Independent cruise ship reviews - Explora Journeys - MSC Yacht Club - Luxury Experiences - Cruise news
MSC Magnifica
MSC Cruises
MSC Magnifica offers one of the most unusual MSC Yacht Club experiences in the fleet.
Rather than being designed with the Yacht Club from the beginning, this older MSC ship has been extensively updated with a completely new Yacht Club area, including a new Top Sail Lounge, private sundeck, pool, One Bar & Grill and dedicated suites.
We sailed aboard MSC Magnifica as a family shortly after experiencing the new Yacht Club and spent a full week exploring how well this modern luxury concept works when added to an existing ship.
The result is an interesting mix: some areas feel every bit like the contemporary MSC Yacht Club experience we know from newer ships, while other parts remind you that the Yacht Club has been integrated into a ship that was originally designed very differently.
This guide is based on our own journey, photographs, videos and experiences onboard.
Our Experience / Suite Category
MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite
Watch the video
Short summary
Our MSC Magnifica Yacht Club Review and Complete Guide
MSC Magnifica is not the obvious ship you might think of when somebody mentions MSC Yacht Club.
The ship originally entered service long before many of the newest MSC ships were designed, and the Yacht Club was added later as part of a major refurbishment.
That makes this Yacht Club particularly interesting.
Instead of simply asking whether MSC Yacht Club is good, our main question was whether MSC could successfully integrate the experience into an older ship without losing the qualities that make Yacht Club special.
After spending a week onboard, our answer is: mostly yes — but the experience has its own character and a few compromises.
A Brand-New Yacht Club on an Older Ship
The Yacht Club areas themselves feel noticeably newer than much of the rest of MSC Magnifica.
Once you enter the renovated corridors and private spaces, the design changes immediately.
New carpets, wall finishes, signs, furniture and lighting help create a clear separation between the Yacht Club environment and the older public areas of the ship.
The Top Sail Lounge feels particularly successful.
It has the comfortable seating, attentive service, drinks and snacks we associate with MSC Yacht Club, but the layout is slightly different from newer ships.
One unusual feature is the concierge desk positioned prominently in the centre of the lounge.
On many other MSC Yacht Club ships, the concierge is located in a separate area or corridor.
Here it becomes part of the lounge itself, making it easy to find and interact with the team.
For us, this worked very well.
Embarkation and Yacht Club Service
Our journey began in Copenhagen.
As usual with MSC Yacht Club, our luggage was handled quickly and we received priority treatment during embarkation.
The Copenhagen terminal setup was simpler than some of the larger MSC terminals we have used, but the process was still smooth.
Once onboard, we were escorted toward the Yacht Club.
One of the immediate positives was seeing several members of staff we recognised from previous MSC Yacht Club cruises.
That gave us confidence because MSC had clearly assigned experienced Yacht Club crew to help establish the new product aboard Magnifica.
The service throughout the week became one of the strongest parts of the experience.
The Top Sail Lounge staff, butlers, bar team and restaurant staff consistently provided the warm and attentive style we expect from Yacht Club.
The Top Sail Lounge
The new Top Sail Lounge became one of our favourite spaces aboard MSC Magnifica.
It feels comfortable, intimate and genuinely separate from the rest of the ship.
During the morning it works particularly well for coffee, juice and a light breakfast.
A small selection of pastries and other items is available, while guests can also sit down and order drinks.
During the day, the lounge becomes a quiet space for relaxing, reading or simply enjoying the view.
In the evening, drinks, snacks, piano music and other entertainment create a very different atmosphere.
The quality of the evening snacks particularly impressed us.
On several nights we returned to the Top Sail Lounge simply because the food and atmosphere made it an enjoyable way to end the evening.
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is served in the Top Sail Lounge and became another highlight.
Tea, small sandwiches, pastries and other treats are presented by the team, accompanied by a welcome drink.
The experience feels personal and relaxed.
The tables are slightly smaller than ideal when several plates, cups and glasses arrive at once, but that did not significantly reduce our enjoyment.
For us, afternoon tea remains one of those small Yacht Club experiences that helps distinguish it from the standard MSC product.
The Yacht Club Sundeck
The private sundeck is much larger than we initially expected.
For approximately 63 Yacht Club suites, the amount of outdoor space feels generous.
There are loungers, cabanas, the One Bar, One Grill and two water areas.
The main pool is larger than we expected and includes bubble features that allow part of it to function almost like a large whirlpool.
There is also a separate smaller whirlpool.
The dedicated whirlpool comfortably fits several guests and during our sailing was around 35–36°C.
Additional lounge areas are available one level below, including more loungers and cabanas.
For the number of Yacht Club guests, we thought MSC had allocated a very good amount of private outdoor space.
One Bar & Grill
One Bar & Grill became one of our favourite places to eat aboard MSC Magnifica.
It combines an outdoor semi-buffet with a changing à la carte lunch menu.
The buffet section provides salads, bread, cheese, cold cuts, fruit and desserts.
The à la carte selection changes and included dishes such as grilled skewers, shrimp, meat, pasta, burgers and other options during our journey.
This combination works extremely well.
You can have a quick snack or build a full lunch depending on how hungry you are.
The setting is another major advantage.
Being able to eat outside while sailing through Norway made One Grill one of the most enjoyable dining environments of our cruise.
Soft-serve ice cream was also available, with flavours and toppings changing.
For us, One Bar & Grill may actually be one of the strongest parts of the entire MSC Magnifica Yacht Club.
A Yacht Club Spread Across the Ship
One major difference from newer MSC ships is that the Yacht Club is not completely contained within one connected area.
The Top Sail Lounge and Yacht Club accommodation are located higher in the ship, while the dedicated Yacht Club Restaurant is located on Deck 7.
This means guests need to travel through public areas of MSC Magnifica when going to dinner.
The route also passes through the Atlantic City Casino.
During our sailing, cigarette smoke could be noticeable in this area.
We personally found it manageable, but guests who are particularly sensitive to smoke should be aware of it.
This separation is probably the most obvious reminder that Yacht Club was added to MSC Magnifica rather than incorporated into the original ship design.
No Yacht Club Priority Elevators
MSC Magnifica also lacks some of the technology found on newer Yacht Club ships.
There were no Yacht Club wristbands during our journey.
Instead, access relied on the normal key card.
The elevators also did not offer the Yacht Club priority functionality we have experienced on newer MSC ships.
Most of the time this was not a major issue.
However, during busy periods — particularly disembarkation — the lack of priority elevators could become noticeable.
For travellers accustomed to newer Yacht Club ships, this is one of the clearest differences.
Access to Yacht Club Areas
Another unusual detail during our sailing was that access to some Yacht Club areas did not always require scanning a key card.
In several locations, doors could simply be opened using the normal button.
That made the area feel less physically restricted than Yacht Club spaces on some newer ships.
We would prefer to see the private areas consistently controlled by Yacht Club key-card access.
More videos in this series
Dining
MSC Magnifica Yacht Club Dining
Dining within MSC Yacht Club aboard Magnifica is spread between several venues and experiences.
The dedicated Yacht Club Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
One Bar & Grill provides more casual outdoor dining.
Top Sail Lounge offers snacks, light breakfast options and afternoon tea.
Included room service adds another flexible option.
We also ate outside the Yacht Club during our journey, including the newly added Butcher's Cut and the ship's Sahara buffet.
Yacht Club Restaurant
The dedicated Yacht Club Restaurant is located on Deck 7.
This is unusual compared with newer MSC ships because it is separated from the Top Sail Lounge and the main Yacht Club accommodation areas.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Menus follow the familiar MSC Yacht Club format, which meant much of the food was already familiar to us from previous Yacht Club cruises.
Overall, food quality during our journey was very good.
Service speed during our first dinner was also excellent.
The restaurant is smaller than those aboard larger ships.
That creates a more intimate environment, but when many guests are dining simultaneously it can also become relatively loud.
One disappointment for us was the absence of a dedicated sommelier.
We have come to appreciate the wine guidance available on other Yacht Club ships and would like to see that service added here.
One Bar & Grill
One Bar & Grill may be our favourite Yacht Club dining venue aboard MSC Magnifica.
Located on the private sundeck, it combines outdoor dining with both buffet-style selections and à la carte dishes.
The buffet section offered salads, breads, cheese, cold cuts, fruit and desserts.
Lunch menus changed and included dishes such as meat skewers, shrimp, pasta, lobster pasta, burgers and lamb during our journey.
This gives guests considerably more choice than simply having a small poolside buffet.
The service was fast and relaxed.
Being able to choose a few buffet items while ordering something freshly prepared from the menu worked particularly well for us.
Soft-serve ice cream was another popular feature with our family.
Flavours could change from day to day, with toppings available alongside.
For a relaxed lunch during a sunny day, One Bar & Grill is difficult to beat.
Top Sail Lounge Breakfast
Top Sail Lounge provides a very relaxed alternative to the Yacht Club Restaurant in the morning.
There is a smaller display of pastries and sweet items.
Guests can also order coffee, juice and other beverages and simply sit by the windows.
For mornings when we did not want a full restaurant breakfast, this worked extremely well.
Our typical routine became fresh orange juice, coffee and some time enjoying the view before starting the day.
Top Sail Lounge Snacks
The snacks in Top Sail Lounge were one of the surprises of the journey.
We thought the quality was consistently very good.
Evening snacks became part of our routine and on many nights we returned to the lounge after dinner or entertainment.
Combined with bar service and live music, this made Top Sail Lounge one of the most useful Yacht Club spaces throughout the day.
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is served in Top Sail Lounge.
The experience includes tea, small sandwiches, pastries and other treats presented by the Yacht Club team.
A welcome drink was also part of our experience.
The tables in this particular Top Sail Lounge are slightly small once everything arrives, but the overall experience was still very enjoyable.
In-Suite Dining
Room service is included for MSC Yacht Club guests.
We used it several times during the journey.
One evening our daughter chose room service instead of eating at One Grill and ordered dishes including fries and a barbecue chicken wrap followed by panna cotta.
We also ordered breakfast to the suite.
Breakfast ordering was simple: we completed the breakfast request in the cabin and selected the preferred delivery time.
The following morning we received items including scrambled eggs, bacon, croissants, tomato, an egg muffin and hash browns.
For mornings when the family wanted to sleep longer, it was an extremely convenient Yacht Club benefit.
Butcher's Cut
Butcher's Cut was newly added to MSC Magnifica as part of the ship's refurbishment.
We visited because our MSC Voyagers Club Diamond status included a speciality dining benefit.
The restaurant itself looks modern and includes an outdoor terrace.
We noticed that dishes appeared to be transported from a kitchen elsewhere on the ship.
The serving plates arrived extremely hot, but importantly, the food quality did not suffer.
Our meal was excellent.
The asparagus was one of the best examples we have had at an MSC Butcher's Cut restaurant, and the overall dinner earned a 10/10 from us.
The familiar Butcher's Cut menu was used during our sailing.
Sahara Buffet
Sahara is MSC Magnifica's main buffet.
We used it several evenings for one specific reason: pizza.
Fresh MSC pizza became almost a nightly family tradition.
We had discovered that the room-service pizza originated from this area, so rather than ordering it to the cabin we often simply went to Sahara ourselves.
The buffet also offered fruit, salads and a wide range of normal breakfast, lunch and dinner items.
At peak periods it could become busy, as expected from a large mainstream buffet.
Yacht Club Restaurant menus (Valid for all ships with small changes) Menu is the same fleet wide. This menu is from June 2026.
Cabins & Suites
Our MSC Magnifica Yacht Club Deluxe Suite
We stayed in an MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite.
The accommodation had been incorporated into the newly refurbished Yacht Club areas and felt noticeably newer than much of the original ship.
Our suite included a king-size bed, several storage areas, desks, coffee facilities, a minibar and a private balcony.
Storage was particularly generous.
There were smaller wardrobes as well as a larger walk-in wardrobe, along with drawers, shelves and additional storage areas.
The minibar included soft drinks and beer, while coffee facilities and glasses were also available in the suite.
The bathroom is relatively compact.
It includes a shower, toilet, sink and the expected toiletries.
It does not have the size or more elaborate bathroom design found in some newer Yacht Club suites, but it contained everything we needed.
The balcony was a good size.
There were two chairs with footrests and enough room for several family members to sit outside.
Overall, the suite successfully delivers the Yacht Club essentials despite being incorporated into an older ship design.
Entertainment
Entertainment on MSC Magnifica
One of the advantages of staying in Yacht Club aboard a mainstream MSC ship is that you still have access to the complete entertainment programme outside the private areas.
MSC Magnifica offered daily activities that could be viewed through the MSC app.
During our journey this included dance lessons, live music, theatre productions and other activities.
As a family, we joined a country dance lesson and found it surprisingly enjoyable.
It became one of those simple moments where everyone could participate together.
Top Sail Lounge Entertainment
Top Sail Lounge provides its own quieter entertainment.
Piano players and other performers create atmosphere without turning the lounge into a formal show venue.
For us, this is exactly how Top Sail should work.
You can continue a conversation, enjoy a drink or snack and still have live entertainment in the background.
Theatre Shows
We also used MSC Magnifica's main theatre.
One of the shows during our sailing was an Elvis-themed production.
The performance featured strong vocals and the type of traditional theatre entertainment that MSC does particularly well.
This is one area where Magnifica Yacht Club has an advantage over a small standalone luxury ship.
Guests can enjoy the quieter Yacht Club environment while still having access to the full entertainment programme of a larger mainstream cruise ship.
Captain's Cocktail
During our sea day, Yacht Club hosted a Captain's Cocktail event.
The gathering gave guests an opportunity to meet the captain, senior officers, Yacht Club team and other guests.
Drinks and small canapés were served.
We have attended similar Yacht Club events before, but they remain a very pleasant tradition.
They create a more personal connection between guests and the people operating the ship.
MSC Aurea Spa
MSC Magnifica received a significantly updated spa area alongside the Yacht Club development.
The facilities felt very fresh during our journey.
The thermal area included a sauna, salt room, ice feature, sensory showers, comfortable loungers and a large whirlpool.
Loungers beside the windows allow guests to relax with ocean views.
Yacht Club guests had complimentary access to the spa during our sailing.
This adds significant value to the overall experience.
It is easy to spend several hours moving between the different thermal facilities.
New Fitness Centre
MSC Magnifica's gym was also relocated and rebuilt.
The new gym is positioned toward the aft of Deck 14 and benefits from excellent ocean views.
The facility itself is modern and well equipped.
However, on our sea day it became extremely busy.
So while the new location and equipment are good, guests who want a quieter workout may benefit from visiting outside peak periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About MSC Magnifica Yacht Club
Does MSC Magnifica have Yacht Club?
Yes.
MSC Magnifica now has a newly added MSC Yacht Club with dedicated suites, a Top Sail Lounge, private sundeck, Yacht Club pool, One Bar & Grill and a separate Yacht Club Restaurant.
Is the MSC Magnifica Yacht Club new?
Yes.
The Yacht Club was added as part of a major refurbishment rather than being included when MSC Magnifica was originally built.
This creates an interesting combination of completely new Yacht Club areas inside an older MSC ship.
How many Yacht Club suites does MSC Magnifica have?
During our journey, the Yacht Club consisted of approximately 63 suites.
This relatively small number of suites contributes to the more intimate atmosphere of the private areas.
Where is the Top Sail Lounge on MSC Magnifica?
The Top Sail Lounge is located in the upper part of the ship and forms part of the newly created Yacht Club area.
It includes bar service, lounge seating, snacks, light breakfast options, afternoon tea, entertainment and the Yacht Club concierge.
Where is the MSC Magnifica Yacht Club Restaurant?
The dedicated Yacht Club Restaurant is located on Deck 7.
This means it is separated from the Top Sail Lounge and main Yacht Club accommodation area.
Guests therefore need to travel through public areas of the ship to reach it.
Does MSC Magnifica Yacht Club have its own pool?
Yes.
The private Yacht Club sundeck includes a larger pool with bubble features as well as a separate whirlpool.
There are also loungers and cabanas throughout the private outdoor area.
Does MSC Magnifica Yacht Club have One Pool Grill?
Yes.
One Bar & Grill is located on the Yacht Club sundeck.
During our sailing it offered both buffet-style selections and changing à la carte dishes.
It became one of our favourite places to eat onboard.
Is room service included in MSC Magnifica Yacht Club?
Yes.
Room service was included for Yacht Club guests during our sailing.
We used it for both meals and breakfast delivery.
Is the spa included with MSC Magnifica Yacht Club?
Yacht Club guests had complimentary access to the MSC Aurea Spa thermal facilities during our journey.
The thermal area included facilities such as a sauna, salt room, sensory showers, loungers and a large whirlpool.
Does MSC Magnifica Yacht Club have priority elevators?
Not during our sailing.
Unlike newer MSC Yacht Club ships, MSC Magnifica did not have the Yacht Club elevator priority functionality.
This was most noticeable during particularly busy periods.
Does MSC Magnifica Yacht Club use wristbands?
No wristbands were available during our journey.
We used the standard Yacht Club key cards instead.
Is MSC Magnifica Yacht Club completely private?
The dedicated Yacht Club spaces are intended for Yacht Club guests.
However, during our particular sailing we noticed that some access doors did not always require key-card authentication.
We would prefer more consistent controlled access.
Does the Yacht Club Restaurant have a sommelier?
There was no dedicated Yacht Club sommelier during our sailing.
This was something we missed compared with some other MSC Yacht Club experiences.
Is MSC Magnifica Yacht Club good for families?
We think it can work particularly well for families.
The Yacht Club provides a quieter private environment, while children and teenagers still have access to MSC Magnifica's pools, activities, theatre and other public facilities.
Is MSC Magnifica Yacht Club the same as Yacht Club on newer MSC ships?
The core experience is very recognisable: Top Sail Lounge, butler service, private outdoor space, dedicated restaurant, included drinks and other Yacht Club benefits.
However, the layout is different because Yacht Club was added to an existing ship.
The separated restaurant, lack of priority elevators and older ship design are the most noticeable differences.
Is MSC Magnifica Yacht Club worth it?
For the right traveller, we think it can be.
The new Top Sail Lounge, private sundeck, One Bar & Grill and experienced Yacht Club team create a convincing premium experience.
However, guests should understand that this is a newly created Yacht Club inside an older ship rather than a vessel designed around Yacht Club from the beginning.
That distinction is important when comparing it with ships such as MSC World Europa or MSC Euribia.
What was the best part of MSC Magnifica Yacht Club?
For us, the combination of the Top Sail Lounge, experienced crew and One Bar & Grill stood out.
The private sundeck also offered considerably more space than we initially expected for the number of Yacht Club guests.
What We Liked
The biggest success of MSC Magnifica Yacht Club is how convincing the new private areas feel.
Once inside the Top Sail Lounge, renovated corridors or private sundeck, it genuinely feels like MSC Yacht Club.
The Top Sail Lounge became one of our favourite spaces.
It is comfortable, intimate and supported by an experienced team.
Having the concierge desk prominently located in the centre of the lounge is unusual but works extremely well.
The service was another major strength.
Seeing several experienced Yacht Club crew members we recognised from other ships immediately gave the new operation a sense of confidence.
Throughout the journey, staff were friendly, professional and genuinely interested in making the experience work.
The Yacht Club sundeck also exceeded our expectations.
Considering that there are only around 63 Yacht Club suites, the outdoor space feels generous.
The main pool is larger than we expected, there is a separate whirlpool, several cabanas and plenty of loungers.
One Bar & Grill was another highlight.
The combination of a semi-buffet and changing à la carte dishes gave us flexibility, while eating outdoors overlooking Norway made lunch particularly memorable.
We also really enjoyed the Top Sail Lounge snacks and afternoon tea.
These smaller food experiences reinforce the feeling that Yacht Club is more than simply having a better cabin.
Finally, the refurbishment itself has been handled well.
The contrast between the original MSC Magnifica interior and the completely renewed Yacht Club areas is obvious, but once inside the private spaces they generally feel fresh, modern and appropriately premium.
What Could Be Better
The biggest compromise is the layout.
Unlike newer MSC ships where most Yacht Club facilities are contained within one connected area, the Yacht Club Restaurant aboard MSC Magnifica is located on Deck 7 while the Top Sail Lounge is much higher in the ship.
That means travelling through public areas every time you go to the restaurant.
The route passes the casino, where cigarette smoke was noticeable during our journey.
For guests sensitive to smoke, this could become frustrating.
The Yacht Club Restaurant itself is also relatively small.
When many guests are dining at the same time, the acoustics can make the room feel louder than Yacht Club restaurants on some larger MSC ships.
The restaurant also lacks the large forward-facing windows that are such an important part of the Yacht Club dining experience on newer vessels.
There was no dedicated sommelier in the Yacht Club during our sailing.
This stood out to us because wine recommendations and interaction with the sommelier have become something we genuinely appreciate on other Yacht Club ships.
We would like to see that added.
The lack of Yacht Club elevator priority is another noticeable difference.
During normal periods it was manageable, but when the ship became busy the convenience of the priority elevator system was missed.
There were also no Yacht Club wristbands.
That is a relatively small issue, but after becoming accustomed to using a wristband on newer ships, returning to key cards feels less convenient.
Access control to some of the private areas could also be improved.
During our journey, several Yacht Club doors could be opened without using the Yacht Club key card.
We would prefer more consistent access control to preserve the private nature of the spaces.
The new gym looks excellent and has beautiful aft-facing ocean views, but it became extremely busy on our sea day.
So while the facility itself is good, capacity can be an issue at peak times.
These compromises do not make the Yacht Club unsuccessful.
They simply show the limitations of adding a modern ship-within-a-ship concept to a vessel that was never originally designed around it.
Who Is This Cruise For?
MSC Magnifica Yacht Club is particularly interesting for travellers who already like the MSC Yacht Club concept but want to experience it on a smaller and more traditional MSC ship.
It can be a strong choice for couples who value service, private spaces, included drinks and a quieter environment without needing the enormous scale of MSC World Europa or other newer ships.
Families can also find a good balance here.
During our journey we travelled with our children, and the Yacht Club provided a calm private base while still allowing easy access to the rest of MSC Magnifica.
That means you can spend the morning in the private Yacht Club, then use the public pools, theatre, buffet and activities whenever you want something different.
Food-focused travellers should particularly enjoy One Bar & Grill and the Yacht Club Restaurant.
The Top Sail Lounge also provides enough snacks, drinks and smaller dining experiences that it becomes a meaningful part of the food offering.
MSC Magnifica Yacht Club may also appeal to travellers who prefer more traditional cruise ships.
The ship itself is smaller and less attraction-focused than MSC's newest vessels.
However, guests expecting the fully integrated Yacht Club layout, technology and elevator privileges of newer ships should understand that Magnifica is different.
For travellers who can accept those compromises, the new Yacht Club offers a surprisingly complete premium experience.
