Japan Highlights

The MSC for Me app works on the free ship network, but actual internet for browsing, email, or anything beyond the app requires a paid package.

Alcoholic drinks are capped at 15 per person per day with any drink package (since April 2025). All minors ages 3-20 in the cabin must purchase the Minors Package if adults buy a drink package.

Gratuities cannot be pre-paid online; you must call MSC customer service to pre-pay, or they are charged at the end of your cruise. Children ages 2 and up are charged the full daily gratuity.

Unlike some competitors, MSC does not offer free continental breakfast room service for standard cabin guests.

Daily gratuities of $16/person/night apply to all guests ages 2 and older, including children. A family of four with two kids on a 7-night cruise pays $448 in gratuities alone.

All guests in the same cabin must purchase the same drink package tier, including minors ages 3-20 who must get the Minors Package if adults purchase any drink package.

MSC's advertised fares for the North American market are often very low but exclude gratuities, port fees, and government taxes that can add $200+ per person to the total.

Since April 2025, alcoholic drinks are capped at 15 per person per day even with an unlimited drink package. Non-alcoholic drinks remain truly unlimited.