MSC Splendida is one of the largest and most well-appointed ships in the MSC Cruises fleet. Built in 2009 at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, at a reported construction cost of around USD 550 million, the vessel has carried millions of passengers across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and beyond. A major refurbishment completed in 2024 has kept the ship's interiors and technology current, ensuring guests enjoy a modern cruise experience aboard a vessel that already set high benchmarks at launch.
What are the key specifications of MSC Splendida?
Splendida belongs to the MSC Fantasia class — a modified variant — and shares her lineage with sister ships MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, and MSC Preziosa. She sails under the flag of Panama and is owned and operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC Group).
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Year of Build | 2009 |
| Builder | Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire (STX France) |
| Gross Tonnage | 137,936 GT |
| Length (LOA) | 333 m / 1,093 ft |
| Beam (Width) | 37 m / 121 ft |
| Engines | GE Power Converteam (43.7 MW / 58,603 hp) |
| Service Speed | 23 knots (approx. 43 km/h) |
| Passenger Capacity | 3,274 – 3,929 |
| Crew | 1,370 |
| Decks | 17 (9 with cabins) |
| Cabins | 1,637 |
| Passenger-to-Space Ratio | 35 |
| Last Refurbishment | 2024 |
| Former Name | MSC Serenata |
| Christened By | Sophia Loren |
What cabin categories are available on MSC Splendida?
Across 1,637 cabins spread over nine decks, MSC Splendida offers a range of accommodation to suit different travel styles and budgets. Categories typically include Interior, Ocean View, Balcony, and the premium MSC Aurea suites. Aurea-class guests benefit from priority embarkation, flexible dining, and inclusive spa access — a meaningful upgrade for those seeking a quieter, more personalised experience at sea.
Suite guests in the highest categories enjoy butler service, larger private balconies, and exclusive access to the MSC Yacht Club area — a ship-within-a-ship concept that provides a more intimate atmosphere despite the vessel's considerable size.
What dining options does MSC Splendida offer?
Dining on the Splendida spans everything from elegant main restaurants to relaxed casual venues. The ship operates multiple main dining rooms serving international menus across two sittings, alongside a large buffet restaurant open throughout the day. Specialty dining venues — typically covering Italian, Asian, and grill-style cuisine — are available for a supplement and are worth reserving early, especially on longer voyages.
- Main dining rooms: multi-course dinner menus with international and Italian-influenced dishes
- Buffet restaurant: open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a wide rotating selection
- Specialty restaurants: à la carte options covering sushi, teppanyaki, and premium grills
- Bars and lounges: a central promenade hosts several bars including a wine bar, a cigar lounge, and late-night cocktail venues
- Pool-deck dining: casual snack and grill stations adjacent to the outdoor pools
MSC Cruises has a strong Italian heritage, and that influence runs through the menus — house-made pasta, risotto, and Italian desserts appear regularly in all dining settings.
What entertainment and activities are on board?
Entertainment is one of the Splendida's clear strengths. The main theatre seats a large audience and hosts full production shows — typically Broadway-style musicals and acrobatic performances — running most evenings. Beyond the theatre, the ship offers a 4D cinema, a casino, a dedicated sports bar, and multiple lounges hosting live music nightly.
During the day, the activity programme covers everything from dance classes and trivia sessions to deck parties and cooking demonstrations. A sports area on the upper decks includes a jogging track, tennis court, and basketball facilities. The interactive water park — particularly popular with younger passengers — features slides and splash zones that occupy an entire deck section.
What wellness facilities does MSC Splendida have?
The MSC Aurea Spa is the ship's dedicated wellness centre and occupies a significant footprint across two decks. Treatments on offer include massages, facials, hydrotherapy, and thermal suite sessions. The thermal area — sauna, steam room, and heated relaxation beds — is typically included with Aurea-class cabin bookings; other guests can purchase day or voyage passes.
Beyond the spa, the ship has multiple outdoor pools and hot tubs, a solarium reserved for adults, and a well-equipped fitness centre with cardio machines, free weights, and instructor-led classes such as yoga and Pilates.
What family facilities are available on MSC Splendida?
Families travelling with children have a structured offer on board. MSC's Mini Club, Junior Club, and Teen Club divide programming by age group, running supervised activities throughout the sea days and into the evenings. The water park area provides a safe outdoor space for younger children, while teenagers tend to gravitate toward the sports facilities and their dedicated lounge space.
MSC Cruises also operates a partnership with LEGO, which typically features in the kids' club programming on Fantasia-class ships — offering creative building sessions alongside more active play. Parents can therefore make use of adult-only spa areas and pool zones knowing structured entertainment is available.
What itineraries does MSC Splendida operate?
Itinerary deployment for MSC Splendida shifts seasonally. Mediterranean circuits dominate the summer schedule, typically calling at ports across the Western and Eastern Mediterranean — France, Spain, Italy, Malta, Greece, and occasionally North Africa. Northern European itineraries are offered in some seasons, including Scandinavian fjords and Baltic capitals. Winter deployments have historically included the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean regions, making the ship relevant for travellers departing from or transiting through Asian and Middle Eastern ports.
Port calls generally range from eight to twelve hours, providing enough time for independent shore excursions or organised tours. The Splendida's size means she typically docks at larger port facilities, so tender operations are less common than on smaller vessels.
How does MSC Splendida approach sustainability?
MSC Cruises has published commitments to reduce its carbon footprint across the fleet. On the Splendida, this includes advanced waste-water treatment systems, energy-efficient lighting upgrades, and shore-power connectivity at compatible ports — allowing the ship to switch off its auxiliary engines while in berth and draw electricity from the local grid instead. The 2024 refurbishment incorporated further efficiency improvements in line with the line's broader environmental programme. MSC Group is a signatory to the Getting to Zero Coalition, an industry initiative targeting zero-emission shipping by 2050.
Is MSC Splendida a good choice for first-time cruisers?
The Splendida's scale — nearly 138,000 gross tonnes and accommodation for over 3,200 guests — can feel overwhelming on first boarding, but the ship's layout is logical once you find your bearings. The internal boulevard on Deck 7, which runs the length of the ship and connects shops, cafes, and entertainment venues, acts as a natural navigation spine. First-time cruisers tend to appreciate the variety of dining and activity options, the relatively competitive price point compared to premium lines, and the straightforward Mediterranean itineraries that allow port exploration at a comfortable pace.