Introduction
I recently returned from a cruise aboard MSC Meraviglia that began with one of the more memorable sailaways I have experienced in recent years. Departing from Brooklyn in the depths of winter meant enduring frigid temperatures on deck, but the payoff was a stunning departure through New York Harbor. Sailing past the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and the city’s bridges glowing after dark made for an unforgettable start to the voyage. I captured much of that sailaway, and will be sharing additional sights and sounds from the departure on my Instagram in the days ahead.
From New York, the itinerary quickly transitioned from winter conditions to warm-weather cruising, with stops in Port Canaveral, Nassau, and MSC’s private island destination, Ocean Cay. For this sailing, I was booked into a Yacht Club suite, which allowed me access to MSC’s ship-within-a-ship experience. That provided an opportunity to document not only Meraviglia’s public spaces, but also the exclusive Yacht Club areas as part of this comprehensive ship tour.
MSC Meraviglia was built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, and entered service in 2017 as the first ship of MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia Class. The vessel measures 1,034 feet in length overall with a 141-foot beam, a 28-foot draft, and a gross tonnage of 171,598. Designed to carry up to 5,642 passengers at maximum occupancy across 19 passenger decks, the ship offers 2,244 staterooms and is operated by a crew of approximately 1,540. Propulsion is provided by a diesel-electric system powered by multiple diesel generators and driving ABB Azipod units, giving MSC Meraviglia a service speed of 22.7 knots. Key design features include the two-deck Galleria Meraviglia promenade with its 262-foot LED sky screen, a multi-deck central atrium, large-scale entertainment venues such as the Broadway Theatre and Carousel Lounge, and extensive dining, pool, and family-focused facilities designed to support both warm- and cold-weather deployments.
MSC Meraviglia Deck Plans
As usual we start with our random photos to give us an idea of the vibe and general styling of the ship.
Stairwell Artwork:
Elevator lobby:
During this festive holiday sailing, there were many trees around the ship. Here’s a random tree with random carpet shot:
And a separate note inside the yacht club. I had noticed that in the topsail lounge, they vacuum the couches with these designs. This is the exact same they do on Explora.
Deck 05
At the very front of Deck 5 is the Broadway Theatre, MSC Meraviglia’s main show venue. While this level sits directly beneath the theater, guest access is actually from the deck above, giving a sense of just how large and vertically layered the space is.
Moving aft, you arrive at the lower level of the ship’s main atrium, one of Meraviglia’s most striking interior spaces. This open, multi-deck area is filled with light, polished surfaces, and sweeping staircases, making it a natural gathering point throughout the day.
The iconic Swarovski crystal staircase that when totaled up, each set of stairs are valued at roughly $1 million, meaning each step is like $30,000. This breathtaking centerpiece is the ultimate spot for a million-dollar vacation photo.
Surrounding the atrium is the heart of guest operations. Guest Services sits centrally, making it easy to handle questions, reservations, or onboard issues.
To the port side is the MSC Excursions Desk, where guests can browse and book shore experiences. On the starboard side is the InfinityBar, a sleek, modern lounge that’s popular for a pre-dinner drink or a quiet cocktail while watching the activity below in the atrium.
Continuing aft, Deck 5 transitions into one of the ship’s main dining rooms. This elegant, multi-level restaurant is as far aft as guests can go on this deck and serves as one of the primary venues for nightly dining. Its location and scale make it feel more like a grand land-based restaurant than something at sea.
Deck 06
At the very front of Deck 6 is the Broadway Theatre, the ship’s primary entertainment venue and home to large-scale productions and headline shows. From this level you get a strong sense of the theater’s size, even though seating access spans multiple decks.
Walking aft, you enter one of MSC Meraviglia’s defining spaces, the two-deck-tall Galleria Meraviglia. This indoor promenade is designed to feel like a European shopping arcade, complete with a dramatic curved LED screen stretching across the ceiling. Throughout the day and night, the screen cycles through immersive scenes, ranging from blue skies and drifting clouds to abstract art, cityscapes, and themed animations tied to events onboard. It is a space that constantly changes character depending on the time of day.
On the starboard side of the galleria is the Meraviglia Bar and Lounge, which opens directly onto the promenade. With its open layout and central location, it is a popular spot for people watching and for grabbing a drink before dinner.
Along the port side are some of the ship’s many boutiques and retail spaces, which line much of the galleria and contribute to its lively, upscale atmosphere.
Continuing aft on the starboard side, you will find Jean-Philippe Chocolat and Café, a signature MSC venue offering handcrafted chocolates, pastries, and specialty coffee. It is one of the most popular stops on the ship, particularly in the evenings.
Directly opposite on the port side is Hola! Tacos and Cantina, a casual Tex-Mex restaurant that adds a splash of color and energy to this section of the promenade.
Past this point, the Galleria Meraviglia continues into a second section. On the starboard side is Plaza Meraviglia, a cluster of additional shops and retail outlets that further reinforce the feel of a modern indoor city street.
Across from it on the port side is the Ocean Cay Restaurant, the ship’s dedicated seafood venue with a more refined, sit-down dining experience.
Moving further aft, you reach the second level of the main atrium. This open space connects visually to the decks above and below, creating a sense of scale and openness. Surrounding the atrium are more shops on both sides, blending retail with the flow of foot traffic through the ship.
On the starboard side is the Edge Cocktail Bar, a stylish lounge known for its craft cocktails and contemporary design.
On the port side is the Photo Gallery. Within this area is IRISart, a unique studio where high-resolution photographs of guests’ eyes are taken and transformed into striking, abstract artwork based on the intricate patterns of each individual iris.
Continuing aft, Deck 6 transitions into the remainder of the ship’s main dining rooms. Two smaller venues flank the promenade, with L’Olivo d’Oro located on the port side and L’Olive Dorée on the starboard side. These restaurants offer a more intimate dining experience compared to the larger dining rooms.
At the very aft of Deck 6 is the Panorama Restaurant, the largest of the main dining venues on MSC Meraviglia. With its expansive layout and aft-facing location, it serves as a fitting conclusion to the deck, anchoring the ship’s primary dining complex.
Deck 07
Deck 7 begins at the very front of the ship with the MSC Aurea Spa. While the fitness center itself is located higher up in the vessel, this level gives access to the spa’s treatment rooms and relaxation areas, creating a calm transition from the more active spaces elsewhere onboard.
Moving aft through the forward elevator lobby, you arrive at the second level of the Galleria Meraviglia. Unlike similar interior promenades found on ships such as Royal Caribbean’s Voyager and Freedom-classes, and even on Oasis-class, MSC designed this upper level so that guests can fully walk around the entire galleria. This seemingly small design, but challenging to pull off, choice makes a noticeable difference, greatly improving passenger flow and reducing congestion during peak times.
Circling around on the starboard side, you first encounter the TV Studio and Bar. This fully enclosed venue is used for interactive game shows, live broadcasts, and audience-participation events, making it one of the more unique entertainment spaces onboard.
Just beyond it on starboard is Butcher’s Cut, the ship’s American-style steakhouse, offering a more traditional fine-dining experience.
On the port side of the galleria is the Brass Anchor Pub, a British-style pub with a warm, maritime atmosphere that feels right at home on a cruise ship.
Continuing along the port side, you’ll also find Kaito Sushi Bar and the adjacent Teppanyaki restaurant, where chefs put on an entertaining show while preparing meals right in front of guests.
At the aft end of the galleria, the space opens into two distinct venues. On the starboard side is the Champagne Bar, an elegant lounge specializing in sparkling wines and celebratory cocktails.
Opposite on the port side is a satellite section of the casino dedicated to smoke-free slot play, offering a quieter and more comfortable option for guests who prefer a non-smoking environment.
Walking further aft brings you into the main casino, with a centrally located bar serving both sides of the gaming floor. This area remains active well into the night and acts as a natural bridge between the galleria and the ship’s aft entertainment spaces.
At the very back of Deck 7 is the Carousel Lounge, one of MSC Meraviglia’s standout venues. This purpose-built entertainment space features expansive windows that wrap around the stern of the ship, delivering dramatic 180-degree ocean views. During performances, the combination of live entertainment and an ever-changing seascape makes the room feel truly special. In my view, it is one of the most impressive and thoughtfully designed entertainment venues at sea.
Wrapping around the outside of Deck 7 is an outdoor promenade that allows guests to walk along the ship’s perimeter. At the forward section, this walkway offers interesting close-up views of the ship’s structure and the ocean below. The promenade splits into a separate aft section as well, though this area was closed for much of the sailing.
Deck 08-14
From Deck 7 through Deck 14, MSC Meraviglia is almost entirely dedicated to staterooms. These decks house the majority of the ship’s accommodations, ranging from interior and oceanview cabins (only found on a small section of deck 7) to balcony staterooms spread across the length of the vessel. While there are a few operational and crew spaces tucked behind the scenes, there are no major public venues on these levels.
Deck 15
Deck 15 marks a clear shift in the onboard experience, beginning with MSC’s premium ship-within-a-ship concept, the MSC Yacht Club. Located forward on this deck (technically spanning decks 14-19), the Yacht Club is a private, keycard-accessed enclave reserved exclusively for guests booked into this category. It is designed to feel more like a luxury boutique hotel than a traditional cruise ship space.
Moving aft from the forward Yacht Club area, the next major space on Deck 15 is the Bamboo Pool. This glass-enclosed, solarium-style venue features a central pool flanked by two hot tubs, creating a bright yet climate-controlled environment that can be enjoyed regardless of the weather. Interestingly, the design and overall atmosphere strongly echo the main pool areas found on Explora Journeys ships, giving this space a more upscale and contemporary feel than what you might expect on a mainstream cruise line. It stands out as a notable distinction within the ship’s public areas.
Continuing aft, you pass a centrally located bar that serves both indoor and outdoor sections. This transitional space acts as a natural connector between the enclosed Bamboo Pool area and the open-air pool deck just beyond. Then stepping outside, you arrive at the ship’s main pool area. This venue features two separate pools along with an assortment of ‘first-come, first-serve’ daybeds arranged directly on the pool deck. It is an excellent spot to settle in for the afternoon, especially on sea days, and the large outdoor screen makes it a popular place to watch movies, sports, or ship-hosted programming while lounging poolside.
Further aft, the atmosphere becomes more casual. Here you will find the ice cream bar along with the pool grill, both offering easy, grab-and-go options for light meals and snacks throughout the day.
At the very aft of Deck 15 is the ship’s main buffet. Spanning a large area and designed to handle significant passenger volume, this venue serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a wide variety of options. Its location at the back of the ship makes it a convenient final stop after a day spent enjoying the pool deck.
Deck 16
The forward portion of Deck 16 is once again dedicated to the MSC Yacht Club. At the very front is the Top Sail Lounge, an elegant observation space with its own bar and sweeping forward-facing views. This is one of the premier locations onboard for sailaways and scenic cruising, offering a quiet, refined atmosphere that feels far removed from the rest of the ship.
Just aft of the lounge is the Yacht Club concierge area, which provides personalized service for those guests. This space is visually anchored by a striking crystal-embedded staircase that connects the Yacht Club levels and adds a sense of occasion when moving between decks.
Exiting the Yacht Club enclave, you arrive at the upper level of the glass-enclosed Bamboo Pool. From this vantage point, the pool below feels even more expansive. On both the port and starboard sides are cantilevered hot tubs that extend out over the edge of the ship, creating the sensation of floating above the sea. Just beyond this area are a few ping pong tables before the space opens fully to the outdoors.
From here, the deck transitions into a large open-air sundeck that wraps around the pool area on the deck below. This encircling walkway offers plenty of loungers and excellent sight lines across the ship, making it a popular spot for sunbathing and for finding quieter seating away from the main pool crowds.
Just before reaching the aft section of the deck are two additional outdoor cantilevered hot tubs, positioned to take advantage of open ocean views. Also a great spot for sailaways, just be careful standing around the edges of the hot tubs.
The aft portion of Deck 16 shifts back indoors and becomes one of the most activity-heavy areas on MSC Meraviglia. At the forward end of this interior section is the gym, equipped with modern fitness equipment and large windows that bring in natural light.
Moving further aft, you pass the video arcade, which leads into a full indoor basketball and sports court, a rarity on ships of this size.
Opposite the sports court is a dedicated entertainment complex packed with high-energy attractions. Here you will find two Formula 1 simulators, a flight simulator that feels more like an amusement park ride than a traditional sim, a full bowling alley, and additional arcade games. This area stays busy throughout the day and into the evening, especially on sea days.
At the very aft end of the ship is an adults-only pool area paired with a tiered sun deck. This space offers a calmer alternative to the main pool deck, with unobstructed aft-facing views and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it an ideal place to unwind as the ship cuts through the water.
Deck 17
MSC does not use the number 17 as it is considered an unlucky number in Italy. Primarily it’s due to its Roman numeral XVII being an anagram for VIXI “I have lived,” meaning “I am dead”.
Deck 18
Deck 18 is divided into two distinct sections, with the forward portion reserved exclusively for MSC Yacht Club guests. This area houses the Yacht Club’s dedicated restaurant, an elegant and intimate dining venue offering a more personalized experience than the ship’s main dining rooms. With attentive service and a quieter atmosphere, it reinforces the private, boutique-hotel feel of the Yacht Club.
Just aft of the restaurant is an outdoor sundeck that wraps around the Magrodome below. From here, guests get elevated views down into the covered pool area as well as outward toward the horizon. This encircling deck provides a peaceful space for lounging, especially during sailaways or scenic cruising.
The aft section of Deck 18 shifts back to public spaces and features something that has become increasingly rare on modern cruise ships: a panoramic observation lounge. This forward-facing venue is designed for views first, with expansive windows that make it an excellent spot for daytime relaxation, reading, or simply watching the ocean ahead of the ship.
Continuing aft, the deck transitions into the teen and children’s areas, which are grouped together to create a dedicated zone for younger guests. These spaces are well separated from quieter lounges and adult-focused venues, helping keep traffic organized across the ship.
At the very aft of Deck 18 is the uppermost portion of the tiered sun deck connected to the adults-only pool area below. From this elevated vantage point, guests can enjoy unobstructed stern views and a calmer atmosphere, making it a fitting conclusion to the ship’s upper decks.
Deck 19
Deck 19 is divided into two separate sections, each offering a very different onboard experience.
The forward section is reserved exclusively for MSC Yacht Club guests. This fully outdoor space serves as the Yacht Club’s private sundeck and features its own pool, whirlpools, and dedicated buffet. With open views in every direction and no through traffic, this area feels especially secluded and reinforces the sense of privacy that defines the Yacht Club experience.
The aft section of Deck 19 wraps around the ship’s funnel. At the forward part of this section is Top 19, a private sundeck reserved for guests booked in the Aurea category of cabins. This adults-only style retreat offers upgraded loungers, attentive service, and a quieter atmosphere than the main pool areas below.
Continuing aft, on the opposite side of the funnel, the mood shifts from relaxed to active. Here you will find the ship’s aquapark, complete with multiple water slides, along with the ropes course and the mini golf course. This cluster of attractions makes the aft portion of Deck 18 a hub of outdoor activity, particularly popular with families and on sea days.
