Why We Love MSC Cruises: Comparing 4 MSC Cruise Ships

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When you find yourself booking the same cruise line again…and again…and again, I think it’s safe to say you’ve found something you like.

For us, that cruise line is MSC Cruises.

So far, we’ve sailed aboard four different MSC ships—and several of them more than once:

• MSC Divina — twice
• MSC Meraviglia — three times
• MSC Seaview — once
• MSC Seascape — once

That’s seven MSC cruises across four very different ships, and apparently we’re not finished yet.

What keeps bringing us back?

It’s difficult to narrow it down to just one thing.

We love the European feel of MSC, the beautiful ships, the entertainment, the outdoor spaces, the value and, of course, the opportunity to wake up somewhere new while only unpacking our suitcase once.

But one of the things I’ve discovered after sailing on several MSC ships is that they aren’t all the same.

Each ship has its own personality.

MSC Divina has a more traditional elegance. MSC Meraviglia has that incredible indoor promenade. MSC Seaside was designed around outdoor living and connecting you with the sea, while MSC Seascape takes that same idea and makes it feel even bigger, newer and more modern.

So before I dive into individual reviews of each ship, I thought it would be fun to look back at our MSC cruising history and share what makes each of these ships special.

Why Do We Keep Cruising with MSC?

Our relationship with MSC has definitely evolved over the years.

Initially, it was about finding an itinerary and cruise that appealed to us.

But after sailing with MSC several times, we’ve discovered there are certain things we consistently enjoy.

The Ships Are Beautiful

MSC does glamour very well.

If you’ve ever seen one of those sparkling Swarovski staircases, you know exactly what I mean. and hello the pictures you get on that staircase.

The ships tend to have dramatic atriums, beautiful lounges and public spaces that feel a little more European than some of the North American cruise lines.

And each generation of MSC ships has added something different.

We Love the International Atmosphere

One of the things that makes an MSC cruise feel different is the international mix of passengers onboard.

You’ll hear different languages, meet people from around the world and notice a distinctly European influence throughout the experience.

For us, that adds to the feeling that we’re travelling—even when we’re simply spending a day at sea.

There’s Always Something Happening

MSC ships are lively.

There are theatre shows, live music, parties, activities, pools, specialty restaurants, lounges, casinos and plenty of places to simply sit and people-watch.

We don’t participate in everything—and that’s the point.

I like having choices.

Some nights we’re ready for a show and a little nightlife.

Other nights, a glass of wine and an ocean view are all the entertainment we need.

MSC Can Offer Great Value

Cruise pricing varies enormously depending on the ship, itinerary, cabin and time of year, but we’ve often found MSC offers an attractive value compared with some other cruise lines.

And the more we sail, the more we’ve learned how to create the MSC experience that works for us.

That may actually be one of my biggest pieces of cruise advice: don’t worry about doing everything.

Figure out how you like to cruise.

MSC Divina: Where Classic Glamour Meets the Sea

Sailed: Twice

MSC Divina has a special place in our MSC story because we’ve sailed her twice.

She’s part of MSC’s Fantasia Class and has a more traditional feel than some of the newer ships we’ve experienced.

And she is glamorous.

MSC Divina was inspired by Italian screen legend Sophia Loren, and that influence fits the ship perfectly.

One of the first things you notice is the sparkle.

Those gorgeous Swarovski crystal staircases are made for photographs, especially when everyone is dressed up for the evening.

The ship also features a real stone piazza, the large Pantheon Theatre and an Infinity Pool that visually seems to blend into the sea.

What Stands Out About MSC Divina?

For me, Divina feels like a classic cruise ship with a glamorous Italian twist.

There are beautiful indoor spaces, plenty of entertainment and lovely outdoor areas without the ship feeling quite as focused on giant attractions as some newer vessels.

There’s also something nostalgic about returning to a ship you’ve already sailed.

The second time you board, there’s that wonderful moment of:

“Oh, I remember this!”

Instead of spending the first couple of days figuring everything out, you already know where you’re going.

Well…mostly.

I can still get turned around on a cruise ship I’ve been on before.

MSC Meraviglia: Apparently We Really Like This One

Sailed: Three Times

Three cruises on the same ship probably tells you something.

MSC Meraviglia is currently our most-sailed MSC ship, and one of the things I love about her is that she feels completely different from Divina.

The heart of MSC Meraviglia is undoubtedly the Galleria Meraviglia.

This 96-metre-long indoor promenade is filled with restaurants, bars, shops and gathering spaces, but it’s the massive LED dome overhead that makes it unforgettable.

Throughout the day and evening, the ceiling changes, creating an entirely different atmosphere.

And at night?

This is where the ship comes alive.

Music, parties and entertainment turn the Galleria into a central meeting place.

What Stands Out About MSC Meraviglia?

The Galleria is the star, but Meraviglia has plenty more to explore.

There’s the Horizon Pool, Polar Aquapark, Sportplex, bowling, Formula Racer and numerous entertainment spaces.

I think Meraviglia works particularly well if you like having plenty of indoor and outdoor options.

Bad weather doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do.

And after three sailings, I can safely say we’ve had plenty of time to explore this ship.

Although somehow I can still find something I missed.

That’s the problem with cruising.

There’s always an excuse to go back.

MSC Seaview: Designed to Bring Us Closer to the Sea

Sailed: Once

MSC Seaview was another very different MSC experience for us.

After sailing Divina and Meraviglia, one of the things that immediately stood out about Seaview was just how much the ship was designed around the outdoor experience.

And really, isn’t that one of the reasons we cruise?

I want to see the ocean. I want to feel the breeze, watch the wake and find those perfect spots where you can sit with a drink and remember that you’re actually travelling somewhere.

MSC Seaview was designed to make the most of exactly that.

The Waterfront Boardwalk

One of MSC Seaview’s signature features is its waterfront boardwalk.

The promenade wraps around the ship and provides wonderful opportunities to walk outside, enjoy the views and experience that connection to the sea.

There are restaurants and bars with outdoor areas along the waterfront, which gives parts of the ship an almost seaside-resort feeling.

This was one of the biggest differences we noticed compared with MSC Meraviglia.

Meraviglia draws you into the ship with its spectacular indoor Galleria.

Seaview draws you outside.

And on a beautiful day at sea, that’s exactly where I want to be.

The Bridge of Sighs

Then there’s the Bridge of Sighs.

High above the water at the aft of the ship, this glass-bottomed walkway gives you a rather impressive view straight down.

It’s one of those places where you know you need to stop for a picture.

Even if you’re trying very hard not to look at your feet.

The glass walkways and panoramic views are part of what makes exploring MSC Seaview so much fun. The ship continually gives you new perspectives of the ocean around you.

Sunset Beach Pool

Another standout feature is the Sunset Beach Pool at the aft of the ship.

I’ve always loved the back of a cruise ship.

There is something almost hypnotic about watching that wake stretch into the distance behind you, and having a pool area positioned here makes it an especially beautiful place to spend time.

It’s also a completely different atmosphere from the larger main pool deck.What Stands Out About MSC Seaview?

For me, it’s that wonderful connection to the sea.

MSC Seaview feels like a ship created for warm-weather cruising.

The boardwalk, outdoor spaces, glass walkways and aft views encourage you to get outside instead of spending your entire cruise moving from one indoor venue to another.

And that’s what I remember most about her.

Not one particular restaurant or show.

The feeling of being outside.

The sunshine.

The views.

And that constant reminder that we were travelling by sea.

MSC Seascape: Taking the Seaside Concept Even Further

Sailed: Once

And then we sailed MSC Seascape. OK actually we sailed the Seascape right after the Divina.

MSC Seascape belongs to MSC’s newer Seaside EVO generation and takes many of the ideas we enjoyed about Seaside and expands upon them.

This is a big, modern ship.

At approximately 339 metres long, Seascape has around 13,000 square metres of outdoor space, so once again the connection with the ocean is a huge part of the experience.

One of the ship’s most memorable features is the glass-floored Bridge of Sighs, positioned high above the Infinity Pool.

There are also panoramic aft elevators and glass-floor catwalks along the waterfront promenade.

If you don’t like heights, don’t look down.

If you do like heights, bring your camera.

The New York Influence

Seascape also has some fun New York City-inspired design elements.

There’s a replica of the Statue of Liberty in the casino and a Times Square-inspired entertainment area featuring a huge LED wall extending across four decks. The dualing pianos backlit with the Times Square Background was not to be missed.

It’s very different from the European elegance of Divina or even the Galleria on Meraviglia.

And that’s exactly why I enjoy trying different ships within the same cruise line.

What Stands Out About MSC Seascape?

For me, it’s the combination of size, outdoor space and modern design. And quite possibly the fact we had one of the extended balconies that completed elevated our room experience. For a gal that loves creating get ready with me Reels the balcony was a personal highlight.

Seascape also brings more technology into the entertainment experience.

One of its signature attractions is ROBOTRON, an amusement ride that combines movement, music and visual effects high above the deck.

There’s also an immersive XD cinema, VR experiences, Formula Racer and the Pirates Cove Aquapark.

Seascape feels like MSC turning up the volume.

Four MSC Ships — Four Different Personalities

After sailing all four, I don’t think I could tell someone simply:

“This is what an MSC ship is like.”

Because which MSC ship?

That’s part of what makes exploring the fleet interesting.

If I had to describe our four ships in just a few words:

MSC Divina: elegant, glamorous and traditional.

MSC Meraviglia: lively, entertaining and incredibly social.

MSC Seaview: open, sunny and beautifully connected to the sea.

MSC Seascape: modern, bold and packed with experiences.

There are certainly similarities between them.

You’ll recognize the MSC style, but each ship has given us a slightly different cruising experience.

Divina feels like classic MSC elegance.

Meraviglia has that incredible indoor Galleria and an almost city-at-sea feeling.

Seaview turns the focus outward toward the sunshine and ocean.

And Seascape takes many of those outdoor-living ideas and combines them with a newer generation of attractions, technology and entertainment.

That’s one of the reasons we’ve enjoyed trying different MSC ships instead of simply returning to the same one every time.

Which MSC Ship Is Our Favourite?

Now that’s a dangerous question.

After seven MSC sailings, you’d think we’d have an easy answer.

We don’t.

Part of it depends on the itinerary.

Part depends on who we’re travelling with.

And part depends on what we’re looking for from that particular vacation.

There are things I love about each ship.

I love the elegance of Divina.

I love the Galleria on Meraviglia.

I love how Seaview encourages you to get outside and enjoy the sea.

And I love the scale and modern features of Seascape.

Maybe choosing a favourite isn’t necessary.

Maybe the better question is:

Which MSC ship should we try next?

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More MSC Ship Reviews Are Coming

After sailing MSC Divina twice, MSC Meraviglia three times, MSC Seaview once and MSC Seascape once, I realized I have a lot more MSC experience to share than I could possibly fit into one blog post.

So consider this the beginning of my MSC ship series.

I’ll be going back through each of these ships individually and sharing detailed reviews of our experiences aboard:

MSC Divina Review — what we loved after sailing her twice.

MSC Meraviglia Review — after three sailings, I definitely have some thoughts.

MSC Seaview Review — our experience aboard this beautiful ship and why its connection to the sea stood out for us.

MSC Seascape Review — a closer look at one of MSC’s newer, bigger and bolder ships.

I’ll be sharing the ships themselves, our cabins, dining, entertainment, favourite spaces, what surprised us, what we would do differently and, most importantly, whether we’d sail each ship again.

Because after seven MSC cruises, I think it’s pretty clear:

We really do love sailing with MSC.

And something tells me our MSC story isn’t finished yet.

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