MSC Cruises has completed a major refurbishment of MSC Magnifica at the Palumbo Malta Shipyard, marking the start of her winter sailings in the Mediterranean ahead of the 2026 MSC World Cruise.
*All details correct at time of publish (22 December 2025)
Guests can now enjoy a range of brand-new, state-of-the-art facilities, including two new speciality dining venues – Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar – along with a redesigned MSC Aurea Spa and Technogym® Fitness Centre featuring a Gentleman’s Barber, new workout studios, and an expanded outdoor Aurea area.
The ship, which has been in service since 2010, has spent the past two months at dry dock at Palumbo Malta Shipyard in Malta, undergoing one of the largest upgrades in MSC Cruises’ fleet in the past decade.
Guests will get to experience the new venues from now, and the full MSC Yacht Club experience, complete with 24-hour butler and concierge service, will be available in Summer 2026 when MSC Magnifica sails her Northern Europe itineraries departing from Warnemunde, Germany.
Sister ship MSC Poesia will enter dry dock at the same shipyard in February 2026 for similar upgrades, including the MSC Yacht Club with 69 suites, an All-Stars Sports Bar, and the same speciality restaurants, spa, and gym enhancements. She will rejoin the fleet in time for her Alaska debut in May 2026.
New onboard highlights on MSC Magnifica now include:
- NEW! Butcher’ Cut restaurant – This speciality restaurant, beloved across MSC Cruises fleet, offers guests an elegant setting to enjoy premium, expertly prepared cuts of meat.
- NEW! Kaito Sushi Bar restaurant – Offering a beautiful setting for guests to enjoy crafted dishes inspired by authentic Asian cuisine, full of fresh flavours in a vibrant setting.
- NEW! Fully upgraded MSC Aurea Spa – A sanctuary with panoramic sauna, steam and salt rooms, and a full menu of treatments for guests looking to relax and rejuvenate.
- NEW! Technogym® Fitness Centre – State-of-the-art facilities with panoramic views, yoga and spinning studios, and cutting-edge training equipment from Technogym®, complete with Gentleman’s Barber, different workout studios and outdoor Aurea area.
From Summer 2026:
- NEW! MSC Yacht Club Suites – 63 elegant suites across five types, from family-friendly connected balconies to the ultra-luxurious Royal Suite with private whirlpool and 78 sqm terrace.
- NEW! MSC Yacht Club Private sundeck with pool and a Grill & Bar – An exclusive retreat featuring a pool, whirlpool, chic cabanas, and relaxed outdoor dining at the Grill & Bar.
- NEW! MSC Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge – A light-filled lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic sea views.
- NEW! Exclusive MSC Yacht Club Restaurant – A refined dining venue with 24/7 culinary staff and sommelier on-hand to further enhance the food and wine pairing experience.
MSC Magnifica is now sailing in the Mediterranean before departing on a 132-day World Cruise in January 2026. In Summer 2026, she will then sail from Warnemünde, Germany, through Northern Europe from May visiting the Baltic Capitals and Norwegian fjords, before returning to the Mediterranean later in the year.
In 2027, MSC Magnifica will embark on her next MSC World Cruise – a 121-night journey visiting 45 destinations across 25 countries, marking the debut of the MSC Yacht Club on a World Cruise.
Sales have also opened for the 2028 MSC World Cruise, a 115-night journey from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, across the Pacific, through Australasia, Asia and the Arabian Peninsula, before returning to Europe. Highlights include new destinations and a transit through the iconic Panama Canal.
For more information, visit www.mscbook.com
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