MSC Magnifica in Malta Dry Dock for Major Refurbishment, Poesia to Follow
by Bruce Parkinson
Photo: MSC Cruises
Work has begun on a major upgrade of MSC Cruises’ MSC Magnifica, marking the start of an extensive enhancement program. The ship has been in service since 2010 and is the first of two Musica Class ships due to enter dry dock in Malta for refurbishment.
The ship will receive the MSC Yacht Club with 63 new suites, two new specialty dining venues — Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar – along with an enhanced MSC Aurea Spa and Technogym Fitness Centre complete with Gentleman’s Barber, different workout studios and outdoor Aurea area.

The work is expected to be completed in December, with the full MSC Yacht Club experience available in Summer 2026 when MSC Magnifica sails Northern Europe itineraries.
“These upgrades highlight our commitment to offering guests the best possible experience and facilities across our fleet,” said MSC Cruises’ CEO Gianni Onorato.
“By introducing our MSC Yacht Club to these ships — along with new restaurants, gyms, and wellness spaces — we are giving guests more exclusivity and choice than ever before. The MSC Yacht Club is one of our most highly regarded products, known for its exceptional service, elegant spaces, and exclusive amenities and we are proud to bring this experience to MSC Magnifica and MSC Poesia -– in time for our first Alaska season and the 2027 MSC World Cruise.”

Sister ship MSC Poesia will enter dry dock at the same shipyard in February 2026 to receive her upgrades, which include the MSC Yacht Club with 69 suites and an All-Stars Sports Bar, plus the same specialty restaurants and gym and spa upgrades coming to MSC Magnifica. Poesia will be ready to rejoin the fleet in time for her Alaska debut in May 2026.
MSC Magnifica will set sail from Warnemünde, Germany on May 16, 2026 to Northern Europe, visiting Denmark, the Baltics, Scandinavia and Finland, before offering 3-to 8-night Mediterranean departures later in the year to ports including Barcelona, Civitavecchia for Rome and Marseille. She will then embark on the 2027 MSC World Cruise, where the MSC Yacht Club will make its debut on this 121-night journey visiting 45 spectacular destinations across 25 countries.
MSC Poesia will offer seven-night sailings from Seattle, May through September 2026, before offering guests round trip sailings from Miami to the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Colombia, Costa Rica, Aruba, Curaçao and Belize, in winter 2026/2027.
Suites for MSC Magnifica, and MSC Poesia’s Yacht Club are now available to book.





