MSC Cruises · Fantasia Class

MSC Splendida: ship guide

Refreshed in 2026, sailing South America and nine-night Eastern Med loops from Trieste.

Best for: Couples and families who want a freshly refurbished mid-size MSC ship with the Yacht Club option for a Brazil and Argentina winter cruise or a nine-night Greece, Croatia and Turkey itinerary from Trieste in 2027. Sails from Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Trieste, Bari, Barcelona, Marseille in 2026 and 2027.

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MSC Splendida
MSC Splendida
137,936gross tons
3,274guests at double occupancy
1,370crew
2009entered service, refurbished 2026
1,093 ftlong
1,637staterooms

About MSC Splendida

MSC Splendida is the second Fantasia Class ship, in service since July 2009 and refreshed in a January 2026 drydock at Palumbo Malta that renewed staterooms and public rooms and introduced MSC’s redesigned Yacht Club Restaurant, with a dedicated maitre d’ and sommelier. At 137,936 gross tons with 1,637 staterooms it carries about 3,274 guests at double occupancy, a comfortable mid-size for MSC with four pools, a squash court, a jogging track and the adults-only Top 18 sun deck.

The MSC Yacht Club occupies the forward decks 12 to 16 with 71 suites, its own concierge reception, 24-hour butlers, private restaurant, Top Sail Lounge, pool deck and bar. Elsewhere you will find The Strand Theater, the Royal Palm Casino, Club 33 Disco, The Purple Jazz Bar, La Prua Piano Bar, Butcher’s Cut steakhouse and the new Asian-fusion Sea Pavilion, plus a LEGO play area, Aquapark and Teens Toboga waterslide for families.

In fall 2026 MSC Splendida sails seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Marseille before crossing to South America in November. Winter 2026 to 2027 is a season of eight- and nine-night cruises from Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro between Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. From April to early November 2027 it moves to Trieste for nine-night Eastern Mediterranean cruises to Bari, Corfu, Piraeus, Split, Kusadasi and Istanbul, then heads back to Argentina.

  • January 2026 refurbishment with renewed staterooms and the redesigned MSC Yacht Club Restaurant
  • MSC Yacht Club with 71 suites, concierge reception, butlers, Top Sail Lounge and private pool deck
  • Sea Pavilion Asian-fusion restaurant with hot pot, dim sum, sashimi and noodles, plus Butcher’s Cut steakhouse
  • The Strand Theater, Royal Palm Casino and Club 33 Disco
  • The Purple Jazz Bar, La Prua Piano Bar, L’Enoteca wine bar and La Piazzetta gelato lounge
  • Four pools including an indoor pool, squash court, jogging track and Top 18 adults-only sun deck
  • Aquapark, Teens Toboga waterslide, bowling, MSC Formula Racer and XD cinema
  • Nine-night Eastern Mediterranean cruises from Trieste in summer 2027 with a long call in Istanbul

Staterooms and suites

Interior

140 to 172 square feet on decks 5 to 13 in Interior and Deluxe Interior grades; the budget option for a port-intensive South America or Eastern Mediterranean cruise.

Ocean View

129 to 215 square feet on decks 5, 8 and 13 with a picture window, in Ocean View and Premium Ocean View grades; sizes vary widely, so ask us about the specific cabin.

Balcony

151 to 205 square feet with balconies of 32 to 129 square feet on decks 8 to 13, in Balcony, Deluxe Balcony with Partial View, Premium Balcony and Balcony Aurea grades; some balconies have metal or half-glass balustrades.

Suites

Aurea suites of 226 to 409 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

71 suites forward on decks 12 to 16 in Deluxe Suite, Grand Suite and Executive and Family Suite grades of 237 to 549 square feet (balconies 65 to 172 square feet); includes 24-hour butler and concierge, priority boarding, the redesigned Yacht Club Restaurant, Top Sail Lounge, private pool and sundeck, premium drinks, Wi-Fi and thermal-area access.

MSC Splendida 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 plan

18 - Sun

MSC Yacht Club Area, Whirlpool Bath, The One Pool, The One Bar, Top 18 Exclusive Solarium.

  • 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.
  • The One PoolThe One Pool
  • The One BarThe One Bar
  • Whirlpool BathWhirlpool Bath
  • Top 18 Exclusive SolariumTop 18 Exclusive Solarium

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 Splendida

Young Club
Young Club
Whirlpool Bath
Whirlpool Bath
Water Slides
Water Slides
Virtual World
Virtual World
Villa Verde Restaurant
Villa Verde Restaurant
Video Arcade
Video Arcade
Venchi Gelati
Venchi Gelati
Thermal Area
Thermal Area
Theme Parties
Theme Parties
Teens Toboga
Teens Toboga
Teen's Area
Teen's Area
Tea House and Dim Sum
Tea House and Dim Sum

Dining on MSC Splendida

Main Dining RoomsIncluded

Two main restaurants serving Mediterranean and international menus with assigned seating.

BuffetIncluded

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

MSC Yacht Club RestaurantIncluded

Exclusive to Yacht Club guests and redesigned in 2026 with a contemporary look, a dedicated maitre d’ and a sommelier.

Butcher’s CutSpecialty

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

Sea PavilionSpecialty

Asian-fusion restaurant with hot pot, dim sum, sashimi and noodles designed for sharing.

L’Enoteca Wine BarSpecialty

Curated wine list by the glass, priced per item.

La Piazzetta and L’EspressoSpecialty

Piazza-style lounge with live music, pastries and authentic gelato, and a coffee bar, priced per item.

Entertainment and activities

  • The Strand Theater productions including Encore, Mother Nature, Picture Perfect, Road to Nowhere and Rock Royalty
  • Royal Palm Casino, Club 33 Disco and The Aft Lounge with live music and dancing
  • The Purple Jazz Bar, La Prua Piano Bar, Movida Bar and the Cigar Lounge
  • Four pools including an indoor pool, Aquapark and the Teens Toboga waterslide
  • Bowling, MSC Formula Racer F1 simulator, XD interactive cinema and arcade
  • Squash court, sports court, jogging track and Technogym fitness center
  • MSC Aurea Spa thermal area and the adults-only Top 18 sun deck
  • Silent disco, themed White, Glow and Sunshine 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 a dedicated LEGO play area, the Aquapark and the Teens Toboga waterslide; expect a mostly South American crowd in winter and a European mix in summer.

Best for: Couples and families who want a freshly refurbished mid-size MSC ship with the Yacht Club option for a Brazil and Argentina winter cruise or a nine-night Greece, Croatia and Turkey itinerary from Trieste in 2027.

Sails from: Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Trieste, Bari, Barcelona, Marseille · Regions: South America, Eastern Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean

MSC Splendida questions we answer every day

How big is MSC Splendida?
MSC Splendida is 137,936 gross tons and about 1,093 feet long, with 1,637 staterooms and a crew of 1,370. MSC lists capacity at 4,363 guests, about 3,274 at double occupancy. It is a Fantasia Class ship, the 2009 sister of MSC Fantasia, and its 71-suite MSC Yacht Club was one of the first in the fleet.
Where does MSC Splendida sail in 2026 and 2027?
Through fall 2026 MSC Splendida sails seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Marseille to Livorno, Cagliari, Palermo and Valletta. In November 2026 it repositions to South America for eight- and nine-night cruises from Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro between Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. From April to early November 2027 it is based in Trieste on nine-night Eastern Mediterranean cruises to Bari, Corfu, Piraeus, Split, Kusadasi and Istanbul before returning to Argentina.
What changed in the 2026 refurbishment?
MSC Splendida spent 27 days at Palumbo Malta Shipyard in January 2026 and returned to service in Barcelona on February 7, 2026. Staterooms and public areas received new carpets and upholstery, and the MSC Yacht Club Restaurant was the first in the Fantasia Class to get MSC’s redesigned concept, with deeper colors, new lighting, a dedicated maitre d’ and a sommelier. The Future Cruise office was also redesigned.
Which staterooms are best on MSC Splendida?
Stateroom sizes vary more than on MSC’s newer ships, so ask us about the specific cabin. Balconies on decks 8 to 13 run 151 to 205 square feet with balconies from 32 to 129 square feet, and some have metal or half-glass balustrades. Aurea suites add spa access and flexible dining. For the top experience, the 71-suite MSC Yacht Club forward on decks 12 to 16 includes butlers, the redesigned restaurant and a private pool deck.
What is included in the fare on MSC Splendida?
Your fare covers the main dining rooms, the buffet, theater shows, the four pools, the Aquapark, the Teens Toboga slide, the sports courts, kids clubs and the gym. Butcher’s Cut, Sea Pavilion, drinks, Wi-Fi, bowling, 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 Splendida, MSC Cruises: MSC Splendida staterooms and suites, Cruise Industry News: MSC Splendida resumes service after drydock, Cruise Industry News: MSC Splendida to sail from Rio de Janeiro in 2026-27 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 Splendida sailing, priced all-in

Every MSC Splendida 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 Splendida sailing

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Prices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars, and include cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as published by the cruise line at the moment you load this page. Fares are capacity controlled and change daily; the fare is confirmed when you book. Flights, hotels and transfers are extra unless the line’s offer says otherwise. Onboard credit shown on a sailing is per stateroom and applies to the lowest category offered unless stated otherwise.