MSC Cruises boasts one of the best fleets of extraordinary modern cruises. MSC, an Italian-born and built company, started sailing in the year 1970. Since then it has created a name for itself in the luxury cruise line industry.

MSC Cruises is generally classified as a contemporary, mass-market cruise line, placing it in the same category as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian, rather than being "high-end" like Silversea or Regent Seven Seas. However, MSC offers a "ship-within-a-ship" concept called the MSC Yacht Club, which is very much a high-end, luxury experience. Guests in the Yacht Club enjoy 24-hour butler service, a private lounge, a dedicated restaurant with fine dining, and an exclusive pool deck, all while having access to the massive amenities of the main ship. For the standard cabins, MSC is known for its beautiful, modern Italian design and Mediterranean flair, but the experience is geared toward families and a wide demographic, featuring large-scale entertainment and buffet-style dining. While the standard experience is affordable and high-quality, it lacks the intimacy and all-inclusive nature of a true luxury line. Therefore, whether MSC is "high end" depends entirely on which class of service you book; the Yacht Club rivals luxury lines, while the main experience is a standard, fun-filled mega-ship vacation.