MSC Cruises is a global cruise line offering a wide range of vacation experiences at sea. The company operates a modern fleet of cruise ships that cater to diverse customer needs, including family vacations, romantic getaways, and group travel. With itineraries that span the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, and beyond, MSC Cruises provides travelers with various onboard activities, dining options, and entertainment designed to enhance their cruising experience.
Targeting a broad market, MSC Cruises appeals to both seasoned cruisers and first-time travelers looking for memorable journeys. The company emphasizes its commitment to sustainability and innovation, positioning itself as a responsible choice for travelers who value environmentally friendly practices. Through its user-friendly website, www.msccruises.com, customers can explore cruise options, plan their trips, and access customer support, making it easier to navigate their vacation planning process.
MSC Cruises receives a mixed reception from its customers, with many praising the ships and onboard entertainment while expressing significant dissatisfaction with staff and service quality. Reviewers highlight the impressive size and amenities of the ships, such as the MSC Virtuosa, and some enjoy the variety of activities available for families.
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However, a substantial number of complaints focus on overcrowding, long wait times, and poor staff attitudes, which detract from the overall experience. Many travelers report feeling stressed in busy dining areas and criticize the high costs of onboard extras, which can lead to an unmemorable cruise. While some guests have had positive experiences, particularly in the Yacht Club, others find it overpriced and lacking in luxury.
Each source counts by its number of reviews. Only reviews written by people are scored.
Rating, volume, share of the score, six-month trend and fake-review risk for each source
Source
Rating
Reviews
Weight
6-mo
Fake risk
★
Trustpilot
Imported Trustpilot reviews
2.2
74
100%
+0.4
● Low
2.2 / 5 overall
=
74 reviews across 1 scored source
How fake risk works ⓘ
Reputation trend
Monthly average rating from reviews written by people · latest review Jul 2025.
Last 3 months
2.4▲ 0.4
12-month avg
2.0
All-time
2.2
Category avg
4.0
Monthly averageCategory average
Monthly average rating and review count
Month
Average
Reviews
Sep 24
2.0
6
Oct 24
—
0
Nov 24
1.0
4
Dec 24
3.0
2
Jan 25
1.0
1
Feb 25
1.5
2
Mar 25
1.0
1
Apr 25
3.0
2
May 25
2.2
6
Jun 25
2.3
3
Jul 25
4.0
1
What people praise & complain about
Share of positive (4–5★) and negative (1–2★) reviews mentioning each topic · based on the 74 most recent reviews.
Top praiseof 17 positive reviews
Friendly staff29%
5 mentions
Customer service24%
4 mentions
Prices & value24%
4 mentions
“Friendly crew, fantastic service and very comfortable accommodation”
On “Friendly staff” · Apr 27, 2025
Top complaintsof 48 negative reviews
Customer service38%
18 mentions
Shipping38%
18 mentions
Pricing31%
15 mentions
Payment issues21%
10 mentions
“Overall I feel that MSC, after several trips, does not seam to value me as a customer, and lacks the service or treat...”
On “Customer service” · May 28, 2025
How it compares
Same method for every company: overall rating, legitimacy checks, the average rating of reviews mentioning each area and the 6-month trend · Cruise Lines.
Overall rating and review count for this company and similar companies
Prima ervaring met Msc Virtuosa naar Spanje vertrokken 12 Juli tot 26 juli vanuit Southampton.
Heel veel vermaak aan boord voor onze tieners. Prima personeel, het is druk maar niet te druk. Eten gewoon, maar voor ons goed genoeg. Geoliede machine ook wat betreft het van boord gaan in een stad, ik ben zeer positief, vorig jaar met Norwegian Viva was ook al zeer positief.
We left the MSC Virtuosa this morning after a week visiting Lerwick, Shetland Isles and three places in the Fjords of Norway. It was very enjoyable. There were a few matters less than perfect (eg having to use tenders to visit Lerwick) but the ship sailed from Southampton so most passengers were English speaking and good manners. The service in dining rooms and cabin staff were very very good. Food was good, sometimes better than good. A beautiful ship, quite stunning, extremely smart and clean. Good entertainment in the theatre and live music elsewhere (sometimes too loud for us). Very good value and the fjords, with the great weather we had, just fabulous. We will book MSC again and again!
We booked a cruise in July so high season, overall good experience, very busy but well that was expected. The offer for little kids was not as good as pools were mainly for adults and older kids and the kids club was not engaging the littles ones, hence the 4 stars. The rest of team on board was great though.
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I and 2 friends (all in 70's) took MSC Virtuosa to Lisbon. Maderia.Las Palmas. Tenerife.Lanzarote 13 - 25 August 2022. Aurea Class at a reduced fare to include a drinks & tips package.Single cabins + balcony. SUPER service by friendly, helpful, professional staff. EXCELLENT fine dining lots of choice food. Only complaint, no events, talks classes etc for "mature" customers. Although in fairness it was advertised as a "Family/Fun" ship. Although pre-voyage Covid tests extensive, I came off the ship with COVID. May be from one of the free 1,600 kids (not tested) on board. SHIP facilities & cleanliness marvelous. I would recommend this ship/trip to a family or under 60's.
Good value cruise on MSC Virtuosa.
Southampton, La Rochelle, Bilbao, La Coruna, Le Harve, back to Southampton. End June/early July 2022.
The restaurant food was always delicious. The roasts (when offered) were very generous portions.
The buffet food isn't great quality.
Stick to the (inclusive) restaurant.
Be advised though that the choices are limited. It's a set menu every lunch and dinner. If (like me) you can't eat fish/seafood; choices are limited. I'm not vegan or vegetarian but it seems like they'd struggle.
Shows are short. Only 30 - 45 minutes. No West End shows.
During the day the pools and hot tubs get busy.
Lounges/bars get crowded in the evening and nowhere to sit.
But....
The cocktails are very nice.
(I went for the drinks package).
Although limited choices; the set lunches and dinners were delicious.
Nice lounges and sea views. IF you can find a seat.
I highly recommend "Adjeerez" (am I spelling that right?). This is a £15 show and you get a free drink. (note some shows are free, others you pay for). Adjeerez has a plot but tbh I feel it's more about the visual experience. Think a bizarre mix of....
Commedia Del Arte style costumes, chess, opera, ballet, dance and the circus. Throw in some hoops, diabolos, ropes, wires, led screens and you've got a show. The choreography was impressive and the performers are highly skilled.
VERDICT: It took me a little time to settle in, but.... This wasn't terrible. Room for improvement but still a good value break. Got better as it went on. Staff were fantastic.
MSC Cruises is a global cruise line offering a wide range of vacation experiences at sea. The company operates a modern fleet of cruise ships that cater to diverse customer needs, including family vacations, romantic getaways, and group travel. With itineraries that span the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, and beyond, MSC Cruises provides travelers with various onboard activities, dining options, and entertainment designed to enhance their cruising experience.
Targeting a broad market, MSC Cruises appeals to both seasoned cruisers and first-time travelers looking for memorable journeys. The company emphasizes its commitment to sustainability and innovation, positioning itself as a responsible choice for travelers who value environmentally friendly practices. Through its user-friendly website, www.msccruises.com, customers can explore cruise options, plan their trips, and access customer support, making it easier to navigate their vacation planning process.