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MSC Fantasia: ship guide

The ship that introduced the MSC Yacht Club, sailing the Canaries and the Med.

Best for: Couples and families who want a mid-size, Italian-styled ship with the original MSC Yacht Club for a winter Canary Islands week from Madeira or a summer 2027 Western Mediterranean loop. Sails from Funchal (Madeira), Cagliari, Civitavecchia (Rome), Livorno (Florence), Cannes, Barcelona, Trieste in 2026 and 2027.

MSC Fantasia
MSC Fantasia
137,936gross tons
3,274guests at double occupancy
1,370crew
2008entered service
1,094 ftlong
1,636staterooms

About MSC Fantasia

MSC Fantasia entered service in December 2008 as the first of the Fantasia Class and the ship on which MSC introduced the MSC Yacht Club, the private ship-within-a-ship with its own concierge reception, 24-hour butlers, lounge, pool deck and the L’Etoile restaurant. At 137,936 gross tons with 1,636 staterooms it is a mid-size ship by current MSC standards, built around a real stone piazza with an espresso bar, pastries and gelato.

Public rooms carry the Fantasia Class’s Italian style: the grand Il Cerchio d’Oro and intimate Red Velvet dining rooms with Murano glass chandeliers, the L’Avanguardia theater, the Casinò delle Palme, the panoramic Liquid Disco and the Manhattan jazz bar. Sports and relaxation run from tennis, basketball, mini golf and a jogging track to the Aquapark, the Teens Toboga waterslide, the MSC Aurea Spa and the adults-only Top 18 sun deck.

After an Eastern Mediterranean season from Trieste in 2026, MSC Fantasia spends winter 2026 to 2027 homeported in Funchal, Madeira, on seven-night Canary Islands cruises from mid-December to late March, when its Yacht Club restaurant is also due for MSC’s new design. Summer 2027 brings seven-night Western Mediterranean loops between Cagliari, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Cannes, Barcelona and Ibiza, and the ship returns to the Canaries and Madeira for winter 2027 to 2028.

  • Real stone piazza at the heart of the ship with espresso bar, pastries and Venchi gelato
  • MSC Yacht Club, first introduced on this ship, with L’Etoile restaurant, Top Sail Lounge and a private pool deck
  • Il Cerchio d’Oro and Red Velvet dining rooms with Murano glass chandeliers
  • L’Avanguardia theater, Casinò delle Palme and the Liquid Disco
  • MSC Formula Racer F1 simulator and XD interactive cinema
  • Aquapark, Teens Toboga waterslide, tennis and basketball courts, mini golf and jogging track
  • Top 18 adults-only sun deck and the MSC Aurea Spa thermal area
  • Seven-night Canary Islands cruises from Funchal in winter, Western Mediterranean loops in summer 2027

Staterooms and suites

Interior

About 183 square feet on decks 5 to 13 in Interior and Deluxe Interior grades; roomier than the interiors on MSC’s newer ships and a sensible pick for a port-heavy Canaries week.

Ocean View

194 to 226 square feet on decks 5 to 13 with a picture window, in Ocean View and Premium Ocean View grades.

Balcony

205 to 215 square feet with balconies of 43 to 65 square feet on decks 8 to 13, in Balcony, Deluxe Balcony with Partial View, Premium Balcony and Deluxe Balcony Aurea grades.

Suites

Aurea suites of 237 to 441 square feet on decks 9 to 12: Junior Suite and Premium Suite with sealed window, Premium Suite with balcony and the Grand Suite, all with Aurea spa access, the Aurea Solarium and flexible dining.

MSC Yacht Club

The private area forward on decks 12 to 16 with Deluxe Suites, Grand Suites, Executive and Family Suites and Royal Suites of 248 to 570 square feet (balconies 43 to 172 square feet); includes 24-hour butler and concierge, priority boarding, the L’Etoile restaurant, Top Sail Lounge, private pool and sundeck, premium drinks, Wi-Fi and thermal-area access.

MSC Fantasia 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.

18 - Sun Deck plan

18 - Sun Deck

MSC Yacht Club Area, Whirlpool Bath, The One Pool, Solarium.

  • The MSC Yacht Club MSC Yacht Club guests enjoy countless complimentary “extras” that aren’t extra at all – such as wines and spirits, signature Butler service and gourmet delights. The luxurious enclave offers a private club ambiance with breathtaking views from the very front of the ship, and a wealth of valuable amenities included in your fare.
  • Whirlpool Bath
  • The One PoolThe One Pool
  • The One BarThe One Bar
  • Top 18 Exclusive Solarium The Top 18 Exclusive Solarium offer peace and pampering, and there are dedicated areas for kids and teens.

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 Fantasia

Liquid Disco
Liquid Disco
Zanzibar Buffet Restaurant
Zanzibar Buffet Restaurant
Young Club
Young Club
Whirlpool Bath
Whirlpool Bath
VIP Concierge
VIP Concierge
Video Games Arcade
Video Games Arcade
Venchi Gelati
Venchi Gelati
Tropici Pool
Tropici Pool
Tropici Bar
Tropici Bar
Toscana Club
Toscana Club
Top Sail Lounge
Top Sail Lounge
Top 18 Exclusive Solarium
Top 18 Exclusive Solarium

Dining on MSC Fantasia

Il Cerchio d’Oro and Red VelvetIncluded

The two main dining rooms, one grand and one intimate with Murano glass chandeliers, with assigned seating.

BuffetIncluded

All-day buffet with international and Mediterranean stations from breakfast to late night.

L’EtoileIncluded

The MSC Yacht Club restaurant, exclusive to Yacht Club guests, scheduled for MSC’s redesigned Yacht Club restaurant concept in December 2026.

Butcher’s CutSpecialty

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

La Cantina ToscanaSpecialty

Wine bar with a long list of Italian wines, small bites and tapas, priced per item.

Piazza San GiorgioSpecialty

The stone piazza’s espresso bar with pastries, chocolates and gelato, priced per item.

Il Cappuccino and La CaramellaSpecialty

Coffee bar and candy shop in the piazza, priced per item.

Entertainment and activities

  • L’Avanguardia theater productions including Aziza, Blinding Lights, Destination, Jukebox Live and the Ed Sheeran Songbook
  • Casinò delle Palme, the panoramic Liquid Disco and L’insolito Lounge
  • Manhattan Bar live jazz and Il Transatlantico piano bar
  • MSC Formula Racer F1 simulator, XD interactive cinema and arcade
  • Aquapark, Teens Toboga waterslide and the main pool complex
  • Tennis and basketball courts, mini golf, jogging track and Technogym fitness center
  • MSC Aurea Spa thermal area and the adults-only Top 18 sun deck
  • Cigar Lounge, silent disco, themed parties and karaoke

Families and who it suits

Five included clubs cover ages 0 to 17: the Chicco-equipped Baby Club (0 to 3), the LEGO-partnered Mini Club (3 to 6), Junior Club (7 to 11), Young Club (12 to 14) and Teen Club (15 to 17), plus the Aquapark, Teens Toboga waterslide and family game shows; the ship draws a largely European mix of families and couples.

Best for: Couples and families who want a mid-size, Italian-styled ship with the original MSC Yacht Club for a winter Canary Islands week from Madeira or a summer 2027 Western Mediterranean loop.

Sails from: Funchal (Madeira), Cagliari, Civitavecchia (Rome), Livorno (Florence), Cannes, Barcelona, Trieste · Regions: Canary Islands and Madeira, Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean

MSC Fantasia questions we answer every day

How big is MSC Fantasia?
MSC Fantasia is 137,936 gross tons and about 1,094 feet long, with 1,636 staterooms and a crew of 1,370. MSC lists capacity at 4,363 guests, about 3,274 at double occupancy. It launched the Fantasia Class in 2008, followed by MSC Splendida in 2009, MSC Divina in 2012 and MSC Preziosa in 2013, and it is the ship on which the MSC Yacht Club concept debuted.
Where does MSC Fantasia sail in 2026 and 2027?
In winter 2026 to 2027 MSC Fantasia is homeported in Funchal, Madeira, on seven-night Canary Islands cruises from December 15, 2026, to March 23, 2027, calling at Arrecife de Lanzarote, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Puerto del Rosario. Summer 2027 is a seven-night Western Mediterranean loop between Cagliari, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Cannes, Barcelona and Ibiza, and the ship returns to Madeira and the Canaries for winter 2027 to 2028.
What is the MSC Yacht Club on MSC Fantasia?
The MSC Yacht Club is MSC’s private ship-within-a-ship, and MSC Fantasia was the first ship to have one. Suites on decks 12 to 16 come with 24-hour butler and concierge service, priority boarding, the L’Etoile restaurant, the Top Sail Lounge, a private pool and sundeck, premium drinks, Wi-Fi and thermal-area access. MSC is rolling out a redesigned Yacht Club restaurant across the Fantasia Class, with MSC Fantasia scheduled for December 2026.
Which staterooms are best on MSC Fantasia?
Balcony staterooms on decks 8 to 13 are a good fit for most guests, though some are marked partial view, so ask us about the location. Interiors are a roomy 183 square feet and ocean views reach 226 square feet. Aurea suites add spa access and flexible dining, and the Yacht Club’s Executive and Family Suites suit families who want butler service.
What is included in the fare on MSC Fantasia?
Your fare covers the two main dining rooms, the buffet, theater shows, pools, the Aquapark, the Teens Toboga slide, sports courts, kids clubs and the gym. Butcher’s Cut, the piazza cafes, drinks, Wi-Fi, the Formula Racer and the XD cinema cost extra unless covered by your experience level or a package. SmartCruiser adds bonus onboard credit on sailings where MSC allows it, not available when you book direct.
What are the Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and Yacht Club experiences?
MSC prices every stateroom by experience. Bella is the basic fare with a stateroom assigned within your category. Fantastica lets you choose the location and adds extras such as room-service breakfast. Aurea adds spa access, the private Aurea Solarium, flexible dining and a drinks package. The MSC Yacht Club is a separate keycard-access area with butlers, its own restaurant, lounge and pool deck.

Facts checked against MSC Cruises: MSC Fantasia, MSC Cruises: MSC Fantasia staterooms and suites, Cruise Industry News: MSC Opera starts interporting season in Portugal (MSC Fantasia from Funchal), Cruise Industry News: MSC updating Yacht Club restaurants across Fantasia-class ships 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 Fantasia sailing, priced all-in

Every MSC Fantasia 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 Fantasia sailing

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