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MSC Magnifica is part of the Musica-class ships, which debuted in 2006, with sister ships MSC Musica, Orchestra, and Poesia. Magnifica was the last to join the quartet in 2010.
In 2018, MSC Magnifica began sailing the line's first full season round trip from the U.K., homeporting in Southampton. As a result, some Brit-friendly features were added, such as kettles in every cabin, Yorkshire Tea, bangers and Marmite at breakfast, scones and jam at tea time, and English entertainers for some shows. However, MSC Magnifica remains an Italian ship, offering a cosmopolitan environment.
Unlike some of MSC's larger and newer ships, Magnifica does not feature crystal-studded staircases, water parks, or an exclusive "ship within a ship" Yacht Club enclave. Instead, it offers a traditional cruising experience with a variety of bars and lounges, reasonable drink prices, an elegant atrium with a grand piano, and nearly round-the-clock dining opportunities, though with only one specialty restaurant.
MSC Magnifica is family-friendly, with a range of free activities for children and unique amenities, such as a dedicated laundry service for children's clothes. The ship offers three experiences: Bella, Fantastica, and Aurea, each with different levels of inclusions, including priority dining times, free room service delivery, and additional perks for Aurea passengers.
While English is the main onboard language, MSC attracts passengers from mainland Europe and other regions, resulting in announcements being made in five languages. The entertainment is geared toward a multinational audience, featuring dancers, bilingual singers, and acrobats, with dedicated English acts to cater to the increase in British passengers.
Smoking is permitted in designated areas on the pool decks, inside the ship in sections of the casino, and in the cigar lounge.
The onboard atmosphere is relaxed, with casual daywear, beach attire on deck, and comfortable clothing for excursions. There are three evening dress codes suggested for the restaurants from 6 p.m., but these are not strictly enforced. For gala nights, the recommendation is elegant, with cocktail dresses for women and black tie or dark suits for some men. Informal nights suggest a dress or trousers for women and jacket and trousers (no jeans) for men. Casual nights allow for more relaxed attire, excluding shorts and swimwear. Theme nights, such as white party or 70s and 80s night, are optional, with passengers encouraged to wear suitable attire but not required to follow a strict dress code.
The Royal Theatre is a raked split-level venue located at the front of the ship on Decks 6 and 7, which can seat 850 passengers in the lower auditorium and 292 on the upper level. It's an impressive looking venue, with a myriad of lights twinkling in the walls and ceiling before the house lights go down for the show. The majority of seats provide an unobstructed view of the stage. Due to the broad mix of international passengers, the shows are mostly variations on a theme of song and dance routines, along with some exciting acrobatics to liven things up. Anyone craving the dazzling West End-style and high-tech performances of other lines will be disappointed, but the shows are easy on the eye and will appeal to anyone who likes old-style traditional revue-style shows and speciality acts. Youngsters who have enrolled in the kids' programme get their chance to appear in the limelight before one of the nightly shows, and members of the crew also take to the stage in an innovative finale after one of the performances. Most notably, and in keeping with its Italian heritage, MSC is the only cruise line to feature live opera performances. On our cruise this was a potted and suitably fiery version of "Carmen" starring an accomplished soprano, tenor and flamenco dancer alongside the resident onboard entertainers.
Shows generally last 45 minutes and are performed twice a day -- usually to accommodate passengers on both dinner sittings.
There is no bar service in the Royal Theatre and, officially, passengers are not meant to take drinks inside. However, the closest bar is the Tiger Bar located next to the entrance to the theatre on Deck 6, and plenty of theatregoers wander in with drinks while crew members turn a blind eye.
From the morning "muscular awakening" class there is never a shortage of things to do onboard, and the daily programme, left in the cabin each night, lists a host of free daily activities. Typical events include dance lessons (usually several per day) led by the onboard dance duo, aerobics, trivia quizzes, napkin folding and cookery demonstrations, arts and crafts such as making paper flowers, meetings for card players, pool parties, karaoke, a talent night and various light-hearted challenges with members of the entertainment team.
There is a small Virtual World video games arcade, at extra charge, on Deck 14 in a space that also includes the 4D cinema (where the seats move and viewers experience effects such as blasts of air). Passengers can choose from a selection of around six films, including some suitable for younger children. Virtual World packages are available and cover unlimited use of the 4D cinema, bowling and billiard games. The two-lane bowling alley can be found in the T32 disco on Deck 14, which is open during the day. Live sports are screened in the L'Olimpiade Sports Bar.
On Deck 7 the slot machines in the Atlantic City casino are generally open, and the gaming tables open in the afternoon.
On port days Magnifica offers a wide variety of shore excursions, as well as customised and exclusive tours. Parents going on trips can leave children between the ages of 3 and 11 in the kids' club.
Enrichment activities are pretty limited, mostly comprising a daily port talk and information shown on the interactive TV in cabins.
The fun continues after sunset with activities including more dance lessons, karaoke, talent contests, big-screen sports coverage and themed parties, such as a white night. There is excellent live music throughout the ship. In the atrium, you can find solo pianists on the grand piano and classical trios, along with acoustic duos, singers and bands in the various bars. The L'Ametista Lounge hosts evening dance classes and music for dancing, and members of the entertainment team will ask members of the audience to dance, which is great for any solo travellers or passengers with partners that have two left feet. There are also visiting acts, including some geared to a British clientele. On our sailing, this was comedian and singer Paul Fredericks. Atlantic City casino is open late, and night owls can also head to the T32 disco where the resident DJ aims to get everyone on the dance floor through to the early hours.
For a ship of its size, Magnifica has an extensive and diverse range of bars and lounges --14 in total -- and a mix of indoor and outdoor venues. An extensive and reasonably priced drinks menu of cocktails, mixed drinks, wines, beer, non-alcoholic mocktails and kids' cocktails, soft drinks and coffee is available in each bar and prices are the same throughout the ship, with the exception of the special mixologist cocktails in the Topazio Bar. Brits used to buying drinks at the bar might find themselves standing there for a long time as -- in the larger bars in particular -- it is the norm for orders to be taken by waitresses who circulate between the tables and quickly spot who needs to be served, rather than the bartenders who are busy making up the orders.
MSC offers a variety of money-saving drinks packages ranging from drinks with meals to an all-inclusive deluxe package covering all drinks. There are also packages covering specific drinks, such as coffees, beers, soft drinks or juices, and bottles of water.
Serving early morning coffee through to post-dinner drinks, this bar is situated in a busy location at either side of the atrium. It's well-positioned for an aperitif before going into the L'Edera restaurant, watching evening entertainers, including classical musicians and the pianist tickling the ivories on the grand piano, or simply sitting and indulging in a spot of people watching.
Situated outside one of the entrances to the Quattro Venti restaurant, this small bar is primarily used by passengers waiting to go into the first or second dinner sitting, or for post-dinner drinks, and can accommodate around 45 people.
The twin bar to the Purple Bar is situated at the other entrance to Quattro Venti restaurant.
Situated midship, this is an intimate bar with deep seats and an Art Deco decor. It has a small stage with a grand piano, and a dance floor, and has the feel of a jazz club and music bar with assorted live acts. For those looking for a change from their regular tipple, it also has an interesting mixology bar menu featuring ''molecular", "smoked" and crafted premium cocktails.
Seating more than 400, this is the ship's largest bar and is situated next door to the Topazio Bar and the Royal Theatre, which means it becomes something of a busy thoroughfare when passengers go to and from the shows. As the name implies, it is decked out in animal print and tiger murals, and it is the most opulent bar on the vessel, with a grand, sweeping staircase leading down from the casino. It also has a stage and a dance floor, and is used for themed parties such as the white night.
The main entertainment lounge is L'Ametista, situated at the aft of the ship and seating 330.
This bar is one of the most popular on the ship and is a really unique spot that has the feel of a bar on dry land as it is divided into different areas and also has a pool table. Original sporting memorabilia lines the walls and is displayed in glass cabinets, and there is a choice of seating including cosy booths and high stools. It features an extensive selection of drinks.
Two main dining rooms and expansive buffet restaurants form the hub of the free dining scene on MSC Magnifica. At breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there's a huge choice of cuisine, including familiar British favourites such as full English breakfast, scones with cream and jam, Marmite, HP Sauce, and Colman's Mustard. On sea days, dining venues can be busy, particularly at peak times, but the waiters are efficient, friendly, and well-organised.
L'Edera accommodates 780 passengers and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast includes a buffet with hot and cold dishes, fruit, yoghurt, pastries, and an à la carte menu with items like Eggs Benedict, omelettes, pancakes, and French toast. Freshly squeezed orange juice and Yorkshire Tea are available. Lunch features a three-course à la carte menu with starters like seafood cocktail, Caprese salad, and soups. Main dishes include fresh pasta, fish dishes, sliced grilled beef sirloin, and vegetarian options.
Quattro Venti is open for dinner and has a section for myChoice Dining passengers. It offers the same menu as L'Edera, in a different ambiance.
The Sahara and L'Oasi dining areas operate from early morning until late at night, offering a variety of food, including a full English breakfast, lunch, and dinner with options like fresh fruit, salads, Mediterranean cuisine, burgers, and hot dogs. The pizzeria and pasta station are particularly popular.
Oriental Plaza is a speciality restaurant offering Asian fusion dishes from China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan. Diners can choose from an à la carte menu or opt for a set menu experience. The menu includes sushi, sashimi, dim sum, and other Asian-inspired dishes.
La Barchetta Bar offers Italian ice cream, Nutella crepes, slushy drinks, candy floss, popcorn, and other snacks.
Room service offers a continental breakfast delivered to cabins on request. Snacks such as salads, sandwiches, cheese plates, and desserts are available 24 hours a day. In-cabin pizza delivery is also available at specific times. The mini-bar in each cabin includes water, fruit juice, fizzy drinks, beer, and spirits.
There are 1,259 cabins in total, divided into five main categories across eight decks: Deluxe Balcony Suites (44); Family-Size Suites with Balcony (8); Outside Cabins with Balcony (785); Outside Cabins (173); and Inside Cabins (249). Sixteen cabins are specially adapted for guests with disabilities. Some cabins also feature connecting doors, making them perfect for families or groups of friends. The décor, which varies by deck, includes a muted combination of cream and either red, blue, green, or orange. All cabins come with double beds (which can be converted into twins), two bedside tables with three drawers, reading lights, and a master light switch. Other standard amenities include a mini-bar, telephone, flat-screen TV, hair dryer, safe, and storage space under the bed for suitcases. The voltage is 110V and 220V with European and U.S. sockets, so passengers from outside mainland Europe will need adapters. Most cabins offer ample storage with drawers, shelves, and full-length wardrobes. Bathrooms include shelving, cupboards beneath the basin, towel rails, and fixed dispensers of shower gel and shampoo (but no conditioner or lotion). A soap dispenser is provided by the basin. Mini-bars are stocked but not included in drinks packages.
Cabins are available in various sizes: The 249 inside cabins range from 151 to 226 square feet, with the largest being adapted for wheelchair users. The 173 oceanview cabins measure 183 square feet, with layouts similar to the balcony staterooms but without a veranda. The 785 balcony cabins make up the majority of the staterooms, with standard cabins measuring 161 square feet and disabled cabins at 301 square feet. Balconies range from 43 to 86 square feet, with some Juliet Balcony cabins on Deck 12 featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. The 44 deluxe balcony suites measure 355 square feet or 452 square feet for adapted staterooms. These suites offer a combined tub and shower in the bathroom, a large flat-screen TV in the living area, and balconies furnished with three chairs, a table, and a lounger. The eight family suites, measuring 291 square feet, are located on Decks 9 to 12. These suites are divided by a partition to provide some privacy between adults and children, with a fold-down sofa in the living area that can sleep two children. The balconies are larger due to the corner positioning of these suites, though the bathroom is equipped with a shower only.
