MSC Cruises Logo

MSC Cruises (part of Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. – MSC) with headquarters in Naples, Italy, was founded in 1987. Before that, in 1960’s Achille Lauro founded a cruise line called Lauro Lines, from which MSC Cruises were born. In that era, there were only two ships operating – Angelina Lauro and Achille Lauro. Unfortunately, you can’t go on a cruise with either of these two, since they both sunk. Achille Lauro sunk in 1996. near coast of South Africa because of a fire (all passengers were saved).

Their biggest competitor is Costa Cruises, since both of them are in Italy. Few years ago, Costa Cruises was bought by Carnival Cruises, and since then, Costa plan and construct their ships with much similarities to Carnival Cruises. On the other hand, MSC Cruises are making and designing their own ships. They made a huge breakthrough in 1990s for organizing low cost but high quality cruises.

MSC Cruises Fleet

• MSC Armonia
  
• MSC Sinfonia
  
• MSC Lirica
  
• MSC Opera
  
• MSC Musica
  
• MSC Orchestra
  
• MSC Poesia
  
• MSC Fantasia (Flagship)
• MSC Splendida
  
• MSC Melody (previously called Melody only)

Ships under construction:

• MSC Magnifica (2010)
• MSC Meraviglia (2011)
• MSC Favolosa (2012)

* Cruise Expert is curently building a huge database with all ships descriptions, guides and pictures… check it soon

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruise Destinations

Their main terrain is of course Mediterranean, and some of their stops are: Italy, Greece, Malta, Canary Islands, Croatia, Portugal, Morocco, Spain, Istanbul and even the Ukraine. There are more and more cruises in Northern Europe…

Some more info

Interesting thing to know is that Sophia Loren, famous actress was a godmother ta all MSC ships which are made after MSC Lirica.

On all MSC Cruises ships strong Italian-influenced ambient is present. They mainly sail in Mediterranean, so their passengers are mostly from Europe. There is more and more people from UK and Ireland every day. On MSC Cruises in Caribbean, more than 90% people is from USA. All announcements on ships are spoken in Italian, French, Spanish, German and English language.

Italian food and good wines are one sure thing on MSC Cruises.

Costa Cruise Logo

Costa Cruise (Costa Crociere S.p.A.) is Italian cruise line based in Genoa, Italy. Their slogan is “Cruising Italian Style“, and they offer you high quality service mixing sophisticated and elegant European culture with spirit of Italian people. Costa Cruise offers cruises all around the world, from 7 days and more.

They started in 1800’s, as a transportation company, shipping fabrics and olive oil between Genoa and Sardinia in Italy. Costa Cruise was founded in1924. as Costa Line, and at start they transported people between Italy and South America. Later they became the biggest and (some say) best cruise line in Europe. Now, they are part of Carnival Corporation.

Costa Cruise fleet has currently 14 ships sailing, Costa Deliziosa will start sailing in 2010. and 2 more Concordia class ships are currently built and will start cruising in 2011. and 2012.

Costa Cruise Ship

Costa Cruise Fleet

• Costa Marina (1990)
• Costa Classica (1991)
• Costa Allegra (1992)
• Costa Romantica (1993)
• Costa Victoria (1996)
• Costa Atlantica (2000)
• Costa Europa (2002)
• Costa Mediterranea (2003)
• Costa Fortuna (2003)
• Costa Magica (2004)
• Costa Concordia (2006)
• Costa Serena (2007)
• Costa Luminosa (2009)
• Costa Pacifica (2009)

Joining Costa Cruise fleet shortly:

• Costa Deliziosa (2010)
• Concordia class ship (2011)
• Concordia class ship (2012)

* Cruise Expert is curently building a huge database with all ships descriptions, guides and pictures… check it soon

Costa Cruise Destinations

Atlantic Ocean and Canary Islands, Canada and United States, Eastern and Western Caribbean, Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Far East, Indian Ocean / Mauritius, Middle East, North Europe and Norwegian Fjords, South America and Transatlantic.

Some more info

Some years ago people didn’t like lots of smokers onboard. Italy made a law, as whole European union which restrict people to smoke in some areas. So now, you can’t smoke everywhere, but if you are a smoker you wouldn’t mind it, because restrictions are not to harsh. You can’t smoke in restaurants and some lounges and bars. There is no ashtrays in hallway, so probably you can’t smoke there too. But everywhere else you can, even in your room (if you have a room without windows, don’t be afraid, air conditioning is great). You can ask your cleanser to bring you an ashtray, and if he says that smoking in room is forbidden, just show him a little book which you’ll find on your table (ship rules), which say that if you want to smoke ask your cleanser for an ashtray

Years ago, staff on ship were mostly Italians, and people didn’t like their lack of English skills. Now, staff are mostly people from Philippines, India and South America, and they speak English very good. They are really polite, and they’ll help you in any situation. You have a cleanser works in your and maybe 4-5 more rooms, so every time you leave your room, when you return it will be clean…