If you’re looking for a truly advanced ship to experience on your next cruise, look no further than MSC Grandiosa. This vessel is part of the huge Meraviglia-Plus class and is groundbreaking in more than just a handful of ways.
The first of three Meraviglia Plus-class ships in the works, it debuted in late 2019 and has since impressed cruisers and travel professionals alike with its environmentally-friendly design, its wealth of entertainment options, and its overall luxury.
Does this ship sound precisely like what you want to experience on your next cruise? We’ve pulled together a complete overview and all the must-know things for you to get the most out of your MSC Grandiosa cruise.
In This Article…
MSC Grandiosa Ship Stats
The cruise ship’s size is certainly nothing to dismiss. This ship is one of the world’s “mega-ships” and takes a top spot as the ninth-largest cruise ship in the world (though it debuted as the sixth-largest cruise ship), as of early 2021.
The ship shares the spot with sister vessel MSC Virtuosa and follows closely behind Carnival’s much-anticipated Mardi Gras ship, at a mere 250-odd GT smaller.
- Gross Tonnage: 181,541
- Passenger Capacity: 4,842
- Crew Members: 1,704
- Cabins: 2,500
- Length: 1,087 feet
- Decks: 19
- Entered Service: 2019
When first launched in 2019 and christened by MSC Cruises’ favorite godmother, Sophia Loren, the ship sailed around the Mediterranean for its inaugural season, with plans to travel to Latin America following.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a changed itinerary and MSC Grandiosa continued Mediterranean sailings for the time being.
Meraviglia-Plus Class
As noted, MSC Grandiosa is the flagship for not only the MSC Cruises brand as a whole, but also MSC Cruises’ new Meraviglia Plus class. Other Meraviglia Plus-class ships in the works include MSC Virtuosa and the MSC Europa, the latter of which is due to debut in 2022.
MSC Virtuosa was due to be delivered in October 2020, with sailings beginning over the 2020-2021 winter season.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that schedule was delayed a bit, and the ship did not debut until early 2021, with spring sailings anticipated throughout Europe.
Environmental Features
All of the Meraviglia-Plus class ships pay strict attention to environmental concerns.
Both MSC Grandiosa and MSC Virtuosa feature systems that help to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 80%, while also reducing sulfur emissions by 97%. Both ships are likewise capable of running on shore power when docked.
It’s features like these that have set MSC Grandiosa apart and made it what MSC Cruises calls “one of the most environmentally advanced cruise ships at sea.” MSC Cruises has an overall mission of eventually obtaining zero-emissions operations.
Other special environmentally-friendly features, according to the cruise line, include an energy-efficient hull that uses 28% less fuel than MSC’s Fantasia class ships.
There is an advanced waste management system to reduce, recycle and reuse all waste aspects aboard the ship; energy-saving LED lights; smart heating and HVAC systems; and environmentally-friendly hull paints that impede the growth of barnacles, algae and other marine organisms.
As MSC Cruises looks to the future, it’s prepping the upcoming MSC Europa to be even more environmentally friendly, with research and development programs focused on new fuel cell technology for the ship.
Staterooms
The ship eatures 200 more cabins than previous ships, including more handicap-accessible cabins than in prior ships, as well as new family and group cabins that can connect three rooms in a row. Basic cabin types include:
- Balcony staterooms
- Family cabins
- Ocean-view staterooms
- Interior staterooms
- Interior studio staterooms
Each stateroom and cabin on the ship features new, modern designs and sleek furnishings. High ceilings help interior staterooms feel larger than they are, as does recessed can lighting.
Ocean-view staterooms feature large sitting areas, while family cabins include balconies and can accommodate up to 12 people in some cases. Balcony cabins feature large sitting areas, plenty of storage and spacious sleeping accommodations.
Also Read: Cruise Ship Cabins to Avoid (Stateroom Booking Tips)
Suites
For an upgrade, you can book an MSC Grandiosa suite. The basic suite can accommodate up to six people and includes a very spacious balcony.
Suites with private whirlpools offer a hot tub on the balcony, situated at just the right angle to provide the most privacy possible. Grand suites also feature balcony hot tubs, but are even more spacious.
Yacht Club
The MSC Yacht Club experience is basically the VIP offering for cruisers who want it all, and better accommodations.
MSC Yacht Club guests enjoy unlimited alcoholic beverages all throughout the ship, at no extra cost; access to a private Yacht Club restaurant; priority check-in and check-out; access to a private lounge for all-day snacks; access to a private pool and bar; and 24-hour butler and concierge service.
Yacht Club cabins aboard MSC Grandiosa include:
- Interior cabins
- Deluxe suites
- Duplex suites
- Club royal suite
Each offers plenty of space, but obviously, the royal suite is your best bet for the top tier of luxury. The suite includes a huge amount of living space, a huge balcony, huge bathroom — it’s all huge, basically.
Restaurants
There’s a handful of restaurants that you can enjoy while aboard your MSC Grandiosa cruise.
Complimentary Dining Options
- L’Olivo Doree (one of two “main” restaurants on the ship; serving traditional, main dining room cruise ship fare)
- Panorama (the second of the two main restaurants on the ship)
- The Marketplace Buffet (the casual-style buffet, a cruise ship requisite)
- The MSC Yacht Club Grill (open only to Yacht Club guests)
Unfortunately, the majority of dining options aboard MSC Grandiosa are considered specialty restaurants and thus come with a price tag.
Specialty Restaurants
- Kaito Sushi Bar (for Japanese cuisine)
- Butcher’s Cut (for a classic steakhouse experience)
- Ristorante Italiano (for authentic Italian fare)
- L’Olivo d’Oro Restaurant (for Mediterranean eats)
- Kaito Teppanyaki (for a hibachi-style experience)
- L’Atelier Bistro (a newer Parisian-style offering that debuted on MSC Bellissima and which frequent cruisers love)
- Il Campo (a brand-new restaurant serving Spanish cuisine)
- Hola! Tapas Bar (offering exactly what it sounds like — tapas)
As you can see, you’ll have a wide array of options, especially when it comes to international dining, though American-style fare is at a minimum. However, for those with adventurous palates, they’ll enjoy all of the specialty restaurants on this ship.
There are also additional spots for snacks on board the ship, including an ice cream parlor, creperie and chocolaterie, in case you want something a little extra or sweet, but not a full, sit-down dining experience.
Bars and Lounges
If you’d like to grab a drink, MSC Grandiosa offers you plenty of options. Each bar and lounge provides a different environment, so you’re sure to find something you like, no matter where your tastes lie.
The bar and lounge options aboard MSC Grandiosa include:
- Sky Lounge and Bar (for live music)
- Polar Bar (for outdoor drinks)
- Horizon Bar (for more outdoor mixology)
- Grandiosa Bar & Lounge (for people-watching as you sip)
- Edge Cocktail Bar (for “edgy” new cocktail creations)
- Champagne Bar (for lots of Champagne and other high-end delights)
- Brass Anchor Bar (for a more low-key environment and a pub-style feel)
Entertainment
One of MSC Grandiosa’s stand-out, brand-new offerings includes Cirque du Soleil shows for entertaining guests. However, even if you don’t care for high-flying acrobatics, you can find plenteous other new ways to stay entertained aboard this vessel.
Other new options include an expanded shopping promenade which MSC Cruises claims is the largest shopping area on any cruise ship.
There’s a digital LED screen that covers the indoor promenade and projects light shows three times a day (another first in the cruising industry); a 4-D cinema; and a virtual reality games area.
Other entertainment options include the Broadway Theatre, for music and dancing; the TV Studio & Bar, for comedy and karaoke; and the on-board casino.
Outdoor, family-friendly, active entertainment options include hanging by the pool and maybe watching a movie on the poolside screen; bowling in the full bowling alley; splashing in the Polar Aquapark; or getting a little competitive at the Sportsplex, which offers favorite activities like basketball and soccer.
Tech Features
The ship isn’t only smart when it comes to environmental matters; the ship is also pretty tech-savvy.
MSC Grandiosa is the cruise line’s sixth ship to offer MSC for Me, a smart digital program that allows guests to interact with the ship and crew members before, during and after their cruise.
The MSC for Me app also allows cruisers to locate their family and friends, manage a personal agenda and also chat with other cruise guests (in case you don’t want to pay for the pricey WiFi).
You can also use the app to book packages ahead of your cruise and register your credit card, so there’s no fumbling with payment every time you want a drink.
Additionally, MSC Grandiosa features a new artificial intelligence cruise assistance named ZOE, which speaks seven languages and can interact with you while in your cabin, answering your questions and helping you plan out your day.
Children’s Programming
There are several different options for children’s programming aboard MSC Grandiosa. There are five different children’s clubs, for different age groups. These include:
- The Chicco Baby Club (for ages 1 to 3)
- The MSC Grandiosa Mini Club (for ages 3 to 6)
- Junior Club (for ages 7 to 11)
- Young Teen Club (for ages 12 to 14)
- Attic Teen Club (for ages 15 to 17)
There are additional services for parents who want somewhere quiet and kid-friendly to hang out with their infant (ages 1 to 3), as well as for those who want straight babysitting service at various hours of the day.
Dinner services for children allow you to have your own adults-only dinner, and babysitting services are also available during shore days, so you can have an adults-only excursion.
Ready to Book Your MSC Grandiosa Cruise?
We definitely don’t blame you. This new ship offers something for every traveler, and with all of those environmentally-friendly features, this is a cruise you can feel good about, too.
MSC Grandiosa FAQ:
MSC Grandiosa offers four swimming pools, including two main pools, a private pool for MSC Yacht guests and an indoor pool.
There’s also a small for-kids waterpark. For those who want a hot tub, it is possible to book specialty suites with private deck hot tubs.
MSC Grandiosa is the flagship for not only the MSC Cruises brand as a whole, but also MSC Cruises’ new Meraviglia Plus class.
Other Meraviglia Plus-class ships in the works include MSC Virtuosa and the MSC Europa, the latter of which is due to debut in 2022.
MSC Grandiosa is a very advanced cruise ship, both in terms of environmental friendliness and smart tech.
Both MSC Grandiosa and MSC Virtuosa feature systems that help to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 80%, while also reducing sulfur emissions by 97%. Both ships are likewise capable of running on shore power when docked.
MSC Grandiosa is the cruise line’s sixth ship to offer MSC for Me, a smart digital program that allows guests to interact with the ship and crew members before, during and after their cruise.
Additionally, MSC Grandiosa features a new artificial intelligence cruise assistance named ZOE, which speaks seven languages and can interact with you while in your cabin, answering your questions and helping you plan out your day.
Main Photo Credit: Vladislav Mavrin / Shutterstock.com
