MSC Meraviglia/Bellissima Cabins -Photo Guide, Real Reviews and Cabins to Avoid

The MSC Meraviglia has some of my favourite cruise ship cabins.

I’ve cruised in both an Inside cabin and a balcony cabin and would love to sail on Meraviglia again.

The cabins on MSC Bellissima and MSC Meraviglia are identical – so this post is relevant to both ships.

In this post, we explore:

• Interior Cabins
• Interior Studios
• Ocean View
• Balcony
• Suites
• Other things to consider

We also look at Cabins to avoid.

Inside cabins

I stayed in an inside cabin in December 2017, I actually spent Christmas day at sea.

Meraviglia inside cabins are without a doubt some of my favourite inside cabins.

There was SO much room and it was so new, clean and tidy.

I shared the cabin with my brother so we had the cabin set up with two twin beds. I’m sure this makes the cabin feel more spacious.

Our inside cabin did not have a sofa, which I think is one of the reasons why it felt as though there was so much space. There is a mirror and a chair on one side and then nothing opposite.

There are 657 inside cabins onboard. All have a double bed that is convertible to 2 single beds.

Just speak to your cabin steward if you need the bed configuration changed, they are always happy to help.

Inside cabins are normally the cheapest cabins available onboard cruise ships.

Inside cabins accommodate up to four passengers, with the additional passengers sleeping on a sofa bed.

The average Inside Cabin size is 180 ft2 / 17 m2

All have:

• Relaxing armchair
• Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer
• Comfortable double or single beds
• Interactive TV, telephone, and Wi-Fi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar

Interior Studio cabins

Interior Studio cabins are specially designed for solo passengers and sleeps one Person.

I LOVE the fact that the MSC Meraviglia has solo cabins.

Solo cruisers are often hit hard with ‘solo supplements’ when they cruise.

Solo supplements often mean a person may have to pay double the price of someone sharing with another passenger.

Why Do Solo Cruisers Have To Pay a “Solo Supplement?”

When cruising solo cruisers will often have to pay a “Solo Supplement.” This means that they pay more to stay in the cabin alone than they would if they were sharing with another passenger.

This is not only to account for the lost revenue from not having another passenger in the cabin but also from losses in things like drink sales and casino spends.

When booking a solo cabin designed for one person, you will be given one price. There is no additional solo supplement to pay.

Find out more about cruising solo in the article below:

Cruising For Solos (Solo Cabins, Cruise Fares and Onboard Events)

How Big Are The Inside Solo Cabins on MSC Meraviglia?

The Inside solo cabins are around 12 meters²/129 Ft². This is a pretty standard size for a regular inside cabin on other cruise lines. So for a solo cabin – this is very spacious!

Outside/Oceanview cabins

I rarely choose to stay in outside/oceanview cabins.

I would if the price wasn’t much more than an inside cabin – but if I were to treat myself to an upgrade I would probably upgrade to a balcony.

The oceanview cabins are almost identical to the balcony cabins in size and layout. The only difference being the window instead of a balcony you can go out onto.

Ocean View cabins vary in size depending on the cabin cabin grade you pick.

A Junior Ocean view is around 12 metres ² / 129ft ² whereas the higher grade of a Premium Ocean view is around 22 metres ²/236 ft ²

They all have:

• Window with sea view
• Relaxing armchair
• Bathroom with shower, vanity area with hairdryer
• Comfortable double or single beds (on request)
• Interactive TV, telephone, and Wi-Fi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar

The Cabin layout varies from one cabin to another.

Balcony Cabins

Balcony cabins can sleep up to four people

I love the balcony cabins on the MSC Meraviglia. The design is very sleek and they look very modern. The space is well designed and functional.

Although the actual space isn’t much bigger than cabins on other lines, it does feel a lot bigger because of the good design.

All cabins on the MSC Meraviglia have a similar styling.

The colours vary by deck so a cabin on deck 8 and deck 10 will have a different colour scheme.

There is also a variation on where the bed is placed, the bed can either be by the balcony or by the bathroom, and each balcony cabin alternates between the two designs.

How Big is the Balcony on MSC Meraviglia?

The balcony isn’t huge – but it isn’t small either. I would say that it is mid-range.

We were cruising with friends who were in the balcony next to us, so we asked our cabin steward to open the door between the two balconies.

This gave us a huge balcony which was amazing. I’d definitely recommend this if you’re cruising with family or friends in the next-door cabin.

It’s worth noting that some balconies are bigger than others.

We had the standard-sized balcony, although cabins on deck 8 have a larger balcony.

The bigger balconies on deck 8 are “Partially Restricted View -meaning you cannot see down to the ocean because there is a lifeboat in the way.

What is in the Balcony cabins onboard the MSC Meraviglia?

• Twin/Queen beds
• A desk with mirror + chair
• Sofa
• Bedside tables
• Hairdryer
• Interactive TV, telephone, and Wi-Fi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar

I love cruising with MSC, but it is very different from cruising with an American or British line. In the article below I compare MSC with a cruise on Royal Caribbean:

The differences between MSC and Royal Caribbean 

My Balcony Cabin on Deck 12:

Below is the video review that I filmed onboard.

During the video, I talk a little about the cruise in general and about what it is like to cruise with MSC.

It is important you do your research before cruising with MSC so you know what to expect.

What I loved:

• The cabin looked modern and I liked the design.
• Loads of space!
• The bed was really comfortable.

What I Didn’t Love:

• I’d usually write here about the things that I didn’t love – but honestly, I can’t think of any!

I could happily live in this Balcony Cabin. It is one of my favourites.

Suites

As you would expect, the suites on MSC Meraviglia range in size and facilities.

Some have their own Hot Tub/Whirlpool on the balcony!

For Example, MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite:

• Is around 29 sqm in size
• Has a of balcony 6 sqm
• Ample wardrobe space
• Bathroom with bathtub and vanity area with hairdryer
• Comfortable double bed or single beds
• Wi-Fi connection included within the price
• Interactive TV, telephone, safe and minibar

Premium Suite Aurea with Terrace and Whirlpool:

• Is around 27 sqm in size
• Has a balcony of approx 26-30 sqm with its own private whirlpool bath
• Spacious Wardrobe.
• Setting area with double sofa bed.
• Bathroom with shower vanity area with hairdryers.
• The Double bed can be converted into two single beds (on request).
• Mini bar. Air conditioning.
• Interactive TV, telephone and safe.
• Wi-Fi connection available – For an extra fee ( No free WiFi Unless you are in Yacht Club)

Yacht Club

The MSC Yacht Club is an exclusive area within the ship.

It costs considerably more to book a suite in the Yacht Club

You can book anything from a Yacht Club Interior Suite to a Yacht Club Royal Suite. You will receive a number of premium “extras.”

MSC Yacht Club, our exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept, offering the benefits of a private club with exclusivity and privacy, whilst providing the wealth of leisure and entertainment possibilities:

MSC Cruises

If you book the Yacht club you will get:

• A Private Entrance to Yacht Club

• Classic Butler Service offering the highest standards of personal care

• A Dedicated Concierge

• Private venues and elegant amenities for Yacht guests only

• An exclusive fine-dining restaurant

• Unlimited drinks

• Superior suite accommodation 

• A complete all-inclusive experience 

• Privileged access to the industry-leading amenities, entertainment and services of the ship

Cabins To Avoid

If you suffer from motion sickness, I would avoid a cabin right at the front or right at the back of the ship.

It is always better to have a cabin in the middle and slightly lower down where any movement of the ship will be felt less.

I would avoid being at the back of deck 14, as this is right below the buffet.

You may be woken by people scraping chairs back as they sit down, and trollies being wheeled about late at night and in the early morning.

Of course, if you are a heavy sleeper, this won’t bother you in the slightest, and you might like being close to the buffet!

Should You Book a Guaranteed Cabin?

I normally would choose a “Guaranteed cabin” to save money, and let the cruise line pick the location. 

I didn’t pick my cabin location for this trip – but I think I was very fortunate to get a mid-ship cabin on deck 12. It was a good, central location and it suited us well.

I am perfectly happy and able to walk great distances, and nothing much disturbs my sleep – so cabin location isn’t that important for me.

Not everyone is the same though, and I perfectly understand people choosing their cabins very carefully.

To learn more about guaranteed cabins and if it’s worth paying extra to pick your location, check out this post next:

 I Always Book Guaranteed Cabins on Cruise Ships – (Photo Examples, Regrets & More)

What Plug Sockets are In The Cabin on MSC Meraviglia?

There are two Europen plug sockets and one USB charging point.

Check out my guide below to find out which other ships have which sockets:

https://emmacruises.com/cruise-ship-plug-socket-guide/

Make sure you pack adapters! This is one of the most common things for first-time cruisers to forget. You can find my full list of cruise essentials on our resource page here:

Resources & Discounts.

Do The Cabins on The MSC Meraviglia/Bellissima have Irons?

None of the cabins on the MSC Meraviglia/Bellissima have irons.

There aren’t any self-service laundries onboard either, so your only option is to pay to have your clothes laundered.

I tend to just hang my creased clothing up in the bathroom when I have a shower and the steam usually makes the creases drop out. It’s magic!

Do The Cabins on The MSC Meraviglia/Bellissima have Hairdryers?

Yes! All cabins have hairdryers. The ships are pretty new so the hair dryers are too.

They seem powerful and you’ll find them in the desk.

Do The Cabins on The MSC Meraviglia/Bellissima have Safes?

Yes. All cabins have a safe.

The safes are modern, free to use and are of a reasonable size.

I managed to fit my Macbook Air into the safe which is always important to me.

When you arrive on the cruise you will be able to pick a code for the safe and use it for the duration of your cruise. When you leave, you just leave the safe open.

Before You Go

Find out how to get the best available cabin for your budget without downgrading the cabin category in the article below:

Get The Best Cabin for Your Budget! Hints, Tips and Examples of How to Save Money Without Downgrading Your Cabin Type

MSC is quite a different cruising experience from sailing with other lines. I cruised to Norway on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas whilst my parents took exactly the same cruise on MSC’s Virtuosa. See how the two compared below:

We Took The Same Cruise With MSC and Royal Caribbean: Differences and Comparison