10 Things Travel Advisors Should Know About MSC Poesia

First introduced back in 2008 and freshly out of dry dock for the 2026 summer season, MSC Poesia is a ship that straddles two eras. On the one hand, it represents the cruise line’s past, being a mid-sized traditional ship outfitted with bold, Italian-inspired interior design. On the other hand, with the addition of MSC Yacht Club, new specialty dining restaurants, and upgraded spa and gym facilities, MSC Poesia looks toward the future, offering guests contemporary refinement.

MSC Poesia is a Musica-class ship that holds approximately 3,000 passengers at maximum capacity. The ship is the cruise line’s first to offer sailings in Alaska and will return to the region every summer through at least 2028.

Travel Market Report sailed on the MSC Poesia in June 2026 to experience its first-ever Alaska program. Based on our experience, here are 10 things travel advisors should know about the ship.

1. MSC Poesia Was Refurbished in 2026

MSC Poesia received extensive upgrades this year while dry-docked at Palumbo Malta Shipyard in Malta. The refurbishment prepared the ship ahead of its Alaska debut, adding MSC Yacht Club as well as other premium spaces. These enhancements include 69 new suites, the Yacht Club exclusive Top Sail Lounge, Sun Deck outdoor grill, and restaurant, redesigned MSC Aurea Spa and MSC Gym (with barber), and two new specialty restaurants: the American-style steakhouse Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar.

2. A Coffee Lover’s Dream

Initially, we were disappointed the ship did not include a cafe where we could sit and enjoy a warm cuppa; however, when we discovered cafe drinks could be ordered at the bars, we were grateful that we did not have to go to one specific location to get our caffeine fix. We enjoyed countless Americanos, lattes, cappuccinos, and espresso drinks during our sailing, all prepared quickly and expertly. Perfect for the cold weather.

The self-serve coffee in the buffet on MSC Poesia was, admittedly, not great, but guests do have the option of going to the buffet bar and ordering a cafe drink. While we did miss having a traditional “coffee shop” to visit, it’s undeniably convenient to be able to grab a latte at multiple spots on the ship without having to wait in line or fight for a table. Even better: MSC Cruises includes cafe drinks with the beverage package.

Speaking of Yacht Club: the rooms include a complimentary in-room Nespresso coffee machine as well. We developed a nightly ritual of drinking a post-dinner espresso in our PJs from the comfort of our balcony.

Word of advice: We were able to grab a to-go Americanos from Bar dei Poeti on Deck 6, which was also where we were sent to wait to disembark in Juneau. Despite the morning hour being prime coffee time, there was no line. Our guess is that most passengers were not aware that the bars can also serve espresso drinks.

3. “Dirty Dancing in Concert” Is a Highlight (If You Like the Film)

MSC Poesia’s onboard entertainment includes musical performances throughout the ship, including Broadway-style theater shows with singing, dancing, and even some impressive acrobatics.

The main stage on MSC Poesia, Teatro Carlo Felice, is a lilac-hued blast from the past. Rather than take away from the experience, however, the retro flavor to the space really complemented the MSC’s main stage show, “Dirty Dancing in Concert.” The 90-minute live-to-film concert experience features live dancers, singers, and musicians performing along to the beloved 1987 classic.

Was the film a little sexier than I remembered? Yes. Did the older couple in front of us flee the theater at the sight of Jennifer Grey’s bra? Also yes. Whether or not one enjoys the show will really come down to their feelings about the movie, but for two Millennials who grew up loving the original, “Dirty Dancing in Concert” was a great opportunity to revisit the ‘classic ’80s rom-com in a totally new format.

Word of advice: On our sailing, “Dirty Dancing in Concert” was held on a sea day, and there was a matinee option that showed the full film, extending the show to almost two hours — a great way to spend an afternoon.

4. Large Pool Deck with Several Options for Swimming

The pool deck on MSC Poesia is a large, open-air space with plenty of loungers, multiple swimming pools and whirlpools, and live entertainment to enjoy, including a large poolside LED movie screen. In addition to the two main pools, there is a shallow pool intended for kids, as well as the whirlpools and hot tubs. Yacht Club (two decks up) also has its own hot tub, and updated loungers and cabanas. There is no adults-only swimming area.

MSC Poesia hosts entertainment on this deck. It was not uncommon to have a band playing on the stage or a FIFA World Cup match on the big screen above the pool — although on cold weather days during our Alaska sailing, such events were sparsely attended.

The Mojito Bar is the main bar in this area, serving a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as gelato. This spot can get very busy on warm weather days.

Word of advice: On our Alaska sailing, MSC Cruises did not have wool- or fleece-blend blankets available on this deck. We would recommend travelers consider packing one, especially if they plan to sit outside to enjoy the gorgeous views.

5. Yacht Club Is the Ship’s Highlight

MSC Poesia’s recent refurbishment was focused on adding MSC Yacht Club to the ship, and as a result, these new spaces are hands-down the highlight of the ship.

Of course, a major appeal of MSC Yacht Club is the cabins, and these did not disappoint. TMR stayed in the MSC Yacht Club Two-Room Grand Suite, which would be an excellent option for families of four. The stateroom felt spacious, yet intimate, with ample closet space, a very comfortable bed, and tasteful decor. The overall impression was a room that was clean, modern, and luxurious.

One quick note, which, we hope has been fixed by now. During our sailing, the shower shelves had not been installed in the Yacht Club cabins. An MSC Cruises representative told TMR that there was a plan to rectify the situation but did not provide a timeline. Our butler came up with an ingenious hack: he moved one of our balcony end tables into the shower. It wasn’t a perfect solution, but it was better than having to put the provided bottles of shampoo and body wash on the floor.

The Top Sail Lounge offers amazing views, and we spent many hours curled in comfortable armchairs, watching for whales while the servers brought an unending supply of drinks and treats. For those who prefer fresh air, the Sun Deck Grill is a great place to grab a snack between meals, and the location (Deck 16 forward) is ideally positioned for viewing the glaciers — without crowds to contend with.

Word of advice: Between the Top Sail Lounge’s large observation windows and the spacious Sun Deck, hands down the best views on the ship are exclusive to MSC Yacht Club. The downside of this is that guests who don’t book Yacht Club miss out since there’s no traditional observation lounge offering panoramic views. For bookings to destinations where scenery is part of the draw, advisors should talk to their clients about cabin categories and whether it would be worthwhile to them to elevate their experience.

One thing to note: The Yacht Club Restaurant is located mid-ship on Deck 7, several decks removed from the main Yacht Club area. With the rest of Yacht Club located on the forward end of Decks 11 to 16, a direct route to the restaurant takes guests through the casino (also on Deck 7), which can involve squeezing through crowds and ducking clouds of cigarette smoke. This is one of the quirks of MSC Poesia, and is due to the fact that the Yacht Club was added rather than being part of the original design.

Word of advice: When talking to clients about Yacht Club, make sure they understand the special treatment they will receive. Some clients may be uncomfortable with certain aspects, like cutting lines when embarking and disembarking the ship.

6. What Wasn’t Updated Feels Dated

In addition to receiving the Yacht Club, MSC Poesia’s recent refurb updated the MSC Aurea Spa and gym. These areas are pristine, offering bright yet comfortable interior design that is contemporary without feeling too trendy. This includes the addition of a barber shop in the gym for gentlemen who want to be pampered on their cruise (for an additional fee).

The rest of the ship isn’t quite as modern. MSC’s Musica class ships were designed to be stylish and grand, with plenty of eye-catching décor and features. MSC Poesia in particular has a lot of brass accents and interesting layout choices, like twisting staircases and a “waterfall” light feature in the main atrium. While the ship is in great shape, the design choices do reflect its age.

The Zebra Bar, for example, has very loud animal print throughout; the Il Palladio Ristorante dining room was overwhelmingly red; and the aforementioned Teatro Carlo Felice is a bold purple from floor to ceiling (the theater seats are also on the small side). Overall, the public spaces feel a bit dated.

7. The Ship Offers a Slower-Paced Experience

MSC Poesia is a smaller ship, which means access to more ports and fewer passengers overall. For a ship of this size, there are a surprisingly high number of lounges to enjoy, which are all spaciously laid out. Apart from the buffet, Mojito Bar on warm days, and casino, there were rarely any crowds. Even on the sea days, it was easy to find comfortable little alcoves to settle into.

That comfort, however, comes at the cost of things to do. MSC Poesia is a slower-paced experience. There are pools, but no water slides. You won’t find any of the thrill rides featured on a mega ship like MSC World America: no sprawling rope course or Cliffhanger swing. Shopping is limited to a few small stores, and while there is technically a board game collection, it’s located in a fairly small space on Deck 7. There are also fewer options for dining (more on that below).

Ultimately, the ship’s design is centered on a more laid-back, destination-focused sailing experience — which certainly makes sense for Alaska. If your client wants to spend as much time as possible off-ship enjoying the regional cuisine and experiences, then MSC Poesia’s limitations should not be an issue.

8. Plenty of Cabin Categories to Choose From

MSC Poesia offers a variety of stateroom categories to choose from, which are split between the basic cabin categories and the elevated MSC Yacht Club suites.

On the standard fare side, guests can choose from an Interior (inside) cabin, an Ocean View cabin, or a Balcony cabin. The Ocean category has two options (standard or obstructed view), while the Balcony cabin has four options (Aurea, Premium, Deluxe, and Deluxe with obstructed view). The only real difference between these sub-categories is ship location, although the Deluxe Balcony cabins are smaller than the other three options. The cabin sizes range from approximately 150 square feet to 195 square feet.

MSC Poesia’s Yacht Club has four cabin options: Interior Suite, Club Deluxe Suite, Two-Room Grand Suite, and Royal Suite with whirlpool bath. With the exception of the Interior Suite, these cabins all feature balconies. All of the Yacht Club suites are larger than the standard fare categories, ranging from 215 square feet to over 500 square feet.

The Yacht Club rooms were added in 2026 and are therefore more contemporary in design. They are also noticeably more luxurious: The bathrooms feature marble and the toiletries are nicer, and the bedroom areas have larger wardrobes. The rooms feature minibars with drinks that are restocked daily. The towels and bed linens are 100% cotton, and the rooms include slippers and 100% cotton bathrobes for guests to use.

In addition to the exclusive spaces like the Top Sail Lounge, the Yacht Club cabins come with several perks. Room service is included. There is 24/hour butler service and a dedicated concierge. Yacht Club also includes Wi-Fi, a beverage package, and thermal spa access, as well as a 10% discount on spa treatments. MSC Cruises offers some shore excursions that are exclusive to Yacht Club, and a butler will escort these guests through security and to their meeting point, skipping any lines. Finally, Yacht Club guests also get one cruise change free of charge.

Word of advice: Yacht Club guests cannot bring people from outside of Yacht Club into the exclusive spaces. That means groups will all need to book this category if they want to spend time together in the restaurant, Top Sail Lounge, and Sun Deck.

9. The Best Food Is Yacht Club; Second Best Is Specialty Dining

MSC Poesia has two included dining venues — the buffet and the main dining rooms (Il Palladio and Le Fontane) — as well as the Mojito Bar gelato counter and two add-on specialty restaurants, Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar. Yacht Club guests also have access to the Yacht Club Restaurant, as well as a small selection of buffet-style dishes at the Sun Deck Grill.

The included dining on MSC Poesia feels limited. There’s no poolside grill or pizza station, nor is there a dedicated “between meals” snack space. The menus do rotate on a regular basis, but the fact remains that travelers may get tired of eating in the same venues day after day, especially on longer itineraries.

Word of advice: On our sailing, the buffet was often overwhelmingly busy — to the point that it was difficult to pass through the crowds, let alone find a table. There are days when it is the only included option for lunch, with Kaito Sushi Bar available as a paid alternative. Clients who dislike crowds should plan on grabbing lunch off-ship on port days, when possible.

The specialty dining restaurants are a significant upgrade to the buffet and dining room options, both in terms of food quality and atmosphere. Reservations were easy to get — in fact, the Kaito Sushi Bar was practically empty when we dined there. Butcher’s Cut, which is an American-style steakhouse, was the more popular option, and the restaurant was full during both of our visits.

Butcher’s Cut follows the typical specialty restaurant format: there’s a fixed price to dine there, and most dishes are included with a few upcharge options. Kaito Sushi Bar is a little different. During our sailing, our specialty dining credit got us a fixed three-course menu with limited choices. Alternatively, travelers can opt for the à la carte menu, which offers significantly more options for sushi and maki rolls.

With a constantly changing menu, elegant decor, and reliably delicious dishes on offer, the Yacht Club Restaurant is the best dining venue on MSC Poesia by far. This venue serves food that’s comparable to the specialty dining on other ships, with options like steak and lobster included. There was also no limit to how much one could order (at one point, we accidentally ordered three appetizers). The executive chef will come out and chat with guests at meals, especially for those who have allergies, which adds to the elevated dining experience and intimate feel of Yacht Club in general.

Word of advice: Unless your Yacht Club clients want to dine at the steakhouse more than once, advise them to skip the specialty dining package. It’s more cost-effective to dine at Kaito Sushi Bar à la carte than as part of the package.

10. The Service Was Better Than We Expected — But Still Mixed

MSC Cruises has not always had the best reputation when it comes to service. In our experience, the service was acceptable. The people we interacted with were polite and friendly, and special requests — such as allergy concerns in the main dining room — were (mostly) treated with respect. Crew said hello when we passed in the corridors, and we did not experience any major issues.

In the Yacht Club, however, the service was excellent. All of the staff we interacted with were attentive, gracious, and generally pleasant, and went above and beyond to predict our needs. One server in particular, James, would proactively find bags of gluten-free chips to offer us every time we visited the lounge.

However, we did encounter some frustrating moments trying to order food and drink outside of the Yacht Club. At one point, we waited more than 20 minutes to be served at the Mojito Bar before giving up and leaving. Another time, a different server at the same bar refused to make us a milkshake without explaining why (this was something we had seen done before at this location and had been told by our Butler we could order one there). With only two people staffing the bar, which also served gelato, service was incredibly slow, even when there were only a few other passengers trying to order drinks.

In general, issues with communication and processes were the main pain points of our sailing. For example, we informed various parties repeatedly that there was a gluten allergy in our cabin, and yet, nightly treats were delivered to our room that contained gluten. The Daily Itinerary was paperless, so it had to be manually downloaded every day. The disembarkation process was a little chaotic, and two of the four MSC shore excursions we tried were significantly delayed to the point where we returned past the all-aboard time.

While the minor inconveniences we experienced on MSC Poesia were not enough to scare us away from the cruise line, they did illustrate that MSC Cruises still has some work to do to overcome its reputation. All of the issues we encountered could be rectified by increasing staff numbers in key areas and reviewing processes to improve communication and the overall guest experience.