MSC Cruises tips for first timers
The short answer
MSC is a European line with big modern ships and a truly international crowd. Check what your fare includes, know that everyone at your dining table must hold the same drinks package, budget for the daily hotel service charge, and pack an outfit for Gala Night.
What an MSC cruise feels like
MSC is family-owned and European, and it shows: announcements in several languages, an international crowd, great pizza and gelato, and ships with glittering atriums. In the Caribbean, many itineraries include MSC's private island, Ocean Cay. MSC Yacht Club is a ship-within-a-ship with its own restaurant, pool and butler service.
First-timer tips specific to MSC
- Read what your fare includes. MSC sells fare types with different perks bundled in.
- Drinks packages work by the table. To dine together, everyone at a restaurant table must hold the same package.
- Budget the hotel service charge, set per person per day by the region you're sailing.
- Pack for Gala Night and the themed nights, such as a White Party.
- Don't pack drinks. MSC prohibits bringing water, soda and juice, except for medical or infant needs.
MSC is excellent value. Go in knowing it's European in style, and you'll enjoy what makes it different.
MSC's rules, from its own pages
MSC Cruises: the rules, from MSC Cruises's own pages
- Daily gratuities
A daily Hotel Service Charge per person, set by the region you are sailing
Caribbean, Alaska and USA sailings are charged at one rate; Mediterranean, Northern Europe and other regions at another.
Children under 2 are not charged.
Can be added to the cruise price at booking instead of your onboard account.
Source: MSC Cruises, checked September 21, 2026
- Drink packages
Pre-paid packages fleetwide, and everyone at the table must hold the same one
Packages are available on all MSC ships except those sailing in South Africa.
Product brands vary by destination and season.
To dine together at the same restaurant table, all guests must subscribe to the same drinks package — including guests in separate staterooms.
Source: MSC Cruises, checked September 21, 2026
- Dress code
Casual by day, a more polished look in the evening, plus Gala Night
Shorts and T-shirts are fine during the day.
Evening in the main dining rooms, specialty restaurants, theater and bars: collared shirts, tailored trousers or shorts, skirts, dresses.
Swimwear is never allowed in a formal dining venue, including at breakfast and lunch. Shorts, flip-flops and tank tops are restricted too.
Source: MSC Cruises, checked September 21, 2026
- WiFi
Browse, or Browse & Stream, with unlimited data
Browse Internet: unlimited data and 24-hour access for web, email, images and messenger apps such as WhatsApp. No video or music streaming.
Browse & Stream adds video chat, music and video streaming and live posting to social media.
Multiple-device packages cost less per device.
Source: MSC Cruises, checked September 24, 2026
- Bringing water and soda
No soft drinks at all — medical and infant water excepted
Water, soda and juice may not be brought on board, in carry-on or checked luggage, on embarkation day or port days.
The only exception is purified or distilled water in factory-sealed containers for a medical device or to make up infant formula.
The drinking age on ships sailing from North America is 21.
Source: MSC Cruises, checked September 24, 2026
- Room service
24-hour room service with free delivery; food priced per item
Continental breakfast in your stateroom is free, delivery included.
24-hour room service has free delivery, but food items are priced individually.
An upgraded dinner menu is available on Caribbean cruises.
Source: MSC Cruises, checked September 24, 2026
- Minimum age
A minor is anyone under 21 on voyages calling at a US port, and under 18 on voyages that do not
A minor cannot embark unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or other authorized person over that same age.
On voyages calling at a US port, under-21s may not order or drink alcohol or gamble.
Source: MSC Cruises, checked September 21, 2026
- Getting off
Out of your cabin by 8:00 AM; self-carry guests leave from about 7:00 AM
You must vacate your cabin by 8:00 AM so the crew can prepare for the next voyage.
Self-assist: carry your own luggage and leave as soon as the ship is cleared, generally from around 7:00 AM.
Assisted: put your luggage outside your cabin before midnight. Your luggage tags show your assigned disembarkation time, and you leave at that time.
Source: MSC Cruises, checked September 24, 2026
Packing for MSC
Casual days, a polished evening look, a white outfit for the White Party and a Gala Night outfit. Start with the cruise packing list.
First-timer questions
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