A pioneering voyage for MSC Cruises in the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia

Elisabetta De Nardo talks about the success of the brand’s first deployment in the Red Sea

A pioneering voyage for MSC Cruises in the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia

Elisabetta De Nardo of MSC Cruises talks with Alex Smith about the success of the cruise line’s first deployment in the Red Sea and what makes the region such a special place to cruise

By Alex Smith | 11 April 2022

Last July, MSC Cruises made the bold choice to position one if its newest ships, MSC Bellissima, in the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia. The decision to move the ship out of the traditional regions for cruising and become one of the first major cruise lines to homeport in Saudi Arabia foresaw that guests would embrace the chance for a fresh new experience, and the ship’s voyages in the region were hailed a success as the vessel cruised continuously from summer and then throughout the 2021-2022 winter season. 

The unique prospect of a Red Sea cruise was a significant factor in appealing to returning guests who may have already sailed onboard cruises in those more traditional regions, says Elisabetta de Nardo, vice president of port development.

“The Red Sea cruises from Jeddah are new to us and the industry,” says De Nardo. “That word ‘new’ is very attractive for experienced holidaymakers and the itinerary itself is incredible. Regions or countries that open their borders to tourism for the first time are an excellent marketing tool themselves and a cruise is a great way to visit and see this remarkable country. These are early days for Red Sea cruises from Jeddah and we’re delighted to be pioneers as the first major cruise line to base a ship there.”

De Nardo says the region has proved attractive to cruise passengers.

“Our guests can discover the untouched beauty of this region to its fullest and go ashore and explore plenty of undiscovered destinations,” she explains. “There’s something for absolutely everyone – whether it be culture and traditions that date back many thousands of years, somewhere new to visit, amazing beaches, fabulous weather, or simply the chance to enjoy a well-earned break.”

MSC Bellissima has been homeporting in Jeddah, the second largest city of Saudi Arabia. The port dates to the seventh century and the city offers a range of cultural highlights, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.

“Homeporting in this vibrant city that blends history and modernity, lets our guests have their pick of sites to visit,” says De Nardo. “Al Balad, the old town of Jeddah, is a cultural melting-pot with beautiful buildings and is one of the many Unesco World Heritage sites Saudi Arabia has to offer. Jeddah is also known for its waterfront and modern shopping malls, offering entertainment and recreational activities to its visitors.”

Guests onboard MSC Bellissima are also able to visit another Unesco World Heritage site when the ship calls at Aqaba, Jordan. The port’s proximity to the ancient city of Petra provides the chance for guests to explore one of the most recognisable destinations in the world.

“Aqaba itself is a heaven for divers and history buffs alike,” says De Nardo. “From snorkelling in the Aqaba Marine Park to touring Mamluk Castle and the Aqaba Archaeological Museum, this destination has something to attract everyone’s interests.”

The reaction of passengers to the new itineraries has been overwhelmingly positive, with a number choosing to return for another sailing later in the year.

“About 60 per cent of passengers were families with young children, who loved the whole experience. Five per cent rebooked on MSC Bellissima for a summer cruise and many more have rebooked for the ship’s winter cruises, which will also be open to all our international travellers.”

Given the success of the itineraries, De Nardo is excited about the possibilities for MSC to expand its offerings in the region in the future.

“Travelling through the Red Sea by cruise ship is one of the most spectacular ways to take in the stunning coastline and enjoy the region’s unique and still untouched beauty of sea and nature,” she says. “Just thinking about the fast-growing opportunities to increase the number of destinations we can offer is so exciting.”

This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of  Cruise & Ferry Review . All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed. 

Subscribe to Cruise & Ferry Review for FREE  here  to get the next issue delivered directly to your inbox or your door.

Tags: MSC Cruises     MSC Bellissima     Saudi Arabia     Red Sea

Alex Smith

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MSC Cruises Heading to Saudi Arabia for the First Time Ever Starting in November

"The introduction of Saudi Arabia to our winter program is a one-of-a-kind itinerary as it also offers Egypt and Jordan in an unparalleled combination of sun, beach, tradition, and culture."

msc saudi arabia cruise review

For the first time ever, MSC Cruises is offering passengers the chance to sail the Red Sea, visiting destinations like Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.

The MSC Magnifica ship will offer cruises this winter from its new homeport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The ship will sail seven-night itineraries from Nov. 13 that will call in Aqaba for Petra in Jordan, Safaga for Luxor in Egypt, and then the Saudi ports of AlWajh and Yanbu before returning to Jeddah.

"The introduction of Saudi Arabia to our winter program is a one-of-a-kind itinerary as it also offers Egypt and Jordan in an unparalleled combination of sun, beach, tradition, and culture," CEO of MSC Cruises, Gianni Onorato, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. "Not to mention that traveling through the Red Sea by cruise ship is one of the most spectacular ways to take in the stunning coastline and enjoy the region's unique and still untouched beauty of sea and nature."

Travelers will be able to disembark in each of the ports and explore the unique cultural treasures on land, including Jeddah's Old Town, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra, and the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.

Those who book a December trip aboard the MSC Magnifica will also be able to take part in history, as Saudi Arabia will host the inaugural Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2021 on December 5 in Jeddah. Guests aboard the ship around this time can take part in the action while aboard their cruise.

The MSC Magnifica will sail its Red Sea itinerary through March 2022. Bookings will open on May 1 for future guests.

The MSC Virtuosa will also set sail in Saudi Arabia during its winter 2021 season. The ship will debut in the UK this May, then call Dubai its homeport throughout the winter, making trips throughout the Arabian Gulf.

Cailey Rizzo is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure, currently based in Brooklyn. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram , or at caileyrizzo.com .

msc saudi arabia cruise review

MSC Cruises: 2021-2022 in Saudi Arabia

MSC Cruises will be sailing to Saudi Arabia during the winter of 2021-2022 thanks to an agreement that will bring the MSC Virtuosa and the MSC Magnifica to the Red Sea.

International guests will be able to reach Jeddah with direct flights from the most important European and international cities served by Saudia Airlines, the official airline of the Kingdom. The flights will be modified to adapt to the departure and arrival times of the ships, in order to ensure a convenient organization of connections.

Msc Cruises

Msc Cruises

Cruise Saudi and MSC Cruises plan to host on board two ships, the MSC Magnifica and the MSC Virtuosa , about 170,000 passengers during the upcoming 2021/22 winter season. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the historical, cultural and natural treasures of Saudi Arabia. Even Saudi residents will be able to choose to spend their vacation days in their own country to discover its wonders and enjoy the comfort that only a cruise ship can offer.

According to the agreement, signed in Riyadh, the MSC Magnifica will have as its homeport one of the largest ports in the Middle East, that of Jeddah . The city itself is one of the largest in Saudi Arabia and its historic city center has been recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Msc Cruises

The program includes seven-day cruises in the Red Sea during the period from November 2021 to March 2022, arriving to various ports and destinations within the region including three Saudi ports. The cruises will also include a weekly stopover at the port of Al Wajh, from which it will be possible to disembark to visit the town of Alula which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Msc Magnifica

Msc Magnifica

Some guests on board the MSC Magnifica will have the opportunity to see a thrilling sporting event during their trip: the Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix 2021, scheduled to happen on December 5th in Jeddah.

To the Red Sea itineraries of the MSC Magnifica will be added those of the MSC Virtuosa , the flagship of the company. The MSC Virtuosa will spend the winter 2021 season departing from the port of Dammam, with the possibility to visit the Al-Hasa oasis, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Msc Cruises

This new destination is a major novelty in the company’s portfolio but also in the world of cruises, where MSC Cruises is a leader in the discovery of new cruise stops and in signing agreements for opening new itineraries.

Don’t miss out on the updates and information available on Cruising Journal with Reviews of MSC Cruises , opinions and cruise offers.

Gabriele Bassi

Msc Magnifica

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  • MSC Cruises

Saudi Arabia on MSC Virtuosa!

nikkiw60

By nikkiw60 , October 28, 2021 in MSC Cruises

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Have found out couple of days ago that unless you book a fly cruise with MSC you will be have to get a visa for Saudi at £154 per person. Even if you stay on the ship! Saudi was not on the itinerary when we booked it was Bahrain. I am very angry about this. We have booked with 2 extra nights in Dubai at the end.

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6 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said: Have found out couple of days ago that unless you book a fly cruise with MSC you will be have to get a visa for Saudi at £154 per person. Even if you stay on the ship! Saudi was not on the itinerary when we booked it was Bahrain. I am very angry about this. We have booked with 2 extra nights in Dubai at the end.

So nice of MSC to actually inform you Nik. Wear a Newcastle shirt and you might get in for free.

Haha

17 minutes ago, sidari said: So nice of MSC to actually inform you Nik. Wear a Newcastle shirt and you might get in for free.

They didn’t! It was Jack! I have got him on the case! And good one re Newcastle shirt..

Nik ... First line was sarcasm lol ... 😁

kremerlorraine

.Where did you get this information? We are on the Barcelona- Dubai from 5/11 with a stop in Jeddah. There is no information about visa requirements from MSC. I understood the cost of the visa was more like £95. Still far too much for an excursion and totally unacceptable if you're not getting off!

KINGBOBOFTHENORTH

5 hours ago, kremerlorraine said: .Where did you get this information?

Yes, I'd like to know this information too. We're on a Virtuosa sailing in December that was going to Bahrain originally and then that port was switched to Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

perakcruiser

12 hours ago, nikkiw60 said: Have found out couple of days ago that unless you book a fly cruise with MSC you will be have to get a visa for Saudi at £154 per person. Even if you stay on the ship! Saudi was not on the itinerary when we booked it was Bahrain. I am very angry about this. We have booked with 2 extra nights in Dubai at the end.

Well, nobody took this cruise yet as the ship is still in Europe. But in a few days we will hopefully know more. 

But so far I never was charged for these kind of visa when not leaving the ship. OK, one time I was charged and had to go to reception the night before arrival and tell them that I will stay on the boat. The visa charge was immediately cancelled. 

I think you mix this up with the Red Sea cruises from MSC with the Bellissima. 

I got the information first from our travel agent who told me to write a letter for him to forward saying  wasn’t happy about this. I then checked the Saudi website, where I got the amount from. I then phoned MSC myself to check. Note if you booked a fly cruise you are ok it is included in the fare.

2 hours ago, perakcruiser said: Well, nobody took this cruise yet as the ship is still in Europe. But in a few days we will hopefully know more.    But so far I never was charged for these kind of visa when not leaving the ship. OK, one time I was charged and had to go to reception the night before arrival and tell them that I will stay on the boat. The visa charge was immediately cancelled.    I think you mix this up with the Red Sea cruises from MSC with the Bellissima. 

I am not mixing this up with Bellissima why would I ? I am on the Virtuosa who has a port stop in Saudi Arabia as I have said.

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58 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said: ....Note if you booked a fly cruise you are ok it is included in the fare.

That is discrimination. I could perhaps buy that line if flying to Saudi, but you aren't! Definitely strengthens your case, fight on and hoping you win!

Like

1 hour ago, ChC said: Since the ship only make a call to Saudi Arabia without embark or disembark, in many cases, the shipping company should be able to obtain a shore visa for everyone onboard. It should not make any difference whether you are on fly-cruise package or not. If MSC is able to secure shore visa for fly-cruise people, it should be able to do so for another group too. Because if I understand correctly you all get on the ship in Dubai, not Saudi.   I would say the agent is confused. It is either visa on arrival or shore visa for everyone, or none.   However, there is a cruise on MSC depart from Jeddah to the red sea, I assume the agent you talked to is confused about that cruise with yours. Because if you purchase a fly-cruise package for that particular cruises depart from Jeddah to the red sea, the Saudi visa is indeed included. And if you book cruise only you will have to obtain visa on your own.    So naturally what happened is the agent you talked to, might have looked at company files on Saudi, without deep understanding of the difference between the Jeddah cruise and your cruise depart from Dubai with a call in Saudi. It is very frustrating when this happens to you. MSC has obtained 'favours' from Saudi regarding tourists cruise industry. Your cruise call to Damman should be OK without too much hassle.    My advice is to ask your travel agent double check TIMATIC to see if there is cruise ship related entry. If not, press MSC to talk to someone who actually knows what they are talking about instead of someone who simply look at the company files without really understand it. If that fails, cancel the cruise. 

To cancel the cruise we would loose our deposit. I was on the phone for a long time whilst the agent checked the information. The agent wasn’t confused about which cruise I am taking. My travel agent informed me in the first instance of this.

I was only posting in the first place to  1. To alert others taking this cruise. And 2. Because I am bloody annoyed.  As anyone on this forum knows I am a flag flyer for MSC but on this occasion I am angry! Hopefully the situation gets sorted. I am also looking at changing to a fly cruise but then we would losses our airline deposit so that wouldn’t be ideal.

The solution would be if they did the same as in Russia where if you book a tour you get the visa included.

I am not actually looking for advice as I am dealing with this and so is my travel agent, and I have also been looking at the government site for Saudi.

4 hours ago, nikkiw60 said: I am not mixing this up with Bellissima why would I ? I am on the Virtuosa who has a port stop in Saudi Arabia as I have said.

The Bellissima Fly&Cruise includes " SAUDI ARABIA VISA", the Virtuosa Fly&Cruise does not. 

And as many markets not allow the cruise companies to add any unavoidable extra charges that are not included in the advertised price, it is technically not possible for MSC to force you to pay for this visa if you don´t want to have it. 

It is in this way with St. Petersburg, Havana and so on. 

In your case where you booked the cruise with Bahrain it anyway is totally impossible that MSC charges you for a visa you don´t want. 

2 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said: and I have also been looking at the government site for Saudi.

Not useful as the cruise companies always have their own deals with the governments. And I have learnt that "normal" government officials don´t know these deals anyway and will probably give you a wrong answer. As we got from the Turkish immigration a couple of years before. Good we did not believe them and waited what will happen during the cruise. Result: No visa needed, all nationalities could leave the boat.

Just seen this which should apply.. we are in port for less than 12 hours and technically we are in transit I would have thought..

5649EB06-7EEB-44BB-A032-17BA8AD6898C.jpeg

Update - TA has said that MSC are looking at doing the same as Russia to be able to add visa to shore excursion. Watch this space.

When it comes to Saudi Arabia, and answer is usually “who the hell knows.” These cruises are new. The whole concept of a tourist visa is new. There are forces within the country pushing for change. And forces pushing back. Gonna be interesting for sure. But I wouldn’t look at the situation and assume what “normally” happens will happen here.   

side note: I briefly looked at a cruise that included Saudi Arabia. The lack of clear information from MSC on visa issues really turned me off. Maybe someday. But for me, not now. 

1 hour ago, nikkiw60 said: Update - TA has said that MSC are looking at doing the same as Russia to be able to add visa to shore excursion. Watch this space.

Interestingly, a few weeks ago I wrote down shore excursion prices and they only offered one for Dammam. It was called Cultural Dammam (Tour DMM01) and it was USD$75 per person. Yesterday I went back to actually book shore excursions and there are sevaral options there and DMM01 is now called Cultural Damman For Fully Vaccinated Guests but it now costs USD$126. So my guess is that this includes the necessary visa for Saudi Arabia.

I'm sure for Virtusoa Middle East cruises the visa is not required if you are staying on the ship, and if you disembark it might be provided for free (as it always was for Oman).  I think there is come confusion with MSC Bellisima, where a visa is required (and provided for free if you book a fly&cruise package, but not if you just book the cruise only).

https://www.msccruises.co.uk/faq/info-red-sea

We're due to sail on Virtuosa next Friday from Barcelona to Dubai with a stop in Jeddah. I'll let you know if there are any issues raised by MSC when we check in.

2 hours ago, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said: Interestingly, a few weeks ago I wrote down shore excursion prices and they only offered one for Dammam. It was called Cultural Dammam (Tour DMM01) and it was USD$75 per person. Yesterday I went back to actually book shore excursions and there are sevaral options there and DMM01 is now called Cultural Damman For Fully Vaccinated Guests but it now costs USD$126. So my guess is that this includes the necessary visa for Saudi Arabia.

Hmm, when I checked a couple of days before there were two options, DMM01 ins now 1 09 € (I dont remember the old price as I did not consider it) and a much more spectacular called  Al Ahsa, the forgotten oasis for unfortunately very steep 152 €. Now they have more already.  King Abdulaziz Centrer for World Culture in Daharan (Tour DMM07) costs friendly 52 €. Will research this place in the next days, sounds quite interesting. 

If this excursion is available for 52 €, then the visa price (if there is one) cannot be very high. 

As I have booked under the law of the European Union whatever happens MSC anyway cannot charge me something extra i don´t want, so wait and see is the way to go. 

18 minutes ago, ChC said: If you can find the department within MSC they should be able to provide you with the most up-to-date information. But knowing MSC organisation behaviour I can only wish you the best of luck.

As you correctly assume, the immigration department at the MSC HQ strictly refuses to talk with customers and also does not give information to the hotline people. If you are very lucky you can catch a guy from the immigration desk on board, usually when asking at the reception and the staff points with the finger and says "Here is our immigration guy, you can ask him". Catch him and ask "Can we leave the ship in Istanbul?" and he will say "Yes, no matter what was told to you before, all passengers can go ashore in Istanbul" 🙂

As MSC has never been in Saudi Arabia and will start cruising to Dammam December onwards I would not be surprised if they also not already know everything full detail right now. 

1 hour ago, perakcruiser said: Hmm, when I checked a couple of days before there were two options, DMM01 ins now 1 09 € (I dont remember the old price as I did not consider it) and a much more spectacular called  Al Ahsa, the forgotten oasis for unfortunately very steep 152 €. Now they have more already.  King Abdulaziz Centrer for World Culture in Daharan (Tour DMM07) costs friendly 52 €. Will research this place in the next days, sounds quite interesting.    If this excursion is available for 52 €, then the visa price (if there is one) cannot be very high.    As I have booked under the law of the European Union whatever happens MSC anyway cannot charge me something extra i don´t want, so wait and see is the way to go.   

You would pay for the visa via the embassy if it is needed when you apply for it.

59 minutes ago, ChC said:   My dear friend, read the comments below yours. The agent you talked to is totally confused with your cruise and the Jeddah Fly Cruise package. Read 8420PR's post on this issue, which incidentally proved my point. @8420PR

I am sorry but this is a very patronising post.

1 hour ago, perakcruiser said: Now they have more already.  King Abdulaziz Centrer for World Culture in Daharan (Tour DMM07) costs friendly 52 €. Will research this place in the next days, sounds quite interesting. If this excursion is available for 52 €, then the visa price (if there is one) cannot be very high.       

Fascinating. On the U.S. website DMM07 has that same name as you mentioned above but it's USD$161 for a 5hr tour. What I ended up booking was DMM03 " ITHRA ON YOUR OWN - FOR FULLY VACCINATED GUESTS" which is a 4hr tour and takes you to Ithra. I googled Ithra and it's the same King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture! It was only USD$60 which is the same as your €52.

So basically I'm back to having no idea what's going on at that port!

My guess, and this is only a guess, is that the ship will collect all passports at the beginning of the cruise and return them at the end of the cruise, getting necessary visas along the way.

34 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said: You would pay for the visa via the embassy if it is needed when you apply for it.

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The only cruise blog for the Middle East and South Africa

msc saudi arabia cruise review

MSC Cruises adjusts onboard cruise experience for Saudi Arabian market

MSC Cruises has made several changes to the onboard cruise experience during its deployment of MSC Bellissima out of Jeddah , to better suit the local Saudi Arabian cruise market.

Changes made to experiences and services aboard MSC Bellissima include female-only swimming pools, all-female dance classes and other events, as well as events and activities tailored to the local market.

msc saudi arabia cruise review

MSC Cruises has designated some pools and activities as female-only in deference to local Saudi Arabian traditions

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The changes have been enthusiastically embraced by Saudi Arabian passengers, especially women, many of whom are travelling outside Saudi Arabia for the first time without a male relative accompanying them.

“Most of our guests are Saudis or residents in Saudi Arabia… So we have adapted our product from a 100% European offer to a mix with Saudi and Gulf style,” said Mohammed Abdulfattah, events manager aboardMSC Bellisima.

Saudi Arabia ended its long-running ‘guardian’ system in 2019, which had until then required any Saudi Arabian women to have a male relative in attendance when travelling aboard.

Women in Saudi Arabia still need a male relative’s permission for various decisions, including marriage and divorce, but cruising and travel in general is no longer one of them.

Dalal Mohammed, who booked a cruise aboard MSC Bellissima with her sister said she appreciated the privacy provided by MSC Cruises with the changes to its onboard cruise experience.

“Although we are [on a cruise ship], we still have privacy and we appreciated, that today, we swam in a swimming pool reserved for women, and we took dance lessons for girls only,” she told Reuters .

msc saudi arabia cruise review

MSC Bellissima at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal

RELATED:  MSC Cruises announces COVID-19 travel insurance for Saudi cruises 

RELATED:  MSC’s Saudi Arabia cruises transformative for Middle East cruise sector

Majed Sait and his wife who spent their honeymoon on a cruise aboard MSC Bellissima said the experience offered something completely new to the Saudi Arabian travel sector.

“This is a three-day trip but it has been very relaxing for us and a completely different experience,” he said.

MSC Bellissima can accommodate 4,500 guests across 15 passenger decks, with 12 restaurants, 20 bars and cafes, four swimming pools, 9 Jacuzzis, a games arcade, F1 Simulator and a huge shopping, entertainment and dining promenade called The Galleria.

The Galleria, styled like a Mediterranean village, houses bars, specialty restaurants and shops, and is covered by a 5,167 sqft (480 sqm) LED dome ceiling called “digital sky”.

msc saudi arabia cruise review

The Galleria shopping promenade aboard MSC Bellissima

The ship is spending the Middle Eastern summer and winter sailing roundtrip from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to several destinations on the Red Sea, including Safaga in Egypt (for Luxor), Aqaba in Jordan (for Petra) and Saudi Arabian ports that are home to pristine beaches, ancient towns and World Heritage Sites.

Foreign tourism inside Saudi Arabia was restricted and opportunities for domestic holidaymakers were limited until the country in 2016 began to diversify its economy in earnest, enacting key reforms such as tourist visas, and launching a series of tourism projects, including along the Red Sea coast.

The government has said it wants the tourism sector to contribute 10 percent to gross domestic product by 2030 and the cruise sector will be a major part of that. A cruise terminal has already been built in Jeddah, with more planned for additional Saudi ports.

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Categories: Middle East Cruise News , News

Tagged as: Jeddah , Middle East , MSC Bellissima , MSC Cruises , Saudi Arabia

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Founder and editor of Cruise Arabia & Africa. I try to create the best news and information specifically for cruise passengers taking cruises to and from Dubai (where I live) and South Africa (where I was born). You can contact me at shaun(at)cruisearabiaonline.com. View all posts by Shaun Ebelthite

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MSC Seaside Cruise Review

I f you are looking for a good value for your money (and who isn’t these day?), then I’d recommend taking a look at MSC. On our recent fall cruise on the MSC Seaside, we found the Seaside to be clean, with nice open public spaces, and a gracious crew. The value of the cruise to the money we spent was fantastic, and this was the weighty factor in our choosing this ship and line.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Table of Contents

How to get to port canaveral cruise port, hilton orlando buena vista palace – disney springs area, wyndham grand orlando resort bonnet creek, cabana bay resort, booking your cruise on msc seaside.

Bella, Fantastica and Aurea Experiences: What are the Differences & Perks

Stateroom Perks and Features

All suites on msc seaside come with aurea experience perks, pre/post cruise option orlando theme parks.

The ship is home-ported in Port Canaveral, Florida. Port Canaveral is easily reached by flights into Orlando International airport, Orlando Sanford International, and even Jacksonville International airport. However, out of the three, Orlando is the easiest, both in terms of the number of daily flights, and ease of airport navigation.

My suggestion, especially if arriving through either Orlando International or Orlando Sanford International is to add a day to the front end and a day to the back end of your MSC Seaside cruise and explore the area. There is so much to do in Orlando, and certainly don’t discount Port Canaveral – it has a lot as well, including Kennnedy Space Center. Once you’ve arrived, you can either rent a car , or hire a car service to take you to the port on the day of embarkation.

Where to Stay If I Arrive Early

There are so many options here! You can stay in Orlando, and there are several hotels we like in this area. If you want to arrive a few days prior to your cruise and visit the theme parks – Disney or Universal, you can stay at one of the park-affiliated hotels. If visiting Disney, and staying in one of the affiliated hotels, you will get complimentary transportation to and from the resort and the park.

Hotel Options for Pre/Post MSC Seaside Cruise Stay for Disney World

I don’t know about you, but I hate having to pay for parking….especially at theme parks! So whenever we visit Disney or Universal, we try to stay at one of the theme park recommended hotels that offer shuttle service.

The Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is located within the Disney World Resort and provides FREE theme park transfer service, making it one of our top choices for a theme park resort stay. Another plus is that it is connected to the Disney Springs dining and entertainment complex, which is one of my favorite places to visit.

The guest rooms have flat-screen TVs, small refrigerators (a nice perk!) and good bed linens. It is part of the Hilton brand, so if you are a frequent traveler and part of their reward program, you may get better pricing and/or perks. Amenities include on-site parking, breakfast, two pools, 4 restaurants, wifi throughout, fitness center, bar, and a golf course nearby.

The Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek is another hotel within the Disney resort group, and offers a FREE shuttle to the Disney parks. This hotel offers five swimming pools, they are pet friendly (Zach loves staying at the Wyndham!), two restaurants, and a spa. Perched on Lake Buena Vista with gorgeous tropical foliage, this hotel is amazing!

The rooms have flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, refrigerators, robes and spa amenities in each room. The spa is perfect for getting relaxed from all the park activities before you leave for your cruise. It offers both inside and outside treatment rooms, and a nail salon. There is also a fitness room and lagoon style resort pool. We’ve stayed at the Wyndham, though it has been several years, and one of our top reasons for choosing this hotel is that they are pet friendly, IF you are not visiting prior to a cruise departure, you’ll be really pleased with the dog-friendly option .

Hotel Options for Pre/Post MSC Seaside Cruise Stay for Universal Orlando

At Cabana Bay Resort not only do you get COMPLIMENTARY shuttle service to the parks, you also get EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter & Volcano Bay water park an hour before the park officially opens, making this resort one of the best choices for a pre-cruise stay. All the rooms at the resort feature flat-screen TVs, and other amenities include on-site parking, six restaurants, two pools, coffee shop (I love hotels and resorts that offer this – I don’t function without my early morning cup of coffee!) and wifi throughout the resort.

10 Quick Facts About the MSC Seaside

  • The Seaside debuted in 2017, and was considered the 14th largest ship in the world
  • The Yacht Club provides more than other ship’s VIP sections. On the Seaside, the exclusive Yacht Club area is extremely large, covering 5 decks! In addition to the perks listed above, the private Yacht Club offers a themed restaurant, private theater, private pool and a private bowling alley!
  • The ship does not offer a quantity of dining experiences; however they are laser focused on the quality of the food that they serve.
  • The entertainment is high quality; one of the things we love about this ship is that the shows were all broadway quality.
  • There are nine bars and lounges onboard the Seaside, so there are plenty of options for sipping.
  • There are four pool, four water slides, three hot tubs.
  • The spa is phenomenal, and I loved the hydro therapy pool and heated ceramic beds
  • MSC puts a high priority on kids , so there are kids clubs for all ages, including teens, and a fun waterpark that will keep them entertained.
  • Dress onboard is casual during the day and business casual in the evenings.
  • They designed the ship for maximum passenger flow, meaning that there are shorter wait times for the elevators, even during the high traffic times.

What To Not to Take on a Cruise

First time cruisers, and even some seasoned travelers struggle with what to take on a cruise. Here is a list of things you don’t need to take on your MSC cruise:

  • Coffee maker/electric kettle
  • Beach towels
  • Candles / Incense
  • Expensive jewelry
  • Too many clothes/shoes
  • Power strip / Extension cord

What should you bring with you on your cruise:

  • A lanyard to keep your cruise card
  • Backpack / Beach bag
  • Cash for tips (PRO TIP: Prepay for your gratuities)
  • Cross body purse (women)
  • Waterproof phone case
  • Rain poncho

Cruising on MSC Seaside – What to Know & How to Plan

We were pleasantly surprised by our MSC cruise , especially the cost to value. MSC is a relative newcomer to the North American cruising market, having entered into the US market in 2017. It has undergone many changes during this time, and now, in my humble opinion, with the options it brings it is quickly becoming a major competitor for Carnival, Royal Caribbean and even Celebrity.

Prior to my booking our MSC cruise on the Seaside , I did extensive research, reading countless reviews across a myriad number of publications. The reviews were mixed, but there was one strand running through them all – MSC has a few quirks and snags that are still being worked through in the North American market. That said, in our experience, having taken two MSC cruises in 2023 they are working out their quirks.

The booking process is a multi-step and multi-stage process. First you choose where you want to cruise to; then your departure port option(s); in the US these departure ports are New York, Miami, Port Canaveral (Orlando), and debuting in 2025 will be Galveston. Once you choose your departure port, then you will choose your departure date, a selection of all the ports that encompass the destination will show, click on the port you want, and then a selection of dates will show, along with the length of the cruise, and the beginning price, along with the ship.

The next stage is to select the cruise you want, with the itinerary you want. Once you do that, a screen pops up that reads “Choose Your Cruise Offer.” We choose the Best Value because it includes a drink package, and it is still quite affordable. Once you’ve chosen your cruise offer, the window brings you the total cost of the cruise, without any upgrades. When you click “Next” you’ll be taken to a screen that reads “Select Your Stateroom Category.”

Choose your category, you’ll see the new total for the cruise, click “Next.” Now you choose your cruise experience – Bella, Fantastic, or Aurea. We prefer the Aurea experience, because of some of the perks like Anytime Dining that are included. Then you get to choose your stateroom (in both the Bella and Fantasia experiences, you will be assigned a stateroom). Finally the last few steps involve inputting your personal information, and voilá you’ve booked your cruise! The booking process is not hard nor complicated, but there are a lot of steps to the final “I’ve booked my cruise stage.”

Bella, Fantastica and Aurea Experiences : What are the Differences & Perks

MSC’s cabins are attached to bookable “experiences,” which are Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and MSC Yacht Club. Each of these experiences offers a list of amenities and multiple cabin types.

The Bella Experience is the most basic of all and includes all the standard amenities, including line-branded toiletries, free buffet and main dining room meals, and most entertainment. Fantastica adds a few perks, such as free breakfast delivery to the cabin and the chance to request preferred dinner sitting in the main dining room.

Passengers who book the MSC Seaside Aurea Experience will get the most spacious cabins, along with privileges such as priority embarkation and disembarkation; prosecco and chocolate on arrival; free 24-hour room service, and free access to the Top Exclusive Solarium, anytime dining, and other perks.

The MSC Yacht Club is the highest cabin category, and it really is an all-inclusive luxury experience! This experience offers access to the accommodations via key card. The experience also includes dining in a private restaurant just for the Yacht Club, a private sundeck and pool, and an exclusive lounge with food and drinks, 24-hour butler service, free access to the spa’s thermal suite, and luggage packing/unpacking services.

Now that your cruise day is finally here, and you are set to depart, so what can you expect onboard your MSC Seaside cruise?

MSC Seaside Cabins

The standard cabin sizes on the MSC Seaside are, by industry standards, average. They all have two twin beds that can be pushed together for a king. Every cabin includes a couch, small nightstands, hair dryer, desk with chair, and a minibar (you will pay for these items), a spacious closet with sliding doors, flat-screen TV that is interactive with the MSC for Me app, on-demand movies (again for a fee), news channels, and cruise information channel.

The lights are turned on with your cruise card, and near the door are two switches to let your cabin steward know the room needed to be made up – this was confusing, because the lights are outside your door in the hall, so we had to double check we had hit the correct button.

A major plus for us was the number of outlets, including USB outlets. We each had six individual electronics – our phones, smart watches, and kindles, and we were able to plug all of them in.

The bathrooms are small compared to other cruise lines that we cruised on. The counter area is small, but there is a lot of shelf space. The toiletries are shampoo and shower gel. We were disappointed there was no body lotion; especially on a Bahamas cruise where you want the lotion after a day in the ocean.

Interior:  MSC Seaside interior cabins come in two different categories – Deluxe and Premium. All sleep up to five guests and range from 151 to 301 square feet. Instead of a sofa, these rooms have a chair.

Ocean View:  The ship’s outside cabins are all located on Deck 5 and come in at 183 square feet each.

Balcony:  Non-suite balcony staterooms on MSC Seaside range in size between 172 and 183 square feet (not including balconies). Deluxe balcony cabins have a 54-square-foot balcony with two upright chairs and a small drinks table; Deluxe Balcony Aurea rooms are all on Deck 9 and feature 97-square-foot balconies, two loungers, and a chair and table. Some cabins in this category also have showers with bathtubs.

Junior Suite:  These units offer 183 square feet of indoor space plus a 172-square-foot balcony that has two loungers and a drinks table. Junior Suites can only be booked with the Aurea experience.

Deluxe Suite Aurea:  Located on decks 9 to 15, these entry-level suites offer 215 square feet of indoor space, plus 86 square feet of outdoor space.

Premium Suite Aurea:  The most basic Premium Suite on MSC Seaside comes in between 280 and 344 square feet and features large balconies ranging in size from 97 to 151 square feet. Units with terraces are slightly larger at 301 square feet; the highlight is the massive 409-square-foot outdoor space.

Premium Suites with private on-balcony whirlpools are 301 square feet apiece. In addition to large balconies (75 square feet) with upright seating and a small drinks table, they also include a sitting area with sofa, a small glass table and a walk-in closet.

Grand Suites:  They range from 377 to 527 square feet with up to 183-square-foot balconies that hold several upright chairs and a couple of drinks tables. Each also offers an indoor dining table with chairs, a sofa and small glass table, and a walk-in closet.

These suites feature either one or two bedrooms, plus two bathrooms, including one with a tub.

Dining Onboard the Seaside

There are two main dining rooms on MSC’s Seaside, Seashore and Ipanema, and they are identical. You will be assigned to one of these two dining rooms. If you book in the Aurea experience, then you will be assigned a dining room, but you can dine anytime at the assigned restaurant during the open hours. Our first night onboard we were seated in a very private and intimate table by a window, and that is where we dined each evening. It was pleasant, and we felt as if we were on a date every night! You were not rushed to finish dinner, so we lingered and savored our meals and wine.

The food was tasty and well prepared, however the menu is not large. If red meat is not on the menu and you would like a steak, they will offer it, but it will be with an uncharge for the Linz heritage beef. The portions were not large, which appealed to Jim and I as we don’t like large portions, we prefer to order an appetizer, a salad or soup, our entree, and finish with dessert. The waitstaff was always smiling, pleasant and knowledgeable about the dishes.

The other dining venues on the Seaside included two buffet options, The Marketplace Buffet on Deck 8 (open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and the Biscayne Bay Buffet on Deck 16 (open for Breakfast & lunch), and both offer almost the same cuisine. We found that Biscayne Bay was noisy, because of so many families. We preferred the Marketplace. One standout item that MSC does well is their pizza. It is, in my opinion, the very best pizza I have eaten on any ship. Do not miss trying this stellar dish!

MSC does offer four speciality restaurants, the Asian Market, Ocean Cay, Butcher’s Cut, and Venichi 1878; however we opted out of these. We find speciality restaurants can be a niche change up on a longer cruise, but for a short 3 night Bahamas cruise, we did not try them.

Overall I believe that MSC is a great value for the money, and a cruise line that is a good choice for families. We’ve taken two cruises on MSC, one for my husband and I and one with our family. Both cruises were fun, relaxing, and best of all, a good value for the money.

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If you are looking for a good value for your money (and who isn’t these day?), then I’d recommend taking a look at MSC. On our recent fall cruise on the MSC Seaside, we found the Seaside to be clean, with nice open public spaces, and a gracious crew. The value of the cruise to...

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  1. Saudi Arabia & Red Sea

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  2. MSC Cruise Ship Arrives In Saudi Arabia for Inaugural Cruise Season

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  3. MSC launches Red Sea summer cruises from Saudi Arabia

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  4. السعودية كروز |MSC Bellissima |First Ever Cruise Saudi Arabia Red Sea

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  5. Cruise Review: 10 things to know about cruising in Saudi Arabia

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  6. Sailawaze

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  1. OnePlus 10 Pro Quick Review!

  2. Breaking Saudi News Today Live In Urdu Hindi|Iran granted visa exemption to Saudi citizens Starts

COMMENTS

  1. Cruise Review: 10 things to know about cruising in Saudi Arabia

    MSC Cruises homeported in Jeddah through the Middle East winter (November to March), and into only part of the summer, while most cruise lines with scheduled calls in Saudi Arabia will also be calling in winter. The winter months are the best time of year to see the country, when temperatures range from 14′ C to 23′ C.

  2. MSC Middle East Cruise Reviews

    Helpful. Service is wonderful, ship is tired/old, food is abysmal, pre-cruise communication is impossible. Review for a Middle East Cruise on MSC Opera. HaoleOverboard. 6-10 Cruises • Age 40s ...

  3. Saudi Arabia Cruise Tips

    Saudi Arabia Cruise Lines As of 2021, the only line which bases a ship here is MSC Cruises, in Jeddah. MSC Bellissima offers seven-day cruises calling in at King Abdulla, Yanbu and Aqaba, for ...

  4. What Is It Like to Cruise the Middle East

    Dec 4, 2023. Read time. 15 min read. For the curious, a cruise around the Middle East is the ideal way to explore this fascinating part of the world. Customs formalities are simplified, and ...

  5. Major cruise line to set sail from Saudi Arabia this year

    CNN —. Saudi Arabia is to become the jumping off point for a major cruise line for the first time later this year with MSC Cruises operating a new series of voyages exploring the Red Sea. The ...

  6. Sailawaze

    Saudi Arabia cruises. Jeddah is the homeport for MSC Saudi Arabia cruises but the line also visits two other ports in the country - the ultra-modern King Abdullah Economic City and Yanbu al Bahr which dates back 2,500 years. Jeddah cruises. The next MSC cruise to depart Jeddah is November 26 followed by sailings throughout December.

  7. A pioneering voyage for MSC Cruises in the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia

    Last July, MSC Cruises made the bold choice to position one if its newest ships, MSC Bellissima, in the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia. The decision to move the ship out of the traditional regions for cruising and become one of the first major cruise lines to homeport in Saudi Arabia foresaw that guests would embrace the chance for a fresh new ...

  8. MSC Cruises Heading to Saudi Arabia for First Time Ever ...

    For the first time ever, MSC Cruises is offering passengers the chance to sail the Red Sea, visiting destinations like Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt. The MSC Magnifica ship will offer cruises ...

  9. MSC Cruises: 2021-2022 in Saudi Arabia

    Cruise Saudi and MSC Cruises plan to host on board two ships, the MSC Magnifica and the MSC Virtuosa, about 170,000 passengers during the upcoming 2021/22 winter season.Guests will have the opportunity to explore the historical, cultural and natural treasures of Saudi Arabia. Even Saudi residents will be able to choose to spend their vacation days in their own country to discover its wonders ...

  10. Sailing for Saudi Arabia

    MSC Magnifica and Virtuosa are to visit Saudi Arabia this winter in a partnership with Cruise Saudi, which aims to develop cruising in the region. Magnifica will sail seven-day Red Sea cruises from Jeddah while Virtuosa's Arabian Gulf sailings will call at the port of Damman. 4.

  11. Scenic Eclipse luxury cruise ship follows MSC into Saudi with summer

    Scenic Group will join MSC Cruises in Saudi Arabia with a number of roundtrip cruises from Jeddah between July and December, 2021. Scenic Eclipse will sail a range of chartered and pre-scheduled cruises from Jeddah between July 17th and December 9th, 2021. Scenic Eclipse. RELATED: MSC Bellissima arrives in Saudi Arabia ahead of Red Sea cruise ...

  12. MSC Saudi Arabia cruises transformative for Middle East cruise sector

    The emergence of Saudi Arabia cruises, with new ports of call on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia will change all that, according to comments made by Mohamed Saeed, General Manager, Middle East, Royal Caribbean in 2019. "At the moment, cruise ships in the Red Sea make only one port of call, in the Jordanian coastal city of Aqaba.

  13. Cruises from / to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    It's old town, "Al Balad", is also one of the best examples of traditional city living within the country. Jeddah's people come are very easy going and welcoming. The excursion offer for Saudi Arabia and Red Sea cruises will be available soon. Visit Jeddah during your MSC Cruise to the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia.

  14. MSC Bellissima Review

    MSC Bellissima Cruises: Read 123 MSC Bellissima cruise reviews. Find great deals, tips and tricks on Cruise Critic to help plan your cruise. ... while, and before you want to discover Saudi Arabia ...

  15. MSC Bellissima Saudi Arabia Itinerary

    Geneva, Switzerland - November 2, 2021 - MSC Cruises confirmed today the details of the updated itinerary for MSC Bellissima's winter season sailing out of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia beginning on November 6. The ship is now due to offer 7-night cruises calling at the Saudi Arabian ports of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) and Yanbu, then on to Aqaba in Jordan before returning to Jeddah.

  16. Saudi Arabia on MSC Virtuosa!

    February 21, 2016. South Yorkshire. #1. Posted October 28. Have found out couple of days ago that unless you book a fly cruise with MSC you will be have to get a visa for Saudi at £154 per person. Even if you stay on the ship! Saudi was not on the itinerary when we booked it was Bahrain. I am very angry about this.

  17. Msc Cruises to Expand Saudi Arabia Program With Summer 2021 Cruises

    Geneva, Switzerland (July 12, 2021) — MSC Cruises, the contemporary brand of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, today announced that MSC Bellissima, one of the line's most modern ships, will sail 21 Red Sea voyages from Jeddah, the commercial hub of Saudi Arabia, between the end of July and late October.

  18. MSC Cruises adjusts onboard cruise experience for Saudi Arabian market

    RELATED: MSC makes long-term Saudi cruise plans with 5-year berth agreement RELATED: Saudi Arabia and MSC celebrate opening of Jeddah Cruise Terminal The changes have been enthusiastically embraced by Saudi Arabian passengers, especially women, many of whom are travelling outside Saudi Arabia for the first time without a male relative accompanying them.

  19. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Al Balad, the old town of Jeddah dates back to the 7th century, boasts beautiful buildings and an ancient souk which are a must-see. It is also one of the UNESCO Heritage sites, located in Saudi Arabia. Discover our excursions for your unforgettable Middle East cruise experience. A port city with a long and storied history, Jeddah is one of the ...

  20. SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES (SAUDIA) PARTNERS WITH MSC CRUISES

    Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - November 9, 2021 - MSC Cruises, the Swiss-based global cruise brand, and SAUDIA, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, today confirmed the details of an agreement for 36,800 seats from Europe and North America to support MSC Cruises' brand-new winter sailing program in Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea. This will bring nearly 20,000 new vacationers this winter to Saudi ...

  21. MSC Cruise Reviews (2024 UPDATED): Ratings of MSC Cruises

    1 - 10 of 9,857 MSC Cruise Reviews. Great cruise! Confused on bad reviews! Review for a Bahamas Cruise on MSC Seashore. LainaA. 6-10 Cruises • Age 40s. Read More. Sail Date: February 2024. Cabin ...

  22. Dammam, Saudi Arabia

    It is the home to the Ettifaq Football team. Experience exciting beach activities on your cruise to Saudi Arabia and enjoy the sea, the beach and the sun. Discover all the excursions for your Middle East cruise with MSC Cruises. Get to know Dammam, a former fishing village and enjoy a variety of beach activities on your cruise to Saudi Arabia ...

  23. Cruises to Yanbu Al Bahr, Saudi Arabia

    Learn more about all the MSC excursions that are available for this amazing destination. Famous for their musical exploits, the people of Yanbu are local experts of the Takht and Sesameh instruments. Don't miss the opportunity to discover the Middle East onboard an MSC cruise around the Red Sea. ... The excursion offer for Saudi Arabia and Red ...

  24. MSC Seaside Cruise Review

    Pre/Post Cruise Option Orlando Theme Parks How to get to Port Canaveral Cruise Port. The ship is home-ported in Port Canaveral, Florida. Port Canaveral is easily reached by flights into Orlando ...