All MSC cruise ships have a well-equipped Medical Centre, supervised by a ship’s doctor and other medical personnel. The Medical Centre is open at the times advertised in the ship’s Daily Programme. Emergency services are available round the clock by calling the Medical Emergency number. Excluding emergencies, medical services carry a fee and prices are available on board. Guests who incur medical expenses during their cruise can ask their insurance company for reimbursement once ashore.

Dialysis

Guests undergoing peritoneal dialysis treatment can travel as normal, bringing with them all medicines and equipment that may be required during the cruise. The relevant medical treatment is available through the on-board medical facilities.

Equipment and machinery for haemodialysis treatment will only be carried on board by specialised independent companies on certain routes. For further information on this service, please contact your travel agent.

Pregnancy

MSC Cruises SA does not permit guests who be more than 23 weeks pregnant at any time during the cruise to sail onboard. This is for maternal and fetal safety, as specialist obstetric and neonatal care is not available on board.

Pregnant guests who will be 23 or less than 23 weeks gestation at any time during the cruise will need to submit a letter from their obstetrician/gynecologist confirming the following:

Ultrasound confirmed expected date of delivery (EDD)

That the pregnancy is low risk

That the guest is fit to sail on board a ship with no immediate access to specialist obstetric or neonatal care

Letters should be sent by email to Special Needs at the moment of the booking and at least 2 weeks before sailing date. A copy must be presented at check-in on the day of embarkation.

Cabin Facilities

Accessible cabins, fitted out especially for guests with disabilities and/or reduced mobility, are available on every ship in the fleet. Guests requiring an accessible cabin can request it at the time of booking.

The accessible cabins are larger and offer more space for movement than regular cabins, and come with extra facilities and equipment to meet special needs.

Reduced Mobility

All decks, public areas and tenders are designed to be as accessible as possible for guests with reduced mobility. There might be ports or tender services you may not access with a mobility device as we cannot lift it. In addition, there are varying numbers of specially fitted-out cabins available on each ship in the fleet. For safety reasons, guests requiring assistance may be requested to travel with a carer, depending on the specific route.

Wheelchairs are available on board our ships, for the use of guests during embarkation and disembarkation only, or in case of emergency. Guests that require constant use of a wheelchair or any other form of support must bring their own equipment with them. It is the responsibility of the guest to check with the relevant producers/suppliers that this equipment is safe to take on board and use on a cruise ship, and to organise both its delivery to the departure terminal in good time for embarkation, and its collection at the end of the cruise.

For detailed information on the ports of call and excursions suitable for passengers who experience mobility problems, read the relevant pages in this section, and once on board check the accuracy of the information provided.

Hearing Impairments

For safety reasons, guests with hearing disabilities must travel with a carer. Passengers with partial hearing disabilities can travel alone, only if they request the installation of a TDD System kit in their cabin. This kit, available in limited numbers on all ships, includes light and vibrating devices, a text phone and an analogue alarm clock.

Furthermore, wireless amplifiers and indicator lights are available in the theatre and other rooms. Indicator lights are also available in the lifts.

Children with Special Needs

Children with special needs have normal access to all on-board services and facilities. Although the entertainment staff do not offer a childcare service, they are trained to provide a wide range of entertainment aimed specifically at children.

All children, including those with special needs, are assigned to a certain entertainment area depending on their age. If necessary, children or young people with special needs can be placed with a lower age group (with the agreement of their parents), or they can take part in specific activities, together with their parents if required.

Excursions

The majority of excursions are fully accessible, however we would recommend that all our guests to read-through the programme of available tours at the Excursion Office on board.

Guests with food intolerances and/or allergies are asked to inform MSC Cruises of their requirements through the Special Needs Form, and, once on board, to confirm their needs at the Reception – Guest Service and/or with the Maître d’Hôtel. If informed in advance, on-board staff will be happy to assist guests in choosing dishes that do not contain foods or ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction.

MSC Cruises has obtained a certification from Bureau Veritas to provide gluten-free menus worldwide (food code: < 20 ppm*) in the main restaurants of MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia, MSC Magnifica, MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra and MSC Musica. All gluten-free recipes are prepared by skilled personnel in dedicated kitchens on board, using products stored in special areas in accordance with the "Cruises Project" of the Associazione Italiana Celiachia (Italian Coeliac Association) with which MSC works closely for the above ships, cruising in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe. On MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica guests can find only pre-packaged gluten-free snacks such as, biscuits, croissants, sponge cakes and muffins.

Once MSC Grandiosa and MSC Bellissima are launched, we will complete the certification process with Bureau Veritas that will allow us to offer gluten-free menus on these ships as well. The process is expected to be completed within 1 month after the launch of the ships, so please check availability of gluten-free menus at time of booking.

For any other requirements not expressly mentioned in this section, please get in touch with your travel agent.

*MSC gluten free menus are suitable for gluten intolerance, but not in case of gluten allergy.

In line with global standards, smoking areas on board are fewer than non-smoking areas and are indicated by signage and ashtrays.

Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is not permitted in cabins, on cabin balconies and anywhere not expressly indicated by signage and ashtrays.

The Company reserves the right to levy a fee should passengers be found smoking in non-designated areas of the vessel. Repeatedly smoking in non-smoking areas can ultimately lead to disembarkation.

We remind you that throwing cigarette butts or anything else overboard at sea is strictly prohibited as it may seriously put in danger safety at sea.

Wi-Fi is available on board all of our ships.

Satellite Internet Access is available in all public areas of the ship and in most cabins, including all MSC Yacht Club suites. All you need is one of our Satellite Internet Access packages and a mobile internet device (smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.).

You can also access the internet without the need for a mobile device, by using the computers in the Internet Café on board.

When at sea, it is not possible to access the internet using a high-speed broadband connection as you would on land. Instead, internet connectivity on board is provided by links between the ship and communications satellites in orbit far above the Earth.

Suitably trained and certified guide dogs are allowed on board all ships, assuming that they are in a good state of health and possess all necessary documents for entering the foreign countries visited during the cruise.

The guest will be informed in advance about the accommodation made for the animal, the facilities available (if required) and the embarking and disembarking procedure.

The guest is personally responsible (with the aid of the carer if applicable) for the custody, feeding and general care of the animal during the whole stay on board.

For us sustainability means protecting the environment, supporting the people who work with us and choose to travel with us, as well as the communities and places that we visit and do business with.

Our sustainability programme is organised around four key pillars: Planet, People, Place and Procurement. This translates into a drive to continuously improve our fleet’s environmental performance; caring for all employees and promoting diversity and inclusion; working to ensure that our impact on the coastal communities that we reach remains positive; and responsibly sourcing the products and services that we purchase.

Sustainability it also means putting the safety of our crew and guests at the center of everything. In 2020, due to the extraordinary circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic we had to halt all our operations and repatriate thousands of guests and crew home in a matter of days. Furthermore we had to secure our business, adapt our operations and prepare for a safe return of guests thanks to an industry-leading Health & Safety protocol.

Everyone loves the feel of freshly-laundered clothes and the convenience of a same-day laundry service.

Extend the relaxation after a wonderful long holiday by returning home with your shirts and trousers washed, dried and ready to put away

Take advantage of our laundry packages any time, even the last day of your cruise. That's why we offer several Laundry Service Packages to choose from.

For a modest single charge, you and every traveller in your cabin can use the service whenever you like for up to 20 items per cabin per cruise.

Simply leave your items for collection before 9am on any day except the last day of your cruise, and they’ll be returned freshly laundered by 5pm on the very same day.

Now isn’t that a clean sight better? Take advantage of our pre-boarding rates now!

We want to make sure you are always prepared when cruising with MSC. Below are some suggestions to make sure you pack appropriate clothing for the various activities you will undertake during your cruise.

Daytime Attire

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

Evening Wear

A more polished look is recommended for evening wear when dining in the main dining rooms, speciality restaurants and while enjoying the entertainment in the theatre, bars, and lounges. Collared shirts, tailored trousers or shorts, skirts, and dresses are suggested. It is advisable to layer clothing and bring a light jacket or jumper for cooler nights and the ship’s air-conditioned public areas.

Gala Night

On Gala Night, dress to impress! Whether that means a tuxedo, suit and tie, an evening gown or cocktail dress, or perhaps it’s your very best jeans and polo shirt, your attire should fit your own level of elegance. The only thing required is your smile.

Theme parties

We organise various daytime and evening theme parties on board. You may wish to bring bright, fun clothes for the Sunshine Party and something white for the White Party.

Sports lovers

For sports lovers, gym shoes and tracksuits are must-haves when using our cutting-edge gym and attending yoga and dance courses, where available.

Northern Europe cruises

For cruises sailing towards the Svalbard Islands and Polar areas, please ensure you have adequate polar clothing.

Shore Excursions

For shore excursions, which may include visits to religious sites, we advise that appropriate clothing should be worn (covered knees and shoulders).

Dress Restrictions

Specific restrictions may be enforced by onboard staff members, including restaurant hostesses and management. At no point is swimwear allowed in any formal dining venue for any meal, including breakfast and lunch. Shorts, flip-flops, and tank tops are not allowed for evening wear or Gala Night in the main dining rooms, speciality restaurants, or MSC Yacht Club. T-shirts are not allowed to be worn on Gala Night. Dress code rules that are posted outside the buffet should be followed.