MSC Poesia has a classic cruise-ship pool deck built around two main outdoor pool areas, a separate children’s pool and multiple hot tubs spread around the ship.
The setup is simpler than what you will find on MSC’s newest mega-ships, but there is still plenty of outdoor space for a sea day. The main pools, buffet and outdoor bars are concentrated on Deck 13, while younger children have their own pool area one deck above.
There are three pools in total, including the children’s pool, along with nine whirlpools across the ship. Two of those whirlpools are reserved for MSC Yacht Club guests.
For a broader look at everything onboard, see our complete MSC Poesia Ship Guide.
MSC Poesia Pools at a Glance
| Pool Area | Location | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cayo Levantado | Deck 13 | Main outdoor pool area |
| Coral Bay | Deck 13 | Main outdoor pool area |
| Children’s Outdoor Pool & Games | Deck 14 | Mini-pool and children’s outdoor play area |
| Top 15 Exclusive Solarium | Deck 15 | Private sun deck for Aurea guests |
| MSC Yacht Club Sundeck | Deck 16 | Private Yacht Club sundeck with two whirlpools |
The two main pools are on Deck 13, which is also home to the buffet, Mojito Bar and Piraña Bar. That makes it one of the most convenient parts of the ship for spending a full sea day.
If you want to see how the pools fit into the rest of the ship, our MSC Poesia Deck Plans guide shows the complete layout deck by deck.
Cayo Levantado Pool Area
Cayo Levantado is one of the two main outdoor pool areas on MSC Poesia.
Located on Deck 13, the pool area covers approximately 1,300 square meters and sits close to Villa Pompeiana Buffet and the outdoor bar areas.
This is one of the primary places to spend time outdoors during a sea day.
Its location is especially convenient because you can move between the pool, buffet and bars without having to head several decks away for food or drinks.
Hot tubs are also located around the main Deck 13 pool areas, giving passengers another option when they want to relax without getting into the pool.
Coral Bay Pool Area
Coral Bay is the second major pool area on Deck 13.
At approximately 1,600 square meters, the overall area is somewhat larger than Cayo Levantado.
Coral Bay is also close to the outdoor bars and casual dining on Deck 13, so the two main pool areas function together as one large outdoor recreation zone.
Having two separate main pool areas can be useful on busy sea days. If one section of the deck feels crowded, it is worth walking over to the other before assuming all the available seating is taken.
We would not expect one pool to always be quieter than the other. Which area is busiest can change depending on the time of day, weather and what is happening around the ship.
Children’s Outdoor Pool and Games
MSC Poesia has a separate children’s outdoor pool area on Deck 14.
The Children’s Outdoor Pool & Games area covers approximately 130 square meters and includes a mini-pool and outdoor play space. It is located near the Baby Club and Mini & Juniors Club.
This gives younger children their own water space away from the main Deck 13 pools.
It is a relatively simple setup compared with the elaborate family water areas found aboard some newer MSC ships, but families with younger children still have a dedicated place to swim and play.
We will cover the surrounding children’s facilities in more detail in our MSC Poesia Kids and Teens Guide.
Hot Tubs and Whirlpools on MSC Poesia
MSC Poesia has nine whirlpool baths in total.
Two are reserved for MSC Yacht Club guests, leaving seven elsewhere around the ship. Multiple whirlpools are located around the main Deck 13 pool areas.
There is also a whirlpool within the MSC Aurea Spa thermal area.
The exact whirlpool you use may simply depend on where you are spending the day, but the overall number of hot tubs is one of the stronger parts of Poesia’s outdoor setup.
With nine whirlpools on a ship carrying just over 3,200 passengers at maximum capacity, there are several places to relax beyond the main swimming pools.
Top 15 Exclusive Solarium
The Top 15 Exclusive Solarium is located on Deck 15.
It covers approximately 587 square meters, has seating for around 90 guests and is reserved for Aurea guests.
Top 15 is not another swimming pool. Instead, it provides a more exclusive sun-deck option away from the main Deck 13 pool areas.
For passengers booking the Aurea experience, Top 15 gives you another place to relax outdoors when the primary pool deck is busy.
That could be particularly useful on sea days when much of the ship naturally gravitates toward Deck 13.
MSC Yacht Club Sundeck and Hot Tubs
MSC Yacht Club guests have their own private sundeck on Deck 16.
The area includes two whirlpools, a private solarium and the Yacht Club Bar & Grill.
One important distinction is that Poesia’s Yacht Club includes a private sundeck and whirlpools, but there is not a dedicated Yacht Club swimming pool identified in the current ship layout.
That differs from the Yacht Club setup aboard some newer MSC ships.
Yacht Club guests still gain a much more private outdoor space, along with dedicated hot tubs and nearby food and drinks.
If you are considering the upgrade, our MSC Yacht Club Guide explains how the overall Yacht Club experience works across MSC Cruises.
Is There an Adults-Only Pool on MSC Poesia?
There is no pool specifically designated as an adults-only pool.
Cayo Levantado and Coral Bay are the ship’s primary general-use pool areas.
Top 15 Exclusive Solarium provides a more exclusive outdoor option for Aurea guests, but it should not be confused with a separate adults-only swimming pool.
Likewise, the Yacht Club Sundeck is private to Yacht Club guests rather than serving as a public adults-only area.
If having a dedicated adults-only swimming pool is a major priority, that is something to keep in mind when comparing Poesia with other MSC ships.
Food and Drinks Near the Pools
One of the best things about Poesia’s pool layout is how much is concentrated on Deck 13.
Villa Pompeiana & L’Obelisco serves as the main buffet and pizzeria, so passengers around the pools have easy access to casual food without heading far from the outdoor decks.
Mojito Bar and Piraña Bar are also nearby.
Mojito Bar is one of the primary outdoor pool bars, while Piraña combines a bar with an ice cream counter.
That means you can spend much of a sea day around the pools without repeatedly heading inside or down several decks for food and drinks.
Our MSC Poesia Dining Guide covers the buffet, main dining rooms and specialty restaurants in more detail.
If you are planning to order drinks regularly around the pool, our MSC Drink Package Guide explains the current packages, pricing and what is included.
Which MSC Poesia Pool Area Is Best?
There really isn’t one pool area that is automatically best for everyone.
Cayo Levantado and Coral Bay are both good choices for the traditional cruise pool-deck experience.
Families with younger children will probably spend more time around the Children’s Outdoor Pool & Games area on Deck 14.
Aurea guests have access to the Top 15 Exclusive Solarium, giving them another option when they want to get away from the main pool deck.
Yacht Club passengers have the most private setup, with their own sundeck and two whirlpools on Deck 16.
For most passengers, the best strategy is simply to explore both main Deck 13 pool areas early in the cruise and see which location you prefer.
Tips for Using the Pools on MSC Poesia
Sea days will naturally be the busiest time around the main pools.
If you want a quieter experience, early morning and later afternoon are generally better times to look for seating than the middle of the day.
Port days can also be a good opportunity to enjoy the pools while a large portion of the ship is ashore.
Because Poesia has two main pool areas, do not assume the entire deck is packed just because the first section you reach looks busy. Walk around and check both Cayo Levantado and Coral Bay.
The location of your cabin can also make a difference if you expect to spend a lot of time outside. Decks closer to 13 provide easier access to the pools and buffet, while lower decks put you closer to most of the ship’s evening venues. Our MSC Poesia Deck Plans guide can help you compare locations before booking.
Pool and whirlpool hours can change based on weather, maintenance and itinerary. Check MSC for Me or the Daily Program once onboard for the current schedule.
Our Take on MSC Poesia’s Pools and Hot Tubs
MSC Poesia’s pool setup is straightforward, but there is a lot to like about it.
Two sizable main pool areas anchor Deck 13, with the buffet, pizza and outdoor bars all nearby. Younger children have their own mini-pool on Deck 14, and the ship has nine whirlpools spread across its public and private areas.
Aurea passengers gain access to the Top 15 Exclusive Solarium, while Yacht Club guests have their own private sundeck and two whirlpools.
The biggest strength is convenience.
You can settle into the Deck 13 pool area for much of the day and have swimming pools, hot tubs, food and drinks all within a relatively compact part of the ship.
For cruisers who enjoy the traditional experience of spending a sea day around the pool, MSC Poesia offers a simple and easy-to-understand setup.