MSC Splendida: Complete Ship Guide

MSC Splendida is one of those ships that sits in a particularly useful middle ground within the MSC Cruises fleet.

At nearly 138,000 gross tons and carrying up to 4,363 passengers, Splendida is substantially larger than MSC’s Musica Class ships but still noticeably smaller than today’s Meraviglia Plus and World Class vessels.

That gives passengers a lot of the features associated with a larger resort-style ship without quite reaching modern mega-ship scale.

There are four pools, 12 whirlpools, multiple specialty restaurants, a large theater, casino, Formula 1 simulator, 4D cinema, sports facilities, extensive kids areas and a full MSC Yacht Club.

Splendida also has one feature that becomes particularly valuable outside the Caribbean: a covered pool with a sliding roof.

Add in her established Yacht Club, redesigned Yacht Club restaurant and current mix of Mediterranean and South American itineraries, and MSC Splendida remains a compelling option despite entering service in 2009.

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Quick Facts About MSC Splendida

MSC Splendida was the second Fantasia Class ship, following MSC Fantasia in 2008.

MSC Divina and MSC Preziosa later expanded the class with slightly larger versions of the same basic platform.

The four ships share a lot of their underlying design, but venues, pool layouts, dining and itineraries differ enough that it is worth looking at each ship individually.

What Makes MSC Splendida Different?

MSC Splendida feels like a bridge between two generations of MSC cruise ships.

The basic layout is still fairly traditional.

There is no enormous indoor promenade like you find aboard MSC Meraviglia or MSC Grandiosa, and there are no themed districts like those aboard MSC World America.

Restaurants, bars, lounges, shops and entertainment venues are concentrated on the lower public decks.

Cabins occupy much of the middle of the ship.

Pools, the buffet, spa, fitness facilities, kids spaces and outdoor recreation sit higher up.

But Splendida is significantly larger and more amenity-rich than the Musica Class ships that came immediately before her.

She also launched with MSC Yacht Club already integrated into the forward upper decks.

That gives Splendida a mature version of MSC’s ship-within-a-ship concept rather than one added decades later through a major structural refurbishment.

Another major advantage is L’Equatore.

This pool area has a sliding roof that can close over the space, creating a protected swimming area when the weather is cool or rainy.

That makes Splendida particularly flexible for European itineraries where perfect pool weather is not guaranteed.

MSC Splendida’s Recent Updates

MSC Splendida has not undergone the type of full transformation MSC is currently giving some Musica Class ships.

However, MSC has continued investing in the vessel.

The most notable recent change is the redesigned MSC Yacht Club restaurant.

Splendida became the first Fantasia Class ship to receive MSC’s updated Yacht Club restaurant design following work completed at Palumbo Malta Shipyard.

The redesigned restaurant uses a more contemporary layout with darker tones, softer materials, updated lighting and additional visual separation between tables while preserving panoramic ocean views.

MSC is now rolling this design out across the rest of the Fantasia Class.

Splendida has also received a redesigned Future Cruise office with a more modern layout, additional seating and ocean views.

These are targeted improvements rather than a complete rebuilding of the ship, but they help keep some of Splendida’s most important premium spaces current.

MSC Splendida Layout

MSC Splendida has passenger areas spread across Decks 5 through 18.

The named passenger decks are:

• Deck 5 – Canaletto
• Deck 6 – Modigliani
• Deck 7 – Tiziano
• Deck 8 – Giotto
• Deck 9 – Tintoretto
• Deck 10 – Botticelli
• Deck 11 – Caravaggio
• Deck 12 – De Chirico
• Deck 13 – Piero della Francesca
• Deck 14 – Raffaello
• Deck 15 – Leonardo Da Vinci
• Deck 16 – Michelangelo
• Deck 18 – Sundeck

Most major indoor public spaces are concentrated on Decks 5 through 7.

These include:

• The Strand Theater
• La Reggia Restaurant
• Villa Verde Restaurant
• Royal Palm Casino
• Butcher’s Cut
• Sports Bar
• Coffee and wine bars
• Shops
• Lounges
• Guest services

Decks 8 through 13 are primarily cabin decks, although several public spaces are mixed into portions of the ship.

Deck 14 contains many of the main daytime attractions, including:

• Aqua Park
• L’Equatore covered pool
• Bora Bora Buffet
• Pago Buffet
• MSC Aurea Spa
• Technogym fitness center

Deck 15 contains additional family, pool and Yacht Club spaces.

Deck 16 includes venues such as:

• 4D Cinema
• Formula 1 simulator
• Sports facilities
• Sea Pavilion
• Teen areas

The upper forward portion of the ship is home to MSC Yacht Club.

The overall layout is relatively easy to understand once you learn the three main elevator and staircase areas.

Cabins on MSC Splendida

MSC Splendida offers a broad selection of interior, ocean-view, balcony and suite accommodations.

Current categories include:

• Deluxe Interior
• Premium Ocean View
• Deluxe Balcony with Partial View
• Premium Balcony
• Deluxe Balcony Aurea
• Junior Suite Aurea with Sealed Window
• Premium Suite Aurea with Sealed Window
• Premium Suite Aurea
• Grand Suite Aurea
• MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Grand Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Executive & Family Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Executive and Family Suite with Balcony
• MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite

Standard interior cabins measure approximately 183 square feet.

Premium Ocean View cabins measure approximately 226 square feet.

Premium Balcony cabins are approximately 205 to 215 square feet with balconies ranging from about 43 to 65 square feet.

Deluxe Balcony Aurea cabins measure approximately 204 square feet with balconies around 43 square feet.

Some balcony cabins have partial views or different railing configurations, so checking the exact deck-plan location before booking is worthwhile.

Splendida also has a surprisingly wide variety of suites outside Yacht Club.

Junior Suite Aurea cabins with sealed panoramic windows measure approximately 237 to 248 square feet.

Premium Suite Aurea cabins with sealed windows range from approximately 269 to 334 square feet.

Premium Suite Aurea cabins with balconies can reach roughly 355 square feet, while Grand Suite Aurea accommodations range from about 409 to 441 square feet.

The variety is useful, but it also makes the exact category important.

A suite with a sealed panoramic window offers a very different experience from a suite with a large balcony.

MSC Yacht Club on MSC Splendida

MSC Splendida has 71 Yacht Club suites located primarily across the forward upper decks.

This makes Splendida one of the earlier ships designed from the beginning around MSC’s ship-within-a-ship concept.

Private Yacht Club spaces include:

• Top Sail Lounge
• Dedicated MSC Yacht Club Restaurant
• Concierge
• The One Pool
• The One Bar
• Private sun deck
• Whirlpool areas

Yacht Club accommodations include several categories.

The MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite provides a traditional balcony-suite layout.

The Grand Suite measures approximately 312 square feet with a balcony around 65 square feet.

Executive and Family Suites are much larger, ranging from approximately 484 to 570 square feet, although these accommodations use large panoramic sealed windows rather than balconies.

Splendida also offers an Executive and Family Suite with Balcony.

This suite measures approximately 388 square feet and includes a balcony around 172 square feet.

At the top of the lineup is the MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite.

It also measures approximately 388 square feet with a balcony around 172 square feet and includes separate living and dining space.

Typical Yacht Club benefits include:

• 24-hour butler service
• Dedicated concierge
• Private restaurant
• Top Sail Lounge
• Private pool and sun deck
• Premium Extra Drink Package
• Internet package
• Priority services
• MSC Aurea Spa thermal area access

Exact Yacht Club benefits should always be confirmed for your sailing.

The Redesigned MSC Yacht Club Restaurant

Splendida is currently unique among the Fantasia Class ships because her Yacht Club restaurant has already received MSC’s new design.

The project introduced a more contemporary appearance while keeping one of the restaurant’s best features: panoramic ocean views.

The design incorporates:

• Darker tones
• Softer textures
• Updated lighting
• More defined dining areas
• Greater visual privacy between tables
• Panoramic windows

MSC also highlights dedicated service from the Yacht Club restaurant team, including a Maître d’ and sommelier.

Splendida was the first Fantasia Class ship to receive the design.

MSC Fantasia follows in late 2026, MSC Divina in 2027 and MSC Preziosa in 2028.

For passengers comparing Yacht Club across the Fantasia Class today, that gives Splendida a small but meaningful advantage.

Dining on MSC Splendida

MSC Splendida has seven restaurants covering included dining, buffets and specialty options.

Major venues include:

• La Reggia
• Villa Verde
• Bora Bora Buffet
• Pago Buffet
• L’Olivo
• Butcher’s Cut
• Sea Pavilion
• MSC Yacht Club Restaurant for Yacht Club guests

La Reggia and Villa Verde provide the traditional main dining experience.

Both offer changing menus built around Mediterranean and international dishes.

Bora Bora and Pago provide the main buffet experience with a wide variety of casual options throughout the day.

Expect options such as:

• Pizza
• Pasta
• Salads
• International dishes
• Hot entrées
• Breakfast foods
• Desserts
• Snacks

Splendida also has several specialty choices.

Butcher’s Cut

Butcher’s Cut is MSC’s American-style steakhouse.

The menu focuses on steaks and traditional steakhouse dishes, including appetizers, seafood, sides and desserts.

MSC uses Linz Heritage Angus beef as one of the restaurant’s headline ingredients.

For passengers purchasing a specialty dining package, Butcher’s Cut will likely be one of the main restaurants to consider.

Sea Pavilion

Sea Pavilion gives Splendida one of the more distinctive dining options in the Fantasia Class.

The concept was developed with chef Jereme Leung and focuses on contemporary Asian cuisine.

It provides a very different experience from both the steakhouse and the ship’s traditional Mediterranean dining rooms.

Passengers who enjoy Asian food should put Sea Pavilion high on their list of specialty options.

L’Olivo

L’Olivo provides another more intimate dining environment on the upper decks.

The venue gives Splendida greater restaurant variety than the smaller Musica Class vessels while still keeping the lineup manageable.

Bars and Lounges on MSC Splendida

Bars and lounges are one of Splendida’s strengths.

The ship was built during an era when MSC spread nightlife among multiple distinct venues instead of concentrating it around one giant promenade.

Current venues include:

• L’Aperitivo Bar
• L’Espresso Coffee Bar
• La Piazzetta
• The Aft Lounge
• The Cigar Lounge
• Splendida Bar
• The Purple Jazz Bar
• Club 33
• Movida Bar
• Tartaruga Bar
• L’Equatore
• Galaxy Lounge
• Tea House & Dim Sum
• Sports Bar
• L’Enoteca
• La Prua Piano Bar
• Royal Palm Casino Bar
• Aurea Spa Bar
• Top Sail Lounge
• The One Bar

There is a good range of atmospheres.

L’Espresso provides the dedicated coffee-bar experience.

L’Enoteca focuses more heavily on wine.

La Prua is a traditional piano bar.

The Purple Jazz Bar is designed around drinks and live music.

Club 33 is the ship’s nightclub.

The Aft Lounge provides another larger evening venue.

Pool bars serve the outdoor areas, while Yacht Club guests receive access to their own private bar spaces.

Sports Bar

Splendida has a dedicated Sports Bar on Deck 7.

The venue provides a casual place to catch sporting events while having a drink.

For North American passengers, this may be one of the more familiar concepts on an otherwise very European-feeling ship.

It is not the newer All-Stars Sports Bar found on some recently renovated MSC vessels, but it still gives sports fans a dedicated option rather than relying entirely on screens scattered through other lounges.

Entertainment on MSC Splendida

MSC Splendida provides considerably more entertainment than the smaller Musica Class ships.

The Strand Theater is the main show venue.

Production shows and other major entertainment are presented here throughout the cruise.

Exact productions change, so passengers should use the MSC for Me app or daily program for their specific sailing.

Other entertainment includes:

• Royal Palm Casino
• Club 33 Disco
• Formula 1 simulator
• 4D cinema
• Video games
• Live music
• Dancing
• Karaoke
• Trivia
• Game shows
• Theme parties
• Sports competitions

The Formula 1 simulator is one of the classic attractions associated with this generation of MSC ships.

The 4D cinema provides another technology-focused activity.

Royal Palm Casino includes slot machines and traditional table games.

Splendida does not offer anything on the scale of the attraction lineup aboard MSC World America or the newest Seaside ships.

But compared with the Musica Class, there is a noticeable step up in the number and variety of things to do.

Pools, Whirlpools and Outdoor Spaces

MSC Splendida has four swimming pools and 12 whirlpools.

The two most important public pool areas are Aqua Park and L’Equatore.

Aqua Park

Aqua Park is the main outdoor pool area.

This is generally the more active pool environment, particularly on warm-weather sea days.

The area includes:

• Main swimming pool
• Water features
• Fountains
• Whirlpools
• Sun loungers
• Nearby bars
• Organized activities

This tends to be one of the busiest areas aboard the ship when the weather is good.

L’Equatore Covered Pool

L’Equatore may be one of MSC Splendida’s most useful features.

The pool has a sliding roof that allows the space to function as a protected pool area when weather conditions are poor.

When the roof is open, the area feels much more like an outdoor pool.

When it is closed, passengers still have a comfortable swimming option even when temperatures drop or rain moves in.

This becomes particularly useful on Mediterranean cruises in the shoulder seasons.

It also separates Splendida from ships where almost every major pool depends on warm weather.

Playa del Sol

Playa del Sol provides another outdoor pool environment toward the aft portion of the upper decks.

It tends to have a different feel from the central Aqua Park and can be worth checking when the main pool area gets busy.

Yacht Club Pool

Yacht Club guests have their own private outdoor area at The One Pool.

The exclusive space includes:

• Private pool
• Whirlpool areas
• Sun loungers
• The One Bar
• Food service

That gives Yacht Club passengers an alternative to the busier public pool areas.

Family Activities and Kids Clubs

MSC Splendida has dedicated children’s and teen facilities across several age groups.

Current family spaces include:

• Baby Club
• Kids clubs
• LEGO play areas
• Teen Club
• Children’s pool
• Toboga waterslide
• Video games
• 4D cinema
• Sports facilities
• Organized family activities

The children’s pool and Toboga slide provide younger cruisers with their own outdoor area.

Teens have dedicated spaces as well.

Family programming varies by sailing but can include:

• Games
• Sports
• Arts and crafts
• Theme events
• Competitions
• Dance activities
• Family parties

Splendida offers noticeably more family infrastructure than the Musica Class.

However, it still does not have the giant waterparks, ropes courses or dedicated family districts found on MSC’s newest ships.

For families who want activities without making the entire cruise revolve around them, that balance can work well.

Sports and Outdoor Activities

MSC Splendida offers more traditional sports facilities than many newer ships.

These include:

• Jogging track
• Sports arena
• Basketball
• Squash court
• Outdoor recreation
• Fitness center

The MSC Arena provides a flexible sports space.

The outdoor jogging track gives runners and walkers an alternative to using a treadmill.

That is worth noting because dedicated running space varies significantly from ship to ship across the MSC fleet.

MSC Aurea Spa and Gym

MSC Splendida has a full MSC Aurea Spa along with a Technogym-equipped fitness center.

The spa offers treatments and wellness services such as:

• Massages
• Facials
• Beauty treatments
• Thermal experiences
• Salon services
• Relaxation areas

The fitness center includes cardio and strength-training equipment.

Outdoor exercise options include the jogging track and sports facilities.

Top 18 Exclusive Solarium gives eligible passengers another quieter place to relax away from the busiest pool areas.

Splendida does not have the enormous wellness complex found aboard MSC’s newest ships, but the overall collection of facilities is comprehensive enough for most passengers.

MSC Splendida Itineraries

MSC Splendida currently divides much of her time between Europe and South America.

This is a good match for the ship because Splendida offers enough onboard amenities for sea days while still functioning well as a destination-focused cruise ship.

Mediterranean Cruises in 2026

MSC Splendida is spending much of summer and fall 2026 in the Western Mediterranean.

Seven-night itineraries from Barcelona can include:

• Marseille, France
• Livorno, Italy
• Cagliari, Italy
• Palermo, Sicily
• Valletta, Malta

MSC’s Mediterranean model frequently allows passengers to embark at multiple ports along the same circular itinerary.

That makes it important to check the actual embarkation city when comparing fares.

These seven-night itineraries work particularly well for Splendida.

The ship has enough restaurants, pools and entertainment for time onboard while the itinerary remains the primary focus.

South America 2026-2027

MSC Splendida moves to South America for the winter 2026-2027 season.

She will operate primarily eight- and nine-night itineraries.

Buenos Aires is one of the main embarkation points, with additional embarkation opportunities including Rio de Janeiro on select sailings.

Destinations can include:

• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Punta del Este, Uruguay
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Ilhabela, Brazil
• Ilha Grande, Brazil
• Balneário Camboriú, Brazil
• Búzios, Brazil

South America has traditionally been an important market for MSC Cruises, and Splendida is well suited to these longer itineraries.

The combination of four pools, multiple restaurants, Yacht Club and extensive indoor entertainment gives passengers plenty to do between ports.

Eastern Mediterranean Cruises in 2027

MSC Splendida returns to Europe for summer 2027 with nine-night cruises from Trieste.

Destinations can include:

• Trieste, Italy
• Split, Croatia
• Piraeus for Athens, Greece
• Kusadasi, Turkey
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Corfu, Greece
• Bari, Italy

This is a particularly attractive deployment for travelers interested in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Nine nights also gives passengers a little more time to enjoy the ship than the typical seven-night Mediterranean itinerary.

South America 2027-2028

MSC has already confirmed that Splendida will return to South America for the 2027-2028 season.

The ship will once again offer cruises from Buenos Aires.

Eight- and nine-night itineraries are expected to combine destinations in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

Ports can include:

• Buenos Aires
• Punta del Este
• Ilhabela
• Balneário Camboriú
• Búzios
• Itajaí

That continued deployment suggests Splendida is becoming one of MSC’s core ships for the South American market.

Final Thoughts on MSC Splendida

MSC Splendida remains a strong example of the middle generation of MSC cruise ships.

She is significantly larger and more feature-rich than the Musica Class but still considerably easier to understand than MSC’s newest mega ships.

That balance works.

There are four pools, 12 whirlpools, multiple restaurants, a large theater, casino, sports facilities, kids clubs, Formula 1 simulator, 4D cinema, numerous bars and a full Yacht Club.

The covered L’Equatore pool may be one of Splendida’s most underrated features.

On days when the weather does not cooperate, having a substantial pool area protected by a sliding roof can make a real difference.

The redesigned Yacht Club restaurant is another meaningful improvement, particularly for passengers comparing Splendida with her Fantasia Class sisters.

There are newer MSC ships with more attractions.

There are ships with larger waterparks, more restaurants and much more elaborate entertainment districts.

But that does not automatically make them better for every cruiser.

MSC Splendida gives passengers a substantial resort-style cruise ship without going all the way to mega-ship scale.

For travelers who want to spend their days exploring the Mediterranean or South America and return to a ship with plenty of dining, entertainment and relaxation options, Splendida remains a very appealing choice.

And for Yacht Club guests who want MSC’s premium experience on a slightly more manageable vessel, she may be one of the best-balanced ships in the fleet.

MSC Splendida Reviews

Have you sailed on MSC Splendida?

We would love to hear what you thought about the cabins, dining, bars, entertainment, pools, Yacht Club, service and overall ship experience.

Send your MSC Splendida review to:

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Your feedback may help other MSC cruisers decide whether MSC Splendida is the right ship for their next vacation.