MSC Bellissima is the latest cruise ship to join the MSC fleet. Built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, she is the sister ship to MSC Meraviglia (launched September 2016).
Naming Ceremony
PackThePJs was invited onboard MSC Bellissima when she docked in Southampton, UK, on 1 March 2019. Here, the following evening, a lavish naming ceremony that included Holly Willoughby (host), a performance by Andrea Bocelli and his son, along with entertainment by Nile Rogers and Cirque du Soleil at Sea, culminated with Sophia Loren becoming MSC Bellissima’s Godmother.
Naming Ceremony: Cirque du Soleil at Sea
Cirque du Soleil at Sea character during the Naming Ceremony
Following the ceremony, on Monday 4 March 2019, MSC Bellissima left Southampton on her maiden cruise to Genoa in Italy.
Ship Statistics
Some quick facts about MSC Bellissima:
- Gross tonnage: 171,598 tons
- Length: 315.83m
- Height: 67m
- Beam: 43m
- Maximum speed: 22.7 knots
- Number of passengers: 5,686
- Number of crew: 1,564
Our Cabin
For our 2-night visit, our cabin was 10185, a B2 Balcony Cabin. Here’s some photos:
A view of our B2 Balcony Cabin
Another view of our B2 Balcony Cabin
B2 Balcony Cabin – Bathroom
ZOE
In each cabin you’ll find a ZOE. ZOE is the world’s first artificial intelligence cruise assistant (a bit like an Alexa, but for cruising). She can help with any language issues you may have (she understands 7 languages), and can answer hundreds of questions about your cruise. ZOE can help you with dining reservations, booking excursions, checking your bill, etc.
ZOE – MSC’s Artificial Intelligence Cruise Assistant
Our Pictorial Tour
Over the following weeks we will be posting more in-depth articles about specific elements of the ship (restaurants, kids clubs, entertainment etc). To give you a taste of what’s to come, here’s a photographic walking tour of MSC Bellissima, deck by deck … but, I’m going to start by showing you the famous Swarovski staircases, and the Promenade with its 80-metre-long LED dome ceiling.
Swarovski Staircase in the Atrium
Atrium staircases
Promenade with LED dome ceiling
The ever-changing LED ceiling
Deck 5
Posidonia Restaurant
Posidonia Restaurant – Entrance
Deck 6
Main Restaurants – Il Ciliegio, Le Cerisier, Lighthouse Restaurant
Main dining room (Image Courtesy of MSC Cruises)
Speciality Restaurant – Hola! Tapas Bar by Ramon Freixa
HOLA! Tapas Bar
Speciality Restaurant – L’Atelier Bistrot
L’Atelier Bistrot
Edge – Cocktail Bar
Edge Cocktail Bar
Jean-Philippe Chocolat and Café
The counter at Jean-Philippe Chocolat and Café
Jean-Philippe Crepes and Gelato
Jean-Philippe Crepes and Gelato
London Theatre
London Theatre
Galleria Bellissima (Decks 6 and 7)
View down to the Promenade from the Gallery with the Atrium in the distance
Shopping and Photos
MSC Shop
Deck 7
Speciality Restaurant – Butcher’s Cut
Butcher’s Cut – Gallery Seating
Speciality Restaurant – Kaito Sushi Bar
Kaito Sushi Bar
Speciality Restaurant – Kaito Teppanyaki
Kaito Teppanyaki
Carousel Lounge
Carousel Lounge
Champagne Bar
Champagne Bar
Imperial Casino
Tables in the Imperial Casino
Imperial Casino
Masters of the Sea English Pub
Masters of the Sea English Pub
TV Studio and Bar
TV Studio and Bar
Spa and Beauty – Barber Shop
Barber Shop
Spa and Beauty – MSC Aurea Spa
Aurea Spa
Spa and Beauty – Thermal Area
Spa Thermal Area
Deck 15
Marketplace Buffet
Marketplace – Desserts
Grand Canyon Bar
Grand Canyon Bar
The Grand Canyon Pool
Grand Canyon Pool
Marketplace Bar
Marketplace Bar
Atmosphere Bar North
The Atmosphere Bar North (there’s also a South Bar too)
Atmosphere Ice Cream Bar
The Atmosphere Ice Cream Bar
Atmosphere Pool
Atmosphere Pool
Deck 16
Amusements – Bowling
Bowling Lane
Amusements – F1 Simulator
F1 Simulator
Amusements – Virtual Games Arcade
Virtual Games Arcade
Amusements – VR Maze
VR Maze
Amusements – XD Interactive Cinema
Interactive Cinema (Image Courtesy of MSC Cruises)
Sports Bar
Sports Bar
Horizon Amphitheatre (decks 16 to 18) and Horizon Pool
View of the Horizon Amphitheatre (decks 16 to 18) and Horizon Pool
Horizon Bar
Horizon Bar
Sportplex
Sportplex
MSC Gym (Technogym)
MSC Gym
Deck 18
Attic Club
Attic Bar
Sky Lounge
Sky Lounge
Kids and Teens – Baby Club Chicco (under 3 years)
Baby Club Chicco
Kids and Teens – Mini Club Lego (3-6 years)
Mini Club Lego
Kids and Teens – Junior Club Lego (7-11 years)
Junior Club Lego (Image Courtesy of MSC Cruises)
Kids and Teens – Young Club (12-14 years)
Young Club
Kids and Teens – Teen Club (15-17 years)
Teen Club
Kids and Teens – Doremi Lab
Doremi Lab
Kids and Teens – Doremi Studio
Doremi Studio
Deck 19
Arizona Bar
Part of the Arizona Bar
Arizona AquaPark
Arizona Aquapark
Himalayan Bridge
Arizona Aquapark
MSC Yacht Club – Pool, Sundeck and Bar
Unfortunately we couldn’t get many photographs of the MSC Yacht Club as it was being used for functions.
MSC Yacht Club Pool, Sundeck and Bar (Image Courtesy of MSC Cruises)
We didn’t manage to get ALL the way around the ship, because a lot of rooms were in use for functions. Yet we hope we’ve managed to give you an idea of the different features and areas. Over the coming weeks we will focus on the kids clubs, restaurants, entertainment etc.
If you’d like to read more about an MSC cruise, please visit their UK website here.
Wow, this looks incredible. Cruise ships have never appealed but this looks pretty amazing!
This one definitely has a lot on board to keep most people entertained!
Wow! I’m completely speechless. I’ve never been on a cruise ship and this just looks unbelievable! Think I need to get on one!
Oh you must … seeing is believing
Oh my goodness. It is mindblowing how huge these cruise ships are and how beautiful. The cabins look very nice too. What an experience with all of that entertainment on offer, wow!
Oh there’s definitely no need to want to get off it! So much to do!
We went on event on one of the MSC liners and the Swarovski Staircase in the Atrium was the highlight for me. This ship looks bright and modern. I would love to go on another cruise
If it was Preziosa or Meraviglia I’m wondering if our paths crossed yet we never realised?!
This is a beautiful place indeed. I would love to experience it all one day. Never been on a ship for long.
Oh you must take a cruise – they are incredible!
I live near Southampton and we saw this when it was in dock and wow it was big! It looks amazing inside as well
If I lived in Southampton I’d become a nerdy cruise ship spotter! I’d live on the top carpark floor of Ikea for a bird’s eye view!!
Gosh there’s so much to see and do there. The rooms look incredible. You’d certainly never get bored. We’ve never been on a cruise but we’d like to try eventually
There is a lot to see and do on this ship, definitely.
Oh my god, this is an incredible cruise ship, the cabin, the gym and all the entertainment just makes me want to book it.
Well it is going to be based in the UK for a portion of 2019, so there’s time to book!!
I love the Swarovski staircases on MSC ships, so glamorous
They are rather fabulous aren’t they – but SO expensive per step!
Looks like a lot of fun! I’ve never been on a cruise. I need to change that! x
There are cruises to suit every type of traveller … so you really must go on one x
I have never been on a cruise ship before. Gosh, it is huge and stunning! I really can’t believe these things stay afloat and the entertainment looked amazing too.
I know, it defies belief that it is actually floating!
I have been on a few TUI cruise ships before, but none even come close to how amazing this one looks. It’s huge! The F1 simulation would be something I’d be interested in.
TUI cruises are good (well, Marella now) … I’ve never been on those, but if you like the F1 simulator there’s a few cruise ships I can think of with features that might appeal to you!
This looks so luxurious! I love the look of your cabin especially, and having the ZOE system sounds like such a cool and helpful idea!
The cabin was a good size – and well kitted out, so we had plenty of space. (Being British we could have done with a kettle and some teabags though!) ZOE will be a great addition – it was experiencing teething problems when we were on board though
It looks absolutely amazing! The cabins look to be a good size too which I wasn’t expecting.
Yes the cabin was a good size. Balcony was a little shallow – a little bit bigger would be nicer – but we could live with that
I’m always shocked at just how big these liners are, housing an array of shops, restaurants and activities – not to mention the beautiful accommodation
They are amazing. It genuinely is a floating resort
Wow I never realised how luxurious cruises can be or how many activities there are inside, I think I’d get lost. The only downside is the bedrooms look quite small, I’d have to make sure I was very tidy!
The cabins are not too bad to be honest – there’s lots of storage cupboards and wardrobes! And as for getting lost – there are loads of digital infoboards all over the ship to guide you!
I need to go on another cruise and soon!! I love their crystal staircases, so opulent. Looks like there is plenty to keep all ages occupied onboard
This ship definitely has plenty to do on board!
I have never been on a cruise ship although we would love to try one out. It was on our travel bucket list for this year but it may now have to wait until next year instead. Though this is stunning!
We are hoping to holiday on one later this year – just can’t decide on where!
This looks incredible! The Swarovski staircase is truly eyecatching, isn’t it?!
The staircases are famous! The only thing is trying to get up and down them – there’s always people posing for selfies on them ?
oh wow this looks amazing, ive never been on a cruise but its on my list!
There’s such a huge choice of ships and itineraries now – we struggle to know what one to book on next!
This looks awesome! I really want to take my son on it for a holiday
It’s all a bit overwhelming! There’s just soooooo much choice. The only cruise I’ve ever been on was with MSC and the ship was nothing like this, I think it only had 3 or 4 restaurants! Great to see around as I happened to be in Genoa last year in a hotel right next to this ship when it was being named with Sophia Loren on board. It was quite the party, with amazing fireworks.
I am bring 48 tour members to MSC BELLISSIMA sailing from Dubai on 30 Nov 2019 to 07 Dec 2019. Looking forward to a wonderful experience.
I am bringing 48 tour members to MSC BELLISSIMA sailing from Dubai on 30 Nov 2019 to 07 Dec 2019. Looking forward to a wonderful experience.