MSC Cruises · Meraviglia Class

MSC Bellissima: ship guide

Meraviglia Class sister sailing Japan and Korea from Shanghai and Tokyo in 2026-2027.

Best for: Families and first-time Asia cruisers who want a big, modern ship for short Japan and Korea itineraries from Shanghai or Tokyo, with Western-style dining and the all-inclusive MSC Yacht Club as a step up. Sails from Shanghai, Tokyo in 2026 and 2027.

MSC Bellissima
MSC Bellissima
171,598gross tons
4,500guests at double occupancy
1,596crew
15decks
2019entered service
1,034 ftlong
2,217staterooms

About MSC Bellissima

MSC Bellissima is the second Meraviglia Class ship, delivered in February 2019 and christened in Southampton that March. At 171,598 gross tons with 4,500 guests at double occupancy and 2,217 staterooms, it shares its sister’s all-weather layout: the Galleria Bellissima, a 314-foot indoor promenade of boutiques, restaurants and bars under an LED dome that changes with the time of day, and the aft Carousel Lounge with its rotating stage. MSC gave it the Zoe voice assistant in every stateroom.

On deck the Grand Canyon-themed aquapark has twisting slides, tipping buckets and water cannons beside three pools and nine whirlpools, with the Himalayan Bridge ropes course overhead. The Sportplex combines a sports court, two-lane bowling alley and MSC Formula Racer simulators. Twelve dining venues include Butcher’s Cut, Sea Pavilion by James Leung, Kaito Teppanyaki and Hola! Tapas Bar, and the MSC Yacht Club forward is a keycard-access ship within a ship with a private restaurant, Top Sail Lounge and pool deck.

MSC Bellissima is MSC’s China and Japan ship. For 2026 to 2027 it sails from Shanghai’s Wusongkou terminal on 4- to 7-night cruises to Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Sasebo, Busan and Jeju, with winter departures from Tokyo and Naha that reach Ishigaki and Keelung, and Shanghai to Tokyo one-way sailings that pair a cruise with land travel in Japan. It suits travelers who want a big, family-friendly ship for Asia with Western-style dining and the Yacht Club’s all-inclusive option.

  • Galleria Bellissima, a 314-foot two-deck indoor promenade under an LED dome ceiling
  • Carousel Lounge with a rotating stage and Carousel Productions at Sea shows twice nightly
  • Grand Canyon-themed aquapark with slides, water cannons and tipping buckets beside three pools and nine whirlpools
  • Himalayan Bridge ropes course and a Sportplex with a sports court, two-lane bowling and Formula Racer simulators
  • Ship of Magic kids area created with LEGO and Chicco, about 700 square meters across seven rooms
  • Zoe, MSC’s voice assistant, in every stateroom
  • Twelve dining venues including Sea Pavilion by James Leung, Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Teppanyaki
  • MSC Yacht Club ship within a ship with butler service, private restaurant, Top Sail Lounge and pool deck

Staterooms and suites

Interior

Interior and Deluxe Interior staterooms with a double bed that converts to twins, plus Studio Interior rooms for solo travelers; the most affordable way to sail a short Japan itinerary.

Ocean View

Junior, Deluxe and Premium Ocean View staterooms with a picture window, some with partially obstructed views at lower fares; a sensible choice for families who want daylight on port-intensive cruises.

Balcony

Deluxe Balcony staterooms are the largest category on the ship, with Studio Balcony rooms for solo cruisers and partial-view balconies at a saving; the Deluxe Balcony Aurea adds the Aurea Experience with spa access, a drinks package and the Top 19 Exclusive Solarium.

Suites

Premium Suite Aurea and the Grand Suite Aurea with Terrace and Whirlpool include the Aurea Experience: priority boarding, My Choice dining, a massage at the MSC Aurea Spa and access to the private solarium.

MSC Yacht Club

Interior, Deluxe, Deluxe with Whirlpool and Royal Suites inside the keycard-access Yacht Club forward, with 24-hour butler service, a dedicated concierge, premium drinks, Wi-Fi, the private Yacht Club Restaurant, Top Sail Lounge, a sundeck with pool and whirlpools and thermal area access.

MSC Bellissima deck plans

Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.

Deck 19 plan

Deck 19

MSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar, MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Bar, MSC Yacht Club Pool, Whirlpool Bath, Solarium, Top 19 Exclusive Solarium, Arizona Aquapark, Arizona Bar, Himalayan Bridge, MSC Yacht Club.

  • MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & BarExclusive to MSC Yacht Club Guests, the MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Bar, offers a luxurious and tranquil place to enjoy a cocktail. Surround yourself in the lap of luxury and let the artful bartenders prepare something special for you!
  • MSC Yacht Club PoolMSC Yacht Club Pool
  • MSC Yacht ClubMSC Yacht Club is an exclusive haven of peace and luxury on the flagships in the MSC Cruises fleet. The all-inclusive gourmet dining here raises the bar even on MSC Cruises' own high standards, bringing you an array of exclusive sophisticated venues where you can dine when you like, as the mood takes you.
  • Arizona AquaparkOne of the most intricate and exciting water parks at sea, with three twisting slides, the Grand Canyon-themed Aqua Park, with features and activities for all ages.
  • Himalayan BridgeHimalayan Bridge

Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.

On board MSC Bellissima

Young Club
Young Club
Yacht Club
Yacht Club
Waterpark
Waterpark
Virtual Game
Virtual Game
TV Studio and Bar
TV Studio and Bar
Top Sail Lounge
Top Sail Lounge
Thermal Room
Thermal Room
Theme Parties
Theme Parties
Thalasso Therapy
Thalasso Therapy
Posidonia Restaurant
Posidonia Restaurant
Polar Aquapark
Polar Aquapark
Photo Shop
Photo Shop

Dining on MSC Bellissima

Main Dining RoomsIncluded

Mediterranean-rooted menus with assigned seatings for Bella and Fantastica guests and flexible My Choice dining for Aurea and Yacht Club guests.

Marketplace BuffetIncluded

Open 20 hours a day with pizza, pasta, grill, salads and Asian stations tailored to the Shanghai and Tokyo market.

Butcher’s CutSpecialty

MSC’s American-style steakhouse with aged, hand-cut steaks and seafood.

Sea Pavilion by James LeungSpecialty

Modern Asian restaurant from Hong Kong chef James Leung.

Kaito Teppanyaki and Kaito Sushi BarSpecialty

Theatrical teppanyaki grill plus a sushi and sashimi bar.

Hola! Tapas BarSpecialty

Spanish tapas and sangria on the Galleria.

Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café and Crepes & GelatoSpecialty

Chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury’s pastries, chocolate, crepes and gelato on the Galleria.

MSC Yacht Club Restaurant and Grill & BarIncluded

Private restaurant and pool-deck grill reserved for Yacht Club guests, included in the Yacht Club fare.

Entertainment and activities

  • Carousel Productions at Sea shows such as Myut, Sweet and Picture Perfect in the Carousel Lounge
  • Broadway-style theater shows including The Journey, Total Divas and Rock Royalty
  • Grand Canyon aquapark with waterslides, water cannons and tipping buckets, plus the Himalayan Bridge ropes course
  • Sportplex with a full sports court, two-lane bowling alley, MSC Formula Racer, VR Maze and XD interactive cinema
  • Galleria Bellissima LED dome shows, themed parties and the TV Studio & Bar game shows
  • Atmosphere Pool with a giant screen, an indoor pool with a sliding roof and the adults-only Top 19 Exclusive Solarium
  • MSC Aurea Spa Balinese thermal area and MSC Gym powered by Technogym
  • Attic Club nightclub, Sky Lounge, Masters of the Sea pub, Grand Canyon Bar and a casino

Families and who it suits

MSC calls MSC Bellissima the Ship of Magic for children: about 700 square meters across seven rooms with a Chicco Baby Club for under-threes, LEGO Mini and Junior clubs for ages 3 to 6 and 7 to 11, a Young Club for 12 to 14 and a Teen Club for 15 to 17, plus the Doremi Lab with a 3D printer, the Doremi Studio kids cinema and LEGO Experience on Board days.

Best for: Families and first-time Asia cruisers who want a big, modern ship for short Japan and Korea itineraries from Shanghai or Tokyo, with Western-style dining and the all-inclusive MSC Yacht Club as a step up.

Sails from: Shanghai, Tokyo · Regions: Japan and South Korea, East Asia

MSC Bellissima questions we answer every day

How big is MSC Bellissima?
MSC Bellissima is 171,598 gross tons and 1,034 feet long, carrying 4,500 guests at double occupancy and up to 5,654 with every berth filled, with 2,217 staterooms and a crew of 1,596. It is the second Meraviglia Class ship, delivered in February 2019, and a near twin of MSC Meraviglia with a few extra venues and the Zoe voice assistant in every stateroom.
Where does MSC Bellissima sail in 2026 and 2027?
MSC Bellissima is based in Shanghai for 2026 and 2027, sailing 4- to 7-night cruises from the Wusongkou terminal to Japanese and Korean ports such as Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Sasebo, Busan and Jeju. In winter it also runs departures from Tokyo and Naha that reach Ishigaki and Keelung, plus one-way Shanghai to Tokyo sailings for guests who want to combine a cruise with a land stay in Japan.
Is MSC Bellissima a good ship for a first cruise in Asia?
Yes. Short itineraries, English-speaking international crew, Western and Asian dining, the LEGO and Chicco kids clubs and a big aquapark make it an easy introduction. The ship was built for the Chinese market so expect a lively, family-heavy crowd, Mandarin signage alongside English and buffet stations tuned to local tastes, with the MSC Yacht Club as a quieter all-inclusive retreat.
Which staterooms are best on MSC Bellissima?
Deluxe Balcony staterooms are the sweet spot for most couples and families, and the Deluxe Balcony Aurea adds spa access, a drinks package and the private Top 19 solarium. Solo travelers have Studio Interior and Studio Balcony rooms. For the top experience the MSC Yacht Club offers Deluxe and Royal Suites with butler service, a private restaurant, pool deck and lounge, all included in the Yacht Club fare.
What is included in the fare on MSC Bellissima?
Your fare covers the main dining rooms, the Marketplace Buffet, theater shows, the pools, aquapark, Sportplex basics, gym and kids clubs. Specialty restaurants, Carousel Lounge shows, drinks, Wi-Fi and spa treatments are extra unless your experience level or a package covers them. SmartCruiser adds bonus onboard credit on MSC sailings where the line allows it, something you will not get booking direct.
Does MSC Bellissima still have Cirque du Soleil at Sea?
No. The Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows that opened with the ship have been replaced by MSC’s own Carousel Productions at Sea, staged twice a night in the same Carousel Lounge with its rotating stage, acrobatics, dance and live music. Seats are limited and usually booked with a cocktail or dinner package, so reserve early on sea days.

Facts checked against MSC Cruises: MSC Bellissima, Cruise Industry News: MSC Bellissima Returns to Shanghai Homeport in August, TTG: Family fun on MSC Bellissima on October 13, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.

Live from the cruise line

Every MSC Bellissima sailing, priced all-in

Every MSC Bellissima departure the cruise line is selling, priced live with taxes, fees and port expenses included. SmartCruiser picks at the top are sailings where booking with us gets you something extra. Stack the filters, then sort by lowest price, best value per night or sail date.

Every MSC Bellissima sailing

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