MSC Magnifica Returns After Malta Refit Ahead of 2026 World Cruise

MSC Cruises has returned MSC Magnifica to service following a two-month refurbishment at the Palumbo Malta Shipyard, completing the work ahead of the ship’s 2026 World Cruise that began from Genoa, Italy, on Jan. 5, 2026.

The 2010-built MSC Magnifica has already started a winter Mediterranean program after exiting dry dock, with the refit designed to expand onboard options for longer sailings and to prepare the ship for the debut of MSC’s Yacht Club product on the vessel in 2026.

Refit timeline and ship details

MSC Magnifica entered dry dock in late October 2025 at Palumbo in Malta and completed the work roughly two months later. The 95,128-gross-ton ship is listed by MSC at 2,516 guests.

MSC tied the project to updated public spaces, additional venues, and accommodation enhancements, including upgraded staterooms and the creation of larger suites as part of the broader overhaul.

New dining and wellness additions added during the refurbishment

The refurbishment added two specialty restaurants that are already featured on other MSC ships, alongside upgrades to the ship’s spa and fitness offerings. The work also expanded wellness-focused spaces, including an expanded outdoor Aurea area.

• Two specialty restaurants: Butcher’s Cut, focused on premium steak and other high-quality meats, and Kaito Sushi Bar, offering dishes such as sushi and teriyaki plates. Both concepts are already found on ships including MSC Meraviglia and MSC Virtuosa.
• Redesigned spa spaces: The MSC Aurea Spa was refreshed, including the addition of a panoramic sauna feature as part of broader wellness updates.
• Upgraded fitness center: The Technogym fitness center was updated with new equipment and new training spaces, including new workout studios.
• Additional onboard upgrades: The ship also gained a Gentleman’s Barber among the refreshed amenities, alongside wider updates to public areas and accommodations.

MSC Yacht Club planned for MSC Magnifica in summer 2026

MSC has positioned the refurbishment to support the introduction of its ship-within-a-ship concept, the MSC Yacht Club, on MSC Magnifica. The Yacht Club addition is associated with 63 suites on the ship, paired with the dedicated spaces that typically define the product.

MSC has indicated the full MSC Yacht Club experience will be available starting in summer 2026, when MSC Magnifica is scheduled to operate Northern Europe itineraries. The offering includes dedicated areas and dining, plus 24-hour butler and concierge service.

Planned Yacht Club features on MSC Magnifica include a private sundeck, a Top Sail lounge, suite accommodations, and an exclusive restaurant.

2026 World Cruise: scope, embarkation options, and itinerary highlights

MSC Magnifica’s 2026 World Cruise officially started in Genoa on Jan. 5, 2026, following the refit and the ship’s winter Mediterranean program. MSC describes the voyage as a 132-night sailing, with other coverage also referring to it as a 132-day world cruise.

In addition to Genoa, the sailing offers additional embarkation options from ports in Italy, Spain, and France. The itinerary is scheduled to return to Genoa in May 2026.

Across the full voyage, MSC Magnifica is set to visit 46 destinations in 33 countries, spanning more than 40,000 nautical miles. MSC has also highlighted seven overnight calls, including overnights in ports such as Wellington, New Zealand, and San Diego, California.

Ports and cities mentioned on the itinerary include Bridgetown (Barbados), Cartagena de Indias (Colombia), Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), San Diego (California), and Hilo (Hawaii), as well as Wellington (New Zealand) and Sydney (Australia). In Asia, scheduled calls include Tokyo (Japan), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Port Klang (Malaysia), and Da Nang (Vietnam).

Why MSC revised the world cruise route in mid-2025

MSC revised the original plan for the 2026 World Cruise in mid-2025 due to security concerns in the Middle East. The voyage had been set to cross the Red Sea and transit the Suez Canal on the return to Europe, but MSC opted to avoid the region, saying it did not allow for secure and safe passage.

Instead, the updated schedule rerouted the ship via Africa. To accommodate the longer repositioning segment, the cruise was extended by 12 days, with MSC offering those additional days at no extra charge to guests who were already booked.

What comes after the 2026 world cruise

After returning to Genoa in May 2026, MSC Magnifica is scheduled to transition into a summer Northern Europe season, with itineraries operating from Warnemünde, Germany. Following the Northern Europe deployment, the ship is slated to offer shorter Mediterranean cruises later in 2026, with itineraries described as ranging from three to eight nights and sailings available from ports including Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Marseille.

Related dry dock plans for MSC Poesia and additional world cruises

MSC Magnifica is one of two Musica-class ships scheduled for significant work at Palumbo in Malta. Sister ship MSC Poesia is scheduled to enter dry dock at the same yard in February 2026 for a comparable package of enhancements, including the addition of an MSC Yacht Club area described as 69 suites, along with the same specialty restaurant additions and refreshed spa and gym spaces.

The MSC Poesia project is set ahead of the ship’s Alaska deployment, as the vessel is scheduled to sail from Seattle for the summer 2026 season, marking MSC’s debut in Alaska.

Beyond the 2026 world sailing, MSC has also outlined additional long voyages for MSC Magnifica. In 2027, the ship is scheduled to operate a 121-night world cruise visiting 45 destinations in 25 countries, which MSC has positioned as the first world cruise for MSC Magnifica to feature the MSC Yacht Club product. Sales have also opened for a 2028 world voyage on MSC Magnifica, described as a 115-night itinerary spanning the Mediterranean, Caribbean, the Pacific, Australasia, Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula before returning to Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What upgrades were made to MSC Magnifica during the refurbishment?

The two-month refit at the Palumbo shipyard in Malta added two specialty restaurants, Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar, and refreshed wellness and fitness areas. Updates included a redesigned MSC Aurea Spa with a panoramic sauna feature, an updated Technogym fitness center with new training spaces, an expanded outdoor Aurea area, and additional amenities such as a Gentleman’s Barber, alongside broader updates to public spaces and accommodations.

What is the MSC Yacht Club on MSC Magnifica, and what does it include?

MSC Yacht Club is MSC’s ship-within-a-ship concept. On MSC Magnifica, it is associated with 63 suites and includes dedicated areas such as a private sundeck, a lounge (including a Top Sail lounge), and an exclusive restaurant, along with 24-hour butler and concierge service.

How long is MSC Magnifica’s 2026 World Cruise, and what does it cover?

The 2026 World Cruise started in Genoa on Jan. 5, 2026, and is described as a 132-night sailing, with the voyage scheduled to return to Genoa in May 2026. The itinerary is set to visit 46 destinations in 33 countries, includes seven overnight calls, and covers more than 40,000 nautical miles, with ports cited across regions including the Caribbean, the Americas, the Pacific, Australia, Asia, Africa, and the Indian Ocean.

Why did MSC change the original 2026 world cruise itinerary?

MSC revised the itinerary in mid-2025 due to security concerns in the Middle East, removing the Red Sea and Suez Canal segment. The alternative routing took the ship via Africa and extended the cruise by 12 days, which MSC provided at no extra charge to guests who were already booked.