Are you looking for the MSC Cruises ships with the most things to do on board? If so, you’ll want to get on one of the biggest MSC Cruises ships.
The biggest MSC Cruises ships have the most pools, hot tubs, waterslides and other deck-top allures, as well as the most restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. They have the biggest spas and casinos among ships in the MSC Cruises fleet, and the most cabins and suites — as well as the most variation in cabin and suite types.
With room for 6,000 passengers or more, the biggest MSC Cruises ships are truly massive resorts of the sort you find at such landlocked destinations as Las Vegas and Orlando. If you’re in the “bigger is better” camp when it comes to a resort experience, these are the MSC Cruises ships for you.
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Still, MSC Cruises doesn’t just operate giant vessels. The Switzerland-based cruise giant also operates quite a few relatively small cruise ships that carry just 2,000 or 3,000 people and have a much more intimate feel. In some cases, these vessels are just a third the size of the biggest MSC Cruises ships. These smaller vessels, notably, have far fewer deck-top activities and interior venues than the biggest MSC Cruises ships.
Vacationers who like their resort experiences on the more intimate side will want to gravitate to the smaller MSC Cruises ships.
Related: The 6 classes of MSC Cruises ships, explained
To make sure that you end up on the right MSC Cruises ship for you, it pays to study which MSC Cruises ships are the biggest and which are the smallest before booking.
Here, every MSC Cruises ship currently in operation is ranked from biggest to smallest.
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1. MSC World Europa
Maiden voyage: 2022
Size: 215,863 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 5,200
2. MSC Euribia
Maiden voyage: 2023
Size: 184,011 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,810
3 (tied). MSC Virtuosa
Maiden voyage: 2021
Size: 181,541 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,842
3 (tied). MSC Grandiosa
Maiden voyage: 2019
Size: 181,541 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,842
5 (tied). MSC Bellissima
Maiden voyage: 2019
Size: 171,598 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,488
5 (tied). MSC Meraviglia
Maiden voyage: 2017
Size: 171,598 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,488
7 (tied). MSC Seascape
Maiden voyage: 2022
Size: 170,412 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,540
7 (tied). MSC Seashore
Maiden voyage: 2021
Size: 170,412 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,540
9 (tied). MSC Seaview
Maiden voyage: 2018
Size: 153,516 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,132
9 (tied). MSC Seaside
Maiden voyage: 2017
Size: 153,516 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,132
11 (tied). MSC Preziosa
Maiden voyage: 2013
Size: 139,400 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,502
11 (tied). MSC Divina
Maiden voyage: 2012
Size: 139,400 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,502
13 (tied). MSC Splendida
Maiden voyage: 2009
Size: 137,936 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,274
13 (tied). MSC Fantasia
Maiden voyage: 2008
Size: 137,936 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,274
15. MSC Magnifica
Maiden voyage: 2010
Size: 95,128 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,518
16. MSC Poesia
Maiden voyage: 2008
Size: 92,627 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,550
17 (tied). MSC Orchestra
Maiden voyage: 2007
Size: 92,409 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,550
17 (tied). MSC Musica
Maiden voyage: 2006
Size: 92,409 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,550
19 (tied). MSC Opera
Maiden voyage: 2004
Size: 65,591 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,150
19 (tied). MSC Lirica
Maiden voyage: 2003
Size: 65,591 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 1,984
21 (tied). MSC Sinfonia
Maiden voyage: 2002
Size: 65,542 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 1,984
21 (tied). MSC Armonia
Maiden voyage: 2001
Size: 65,542 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,199
What is the biggest MSC Cruises ship?
The biggest MSC Cruises ship is MSC World Europa. At 215,863 gross tons, it’s the biggest MSC Cruises ship ever built and the sixth biggest cruise ship in the world from any line.
Unveiled in the final days of 2022 (so close to year’s end that we considered it a new vessel for 2023 when we listed the year’s most exciting new ships), MSC World Europa can hold up to 6,762 passengers — almost as many as can fit on Royal Caribbean’s giant Oasis-class vessels, the world’s largest cruise ships.
What is the smallest MSC Cruises ship?
The smallest MSC Cruises ships are MSC Armonia and its sister vessel MSC Sinfonia. Built with the same specifications, the two ships measure just 65,542 tons a piece — just a third the size of the biggest MSC Cruises ship (MSC World Europa).
Unveiled in 2001 and 2002, respectively, MSC Armonia and MSC Sinfonia are not only the smallest MSC Cruises ships but also the oldest MSC Cruises ships.
Because of their small size, MSC Armonia and MSC Sinfonia have fewer restaurants, bars and entertainment areas than the biggest MSC Cruises ships. They also don’t have the big water parks that are common on newer MSC Cruises ships. For the most part, their top decks are lined only with pools, whirlpools and sunning areas, as is typical for ships built in the early 2000s.
Are bigger MSC Cruises ships coming?
Probably. MSC Cruises currently has three new cruise ships on order that are all sister vessels to the line’s new MSC World Europa, the first ship in the line’s new World class of ships. The line hasn’t said for sure how big the vessels will be, but the second, third and fourth vessels in a series are typically at least as big or bigger than the first vessel in a series.
The first of the new ships to arrive will be MSC World America in 2025, which is scheduled to be deployed in Florida. Two more of the World-class vessels are scheduled for completion in 2026 and 2027.
The World-class vessels are being built at the giant Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.
Related: The best destinations you can visit on an MSC Cruises ship
In addition to the above, MSC Group — the line’s parent company — has announced plans for yet another class of big MSC Cruises ships to start arriving later this decade, though there have been few details released.
What’s the difference between bigger and smaller MSC Cruises ships?
The biggest MSC Cruises ships have room for a lot more onboard venues and attractions than older MSC Cruises ships. That makes them more alluring for vacationers who prefer a big, bustling megaresort experience as opposed to a stay at a smaller resort.
On the biggest MSC Cruises ship, MSC World Europa, you’ll find an almost unbelievable number of pools and hot tubs (six and 14, respectively). The watery offerings include an aquapark with multiple waterslides that integrate virtual reality technology. There is also a family sun deck.
In addition, MSC World Europa has 13 dining venues, including the new-for-the-line Chef’s Garden Kitchen (an outlet focused on microgreens) and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with alfresco seating. In a twist, the ship has three separate buffet restaurants, each with its own ambiance.
Related: The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises
The smallest MSC Cruises ships are just a third the size of MSC World Europa and thus lack room for many of the larger ships’ features. They have a much more intimate feel, at least in the pantheon of relatively big, mass-market ships, and they hold far fewer people.
While the new MSC World Europa can hold nearly 7,000 people with every berth filled, the line’s four oldest vessels (known as the Lirica class) are only designed to carry about 2,700 passengers with every berth filled.
MSC Cruises’ smallest ships are a good choice for someone who wants to try MSC Cruises but isn’t eager to travel with huge crowds. The smallest ships in the MSC Cruises fleet thus appeal to a subset of Royal Caribbean fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don’t mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.
Related: Don’t miss out on these MSC Cruises loyalty perks
In addition, because of their size, the smallest MSC Cruises ships are able to operate itineraries to places that aren’t as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of MSC World Europa.
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