MSC Bellissima Ship Review and Photo tour
MSC is one of our favourite cruise lines, and the Bellissima is in the top of its game. Come and explore the MSC Bellissima in this ship review and photo tour. We have been on board for over 3 weeks and have reviewed what MSC’s ship has to offer. Here is what we thought of this spectacular ship.
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MSC Bellissima Ship Review for Family’s
MSC are well renowned for their glamorous ships, Swarovski staircases, mirrors and champagne everywhere you look but are they good for families? Well aside from their opulence they have a surprising amount of activities and choice for people with young families.
Is a MSC Bellissima a Good Choice for Families and Children?
This is the incredible Atrium which is jaw dropping on your entrance. The whole ship screams elegance and technology.
Families have been well catered for and considered when building the MSC Bellissima cruise ship. MSC Cruises have been voted the best cruise line for families and you can certainly see why. In fact, MSC is very kid-friendly with lots of activities, clubs, and spaces for them to hang out.
MSC Bellissma Kids Clubs?
Yes, the MSC Bellissima kids clubs are fantastic, and there are five clubs which are broken down into specific age groups. They are partnered with Lego, Duplo and Chicco, giving kids the very best entertainment and products that are high-end. These are the kids’ clubs on Bellissima;
- Baby Club for under 3 years
- Mini Club 3-6 years
- Junior club 7-11
- Young club 12-14
- and Teen club 15-17.
MSC Cruises newest ship has over 700 square metres of kids playroom in total with six different child mascots and 7 playrooms. You can find the kids clubs on Deck 18.
MSC have partnered with big brands such as Lego and Chicco to ensure your children have a magical stay.
MSC Bellissima Children’s Water Park?
Check out the pool facilities and the outdoor Grand Canyon Aqua park onboard Bellissima as it is the place to be for kids. There are three slides, including a huge champagne bowl and two racing tubes, all on deck 19.
For smaller children there is an aqua play area with mini slides, water shooters and a smaller pool. Around the outside of the pool is a Himalayan bridge. Adults and kids alike can attach themselves safely to the rope assault course and cross the ship 80 metres above the water!
MSC Pools
There are also other pools that children are allowed in, ( this may not include children in nappies) on the ship these include the Grand Canyon pool and the main Atmosphere pool.
Entertainment Onboard MSC Bellissima
In the Sportsplex, you will find the Virtual Games Arcade. Here you can find two life-size authentic F1 racing simulators, an XD theatre, and even a bowling alley.
MSC Entertainment
The choice of entertainment onboard the new MSC cruise ship is huge. There are over 210 weekly activities for adults and 300 hours of live music per cruise. There are two Cirque du Soleil shows on the Bellissima which have been created exclusively for MSC.
Syma and Varélla will take you on a journey of love, sea adventures and acrobatic feats. The shows have their designated carousel lounge which had been purpose-built to entertain guests. Prepare to be amazed.
Along the Mediterranean style promenade is a 96 meter long LED screen which change by the hour. You can see shows and fireworks across the ceiling along with shows along the prom.
Discos are usually held in the sports arena, but you can expect to find live music all around the ship and parties on the promenade
How Kid Friendly is MSC Bellissma, and What Family Activities can you Expect Onboard?
There are plenty of activities onboard Bellissima such as sports activities in sportsplex, dance classes, quizzes, lounges and lots of live music. Adding to this there are shows every night in the London Theatre. You will be hard pressed to not find something to do.
The latest innovation from MSC is the new Virtual reality maze. Don a headset and get immersed in your favourite games all in 4K definition. This was one of my favourite activities while onboard. In fact, it seems so real, my husband actually fell over!
There are a range of sports on offer include a huge arena with tournaments and activities throughout the day.
There is also a dedicated running track and fully stocked gym for those who wish to keep up their fitness levels whilst holidaying.
Dinnertime, Food and Beverages
There are 12 dining venues and 20 bars providing 20 varieties of champagne onboard MSC Bellissima and the kiddies they are entirely catered for.
Dinner is served in one of the three main restaurants where you will be allotted a table. The main dining room is also open for lunch and breakfast for a more relaxing retreat. You can also eat in the Marketplace buffet with a wide array of choices.
One of the main reason that make MSC Bellissima for families perfect is their catering options for children. The kitchen serve tasty and healthy dishes that are available in the dedicated kids area of the buffet. During mealtimes the main restaurants offer ‘special kids’ menus created specifically by a team of nutritionists who also cater for a variety of allergies and other special dietary requirements. (Always ask your server if you are unsure.)
When we dined we did have some issues with Gluten free choices as the menus were not in full service but we were rest assured this would not be the case when the ships were fully operational.
There is also a menu for babies which consists of a special selection of dishes suitable for babies between 6 and 12 months of age, thanks to the new partnership with the Osservatorio Chicco. You can also find a children menu in the yacht club.
So let’s not Forget the Parents! Specialty Dining on the Bellissima
If you prefer you can choose a dining package or choose to pay a little more to try one of the specialty restaurants.
Hola the tapas bar has been created by the culinary chef Ramón Freixa. The tapas bar features traditional tapas and a range of cocktails and wines.
L’Atelier Bistrot is a new concept with a selection of cheese and charcuterie as well as traditional French dishes.
The Butchers Cut is an American steakhouse restaurant serving cuts of steak and an open kitchen so you can see all the action. They also serve craft beers, American wines and cocktails.
Kaito teppanyaki and sushi bar would be great fun for families! You can watch you dinner cooked right in front of your eyes. Or pop next door for some mouth-watering fresh sushi whilst people watching along the promenade.
If you have a sweet tooth then you could all visit Jean Philippes chocolat & cafe on the promenade deck. Watch chocolate being made in the open kitchen taste handmade chocolate or macaroons or treat yourself to a hot chocolate or mocha.
Hop across the promenade to Jean Philippe Maury’s Crepes and Gelato, for some mouth-watering surprises.
| Restaurant | Cuisine Type | Kid-Friendly Rating |
| Hola Tapas Bar | Spanish (Chef Ramón Freixa) | Moderate (shareable plates) |
| L’Atelier Bistrot | French (cheese & charcuterie) | Adults preferred |
| The Butcher’s Cut | American Steakhouse | High (classic menu items) |
| Kaito Teppanyaki & Sushi | Japanese | Excellent (interactive cooking) |
| Jean Philippe Chocolat & Cafe | Desserts & Chocolate | Perfect for all ages |
Cabins on the MSC Bellissima for Larger Families?
The MSC Cruises Bellissima has 175 cabins for families which can accommodate up to 10 guests with interconnected doors and balconies that join together. These unique cabins have been clustered together to enable larger families more choice. All cabins have a lock at the top to stop small children from opening the doors. You can find these cabins on the MSC Bellissima deck plans.
Overall the MSC Bellissima for Families is a great choice and they have pulled out all of the stops in catering for families large and small onboard.
MSC Kids Clubs Overview
Take a look at our in-depth MSC Bellissima kids club guide here.
I was invited on the MSC Bellissima on a press trip all thought and opinions are my own. We were recently invited to join the MSC Bellissima for her naming ceremony and explore her for a few days. MSC are the world’ largest privately owned cruise line and a market leader in Europe. As brand ambassadors we got to see the Bellissima progress from shore to sea and finally her naming ceremony in Southampton. So just how kid friendly is MSC Bellissma for families?
FAQ about MSC Bellissima
Can babies under 6 months participate in any kids club activities on MSC Bellissima?
Babies under 6 months are not enrolled in the formal Baby Club program, but parents can utilize the baby facilities and spaces for supervised independent play. The ship provides baby-changing facilities throughout and the Baby Club staff can offer guidance on baby-friendly times to use the spaces, though supervision remains the parents’ responsibility for this age group.
Are the Cirque du Soleil shows suitable for young children or only older kids and adults?
The two Cirque du Soleil shows, Syma and Varélla, are designed as family-friendly performances featuring acrobatic feats and visual storytelling without dialogue, making them accessible to children as young as 4-5 years old. However, shows run approximately 60-75 minutes, so parents should consider their child’s ability to sit attentively for that duration. Some performances may have dimmed lighting and dramatic music that could startle very young or sensitive children.
Is there a charge for using the F1 racing simulators and Virtual Reality Maze?
Yes, both the F1 racing simulators and the Virtual Reality Maze are premium experiences that require an additional fee beyond the cruise fare. Prices vary but typically the F1 simulators cost around €12-15 per session and the VR Maze ranges from €15-20 per experience. Some packages may be available that bundle multiple activities at a reduced rate, which can be purchased through guest services or at the Sportsplex directly.
How do the interconnecting family cabins work for larger groups of 8-10 people?
The 175 family cabins designed for larger groups feature connecting interior doors between adjacent rooms, and in balcony configurations, some have adjoining outdoor spaces as well. Families booking these must typically reserve them as a connected suite package, and they’re clustered in specific deck areas to keep large family groups close together. Each cabin maintains its own bathroom facilities, and the connecting doors have high-mounted locks to prevent young children from opening them unsupervised.
What happens if my child has a food allergy not covered by the standard kids menu?
MSC Bellissima’s dining team can accommodate most food allergies and dietary restrictions with advance notice provided at booking or immediately upon boarding. Parents should speak directly with the head waiter or maître d’ during the first dinner service to discuss specific requirements. While the review noted gluten-free options were limited during the preview sailing, MSC confirms that fully operational sailings stock comprehensive allergen-free ingredients and can modify dishes across all dining venues including the kids-specific areas.
Who Should Book MSC Bellissima for Their Next Cruise
This ship is perfect for travelers who prioritize entertainment and destination over all-inclusive resort-style cruising.
You’ll love MSC Bellissima if you:
- Want access to exclusive Cirque du Soleil performances without paying Las Vegas prices
- Appreciate European travel culture and don’t mind adjusting to continental service styles and dining rhythms
- Enjoy visually stunning ships where design and atmosphere create energy and excitement
- Plan to spend significant time in ports rather than using the ship as your primary vacation destination
- Can budget for beverage packages and upcharges without feeling nickel-and-dimed
- Value strategic spending on specialty dining and experiences over all-inclusive pricing that inflates base fares
Consider a different ship if you:
- Prefer North American cruise culture with familiar service expectations and primarily English-speaking environments
- Want most beverages, gratuities, and dining options included in your base cruise fare
- Prioritize quiet, relaxed sea days over energetic, crowded pool deck atmospheres
- Need extensive included activities and programming to stay entertained during sea days
- Expect luxury-level cabin soundproofing and boutique hotel-quality accommodations
The ideal Bellissima guest is someone who researches before booking, understands what they’re paying for, takes advantage of pre-cruise packages, and approaches the experience as a European cruise vacation rather than expecting an American product with an Italian name.
