Japan and Taiwan with MSC Bellissima

Welcome aboard MSC Cruises! The cruise line was founded in 1970 and is the cruise division of the container shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company. MSC Cruises is the world's largest privately family-owned cruise line (Aponte family) and has many years of expertise on the seven seas. The Aponte family has also established an independent charitable organisation, the MSC Foundation, which is also present on board and supports many humanitarian and environmental projects.

MSC Cruises offers its guests a Mediterranean and modern lifestyle at a good price-performance ratio. Guests of all ages feel at home on the sometimes colourful, sometimes understated ships. The ships are also well received on the German market and the number of German guests is growing steadily. A knowledge of English is recommended, although some services are also offered in German.

With the MSC Yacht Club, the ‘ship-within-a-ship concept’, MSC Cruises offers an exclusive area on selected ships with luxurious suites, its own restaurant with five-star service and other amenities.

• Category: Meraviglia Class
• Built in: 2019
• Home port: Valetta
• Length: 316 metres
• Tonnage: 171,598 BRZ
• Speed: 23,15 knots
• Decks: 19
• Passengers: 5,655
• Crew: 1595
• Language: German, Italian, English, French, Spanish
• Currency: € or US-$ (depending on the destination)
• Internet: Starlink from SpaceX, internet café and Wi-Fi (fee required)

The 2,244 staterooms on the MSC Bellissima will be designed modern and comfortable, with a bathroom (shower and WC), minibar, safe and TV. The interior staterooms are approx. 16 sqm in size while the oceanview staterooms are between 15-22 sqm. The balcony staterooms are approx. 19-22 sqm and the suites start from 27 sqm according to the stateroom category. Some balcony staterooms and some suites have a bathtub. In addition, there are new family staterooms which can be combined from 2 or 3 staterooms- for more comfort for all family members. Even single travelers can enjoy their cruise in about 12 qm single interior staterooms that are bookable. Furthermore, there are the duplex maisonette suites with private whirlpool on board as well as an extended MSC Yacht Club with numerous solariums, jacuzzis and a separate member-only restaurant. Furthermore, there is the first 'crystal cabin' on board the Bellissima with shiny crystal elements everywhere to extend the beauty of the ship.

On board, guests can expect an overwhelming atmosphere on one of the most modern ships. The atmosphere on the ships of MSC Cruises is pleasant and relaxed, many entertainment and sports facilities provide variety on board and culinary delights are offered in the various restaurants. The typical cheerful italian way of life awaits you on board the Bellissima.

The cuisine on the MSC Bellissima is, as is typical of the cruise line's ships, Mediterranean in style and offers culinary variety and diversity in many different restaurants. Drinks are available for an extra charge or you can take advantage of a drinks package.

The following restaurants are included in the price:

• Marketplace Buffet (buffet restaurant): A variety of dishes from the hot and cold buffet as well as Mediterranean delicacies await you here.
• Il Ciliegio (main restaurant): Sample freshly prepared dishes in an elegant ambience.
• Le Cerisier (main restaurant): Enjoy fine dining in the à la carte restaurant.
• Lighthouse Restaurant (main restaurant): The modern restaurant offers international dishes.
• Posidonia restaurant (main restaurant): Look forward to culinary highlights and exquisite dishes.

Guests of the MSC Yacht Club also have access to an exclusive restaurant with gourmet creations and five-star service.

You pay a surcharge in the following speciality restaurants:

• Butcher's Cut: savour high-quality Angus beef, for example, in the steakhouse.
• Hola! Tapas bar: Try Latin American and Mexican dishes such as tacos, nachos or empanadas.
• Kaito Sushi Bar: Sample Japanese specialities such as exquisite sushi or soup.
• Kaito Teppanyaki: You can watch Japanese delicacies being prepared at the cooking stations.
• Sea Pavilion by Jereme Leung (on cruises in China): Look forward to contemporary Asian fusion cuisine.

In the various lounges and bars (not included), you can enjoy a relaxing cappuccino in the Jean-Philippe Maury Chocolat & Café in the afternoon, savour delicious cocktails in the Carousel Lounge or have an aperitif before dinner in the Infinity Bar. We also recommend the Champagne Bar, where oysters, crab and caviar are served alongside champagne and wine.

On board there is a huge entertainment area:a huge water park as well as a huge sports area, the Sportplex. Here, you can do sports during the day . During the night, the Sportplex will be changed to a disco. At the F1 simulator you can take part in exciting races and challenge the other travellers. With your family, you can find out who throws the most ‘strikes’ in the full-size bowling alley or take part in dance competitions in the DOREMIX Family Disco with the mascot Doremi as DJ. The indoor boardwalk spans two decks and features shops, bars, specialty restaurants, and the largest LED screen at sea - a digital sky that provides insights into ongoing events, sunrises and sunsets, and the nightly starry sky. In addition, you can look forward to various events with special themes such as the White Party, Glow Party, Sunshine Party and Golden Party.

There is plenty to discover on board for children of all ages: Thrill seekers can master a high rope course 80 metres above the sea. In the water park, pool areas and several slides, a funnel slide and two fast-paced tube slides, await for plenty of fun. In the LEGO® play area, children have the opportunity to build great things every day. In addition, parents and children can compete against each other and win great prizes in various family game shows such as the LEGO® game show or the MSC BOOM show with modern technology.

Childcare is also provided: babies and toddlers aged between six months and two years are looked after by certified staff in the Baby Club, which was created in collaboration with the leading children's brand Chicco®. Toddlers aged three to six play in the MSC Mini Club and the Junior Club looks after children aged seven to eleven. MSC's experienced entertainers look after the children with various games and many sporting activities. During the day, 12 to 14-year-olds in the Young Club and 15 to 17-year-olds in the Teens Club can enjoy clubs equipped with the latest consoles, games and VR technology. In the Teens Club, special events such as an exclusive teens' edition of the Silent Disco also provide entertainment.

The European-Italian atmosphere also makes the MSC Bellissima a lively and cheerful ship. The ship is recommended for anyone who wants variety, entertainment and "colorful" days on board. Families will feel very comfortable too. This ship of superlatives is itself a destination.