangerie.
Sahara, the onboard buffet restaurant, is a cut above what you find on many other ships. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Sahara offers a stylish decor and floor-to-ceiling windows with superb views across the open ocean. A double-sided station offers dishes from all over the world along with a dedicated section for children’s options and desserts. There is also a large chilled section featuring choice meats, several kinds of cheese, crispy, fresh salad and olives.
MSC Magnifica also offers a pizzeria and burger station on the open decks and there's a large gelato bar at the indoor pool.
You can also grab a snack in the Topazio bar or through room service.
Specialty restaurant: Oriental Plaza
For something different and exciting, have a night out at the Oriental Plaza restaurant on deck 7 at midship. You can experience the best of Asian dishes from the spicy hot North to the sizzling sweeter fare of the South, or if you prefer just a snack, try the mid-morning dim sum specialties from every region of China.
Bars & lounges
On MSC Magnifica guests can choose from 17 bars and lounges, inspired by different themes and wide-ranging in their assortment of wines and foods. One of the most impressive is the Tiger Bar, decorated, as you would expect, in tiger print but with a luxurious touch. The Sports Bar is also a popular place to enjoy a drink onboard and features some cool sporting memorabilia, including a full-size bobsleigh! The entire lounge is filled with TV screens, so you never miss out on the action, and there's a pool table for those who want to show off some of their own sporting skills. Another bar, L'Olimpiade, offers pub fare in a casual but stylish setting and lets you cue up a game of pool.
Entertainment
MSC Cruises's reputation for some of the top entertainment programs at sea continues with MSC Magnifica. The ship features a state-of-the-art, 1,240-seat, two-deck Royal Theatre, futuristic T32 Disco, Atlantic City Casino with about 2,000 square feet of casino gaming and a Video Arcade. MSC Magnifica also boasts a small bowling alley, which is always a good way for families or couples to spend time together.
Wellness & tranquility: The MSC Aurea Spa
At the heart of MSC Magnifica is a haven of tranquility: the luxurious and award-winning MSC Aurea Spa. This sumptuous wellness center offers a myriad of options from saunas and Turkish baths to a fitness center, beauty salon, Thalassotherapy (water therapy) room, relaxation area and massage rooms. The MSC Aurea Spa really is one of the very best at sea and we recommend a wellness visit during your vacation — maybe two!
Family-friendly Kids Clubs
Like its sister ships, MSC Magnifica is a child-friendly vessel and offers a fully comprehensive onboard program for children ages 3 to 17. There are dedicated play areas both inside and out on the open decks, a kids' pool and a highly trained crew who will entertain them from the morning hours until late into the evening. The kids' areas on MSC Magnifica are located on deck 14 at midship. The play area located on the outer deck features a slide, trampoline and splash pool.
Staterooms
MSC Magnifica offers a wide variety of stateroom options, from comfortable inside cabins to spacious balcony cabins, all the way up to the top-of-the-line suites with balcony, which measure 290 square feet (27 square meters). All staterooms offer in-suite facilities, TV, mini-bar and safe. For guests with reduced mobility or disabilities, MSC Magnifica also offers specially adapted inside cabins with wider doors, fold-down shower seat and grab rails.
Disclosure
Danielle Fear sailed on MSC Magnifica on a press/blogger trip as a guest of MSC Cruises. See Cruiseable's Ethics & disclosure policy.
Updated from an earlier review.
Your take
Have you sailed on MSC Magnifica? Please share a story, tip or discovery. What was the highlight for you? I'd love to know!
Interested in a cruise on this ship?
For pricing, itinerary information and to reserve your spot on MSC Magnifica, contact a Cruiseable travel consultant by email or call 1-877-322-3773.
Top highlights on this ship
- One of the most stylish ships within the MSC Cruises fleet
- Ideal family choice
- Drinks package options are available
- Oriental Plaza Chinese and Asian Fusion speciality restaurant
- Gelato Bar
- Swimming pool with retractable roof
Top dining options on board
