MSC Musica Heads Into Major Refit Ahead of South America Season

​MSC Cruises is giving one of its longest-serving ships a major makeover, with MSC Musica now in drydock at the Palumbo Malta Shipyard for an extensive refurbishment.

The 2,550-passenger ship arrived at the Maltese shipyard earlier this month and is expected to spend around 45 days undergoing a series of upgrades. The project is part of MSC Cruises’ wider programme to modernise the four ships in its Musica Class.

One of the biggest changes will be the introduction of MSC Yacht Club, MSC Cruises’ premium ship-within-a-ship concept. The refurbished MSC Musica will feature 63 Yacht Club suites, with many of the new suites created by combining existing smaller staterooms.

Guests staying in the Yacht Club will have access to a collection of private facilities, including an exclusive restaurant, lounge and dedicated sun deck. The area will also include two whirlpools, a grill restaurant and bar, while Yacht Club guests will receive 24-hour butler and concierge service.

The addition will bring MSC Musica in line with the rest of the Musica Class. Once the programme is completed, MSC Poesia, MSC Magnifica, MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra will all feature MSC Yacht Club.

The refurbishment is also set to give MSC Musica more choice when it comes to dining. Two speciality restaurants are being added: Butcher’s Cut, an American-style steakhouse, and Kaito Sushi Bar, which will offer Japanese and Asian-inspired dishes. The changes form part of MSC’s broader effort to introduce some of its established dining concepts to older ships across the fleet.

MSC Musica’s wellness facilities are also receiving attention during the drydock. The MSC Aurea Spa will be refreshed, while the ship’s fitness offering will be upgraded with a new gym and fitness facilities.

Together with the new dining venues and Yacht Club, the changes are designed to give the 2006-built ship a significantly updated onboard experience without replacing its core Musica Class identity.

​Following the refurbishment, MSC Musica is scheduled to head across the Atlantic without passengers before beginning its South American programme.

The ship is expected to return to service in Brazil on November 16, 2026, with a series of cruises departing from ports including Santos and destinations along Brazil's southeastern and southern coasts.

The ship's 2026-27 programme will include shorter three- and four-night cruises, alongside longer seven- to nine-night itineraries visiting destinations such as Búzios, Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro and other Brazilian ports.

After its South American season, MSC Musica is scheduled to return to Europe for summer 2027, when it will operate Western Mediterranean cruises.

MSC Musica entered service in 2006 as the first ship in MSC Cruises' four-vessel Musica Class. The ship celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this year, making the refurbishment a significant milestone in its career.

When it returns to service later this year, passengers will find a ship that combines its original Musica Class design with a number of newer MSC Cruises concepts — most notably the Yacht Club, Butcher's Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar.

For MSC Cruises, the project is another step in bringing its older ships closer to the product offered aboard its newer vessels, while extending the commercial life of an established part of the fleet.