23 Free Things on MSC Cruise You Need to Know About

Are you planning a cruise on MSC? Before you go, you should know about all the free things included in your fare so you don’t waste money on things you can actually get for free!.

I’ve cruised with MSC several times, and everything I’m sharing comes straight from my own experience.

Even though MSC is usually cheaper than other cruise lines, there are a lot of free things to enjoy onboard. 

You really don’t need to spend extra on specialty dining or drink packages unless you want to—there are plenty of included options that make the cruise enjoyable without added costs.

Below, I’ll walk you through everything you can get without paying extra, so you can make the most of your cruise.

Some of these are well-known, but others are little secrets I discovered myself.

I’ll also share a hack that got me instant Gold status in MSC’s loyalty program, unlocking even more free perks.

Free Drinks at the Captain’s Party

On many cruise lines, you can get free champagne at art auctions. MSC doesn’t hold art auctions, but I discovered another way to get free drinks.

After dinner, on the way to the theater during Gala night, I was pleasantly surprised to bump into servers who were handing out champagne, cocktails, and juice for kids. Apparently, there was a Captain’s Party.

I had a glass of champagne and my kids enjoyed tropical juice served in champagne glasses, which made them feel special.

I only saw this once, so it may not happen every sailing, but it’s worth checking.

If you’re hoping to catch it, look for Captain’s Party event on the daily planner and linger near the main atrium after dinner on Gala Night.

Free Lounge Chairs at Ocean Cay

You don’t need to pay for lounge chairs on Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island but there’s a catch.

There are very limited free lounge chair on the island. If you want a free lounge chair, you need to get off the ship early to claim one.

However, umbrellas are not free and must be rented. If you reserve one in advance through the MSC website before your cruise, the cost is $19.

If you wait until you’re onboard to book, the price increases to $29.

Personally, I’ve enjoyed relaxing on the beach without renting an umbrella.

There are plenty of palm trees that offer natural shade.

Just keep in mind that the palm trees are set farther back from the shoreline.

If you’re traveling with young children and want to stay close to the water, renting an umbrella might be worth it for the added convenience.

Free Soft Serve Ice Cream

On some MSC cruise ships, soft-serve ice cream is available for free on the pool deck. You can choose from chocolate, vanilla, or a swirl of both, and add toppings like sprinkles at no extra cost.

It’s a favorite afternoon treat for my kids, especially on warm days when they’re coming straight from the pool.

Just don’t confuse it with the gelato sold elsewhere on the ship—those are not included in your cruise fare and must be purchased separately.

Honestly, with free soft serve available daily, we never felt the need to spend extra on gelato.

That said, the free soft serve isn’t offered on every cruise.

For example, I didn’t see it on my European MSC cruise. This is an example of how MSC’s U.S. sailings tend to be a little more generous with this perk than their European ones.

Free Texting on the MSC App

You can text for free on MSC. MSC’s app has a free messaging feature. All you have to do is connect to the ship’s free Wi-Fi hotspot and you can send messages to other passengers without buying a Wi-Fi plan.

It’s useful for coordinating with family and friends. Children under 13 cannot use the feature, so keep that in mind.

The app is also handy for checking daily schedules and making reservations, so it’s worth downloading before your cruise.

Free Shampoo and Shower Gel

You don’t need to pack your own shampoo or body wash. In every shower, you’ll find free shampoo and shower gel.

They even provide liquid hand soap, which I really appreciate. Honestly, it’s much better than the tiny bar soaps you get on other cruise lines.

Free Beach Towels

You don’t need to bring beach towels. MSC will provide free beach towels for you to use during your cruise.

They will be delivered to your cabin on the first day. You can exchange them for clean ones at pool deck towel stations or leave them for your steward to replace.

Be careful not to lose them, as MSC charges $30 per missing towel. The towels are large and good quality, so you don’t need to pack your own.

Just remember to bring them back from the pool or beach at the end of the day.

Free Water Slides

The cruise ships are incredibly family-friendly, and the waterslides are a big hit with kids.

My kids spent entire sea days riding them. The best part? They’re free!

On some ships, like the MSC World Europa, there’s even a giant slide that takes you all the way from deck 19 down to deck 8. That’s also free.

Free Ropes Course

Another fun free activity on MSC cruises is the ropes course. Not every ship has one, but when they do, it’s completely free to enjoy.

Free Coffee and Tea at the Buffet

Regular brewed coffee and tea are available for free at the buffet throughout the day.

Keep in mind that specialty coffee drinks—such as cappuccinos, lattes, and espresso—are not included in the cruise fare and must be purchased separately.

For many passengers, the complimentary coffee is more than enough, especially in the morning.

But if you prefer a stronger or more customized brew, it’s good to know that specialty coffee options are available. Either way, you won’t need to spend extra unless you want to.

Free Lunch at Ocean Cay

The island lunch buffet on Ocean Cay is free and one of my favorite perks. It features an extensive spread that includes burgers, salads, grilled meats, fresh fruit, and desserts.

Ice-cold drinks like water, lemonade, and iced tea are also available at no charge.

The buffet is conveniently located near the beach, so you don’t have to walk far to grab lunch.

It’s also a great way to cool off with a refreshing drink before heading back to the sand.

Keep in mind that there are food trucks on the island where you can get free food as well.

Do know that some food trucks are not free. For example, one of the trucks sells lobster rolls for $12.95.

You should check the daily planner in the cruise app to find out where the complimentary food trucks are located on the island.

That said, the buffet and food trucks offers more than enough variety to satisfy most passengers without spending anything additional.

Even if you miss the buffet hours, some of the complimentary food trucks are open so you don’t need to head back to the ship for a meal.

The White Party

The cruise parties are free, and the most popular by far is the White Party.

It’s a lively, family-friendly event held on the pool deck, featuring music, dancing, and entertainment under special blacklight effects.

Guests are encouraged to wear white clothing, which glows under the lighting and adds to the festive atmosphere.

Even if you don’t usually attend cruise parties, this one is worth checking out.

The energy is high, the setting is unique, and it’s a great way to enjoy the evening with fellow passengers.

For many guests, it’s a highlight of the cruise experience.

Free Room Service

Room service is free if you order continental breakfast items like fruit, yogurt, muffins, pastries, cereal, tea, and coffee.

But keep in mind—anything hot, like eggs, pancakes, or bacon, comes with a room service charge.

There’s one exception: if you’re sailing in the Bella experience, MSC’s budget tier, continental breakfast isn’t free.

For everyone else, though, it’s a convenient perk.

I personally love getting room service on mornings when I have an early shore excursion.

It’s the perfect way to enjoy a quick breakfast in my cabin without rushing to the buffet.

Free Juice at the Buffet

You don’t need to buy a non-alcoholic drink package on MSC. At the buffet, you’ll find free lemonade, iced tea, and even juices like apple, pineapple, and mango—all available throughout the day, not just at breakfast.

This is a big plus compared to some cruise lines that only serve juice in the mornings.

If you’re traveling with kids, it’s a money-saver since they’ll have plenty of juice options without needing a package.

From my own experience, though, this perk isn’t always consistent. My MSC cruises out of the US had free juice all day.

But on my Mediterranean cruise, the free juice was only available during breakfast hours.

Overall, I’ve noticed MSC’s U.S. cruises tend to be a little more generous with these extras than their European ones.

Free Facial Tissue

Facial tissue is available for free too, but here’s the catch—you have to ask for it.

My cabin steward didn’t automatically provide tissues, so make sure to request them if you want them.

But even if you make the request, some cruise ships just don’t have facial tissues.

On my Norway cruise, my cabin steward was able to find me a pack of tissues but it’s not standard and I think he had to go out of his way to get it.

Free Bathrobes for Gold Members and Up

If you’re a Voyager’s Club Gold member or higher, you can get free bathrobes. But again, they’re not placed in your cabin automatically.

Just ask your steward, and they’ll bring one for you. Super handy if you want to wear your robe to the spa or hot tubs.

Free Photos with LEGO Characters

The cruise line has a fun partnership with Lego, which means lots of photo opportunities for families.

At the Kids Club, you’ll find Lego characters and even staff dressed as Minifigures. And yes—taking photos with them is completely free.

Free Foosball

The cruise ship has many free games scattered around the ship. One of our favorites is foosball.

On MSC World Europa, you’ll find a few foosball tables in the indoor pool’s upper deck area, and yes—it’s free to play.

Free Kids Club

The Kids Club is free and available for children ages 3 and up. It’s essentially complimentary childcare, with staff-led games, crafts, and themed activities that keep kids entertained for hours.

It’s a great way for parents to enjoy some downtime while knowing their children are safe and having fun.

What sets MSC’s Kids Club apart from other cruise lines is the extended hours. On most days, it’s open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., giving families a lot of flexibility.

On sea days, there’s a short break from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., during which you’ll need to pick up your child—but the long afternoon and evening hours mean your child can even stay through dinner.

Unlike some cruise lines, such as Norwegian, where the Kids Club often reaches capacity and turns children away, I’ve never experienced that issue on MSC.

In my experience, there has always been space, which makes a big difference when you’re trying to plan your day.

Guinness World Records Event

One of my kids favorite sea day activity on MSC is to watch the Guinness World Records challenges onboard.

Passengers can compete or cheer for record attempts. The best part is it’s a free activity.

My family participated in a record for the loudest audience on a cruise ship. Even though we didn’t break the official record, it was a memorable experience.

The event is fun for all ages and gives passengers a chance to be part of something unique. It’s not something you’ll find on most other cruise lines.

Free Evening Shows

Evening shows are free and feature broadway style singing, dancing, comedy, magic, and acrobatics.

Reservations are required through the MSC app, but there is no charge.

These free evening shows should not be confused with the paid Carousel Productions shows, which cost extra.

The free shows are a great way to end the evening, and they appeal to a wide range of passengers.

Even if you don’t attend every night, it’s worth checking out a few performances.

Free Food in the Buffet and Dining Room

This might seem obvious to experienced cruisers, but if you’re new to MSC, it can be confusing to know what food is actually included in your cruise fare.

There are two main places where you’ll always find free food: the buffet and the main dining room.

The buffet is open almost all day—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even late-night snacks—with just short breaks between meals.

Everything there is included, so you can eat as much as you like without spending extra.

The main dining room is also free. You’ll be assigned a dining room and a seating time, and you can go there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

These are full three-course meals, and don’t miss the special themed nights like Gala Night or Italian Night. That’s when you’ll see fancy dishes like lobster, steak, and baked Alaska.

Depending on the ship, you’ll also find smaller free eateries. For example, on MSC World Europa, there’s a pizza and burger spot on Deck 6 serving food and drinks all day.

Most ships have a poolside grill with free pizza and burgers.

With all these options, you’ll never go hungry—and honestly, the free food is so good that you don’t need to spend extra on specialty dining.

Free VIP Parties and Voyagers Club Perks

Joining the Voyagers Club unlocks a lot of free perks. Silver members and above are invited to VIP parties where champagne is served.

Gold and Diamond members receive additional benefits, including complimentary gifts like this tote bag and one hour of access to the spa’s thermal suite.

Diamond members and above also receive a free dinner at one of the specialty restaurants and are invited to a more upscale VIP party featuring cocktails and appetizers.

Normally, it takes around 10 cruises to reach Gold status—but here’s the hack: you can fast-track your way up through MSC’s Status Match program.

This program matches your loyalty status from other cruise lines, airlines, or hotel chains.

It’s one of the easiest ways to unlock premium benefits without having to sail multiple times. If you already have status with another travel brand, it’s definitely worth applying before your cruise.

I have an article that walks you through the process—get my tips on how to do the MSC status match.

Free Selfie with the Captain

When I sailed on MSC Meraviglia, they offered a free photo opportunity with the captain and several cruise officers.

What made it even better was that the photographer used your own phone to take the picture, so there was no need to buy anything—it was saved directly to your device.

It’s a great way to get a memorable keepsake without spending extra.

From my experience, this photo-op seems to be unique to MSC Meraviglia, since I didn’t see it offered on MSC World Europa during my Mediterranean cruise.

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.