7-night Mediterranean from Barcelona

Guests can inform MSC Cruises of any special requirements by filling in the relevant form (Special Needs Form) available online and at all accredited travel agencies. This information should preferably be provided at the time of booking, or, at the very latest, no fewer than two working days before departure. This allows us time to provide the best possible∘ service for our guests, which depends on the facilities and resources on board each ship. If we are notified after this deadline we will do everything in our power to provide the services requested, but this may not be possible at such short notice.

Guests will only be prevented from booking or embarking in exceptional circumstances, and only in the event of a serious or urgent threat to the safety of the guests or the crew.

The medical facilities and equipment on board may not be technically adequate to deal with a birth or pregnancy complications. Therefore, for safety reasons, we cannot admit women on board who will have reached or exceeded their twenty-fourth week of pregnancy by the end of the cruise. Regardless of the stage of pregnancy, a doctor should be consulted before setting off on a cruise to evaluate whether the guest is fit to travel.

All decks, public areas and tenders are designed to be as accessible as possible for guests with reduced mobility. In addition, there are varying numbers of specially fitted-out cabins available on each ship in the fleet. For safety reasons, guests requiring assistance may be requested to travel with a carer, depending on the specific route.

Wheelchairs are available on board our ships, for the use of guests during embarkation and disembarkation only, or in case of emergency. Guests that require constant use of a wheelchair or any other form of support must bring their own equipment with them. It is the responsibility∘ of the guest to check with the relevant producers/suppliers that this equipment is safe to take on board and use on a cruise ship, and to organise both its delivery to the departure terminal in good time for embarkation, and its collection at the end of the cruise.

For detailed information on the ports of call and excursions suitable for passengers who experience mobility problems, read the relevant pages in this section, and once on board check the accuracy of the information provided.

For their safety, and depending on their level of disability, guests may be requested to travel with a carer or guide dog.

For detailed information on accessible shore excursions, read the relevant pages in this section, and once on board check the accuracy of the information provided.

For safety reasons, guests with hearing disabilities must travel with a carer. Passengers with partial hearing disabilities can travel alone, only if they request the installation of a TDD System kit in their cabin. This kit, available in limited numbers on all ships, includes light and vibrating devices, a text phone and an analogue alarm clock.

Furthermore, wireless amplifiers and indicator lights are available in the theatre and other rooms. Indicator lights are also available in the lifts.

Suitably trained and certified guide dogs are allowed on board all ships, assuming that they are in a good state of health and possess all necessary documents for entering the foreign countries visited during the cruise.

The guest will be informed in advance about the accommodation made for the animal, the facilities available (if required) and the embarking∘ and disembarking procedure.

The guest is personally responsible (with the aid of the carer if applicable) for the custody, feeding and general care of the animal during the whole stay on board.

In line with global standards, smoking areas on board are fewer than non-smoking areas and are indicated by signage and ashtrays.

Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is not permitted in cabins, on cabin balconies and anywhere not expressly indicated by signage and ashtrays.

The Company reserves the right to levy a fee should passengers be found smoking in non-designated areas of the vessel. Repeatedly smoking in non-smoking areas can ultimately lead to disembarkation.

We remind you that throwing cigarette butts or anything else overboard at sea is strictly prohibited as it may seriously put in danger safety at sea.

Please make sure you pack appropriate clothing for the various activities∘ you will undertake during your cruise, such as parties, dinners, sports and shore excursions.

- For everyday life on board, casual wear is recommended.

- For informal evenings, we recommend summery dresses for women∘ and a lightweight jacket for men.

- For Gala evenings, the dress code is more formal. We suggest a tuxedo, dinner jacket, or dark suit and tie for men and a dressy outfit, formal gown, or cocktail dress for women.

- We organise various daytime and evening Theme Parties on board. You may wish to bring 60s and 70s floral gear for the Flower Glory Party, white clothing for the White Party, and something green, white and red for the our MSC Little Italy entertainment.

- For sports lovers, gym shoes and tracksuit are must-haves when using our cutting-edge gym and attending yoga and dance courses, where available.

- We also recommend you bring a pullover or shawl to help with the changes in temperature between the air-conditioned interior∘ of the ship and the deck areas.

- For shore excursions, which may include visits to religious sites, we advise that appropriate clothing be worn (covered knees and shoulders, no low-cut tops).

We believe everyone’s special on an MSC cruise ship which is why we provide tailored menus and solutions to meet everyone’s dining requirements:

Vegetarian Menus of delicious specialities, freshly prepared to the gourmet standards for which MSC is renowned;

Pre-packed Kosher meals and high-quality Halal products (beef, lamb and poultry) are available if requested at least two months before departure;

Gluten-Free Menus MSC Cruises has obtained a certification from Bureau Veritas to provide gluten-free menus worldwide (food code: < 20 ppm) 

Wi-Fi is available on board all MSC ships (at a fee).

Satellite Internet Access is available in all public areas∘ of the ship and in most cabins, including all MSC Yacht Club suites. All you need is one of our Satellite Internet Access packages and a mobile internet device (smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.).

Standard Internet

Ideal for limited internet usage, the “Standard Internet ” package lets you access all social networks and chat APPs, check email and browse the web. Up to 2 devices. internet data amount may vary depending on the lenght of the cruise

Premium Internet

Full Internet package, perfect for heavy users or families. This package allows to connect up to 4-device and offers full web browsing, access to all social networks and chat APP and email checking. Internet data amount may vary depending on the lenght of the cruise.

Chat & Social

Get Your Social Notifications during the day. This package allows to connect 1 device to social networks∘ and chat apps - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, Whatsapp, Snapchat, WeChat, Pinterest, VK, Odnoklassniki, Sinaweibo, Qzone, Line. You can post photos, bu audio and video are not available.

MSC Cruises is making significant investments into improving air quality. As part of a broader approach to limit sulphur and other emissions in ports and in specific operating areas, we are taking various steps to improve our performance.

All of our newly-built ships either have hybrid Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) installed or will be fuelled by LNG. For the longer-serving ships in our fleet, we have a robust retrofitting programme focused on equipping our older ships with hybrid EGCS technology.

Our hybrid EGCS systems can operate in a in open or closed loop, and achieve a higher level of emission reductions than using marine ultra-low sulphur fuel to comply with the regulations.

If we’re not using an EGCS, we are using ultra low-sulphur fuels in all ports in Europe and while underway in sensitive locations.

By the end of 2019:

- 11 of 17 MSC Cruises ships will be equipped withexhaust gas cleaning systems

- 74% of our total berths will be covered by exhaust gas cleaning technology

What is an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System?

An EGCS quite literally ‘cleans’ the exhaust gas, actively removing particles and certain emissions from the engine exhaust. The system consists of several components, the most important acting as a network of showers that ‘washes’ the exhaust gas, removing up to 97% of the sulphur dioxide and greatly reducing particulate matter. Our newest ships MSC Bellissima, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside and MSC Meraviglia, have all been delivered with such systems installed.

Shore-to-ship power

To help reduce in-port emissions, our latest classes of ships are designed for shore-to-ship power supply. Port authorities around the world are increasingly studying this option and we consider this to be another technology that can potentially help reduce air emissions in port areas. All our cruise ships coming into service from 2017 onwards are already equipped∘ to receive shore side power. In addition, we are prepared to retrofit our existing ships as necessary should shore-to-ship power systems become more widely available.

Voyage planning software

An optimised itinerary means a reduced consumption of energy. We plan our itineraries efficiently and use specialised software to optimise sailing routes and berthing times.

Trim optimisation

Optimising trim requires constant readjustment. Our ships are equipped with a software application to monitor and optimise trim in real-time. This technology∘ supports ship officers to keep the vessel’s trim optimised to reduce fuel consumption and improve performance.

Anti-fouling paint

Ships are naturally prone to barnacles algae and marine organisms. These can increase drag and make vessels less efficient. By using anti-fouling paint on the hulls of all the ships, we keep them as streamlined as they can be. It’s TBT-free: we strive to keep toxic substances as far from the ocean as possible.

High efficiency appliances

Reducing our carbon footprint is not just about grand gestures; everyday electricity use is equally important. Energy-efficient appliances including refrigerators, water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers across our fleet help us keep our carbon footprint lower.

Energy saving LED lighting

Our ships only use energy-efficient LED and fluorescent lighting, saving energy by producing the same amount of light per bulb at a lower wattage.

Smart heating, ventilation & air conditioning system (HVCA)

The HVAC systems on board our ships are designed to reduce energy consumption. They distribute heat and cold intelligently, and are set up to recover heat from warmer areas of a ship in order to heat those which need it more.

From the first line we draw on paper when we design a new ship, to the final light bulb we install, energy efficiency is always the first element we take into consideration.

We have one of the most modern fleets at sea and have designed and developed six different ship classes. Every class always pushes the level of excellence of the earlier ship.

When we build new ships, we don’t build copies of existing models. For every new class of ship we completely revise the design of our ships to achieve optimal efficiency. We rethink the ship’s overall structure, deck space, weight distribution∘ including the ship’s hull, rudder and bulbous bow to reach optimal hydrodynamics, aerodynamics, and maximise energy and fuel efficiency.

MSC Meraviglia carries 20% more guests than our Fantasia Class but requires the same amount of energy.

Fresh water is a finite resource. Our philosophy is to use it sparingly and efficiently. To this end, we take as many steps as possible to reduce our water consumption. From technologies to reduce water usage, to awareness campaigns on board our ships to encourage water responsibility, MSC Cruises leads the way with water preservation.

As a general rule, we do not take away water from ports and coastal communities: virtually all water we use on board is self-produced.

Fresh Water Production Plants are present across our entire fleet. While our most recent ships have high performance water production technologies as standard, our oldest class of ships have been recently upgraded with modern high efficiency systems with increased water production capacity.

On a cabin level, we equip all our ship with vacuum lavatories, which require very little flushing water.

We produce thousands of litres of fresh tap water per day from seawater. On our largest ships, we have the capacity to produce over 2 million litres of tap water per day. Doing this sustainably is an essential part of our philosophy on water and the sea.

No black wastewater from our shipboard operations leaves our ships without proper treatment and any discharges from our fleet undergo a comprehensive purification process.

In 2008, when launching our Fantasia Class∘ of ships, we started to equip our ships with Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems. An Advanced Waste Water Treatment System treats waste water to a very high quality by mixing different waste streams together and filtering out the larger components. What comes out on the other end then gets processed even further through very fine filtration and treatment processes, to produce water discharges of a higher standard than most municipal wastewater requirements around the world.

Through our AWTS systems, hazardous substances and pollutants are filtered out and digested by bacteria. To avoid risking harm to marine life, the remaining purified wastewater is disinfected by UV processing and never chlorine. We monitor key indicators to ensure any remaining bacteria levels are favourable before discharge.

As a result of this process, the wastewater that we discharge reaches near tap water quality.

The separated solid residue is removed from the cycle. It is then dried, compacted and compressed into high-grade pellets. These pellets can act a source of fuel for specific onboard energy needs. Depending on the cruise itinerary, we may also offload this dried biomass ashore, where it can be repurposed for energy production.

Other liquid waste that may be hazardous to the environment such as cooking oil, oily water, machinery lubricants and cleaning products are never discharged into the sea, but are offloaded ashore by authorised companies.

Our Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems process wastewater to near tap water quality.

To protect the marine ecosystem∘ in which the ship sails, our ships are fitted with a ballast water treatment system that complies with the standards set by the international governing body for Ballast Water Management, the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This system prevents against the involuntary introduction of invasive marine species.

Throughout the years, we have taken voluntary steps to equip our ships with state-of-the-art solid waste management and recycling facilities on board. We manage our waste streams in accordance with CLIA’s sound environmental principles and comply with all regulatory MARPOL∘ requirements to prevent marine pollution.

All organic waste, as well as recyclable disposable items including plastics, metals, paper and glass, are collected and separated by specially trained waste handling crew members. Waste is compacted, separated or incinerated, and residual waste is carefully delivered to dedicated port facilities.

Training our crew, not only to handle waste, but to understand the importance of waste management, is central to what we do. Our crew members receive ongoing training to ensure they remain abreast of the highest standards.

As we welcome over 2 million guests∘ on board our ships, solid waste or “garbage” management is a key area of focus and our practices aim at reducing, reusing, recycling the waste we generate. Our ships are equipped with a comprehensive and coherent system to manage all waste aspects on board and ashore and every ship has a waste management plan that details how each type of waste is managed on board.

Every ship in our fleet has an Environmental Officer to make sure our Environmental Plan is correctly executed and is in charge of the onboard garbage management. The Officer has the duty to instruct and train the Crew about garbage management rules on board.

Under our Plastics Reduction∘ Programme, MSC Cruises is in the final phase of effectively eliminating an extensive number of plastic items from all its ship operations and ashore, and will replace them with environmentally-friendly solutions.

As a first step, the Company has already replaced all plastic straws with 100% compostable and biodegradable substitutes. Moreover, drinks are no longer automatically be served with a straw. Guests who may require a straw will still be able to choose from a variety of environmentally-friendly options.

MSC Cruises is working with a range of international and local suppliers in areas where the ships are deployed and is providing eco-friendly alternatives made of 100% biodegradable resins, consisting of renewable resources including corn- or sugar-based polylactic acid, bamboo, paper or other organic materials. In addition, the Company is also actively working with suppliers at all levels in the supply chain to effectively remove single-use plastics in products and packaging wherever possible.

This is an ongoing journey and when technology∘ doesn’t yet allow for sustainable non-plastic substitution, MSC Cruises wants to ensure all remaining disposable plastic waste items are recycled correctly.  

Our environmental efforts are an ongoing journey. We will keep exploring and developing new solutions for our future – and existing – ships and will be fitting our fleet with even more innovative solutions for a lower environmental impact.

We will be powering some of our future ships with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Compared to standard marine diesel using conventional fuel, LNG reduces SOx emissions by more than 99% and NOx emissions by up to 85%. It also largely eliminates particulate matter in the exhaust.

Our first LNG-powered ship will enter into service in 2022. Others will follow in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2027.

Despite its benefits, only a few ports globally can accommodate LNG∘ bunkering operations currently. We will continue to show commitment to this innovative fuel and remain confident that the current supply chain challenges will be overcome.

While we believe that LNG is one of the key elements that will allow us to continue reducing the cruise industry’s impact on the environment, it is by no means the only one.

In addition, we will be equipping all of our future new builds with a Selective∘ Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. SCR technology helps reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) into harmless nitrogen (N2) and water through advanced active emissions control technology.

MSC Grandiosa will be our first ship equipped with SCR technology. All following ships will be fitted with this technology.

Our environmental concern is part of our ongoing journey. We will keep exploring and developing new solutions for our future – and existing – ships and will be providing our fleet with even more innovative∘ solutions for a lower environmental impact.