8 Things for Kids & Teens on MSC Cruises

Considering cruising with kids or teens? Look no further than MSC Cruises. Across the MSC fleet, all of the line’s ships offer something for anyone ages 0-17 that will guarantee both parents and kids alike have the perfect vacation experience. Expect to find dedicated onboard spaces for all ages, special activities and entertainment just for kids, and even family-focused in-port programming. Here are eight things that kids and teens can enjoy on an MSC Cruise. 

1. Dedicated Kid and Teen Spaces

Every MSC ship offers five children’s clubs for guests ages 0-17. These spaces offer a variety of organized activities supervised by specialized MSC crew. Clubs are open every day, even in port, and there is no extra associated cost. 

Children ages 0 - 3 years can join the Baby Club where they will be supervised by MSC’s specialized Babycare Staff. Baby Club areas feature a dedicated playcare space designed by Chicco, a leading baby product brand. Kids ages 3 - 6 will join the Mini Club. This space offers games, events, and activities geared toward this age group, as well as family activities like the Doremi Family Disco. Older children ages 6 - 11 will go to the Junior Club. Here kids can make new friends and participate in dedicated activities such as Master Chef at Sea Junior, Dorebo Sports Competitions, the Kelly & Kloe On Board Green Screen Experience, and the Fire & Ice live video game. 

Preteens ages 12 - 14 will find their fun at the Young Club. Here, kids will take part in supervised activities like sports tournaments and high-tech games. Older teens, ages 15 - 17, will join the Teen Club. Activities in this club range from sports and competitions, a disco, karaoke, video game contests, and special themed events. For this age group, MSC offers a Drone Academy where kids can learn how to pilot their own drone and race it through a dedicated onboard obstacle course (Drone Academy only on MSC Grandiosa).  

2. MSC Family Explorer Club

MSC Family Explorer Club is a unique onshore excursion program geared specifically for family travelers. The goal of these excursions is for adults and kids to explore a destination in a family-friendly manner that combines both adventure and education. Family Explorer experiences are developed to keep children entertained, while also providing an enriching and educational experience for adults. Leaders for these excursions are not only knowledgeable tour guides, but also excellent storytellers. Each tour features an interactive component where acting as detectives/explorers, kids play a key role in accomplishing a unique mission on each tour inspired by the history of the location. Tickets for MSC Family Explorer Club excursions for children are 50 percent off. 

For parents wishing to spend the day exploring the port solo, MSC offers complimentary onboard child care services for children ages 3 - 11 at the Mini Club. 

3. Family-Friendly Dining 

The dining options on MSC Cruises are a great opportunity to take kids and teens on a culinary voyage of discovery as they sample an array of new international dishes served onboard. All meals served in the Main Restaurants and the Buffett are included with the cruise fare. 

For parents looking to have a date night dinner, kids can eat at the supervised Kids Club areas. If your family is exhausted after a fun-packed day, you can even choose to have a meal delivered directly to your stateroom. 

4. LEGO Partnership

LEGO is an exclusive partner with MSC for kid entertainment spaces on all of the line’s ships. Every day, children ages 3 - 11 can play with a vast selection of LEGO bricks and equipment in the Mini and Juniors Clubs. Ships including the MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, and MSC Seaview even include a dedicated LEGO play areas. 

Once during each voyage, MSC holds a special entertainment event called the LEGO Experience On Board. This day features special fun LEGO-centric activities for kids to enjoy. 

5. My Smart Card

MSC’s MySmartCards are prepaid cards which children ages 7 -17 years old can use to purchase soft drinks, snacks, the FunPass and more. MSC Created this card to allow families to control how much money children spend while they are away from their parents. This way, there are no surprises with extra kid or teen purchases at the end of the voyages. My Smart Cards are purchased onboard the ship. 

6. Staterooms Designed with Family in Mind

Across the board of MSC’s fleet, you will find a variety of room choices perfect to accommodate your families’ needs. Family Stateroom cabins feature two adjoined rooms, each with their own bathrooms. Classes of Family Staterooms include Super Family Plus, Super Family + Oceanview or Balcony, Super Family, Family Balcony and Family Ocean View staterooms. Depending on the class, rooms accommodate up to 10 total passengers. 

Family Staterooms are available on the MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Preziosa, MSC Fantasia, MSC Magnifica, MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia, MSC Divina, and MSC Opera.

Thanks to MSC’s Family Special Fare, children occupying a second stateroom pay only 60 percent of the adult fare (restrictions apply). 

7. Unique Outdoor Spaces  ​

While all of MSC’s ships offer a variety of outdoor spaces, each has offerings that are big on fun for kids and teens. MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside and MSC Meraviglia are each home to an onboard Water Park with aquatic fun for all ages. These parks feature twisting slides, and a range of pools and activities perfect for every age group. 

Thrill-seeking kids and teens sailing on the MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, and MSC Meraviglia will love taking a walk on the Himalayan Bride. This skywalk suspension bridge is located at the aft of the vessel and sits 195 feet above sea level. 

MSC Seaview and MSC Seaside's Zip Line is also an exciting activity for older kids and teens. This fun ride features two racing zip lines that extend across the side of the vessel. Zipping across the ship while you are watching the ocean race by in the distance is certainly an experience you are sure not to forget! 

8. Family Deals

MSC Cruises makes it easier than ever to cruise with kids with family-friendly pricing. Children under the age of 18 traveling with their parents in the same stateroom cruise free of charge -  only taxes and port dues, insurance, flights and transfers (where applicable) apply. Note - This offer is always valid for children under 2 years of age. In other cases, it is subject to availability, which varies according to season, and must be confirmed at the time of booking. 

MSC’s 'All in One' fares are perfect for one adult who is traveling with up to 3 children under the age of 18. With these fares, the adult pays the regular quoted fare, the first child under 18 pays just 60 percent of the adult fare, and the remaining children pay reduced fares, plus port taxes where applicable.

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