MSC Grandiosa combines included sports and outdoor attractions with a large indoor amusement area filled with bowling, racing, virtual reality and arcade games.
Most of the ship’s paid attractions are grouped together on deck 16, making Grandiosa a particularly good MSC ship for families looking for activities that do not depend on warm weather. The outdoor highlights are one deck higher on deck 19, where passengers will find Wild Forest Aquapark and the Himalayan Bridge ropes course.
The biggest distinction to understand is that Sportplex, Himalayan Bridge, Wild Forest Aquapark, the walking track and ping-pong are included in the cruise fare. Bowling, Formula Racer, Interactive XD Cinema, VR experiences and arcade games cost extra.
MSC Grandiosa activities at a glance
| Activity | Deck | Included? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportplex | 16 | Yes | Basketball, soccer and pickleball |
| Ping-pong | 16 | Yes | Casual family competition |
| Power Walking Track | 16 | Yes | Walking and light jogging |
| Full-size bowling | 16 | No | Families and small groups |
| Formula Racer | 16 | No | Racing fans and older children |
| Interactive XD Cinema | 16 | No | Competitive family entertainment |
| VR experiences | 16 | No | Virtual-reality fans |
| Virtual Games Arcade | 16 | No | Video games and prize machines |
| Himalayan Bridge | 19 | Yes | Outdoor thrills and ocean views |
| Wild Forest Aquapark | 19 | Yes | Waterslides and splash play |
Operating hours vary by day. Sportplex may be used for scheduled activities, and outdoor attractions can close because of wind, rain or maintenance. Check the MSC for Me app and onboard program for the most current schedule.
Which MSC Grandiosa activities are included?
MSC Grandiosa has several worthwhile activities that do not require a Fun Pass or additional payment.
Included activities:
- Basketball, soccer and pickleball in Sportplex
- Other scheduled Sportplex games and tournaments
- Himalayan Bridge
- Wild Forest Aquapark and its waterslides
- Ping-pong
- Power Walking Track
- Most activity-team sports and competitions
Extra-charge attractions:
- Full-size bowling
- Formula Racer
- Interactive XD Cinema
- VR experiences
- Video arcade games
- Claw machines and other prize games
Families do not need to purchase a Fun Pass to stay active on Grandiosa. Sportplex, the aquapark, Himalayan Bridge and ping-pong can fill a significant portion of a sea day without adding anything to the onboard bill.
Sportplex
Sportplex is Grandiosa’s indoor multi-use sports court on deck 16.
Basketball, soccer and pickleball are the three sports passengers are most likely to find here. MSC may occasionally use the court for other sports, games, tournaments or family activities, but those are offered less frequently.
The enclosed design makes Sportplex especially useful during:
- Rainy days
- Windy weather
- Cooler itineraries
- Hot afternoons
- Times when outdoor decks are crowded
Standard Sportplex activities are included in the cruise fare. However, that does not mean the court is continuously available for unscheduled play.
MSC may reserve Sportplex for:
- Organized basketball games
- Soccer games
- Pickleball
- Youth-club activities
- Teen events
- Family competitions
- Activity-team tournaments
- Other supervised programming
Check the MSC for Me app or daily program to see what is scheduled. Open-play periods may be available, but the court can switch between different sports throughout the day.
Equipment is generally available during organized activities. If you want to play independently, check with the activity staff before assuming balls, paddles or other equipment will be available.
Sportplex is one of Grandiosa’s best included attractions for older children and teenagers. It is also a good option for adults who want something more active than sitting by the pool.
You can learn more about how these spaces work in our Sports Zones on MSC Ships guide.
Full-size bowling
MSC Grandiosa has two full-size bowling lanes in the amusement area on deck 16.
“Full-size” refers to the traditional pins and bowling balls rather than the miniature bowling games found on some ships. The lanes are still shorter than those at a conventional land-based bowling alley, so the experience feels more like casual cruise-ship entertainment than a serious night at a bowling center.
Bowling costs extra and can be paid for using eligible Fun Pass credits.
It is one of Grandiosa’s better paid activities for families because several people can participate together. It can also fill more time than a single arcade or simulator session.
Bowling may be particularly busy:
- On sea days
- During poor weather
- In the evening
- During school holidays
- Near the end of the cruise
If bowling is an important part of your plans, check availability early in the sailing. Port days and normal dinner hours may provide better availability than a sea-day afternoon.
The ship’s movement can occasionally affect the ball, but that is part of the novelty of bowling at sea. Experienced bowlers should approach it as a fun family activity rather than a place to chase their best score.
For more information about the experience, see our Bowling on MSC Ships guide.
MSC Formula Racer
Formula Racer is Grandiosa’s F1-style racing simulator on deck 16.
Instead of sitting in a traditional arcade cabinet, players enter a racing cockpit with a steering wheel, pedals and a large display. The simulator adds motion, vibration and other effects to create a more immersive experience.
Formula Racer can be more difficult than it looks. First-time players may spend much of their short session learning how to brake, handle the steering sensitivity and stay on the track.
A few tips can make the experience more enjoyable:
- Watch another passenger complete a session before playing.
- Listen closely to the staff instructions.
- Brake earlier than you would in a basic arcade racing game.
- Do not expect to master the simulator during your first attempt.
- Check the posted height requirement before purchasing a session for a child.
Formula Racer costs extra and accepts eligible Fun Pass credits. Posted pricing and height restrictions should be checked onboard because they may change.
Some MSC Voyagers Club members may also have a Formula Racer discount or complimentary session as part of their benefits. Check your current benefits before using Fun Pass credit.
You can learn more in our Virtual Reality and Simulators on MSC Ships guide.
Interactive XD Cinema
The Interactive XD Cinema on deck 16 is closer to a competitive dark ride than a conventional movie theater.
Passengers sit in motion seats and use blaster-style controllers to shoot at targets on the screen. The seats move in response to the action while players compete for the highest score.
The featured experience may involve:
- Monsters
- Robots
- Fantasy characters
- Science-fiction settings
- Western themes
- Other target-based adventures
The exact film or game can change.
Interactive XD Cinema is easier for most first-time players to understand than Formula Racer. Pointing and shooting at targets is fairly intuitive, making it a good paid attraction for families with different ages and skill levels.
It can also become surprisingly competitive when parents, children and grandparents start comparing scores.
Interactive XD Cinema costs extra and can use eligible Fun Pass credits. Sessions are relatively short, so repeat plays can consume an entertainment budget quickly.
Guests prone to motion sickness should be aware that the seats move along with the action. The experience is generally less physically demanding than the Himalayan Bridge, but it may still be uncomfortable for passengers sensitive to motion effects.
VR experiences
Grandiosa’s deck 16 amusement area also offers virtual-reality games and experiences.
Depending on the current setup, passengers may use a headset to explore virtual environments, complete challenges, fight virtual enemies or compete for a score. MSC can change the software and individual experiences without making a major alteration to the venue.
VR attractions cost extra and are eligible for Fun Pass credits.
Before purchasing a session, ask the staff:
- Which VR experience is currently available
- Whether it is individual or multiplayer
- How long the session lasts
- Whether there are age or height restrictions
- Whether glasses can be worn comfortably with the headset
- Whether the experience involves walking or remaining stationary
Passengers prone to motion sickness may find VR more uncomfortable than the Interactive XD Cinema. Stop immediately and notify the attendant if you begin feeling dizzy or disoriented.
VR can be one of Grandiosa’s most immersive paid attractions, but the relatively short sessions mean it is best suited to passengers who are genuinely interested in virtual reality.
Virtual Games Arcade
Grandiosa’s Virtual Games Arcade is located on deck 16 beside the ship’s larger paid attractions.
The arcade can include a combination of:
- Racing games
- Shooting games
- Sports games
- Air hockey
- Claw machines
- Prize machines
- Other video and interactive games
The exact lineup is always subject to change. Individual machines may be replaced, moved or temporarily unavailable, so passengers should explore the arcade onboard instead of expecting a specific game based on an older photo or review.
Arcade games cost extra. Passengers generally tap a cruise card or the card connected to their Fun Pass balance.
A Fun Pass does not provide unlimited arcade play. Each eligible game deducts credit from the available balance.
Prize machines and claw machines can consume credits quickly. Families should decide in advance:
- Who will control the card
- How much each child can spend
- Whether claw and prize machines are allowed
- How often the balance will be checked
- Whether additional charges are allowed after the Fun Pass credit is used
Once the available Fun Pass credit is exhausted, additional taps may be charged directly to the onboard account. Parents who want firm spending control should keep the connected cruise card and monitor the balance.
The arcade will usually be busiest during sea-day afternoons, after dinner and whenever poor weather pushes families indoors. Port days and normal dinner hours can be much quieter.
How the Fun Pass works on MSC Grandiosa
The MSC Fun Pass is a prepaid credit package for the extra-charge attractions in Grandiosa’s amusement area. It is not an unlimited-use pass.
MSC currently lists the following Grandiosa attractions as Fun Pass eligible:
- Video games
- Interactive XD Cinema
- Formula Racer
- Bowling
- VR games
The Fun Pass can be linked to one guest’s onboard account and used by the family. Once the included credit is gone, additional activities may be charged to the cruise account connected to the card.
Fun Pass offers and bonus credit can change, so we do not recommend choosing a package based on an old onboard photo or social media post.
The Fun Pass may make sense for:
- Families planning to use several paid attractions
- Groups that want to bowl
- Teenagers interested in the arcade and simulators
- Passengers who want to establish an amusement budget before sailing
- Families expecting to spend time indoors during poor weather
It may be less useful for:
- Passengers who only want to try one paid activity
- Families primarily interested in the Aquapark or Sportplex
- Guests with port-intensive itineraries
- Younger children who may not meet attraction requirements
- Passengers with an unused Voyagers Club Formula Racer benefit
Before buying, visit the amusement area, check the attractions and confirm that everyone meets the posted requirements.
For current offers and a complete explanation, see our MSC Fun Pass Guide.
Himalayan Bridge
Himalayan Bridge is Grandiosa’s elevated ropes and suspension-bridge course on deck 19.
Passengers wear a safety harness while navigating a series of bridges and balance obstacles high above the ship’s upper decks. The course is suspended approximately 195 feet above sea level, providing impressive ocean views along with a genuine test for anyone uncomfortable with heights.
Himalayan Bridge is included in the cruise fare. A Fun Pass is not required.
The course tests:
- Balance
- Coordination
- Confidence with heights
- Ability to follow safety instructions
MSC currently publishes a minimum height of 48 inches and a maximum weight of 300 pounds for Himalayan Bridge, but posted onboard requirements always take priority. Participants must also fit securely into the safety harness.
Closed-toe shoes are the best choice. Loose footwear, dresses or clothing that interferes with the harness can prevent participation.
Phones, cameras and other loose items may not be permitted on the course. Check with the staff before getting in line.
The Himalayan Bridge can close because of:
- High winds
- Rain
- Wet surfaces
- Rough weather
- Staffing
- Maintenance
If the course is open and you want to try it, take advantage of the opportunity. Do not assume it will reopen later in the cruise.
Lines may be shorter early in the day or while most passengers are ashore. The course can become much busier during a sunny sea-day afternoon.
Himalayan Bridge is Grandiosa’s best included activity for thrill-seekers and one of the ship’s most memorable family attractions.
For a broader look at MSC’s ropes courses and other outdoor attractions, see our Outdoor Thrill Rides on MSC Ships guide.
Wild Forest Aquapark
Wild Forest Aquapark is located on deck 19 and is included in the cruise fare.
The aquapark combines large waterslides with an interactive splash area for younger passengers. It is one of Grandiosa’s primary outdoor family attractions and does not require a Fun Pass.
The aquapark’s hours may be shorter than the operating hours of the ship’s swimming pools. Waterslides can also close because of wind, weather, maintenance or staffing.
Check the posted height requirements before promising a particular slide to a child. Some slides may also require passengers to remove jewelry, glasses or other loose items.
If the weather is favorable, use the waterslides early in the cruise. Waiting until the final sea day can backfire if wind or rain forces the attractions to close.
For complete slide descriptions, pool locations and hot-tub information, see our MSC Grandiosa Pools, Waterslides and Hot Tubs Guide.
Ping-pong
MSC Grandiosa has ping-pong tables in the upper level of the indoor Safari Pool area.
The retractable roof over Safari Pool makes this a useful casual activity during both good and poor weather. The tables are also separated from the louder amusement attractions in the deck 16 arcade area.
Ping-pong is included in the cruise fare.
Paddles and balls may be left near the tables or available from the activity staff. Equipment can disappear during busy periods, so ask a crew member if the table is open but the paddles are missing.
The area can become busy when the weather sends passengers indoors. Early mornings, port days and dinner hours may offer better availability.
Grandiosa does not have shuffleboard. Passengers looking for casual competition should use ping-pong, Sportplex or the scheduled games listed in the daily program.
You can compare these activities across the fleet in our Outdoor Games on MSC Ships guide.
Power Walking Track
Grandiosa’s Power Walking Track is located on deck 16 and is included in the cruise fare.
The track measures approximately 328 meters per lap, or about 0.2 miles. It takes roughly five laps to complete one mile.
The track works well for:
- Walking
- Power walking
- Light jogging
- Outdoor exercise
- Enjoying ocean views
It is a marked route, but it is not always isolated from other passenger activity. Walkers and runners may encounter people crossing the track, wind, wet surfaces and congestion near other upper-deck attractions.
Early morning is usually the best time for uninterrupted exercise. Port days and late afternoons may also be quieter than the middle of a sea day.
Serious runners may prefer the gym’s treadmills when the track is crowded or the weather is poor.
For more information, see our MSC Running and Walking Tracks Guide.
What activities are available when it rains?
Grandiosa has one of the better bad-weather activity lineups in the MSC fleet because so much of its entertainment is indoors.
Rainy-day options include:
- Basketball, soccer or pickleball in Sportplex
- Bowling
- Formula Racer
- Interactive XD Cinema
- VR experiences
- Arcade games
- Ping-pong near the covered Safari Pool
- Scheduled trivia, games and entertainment elsewhere around the ship
The deck 16 amusement area will become significantly busier when outdoor attractions close. If rain is expected, check bowling availability and operating hours before the rest of the ship has the same idea.
Safari Pool’s retractable roof also makes the surrounding area useful when the outdoor pool decks are uncomfortable.
Himalayan Bridge and the waterslides may close even during relatively light rain or wind. Safety decisions are made by the onboard staff and can change quickly.
Does MSC Grandiosa have bumper cars, a zip line or miniature golf?
MSC Grandiosa does not have:
- Bumper cars
- A zip line
- Miniature golf
- Robotron
- Cliffhanger
- A giant dry slide
Those attractions are found on other MSC ships and ship classes.
Grandiosa’s main thrill attraction is Himalayan Bridge. Its premium amusement lineup is built around bowling, Formula Racer, Interactive XD Cinema, virtual reality and traditional arcade games.
Passengers comparing MSC ships should not assume every attraction shown in a general MSC advertisement is available on Grandiosa.
Final thoughts
MSC Grandiosa offers a well-balanced activity lineup for families, teenagers and active adults.
Sportplex provides included basketball, soccer and pickleball throughout the cruise, while Himalayan Bridge delivers the ship’s best free thrill. Wild Forest Aquapark is the main outdoor attraction for families, and the ping-pong tables near the indoor pool provide a casual option that works even during poor weather.
The deck 16 amusement area is where Grandiosa stands out. Full-size bowling, Formula Racer, Interactive XD Cinema, virtual reality and traditional arcade games give passengers several indoor options, although each costs extra.
You do not need a Fun Pass to enjoy Grandiosa. Families can build an active sea day around Sportplex, Himalayan Bridge, the aquapark, ping-pong and the walking track without spending anything additional.
The Fun Pass makes the most sense for passengers who already know they will use several paid attractions. Explore the amusement area first, check the posted requirements and then decide whether a credit package fits your plans.