Editor’s Note: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa provided a complimentary stay so that TPG could get an inside look at the hotel and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by Marriott, the hotel or any other external entity.

Luxury resorts are commonplace in the Phoenix area, but the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa is anything but common. The resort boasts two championship golf courses, one of the city’s premier pickleball facilities, two restaurants helmed by a “Top Chef” alum, a recently renovated 140,000-square-foot water park, a world-class spa and so much more.

With such a breadth of activities and amenities, the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa can just as easily play host to your next family vacation as it can to a romantic getaway or an action-packed weekend of hiking, biking and golfing.

Here’s everything you need to know before booking your stay at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa.

What is the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa?

With its earth-toned hues, ample natural lighting and artwork inspired by Mother Earth, the understated decor and color scheme of the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge reflects the green cacti, sandy desert and clear blue skies that guests will find outside the hotel’s front doors.

This is a true resort property, with enough activities, dining and amenities so that you can have just as much fun exploring the resort as you would exploring the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Families can start their day by feeding the fish, turtles and hummingbirds who call the resort home before splashing all afternoon at the AquaRidge WaterPark. Those traveling without little ones in tow can spend the morning golfing (after grabbing a coffee from the on-site Starbucks, of course) before heading to the adults-only Sky Island pool to relax.

The property is a member of the Marriott family, so you can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points when you stay — the icing on top.

How to book the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

It’s best to book your stay at this resort directly through Marriott for the best rates and points redemptions. This ensures that you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points on paid stays and benefit from the perks of Marriott Bonvoy’s elite status.

Standard room rates start at $354 per night if you visit in the hot summer months, and average closer to the $500 to $700 range during the rest of the year. The room rate includes a $55 per night resort fee, which covers the following:

• Enhanced high-speed internet and local calls
• Daily pickleball or tennis for up to two people (includes paddles or racquets and one hour of court time based on availability)
• Daily access to Wildfire Golf Driving Range for up to two people with unlimited balls and use of clubs (proper golf attire required)
• Daily bike rentals for up to two people for up to two hours

Marriott Bonvoy point redemptions start at 41,000 points per night. According to TPG’s November 2024 valuations, those points are worth $348.50. The equivalent cash price listed by Marriott on a 41,000-point night is $587, making this a great points redemption.

Additionally, since the hotel is part of Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, those holding?The Platinum Card? from American Express?or?The Business Platinum Card? from American Express?can book via FHR to receive elitelike perks such as upgrades (based on availability), up to a $100 credit to use on-property, complimentary daily breakfast for two and guaranteed late checkout.

When booking the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge, you’ll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Marriott stays, as well as one that possibly offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status for value-added benefits. These include:

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant? American Express? Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Platinum Elite status; and 25 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy? American Express? Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business? American Express? Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless? Credit Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Silver Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold? Credit Card: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Silver Elite status; and 5 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.

The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The location is quiet yet convenient

The resort is located in north Phoenix, about a 30-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). From the resort, you can reach many popular local attractions in under 30 minutes, including Old Town Scottsdale, Camelback Mountain, the Phoenix Mountains Preserve and the Phoenix Zoo.

Despite being close to several restaurants, shopping centers and attractions, the resort is set back about a quarter-mile off the main road. This keeps the location convenient but also quiet, with unspoiled views of the surrounding desert. From my balcony, all I saw were mountain vistas and blazing sunrises.

Rooms feel tranquil with earth-toned decor and modern amenities

The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge has several room categories to choose from, including standard one-king or two-queen rooms with resort, mountain or pool views; patio rooms with fire pits; studio suites with Murphy beds and sofa beds; wellness suites with yoga nooks or Peloton bikes; and one-bedroom suites.

We were in a one-bedroom suite that had a sofa bed, sitting area, desk and large TV in the living room and a king-size bed and second TV in the bedroom. The beds were soft and comfortable, with bedding that wasn’t so heavy you’d feel overheated with the warm outdoor temperatures.

There were storage cabinets in the bedroom and the bathroom, giving my family of five plenty of space to hide away our luggage and souvenirs we picked up along the way.

The living room also had a minifridge and coffee maker with Illy espresso pods.

Upon entering the room, there is a short hallway with a bench and a closet that holds an iron and ironing board, robes, hangers, a laundry bag and a scale. This hallway leads to the bathroom, which is one of the largest hotel bathrooms I’ve seen — even in a suite of this size.

The first section of the bathroom had a double vanity with a few handy additions to the standard amenity lineup, including facial wipes and mouthwash. A door separated the vanity from the rest of the bathroom, which included a stand-alone shower, a toilet and a large soaking tub. Sitting atop the tub was a small tray with slippers, bath salts, facial soap and body wash.

The bathroom was stocked with Aromatherapy Associates Balance scented products, which had relaxing notes of lavender and ylang-ylang.

My favorite part of the room wasn’t inside the room at all, but rather the spacious furnished balcony outside of our room (and every room at the resort). I started each day here with a hot cup of espresso and watched the sun rise slowly over the Sonoran Desert.

Some rooms come with exclusive club access

Our room also came with access to the hotel’s exclusive JW Griffin Club. The Griffin Club is open for breakfast, lunch and evening hors d’oeuvres. It also has coffee, tea and juices and a bar with beer, wine and spirits, plus snacks, sodas and water that you can grab at any time.

You can purchase access to the club for an add-on fee of $150 per day for adults and $50 for children or book a room that includes access. These rooms run about $200 per night more than standard rooms and include Griffin Club access for two people.

Not one, but two restaurants helmed by a celebrity chef

The restaurant scene at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge has gotten a major overhaul in recent years, with two concepts from acclaimed “Top Chef” alum Angelo Sosa.

Tia Carmen

Tia Carmen opened in 2022. Both the name (which translates to Aunt Carmen) and the menu are inspired by chef Sosa’s aunt, with a menu of fresh Southwestern flavors in a light, airy setting that felt as inviting as you would expect the kitchen of the aunt who loves cooking for everyone to feel.

Standout dishes here include the pan frito with honey butter ($14), the tuna crudo in a corn coconut broth ($23) and the chicken guisado with turmeric rice ($34). The latter I felt obligated to try, because it is based on Tia Carmen’s own recipe.

My kids weren’t as excited for the Dominican stew as I was, but the restaurant luckily has a dedicated kids menu with fallback fare like chicken fingers and fries.

Kembara

Open since December 2023, Kembara is chef Sosa’s most recent addition to the resort. Consider it the Asian-inspired, edgy counterpart to Tia Carmen’s warm, inviting atmosphere (it is worth mentioning that the service was exceedingly friendly at both).

The decor at this restaurant was much darker, with graffiti on the walls and pink neon lights strung across the ceiling. Most dishes were designed to be shared, so we sampled a little bit of everything. Our favorites included the tuna Thai jewel in a lemongrass-ginger broth ($23), steamed pork dumplings ($14) and lamb spring rolls ($18).

My kids were equally impressed with their meals, which were served in bento boxes and came with chicken, fruit, cucumbers and rice. What I think they liked even more, though, was that the kids menu came with a piece of paper and instructions for making an origami bird.

Other dining options

Guests can also dine at Twenty6, a lobby lounge serving American fare along with beer, wine and cocktails; at Meritage next to the Wildfire Golf Club; or at the Just a Splash Bar & Grill at the AquaRidge WaterPark.

The on-site Starbucks is also open from morning until late afternoon for coffee or grab-and-go items.

There are plenty of on-property activities (both energizing and relaxing)

One of our biggest takeaways was that JW Marriott Desert Ridge really does have so much to keep guests busy during a visit.

In addition to at-your-leisure activities like yard games on the large outdoor lawn, a 24-hour fitness center, bike rentals, and walking or jogging paths are available (the hotel also provides maps for area hikes). The property also boasts both pickleball and tennis courts (including group and private instruction), fitness classes and personal training available for an additional fee.

The hotel also provides a rotating monthly schedule of activities, some complimentary and some for a fee. During our visit, we fed fish, turtles and hummingbirds, and there are also weekly wellness walks around the property, sound bath experiences, horticulture tours, arts and crafts and more.

Several of the kid-friendly activities take place at the Family Escape kids club. Day care is available for kids ages 4 to 12 for a fee, but they also have daily family activities like craft time and movie nights, which are complimentary.

Treatments at the full-service Revive Spa include everything from massage, cupping and reflexology to facials, body scrubs and wraps. Spa services included access to the complex’s pool, cabanas, sauna, steam rooms, bistro and salon.

To give you an idea of pricing, a 50-minute massage starts at $209, a 50-minute facial starts from $214 and a 50-minute full-body magnesium detox wrap starts from $224.

The Wildfire Golf Club’s two courses were designed by PGA legends Arnold Palmer and Nick Faldo. Guests can reserve a tee time at either course or sign up for lessons. Rental clubs are also available if you don’t want to lug yours to the airport.

There is a full water park for splashing, sliding and sunbathing

Of everything on offer at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge, we spent the majority of our time at the AquaRidge WaterPark. Most of the 140,000-square-foot water park was part of a resort-wide $80 million transformation in 2023, $18 million of which went toward expanding the water park.

AquaRidge is home to several sections designed to let you swim and sunbathe however you prefer. If you want family-friendly fun like wild waterslides, a splash pad and a meandering lazy river, head for the Havasu Playground area.

This is where we spent most of our time. On the day when we had a full afternoon to swim, we set up shop in one of the resort’s cabanas. Our cabana had a fan with a mister to keep us cool, a refrigerator and safe, towels, water pitchers and ice and ample seating in both the sun and the shade. We also had a server who delivered food and drinks from the nearby Just a Splash dining outlet.

If you prefer a quieter spot to swim away from the splashes and squeals of the kiddos, head for one of the pools and the hot tub in the Sedona Springs and Sedona Cove areas. These are not limited to adults only, but during our visit, they definitely had a more relaxing vibe than Havasu Playground.

For the true luxury of not seeing or hearing a single child, you’ll need to reserve paid access to the resort’s 21-and-older Sky Island pool complex. This area has a pool and a hot tub, with the option of daybeds, chaise lounges or cabanas for seating.

Accessibility

The JW Marriott Desert Ridge has several accessible guest rooms with features like widened doors for wheelchair access, roll-in showers and hearing or visual assistance devices.

The resort’s public areas are also wheelchair accessible, including wheelchair-friendly elevators, wheelchair lifts at the pool, convenient ramps and more.

Checking out

With comfortable rooms, family-friendly activities, an impressive new water park and mouthwatering restaurant menus, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa was an ideal location for our time in Arizona. I wouldn’t hesitate to return to this property if our travels bring us back to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.

Even when traveling without children, this resort can pull double duty as a relaxing getaway for grown-ups, thanks to its adults-only spaces and more sophisticated offerings (though I would recommend even adults take on the JW Marriott Desert Ridge’s thrilling waterslides … you’re never too old for a water slide).

Related reading:

• Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?
• Best Marriott credit cards
• Best hotel credit cards
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• Marriott elite status: What it is and how to earn it
• Marriott Bonvoy: Complete guide to the hotel loyalty program

Pros

• There are comfortable, wide seats with great legroom in an intimate cabin.
• It offers a comprehensive mix of new-release movies and lightning-fast Wi-Fi.
• This is an excellent way to redeem Avios.

Cons

• Madrid’s Terminal 4 remains a stressful and confusing airport to transit.
• Passengers must pay for all spirits and snacks.
• The prearrival meal was not suitable for premium economy.

Here at TPG, we regularly promote what a great deal it is to book Iberia flights across the Atlantic using Avios. In business class, you can part with just 34,000 Avios on off-peak dates to get from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., or Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Spain — one of the very best sweet spots of any airline loyalty program.

Premium economy is also a great redemption option if you don’t have enough Avios or can’t find the availability in business class. But how does the product compare to other leading airlines flying between Europe and North America?

After a mostly impressive experience in Iberia’s new business-class suites on the Airbus A350 to Mexico City International Airport (MEX), I decided to try the premium economy product from the airline’s home at?Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

Here’s what the experience was like.

How to book premium economy on Iberia

Round-trip cash fares in Iberia premium economy are usually only 50% more than the cost of a regular economy ticket. Business class is usually around three times the price of premium economy. This makes premium economy a savvy investment if you are looking for extra perks and comfort but can’t stretch to business class.

Award availability is readily available on this route, and the Iberia Plus website has a handy calendar view feature that will show you all dates with availability, along with the peak or off-peak prices.

We booked this flight on an off-peak date for 31,750 Avios, plus $131 in fees, taxes and surcharges.

Here are the ranges of airfare and award redemptions in all three cabins on this route over the next year.

Avios are one of the easiest currencies to earn, and there are three Avios-branded credit cards available, including:

• British Airways Visa Signature? Card
• Aer Lingus Visa Signature? Card
• Iberia Visa Signature? Card

Each card offers 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Avios are worth 1.4 cents each per TPG’s November 2024 valuations, making the full bonus worth $1,050. Each card has a $95 annual fee and earns 3 Avios per dollar spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Level. Plus, you can earn 2 Avios per dollar spent on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel and 1 Avios per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Additionally, at least one Avios program partners with all major transferable currencies. (Remember, you can transfer Avios between any Avios programs at a 1:1 rate.)

The information for the Aer Lingus Visa Signature? Card and Iberia Visa Signature Card have been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.?

The following cards all currently offer strong welcome bonuses that you could easily convert to Avios at a 1:1 rate:

• The Business Platinum Card? from American Express: Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
• The Platinum Card? from American Express:?Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
• American Express? Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
• Ink Business Preferred? Credit Card:?Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card: Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Checking in to premium economy on Iberia

I commenced my journey by flying on Iberia from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) to MAD.

Iberia does not offer priority check-in for premium economy passengers, creating a less-than-premium experience. Nonetheless, there was no wait to check baggage at the regular economy line.

Passengers in premium economy, whether booked with cash or Avios, are entitled to check two pieces of baggage weighing up to 50 pounds each. They can also take a full-size carry-on bag and a small personal item (such as a laptop or handbag) on board.

Premium economy passengers did not receive priority security or lounge access on my flight. Although my flight from London arrived in Terminal 4S, just a few gates from my next flight to Dallas, I had to go upstairs, clear security and then return to the departure gate for my next flight.

While Terminal 4’s design is visually beautiful, I found the transfer process disorienting and stressful, even after multiple visits.

Hundreds of people were trying to get through security at once, seemingly about to miss their next flight, and the long distances between gates meant a simple transfer could become time-consuming.

Fortunately, the gate area for my flight to Dallas was well set up, with plenty of seating and a calm atmosphere.

Premium economy passengers and Oneworld Ruby customers were invited to board in Group 2 (out of four groups), and separate lanes were set up for each boarding group, resulting in a civilized and orderly boarding process.

How comfortable was premium economy on Iberia?

Iberia operates four times weekly from Madrid to Dallas (Thursday to Sunday) during the winter months, increasing to daily service from April to October. The flight departs Madrid at 4 p.m. local time and arrives in Dallas at 8:35 p.m. local time, around 11 hours later.

Behind the single cabin of 29 business-class seats, the premium economy cabin of 24 seats takes up just three rows and is configured in a 2-3-2 configuration in rows 11 to 14. (Like many airlines, Iberia does not have a row 13.)

My first impressions of the cabin were good because of its intimacy and exclusivity.

Unlike certain other airlines I’ve flown, I appreciate that the airline has installed a proper divider between premium economy and the economy cabin behind.

I selected an aisle seat in row 11, the front row of the cabin. I recommend these seats, as you will not have anyone reclining into your personal space because there’s only a bulkhead in front.

The amount of legroom was great. I especially appreciated that the passenger in the window seat could easily get up without me having to move on this full flight.

I could manually recline the seatback and pop out the legrest with the touch of a button in the center armrest.

The headrest could be manually adjusted up and down, and the side wings could be pulled inward to rest on either side of my head.

I found the seat very comfortable for taking an hourlong nap on this long daytime flight across the Atlantic.

Rather than having legrests, seats in rows 12 and 14 had footrests that manually folded down from the seatbacks in front. These did tend to get stuck, though.

There was a universal charging point and a USB-C port for each seat in the center console.

The shared center shelf proved handy for resting a drink or placing my phone during meal service, and rows 12 and 14 also had water bottle holders to free up space in the seatback pockets.

The bi-fold table from the center console was large enough for my 15-inch laptop computer.

Amenities in Iberia premium economy

A plush pillow and a lightweight fleece blanket were waiting on my seat.

Premium economy passengers received solid Iberia-branded over-ear headphones and amenity kits from Spanish fashion designer Teresa Helbig in fun pouches. You could reuse them to store a camera, charging cables or reading glasses.

The contents were decent for premium economy, with socks, an eye mask, a toothbrush, toothpaste and earplugs inside.

Wi-Fi was available on my flight across the Atlantic, with free messaging for business class and Iberia Plus members, up to 20.49 euros (about $22.25) for a full flight browse and stream package. I selected the latter and registered incredibly fast speeds of up to 56 Mbps for downloads and 8 Mbps for uploads. This made for a very productive workday up in the air.

On the left side of my seat, a large, crisp touchscreen folded out from the floor.

It was loaded with 66 new-release movies, including “Back to Black,” “Dune: Part Two” and “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.”

Five lavatories were shared with the economy cabin behind. Although the A330 flight to Dallas was full in all classes, there was rarely a wait to use them, and they were kept clean.

How was the food in Iberia premium economy?

The crew served guests water or orange juice in plastic cups during boarding.?This was a little disappointing because?some other airlines serve welcome drinks in proper glassware and offer sparkling wine as an option in premium economy.

About an hour after departure, crews rolled trolleys up to the front of the cabin to serve lunch. Unfortunately, no menus were provided, so each passenger was verbally advised of the two options being beef cheeks or vegetarian pasta.

I selected the beef cheeks served with an orzo and feta cheese salad, an orange sponge cake, a bread roll with butter and cheese on the side, and metal cutlery.

The fresh and light salad appetizer was the highlight of a pretty underwhelming meal. The beef in the entree was tasty and soft, but the presentation was sloppy, and everything was swimming in a gooey mess of mashed potatoes and gravy, a heavy dish for a Monday lunch. The dry dessert wasn’t a great way to finish the meal.

Related: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?

The crew offered a choice of beer, wine, soft drinks or juice to accompany the meal. These drinks were served in plastic cups, again without proper glassware. My seat neighbor asked for some whisky with her soft drink, and my jaw dropped when the crew member said that all spirits require payment.

I’ve now flown on 10 different airlines in premium economy, and this is the first time I have seen beverages other than Champagne require additional payment.

Related: Is Singapore Airlines premium economy worth it on the Airbus A350?

A few hours after the lunch service, I wandered through the cabin to see if any snacks were available. Snacks are often set up in a galley area for passengers to help themselves. There were none, so I asked the crew if anything was available, noting I had come from the premium economy cabin.

My eyebrows raised again when the crew told me all snacks cost extra.

Midway through the flight, the crew rolled trolleys through the cabin, and I was excited to see them hand out small tapas boxes to the premium economy and economy passengers. These boxes were a fun gift to unpack on this long flight, and I anticipated a bounty of cured meats, sliced cheeses, olives and nuts.

The contents weren’t as good as I had imagined. The box contained a small packet of miniature breadsticks, marinated olives and a gouda cheese spread, which I had never seen on my dozen or so visits to Spain. The olives were good, but I only ate the rest because I was hungry.

With no complimentary snacks available and an underwhelming midflight offering, I was looking forward to the prearrival meal. I was hoping for a proper hot meal, given the hour was approaching dinner time in Dallas.

About 75 minutes before arrival, the crew offered a ham and cheese or cheese and tomato sandwich, plus a choice of water or juice.

I chose the meat option and was handed a cold panini-style sandwich in a paper bag — the same as the economy cabin passengers received.

This was not what I’d consider an acceptable second main meal service in premium economy on an 11-hour journey, and it certainly was a disappointing end to the flight.

The crew on my flight to Dallas was cheerful and professional throughout. They didn’t pick up on passengers’ frustrations about paying for snacks and spirits in the premium economy cabin, and they did their best with what they had available.

Was Iberia premium economy worth it?

Iberia gets a lot of the basics right with its premium economy product. The seats are noticeably more comfortable than those in economy, with more legroom and recline. The Wi-Fi was impressively fast, and the large, crisp screen had plenty of entertainment options.

The significant issues with Iberia’s products are the food and beverages. There is nothing premium about charging for spirits and snacks, and I haven’t seen this on other airlines in premium economy. None of the food I ate on board was great, particularly the cold panini I had as my second meal.

Given the reasonable cost over economy on the same flight, whether in cash or Avios, it’s worth upgrading for the better seat alone. However, you may wish to bring your own food. British Airways may be a better option if you want to redeem Avios for a well-rounded premium economy product.

Related reading:

• The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
• Best airline credit cards
• 9 things to know about flying premium economy
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights

I dare you not to ogle the minute you step on board MSC Cruises‘ MSC Seascape.

The soaring four-deck atrium practically shouts at you, thanks to the seemingly endless walls of glass, bright colors, shimmering chrome and glittering Swarovski crystal staircases that flank the atrium bar. The atmosphere feels electric — perhaps a combination of passengers’ first-day celebratory vibes and the dazzling design elements that saturate the atrium.

The space is loud but glamorous, offering a hint of what you might expect during your time on board. A bevy of bars spread throughout the ship ensures a good time no matter which deck you’re on. A moody lounge-style theater hosts intimate performances from singers, dancers and contortionists. An LED wall pays homage to New York City’s bustling Times Square, and your days will feel just as busy as you head from hotly contested trivia competitions to lively crew-led parties.

I sailed a seven-night fully booked sailing and was surprised to discover the ship rarely felt overly crowded. While pools were often packed and shows and activities were well attended, queues were minimal and I never felt claustrophobic. The impressive number of pools and the variety of entertainment available throughout the ship seemed to spread out the passenger population.

If you want the ability to do all the things and then kick back in peace, MSC Seascape might be the ship for you. From bright lights and buzzy parties to quiet spaces and intimate venues, here’s what you can expect from Seascape.

Overview of MSC Seascape

The 170,412-ton MSC Seascape is 19 decks high and carries 4,540 passengers at double occupancy (5,877 at maximum occupancy). Built in 2022, it’s one of four ships in MSC Cruises’ Seaside Class. If you’re unfamiliar with the European cruise line, that’s likely because it previously focused on sailings in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. However, it has rapidly expanded its footprint in North America with sailings departing from cruise hubs in Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida; New York City; and Galveston, Texas.

Seascape’s demographics seemed to run the gamut — couples, groups of friends and even solo cruisers (although it doesn’t offer any cabins for singles). MSC bills the vessel as “family-friendly.” While I didn’t notice a ton of kids on my mid-October sailing, the ship boasted a slew of options for cruisers with kids (fun water park areas, a robust kids club scene and other family-focused activities).

Additionally, the ship had an international vibe, with passengers speaking many different languages. On more than one occasion, I witnessed lively conversations between crew members and passengers in Italian, Spanish and French. Additionally, the captain’s announcements were made in English, Italian and Spanish.

The ship’s nightly shows, live music and variety of activities consistently impressed me, and its luxury Yacht Club suite enclave offered a remarkable luxury experience.

Overall, it’s a fun ship with many ways to stay entertained.

Related: MSC status match: How status with another cruise line got me perks with MSC

What I loved about MSC Seascape

Thermal Spa

We stayed in the MSC Yacht Club suite enclave, and one of the perks I most appreciated was complimentary access to Seascape’s thermal area within the Aurea Spa. It’s open every day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and you can come and go as you please. (Note that on sea days, you do need to book a time slot because of the increased number of folks using it.)

The hot tub was large enough to accommodate several people without feeling hemmed in, though we never shared it with more than four or five others. Heated loungers lined the hot tub, ideal for a post-dip nap.

The spa also featured a Kneipp room, where you walk through a sequence of hot and cold showers, and a lovely Himalayan salt room I could have enjoyed for hours. I frequented the sensory steam rooms and sauna and even braved the snow room several times, proud that I stayed in for two whole minutes. It was invigorating! Thermal spa guests also have access to an outdoor private deck area with loungers.

One of the two saunas was under maintenance during our sailing, making the one in service a bit crowded during sea days. However, you can always head to the fitness center locker rooms, both of which feature a single-sex sauna.

Passengers who book the Aurea experience or a room in the Yacht Club receive complimentary Thermal Spa access. All other passengers will pay $80 per person, per day. You’ll save a bit with a couples pass, which costs $129 per day, per couple.

The bar scene

I’m low-key obsessed with themed bars on cruise ships and will spend a good chunk of my evenings enjoying their vibe. A few of my favorites are Royal Caribbean’s Pesky Parrot, Carnival Cruise Line’s Alchemy Bar and Virgin Voyages’ Sip Champagne lounge. At first, I was disappointed to realize that, apart from the 1920s-style Le Cabaret Rouge and perhaps the Sports Bar, no bar on Seascape offered the gimmicky-yet-cool atmosphere I seek.

However, after exploring the ship’s nightlife, I changed my tune. I discovered you don’t necessarily need a theme to provide a great bar experience.

Whether I wanted to cure my FOMO or nurture my inner introvert, Seascape had my back. The openness of the Seascape Bar (Deck 5), Shine Bar (Deck 6), and the Champagne & Wine Bar (Deck 7), all of which overlooked the ship’s atrium, provided an ideal setting to people-watch and meet other cruisers. For a quiet drink in a luxurious setting, the Cocktail Bar (Deck 8) hit the mark. Here, I felt as if I were transported to a posh cocktail lounge within a high-end resort. I also found that the Loft Cafe (Deck 8) offered the perfect mix of trivia and tipples.

MSC for Me mobile app

I still hang on to my old-school tendencies to use the cruise ship’s paper daily planner. However, I relied more on the mobile app during this sailing than I ever have on previous cruises with other lines.

The MSC for Me mobile app made our list of best cruise ship apps for good reason. You can stay in touch with your group through its onboard chat capability. You can also book onboard events or dining and add them to your schedule, as well as purchase shore excursions and drink or dining packages.

What I liked most was the notifications feature. Alerts ranged from general information, such as Seascape’s arrival time in our next port of call and the optimum dining hours to avoid crowds at the buffet, to personal reminders of the activities or reservations we had already booked. Throughout the day, I also received reminders of events I didn’t have on my radar. That’s how I discovered the Loft Cafe offered a smaller, quieter continental breakfast. Thanks, MSC for Me app!

Solid plant-based options

Over the last few years, cruise lines have improved slightly in providing decent options for vegan and vegetarian passengers. Some offer a handful of plant-based dishes on every restaurant menu, but I often resort to creating my own meal by combining side dishes on the menu. While I’ve recently added seafood back to my diet, I still gravitate toward plant-based offerings. MSC Seascape had them in spades.

Seascape’s complimentary Marketplace Buffet and Restaurant included a special vegan section, which featured a few plant-based dishes that changed daily, as well as a good selection of vegan or vegetarian dishes mixed in with regular buffet items. Vegan chili, aloo matar with rice and papadum (an Indian curry dish), and Thai vegan sweet garlic roasted eggplant were among several tasty options.

One mainstay was a freshly prepared plant-based burger. It blew me away. The soy patty tasted similar to a traditional beef burger, unlike the dry, flavorless quinoa- or bean-based options I’ve had on many other lines. (I’m looking at you, Guy’s Burger Joint!)

What I didn’t love about MSC Seascape

Confusing specialty dining packages

Specialty dining on MSC Seascape seemed so much more complicated than it should have been due to confusing Dining Experience packages.

To be fair, you can book a table at any of the specialty restaurants independently. They include Butcher’s Cut (steakhouse), Ocean Cay (seafood), Hola! Tacos & Cantina (Mexican) and Kaito Teppanyaki and Kaito Sushi Bar (Asian). The idea behind the Dining Experience packages is that you can save money by purchasing bundles of restaurant meals in advance.

Dining Experience packages are offered in two- to four-restaurant bundles and vary in price depending on the number of restaurants you choose. The prices are $155 per person (for four restaurants), $110 per person (for three restaurants) and $95 per person (for two restaurants), plus an 18% gratuity.

But there’s a catch: When you eat at an onboard restaurant as part of a dining package, you cannot order from the regular menu. Instead, you must choose your dishes from a package-specific, more restrictive menu.

With a package, you can choose a starter, entree and dessert from the Dining Experience menu (for a maximum of three dishes). You’re allowed to replace a dish from the Dining Experience menu with one from the a la carte menu at a cost of 50% of the listed price. You can order any additional dish from the regular menu at full price. The exception was the menu at Hola! Tacos & Cantina, where the “all you can eat” option was included in the Dining Experience package.

Essentially, if you stray outside of the restrictive menu offered in the Dining Experience package, you’ll eat away at your savings.

The Dining Experience menus offered a choice of eight to 10 starters, five entrees and five desserts. I would have preferred to have been able to order from the entire menu. While I was pleased with my sockeye salmon at Butcher’s Cut, I would have loved to have been able to order the shellfish platter and the scallops Benedict offered on the full menu.

You can peruse each restaurant’s Dining Experience menu options before you purchase, so you can see if the dishes you’d like to order are included.

Also, you should price out your intended order. I was surprised to discover that the dining packages don’t actually save you that much money.

We got the three-restaurant package for a total price of $220 for two people. However, our meals at Butcher’s Cut, Kaito Teppanyaki and Hola! Tacos & Cantina purchased a la carte would have cost us a total of $235.90, saving us just shy of $16 (plus the extra gratuity). Based on our spending, we would have lost money had we chosen the two-restaurant package (priced at $190 for a couple) and dined at Butcher’s Cut and Hola! Tacos & Cantina. Our meals at those two restaurants would have cost us $158.98 without the dining package. Buyer beware.

The push to purchase a Dining Experience seemed excessive, too. Within the first hour of boarding the ship, at least five people approached us to discuss buying a dining or drink package. I expected that on embarkation day, but I was taken aback when we continued to encounter hard sells on day two and (surprisingly) on day six of our seven-night sailing.

No ATMs on board

I typically bring extra cash when I cruise. We usually give our cabin steward a tip at the end of the sailing, and I like to have bills for luggage porters and excursion tour guides. Somehow, my husband and I miscommunicated our precruise responsibilities, and neither of us brought enough bills. “No problem,” we thought. “We’ll just hit the ship’s ATM.”

However, after scouring the ship and inquiring at the guest services desk, we discovered there was, in fact, no onboard ATM. The only way to get cash during your sailing is to get an advance against your credit card at the guest services desk. Passengers are charged a 5% fee for the transaction.

MSC Seascape cabins and suites

Seascape offers 2,270 guest rooms, with accommodations for every budget. Choose among more than a dozen cabin categories — inside windowless rooms, ocean-facing balcony cabins and an array of suites. Suites include those located in the MSC Yacht Club, the line’s exclusive private area that offers accommodations across several categories, and two ginormous Owner’s Suites that debuted with this ship. Some suites feature extended balconies with private hot tubs.

Traveling with a larger group? While not specifically listed as “family cabins,” MSC Seascape’s connecting cabins are ideal for families. These include sets of three balcony cabins with connecting doors, essentially creating a single three-bedroom, three-bathroom cabin.?Other options for families traveling together include the two-bedroom Grand Suite Aurea, which can sleep up to eight guests.

MSC Yacht Club guests can spread out in a 667-square-foot Royal Suite with a whopping 355-square-foot balcony or splurge on a 1,055-foot Owner’s Suite featuring a separate living room, a walk-in closet and a 269-square-foot balcony with a private hot tub.

The ship also offers more than 75 accessible cabins for passengers with limited mobility. Cabin features include wider doors, lower closet rods and ramped thresholds, as well as wider bathrooms with roll-in showers, raised toilets, grab rails and lower sinks.

Similar to my issue with MSC’s dining package offerings, the line’s booking setup is a real head-scratcher. Once you’ve chosen your cabin type, you must then select an “experience package” (Bella, Fantastica or Aurea). Your chosen package determines the perks you’ll receive on your sailing but might include things like preferred dining time, welcome amenities, complimentary room service and priority boarding.

My husband and I stayed in a Deluxe Grand Suite (with a balcony) in Seascape’s MSC Yacht Club suite complex on Deck 16. The Yacht Club is MSC Cruises’ “ship within a ship” concept. Our Yacht Club cabin gave us exclusive access to a private pool and sundeck area and included exclusive dining at the Top Sail restaurant, our own lounge and bar areas (with free drinks), and a dedicated concierge and guest services desk.

We also enjoyed private events, such as a cocktail reception with the captain, a whiskey and chocolate tasting, an upscale afternoon tea, and a fun DJ-led island party on the Top 19 pool deck, complete with conga line dancing with crew members. We also made good use of the ever-present nibbles available in the Top Sail Lounge.

Yacht Club fares include gratuities, room service, and premium alcohol and Wi-Fi packages. You do not need to purchase add-ons or pay additional fees like you would in cabins outside the Yacht Club.

Our cabin was spacious and awash in various shades of gray, with pops of yellow. It felt upscale and minimalist and offered an incredibly serene atmosphere.

Our queen-size bed was firm but comfortable, fitted with soft linens and a cozy duvet comforter. However, our pillows were extremely flat and did not provide ample neck support, resulting in a fitful first night of sleep. The next morning, I mentioned our pillow predicament to our butler, and he replaced them with dreamy memory foam pillows.

Two nightstands flanked the bed, each with two drawers and two bedside lights (a larger, brighter light and a small reading light). A single USB outlet was located on one side of the bed above the nightstand. An upholstered bench at the foot of the bed provided additional seating or a spot to stash the decorative pillows at bedtime.

A fixed open-shelving unit separated the sleeping area from the living space. It held a handful of knick-knacks (glued to the shelf). The living area featured a soft and cushy microfiber couch that can also serve as a bed. A lovely glass-and-chrome coffee table and a chair rounded out the seating area.

On the wall opposite the bed and couch was a long two-drawer desk/vanity with a large mirror. A hair dryer was in one drawer, with plenty of extra room for me to stash my flat iron, brush and hairspray. A second drawer held a laundry bag (with order forms) and a small sewing kit. An ottoman was tucked under the desk.

To the right of the desk, a storage space offered two cubbies for shoes or other loose items. It was topped with a Nespresso maker and a tray of snacks and bottled water. A similar storage cubby was to the left of the desk, as well as two cabinet doors that hid the minifridge and pull-out trays filled with coffee cups, saucers, wine glasses, tea bags and Nespresso pods. Above it, a large flat-screen TV hung from the wall.

Two tall clothes closets bookended the wall unit. Both held tons of hangers. The closets also held two cozy robes and two pairs of terrycloth slippers.

The room had two North American outlets, two European outlets and two USB and USB-C ports, all at the desk area, as well as the USB outlet at the nightstand.

Since we were staying in the Yacht Club, our suite came with a complimentary minibar stocked with juice, beer, soda and bottled water (flat and sparkling), as well as mixed nuts, Pringles and Toblerone chocolate. Items were replenished daily. We also received one free bottle of spirits (vodka, gin or whiskey). Probably my favorite room perk was the Nespresso machine, so I could enjoy my morning coffee without having to leave the cabin. I asked our cabin butler, Jeetoo, for cream, and he promptly stashed a large container in our minifridge for me to use the entire week.

Our bathroom was the real highlight for me — the spaciousness was a nice departure from cruise ship bathrooms I’ve previously experienced. Marble floors and countertops created a contemporary and upscale feel, and I appreciated the full-size bottles of MSC-branded soap and lotion. Storage options included two glass shelves above the vanity, one stocked with extra handcloths and shower caps.

Two cabinets underneath held a box of tissues and extra toilet paper but left plenty of room to stow personal items on the shelves. The commodious glass-enclosed shower had both standard and rainfall showerheads. A small chrome shelf in the corner was just big enough to hold your personal shampoo and conditioner. However, the shower featured a bench that served as another toiletry shelf (or a convenient prop for shaving your legs). Our shower was also stocked with full-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel.

The only ever-so-slight niggle I had about the cabin was the positioning of the chair by the coffee table. It blocked the opening of the balcony door, so we had to move the chair to the right to get to the door. However, we couldn’t just leave the chair there permanently for convenience, as it blocked the closet doors. The couch, ottoman and bench at the foot of the bed provided plenty of seating, so the chair was just in the way for the most part.

A valuable perk of booking a Yacht Club suite is the personal embarkation/debarkation experience. Our driver dropped us off by the MSC Yacht Club tent, where we handed over our bags and waited for someone to lead us through the check-in process. From bag drop-off, it took us less than 15 minutes to go through security and check-in (and receive our Yacht Club wristbands). We were escorted to a private waiting area with other Yacht Club passengers and enjoyed free sparkling wine, water, juices and snacks while we waited to board (which was only about another 20 minutes).

Once on board, Yacht Club passengers can head to the club’s exclusive Top Sail Lounge for drinks and canape-style snacks like finger sandwiches and mini desserts while waiting for their cabin to be ready. Almost every table and bar seat was taken when we arrived, though, so we opted to explore the ship instead. After touring the ship, we returned for a relaxing embarkation day lunch in the Top Sail restaurant.

Related: MSC Cruises’ MSC Voyagers Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know

MSC Seascape restaurants and bars

MSC Seascape offers a decent mix of restaurant and bar choices, from complimentary main dining and buffet options to a handful of specialty restaurants. A weeklong sailing is enough time to sample a variety of onboard dining.

Restaurants

Included-in-fare dining

MSC Seascape’s four main dining rooms are The Green Wave (Deck 5), Cala Jondal (Deck 6), Skyline and Aegean (both on Deck 7). All are included in your cruise fare and offer set seating for dinner (7 p.m. and 9 p.m.). Menus are the same across all four restaurants, but each venue features its own specials that change daily.

Your dining times and restaurant will be determined by which accommodation experience you purchase (Bella, Fantastica or Aurea). For example, Bella and Fantastica guests can choose early or late dining in Green Wave, Cala Jondal or Aegean, while Aurea guests can dine anytime between 6 and 9:30 p.m. in the Skyline Restaurant.

The Green Wave also serves breakfast daily and brunch on sea days from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (for all passengers). You don’t need to make a reservation for brunch.

We tried out The Green Wave’s sea day brunch, and it was just OK. My husband ordered a spicy gin bloody mary with bacon but received a classic vodka bloody mary with no garnish. He wasn’t impressed with it.

My go-to brunch order is typically smoked salmon eggs Benedict, but I wasn’t wowed by it here. Additionally, I bit into a pretty sizable fishbone. To be fair, our server whisked away my dish and quickly replaced it with a new Benedict (which was tastier than my original dish). Additionally, the head server apologized profusely and checked back with me to ensure I was satisfied with the second dish.

The Marketplace Buffet and Restaurant provided an impressive selection of dishes. It’s split into three separate sections that were spread out enough to keep queues manageable during peak dining times. Breakfast offerings were plentiful — from scrambled eggs, meat sides (bacon, sausage and ham) and fresh fruit to Mexican-style deviled eggs (topped with black beans, corn and jalapenos), mini cheese quiches and deli meat-wrapped dill pickles, stuffed with cream cheese. Two stations were designated for made-to-order omelets.

For lunch and dinner, stations included soup, salad and pasta; an international counter with rotating Asian, Indian and Italian cuisine; and a carving station with side dishes like mashed potatoes, french fries, baked beans and the like. The designated “For Kids Only” buffet was adorable, with a whimsical arch for kids to enter the food station and colorful banners hanging from the top. Younger cruisers (ages 3 to 11) could fill their plates with pancakes, doughnuts, yogurt and cereal at breakfast and chicken nuggets, broccoli and mashed potatoes during lunch or dinner.

One bummer we encountered was that complimentary soft-serve ice cream was not available 24/7 as it is on other cruise lines. It’s only offered at the “Sweet Treats” section of the buffet during lunch and dinner. I asked several dining staff members to confirm the availability, hoping I’d get a different answer, but alas, it was true. That said, the soft-serve ice cream on this ship was probably the best I’ve had on any cruise. It was rich and sweet — definitely made with less “ice” and more “cream.”

For something light in a laid-back atmosphere, the Loft Cafe lounge serves a modest continental breakfast every day from 8 to 10 a.m. Pair your pastries, bagels or yogurt parfait with a mimosa or espresso martini.

Added-fee dining?

While the specialty dining packages were a bit confusing, added-fee dining itself was fairly cut and dry, and our overall experience at the three added-fee venues we tried was favorable. The specialty restaurants on board Seascape are open nightly for dinner and for lunch on sea days (though prices are the same as the dinner menu). Our dining experience package allowed us to dine at three specialty restaurants during our cruise. We chose Butcher’s Cut, Kaito Teppanyaki and Hola! Tacos & Cantina.

I’m a pescatarian, but I’ve found that steakhouses do seafood particularly well, so I try and dine at them whenever I cruise. My steakhouse seafood streak remains intact, thanks to our meal at Butcher’s Cut. Seafood mains here consisted of sockeye salmon, scallops Benedict and black cod. The sockeye salmon was the only seafood dish listed in the Dining Experience menu, so I chose it. My husband enjoyed his filet mignon. It was cooked perfectly and served with four sauces — forest mushroom, peppercorn, chimichurri and bearnaise.

If you want to order off your set Dining Experience menu (or are paying a la carte), splurge on a dry-aged tomahawk steak for two ($150) or a 24-ounce T-bone ($89). The traditional menu (outside the Dining Experience package) features a la carte items such as crabcakes ($18), foie gras deviled eggs ($14) and a handful of salads ($13-$15) for starters and various entrees such as scallops Benedict ($38), roasted corn-fed chicken ($35) and New York sirloin ($60).

The atmosphere at Butcher’s Cut was moody, with dim lighting, wine-hued leather banquette seating and dark woods. It would be an ideal spot for an anniversary dinner or a romantic meal. From the ambience to the food, this was the best meal of our sailing.

It might seem odd that this fish-loving girl didn’t choose to try Seascape’s Ocean Cay seafood restaurant. That’s because none of the dishes on the limited Dining Experience menu appealed to me. The full (a la carte) menu looked amazing, featuring an impressive list of cold and hot appetizers such as steamed king crab, tuna tartare, littleneck clams, carpaccio and salads. Lobster tail, sea bass and a selection of pastas were among the entree options.

Hola! Tacos & Cantina offers all-you-can-eat tapas-style dining. Choose from freshly made guacamole (it was top notch), tortilla soup, salads and a variety of tacos (including pork, shredded chicken, fish and spiced ground beef). If you have a bigger appetite, tostadas, burritos, tamales or enchiladas will likely fill you up. Our chips and guacamole didn’t stand a chance — we devoured them faster than you can say “margarita.”

Speaking of margaritas, they served one of the best I’ve had in some time. Additionally, my fish tacos were fresh and delicious. We enjoyed our meal, but in hindsight, I would have selected a different restaurant for the Dining Experience package. The price tag of $17.99 per person (for all you can eat) outside the dining package certainly wouldn’t break the bank.

I love an entertaining meal, so Kaito Teppanyaki was our final restaurant choice for our Dining Experience package. It delivered on both amusement and flavor.

Our two dining experience options here were Katana (sea bass fillet and chicken) and Sencho (Atlantic salmon, tiger prawns and sirloin). For $20 more, we could replace one of our choices with Shogun (misoyaki butterfish, scallops, lobster and filet mignon). All choices also included miso soup and a salad, sashimi and sushi, fried rice, and a delicious dessert of caramelized pineapple and ginger ice cream.

Kaito Sushi Bar serves sushi and sashimi plates via a conveyor belt, as well as tempura, teriyaki, soups, noodles, rice and desserts from an a la carte menu.

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar on Deck 6, where you’ll find decadent gelato, milkshakes and all the homemade chocolate candy your heart desires. Specialty coffees and chocolate-forward cocktails are also available here.

MSC Yacht Club passengers and those who booked Fantastica or Aurea experiences enjoy 24-hour complimentary room service delivery. Continental breakfast items are free, but other menu items are priced a la carte.

Yacht Club dining

From lunch on embarkation day to three dinners, all our meals in the Yacht Club’s Top Sail restaurant were fantastic. The atmosphere was upscale and serene, and the service was well paced and always impeccable. Menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner featured a well-rounded selection of starters or salads, entrees and desserts, all included.

For breakfast, we usually dined at the Top 19 sundeck buffet. Choices ranged from made-to-order omelets or eggs (fried or scrambled) and breakfast sides like potatoes, sausage or bacon to pastries, bagels and oatmeal or muesli. The buffet is also open for lunch.

Bars

MSC Seascape is home to a slew of places to get your drink on, from buzzy atrium hot spots to cozy lounges. Yacht Club passengers can enjoy complimentary cocktails in the exclusive Top 19 Bar and the Top Sail Lounge. Most bar menus included a few nonalcoholic options and the rotating “drink of the day” featured a zero-proof option as well.

Passengers can belly up to the atrium’s buzzy Seascape Bar (Deck 5) or take the crystal staircase up a floor or two for a drink at the Shine Bar (Deck 6) or the Champagne & Wine Bar (Deck 7). If there’s no seat at the bar, no worries. Each level featured ample seating areas on both sides of the ship and were popular spots throughout our sailing.

I’m not a sports fan, so I rarely spend any time at onboard sports bars. Seascape’s Sports Bar on Deck 8 was an exception. The spaciousness and whimsical sports-themed decor — including a football-shaped bar — drew me in. You can enjoy craft beers, cocktails and a modest menu featuring game-day favorites like wings, nachos and cheeseburgers. The venue also featured individual booths with TVs where you can enjoy a semiprivate game-watching experience with your friends.

Seascape’s Loft Cafe (Deck 8) is a bar and lounge area where the cruise director films the ship’s daily morning show. It’s also the spot for trivia competitions (which were packed every time we went), live music, continental breakfast and a daily (unhosted) cocktail hour for solo travelers.

If you crave a pre- or post-dinner margarita, Hola! Cantina Bar is conveniently situated across from Hola! Tacos & Cantina. The bar showcases a variety of tequila, mezcal and Mexican beer. Go with a standard margarita or mix it up and create your own margarita or “mezcalita.”

Although the Wine Cellar (Deck 8) is not a traditional bar with a full-time bartender, it offers a decent selection of wines from all over the world — Australia, France, Italy, New Zealand, California and Oregon — via two self-serve wine dispensers available 24/7. Each dispenser holds eight bottles available as 2-, 4- or 5-ounce pours that vary in price from $7 to $30, depending on the brand and pour size. Use your cruise keycard to pay.

Oenophiles will not want to miss a tour of the venue led by the onboard sommelier (typically on the first sea day). Our tour kicked off with a complimentary glass of Champagne and a charcuterie snack. The sommelier educated us on the winemaking process, the world’s distinct wine regions and other wine-related tidbits. We closed out the tour with another free glass of Champs.

A few displays advertised the Wine Cellar’s wine-tasting experiences (from $120 to $200 per person), but we didn’t receive a hard sales pitch to purchase one, which I appreciated.

Just around the corner from the Wine Cellar, the Cocktail Bar is a swanky little enclave. The plush gold and green seating, gold accents and gorgeous artwork created an upscale atmosphere rivaled only by the impressive selection of signature cocktails, such as the rum-forward Penny Lee and the unique gin-and-elderflower liqueur creation, Perfume River. Wine and Champagne are also available, and the menu features a handful of zero-proof mocktails.

Le Cabaret Rouge showcases variety-show-style entertainment with a side of cocktails, wine or Champagne. If you’re into boozy sweet drinks, head to Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar. Indulge in a chocolate martini or a Choco Negroni, made with Bombay Sapphire gin, Campari, red vermouth and Venchi’s signature Chocoviar (caviar-style chocolate microspheres). My rum-infused hot chocolate was out of this world.

The Infinity Pool Bar (Deck 8), Jungle Pool Beach Bar (Deck 16) and Marina Pool Bar (Deck 18) served classic beachy beverages, beer and cocktails. Other places to wet your whistle on board include the Casino Bar (Deck 7), the Uptown Lounge (Deck 8), the Marketplace Buffet Bar (Deck 16), the Sky Bar (Deck 16) and the Horizon Bar (Deck 19).

MSC Seascape activities

Seascape’s pools, hot tubs, splash areas and waterslide areas were hugely popular on my Caribbean cruise. Instead of one large top-deck main pool, you’ll find several smaller pools and a collection of hot tubs throughout the ship. (For a party, check out the two 20-person infinity hot tubs on both sides of Deck 8.) From adults-only spaces to family-focused pools, you’ll find a pool to match your vacation vibe. While sea days by the pools were bustling, none of the areas seemed overly crowded. I almost always noticed available loungers throughout the day.

Seascape’s main Marina Pool on Deck 18 had an extended shallow-water ledge around the pool for those who’d rather cool off and hang out than swim. The pool also featured a circular water fountain island with several loungers and plenty of deck seating around the pool. The pool is surrounded by a few hot tubs, as well.

Also on Deck 18, the Pirates Cove splash park area was a popular hangout for families with kids. It had a large dump bucket, two waterslides and an “adventure trail” (a modest ropes course). Although Pirates Cove opened to the sky, the towering pirate ship layout with two waterslides and a large octopus filled the space, creating more of an indoor water park atmosphere than a sunny pool environment. It was an ideal setup for those who prefer more shade with their splashy fun.

The Jungle Pool on Deck 16 was a clear winner for passengers during our cruise, likely due to its location near the Marketplace Buffet and just outside the Doremiland Kids Club. The walls covered in faux greenery created a jungle-like atmosphere, and when closed, the retractable roof provided a greenhouse vibe. The pool was flanked by two hot tubs. The roof was open for most of our sailing, with the exception of a couple of rainy days.

For a kid-free experience, head to the 18-plus Infinity Pool at the aft (back) of the ship on Deck 8. It’s a lovely, bliss-inducing retreat. Yacht Club passengers have their own private pool and hot tubs on Deck 20.

For more relaxation, the Aurea Spa (Deck 8) features 22 treatment rooms, including three dedicated to couples massages. Passengers can choose from a slew of R&R treatments, such as bamboo, Swedish or deep tissue massages; facials; hair and barber services; and nail services. The spa also offers a dry flotation treatment, which features a zero-gravity component to your massage.

Seascape’s fitness center is located beside Aurea Spa and offers a variety of cardio equipment, spin bikes and free weights. With the exception of a daily complimentary morning yoga stretch class, fitness and yoga classes incur a fee.

The Sports Arena (Deck 20) was home to tennis, basketball, pickleball and other activities. Shuffleboard, pingpong and pool tables were located on Deck 18 near Doremiland. You need to pick up shuffleboard pucks, paddles and the like from the ship’s arcade, Hall of Games.

The arcade itself offers a number of different games, as well as a VR flight simulator and VR motorcycles. You’re charged per game (just tap your cruise card to pay). This area is also where you’ll find the interactive XD Cinema, where you can fight zombies and werewolves or become a ninja for an added fee.

Thrill-seekers will want to try Robotron, a three-person ride that cantilevers passengers over the ship’s pool deck 174 feet above the water. It flips riders upside down and every which way to a pumping soundtrack you pick yourself. I had planned to try it out on our last day, but alas, it was closed due to the weather. Each ride costs $12 per person.

The layout of the dedicated kids club area on Deck 18 was well thought-out. It’s called Doremiland, named after MSC’s mascot, Doremi (like the musical notes). Clubs for all age groups branch off from one main check-in lobby, making drop-off and pickup convenient for families with kids in different groups.

Doremiland is divided into the Baby Club (infants and toddlers to 3 years), the Mini Club (ages 3 to 6), the Junior Club (ages 7 to 11), Young Club (ages 12 to 14) and the Teen Club (ages 15 to 17). Age-appropriate activities for each group range from arts and crafts, movies and story time for the younger set to dance parties, video games and karaoke for tweens and teens. One evening (around 7 p.m.), we walked by the Teen Club area, where about 10 teens were hanging out, laughing and having a great time.

A handful of families were checking out the club during our tour, but I didn’t notice many kids on board, in general. The club director told me our sailing had around 300 kids (ages 1 to 11) on our fully booked sailing. However, it was mid-October, when most children were in school.

You’ll find duty-free shops replete with upscale clothing and accessories, cosmetics and perfumes, spirits, and MSC-branded items along Deck 8.

You can find a fantastic variety of live music throughout the ship on any given night. Seascape Bar (Deck 5), Loft Cafe (Deck 8) and dual pianists at Times Square (Deck 6) always seemed to draw a crowd.

If you like to dance in large groups, don’t miss the theme parties led by the cruise director and activity team. We had a blast at the ship’s top-deck White Party. I especially loved learning party dances from other countries. We started off jiving to “Macarena” and “Cuban Shuffle,” then worked our way across the globe with dances from the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Germany and other countries.

Other ways to pass your time on board include arts and crafts, karaoke, trivia games, and group dance classes. I noticed several passengers playing cards and board games by the pool and in various lounges throughout the day. Check your daily activities sheet or the MSC for Me app for the club schedule and activities. A few times throughout the cruise, I was content to sit at the base of the stunning glass sculpture “Magic of the Sea,” rising four decks from Deck 5, and just people-watch.

MSC Seascape shows

The entertainment on MSC Seascape was terrific. It offered a solid range of live music, big theater performances, and variety-style or comedy shows in smaller venues.

Seascape’s main theater, the Chora Theatre, is on Deck 7. Shows are free, but you must book your spot ahead of time. (Crew members will check your cruise card when you enter.)

Yacht Club passengers get special seating for shows. For our first show, our butler led us to Chora Theatre’s “VIP” Yacht Club seating a few minutes before the performance began. However, the area was near the back of the theater. I prefer seats closer to the stage, so for the following shows, we reserved our spots and arrived early enough to grab seats in the front.

Every show we attended was fun, well choreographed and showcased a talented team of performers. Some productions also featured impressive acrobatics and aerialist performances. Don’t miss “Premiere,” a movie-themed production that takes you on a journey through iconic films. The finale song, “The Greatest Show,” had me gobsmacked. I’d be remiss if I didn’t call out the two lead female vocalists. Their range was incredible, and they both delivered nearly flawless performances. I was completely transfixed by one singer’s version of Adele’s “Easy on Me.”

If you’re a theater geek like me, you’ll appreciate that after each performance, the singers and dancers come down from the stage for photos with passengers.

In addition to the line’s full-cast productions, MSC also brings guest performers on board for limited engagements. During our sailing, we were treated to a concert by singer Lorraine Crosby. She’s known for her vocals on Meat Loaf’s “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” and has toured with Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler and Andy Taylor (of Duran Duran). She performed songs by Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Queen and others.

Chora Theatre was also home to “MasterChef at Sea,” based on the popular cooking show. Here cruisers can see if they have the culinary chops to roast the competition. Audience members took a food-centric quiz, and the best scorers earned a spot in three two-person teams who battled it out on stage. Teams received the same ingredients (bananas, strawberries, chocolate sauce and other items) and were tasked with creating a unique dish that would be judged by the ship’s master chef. Winners won a branded chefs hat and apron — and, of course, bragging rights.

On Deck 7, the secondary theater, Le Cabaret Rouge, is reminiscent of a 1920s-era French cabaret lounge. Smaller than the Chora Theatre, the intimate venue hosted variety-type shows with live music, dancers, singers and aerial artists, as well as late-night DJ sets.

Every performance we saw in both the Chora Theatre and Le Cabaret Rouge was well attended and often completely full.

I didn’t make it to the comedy show, which took place one evening in the Chora Theatre, but I did enjoy the live music around the ship. From steel drum and acoustic guitar music to dueling pianos and solo vocalists, the music on board Seascape was top notch.

MSC Seascape itineraries and pricing

Through October 2025, MSC Seascape is sailing three- and four-night Bahamas voyages to Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve round-trip from Miami. It also sails seven- and eight-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries featuring calls in Cozumel, Mexico; Montego Bay, Jamaica; San Juan, Puerto Rico; or George Town, Cayman Islands.

From November 2025 onward, MSC Seascape will be based in Galveston, Texas. There, it will offer weeklong round-trip Western Caribbean sailings, featuring stops in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Roatan, Honduras.

The line offers competitive pricing on Caribbean sailings out of Miami. At the time of writing, inside cabin prices started at $334 per person (including taxes and fees) for a four-night Bahamas cruise and $369 per person (including taxes and fees) for a seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing. Seven-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston currently start at $594 per person (including taxes and fees).

Related: The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises ships and itineraries

What to know before you go

Required documents

As with any sailing, there’s certain paperwork you’ll need to cruise on MSC Seascape. If you’re a U.S. citizen sailing from and returning to a U.S. port, you can sail with either an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver’s license (you must have both) or a passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months.

Gratuities

Passengers on Bahamas and Caribbean sailings aboard MSC Seascape will pay an automatic service charge of $16 per person, per day; MSC Yacht Club passengers will pay $20 per person, per day. There’s no service charge for children 2 and younger.

Also, an 18% gratuity is added to bills at bars for cruisers who do not have a drink package. If you have a drink package, you’ll pay the 18% service charge when you purchase the package, but not on individual drinks. A 15% service charge is also added to items in minibars and purchases in salons and spas.

Wi-Fi

The line’s MSC for Me app allows passengers on the same ship to chat with one another for free without purchasing a Wi-Fi package. You can also make dining reservations, view the daily schedule and check your onboard bill.

Pricing for Wi-Fi packages varies based on the number of devices you use and whether you plan to just browse the internet and check email or watch shows on Netflix or other streaming services. MSC Yacht Club passengers get complimentary Wi-Fi for up to two devices per person.

Your options for Wi-Fi packages for MSC Seascape are the Browse Cruise Package (you can text on messenger services, browse the web and send emails using your devices) and the Browse and Stream Cruise Package, which adds video chat capabilities, streaming and the ability to post or livestream on social media.

Unlike Wi-Fi plans with many other cruise lines, MSC plans are tied to specific devices, so you can’t switch between them. For example, if you purchase a one-device package, you can’t use it for your mobile phone, log out and then log back in with your laptop. For Wi-Fi on both devices, you must buy a two-device package.

Carry-on drinks policy

Cruisers are not allowed to bring their own alcohol on board MSC Seascape.

Smoking policy

Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is not allowed in cabins or on cabin balconies. Passengers can smoke in a few designated areas, including on Deck 8, just outside both the Loft Cafe and the Uptown Lounge.

Laundry

MSC Seascape does not offer self-service laundry facilities. However, passengers can send their clothing out to be washed, folded, pressed or dry-cleaned for a fee. Yacht Club passengers enjoy free ironing for four items and complimentary laundry for up to three items.

Electrical outlets

Cabins on MSC Seascape all have a mix of 110-volt North American outlets, 220-volt European outlets and USB ports. In my Yacht Club balcony cabin, I had two North American outlets, two European outlets and both USB and USB-C ports at the desk/vanity area. A USB port was located by one side of the bed just above the nightstand.

Currency

The onboard currency for MSC Seascape is the U.S. dollar (as is the case for all MSC itineraries in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and New England, South America, and South Africa, as well as MSC Grand Voyages going to Europe and to Australia).

Drinking age

You must be 21 to consume alcohol on MSC Seascape’s sailings from the U.S.

Dress code

Passengers on MSC Seascape’s warm-weather itineraries can wear T-shirts, shorts, bathing suits and cover-ups during the day when there’s no set dress code.

Folks on our cruise seemed to dress in step with the line’s “smart casual” attire guideline for dinner. That might include khakis with button-down or polo-style collared shirts for men and sundresses or nice pants with a flowy top for women. I saw a few people wearing (unripped) dark jeans.

The dress code was more refined for our “gala” evening on our seven-night sailing. However, on our cruise, clothing ran the gamut. Cruisers wore everything from nice sundresses, linen pants and button-up short-sleeved shirts to sequined gowns, cocktail dresses and suits. I felt completely comfortable in my simple black sundress and gold sandals.

On my sailing, the ship also had “tropical” and “white” nights listed on the daily schedule as suggested attire. If you want to participate, pack accordingly.

Bottom line

MSC Seascape is a flashy vessel with fun shows, great food and an incredible suite complex for cruisers who want to cocoon themselves from the hustle and bustle.

With a number of pool areas, including one with a retractable roof, this vessel is well suited to warmer itineraries. Add to that a buzzy nightlife and activities galore, and you have a fantastic ship for singles, couples, multigenerational families and friend groups.

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