GENERAL MSC CRUISES Terms and Conditions 2023/2024

“Booking” means the steps taken by the Passenger to enter into a Contract with the Company.

“Booking Terms & Conditions” means these terms and conditions and the information contained in the relevant Company’s brochure, the Official Website and/or other information which will form the express terms of your Contract with the Company.

“Carrier” means the entity who has undertaken the obligation to carry the Passenger from one place to the other as indicated in the Cruise ticket, airline ticket or other ticket issued for any other applicable transport and is thereby indicated on such documents as “carrier”. Carrier includes the owner and or charterer and or operator and or manager and their servants and or agents.

“Company” means MSC Cruises SA, whose registered address is Avenue Eugéne-Pittard 16 1206 Geneva, who organizes Holiday Packages and sells or offers them for sale, whether directly or through a Sales Agent.

“Conditions of Carriage” means the terms and conditions under which the Carrier provides transport either by air, road or sea. The Conditions of Carriage may refer to the provisions of the law of the country of the Carrier and/or international conventions which may limit or exclude the liability of the Carrier. Copies of the Conditions of Carriage of any Carrier are available to the Passengers upon request.

“Contract” means the contract concluded between the Company and the Passenger relating to the relevant Holiday Package which is evidenced by the issue of the confirmation invoice sent by the Company or its Sales Agent to the Passenger.

“Cruise” means the transport by sea and the stay onboard a MSC Cruises vessel (as described in the relevant Company’s brochure, the Official Website or other documentation produced for or on behalf of the Company) as well as, depending on the Cruise itinerary, the call and the duration of any stay on the Ocean Cay – MSC Marine Reserve, operated by the Company. A Cruise – if not purchased with pre- or post-Cruise services – can be considered by itself as a Holiday Package.

“Disabled Passenger” or “Passenger with Reduced Mobility”; means any Passenger whose mobility when using transports is reduced as a result of any physical disability (sensory or locomotor, permanent or temporary), intellectual or psychosocial disability or impairment, or any other cause of disability or impairment or as a result of age, and whose situation needs appropriate attention and adaptation to his/her particular needs for the services made available to all Passengers.

“Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances” means any unforeseeable and unpredictable event out of the Carrier’s or the Company’s control including Acts of God (such as, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane or other natural disasters), war, invasion, act of foreign enemies, hostilities (regardless of whether war is declared), civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, military or usurped power or confiscation, terrorist activities, riots, civil disturbances, industrial disputes, natural and nuclear disasters, fire, epidemics, health risks, nationalisation, government sanction, blockage, embargo, labour dispute, strike, lockout or interruption or failure of electricity or telephone service and/or any unforeseen technical problems with transport including changes due to rescheduling or cancellation or alteration of flights, closed or congested airports or ports.

"Combined Tour" means the combination of two or more Cruises prearranged by the Company and offered for sale as a single Holiday Package. For any relevant purposes, the Combined Tour shall always be considered as a single and indivisible Holiday Package. All terms and references to a Cruise and or Holiday Package shall include and be equally applicable to a Combined Tour unless otherwise stated. References to price are references to the total price paid for the Combined Tour

“Holiday Package” means the Cruise whether or not in combination with flight(s) and/or any pre- and/or post-Cruise arrangement for accommodation. It includes, depending on the Cruise itinerary, the call and the duration of any stay on the Ocean Cay – MSC Marine Reserve, operated by the Company. It does not include Shore Excursions or shuttle services which do not form part of the inclusive Holiday Package price.

“Official Website” means the set of related web pages, documents and hypertext links served from the web domain www.msccruises.ie

“Passenger” means each and every person, including minors, named either on the Booking confirmation or on the invoice or on a ticket issued by the Company.

“Sales Agent” means the person or travel agency that sells or offers for sale the Holiday Package put together by the Company, on its own or on behalf of the Company.

“Shore Excursion” means any excursion, trip or activity ashore that is not included as part of the all-inclusive price of the Holiday Package and is offered for sale by the Company onboard its vessels.

“World Cruise” means the tour of the world prearranged by the Company and offered for sale as a single Holiday Package. For any relevant purposes, the World Cruise shall always be considered as a single and indivisible Holiday Package. All terms and references to a Cruise and or Holiday Package shall include and be equally applicable to a World Cruise unless otherwise stated. References to price are references to the total price paid for the World Cruise.

3.1 No change to the Holiday Package price will be made within the 20-day period before departure or once full payment has been received by the Company.

3.2 The Company reserves the right to modify the Contract price at all times prior to those detailed in 3.1 above to allow variations for:

a) Air transportation costs;

b) Fuel costs for the propulsion of the vessel;

c) Dues, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports or airports.

Variations may be upwards or downwards. For paragraph a) any variation of the Holiday Package price will be equal to the extra amount charged by the airline. For paragraph b) any variation of the Holiday Package price will be equal to 0.33% of the price of the Cruise for every dollar of increase of the fuel per barrel (NYMEX Index). For paragraph c) any variation of the Holiday Package price will be equal to the full amount of the fees.

3.3 If the increase would be 2% or less of the holiday price shown on the Passenger’s Confirmation Invoice (excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges), the Company will absorb the changes in its costs and will only pass on to the Passenger any increase above that level. If any change in the Company’s costs would cause a reduction in the Passengers holiday price, the Company will not make refunds of amounts less than 2% of Passenger’s holiday price but it will refund in full amounts exceeding such 2% after deducting an administration charge of €25.00.

3.4 If the increase in the Holiday Package price amounts to more than 8% on the total Holiday Package price at the time of Booking, the Passenger will be entitled to cancel the Contract with a full refund of the Holiday Package price within the limits and to the extent of the amount effectively paid by the Passenger at the time of cancelation. Such right of refund does not include insurance premiums paid which are in no case refundable.

3.5 To exercise the right to cancel the Passenger must notify the Company in writing within 7 days of receiving the price increase notification.

However, minors aged under 18 years old can stay in a cabin by themselves if the following conditions are met:   

a. minor guests are travelling with only one parent or legal guardian;

b. the parent or legal guardian expressly requests, when making the booking, that the minors are assigned a cabin without the presence of an adult and signs a waiver of liability;

c. the number of minors travelling with the parent or legal guardian is between 2 and 4; 

d. the cabin is occupied by either 1 minor aged no less than 12 years old or 2 minors where the oldest is at least 12 years old and the youngest is at least 8 years old; 

e. the presence of more than 2 minors alone in the cabin is not allowed.  

For the vessels MSC Lirica, Armonia, Sinfonia, Opera, Musica, Orchestra, Poesia, Magnifica, Fantasia, Splendida, Preziosa and Divina, the parent or legal guardian and the minors shall only be accommodated in connecting cabins, and the minor cabin’s balcony shall be locked. 

For all the other vessels, the following additional requirements apply:

- the parent or legal guardian and the minor(s) shall be accommodated in connecting cabins with the minor cabin’s balcony being locked or in interior adjacent cabins; and

- the parent or legal guardian shall be required to purchase a bracelet to have access to the cabin occupied by the minor(s) at any time during the cruise.

For the purpose of this clause, “adjacent cabins” is defined as two cabins, at least one without a balcony, which have no more than 3 cabins between them, and that pertain to the same assembly station and corridor. “Connecting cabins” is defined as to cabins that are connected by an internal door.

For itineraries that include a U.S. port, guests aged between 18 and 20 years old whose booking includes a passenger of 21 years or older are allowed to stay in their cabin alone without the requirements indicated above.

7.1 The Company’s and the Carriers’ priority is always the comfort and safety of its Passengers and in order to achieve this the Passenger is asked at the time of Booking to provide as much detail as possible of the matters given below so that the Company and Carrier can consider its obligation to carry the Passenger in a safe or operationally feasible manner, taking into account any issues relating to the design of the passenger ship or port infrastructure and equipment including port terminals which may make it impossible to carry out the embarkation, disembarkation or carriage of the Passenger which may have an impact on the Passengers safety and comfort.

7.2 The Passenger is asked to provide full details at the time of Booking if the Passenger:

a) Is unwell, infirm, has a disability or has Reduced Mobility;

b) If the Passenger requires a special Disabled cabin, since there is a limited number of these available and since the Company would like to, wherever possible, accommodate the Passenger so that the Passenger is comfortable and safe for the duration of the Cruise;

c) If the Passenger has any special seating requirements;

d) If the Passenger needs to bring any medical equipment on board;

e) If the Passenger needs to bring a recognised assistance dog on board the vessel (please note that assistance dogs are subject to national regulations).

7.3 Where the Company and/or the Carrier consider strictly necessary for the safety and comfort of the Passenger and in order for the Passenger to fully enjoy the Cruise, it may require a Passenger with reduced ability or a Passenger with Reduced Mobility to be accompanied by another person who is capable of providing the assistance required by the Disabled Passenger or Passenger with Reduced Mobility. This requirement will be based entirely on the Company and/or the Carrier assessing the need of the Passenger on grounds of safety and may vary from vessel to vessel and/or itinerary to itinerary. Passengers confined to a wheelchair are asked to kindly furnish their own standard size collapsible wheelchair during the whole Holiday Package and might also be requested to be accompanied by a travelling Passenger fit and able to assist them.

7.4 If the Passenger has any particular condition, Disability or Reduced Mobility which require personal care or supervision then such personal care or supervision must be organized by the Passenger and at the Passenger’s expense. The vessel is unable to provide respite services, one-to-one personal care or supervision or any other form of care for physical or psychiatric or other conditions.

7.5 If after careful assessing the Passenger’s specific needs and requirements, the Company and/or the Carrier concludes that the Passenger cannot be carried safely and in accordance with applicable safety requirements then the Company can refuse to accept a Booking or embarkation of a Disabled Passenger or Passenger with Reduced Mobility on the grounds of safety.

7.6 The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry any Passenger who has failed to adequately notify the Company of any disabilities or needs for assistance in order for the Company and/or the Carrier to make an informed assessment that the Passenger can be carried in a safe or operationally feasible manner on the grounds of safety. If the Passenger does not agree with a decision of the Company under clauses 7.5 to 7.6 of these Booking Terms & Conditions then the Passenger must provide a complaint in writing with all supporting evidence to the Company.

7.7 The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry any Passenger who in the opinion of the Company and/or the Carrier is unfit for travel or whose condition may constitute a danger to themselves or others on the Cruise on the grounds of safety.

7.8 For the safety and comfort of the Passenger, if the Passenger becomes aware between the date of Booking the Holiday Package and the date of commencement of the Holiday Package that he/she will require special care or assistance as detailed above, the Passenger is asked to inform the Company immediately so that the Company and the Carrier can make an informed assessment whether or not the Passenger can be carried in a safe or operationally feasible manner.

7.9 Disabled Passengers or Passengers with Reduced Mobility may not be able to go ashore at ports where vessels do not berth alongside. A list of these ports is available upon written request.

7.10 In some ports, it is necessary to anchor offshore rather than alongside. When this is the case, the Carrier will use a tender to take Passengers ashore. A tender is a small vessel and may not be suitable for people with Disabilities or Reduced Mobility or balance problems. When using tenders, safety is the utmost priority. It is important that Passengers are able to use the tender safely. Passengers may be required to descend to a platform or pontoon and into the tender. There may be steps both up and down and Passengers may need to navigate a gap between the platform and the tender (which can be approximately 1.5ft). Depending on weather, tide and sea conditions, there may be some movement, which could change throughout the course of the day. Passengers must be fit and mobile enough to access and disembark the tender. If Passengers have impaired mobility, or use a mobility aid such as a stick, then they must carefully consider their ability to embark the tender safely before making their way down to the platform. Passengers must take into consideration the use of steps, the possibility of a gap and height difference between the platform and the tender, and the potential sudden movement of the tender when making a decision. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters, will not be carried by the crew into the tender. All Passengers must be independently mobile enough to use the tenders. Ultimately, carriage by tender may be refused by the master or any of his officers if there is any doubt as to the safety of any Passenger.

All Passengers must take extra care when stepping on and off the tender. There will be crew members there to guide and steady Passengers as they embark and disembark but they cannot support, lift or carry Passengers. The same precautions apply when Passengers disembark the tender in the port.

10.1 Passengers are strongly recommended to have comprehensive travel health insurance covering medical treatment and repatriation costs and expenses.

10.2 In compliance with Flag State requirements, there is a qualified doctor onboard and a medical centre equipped for first aid and minor conditions only. The Passenger hereby acknowledges and accepts at the time of Booking that the medical center is not equipped as a land based hospital and the doctor is not a specialist. Neither the Company, nor the Carrier, nor the doctor shall be liable to the Passenger as a result of any inability to treat any medical condition as a result.

10.3 The Passenger acknowledges that whilst there is a qualified doctor onboard the vessel, it is the Passenger’s obligation and responsibility to seek medical assistance if necessary during the Cruise and will be responsible to pay for onboard medical services.

10.4 In the event of illness or accident, Passengers may have to be landed ashore by the Carrier and/or the master for medical treatment. Neither the Carrier nor the Company make any representation or accept any responsibility regarding the quality of the available medical facilities or treatments at any port of call or at the place at which the Passenger is landed. Medical facilities and standards vary from port to port. Neither the Company nor the Carrier makes any representations or warranties in relation to the standard of medical treatment ashore.

10.5 The doctor’s professional opinion as to the fitness of the Passenger to board the vessel or to continue the Cruise is final and binding on the Passenger.

10.6 It is recommended that medical advice is sought before Booking for children up to 12 months of age. For the avoidance of doubt the provisions of clause 6 and the requirement of fitness to travel is applicable to all Passengers including infants.

112.1 The Passenger is entitled to transfer his/her Booking to a third party, provided that:
(i) said third party satisfies all the conditions for the use of the Contract; and
(ii) written notice is duly sent to MSC Cruises no later than 7 working days before departure of the Cruise.
If the conditions stated above in this clause are met, the name change will in any case be subject to a fee of €50 per change, reflecting the costs for the Company of effectuating the transfer, see clause 12.3 below. Name changes requested within 7 days of the departure will be considered as cancellation.
The Passenger and the third party contract assignee shall be jointly liable to MSC Cruises to pay the price of the Contract and any additional cost that may arise as a consequence of the change in Passenger.

12.2 Furthermore, even after the confirmation invoice has been issued, the Passenger is also entitled to exchange, once only, the purchased Holiday Package (“Original Holiday Package”) with another Holiday Package (“New Holiday Package”) on the following conditions:

i. the date of departure of the New Holiday Package is later than that of the Original Holiday Package;
ii. the request for the substitution of the New Holiday Package in place of the Original Holiday Package is received by MSC Cruises not later than 30 days before the date of the scheduled departure of the Original Holiday Package and there is availability of spaces on the New Holiday Package;
iii. the expected date of departure of the New Holiday Package falls within 90 calendar days from the expected date of departure of the Original Holiday Package.

If the conditions stated above in this clause are met, the substitution of the Original Holiday Package with the New Holiday Package will in any case be subject to the following administration fee per Passenger:

BELLA: €50 per person
FANTASTICA, AUREA, YACHT CLUB: One Free of Charge*
WORLD CRUISE: Loss of deposit equal to 15% of holiday package as per section 12.8

*Any change to a date that is more than 90 calendar days from the original departure date will result in a fee of €50 per person.

Any subsequent departure date change will result in a fee of €50 per person.

It is understood that, in addition to the administration fee mentioned above, if the price of the New Holiday Package is higher than that of the Original Holiday Package, the difference in price as well as in insurance premium will be borne exclusively by the Passenger.

On the other hand, if the price of the New Holiday Package is lower than that of the Original Holiday Package, no reimbursement will be due to the Passenger.

In case of substitution of the Original Holiday Package with the New Holiday Package, the Passenger will still be entitled to withdraw from the Contract and therefore cancellation fees will apply; cancellation fees will be based on the price due (as per above provisions) and the scale provided under clause 13 (Cancellation by the Passenger) according to the Original Holiday Package departure date.

MSC Cruises will make reasonable endeavours to comply with the Passenger requests for changes to flight, transport or other services arrangements and adapt them to the New Holiday Package. In no case whatsoever will MSC Cruises be held liable for change requests that cannot be satisfied.

12.3 Name or date changes are not always allowed by air Carriers and other transport or services providers whenever they are made. Most air Carriers and other transport or services providers treat such changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly. Any additional costs including cancellations fees and/or increased prices levied by air Carriers or other third-party providers will be exclusively for the Passenger’s account and be charged as a part of the additional cost mentioned in clause 12.1 (ii) above.

12.4 Save as provided above, other changes to the Booking may be requested (even after the confirmation invoice has been issued) until 63 days prior to departure, subject to a minimum administration fee of €25.00 per person per amendment. Any additional costs that may arise as a consequence of the change will be exclusively for the Passenger’s account.

12.5 Requests of amendments to the Booking received by MSC Cruises beyond the above time limits will be treated as cancellations and the cancellation charges detailed in clause 13 below will apply.

12.7 Any changes requested by the Passenger on a Combined Tour shall always apply to the whole Holiday Package. All the relevant time limits run from the scheduled date of departure of the first Cruise of the Combined Tour.

12.8 Any change request related to the World Cruise shall be permitted exclusively for another World Cruise and, in such case, will trigger the loss of the non-refundable deposit equal to 15% of the price of the Package paid by the passenger.

13. Cancellation by the Passenger
13.1 Cancellation of the Booking must be requested in writing (registered letter, email to or fax) to the Company or via the Passenger’s Sales Agent. All tickets issued and the confirmation invoice must be returned together after the notice of cancellation. The cancellation notice must be sent to the Company at least one working day before departure within 3pm GMT.

13.2 Save what set forth in clause 13.3 below, to cover the estimated loss incurred by cancellation, the Company will levy cancellation charges in accordance with the following scale:

Cruises <15 nights
63 days before departure - deposit
62 to 42 days before departure - 25%*
41 to 29 days before departure - 40%*
28 to 15 days before departure - 60%*
14 to 6 days before departure - 80%*
5 to 0 days before departure** - 100%*



Cruises >15 nights
93 days before departure - deposit
92 to 72 days before departure - 25%*
71 to 59 days before departure - 40%*
58 to 45 days before departure - 60%*
44 to 15 days before departure -80%*
14 to 0 days before departure ** - 100%*

* or loss of deposit whichever is greater.
** “no-show” upon departure and Holiday Package breaking shall be dealt as a cancellation made on the day of departure.


WORLD CRUISE 2024, and 2025

60 days or longer before departure
15% of holiday package*

59-10 days prior departure
75% of holiday package*

9-0**days prior departure
100% of holiday package



YACHT CLUB (for all cruises)

63 days or longer - Deposit
62-42 days before departure - 25% of holiday package*
41-29 days before departure - 40% of holiday package*
28-15 days before departure - 60% of holiday package*
14-6 days before departure - 80% of holiday package*
5-0 days before departure - 100% of holiday package


* or loss of deposit whichever is greater.
** “no-show” upon departure and Holiday Package breaking shall be dealt as a cancellation made on the day of departure.