I love cruising with MSC — beautiful ships, amazing food, and unbeatable value. But let’s be honest… MSC have big ships that attract big crowds.
The buffet gets very crowded, the elevators take forever, and on sea days, it seems like all 5,000 passengers had the exact same idea at the exact same time.
If you’ve ever found yourself standing in a crowded buffet line, wondering where on earth you can just sit down and relax — you need to read this.
Because here’s the thing: you can have a peaceful, relaxing MSC cruise — even on a completely sold-out sailing.
After multiple MSC sailings, I’ve cracked the code on how to escape the crowds and actually enjoy the ship. And today, I’m sharing every single trick with you.
Avoid the Post Show Rush
Another time the ship suddenly gets crowded is right after theater shows end. The second the performance finishes, hundreds of people head toward the elevators and hallways at the exact same time.
Elevators become packed, hallways get jammed, and public areas suddenly feel chaotic.
Instead of rushing out immediately, wait 10 to 15 minutes. Sit for a few extra minutes and take your time leaving. By the time you head out, the elevators are calmer and the crowds have mostly disappeared.
This simple trick can make a surprisingly big difference throughout your cruise.
Use the Thermal Spa
If there is one place on an MSC ship to escape the crowd — it’s the thermal spa.
While the pool deck is chaos and the buffet is standing room only, the thermal spa is quiet. We’re talking heated loungers, saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools, and a relaxation area — all in an adults-only environment with no loud music and no kids in the hot tub.
Even one hour in there can completely reset your entire day. I’ve walked in feeling overstimulated by the ship and walked out feeling like a different person.
Now here’s the part most people don’t know — if you’re an MSC Voyagers Club Gold or Diamond member, you actually get a complimentary one-hour thermal spa pass included. It’s one of the most underrated perks in the program.
But — and this is important — book it the moment you board. Sea day slots can book up fast, and if you wait, there might not be any sea day availability.
Not a Gold or Diamond member yet? Don’t count yourself out. If you have status with a hotel loyalty program like Marriott or Hilton, MSC actually lets you do a status match before your cruise.
That means you might actually be matched to gold or diamond status. It’s worth doing since it can unlock the free thermal spa perk.
Find the Hidden Quiet Areas
Here’s something most cruisers never do — and it’s one of the best things you can do on day one. Walk the entire ship.
Not just the buffet, the pool deck, and the atrium. I mean all of it. The upper decks. The outdoor promenades. The bars and lounges that aren’t even open yet.
Because MSC ships are massive — we’re talking 18, 19 deck vessels with thousands of square feet most passengers never set foot on.
And tucked inside all that space? Little pockets of calm that the crowds completely miss.
Maybe it’s a lounge that only comes alive late at night — completely dead and peaceful during the day. Maybe it’s a row of chairs on an upper deck with an unobstructed ocean view and nobody around.
Maybe it’s a specialty restaurant with outdoor seating that’s technically closed, but the chairs are out, and the view is stunning.
I make it a ritual — embarkation day and the first sea day, I do a full lap of the ship specifically to find my spots. My quiet corners. My backup plans for when the main pool gets too crowded.
Once you find your secret spot? The whole cruise shifts. You stop fighting the crowds — because you know exactly where to go.
Skip the Big Deck Parties
MSC is known for huge deck parties and themed events like the White Party and sailaway celebrations. They’re fun and energetic, but they also attract massive crowds.
Here’s the trick: while everybody else is packed into one area, the rest of the ship suddenly becomes much quieter.
This is one of my favorite crowd avoidance strategies. When the big party starts, I sometimes head somewhere completely different.
I’ll grab a drink at a quiet lounge. It’s amazing how peaceful the ship suddenly feels while everyone else is focused on one event.
Skip the Gift Shop Blowout Sales
If you’ve cruised MSC before, you’ve probably seen the big gift shop blowout sales they hold during the cruise. They usually advertise huge souvenir deals with $10 blowout deals, and honestly, there can be some surprisingly good bargains.
But these sales also attract massive crowds. The shops become packed with people digging through tables, browsing souvenirs, and lining up at the registers.
Now, if you enjoy bargain hunting and don’t mind crowds, you might actually love these sales. But if your goal is peace and relaxation, this is definitely one event you may want to skip.
Cruise During Off-Peak Seasons
When you sail matters just as much as how you sail. Peak seasons — summer vacation, spring break, Christmas, New Year’s — bring the largest crowds on any cruise line, and MSC is no exception.
The ships are at full capacity, the pools are packed, and those sailings can feel very crowded.
Now flip that around. Book a September, October, or early November sailing, and the entire experience shifts. The energy onboard is calmer, the average passenger age skews older, and lines at the buffet are shorter.
Everything that felt stressful during peak season suddenly becomes effortless. And here’s the bonus — off-peak sailings are almost always cheaper. So you’re not just getting a more relaxed cruise, you’re paying less for it.
So if your schedule has any flexibility at all, I’d strongly encourage you to look at those shoulder season dates first.
Book Longer Cruises
Here’s something I’ve noticed after multiple sailings — the length of your cruise quietly shapes the entire atmosphere onboard.
Longer cruises, typically anything over seven nights, tend to draw a noticeably different crowd. Fewer families with young kids, fewer passengers chasing nonstop party energy, and a more mature crowd. The pace onboard naturally becomes slower and more relaxed.
Now — and this is an important caveat if you’re sailing in Europe — MSC Mediterranean itineraries work differently than most people expect. On many of those sailings, passengers can actually board and disembark at multiple ports throughout the voyage.
So while the cruise itself might be listed as 14 nights, you could have passengers who are only sailing 3 nights, others doing 7, and others going the full two weeks.
That rotating door of passengers means the crowd dynamic is constantly shifting — and you won’t necessarily get that same settled, calm atmosphere that you’d find on a longer transatlantic or longer Caribbean sailing.
So the tip still stands — book longer — just make sure you understand the embarkation structure of your specific itinerary before you assume it’ll be a quieter experience.
Use Your Balcony
And if you have a balcony cabin, take full advantage of it. Some of my favorite cruise moments have happened in the privacy of my cabin balcony.
Ordering room service and having a slow, peaceful breakfast. Reading a book in the afternoon. Sitting outside at night with a drink.
There’s something about being outside on the ocean — away from the noise of the ship — that feels completely different from anything you’ll find in a lounge or on the pool deck.
And here’s the thing — if you’ve been going back and forth on whether a balcony is worth the extra cost, on busy sailings, I’d say it’s worth it.
Wake Up Early
One of the simplest but most effective ways to avoid crowds is waking up early. Cruise ships are peaceful in the early morning. Before 8 in the morning, it can feel like you have the ship almost entirely to yourself.
The pool deck is quiet, and the buffet is empty. Some of my favorite cruise memories happened early in the morning before most passengers even woke up. Grab a coffee, walk the outer decks, and enjoy the calmest part of the day.
Stay Onboard During Port Days
One of the best cruise secrets is staying onboard during port days. Most passengers automatically rush off the ship as soon as the ship docks, which means the ship itself becomes peaceful for a few hours.
Pools suddenly become empty. Hot tubs open up. The buffet has almost no lines. The decks feel spacious and calm. It honestly feels like a completely different ship compared to a crowded sea day.
This is also one of the best times to enjoy the spa because MSC often offers port day discounts on treatments. Obviously, this depends on the port.
If it’s somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, definitely go explore. But if it’s a port you’ve already been to—or somewhere with limited attractions—staying onboard can actually be more relaxing than getting off.
Avoid the Pool at Peak Times
The pool is usually the busiest area on the ship during sea days, especially around midday. If you want to actually enjoy the pool without fighting massive crowds, shift your timing. Go early in the morning or later in the afternoon instead.
One of the best times to use the pool or hot tub is around 4 to 6 p.m. By then, many passengers head back to their cabins to get ready for dinner, which means the pool area becomes noticeably quieter.
Watching the late afternoon sun over the ocean with fewer people around is one of the best experiences onboard.
Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise
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Travel Must-Haves
Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.
Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.
Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.
Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.
Cruise Planning Essentials
Day Passes to Resorts– Booking private beach resort access in advance guarantees a comfortable beach experience at the cruise port.
Travel Insurance with CFAR Coverage– CFAR travel insurance gives you flexibility to cancel your cruise for any reason and recover part of your costs if plans change.
Last Minute Cruise Deals– Search for last minute cruise deals.
Cabin Comfort & Organization
Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).
Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!
Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.
Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.
Toiletries & Laundry
Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.
Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.
Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.
TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.
Health & Wellness
Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).
Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.
Packing & Storage
Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.
Packing cubes – I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.
Foldable duffel bag – I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space.
Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra.
Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.
Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.
Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.
Beach Essentials
Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.
Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.
Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.
Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials
Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.
Collapsible beach buckets and toys – You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.
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