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MSC Orchestra: ship guide

Year-round Mediterranean ship adding an MSC Yacht Club and new spa in March 2027.

Best for: Couples and families who want Greece and Turkey from Bari or the Western Mediterranean from Genoa and Marseille on a classic mid-size ship, with the new Yacht Club for those who want a suite enclave from March 2027. Sails from Bari, Piraeus (Athens), Istanbul, Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona, Valencia in 2026 and 2027.

MSC Orchestra
MSC Orchestra
92,409gross tons
2,550guests at double occupancy
940crew
16decks
2007entered service
964 ftlong
1,223staterooms

About MSC Orchestra

MSC Orchestra is the second of MSC’s four Musica Class ships, delivered in 2007. At 92,409 gross tons with 2,550 guests at double occupancy and a crew of about 940, it is a mid-size ship with mostly balcony cabins, the Covent Garden Theatre, the Palm Beach Casino, the leopard-print Savannah Bar, La Cantinella wine bar, La Cubana cigar lounge and the Top 15 Exclusive Solarium for Aurea guests.

In early 2027 the ship goes into drydock as the last Musica Class ship to receive the MSC Yacht Club, debuting March 13, 2027 in the Eastern Mediterranean. The 63-suite enclave includes keycard access, 24-hour butler service, the Top Sail Lounge, a private restaurant, pool and sun deck. The refit also adds Butcher’s Cut steakhouse and the Kaito Sushi Bar, a reimagined MSC Aurea Spa with thermal area and a fully refurbished MSC Gym Powered by Technogym.

MSC Orchestra sails the Mediterranean year-round. Winter 2026 to 2027 brings seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona and Valencia along with Eastern Mediterranean departures from Bari, Piraeus and Istanbul. From March 2027 the refurbished ship is based in Bari for seven-night cruises to Greece and Turkey calling at Athens, Izmir, Istanbul and Corfu, with Greek Isles sailings through summer 2027. It suits couples and families who want Italy, Greece and Turkey on a classic mid-size ship.

  • MSC Yacht Club with 63 suites, Top Sail Lounge, private restaurant, pool and sun deck, debuting March 13, 2027
  • Butcher’s Cut steakhouse and Kaito Sushi Bar joining the Shanghai Asian restaurant in 2027
  • Reimagined MSC Aurea Spa with thermal area and whirlpools, plus a fully refurbished Technogym fitness center
  • Top 15 Exclusive Solarium with panoramic ocean views for Aurea guests
  • Covent Garden Theatre with Blinding Lights, Icons, Club Deco and Pulse
  • The Savannah Bar with live bands, karaoke and dance classes, La Cantinella wine bar and La Cubana cigar lounge
  • Mini golf, tennis and basketball court, jogging track and R32 Disco Bar
  • Jungle Adventure playroom and a separate teens club

Staterooms and suites

Interior

Deluxe Interior staterooms of 151 sq ft on decks 12 to 15, the only interior category on this balcony-heavy ship and the value pick for seven-night Greek Isles cruises.

Ocean View

Deluxe Ocean View cabins of 172 sq ft on deck 8, including obstructed-view cabins behind the lifeboats at a lower fare level.

Balcony

Deluxe Balconies are 161 sq ft and Premium Balconies 194 sq ft, each with a 54 sq ft balcony on decks 10 to 15; Deluxe Balcony Aurea cabins on decks 9 to 11 add thermal spa access and the Top 15 solarium.

Suites (Aurea)

Premium Suites Aurea of 280 sq ft with a 43 sq ft balcony on deck 15, with priority boarding, spa access and flexible dining.

MSC Yacht Club (from March 2027)

63 suites being created in the early 2027 refit, mostly by combining existing staterooms, in categories from the Deluxe Suite to the two-room Grand Suite and the Royal Suite; all include 24-hour butler and concierge service, keycard-only access, the Top Sail Lounge, a private restaurant, pool and sun deck, premium drinks, Wi-Fi and thermal spa access.

MSC Orchestra 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.

16 - Sports Deck plan

16 - Sports Deck

The Solarium, Sport Center.

  • Sport CenterA voyage with MSC Cruises brings you the leisure time and the facilities to maintain and build your fitness thanks to a wide choice of Sports Facilities and a state-of-the-art Sports Center with fabulous sea views.

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 Orchestra

Young Club
Young Club
Whirlpool Bath
Whirlpool Bath
Volleyball
Volleyball
Virtual Games
Virtual Games
Villa Borghese Restaurant
Villa Borghese Restaurant
Venchi Gelati
Venchi Gelati
Turkish Bath
Turkish Bath
The Savannah Bar
The Savannah Bar
The Purple Bar
The Purple Bar
The Mini Mall
The Mini Mall
The Jungle Adventure
The Jungle Adventure
Spa Massage Room
Spa Massage Room

Dining on MSC Orchestra

L’Ibiscus and Villa BorgheseIncluded

The two main dining rooms with assigned seating, a fresh multi-course menu nightly and table service.

La Piazzetta BuffetIncluded

The buffet restaurant for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks with international stations.

Four SeasonsIncluded

Casual poolside dining by day that doubles as an informal evening venue.

MSC Yacht Club RestaurantIncluded

The private restaurant for Yacht Club guests from March 2027, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with premium drinks included.

ShanghaiSpecialty

Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes from edamame and kimchi to hand rolls, teriyaki and matcha flan.

Butcher’s CutSpecialty

MSC’s signature American steakhouse with aged, hand-cut steaks and seafood, arriving with the 2027 refit.

Kaito Sushi BarSpecialty

Sushi, sashimi, tempura and teriyaki prepared to order, arriving with the 2027 refit.

El Sombrero Bar and L’IncontroSpecialty

Gelato by the pool and espresso at the coffee bar, pay per item.

Entertainment and activities

  • Covent Garden Theatre with a different production every night
  • Palm Beach Casino and The Savannah Bar with live bands, karaoke and dance classes
  • Barracuda Bar pool deck with whirlpools and the Top 15 Exclusive Solarium
  • Mini golf, tennis and basketball court and a power walking track
  • La Cantinella wine bar, La Cubana cigar lounge and The Shaker Lounge live music
  • R32 Disco Bar with a big dance floor
  • MSC Aurea Spa thermal area and Technogym fitness center
  • Arcade and themed parties on deck

Families and who it suits

MSC runs complimentary clubs from six months to 17 years: the Baby Club with Chicco for under-threes, the LEGO-equipped Mini Club (3 to 6) and Juniors Club (7 to 11), the Young Club (12 to 14) and the Teens Club (15 to 17), with the Jungle Adventure playroom, a teens-only club, mini golf and LEGO Family Game Show nights.

Best for: Couples and families who want Greece and Turkey from Bari or the Western Mediterranean from Genoa and Marseille on a classic mid-size ship, with the new Yacht Club for those who want a suite enclave from March 2027.

Sails from: Bari, Piraeus (Athens), Istanbul, Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona, Valencia · Regions: Eastern Mediterranean and Greek Isles, Turkey, Western Mediterranean

MSC Orchestra questions we answer every day

How big is MSC Orchestra?
MSC Orchestra is 92,409 gross tons and 964 feet long, with 1,223 staterooms for 2,550 guests at double occupancy and up to 3,223 guests, served by a crew of about 940. Delivered in 2007, it is a Musica Class ship alongside MSC Musica, MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica, all of which are being upgraded with the MSC Yacht Club by mid-2027.
When does MSC Orchestra get the Yacht Club?
MSC Orchestra goes into drydock in early 2027 as the last Musica Class ship to receive the MSC Yacht Club, which debuts on March 13, 2027 in the Eastern Mediterranean. The refit creates 63 suites with 24-hour butler and concierge service, the Top Sail Lounge, a private restaurant, pool and sun deck, and also adds Butcher’s Cut, the Kaito Sushi Bar, a reimagined MSC Aurea Spa and a new Technogym gym.
Where does MSC Orchestra sail in 2026 and 2027?
The ship stays in the Mediterranean all year. Winter 2026 to 2027 brings seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona and Valencia calling at Livorno and Civitavecchia, plus Eastern Mediterranean departures from Bari, Piraeus and Istanbul. From March 2027 the refurbished ship sails seven-night cruises from Bari to Athens, Izmir, Istanbul and Corfu, with Greek Isles itineraries including Santorini, Katakolon and Cefalonia through summer 2027.
Which staterooms are best on MSC Orchestra?
A Deluxe or Premium Balcony on decks 10 to 15 suits most couples, and the Deluxe Balcony Aurea on decks 9 to 11 adds thermal spa access and the Top 15 solarium. The 151 sq ft Deluxe Interiors are the value pick for a seven-night Greek Isles loop. From March 2027 the Yacht Club suites add butler service and the private lounge, restaurant and pool deck.
What is included in the fare on MSC Orchestra?
Your fare covers L’Ibiscus and Villa Borghese dining rooms, the La Piazzetta buffet, theater shows, the pools, mini golf, the gym, the sports court and the kids’ and teens’ clubs. Shanghai, Butcher’s Cut, Kaito, drinks packages and the spa thermal area for Bella and Fantastica guests are extra. SmartCruiser adds bonus onboard credit on sailings where MSC allows it, something you will not get booking direct.
What are the Bella, Fantastica and Aurea experiences?
MSC sells the same cabin types at three experience levels. Bella is the value option with an assigned cabin. Fantastica lets you pick the location and adds room-service breakfast and priority dining choice. Aurea bundles the best balconies and suites with priority boarding, thermal spa access, a massage, the Top 15 Exclusive Solarium and flexible dining times. From March 2027 the Yacht Club sits above all three.

Facts checked against MSC Cruises: MSC Orchestra, MSC Cruises: MSC Orchestra staterooms and suites, Cruise Industry News: A look at the MSC Yacht Club refit schedule for the Musica Class on October 13, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.

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