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What to wear on a cruise

Daytime attire.

Casual wear is recommended for daytime attire. Shorts and T-shirts are permitted

Evening Wear

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WHAT TO WEAR ON A CRUISE

Daytime attire.

Casual wear is recommended for daytime attire. Shorts and T-shirts are permitted.

Evening Wear

Theme parties, msc yacht club.

To fully appreciate the exclusive ambiance of the MSC Yacht Club , dressing appropriately in its various venues is highly recommended. MSC Yacht Club Restaurant: To preserve the exceptional ambiance of this private restaurant we kindly ask you to dress in a way that complements its exclusiveness. - By day: Feel at ease in casual wear, including t-shirts and tops, but to maintain a respectful atmosphere, swimwear must be avoided at any time. - By night: We kindly ask that you dress in smart casual attire. This includes options such as dresses, skirts, long pants, jeans, and button-down tops. However, please avoid shorts and flip flops. - For Gala evenings: An elegant and glamourous attire is strongly recommended with sophisticated outfits such as cocktail dresses, skirts, slacks, designer jeans, elegant dress tops, blazers, or even tuxedo suits and gowns. MSC Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge: - By day: Casual clothing, including t-shirts and tops, is perfectly acceptable, but we kindly request that you do not wear swimwear at any given time. - By night: Smart casual attire is required for entry to the Top Sail Lounge. Feel free to wear dresses, skirts, long pants, jeans, and button-down tops. However, please avoid wearing shorts and flip flops. MSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar:

Wear your bathing costumes, t-shirts, tank tops, hats, and sunglasses as you please. Just remember that topless bathing is not allowed in this family-friendly area.

Sports lovers

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WHAT TO WEAR ON A CRUISE

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What to Wear on an MSC Cruise: A Complete Guide for Beginners

  • 2024-03-07 2024-03-07

Introduction

Embarking on an MSC cruise can be an exciting adventure, filled with breathtaking views, exhilarating activities, and luxurious experiences. But knowing what to pack and wear can be a dilemma, especially for beginners. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the dos and don’ts of dressing for an MSC cruise, ensuring you feel comfortable and stylish throughout your journey.

Understanding the Dress Codes

MSC cruise ships have formal, informal, and casual dress codes that vary based on the time of day and the onboard events. Understanding these dress codes is crucial to packing the right clothing for each occasion.

Formal Wear

During formal nights, MSC cruise lines encourage guests to dress elegantly. Think of it as a special occasion, so bring your fancy outfits! Men should wear a tuxedo, suit, or at least a dress shirt with a tie. Ladies could opt for an evening gown, a sophisticated cocktail dress, or an elegant pantsuit.

Informal Wear

Informal nights are less formal than the formal nights but still call for neat and stylish attire. Men should wear slacks with a button-up shirt and a blazer or sports jacket. Women can opt for a dress or a skirt paired with a blouse, or dressy pants with a nice top.

Casual Wear

For casual nights and daytime activities, informal and comfortable clothing is appropriate. This includes jeans, shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, and casual skirts. Remember to dress according to the weather and the activities you plan to participate in.

Packing Essentials

When preparing for an MSC cruise, it’s important to pack a variety of clothing options to suit the different dress codes and activities onboard. Here is a list of essential items you should consider adding to your cruise packing checklist:

Formal Nights Informal Nights Casual Days
Tuxedo or suit Blazer or sports jacket T-shirts
Dress shirt and tie Dress or skirt with a blouse Jeans or shorts
Evening gown or cocktail dress Dressy pants with a nice top Sundresses or casual skirts
Dress shoes Dress shoes Comfortable walking shoes

It’s essential to pack comfortable shoes for both formal and casual occasions, as you may be exploring the ship or going on excursions that require a fair amount of walking.

Tips for Cruise Fashion

Layering is key.

Cruise ship temperatures can vary, so it’s advisable to pack lightweight layers that you can easily add or remove. Bring a light sweater or cardigan for cooler evenings or air-conditioned areas on the ship.

Don’t Forget Swimwear

MSC cruises offer various pools and hot tubs for relaxation and fun. Be sure to pack swimwear that fits well and makes you feel comfortable, whether you plan on lounging poolside or taking a dip.

Consider Themed Parties

Many MSC cruises host themed parties, such as the White Party or tropical nights. Pack appropriate attire to fully enjoy these events and participate in the festivities.

Dress Comfortably for Port Excursions

When planning on exploring the ports of call, pack comfortable walking shoes, breathable clothing, and consider the local cultural norms to ensure you’re appropriately dressed for your excursions.

Packing for an MSC cruise can be a breeze if you understand the dress codes and plan accordingly. Remember to pack a variety of outfits based on the formal, informal, and casual attire requirements. Layer your clothing for comfort, don’t forget swimwear and attire for themed parties, and dress comfortably for port excursions. By following these tips, you’ll be ready to enjoy a fabulous and well-dressed journey on your MSC cruise!

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  • MSC Cruises

Dress Code for YC dinners

By sassycruiser , March 29, 2023 in MSC Cruises

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500+ Club

sassycruiser

New to MSC and Yacht Club.  Mostly cruise with NCL which is very casual.   How dressed up do people get for YC dinners?  It appears that there is a formal night - do men wear suits?   We are fine with bringing suits, etc but if it’s not necessary would prefer not to.

Thank you.  

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1,000+ Club

Sailing out of the US for Caribbean sailings dress in the YC Restaurant is largely country club casual. I’m avoiding the term ‘resort casual’ as shorts for dinner are not acceptable (sorry, you may see them, but they are not ‘suggested attire for dinner’).  You will however see folks who ‘dress’ for dinner. We do, but we are in a distinct minority. Formal night can be more dressy with at least jackets for gentleman. Depending on the itinerary I may bring my tux. There I will be a very distinct minority. If you have a higher ratio of Europeans on the cruise (mostly out of Miami or French Antilles) you will see a definite upping of the dominant dress.

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Thank you.  I will make sure my gentlemen bring their jackets etc.  

Morgsmom

Ooh, I was just about to make some  🍿 Popcorn to watch this show... 

To answer the OP's question - it's a free for all. There is a SUGGESTED dress code and it's up to the Maitre D' to enforce.  There are posters who  insist (blah blah blah)  that it's their vacation and they paid for it and they can wear shorts and flops to dinner, darn it, because how they dress shouldn't bother your enjoyment of your dinner.  In fact it does bother me because I generally feel like it's being done sometimes to have a showdown of sorts - "whatcha mean I can't wear what I want?" (voices escalating), "I paid to be here and I'll wear what I want, wanna try me?", etc...."  (However, I have seen plenty of men walk toward Le Muse on the Divina in shorts, accompanied by their butler, and be denied entrance.)

Then there are posters who believe in Ladies and Gentlemen acting like ladies and gentlemen.  For this we use the Country Club Attire guidelines.  No hats in dining room, no shorts for dinner, etc.  If you couldn't wear for dinner in a restaurant at a members only country club then you shouldn't be wearing it in the YC.  You want to insist on shorts and flops and a baseball cap - go to the MDR, the buffet, order room service or snack on the olives in Top Sail (kidding).

In short, jackets are NOT required for formal night. Collared shirt and trousers are perfectly appropriate, a tie is a nice touch that doesn't add weight to a suitcase.  A jacket is icing on the cake, but not necessary.  

32 minutes ago, Morgsmom said: snack on the olives in Top Sail (kidding).    

And the carmelized onions.

Haha

Gatordad1967

Suits are not necessary.  I was in shorts all week, and loved it.

Thanks

Two Wheels Only

749cc13baca1d20dd08bfce099d967de--short-

^^ He would probably get into the Yacht Club for dinner. He might get turned away but I wouldn't be surprised if he was sitting at the table next to me. 

Shorts, hat, no socks......whatever.  😅

50+ Club

There's the actual rules

The rules that MSC enforce

The rules that some passengers would like them to be, which generally fall into two camps of either stricter/more formal and the opposite.

amygutman

In our 2 YCs with 2 different dining room staff on 2 different ships (Meraviglia, Seashore), the only persons I saw turned away were a younger couple in bathing attire who clearly had come from the pool. They were literally dripping on the floor outside the dining room entry. 

Maître d' politely asked that they change as they would "make it impossible to dry the chairs for the next guests". They even offered to sit them on the pool deck and have their butler bring them clothes, or have their dining selection brought to their rooms. It was a nice move to maintain decorum and not make a scene. 

We are the "resort casual" folks - having lived in Bermuda for years, tailored shorts, collared shirt (and the occasional jacket) is considered dressed up. We dress the same as we would at any "white tablecloth" restaurant: no hats, no flip flops, no tank tops, no gym/pool-wear, and if we wear shorts they are tailored and long enough to cover the bits.

Oddly enough, as compared to NCL where they emphasize "freestyle cruising" but require long pants at some of their restaurants (though not specifically in the Haven), our experience is that you not be called out in the YC unless you are rude or disrespectful. 

Have a wonderful cruise! Warmest, Amy

Thank you Amy.

on our last NCL cruise in February our adult son was turned away from LeBistro on the first night because he was wearing knee length shorts and his luggage hadn’t arrived.  Rules are rules I guess.  We just left quietly and ate where we could.

We don’t normally wear shorts to any dinner.  We always take dress pants, nice shirts etc.  I just didn’t want to cause problems if we were out of dress code.

Having good manners always fits.  Like the old saying you are never fully dressed without a smile!   

2 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:   ^^ He would probably get into the Yacht Club for dinner. He might get turned away but I wouldn't be surprised if he was sitting at the table next to me.    Shorts, hat, no socks......whatever.  😅

did he pass the grey poupon?

49 minutes ago, sassycruiser said: on our last NCL cruise in February our adult son was turned away from LeBistro on the first night because he was wearing knee length shorts and his luggage hadn’t arrived .  Rules are rules I guess.  We just left quietly and ate where we could.

Usually , NCL will be Cruise Casual (shorts allowed) on the first night for that exact reason....

image.thumb.jpeg.e3233e54c4cd97a1027e4c2

" Embarkation day will be Cruise Casual in all restaurants. "

Yea, no issues in other restaurants just LeBistro. 

TampaGambler

Just got off the seascape 2 weeks ago, we were a group of 14. On gala night I wore jean pants and all other nights wore shorts, no problem at all. 

Each night the manager promptly came over and laughed with our table. 

Some people dress up, others don't... Regardless, they will not kick you out of the YC restaurant. 

4 hours ago, Gatordad1967 said: did he pass the grey poupon?  

With pinky extended, of course...  😁

15 hours ago, amygutman said: With pinky extended, of course...  😁

well played!

talljules1

We wear jeans/chinos and a shirt (likely short-sleeved). Maybe a jacket if feeling smart. No smarter than that.

5,000+ Club

morpheusofthesea

We would extend this to every meal when we cruise nowadays. "When you pay for a stay in a hotel, you also pay for the comfort, amenities, and services of a hotel, but it does not necessarily mean that you can do and act whatever you like and however you feel. There are hotel manners that you must take note of. Courtesy and respect beget the same, and knowing what to wear for breakfast in a hotel is a basic manner that makes a big difference. Most hotels establish a formality culture in dining for breakfast as a sign of respect and consideration for other guests and the staff. Unless your breakfast wear is as comparable to your smart-casual wear, that wouldn’t be a problem." https://thealcazar.com/what-to-wear-for-breakfast-in-a.../

https://tableagent.com/article/dressing-to-dine-dress-codes-defined/  you can understand why dress codes are sometimes suggested by eateries of a certain merit: they wish for their guests to experience the world they have created. You can savor the luxury of top-notch service best when you too look and feel first-rate. The essence of fine dining wants to take patrons out of their ordinary lives, and for two hours, allow them to bask in the extraordinary experience of their choice. To truly be apart of such a supreme culinary happening—one must look the part and one must dress to dine.

  • 10 months later...

25+ Club

On 3/29/2023 at 9:06 AM, Morgsmom said: Ooh, I was just about to make some  🍿 Popcorn to watch this show...    To answer the OP's question - it's a free for all. There is a SUGGESTED dress code and it's up to the Maitre D' to enforce.  There are posters who  insist (blah blah blah)  that it's their vacation and they paid for it and they can wear shorts and flops to dinner, darn it, because how they dress shouldn't bother your enjoyment of your dinner.  In fact it does bother me because I generally feel like it's being done sometimes to have a showdown of sorts - "whatcha mean I can't wear what I want?" (voices escalating), "I paid to be here and I'll wear what I want, wanna try me?", etc...."  (However, I have seen plenty of men walk toward Le Muse on the Divina in shorts, accompanied by their butler, and be denied entrance.)   Then there are posters who believe in Ladies and Gentlemen acting like ladies and gentlemen.  For this we use the Country Club Attire guidelines.  No hats in dining room, no shorts for dinner, etc.  If you couldn't wear for dinner in a restaurant at a members only country club then you shouldn't be wearing it in the YC.  You want to insist on shorts and flops and a baseball cap - go to the MDR, the buffet, order room service or snack on the olives in Top Sail (kidding).   In short, jackets are NOT required for formal night. Collared shirt and trousers are perfectly appropriate, a tie is a nice touch that doesn't add weight to a suitcase.  A jacket is icing on the cake, but not necessary.  

Do you see anything other than I'm seeing regarding the rules as stated by MSC? The website says for evening wear it is suggested to adhere to a more polished look. In that they included tailored pants and shorts. Typically, I don't even bring long pants on any beach type vacation. If it's required, I'll participate. If it's merely other people's opinion, I'll stick to my nice button up shirt and khaki shorts. Can you clarify? 

40 minutes ago, ColbyBixby said: Do you see anything other than I'm seeing regarding the rules as stated by MSC?

MSC is more " suggestion " than " rule ". Certain things can be enforced but often times, even those things aren't enforced. 

43 minutes ago, ColbyBixby said: If it's required, I'll participate. If it's merely other people's opinion, I'll stick to my nice button up shirt and khaki shorts. Can you clarify? 

The khaki shorts should be fine. MSC seems to make a distinction between shorts (think gym shorts) and shorts (khakis, cargo shorts, etc.).

In your case, I would suggest bringing a pair of pants just in case the Maître d' is strict on your particular sailing. The same Maître d' might allow shorts the following week. Who knows?

Have I seen gym shorts being worn in the Yacht Club for dinner? Yes. 

Is it possible that the same person wearing the same shorts might get turned away at the MDR on another MSC cruise? Yes. 

1 hour ago, ColbyBixby said: Do you see anything other than I'm seeing regarding the rules as stated by MSC? The website says for evening wear it is suggested to adhere to a more polished look. In that they included tailored pants and shorts. Typically, I don't even bring long pants on any beach type vacation. If it's required, I'll participate. If it's merely other people's opinion, I'll stick to my nice button up shirt and khaki shorts. Can you clarify? 

I have seen men refused from YC at dinner for shorts.  But i have also seen thugs with baseball caps allowed.   🤷🏼‍♀️  

Bgwest

1 hour ago, Morgsmom said: But i have also seen thugs with baseball caps allowed.  

Definition of terms, please.  

13 hours ago, Bgwest said: Definition of terms, please.  

hum... let's go with hooligan 🙂 , but I'm talking basketball shorts hiked so low as to see the waist logo on the "under britches", tank top, backwards ball cap... that whole thing.  (Seashore and Meraviglia)  However, on the Divina have also witnessed a gent in linen dress shorts being turned away to go change at dinner. 

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msc yachtclub dresscode

  • MSC Cruises

Yacht Club Dress Code

By zjc , December 15, 2016 in MSC Cruises

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1,000+ Club

9 hours ago, dexddd said: We were just on and the norm was slacks and shirt for men and dress or slacks for women.  Fancy nights people spruced it up a bit.  Saw one tux and the guy was cranked with pictures of people in shorts at dinner.  Imo shorts not appropriate but I'm not going to get cranked about it.  I was just happy Octomom wasn't on letting her kids run around dining room during dinner.

Was she actually on your cruise?

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philsuarez

In March 2018 on Seaside we found the dress code was not enforced in Yacht Club to the point were I made a comment and was then invited to dinner by the Captain to discuss. Whilst I don't want to wear formal every night, I did draw the line at shorts and flip flops. This did seem the favoured outfit of several American travellers. Captain Masa agreed with me and was planning some stricter controls. That being said the majority were smart casual most nights less obvious differences to the rest of the ship on formal/casual nights.

5,000+ Club

1 hour ago, philsuarez said: In March 2018 on Seaside we found the dress code was not enforced in Yacht Club to the point were I made a comment and was then invited to dinner by the Captain to discuss. Whilst I don't want to wear formal every night, I did draw the line at shorts and flip flops. This did seem the favoured outfit of several American travellers. Captain Masa agreed with me and was planning some stricter controls. That being said the majority were smart casual most nights less obvious differences to the rest of the ship on formal/casual nights.

Do remember that there is no YC dress code that is different from any other area on the ship. That said, our 2 YC experiences have been that in the YC restaurant guests dressed very well, and according to the dress codes on board i.e. elegant one night per week, and smart casual every other night...no shorts or flip flops evident!

3,000+ Club

4 hours ago, philsuarez said: In March 2018 on Seaside we found the dress code was not enforced in Yacht Club to the point were I made a comment and was then invited to dinner by the Captain to discuss. Whilst I don't want to wear formal every night, I did draw the line at shorts and flip flops. This did seem the favoured outfit of several American travellers. Captain Masa agreed with me and was planning some stricter controls. That being said the majority were smart casual most nights less obvious differences to the rest of the ship on formal/casual nights.

We cruised on Seaside last March as well in YC.... And I agree with your comments. We may have been on the same cruise because twice during the week I saw a older Gray hair gentleman come up stairway from  Top Sail lounge in baggy shorts and a polo. That party was promptly seated. 

Is this just for dinner where you are expected to dress up? What about lunch and breakfast? We are shorts and T-shirt people so want to know what to expect. Khaki shorts, but shorts.

10,000+ Club

14 hours ago, phissy said: Was she actually on your cruise?

We joked about the extended family on Divinia in YC who had one mom with like five kids.  Four normally running amok and one sometimes strapped on.  She became known as Octomom.  Kids running around Le Muse, around Top Sail, in pool with diapers, fathers yelling up several floors in one area for kids to come back,etc.

sptrout

31 minutes ago, Hammergirl said: Is this just for dinner where you are expected to dress up? What about lunch and breakfast? We are shorts and T-shirt people so want to know what to expect. Khaki shorts, but shorts.

MSC's dress code is similar to all mainstream cruise lines in that the dress code is primarily for when you are in the MDR only, which allows all to change back into their normal evening clothes, if desired, after dinner. It used to be that the dress codes were for the entire evening (6 PM on). IMO, this change, dress code for the MDR only, was the beginning of the end for true formal nights. Fine with me, but it really points out why even bother having a formal night when many do not really dress formal anymore, and if they do, most quickly change out of their formal clothes as soon as they can. That is one of the reasons that the tux that I bought a few years ago and used on several cruises is now just one more thing taking up room in my home closet.

5 minutes ago, sptrout said: MSC's dress code is similar to all mainstream cruise lines in that the dress code is primarily for when you are in the MDR only, which allows all to change back into their normal evening clothes, if desired, after dinner. It used to be that the dress codes were for the entire evening (6 PM on). IMO, this change, dress code for the MDR only, was the beginning of the end for true formal nights. Fine with me, but it really points out why even bother having a formal night when many do not really dress formal anymore, and if they do, most quickly change out of their formal clothes as soon as they can. That is one of the reasons that the tux that I bought a few years ago and used on several cruises is now just one more thing taking up room in my home closet.

So in the yacht club dining room, regardless of meal, I should expect the dress up? Or just for dinner?

10 minutes ago, Hammergirl said: So in  So in the yacht club dining room, regardless of meal, I should expect the dress up? Or just for dinner?

No, in the YC, as in the other dining locations, the dress codes are all very casual. When we were in the YC last December, I do not remember seeing swimsuits (maybe I just missed them), but remember that the YC has its own private grill out in the pool area that is very good. I think anything reasonable is fine in the YC; shorts, for example, will be fine.

18 minutes ago, Hammergirl said: So in  So in the yacht club dining room, regardless of meal, I should expect the dress up? Or just for dinner?

To make sure that I am clear, the dress codes are for the evenings only and do not really apply to the YC. Dressy casual is the code every night in the YC, even formal nights. However, there may be a few that do dress up; their choice

16 minutes ago, sptrout said:   To make sure that I am clear, the dress codes are for the evenings only and do not really apply to the YC. Dressy casual is the code every night in the YC, even formal nights. However, there may be a few that do dress up; their choice

Ok thanks! I don’t want to get the stare down from others if I am not dressed appropriately.

CruisingFox27

CruisingFox27

Dress codes do apply in the YC.

57 minutes ago, CruisingFox27 said: Dress codes do apply in the YC.

True to a point, but do not expect to see many tuxes, or coats and ties. Maybe different when sailing in Europe, but dressy casual in the Caribbean.  No difference in our experience than sailing on Celebrity or Princess.

Aloha 1

Just off Seaside on 4/6. Saw no one in YC wearing shorts for dinner. Breakfast and lunch, of course. Most had nice slacks and a button shirt. My son wore a sport coat with open collared shirt one night and he was the best dressed man in the dining room.

gmbhardy

Just off Seaside a couple hours ago. Men are required to wear pants in the evening in the YC dining room. Breakfast and lunch are very casual.  After dinner I changed back into shorts for after dinner drinks in the Top Sail Lounge. Didn’t seem to bother anyone.

500+ Club

29 minutes ago, gmbhardy said: Just off Seaside a couple hours ago. Men are required to wear pants in the evening in the YC dining room. Breakfast and lunch are very casual.  After dinner I changed back into shorts for after dinner drinks in the Top Sail Lounge. Didn’t seem to bother anyone.

Quick question since you just got off the Seaside;  was the gelato and Venchi included?   It seems that there is a great deal of confusion.

Yes. We had a chocolate martini every day at the Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar on deck six in the ship’s interior (I now know what all the fuss is about) and we also had a gelato and crepe at the Venchi Gelato and Creperie on deck seven near the aft pool. Didn’t even have to ask if they were included. The attendant saw my YC bracelet and encouraged us to try them as they were free for us.

Linda the Book Lover

Linda the Book Lover

We are sailing in 40 days. I told the DH to leave his sports coat at home and he is happy. No shorts for us at dinner but I am going to wear capri pants because they look great with my dressy blouses and are comfortable. I am more concerned with men wearing a hat to the table regardless of mealtime than shorts that I cannot really see when seated. Yep, can you tell I am winking at 70. 😉

1 hour ago, Linda the Book Lover said: We are sailing in 40 days. I told the DH to leave his sports coat at home and he is happy. No shorts for us at dinner but I am going to wear capri pants because they look great with my dressy blouses and are comfortable. I am more concerned with men wearing a hat to the table regardless of mealtime than shorts that I cannot really see when seated. Yep, can you tell I am winking at 70. 😉

Capris will be fine and DH will be fine no coat.

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LakeWobegon

I wore khaki pants, boat shoes, and a button-down short sleeve shirt each casual night and a pair of dress slacks and long sleeve dress shirt (no tie or coat) on elegant nights. My wife a nice dress on casual nights and a little nicer one on elegant nights. I would say about 1/3 of the people dining were dressed like this and about 2/3s a little nicer. But ties were few and far between for men. Coats not uncommon.

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msc yachtclub dresscode

WHAT TO WEAR ON A CRUISE

Daytime attire.

Casual wear is recommended for daytime attire. Shorts and T-shirts are permitted.

Evening Wear

Theme parties, dress restrictions, msc yacht club, sport lovers, northern europe cruises, shore excursions, thank you for visiting msc cruises.

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MSC Yacht Club – affordable luxury at sea

MSC Yacht Club - affordable luxury at sea

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What is MSC Yacht Club?

MSC Yacht Club is a unique and exclusive experience for travelers who want to enjoy the best of both worlds onboard MSC Cruises: the amenities and activities of a large cruise ship combined with the privacy and personalized service of a boutique hotel.

With its private lounge, pool, and restaurant, as well as its 24-hour butler service and range of exclusive amenities, the MSC Yacht Club is the perfect choice for travelers who want to experience luxury cruising with a cruise line that won’t blow your vacation budget.

Extra perks with your Yacht Club cabin

As a member of the MSC Yacht Club, you will enjoy numerous exclusive privileges. Beautifully appointed suites provide an oasis of comfort, designed by renowned architects De Jorio Design International. Your stay comes with 24-hour Butler Service and a dedicated concierge.

Some of the additional perks include:

  • Priority boarding and disembarkation
  • Unlimited drinks in all MSC Yacht Club areas and from your minibar with the Premium Extra drinks package .
  • Complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa

Away from the crowds in your own retreat

With access to various dedicated venues onboard, your MSC Yacht Club experience will provide a getaway from the bustling crowds of the main ship. Enjoy peace and quiet in your private lounge, bask in the sun on the private sundeck, or retreat to the exclusive pool area reserved only for Yacht Club members.

Some of the exclusive venues you can enjoy are:

  • Top Sail Lounge: A stylish panoramic lounge offering complimentary beverages and snacks
  • The One Pool: An outdoor area with a private pool, whirlpools, and sun deck
  • The One Bar: An MSC Yacht Club exclusive bar providing a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

Yacht Club dining your way

Experience a world of cuisine tailored to your preferences while dining in the elegant MSC Yacht Club restaurant. You’ll have access to an exclusive restaurant, ensuring fine dining and a more intimate atmosphere to elevate your cruise experience.

Some dining highlights include:

  • Flexible dining times to suit your schedule
  • Gourmet menus crafted by award-winning chefs
  • An extensive selection of wines, carefully curated by a team of sommeliers

What to Expect from Your Yacht Club Cabin

Types of suites.

MSC Yacht Club guests can choose among a range of luxurious suites; compared to other categories like Bella, Fantastica, and Aurea, the Yacht Club suites boast premium features and prime locations onboard.

In-Room Services and Amenities

In your Yacht Club cabin, you can expect the following:

  • Egyptian cotton sheets and a selection of pillow options
  • A fully-stocked minibar
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi access
  • Spacious closet and storage solutions
  • USB outlets and a selection of both North American and European electrical sockets

Additionally, your Yacht Club suite provides you with a personal butler offering round-the-clock services for tasks such as packing and unpacking, arranging specialty dining, and scheduling spa appointments.

Enjoying the MSC Yacht Club Advantage

Benefit from added perks compared to other cabin types, like priority check-in/check-out and priority disembarkation at each port. Access to exclusive venues, such as the private Yacht Club lounge, pool, and restaurant, enhances your cruising experience and creates a personalized atmosphere.

These advantages, paired with the all-inclusive fares and premium drinks package, help make the MSC Yacht Club category worth the extra price tag. Many guests choose this category when they prefer to be away from crowds yet still on a large cruise ship.

Compare the price of MSC Yacht Club category cabins with, for example, standard balcony cabins with Royal Caribbean, and you may find the price difference is not that big.

Onboard Experiences

Msc entertainment – how does it compare.

With a variety of shows, live music, and performances, this cruise experience is designed to cater to your tastes and preferences, offering a wide range of entertainment options for you to choose from. You will, however, not find the big Broadway-style shows of other major cruise lines.

Wellness and Relaxation – stay fit even on vacation

MSC Yacht Club understands that your well-being is essential even when on vacation. As a result, the cruise offers state-of-the-art wellness facilities and programs for you to maintain your fitness regimen and achieve total Relaxation. Some of these facilities and services include:

  • Fully-equipped gym
  • Fitness classes and personal training
  • Spa with various treatments and massages
  • Exclusive relaxation area with private pool and sun deck

Membership Benefits and Perks

Priority access.

With priority check-in and check-out, your arrival and departure will be as smooth as possible. Additionally, you’ll experience priority disembarkation and boarding on shore excursion days, and you’ll be among the first guests on the tender boats allowing you to make the most of your time in port and avoid long lines.

Loyalty Program

Your MSC Yacht Club membership comes with elevated benefits from the MSC Cruises loyalty program, including:

  • All-inclusive fare : Your fare covers a wide range of amenities, including a premium drink package and Wi-Fi.
  • Luxurious suites : Enjoy uncompromising luxury in suites designed by renowned architects De Jorio Design International.
  • Exclusive areas : Access private club-members-only restaurant, pool, and sun deck, providing a more intimate and tranquil cruise experience.
  • Personalized services : 24-hour butler and concierge services cater to your every need, such as dining and spa reservations, luggage packing and unpacking, and more.
  • Comfort amenities : Relax with bathrobes, slippers, and a pillow menu in your suite.

By taking advantage of these MSC Yacht Club perks, you can transform your cruise experience into one that is a little more exclusive. For a great experience, we recommend the Yacht Club category on one of MSC’s newest cruise ships for your next cruise vacation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What perks come with the yacht club.

With the MSC Yacht Club, you can enjoy an exclusive cruise experience that includes priority check-in and check-out, departure and return on excursion days, a 24-hour butler service, and a dedicated concierge. You’ll also have access to a private club to enjoy room service 24 hours daily.

Is alcohol included?

The MSC Yacht Club provides a complimentary mini-bar in each suite, offering refreshments around the clock. In addition, you will have access to all-inclusive alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, which are available in all Yacht Club areas, and an extensive beverage menu in the Yacht Club itself.

You no longer have to choose between the various MSC beverage packages; with Yacht Club, the Premium Extra drinks package is included.

What’s the dress code?

While onboard the MSC Yacht Club, the dress code varies depending on the time of day and the ship’s activities. During the day, you can wear casual attire, but it is recommended to dress slightly more formally for dinner and evening events. Be sure to check your daily program for any special events or themed nights that may require specific attire.

How much are gratuities, and should I tip extra onboard?

Gratuities are included in the MSC Yacht Club experience, so you don’t have to worry about additional charges. However, if you feel that a particular crew member went above and beyond to provide exceptional service, you may tip them extra as a token of appreciation.

What amenities are included?

The MSC Yacht Club offers a range of luxurious amenities to enhance your cruise experience. These include a private lounge, pool area, and sun deck reserved exclusively for Yacht Club guests. You’ll also enjoy Egyptian cotton sheets, a memory foam mattress, and a choice of pillows in your suite. Additionally, your on-hand 24-hour Butler and the dedicated concierge ensure you are well taken care of throughout your stay.

Is Yacht Club on all ships?

The MSC Yacht Club is available on most of MSC’s fleet of ships , providing an elite and luxurious cruise experience for those looking for that extra touch of elegance and exclusivity. If you’re considering a cruise with MSC, check whether the Yacht Club is available on your desired itinerary.

msc yachtclub dresscode

Meet the author: Sarah has created and booked hundreds of travel itineraries for thousands of customers during a career in the travel industry that spans 20 years. Having worked hand in hand with cruise lines, hotels, airlines and tour operators worldwide, she offers inspiring & detailed insights in the world of travel and tourism.

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I tried a ship-within-a-ship cruise experience and it was worth it for the endless perks—here’s why

The MSC Yacht Club affords travelers a totally different cruising experience, but you’ll have to splurge.

Erica Lamberg

I heard tales of luxury from people about the ritzy MSC Yacht Club , the ship-within-a-ship concept where discerning passengers enjoy their own area of the cruise ship that includes a dedicated restaurant, private lounge, separate pool and sundeck as well as private butlers and concierges to take of any whim while cruising. The elevated Yacht Club boasts priority everything while sailing MSC.

I sailed on a four-night cruise on the new MSC Seashore, a glitzy ship with Italian flair intermingled with references to New York City at every turn. Although the ship was well-appointed and had amazing dining, drinking and entertainment venues, and a bountiful Top Sail main buffet, thousands of passengers made the ship feel crowded at times, elevators were slow, and as I strolled through the general pools, they were boisterous and crowded.

RECOMMENDED: 10 things about cruising on an adults-only ship that might surprise you

Switch gears to MSC Seashore’s Yacht Club, passkey-protected for lucky guests, and is a 180 from the ship’s general spaces. Once you scan your handy Yacht Club wrist badge, or your room key, you’re instantly given entrance to a breathtaking retreat of 131 staterooms and suites. All this luxury does come at a price. Cruise fares will vary based on destination, time of year, and cabin category, but generally speaking you can expect to pay double for the Yacht Club. And from my experience, it’s worth it. Read more about why you should splurge.

You’re fast-tracked through everything

The Yacht Club’s exclusivity and impeccable service standard started from the moment I got dropped off at the Port Canaveral cruise terminal. There were hundreds of people waiting to board at 1pm on embarkation day. I saw in the distance a canopy that said MSC Yacht Club. My husband and I wheeled our carry-on luggage to the representative under the canopy. I gave her my name and within two seconds, she gave me a sticker to wear and up we ascended on the escalator to check in. Just five minutes later, I was directed to the dedicated check-in area for Yacht Club guests. To my right, I saw about 1,000 people serpentine through ropes to do general check-in. I felt a sense of relief; who wants to wait in that line? Five minutes later, a butler from the Yacht Club insisted on wheeling my luggage to board the ship and I was in my room in a total on 12 minutes from the time I stepped foot out of the car to my stateroom in the Yacht Club.

Relaxing and streamlined

In addition, Yacht Club guests have the freedom to get off the ship first for excursions. Your butler will happily escort you off the ship with a smile. Guests also can disembark on the last morning first, which is a big convenience. Your butler walks you right to the place you disembark, bypassing crowds and hassles. Port Canaveral is about an hour away from Orlando International Airport, and we took a 10 am flight home. We didn’t have to linger around until the afternoon for our flight home.

Another perk is that there’s a special seating area in the theater for shows. All the shows were excellent during my voyage. All other ship passengers have to make reservations in advance for shows but that’s not the case for the privileged Yacht Club passengers. As long as you arrive about 10 minutes before any show you choose, a crew member from the Club will allow you entry into a special roped-off section. Again, no rushing through dinner—you have the flexibility to plan your evenings your way.

MSC Seashore

Your Yacht Club package is packed with remarkable value

The price tag may sound daunting, but there’s lots of value there. All Yacht Club cabins and suites include a premium drink package that covers beverages up to $15. You can use this perk both in the Yacht Club and throughout the ship. In addition, your package includes a two-device Wi-Fi package, which worked well during my sailing. Finally, you get access to the thermal spa suite, which is a place to indulge after a day in port or a sea day. Commonly, there’s a taboo regarding mini-bars, but not in the Yacht Club. It’s stocked each day with the beverages you want; just tell your butler and consider it done.

You get perks ashore too

If your sailing includes a call to Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, Yacht Club guests get an elevated experience there too. Yacht Club guests enjoy a private area, and a dedicated restaurant called the Ocean House. While other ship guests were hosted to a buffet of predictable fare, I enjoyed a lobster roll, and my husband chose carne asada. In my opinion, one thing that could be improved was the tram service to the Yacht Club’s private area. We were told the last tram back was 3:30pm if we didn’t want to trek a 15-minute walk in the heat. Since we were docked in Ocean Cay for the evening and weren’t sailing, I was a bit dismayed by this logistical quirk. I felt like I was keeping an eye on my phone to make sure I didn’t miss the last tram.

You have private areas with curated food and drink and outdoor spaces

Within the Yacht Club complex, there’s the Yacht Club Restaurant, Top Sail Lounge and the One Pool Buffet, which are all exclusive to Yacht Club guests. Obviously, the food and service are steps above other dining venues of the ship, I can vouch for that. Although the food is delicious, if you don’t want to pay extra to dine at the specialty restaurants or fuss in the main buffet, eating three meals a day in the Yacht Club restaurant can get a bit monotonous. The breakfast is the same daily, and lunch and dinner offer a menu with daily specials plus a few standby selections like a hamburger or pasta each day. Although the Yacht Club Restaurant concept is desirable, I would strongly suggest dining in other venues on board, especially for dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed specialty dining in Ocean Cay Restaurant, Butcher’s Cut, and Kaito Teppanyaki. I also want to mention that late afternoon high tea is offered daily at the Yacht Club Restaurant. It was one of the nicest I have experienced at sea.

MSC Seashore

Also available exclusively to Yacht Club passengers is the Top Sail Lounge, which offers panoramic water views and has chef-curated selections from morning through late night. We enjoyed popping into the lounge at all hours to try finger foods and sweets. The One Pool Buffet offers a more casual option for breakfast and lunch by the pool. The buffet has grilled fish, sandwiches and lots of delicious options if you want to dine outside.

There’s also an exclusive area with a private pool and two whirlpools for Yacht Club guests only. The sun deck loungers are very comfortable and I never had to worry about finding a lounger, there are ample. One issue I had was that there was almost no shade on the sun deck; there were shaded day beds for Royal Suite and Owners Suite guests, but beyond those, I couldn’t find any shade, which was disappointing.

You can justify the price at the end of your cruise

Overall, the best way to explain my enthusiasm for my MSC Yacht Club experience is this: it’s better to book an interior stateroom in the Yacht Club than a luxe cabin outside the Yacht Club. It’s worth the splurge and you return home feeling truly pampered and it’s money well-spent. And I make this prediction: Once you try a ship-within-a-ship concept like the MSC Yacht Club, you won’t want cruise any other way. Bon Voyage!

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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What to wear on a cruise

Everyday life.

For everyday life on board, casual wear is recommended. 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

Informal evenings

Gala evenings, theme parties, sport lovers, msc yacht club, northern europe cruises, shore excursions, thank you for visiting msc cruises.

Your browser may be out of date or not compatible with our new site and may not be secure.

For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below.

Thank you for visiting our site and we look forward to seeing you on board soon!

MSC Cruises

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Emma Cruises

MSC Cruises Formal Nights – Everything You Need To Know

If you are thinking about taking an MSC cruise you are probably wondering if MSC have formal nights. I’ve been on 3 MSC cruises to date and I personally love how relaxed the dining atmosphere and dress codes are.

MSC ships are elegant and modern, they provide the perfect backdrop for guests who do want to dress up..

Do MSC Cruises Have Formal Nights?

MSC have formal nights on every cruise. On a 7 night cruise, there will usually one formal night, on cruises longer than 7 nights there will usually be two formal nights. The dress codes are relaxed with 96% of cruisers describing the dress code as relaxed.

There is a dress code for the main dining room on all nights of an MSC cruise. MSC have both ‘gala’ and ‘dress to impress’ nights, the dress codes are the same for both so both will be addressed in this post

In this post we cover:

  • On what nights the formal nights happen
  • Where the dress code applies
  • Dress codes for dining on non-formal nights

MSC Cruises Formal Nights Gala Elegant Dress Code

How Many Formal Nights Do MSC Cruises Have?

On a 7 night cruise, you will usually have around 2 gala/elegant nights, this is usually one of each.

On cruises 1-6 nights in length, you may only have a single gala-night. 

This number of gala nights does vary and MSC is able to change this as and when they see fit. On longer cruises, the number of gala or elegant nights will increase proportionally, on a 14-night cruise you may expect 4 gala or elegant nights.

What is The Difference Between Gala and Elegant Nights on MSC Cruises?

Gala nights are when a special menu is served in the main dining room, created by a Michelin starred chef. On gala nights guests have the opportunity to have photos taken with the captain and these nights tend to be when guests wear their favourite outfits.

Elegant nights are similar to Gala nights but there is no special menu and no captains photos.

The dress code is the same for both.

On longer cruises, you will find more elegant nights but there is usually only one gala-night.

MSC Cruises Photos With Staff, Captain and Crew

On Which Day Do MSC Have ‘Formal Nights’?

If your cruise has sea days:.

If you are taking a cruise which has sea days MSC will usually try and put the gala night on the sea day. This is because guests have the most time to get ready and the formal night becomes the event of the day.

If your cruise doesn’t have sea days:

If your cruise doesn’t have sea days there are a number of days where it could be. MSC very rarely put the gala night on the first night because guests may not have their bags and are tired from travelling.

Similarly, the gala night will rarely be on the last night because the passengers have already packed their bags and it isn’t practical to dress in formal wear at this stage. I personally always avoid gala nights if they are at the end of the cruise, I’ve usually worn all of my favourite clothes and am feeling more like relaxing.

What is MSC’s Formal (Gala/Elegant) Night Dress Code?

Gala or elegant nights:.

MSC’s gala night dress code is more of a suggestion than an enforced set of guidelines.

I’ve cruised on 13 major ocean cruise lines to date and MSC are one of the most relaxed when it comes to dress codes. If you have cruised with Royal Caribbean or any other big American cruise line make sure you check out this post which highlights the differences between the lines: 10 differences between MSC and NCL/Royal Caribbean.

MSC’s official dress code, as stated on their website is as follows:

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. – source.

What to Wear on MSC’s Formal (Gala) Nights:

Men – According to MSC’s guidelines men are encouraged to wear a tuxedo, suit or dinner jacket to dinner. Although a few guests do this, it is far from the majority. The majority of male guests on an MSC cruise will wear a shirt with chinos/trousers, many will also wear polo shirts and this always seems to be okay.

Women – Women have the option to either wear a skirt, dress or trousers. A simple skirt/trousers paired with a nice blouse would be more than acceptable. Women are encouraged to wear evening gowns but the majority do not, almost any dress would be suitcase for MSC’s formal (gala) nights as long as they weren’t too revealing or completely impractical.

Children – For children the relaxed dress code is relaxed even further. Around 1/3 of MSC’s passengers are families so this is a big percent of guests onboard. If you do have children travelling with you and they would like to dress formally they definitely wouldn’t look out of place but I wouldn’t worry too much about what children should wear. You certainly won’t be turned away from the main dining room because of the way your child is dressed (providing they are dressed of course)!

MSC Cruises Formal Nights Dress Code For Children

What Not To Wear:

There are only a few items of clothing that aren’t allowed on MSC’s formal (gala) nights :

  • Jeans (You could get away with smart black jeans if worn with a shirt but I wouldn’t try to wear blue denim)
  • Swimwear, this one is pretty self explanatory

Will I Look Out of Place if I do Dress Formally?

No! Absolutely not. Lots of MSC cruisers love the elegance of formal nights and embrace it wholeheartedly. You’ll see lots of passengers in long gowns or tuxedos. I would definitely not worry about being overdressed, I don’t really think that is possible. On cruises I’ve seen lots of people wearing their prom dresses and some even wearing their wedding dresses again!

One of my favourite phrases is ‘It’s impossible to be overdressed, people will either think you’ve come from somewhere exciting or are going somewhere exciting’.

Where Does The Formal Night Dress Code Apply?

Unlike some other cruise lines where the dress code is enforced ship wide, this isn’t the case on MSC cruises.

The dress code for formal (gala/elegant) nights is enforced only in the main dining room. If you don’t want to take part in formal nights there are other places where you can eat.

msc meraviglia main dining room

Other Places To Eat:

If you do want to avoid the formal (gala) dress codes you can do this by eating in another restaurant onboard. The restaurants onboard do vary by cruise ship but generally speaking your options are a buffet, room service ($$$) or a speciality restaurant ($$$).

  • Most guests who don’t want to take part in formal nights instead eat in the buffet. It’s by far the easiest place to go to grab a bite to eat and the dress codes in the buffet are very relaxed. You are not allowed to wear swimwear and shoes must be worn but these are the only requirements.
  • Room service is available on MSC cruises but there is a charge per item so I personally haven’t ever tried this. It’s much easier just to take food from the buffet back to your room. Walking is one of the main ways that I keep fit when I cruise, to learn more about how I do this, check out this post:  Avoid Cruise Ship Weight Gain – 7 Easy Things You Can Do
  • All MSC cruise ships have a number of speciality restaurants which cost extra. Some speciality restaurants have a flat fee to dine in the restaurant and others are charged by item. Examples of speciality restaurants on MSC include Butchers Cut (steak), Eataly (Italian), Teppankayi (Sushi).

To learn more about the included food options on MSC cruises, and which things aren’t included, check out this post:  Do MSC Cruises Include Meals? Your Guide To Whats Included

Do MSC Cruises Include Meals? (Firsthand Experience) – Your Guide To What is Included

What is The Dress Code on Non Formal Nights?

On nonformal (gala/elegant) nights the dress code on board is very relaxed.  Based on my experiences of cruising with MSC I really believe you could wear almost anything.

I love how relaxed the dress codes are on MSC cruises, technically speaking the only restrictions are that guests shouldn’t wear tank tops, bikinis, bathrobes, or have bare feet in any restaurant at any time.

Can You Wear Shorts in the Main Dining Room on an MSC Cruise?

Technically speaking no. That said, I saw PLENTY of people in the main dining room wearing shorts during my MSC cruises. This definitely wouldn’t be allowed on formal nights but on most casual nights I doubt in reality this would be a problem. I’m sure I’ve done it on occasion…

I constantly recommend MSC to families and young cruisers, to find out why, check out the recommended cruise lines page here:  Best Cruise Lines For Families (Tried & Tested, Pros & Cons!)

A MASSIVE thank you to all members of our Facebook group who shared photos for this post. We are a gorgeous bunch if I do say so myself! If you’re not already in our Facebook group, join us here: Emma Cruises Facebook Group. 

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Mon - Fri 9 - 19 | Sat 9 - 17.30 | Sun 10 - 16

WHAT TO WEAR ON A CRUISE

Daytime attire.

Casual wear is recommended for daytime attire. Shorts and T-shirts are permitted.

Evening Wear

Theme parties, dress restrictions, msc yacht club.

To fully appreciate the exclusive ambiance of the MSC Yacht Club , dressing appropriately in its various venues is highly recommended. MSC Yacht Club Restaurant: To preserve the exceptional ambiance of this private restaurant we kindly ask you to dress in a way that complements its exclusiveness. - By day: Feel at ease in casual wear, including t-shirts and tops, but to maintain a respectful atmosphere, swimwear must be avoided at any time. - By night: We kindly ask that you dress in smart casual attire. This includes options such as dresses, skirts, long pants, jeans, and button-down tops. However, please avoid shorts and flip flops. - For Gala evenings: An elegant and glamourous attire is strongly recommended with sophisticated outfits such as cocktail dresses, skirts, slacks, designer jeans, elegant dress tops, blazers, or even tuxedo suits and gowns. MSC Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge: - By day: Casual clothing, including t-shirts and tops, is perfectly acceptable, but we kindly request that you do not wear swimwear at any given time. - By night: Smart casual attire is required for entry to the Top Sail Lounge. Feel free to wear dresses, skirts, long pants, jeans, and button-down tops. However, please avoid wearing shorts and flip flops. MSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar:

Wear your bathing costumes, t-shirts, tank tops, hats, and sunglasses as you please. Just remember that topless bathing is not allowed in this family-friendly area.

Sports lovers

Northern europe cruises, shore excursions, thank you for visiting msc cruises.

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msc yachtclub dresscode

MSC Cruises Drink Packages & Prices (UPDATED)

 On a recent MSC Cruise, I booked an aft balcony with a special rate that included the “Easy Package”. I really had no idea what to expect since I never booked an MSC Cruise with a beverage package in the past.

Upon embarking, I was told by staff how the Easy Package didn’t include much and couldn’t be used at a specialty dining restaurant. With that information, I paid a nominal upgrade on the spot to the “Easy Plus” package to make sure I had more choices and that I could use the package while dining in every restaurant.

So is a drink package on MSC worth it? Let’s find out!

compare MSC Cruises Drink Packages

About the drink packages:

MSC Cruises offers a variety of drink packages for their cruises, including the “Easy” package, “Easy Plus” package, “Premium Extra” package, an Alcohol-Free package for minors, and a Minors package. The packages range in price and offerings, with the Easy Plus package allowing for more choices and access to specialty dining restaurants. Recent changes include gratuity now being included in the pricing. It’s important to understand what each package includes and excludes before making a decision.

Quick things to know:

  • MSC Cruises offers various drink packages like the “Easy,” “Easy Plus,” “Premium Extra,” Alcohol-Free, and Minors package.
  • Prices range from $19/day for the Minors package to $85/day for the Premium Extra package.
  • The Easy Plus package offers more options and includes access to specialty dining restaurants for an additional cost (best value)
  • Drink package prices include gratuity
  • Drink packages CAN BE USED on Ocean Cay
  • If your package doesn’t cover the drink cost, just pay the difference!
  • The Mini bar in the cabin is not included in any package
  • Everyone in the cabin needs to purchase the same drink package (excluding minors)

MSC Drink Package Prices

Depending on which you choose, you can get a package for as little as $19/day (Minors) – but the most popular package is the Easy Plus Package which starts at $61/day. The good news is that MSC Is running quite a few promotions that INCLUDE the Easy Plus Package ! Take a look at their promotions here.

What do the drink packages on MSC cruises cost?

Package NameCost Per Person – Purchased in Advance
Easy Package$46 /day or $49/day for short sailings
Easy Plus Package$61 /day or $64/day for short sailings
Premium Extra Package$85 /day or $88/day for short sailings
Alcohol-Free Package$28 /day (21 yrs +) / $30 for short sailings
Minors Package$19 / day (3-20 yrs old) / $21 for short sailings

We’ll be posting accurate European prices shortly, as they have also changed recently.

MSC Cruises Drink Packages Compared (NEW 2024 prices)

There are 5 drink package options that MSC Cruises offers on its ships including the “Easy” package, “Easy Plus” package, “Premium Extra” Package, and the Alcohol-Free Package (with a different price for minors and adults)

  • See : MSC Cruises Bar & Drink Menus with Prices

Easy Drink Package

The “ Easy Package ” is the most basic alcoholic beverage package on MSC Cruises with a cost of $46 per day per adult and is sometimes offered at no charge as a promotion. (This package is $49 per day on short cruises of less than 6 nights and is even more expensive if purchased onboard)

Liquor choices that go into mixed drinks are generic and sometimes off-brand.

The upside to this beverage package is that it also includes bottled water, soft drinks & juices as well as espresso, coffee cappuccino, and other hot drinks (tea, hot chocolate, etc.) With many cruise lines when purchasing a drink package, they often exclude bottled water and coffee drinks. 

So if you are a heavy coffee drinker and enjoy bottled water with a few beers throughout the day, this is likely your good choice. 

This is the package that was included on my Meraviglia cruise with the base cruise fare. Initially, this seemed like a good option as it covers the basics, but some restrictions were inconvenient enough to make me upgrade to the Premium Plus.

An important exception to the Easy Package!

  You CANNOT use the Easy beverage package in any of the specialty restaurants . So if you want a gin & tonic at dinner, you’re out of luck. Even more bizarre, bringing a beverage to dinner is specifically prohibited forcing you to purchase any drinks regardless of price for the time you are in a specialty restaurant. 

MSC Easy Drink Package Menu & What’s Included

The Easy drink package entitles you to any beverage up to $7.50 ( sort of ). For your convenience, menus throughout the ships have a section specifying what’s included in the easy beverage package. However even though some beer prices by the bottle are $7.50 or less, those are EXCLUDED from this package. Strange, right?

For beer, with the Easy Drink Package, the only option is Heineken Draft or sometimes Miller Light, and the wines are off-label or inexpensive brands only marked as “chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel Rose, Cabernet, or Merlot (Plus a random label of sparkling wine or Prosecco). So if you’re not picky, this package may be sufficient. 

Martini | Gin or vodka, dry vermouth, olive or lemon peel Manhattan | Whisky, red vermouth, Angostura bitters Daiquiri | Rum, lime juice, sugar syrup Cosmopolitan | Vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime Sidecar | Brandy, triple sec, lemon juice Screwdriver | Vodka, orange juice Margarita | Tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, lime juice Moscow Mule | Vodka, lime, ginger beer Cape Cod | Vodka, cranberry juice Mimosa | Sparkling wine, orange juice Gin Fizz | Gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda Pink Lady | Gin, lemon juice, grenadine Sea Breeze | Vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice Caipiroska | Vodka, diced lime, sugar Blue Hawaiian | Rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, coconut cream Tequila Sunrise | Tequila, orange juice, grenadine Bloody Mary | Vodka, tomato juice, salt, pepper, tabasco, Worcestershire sauce Long Island Iced Tea | Vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, cola Mojito | Rum, fresh mint, lime, sugar, soda Piña Colada | Rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice Strawberry Daiquiri | Rum, strawberry purée, sweet & sour mix

Alcohol-free cocktails included

Nojito | Lime, fresh mint leaves, sugar, Mojito mix, club soda Magic Island | Pineapple, orange and lemon juice, grenadine, Sprite Cuddle on the Beach | Peach purée, orange juice, cranberry juice Royal Punch | Passion fruit purée, pineapple juice, cranberry juice Fruit Smoothie | Orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, fresh banana, guava juice, mango purée Coco Colada | Fresh pineapple, coconut cream, pineapple juice, milk Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri | Strawberry purée, sweet & sour mix, sugar syrup

Beer Included in the MSC Easy Drinks Package

Heineken draft beer (ONLY)

For this package, even though bottled beers are less than the price cap of $7.50, they’re specifically excluded. Mindblowing, right? It just adds to the confusion about the MSC Drinks packages.

Sodas Included in the Easy Package

Sodas by the glass, Fruit juices by the glass, Still or sparkling mineral water

Other beverages included

Espresso, Decaf espresso, Cappuccino, Decaf cappuccino, Caffè latte, Glass of milk, Hot chocolate, Hot tea

Is the Easy package worth it?

That really depends. If you drink basic cocktails such as Gin & Tonic, Bloody Mary, Screwdriver , etc, and aren’t picky about the liquor used, the Easy Package may work for you. 

Easy Plus Drink Package

The Easy Plus Package cost is $61 per day , ($64 for shorter cruises of 6 days or less) but you can upgrade from the Easy package for about $23/per day per person

With this beverage package, you can order drinks in specialty dining restaurants as well as anything included in the above Easy package. There are caveats, more on that later.

Any beverages up to $10 are included in this package which gets you all of the beer options, more wine options, and some frozen drink options that aren’t available in the most basic drink package.  There is also a larger range of liquor brands, cordials, and martinis available at this price point.

The Easy Plus Package is the most common drinks package because it includes just about everything that a typical drinker would order. Even better, this package can be used in specialty dining restaurants as well. With recent changes to the beverage packages, the cruise line now allows you to order a drink that is not included in the package and only pay the difference (plus gratuity)

This is what we ultimately upgraded to from our included Easy Package. It was well worth the upgrade not only for the more inclusive offering, but for the simplicity of not having to think about what we were ordering and if it was included.

In addition to the Easy Package, you can also order the following:

Cocktails included:.

Sapphire Martini Bombay Sapphire gin, Martini dry, olive or lemon peel Appletini Absolut Classic and Absolut Vanilia vodka, apple sour liqueur, sweet & sour mix Royal Manhattan Crown Royal, Martini Rosso, Angostura bitters Cuban Daiquiri Bacardi Superior white rum, lime juice, sugar syrup Absolut Cosmo Absolut Citron vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, Rose’s lime Spanish Sidecar Cardinal Mendoza brandy, Cointreau, lemon juice, sugar syrup Screwdriver Made in USA T ito’s vodka, orange juice Classic Margarita Jose Cuervo silver tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, lime juice Dutch Mule K etel One vodka, lime, ginger beer Absolut Cape Cod Absolut Classic vodka, cranberry juice Mimosa Blossom Absolut Mango vodka, Galliano, orange juice, prosecco Bombay Fizz Bombay Sapphire gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda Ultimate Pink Lady Beefeater London Dry gin, lemon juice, pomegranate syrup Caribbean Breeze Ketel One vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, lime Masters of the Sea Caipirinha Premium cachaça, diced lime, sugar Blue Hawaiian Punch Bacardi Superior white rum, Malibu coconut rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, coconut cream Aperol Spritz Aperol, prosecco, club soda, orange slice Jalisco Sunrise Jose Cuervo silver tequila, orange juice, grenadine Absolut Bloody Mary Absolut Classic vodka, tomato juice, salt, pepper, tabasco, Worcestershire sauce Ultimate Iced Tea Smirnoff vodka, Bacardi Superior White rum, Beefeater gin, Jose Cuervo silver tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, cola Bacardi Mojito Bacardi Superior white rum, fresh mint leaves, lime, sugar, club soda Mudslide Absolut vodka, Kahlúa coffee liqueur, Baileys Irish Cream, heavy cream Baileys Alexander Baileys Irish Cream, dark crème de cacao, cream

Frozen Drinks:

Mango Tropical Trooper Cruzan mango rum, peach schnapps, triple sec, mango juice, fresh mint Rock Lobster Malibu coconut rum, banana liqueur, grenadine, fresh banana, pineapple and orange juice, Gosling’s Black Seal rum Ultimate Piña Colada Bacardi Superior white rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream, fresh pineapple B.B.C Bailey’s Irish Cream, Bacardi Superior white rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, fresh banana Original Strawberry Daiquiri Bacardi Superior white rum, strawberry purée, sweet & sour mix Miami Vice Miami’s hottest drink: half Strawberry Daiquiri and half Piña Colada Frozen Toblerone Bailey’s Irish Cream, macadamia nut syrup, Swiss white chocolate syrup, cream

Beer Included in the Easy Plus package:

Miller Lite USA Budweiser USA Bud Light USA Coors Light USA Michelob Ultra USA Heineken Netherlands Corona Extra Mexico Dos Equis Mexico Red Stripe Jamaica Stella Artois Belgium

Samuel Adams USA Yuengling Lager USA Newcastle Brown Ale England Blue Moon USA Beck’s Germany Peroni Nastro Azzurro Italy Pilsner Urquell Czech Republic Guinness Pub Draft Ireland Angry Orchard Apple Cider USA Heineken 0.0 Netherlands

MSC Easy Plus Package Menu

This is an example of the Easy Plus menu from within the MSC mobile app. Just know that you are entitled to anything up to $10. See the complete list below.

MSC Easy Plus Drink Package Menu

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Premium Extra Package

This drinks package allows you to purchase any beverage up to $16 , however, it comes at a high cost of $85.00 / day per person (this can be as much as $104/day if you are on a short cruise and purchase onboard). You can upgrade from a lower-cost beverage package for the difference in price, i.e. if you have the easy package, for approximately $43/day you can upgrade to this Premium package.  (Note: Prices have changed as of March 1, 2023, and this information reflects the newest pricing)

While this package covers most top-shelf liquor, there are still quite a few wines and drinks that are more than $16, so it’s not as inclusive as other cruise lines’ most premium drink packages.

MSC Premium Extra Drink Menu

Most premium liquors can be purchased with this package including Grey Goose, Aviation Gin, Belvedere, etc. (see the menu below). However, there are still plenty of drinks that are strategically priced above $16, making this package far from all-inclusive. Additionally, most of the champagne and decent wine on board is significantly more than the limit allowed by this package. It’s hard to make sense of this package unless your tastes are squarely within the more premium liquor brands included.

A bonus of these drinks packages is the discounting on bottles of wine (25%), but the reality is good bottles of wine are generally only available at The Butchers Cut Steakhouse, so unless you are dining there regularly, that benefit is minimal. 

In addition to the Easy Package & Easy Plus Package, you can also order the following beverages:

Drinks included in the premium extra package:.

Aviation Martini Aviation gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, fresh lemon juice Hemingway Daiquiri Zacapa 23Y rum, fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice, maraschino liqueur Santa Teresa Manhattan Santa Teresa 1796 rum, orange bitters, red vermouth Gold Rush Woodford Reserve bourbon, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup MSC Signature Martini Disaronno liqueur, Grey Goose vodka, Licor 43, lemon peel Mule Le Poire Grey Goose Le Poire vodka, fresh lime juice, ginger beer Shanghai Margarita Patrón Silver tequila, agave nectar, fresh lime juice, fresh ginger zest Chili Passion Caipirinha Premium caçhaca, lime, raw sugar, hot chili sauce, passion fruit, jalapeño

Ultimate Mai Tai Appleton Estate rum, Bacardi Superior white rum, Disaronno liqueur, pineapple and orange juice, sweet & sour mix, grenadine Purple Rain Bacardi Superior white rum, Finlandia vodka, Bombay Sapphire gin, peach schnapps, blue curaçao, sweet & sour mix, grenadine Coco Loco Bacardi Oakheart spiced rum, Malibu coconut rum, Piña Colada mix, mango purée, fruit punch Jamaican Paradise Appleton Estate rum, Malibu coconut rum, Jose Cuervo silver tequila, Midori melon liqueur, blue curaçao, sweet & sour mix Miami Beach Iced Tea Bacardi Superior white rum, Beefeater gin, Smirnoff vodka, Cuervo silver tequila, blue curaçao, sugar syrup, Sprite Sunset Beach Malibu coconut rum, raspberry liqueur, orange and pineapple juice, grenadine Tropical Tease Midori melon liqueur, Malibu coconut rum, banana liqueur, pineapple juice Emerald Mariachi 1800 Reposado tequila, blue curaçao, lime juice, passion fruit syrup, pineapple juice Mango Mojito Bacardi mango rum, mango purée, fresh mint leaves, lime, club sod a

You ONLY pay the difference in price for a beverage not included in your MSC DRINK package

You can now get a credit towards any drinks not included in your MSC Drink package!. The credit towards a drink is $8 per drink for the Easy Package, $10 per drink for the Easy Plus Package, and $16 per drink for the Premium Extra Package.

For European cruises the credit you get is 7 Euro for the Easy Package, 9 Euro for the Easy Plus and 14 Euro for the Premium Extra package on MSC.

Alcoholic-Free and Minors Package on MSC Cruises

You might be interested in the non-alcoholic package if you’re not a drinker or when traveling with children. This package offers non-alcoholic cocktails, sodas, energy drinks, juices, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. This package doesn’t apply to specialty restaurants unless it’s for a minor whose group purchased the Easy Plus or Premium Extra alcoholic package. So be prepared to pay for your soda when dining at the Butcher’s Cut, even if you have this package.

These prices will vary if booked on the ship on the day of sailing. Usually by an additional 10% or more. Short sailings are considered anything less than 7 days.

This table of prices is pretty mind-numbing and takes the fun out of figuring out what package is right. Why there are different prices for different lengths of cruise is bizarre and just another way that MSC tends to overcomplicate everything.

  • Read : More about MSC Cruises
  • See : MSC Bar Menus

In Summary, My experience with the MSC Drink Packages

Originally, I thought the Easy package would be sufficient for our cruise, but discovering the limited beverage options and the fact that you cannot use the package in specialty dining restaurants, we chose to upgrade to the Easy Plus.

Overall this was a good choice, because of the wider variety of options and the ability to use in a specialty restaurant. However, it’s important to know – that when using the Easy Plus in a specialty restaurant like Butcher’s Cut, you must order off of the wine/drink menus in that restaurant!

If your favorite glass of wine isn’t available in the restaurant, you are forbidden to bring anything from an outside bar, which really makes no sense. This is something that they do NOT TELL YOU when upgrading from Easy to Easy Plus on the ship.

Normally this wouldn’t be a big issue except there were very few options on beverage menus that were covered by the Easy Plus package.

Drink Calculator – Are drink packages worth it on MSC?

Let’s find out if getting a drink package is worth it or not by using our handy drink calculator! Simply choose the package you plan on purchasing and estimate how many drinks per day you might consume and see if you “break even”

  • Choose the package type you are considering. We’ve entered the package price per MSC Cruises but you can adjust the daily charge if you are getting a promo on the package price.
  • Enter the number of cruise days
  • Estimate your consumption of each type of beverage. We’ve put the average beverage prices based on the Drink Menus, but you can adjust this if you know you like more expensive drink options.

Easy Package includes:

Specific drinks listed on the easy drink menu (found here).

Selection of classic cocktailsSoft drinks and fruit juices by the glass
Draught beerBottled mineral water
Selection of house wines by the glassClassic hot drinks (espresso, cappuccino, caffe latte, hot tea)
Mixed drinks and non-alcoholic cocktails

These drinks are sort of “vague” in some respect, so definitely look at the MSC Drink Menus article , where there is a unique menu for the Easy Package.

The Easy Package covers all of the above served in the bars, buffet and main restaurant as well as Ocean Cay and other exclusive destinations. This package CANNOT be used in specialty restaurants.

Easy Plus Package includes:

Bottomless beverages priced up to $10 all day long.

Popular Frozen DrinksA wide variety of draught and bottled beers


Classic CocktailsNon-alcoholic cocktails
Well SpiritsSoft drinks
LiqueursMineral water
CordialsCoffee drinks (latte, espresso, cappuccino, etc.)
Selection of wines by the glassHot chocolate and hot teas
10% discount on bottles of wines purchased on board

The Easy Plus Package can be enjoyed in the bars, buffet, main restaurant and specialty restaurants , Ocean Cay, and other exclusive destinations.

Premium Extra Package includes:

Premium beverages priced up to $16.

Extensive variety of frozen and classic cocktailsOur entire selection of draught, craft and bottled beers
Premium brand spiritsSoft drinks, fruit juices, mineral water and energy drinks
Liqueurs and CordialsCoffee drinks (latte, espresso, cappuccino, etc.)


Selection of wines and champagne by the glassHot chocolate and hot teas
25% discount on bottles of wine and champagne purchased on board

The Premium Extra Package can be enjoyed in the bars, buffet, main restaurant, and specialty restaurants as well as Ocean Cay and other exclusive destinations.

Estimate Your Daily Consumption:

Each field contains the average price found on most MSC ships in US Dollars.

Remember! Any drink not within your package limit, you pay the overage cost plus the service charge! If you tend to drink nicer wines or cocktails, you can adjust the average price of each beverage in the corresponding boxes! This helps give you a more accurate idea of your possible spending. (15% gratuities on European, Emirates, South Caribbean, Red Sea, South America (Brazil and Argentine) and Far East itineraries, and 18% gratuity on North America itineraries.)

Each field contains the average price found on most MSC ships. For the Premium Extra package, all drinks up to $15 are included. If you tend to drink nicer wines or cocktails, you can adjust the average price of each beverage in the corresponding boxes – Remember, for anything over the included price, you pay the difference plus a service charge or gratuity (15% gratuities on European, Emirates, South Caribbean, Red Sea, South America (Brazil and Argentine) and Far East itineraries, and 18% gratuity on North America itineraries.)!

You haven’t broken even on the Easy Package yet!

You BROKE EVEN on the Easy Package!

You haven’t broken even on the Easy PLUS Package yet!

You BROKE EVEN on the Easy PLUS Package!

You haven’t broken even on the Premium Extra Package yet!

Beer Lovers Need Easy Plus on MSC

Other MSC Drink Package Helpful Information

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With Prices (2024)

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With Prices (2024)

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With PriceS – UPDATED We spent a lot of time on a recent voyage with MSC Cruises trying... Read This

Phil Crane

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I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

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35 Comments

On MSc how much doe sit cost if you buy a beer or a soda pop per purchase since i do not drink much alcohol at all and maybe two sodas a day

Wayne – You can get a beer for about $7.50 and a soda for $3.00-$3.50 + gratuity. You can see the MSC drink menus here

How do you know if the drink you order is within the 10$ limit on the easy plus package? Do the bartenders tell you? I would hate to get a bill for the extra few dollars if not covered. Thanks!

Hi Robin, They are very good about telling you right away if anything you order isn’t in the package, but the menus are also scattered around everywhere, and you’ll quickly learn what types of drinks are extra. I found that the selection of drinks wasn’t incredibly huge, so I knew fast what they had that I liked, and which were going to cost a little more.

I don’t drink alcohol but would like the occasional soda. Is it possible to purchase just individual drinks without the packages?

Hi Peter, Absolutely! If you take a look at the MSC Drink Menus (here) – on the first menu, flip to the last page. You’ll see the list of sodas and other beverages. It’s definitely not worth a package with the occasional soda.

Hi! Sailing in a couple days. Just want water and maybe a MOCKtail or 2 for a day. I wasn’t clear on how much mineral water is included per day or how to access. No soda, tea or coffee for me. The calculator did not offer the nonalcoholic package so wanted your recommendations- I do need to drink alot of water. Can I bring any sealed bottled water aboard? Is there gratuities on bottled water as well and how big are the bottles? Thanks in advance!

Hi Amy – Good point on the calculator – we’ll fix that and add the non-alcoholic package! At about $28 per day for the non-alcoholic package and a water being about $3.25 + gratuities, You’d end up needing to buy about 7 bottled waters per day to “break even”. (They are the large 17 oz sizes you’d get in a restaurant, so it’s a pretty good value) The non alcoholic cocktails are included as well and are usually about $7 to my recollection, but here’s the menus for MSC Drinks . (the first menu flips through to all the non-alcoholic in the back of the menu) – About bringing water, etc. MSC Is one of the only cruise lines that literally allows no beverages to be brought on the ship. Enjoy your cruise! I hope this helps.

We are looking at doing a cruise with our teens in the spring. We don’t drink alcohol, so is it worth buying a drink package? We would like access to sodas, juices, anything non alcoholic, so wondering if you’d advise to get a drink pkg or not. Thanks!

Hi Diana – Basic tea, coffee, water is included in the fare but soda, specialty coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages aren’t included. There IS an Alcohol free package for $28/day per person +/- which is quite a bit less than the other drink packages. HOWEVER, MSC Often does a promo with the “easy” package or “easy plus” as a perk for a bit of an extra charge. Doing the math, you’ll often find that the little higher rate on a cruise that includes the drink package is far less than buying the package separately. For example, on a 7 day booking I looked and the all included fare was about $37/per person per day more expensive and the drink package was included as well as wifi and onboard credit. More benefits for less money for sure! SO be sure to check that pricing and use our drink calculator for MSC (here) to see if you even drink enough soda/non-alcoholic things to make it worth it.

Your calculator doesn’t take into account that they add a 15% gratuity to each drink, and the package includes the gratuity.

Hi Brad, thanks for the comment, we’ll make a change to the formula to include the gratuity in the calculations!

Is there a time limit in between each drink? Like a waiting period of 10/15 minutes?

Hi Sarah – There is not. We would often try a drink of the day or some specialty, hate it, and immediately order something else.

Hope this helps!

I want to get the easy drinks package but my husband cant drink due to Ill health. Do MSC take this into consideration or will we have to both buy same package.

Hi Karen – Normally with a medical notice from a doctor, the second person doesn’t have to purchase an alcohol package. HOWEVER, MSC rules change… sometimes depending on who you speak to. My experience with this is that they will request you purchase the EASY package for yourself and the NON ALCOHOLIC package for your husband. But it will have to be done by phone, and whether they ask for medical proof will likely depend on who you speak to at the time. I had friends traveling with us that were in your exact situation and they were not asked for proof but were in fact told the non drinking person has to purchase a non-alcoholic package.

Is Redbul available at no additional cost in the easy plus package?

Yes, my recollection is that energy drinks were included with the Easy Plus!

So for my wife who does not drink any alcohol is the minor package the best? Based on the menu the easy plus package covers a variety of beers is that correct vs only Heineken on the easy package.

Hi Jason, they (MSC) will likely require the Alcohol-Free Package as I believe the Minors package is truly teens and below. They’re basically the same thing, you’re just getting penalized for being a grown up 🙂 – That said, the Easy Plus package you are considering does cover all of the beers. There wasn’t a beer served that wasn’t covered by the Easy Plus. And yes, Heineken is the only thing available on the Easy Package. So if you’re a beer drinker, it’s worth looking at the Easy Plus. BUT! Keep in mind, the specials that MSC runs sometimes include the beverage packages and it may be cheaper to go ahead and book with those specials rather than cruise only and adding an Alcohol-Free Package + Easy Plus package. Even if your wife doesn’t take advantage of the alcohol, she can have all of the non-alcoholic beverages she wants and in the end the total price may be less on the promotion. Hope this helps!

If you purchase a non-alcoholic drink package, do you pay the difference for an alcoholic drink or the full price?

Hi Tom – The non alcoholic package won’t work to apply anything towards an alcoholic beverage purchase. However if you have the most basic beverage package (Easy), you can pay the difference for drinks that are more expensive than what is covered by the Easy (this is new for 2023)

Thank you, kind of what I thought. I’d have to to go easy plus since the easy package is not inclusive of some of the non-alcoholic drinks I would like.

Interesting! I’m curious about what non-alcoholic drinks you like that wouldn’t be included in the Easy Package? In our experience, everything non-alcoholic was included in the Easy Package (but there may be something I’m missing!) 🙂

What to do if one person drinks and other doesn’t on the same cabin?

Typically everyone of age in the same cabin must have the same drink package. The cruise line will make an exception for medical reasons. Mostly they don’t want one person getting the package and sharing the drinks with their cabin mate 🙁

Thank you for all of this information. It is very hard to navigate all of this from MSC website. I am not a big drinker so I wasn’t sure if the packages were necessary. Your drink calculator is very helpful . If you could answer a question: there are no frozen drinks on the easy drink menu. Does that mean there is no option for frozen margaritas?

Hi Claudia, I’m glad this information helped! We were able to get frozen drinks without a problem, as long as the liquor type was in the basic package. They didn’t distinguish between frozen or on the rocks with things like Margaritas and Daiquiris.

We are sailing to Rome from Durban 20th April and have bought 18 of the 18 unit packages, my question is does a unit mean a short and a mixer, ie, rum and coke or it that 2 units.

Hi Jennifer, we’ve done both Europe & USA cruises on MSC – and in our experience, a rum and coke was in fact a single drink. I know in Europe, it’s common to sell the mixer separate, but that does not seem to be the case on MSC Ships. I hope this helps & enjoy your cruise!

My husband and I are booked to sail from Durban in April on msc Orchestra 25 day cruise to Genoa. Please can you advise if drinks packages are on offer on the ship or if we pay per drink and are soft drinks free? If we pay per drink can you email prices so that we can work out a budget, many thanks.

Hi Ann! When you login to your MSC account you should see a way to pre-purchase the packages. If you wait until you get on the ship, they will be about 20% more expensive! We did the “easy” package which covered sodas, specialty coffee, bottled water, and quite a few basic drinks, but upgraded on another trip to the Easy Plus which gets you better beverages and allows you to use the package in the specialty restaurants (which you can’t with the basic Easy package). We put together a handy drink calculator for MSC (See the drink calculator) so you can estimate your budget based on how you normally consume. This will let you know really fast if you’re going to make the drink package worth it! I hope this helps.

Their top package used to include everything but full bottles of wine. Last time on Miraviglia it included everything on the champagne bar menu including $20 drinks. On the Seaside it used to cover the specialty chocolate drinks and gelato. Mildly disappointed. Used to be the best package. Bartenders loved it because they could make the high dollar stuff most people won’t try

I feel your disappointment! When we were on the Meraviglia , the whole drink package was so confusing that even some of the staff weren’t sure what to include or not. I had hoped they’d simplify it, but the new packages with prices were just released, and it’s still a head-scratcher.

It will be our first time on a cruise. Reading your tips is being mind and eye opening. We will make sure to have every single detail well calculated before we proceed. Thank you! Great website!

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  1. MSC Cruises Dress Code

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  2. Leger bis elegant: Kleiderordnung auf den MSC Schiffen

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  4. MSC Dress Code Photo Guide

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  5. Top Tips for New Cruisers How do I pack for the Dress Code on MSC by the Cruise Queen

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COMMENTS

  1. What to wear on a cruise: tips for appropriate clothing

    MSC Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge: - By day: Casual clothing, including t-shirts and tops, is perfectly acceptable, but we kindly request that you do not wear swimwear at any given time. - By night: Smart casual attire is required for entry to the Top Sail Lounge. Feel free to wear dresses, skirts, long pants, jeans, and button-down tops.

  2. Yacht Club Dress Code

    The dress code on all MSC ships is advisory and is published in the daily programme. The dress code is the same throughout the ship. The YC is not a prison you are allowed to escape and mingle with "steerage". So no worries on the dress code. Do as you want. Pete. Edited December 15, 2016 by Skier52. 1.

  3. What to Wear on a Cruise

    MSC Yacht Club Restaurant: To preserve the exceptional ambiance of this private restaurant we kindly ask you to dress in a way that complements its exclusiveness. - By day: Feel at ease in casual wear, including t-shirts and tops, but to maintain a respectful atmosphere, swimwear must be avoided at any time.

  4. Dinner Attire

    Shorts, flip flops, and tank tops are not allowed for Evening Wear or Gala Night in the Main Dining Rooms, Specialty Restaurants, or MSC Yacht Club. T-shirts are not allowed to be worn for Gala Night. Dress code rules that are posted outside the buffet should be followed." It is quite true MSC often ignores their own stated dress policies.

  5. Luxury cruises MSC Yacht Club: exclusive cruises

    MSC Yacht Club Restaurant - Dress code To preserve the exceptional ambiance of this private restaurant we kindly ask you to dress in a way that complements its exclusiveness. By day: Feel at ease in casual wear, including t-shirts and tops, but to maintain a respectful atmosphere, we kindly request that swimwear not be worn at any time.

  6. What to wear on a cruise: tips for appropriate clothing

    Gala evenings. 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.

  7. What to Wear on an MSC Cruise: A Complete Guide for Beginners

    MSC cruise ships have formal, informal, and casual dress codes that vary based on the time of day and the onboard events. Understanding these dress codes is crucial to packing the right clothing for each occasion. Formal Wear. During formal nights, MSC cruise lines encourage guests to dress elegantly. Think of it as a special occasion, so bring ...

  8. Dress Code for YC dinners

    MSC Cruises ; Dress Code for YC dinners Dress Code for YC dinners. By sassycruiser, March 29, 2023 in MSC Cruises . Share ... sassycruiser. Members; 833 October 8, 2003; Michigan #1 Share; Posted March 29, 2023. Hi New to MSC and Yacht Club. Mostly cruise with NCL which is very casual. How dressed up do people get for YC dinners? ...

  9. First time MSC and Yacht Club dress code question : r/MSCCruises

    First time MSC and Yacht Club dress code question. My husband and I are booked in the Yacht Club. We are very casual people. On our last vacation, Hubby wore shorts and t-shirts the entire time. The compromise was that if we did YC, he had to dress up at a minimum for the formal night. For formal night, he plans to wear a dress shirt and pants.

  10. Yacht Club Dress Code

    Khaki shorts, but shorts. MSC's dress code is similar to all mainstream cruise lines in that the dress code is primarily for when you are in the MDR only, which allows all to change back into their normal evening clothes, if desired, after dinner. It used to be that the dress codes were for the entire evening (6 PM on).

  11. What to wear on a cruise: tips for suitable clothing

    A more polished look is recommended for evening wear when dining in the Main Dining Rooms and Specialty Restaurants and while enjoying the entertainment in the theater, bars, and lounges. Collared shirts, tailored pants or shorts, skirts, and dresses are suggested. Layers and a light jacket or sweater are suggested for cooler nights and in the ...

  12. MSC Yacht Club

    The MSC Yacht Club offers a range of luxurious amenities to enhance your cruise experience. These include a private lounge, pool area, and sun deck reserved exclusively for Yacht Club guests. You'll also enjoy Egyptian cotton sheets, a memory foam mattress, and a choice of pillows in your suite. Additionally, your on-hand 24-hour Butler and ...

  13. I Tried the MSC Yacht Club and it Was Worth it for the Endless Perks

    The elevated Yacht Club boasts priority everything while sailing MSC. I sailed on a four-night cruise on the new MSC Seashore, a glitzy ship with Italian flair intermingled with references to New ...

  14. What to wear on a cruise: tips for appropriate clothing

    MSC Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge: - By day: Casual clothing, including t-shirts and tops, is perfectly acceptable, but we kindly request that you do not wear swimwear at any given time. - By night: Smart casual attire is required for entry to the Top Sail Lounge. Feel free to wear dresses, skirts, long pants, jeans, and button-down tops.

  15. 96% Agree The Dress Codes are Relaxed

    MSC are able to change the number of dress codes at any time but generally speaking the following guidelines apply: Cruises Between 3-5 Nights: 1 Gala Night. Cruises Between 6-13 Nights: 1 Gala Night and 1 or 2 Elegant Nights. Cruises Over 14+ Nights: 1 Gala Night and 3 Elegant Nights.

  16. Dress Code

    Dress Code - MSC Cruises. The dress code for most nights is "casual resort wear," while formal attire is required on specific formal evenings. Men are required to wear suits or jackets and ties, while women are encouraged to wear cocktail dresses. Passengers who wish to participate in theme nights are encouraged to dress according to the ...

  17. MSC Cruises Formal Nights

    MSC have formal nights on every cruise. On a 7 night cruise, there will usually one formal night, on cruises longer than 7 nights there will usually be two formal nights. The dress codes are relaxed with 96% of cruisers describing the dress code as relaxed. There is a dress code for the main dining room on all nights of an MSC cruise.

  18. What to wear on a cruise: tips for appropriate clothing

    Dress code rules that are posted outside the buffet should be followed. msc-yacht-club" > MSC Yacht Club. To fully appreciate the exclusive ambiance of the MSC Yacht Club , dressing appropriately in its various venues is highly recommended. ... MSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar: Wear your bathing costumes, t-shirts, tank tops, hats, and sunglasses as ...

  19. MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With PriceS

    MSC Cruises Gratuities on Bar / Drink Purchases . Onboard bar purchases will incur gratuities, automatically added to all purchases: 15% gratuities on European, Emirates, South Caribbean, Red Sea, South America (Brazil and Argentina), and Far East itineraries, and 18% gratuities on North America itineraries. If you purchase a drink or beverage package, the price of the package includes the ...

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  21. MSC DRINK Packages & Prices

    Easy Drink Package. The "Easy Package" is the most basic alcoholic beverage package on MSC Cruises with a cost of $46 per day per adult and is sometimes offered at no charge as a promotion.(This package is $49 per day on short cruises of less than 6 nights and is even more expensive if purchased onboard) Liquor choices that go into mixed drinks are generic and sometimes off-brand.

  22. Cabin Details

    Deck 11 - Moscow, Deck 12 - Copenhagen, Deck 14 - Prague. Large balcony with private whirlpool bath and outdoor living area. Large walk-in wardrobe with shoe rack and luggage storage. Bathroom with large shower and tub (some cabins feature large tub only) 1 Million happy customers.