MSC Magnifica,Genoa return. Photo credit: Luca Ugolini (MSC Cruises) After it recently revealed a spectacular 115-night cruise crossing five continents and 28 countries via MSC Magnifica, MSC Cruises has more good news: the completion of the ship’s refurbishment at the Palumbo Malta Shipyard.
This means Magnifica, which has been in service for 15 years, is ready to kickstart her winter sailings in the Mediterranean just in time for the world cruise, offering guests a variety of new, top-notch facilities. The list includes two new dining venues with speciality menus, Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar, along with a fully redesigned MSC Aurea Spa and Technogym Fitness Centre that also hosts a Gentleman’s Barber, brand new workout studios, and a more generous outdoor Aurea area.
The updates, considered some of the most important in MSC Cruises’ fleet in the last 10 years, were completed within two months. Guests will get to immediately experience the new venues, soon joined by the complete MSC Yacht Club experience featuring a 24-hour butler and concierge service starting in Summer 2026, when the ship will sail her Northern Europe itineraries.
In parallel, sister ship MSC Poesia will also enter dry dock at the same Maltese shipyard in February of next year, when it will receive a similar set of upgrades, including the addition of an MSC Yacht Club counting no less than 69 suites, as well as an All-Stars Sports Bar, plus speciality restaurants, a spa, and gym improvements. The ship should be ready in time to join the fleet for her Alaska debut in May 2026.
MSC Magnifica, Premium Suite Aurea. Photo: MSC Cruises New onboard highlights include:
- Butcher’ Cut restaurant with expertly prepared cuts of meat
- Kaito Sushi Bar restaurant with crafted dishes inspired by authentic Asian cuisine
- Fully upgraded MSC Aurea Spa with panoramic sauna, steam, and salt rooms, and full treatments
- Technogym Fitness Centre with yoga and spinning studios, and state-of-the-art training gear, Gentleman’s Barber, workout studios, and outdoor Aurea area
Starting next summer, cruise guests can expect:
- 63 MSC Yacht Club Suites ranging from family-friendly suites to ultra-luxurious Royal Suite with private whirlpool and 78 sqm terraces
- MSC Yacht Club Private sundeck with pool and a Grill & Bar
- MSC Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows
- Exclusive MSC Yacht Club Restaurant with nonstop staff and on-hand sommeliers
MSC Magnifica will now sail in the Mediterranean prior to leaving on a 132-day World Cruise starting January 2026. In the summer 2026, the ship will sail from Warnemünde (Germany) via Northern Europe, with stops in Baltic Capitals and at the Norwegian fjords, prior to going back to the Mediterranean.
The following year, MSC Magnifica will embark on her next MSC World Cruise, with bookings currently open.
The company also opened sales for a 2028 MSC World Cruise from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, crossing the Pacific, Australasia, Asia and the Arabian Peninsula, before going back to Europe.