MSC Cruises Rolls Out Oceans Day Program for Kids Fleetwide

Updated June 15, 2026

MSC Foundation and MSC Cruises marked World Oceans Day on June 8, 2026, by launching Oceans Day powered by MSC Foundation, an onboard ocean-literacy program for children and families now rolling out across the MSC Cruises fleet. Announced in Geneva, the program is expected to involve thousands of children annually through shipboard activities tied to marine conservation.

The rollout spans MSC Cruises' 23 ships and reaches guests ages 3 to 17 through the line's family entertainment programming. MSC Foundation developed the program with MSC Cruises' Entertainment team, drawing on material connected to the Foundation's conservation partners and Ocean Cay work in The Bahamas. MSC Cruises said the initiative also speaks to the role of its global Entertainment team as a hub for creating and producing original family experiences at sea.

"Oceans Day powered by MSC Foundation reflects our belief that education is fundamental to long-term ocean conservation," said Daniela Picco, Executive Director of MSC Foundation. "We believe that if you know the sea, you protect it - everything starts from there. By helping children and families build a deeper connection with the ocean, we hope to foster curiosity, responsibility and a lifelong commitment to caring for the marine world."

MSC Cruises said the program is built around three pillars: celebrating the ocean on every cruise, placing children and families at the center, and fostering ocean literacy. Activities include an original song, Everybody Loves the Sea, created with a children's choir, along with games, quizzes, creative workshops, drawing sessions and conservation challenges. Children can also make personal pledges through the "My Wish for the Ocean" initiative and receive an Ocean Ambassador Passport with actions they can continue after the cruise.

The onboard experience ends with a celebratory parade involving children and music carrying environmental messages. MSC Cruises said the program will be offered as part of regular family programming as the rollout progresses across the fleet.

"Through Oceans Day, MSC Cruises is proud to help bring MSC Foundation's ocean education mission to life onboard, creating meaningful shared experiences that encourage children to better understand and care for the ocean," said Matteo Mancini, Family Entertainment Development Director at MSC Cruises.

The program draws on MSC Foundation's work with conservation and education partners including Mission Blue and Marevivo. It also uses lessons from Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises' private island in The Bahamas, which was created from a former industrial sand-mining site and restored as a cruise destination with conservation programming.

At Ocean Cay, the Foundation's Super Coral Programme supports reef restoration and work with more stress-tolerant coral. The Foundation opened a Marine Conservation Center there in April 2025 with a bio lab, lecture space and coral nursery.

On ships with an MSC Foundation Centre, Foundation representatives will also take part in Oceans Day activities. The centres are dedicated onboard spaces where guests can use interactive touchscreens and view information about MSC Foundation initiatives.

The announcement did not include a ship-by-ship rollout schedule. MSC Foundation and MSC Cruises said new experiences will be added over time as the program develops for future sailings.