Categories: Cruise News

MSC Cruises sends Musica for 45-day refit to add Yacht Club and new restaurants

MSC Musica has entered the Palumbo Malta Shipyard for a 45-day refurbishment that will add an MSC Yacht Club, new restaurants, and upgraded public spaces.

The 92,400-gross-tonne ship arrived at the yard earlier in September and is undergoing the work as part of a four-ship upgrade programme.

One of the most significant changes will be the introduction of MSC Cruises’ ship-within-a-ship Yacht Club concept, comprising 63 suites and a series of private facilities.

Most of the new Yacht Club accommodation will be created by combining smaller existing staterooms.

MSC Musica

The complex will also include a dedicated restaurant, lounge, and sun deck reserved for Yacht Club passengers.

MSC Cruises will add two speciality restaurants during the refurbishment, bringing concepts already available aboard other ships in the fleet to MSC Musica.

These will include Butcher’s Cut, the cruise line’s steakhouse concept, and Kaito Sushi Bar.

Changes are also planned for the ship’s wellness and fitness facilities.

A new fitness centre and gym will be created in space previously occupied by the ship’s nightclub, while the MSC Aurea Spa will undergo a major refurbishment.

The work represents a significant update for MSC Musica, which entered service in 2006 and can accommodate approximately 2,550 passengers.

MSC Musica

The ship is scheduled to leave the Palumbo Malta Shipyard in early November before repositioning to South America without passengers.

Following its transatlantic crossing, MSC Musica will resume commercial service in Brazil on 16 November 2026.

The ship will initially operate three- and four-night cruises visiting destinations in Rio de Janeiro state, including Búzios and Ilha Grande.

In late December, MSC Musica will reposition to Brazil’s southern coast for a programme of seven-night cruises from Paranaguá and Itajaí.

The itineraries, which will continue through March, will include calls at Ilhabela, Ilha Grande, Búzios, and Rio de Janeiro. Passengers will also be able to embark in Rio de Janeiro.

Following the South American season, the ship is scheduled to return to Europe in mid-April 2027.

MSC Musica will then begin a Western Mediterranean programme comprising seven-night cruises to destinations in Spain, France, and Italy through late October 2027.

MSC Musica refurbishment

  • New MSC Yacht Club
  • 63 Yacht Club suites
  • Dedicated Yacht Club restaurant
  • Private Yacht Club lounge
  • Private Yacht Club sun deck
  • Butcher’s Cut speciality restaurant
  • Kaito Sushi Bar
  • New fitness centre and gym
  • Major MSC Aurea Spa upgrade
Shaun Ebelthite

Founder and editor of Cruise Arabia & Africa. I try to create the best news and information specifically for cruise passengers taking cruises to and from Dubai (where I live) and South Africa (where I was born). You can contact me at shaun(at)cruisearabiaonline.com.

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