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Major Refit Brings MSC Yacht Club To MSC Magnifica

MSC Magnifica in dry dock at Palumbo Malta Shipyard, cranes and harbor backdrop highlight the cruise ship's refit and new MSC Yacht Club work underway
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4 min read

Key points

  • MSC Magnifica entered dry dock at Palumbo Malta Shipyard for an extensive refit
  • Refurbishment adds a 63 suite MSC Yacht Club, Butcher's Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar, and an enhanced Aurea Spa and Technogym Fitness Center
  • Work is slated to finish in December 2025 with full Yacht Club service from summer 2026 on Northern Europe itineraries
  • Sister ship MSC Poesia will enter dry dock in February 2026 for similar upgrades
  • MSC frames the program as part of a fleetwide push to expand premium offerings

Impact

Booking Window
Guests eyeing Northern Europe in summer 2026 can now plan for full Yacht Club service on Magnifica
Cabin Availability
New suite inventory increases premium category choice, watch for early sellouts on popular sailings
Dining & Wellness
Two specialty restaurants and an expanded spa and fitness footprint diversify onboard options
Fleet Context
Poesia follows in February 2026, signaling more Musica class upgrades to come
Advisor Angle
Upsell potential grows with ship within a ship perks, private areas, and bundled concierge services

MSC Cruises has begun a major renovation of MSC Magnifica, sending the Musica class ship into dry dock at Palumbo Malta Shipyard in Malta this week. The project adds the line's signature MSC Yacht Club with 63 suites, two specialty restaurants, and expanded wellness facilities. Work is scheduled to wrap up in December 2025, and the full Yacht Club experience will debut in summer 2026 when Magnifica operates Northern Europe itineraries.

What is changing on board

The refit installs a complete MSC Yacht Club complex, the brand's ship within a ship concept that includes private suites and dedicated spaces, along with concierge service and a reserved dining room and lounge. Magnifica will also gain two specialty restaurants, Butcher's Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar, plus an enhanced MSC Aurea Spa and a Technogym Fitness Center with additional studios and an outdoor Aurea area. These additions align Magnifica with the premium amenities seen on newer MSC ships while preserving the vessel's Musica class footprint.

Timeline and service rollout

Construction is slated to conclude in December 2025. While the physical spaces will be complete at that point, MSC says the full Yacht Club program, including the complete suite of services and access benefits, will go live from summer 2026 as Magnifica begins her Northern Europe season. Guests planning those itineraries should expect the complete experience, while late winter and spring 2026 sailings may feature phased activation of certain areas as crews finalize service ramp up.

Sister ship pathfinder

Magnifica is the first of two Musica class ships slated for this upgrade cycle at the Malta yard. MSC Poesia is next, entering dry dock in February 2026 for a program that likewise adds an MSC Yacht Club, specialty dining, and new public spaces. That work is positioned to support MSC's first ever Alaska season on Poesia in summer 2026, expanding the brand's premium capacity in a market where private enclave demand remains strong.

What it means for travelers

For travelers who prefer a quieter, more curated onboard environment without switching to a smaller luxury line, the Yacht Club offers private venues and priority services on a large ship platform. On Magnifica, the 63 new suites expand premium inventory, which typically tightens on Northern Europe departures in peak months. Advisors should watch for early sellouts and recommend booking higher categories sooner, especially for June through August sailings. The new Butcher's Cut and Kaito venues broaden dining choice beyond the main restaurants, while the refreshed spa and gym areas add capacity and variety for wellness minded guests.

Background: the Yacht Club concept

MSC introduced Yacht Club to give guests private check in, butler and concierge assistance, reserved sun decks and pools, and an exclusive restaurant and lounge, all within a mainstream ship. The model competes with enclave concepts across the industry by adding seclusion and service layers while preserving access to the ship's full entertainment, family facilities, and shore program. Magnifica's upgrade brings the concept to more Musica class tonnage, complementing deployments on newer ships and supporting MSC's broader premium push.

Company lens

MSC frames the Magnifica and Poesia programs as part of a long term effort to enhance guest experience fleetwide. As CEO Gianni Onorato put it, the Yacht Club is one of the line's most highly regarded products, and the remodeling underscores a commitment to deliver more exclusivity and choice across the fleet. That emphasis explains the simultaneous investment in specialty dining and wellness spaces alongside the private enclave.

Final thoughts

The Magnifica refit meaningfully raises the ship's premium ceiling and gives Northern Europe cruisers a fresh Yacht Club option from summer 2026. With Poesia set to follow in 2026, advisors and guests will see a wider spread of Musica class itineraries offering private enclave benefits, expanded dining, and upgraded wellness facilities across Europe and beyond.

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