If you are considering a cruise with MSC you might wonder which activities you can take part in free of charge.
Activities onboard MSC ships vary from one to another, with the newer larger ships having more to offer.
I recently sailed on MSC’s World Europa around the Mediterranean. I found there were lots of activities offered free of charge onboard
1 – Try The Slides – Both Water Slides and Dry Slides
Water Slides
Many of the larger MSC ships have multiple water slides, some have more than one, with racing slides where you can take on your friends and family to try and reach the bottom first!
MSC’s newer ships have Aqua Parks that are fun for both children and adults alike.
You will find water slides and Aqua Parks on:
- MSC Grandiosa,
- MSC Bellissima,
- MSC Seaview,
- MSC Seaside
- MSC Meraviglia
- MSC World Europa
Dry Slides
MSC has a large slide on the back of the ship – similar to the Ultimate Abyss slides, found at the back of Symphony of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas.
I was able to film whilst sliding down the Venom Drop slide.
The promenade features the record breaking, longest dry slide at sea – the Venom Drop @ The Spiral – an 11-deck high stainless-steel masterpiece, unique in the cruise industry.
MSC Cruises
2 – Brave The Ropes Courses
Lots of MSC Cruise ships have free ropes courses.
I was recently on P&O’s Arvia, and was surprised to find they charge to use their ropes course, the “Altitude Skywalk.” On MSC, their Himalayan Ropes courses are free.
P&O charge £7.50 per adult and £2.50 per child (at time of writing) to use their ropes course.
MSC’s Himalayan Ropes course is available on:
- MSC Grandiosa
- MSC Bellissima
- MSC Meraviglia
- MSC Virtuosa
Watch me try the ropes course on MSC Meraviglia here:
3 – Head to The Silent Disco
Silent discos are typically held in the indoor promenade space on many ships. On MSC World Europa it is held in the “World Promenade” which is the outside central space on the ship.
Everybody at the silent disco has headphones, and the colour on the headphones shows the music channel you are listening to. There are normally two or three different music channel options.
I could look down from my balcony cabin on World Europa (which had both a Promenade and Ocean view) and could see people dancing and singing along to the different songs.
It wasn’t very “silent” at all – in fact, it was the most noise coming from below that I ever heard from my balcony! People loved singing along.
I like my Promenade view/Ocean view cabin on MSC Europa very much. I had a similar cabin on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas – but felt totally disconnected from the Ocean. There was the huge Aqua Theatre at the back of that ship that blocked my view of the sea.
Find out all about this unusual cabin here:
4 – Check Out a Theatre Show
MSC have free shows in the theatre every night.
Because of the number of nationalities onboard, these shows tend to be singing and dancing, with very little dialogue or storyline.
They don’t have the big Broadway shows that you might find on Norwegian or Royal Caribbean, but they are impressive, nonetheless.
There were lots of elaborate costumes, and as well as singing popular songs, they also performed some Opera.
5 – Go Roller Skating
MSC World Europa has a rollerskating rink in the ships sports complex – known as the “MSC Sportplex.”
The rollerskating rink can be found on Deck 20 Aft on World Europa. The rink is also used for bumper cars – not at the same time of course!
MSC supply the rollerskates, helmets and knee pads.
6 – Go to The Gym
The majority of cruise ships have a well-equipped Gym, and MSC ships are no exception.
I rarely use the Gym on cruise ships myself, as I get in lots of steps by walking around the ship, and running up and down the stairs. I try not to use the lift/Elevator unless it really can’t be avoided.
Find out everything you need to know about cruise ship Gyms here:
Cruise Ship Gyms: Cost, Opening Times, and Other Things You NEED to Know
7 – Try a Tea/Coffee in the Buffet
Like the majority of cruise ships, you can get free tea and Coffee in the MSC buffet, when it is open.
There are often coffee shops and other places to get tea and coffee onboard, but these may come at an extra charge.
If you haven’t bought a drinks package, it is nice to have this free drinks option available.
8 – Sing at Karaoke
Karaoke is very popular on cruise ships.
Karaoke is regularly scheduled across the whole of the MSC Fleet – so if Karaoke is your thing you will be able to get your Karaoke fix onboard.
9 – Try a Dance Class (Bachata, Line, Tango etc)
These lessons are taught similarly to line dancing. You have an instructor, sometimes two who instruct everyone on dance moves.
They are held in one of the lounges onboard, each lesson normally lasts for about half an hour.
These classes are free, you don’t need to book, just turn up and have fun!
10 – Parties!
There are always lots of parties onboard, you can go along to them if you want to.
The White Night Party is a regular event onboard the MSC fleet – guests are invited to wear white and party into the night.
Other popular party themes are Glow, Great Gatsby, Flower parties and there are many more besides.
To find out more about themed party nights onboard, read the article below:
Theme Nights On Cruise Ships (Everything You Need to Know) – Examples
11 – Eat Pizza!
MSC are an Italian cruise line, and they make wonderful Pizza ( and bread!)
MSC World Europa has two buffets, with a pizza station in each. We also found Pizza at the poolside grill.
In addition to that, there was a separate restaurant on World Europa called “Pizza & Burger.”
This offered exactly what you would expect – burgers, hot dogs and pizza served up with sides of fries, chips, onion rings etc.
12 – Go Swimming
As on most cruise ships, there are multiple swimming pools on MSC ships.
Often there are inside and outside pools which is useful if you are sailing in colder climates.
Some ships have adult-only pools. All swimming pools are normally heated.
Sometimes they have to close the swimming pools due to bad weather, it is not safe to let people swim when the sea is rough.
Swimming pools onboard are often drained at night. Find out why here:
Cruise Lines Drain The Swimming Pools at Night – Here’s Why
Before You Go
Norwegian Cruise Line has chargeable activities like Go Karting on their top decks. Find out all about that here:
Which Norwegian Ships Have Go Karts Tracks?
Find out what cruiselines are doing to attract more young people onto their ships here:
Are Cruises For Young People? Why are more young people cruising Than Ever?
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