The Carousel Lounge is one of the signature entertainment venues on the Meraviglia Class ships and one of the most unique spaces in the MSC fleet. Originally created for Cirque du Soleil at Sea, it now hosts MSC’s in house Carousel Productions at Sea, a collection of immersive, acrobatic and music driven shows designed specifically for this environment. These performances blend acrobatics, theatrical lighting, live vocals and modern storytelling, creating some of the most visually memorable entertainment on any MSC ship.
Which Ships Have the Carousel Lounge
The Carousel Lounge (or a venue by that name) appears on all five ships in the class:
MSC Meraviglia
MSC Bellissima
MSC Grandiosa
MSC Virtuosa
While the MSC Euribia has a venue named the Carousel Lounge in the same location, it is a more traditional cruise ship lounge. It carries the Carousel Lounge name but does not use the same circular stage design or the specialized performance infrastructure found in the original Meraviglia Class. Euribia hosts a different set of shows that do not follow the classic Carousel Productions at Sea staging.
The original purpose built Carousel Lounge with the 270 degree seating layout exists on Meraviglia, Bellissima, Grandiosa and Virtuosa only.
Atmosphere and Layout
The Carousel Lounge is located at the aft and features a circular layout with seating arranged around nearly 270 degrees of the stage. The space was engineered for acrobatic performance, intimate staging and LED enhanced lighting. Shades remain closed throughout the show to allow full control of lighting effects.
The stage is equipped with:
Bright programmable LED lighting
Multi directional lighting rigs
Projection systems
Specialized staging equipment for aerial and acrobatic performers
The result is an immersive, modern lounge theater that feels very different from a traditional cruise ship show lounge.
Carousel Productions at Sea: What the Shows Are Like
Carousel Productions at Sea is MSC’s proprietary entertainment brand and includes a lineup of premium short form theatrical shows. Each cruise typically features two productions that alternate each night. The performances combine:
Acrobatics
Contemporary dance
Live singing
Theatrical staging
LED driven effects
Visual storytelling
Shows run six nights per week and last about 40 minutes. They feel more boutique and artistic compared to the larger scale Broadway style productions held in the main theater.
Current Productions by Ship
MSC Meraviglia
House of Houdini
Rock Circus
MSC Bellissima
Sweet
Myut
MSC Grandiosa
Strings
Sweet
MSC Virtuosa
Ajedrez
Chronicles
Schedule, Reservations and Entry
Two shows run nightly:
7:15 PM (doors open at 6:45 PM)
9:15 PM (doors open at 8:45 PM)
Reservations are required. Guests must book the show at the reservation kiosk located in the Galleria Meraviglia area. Online pre booking may be available before your cruise.
Doors close 20 minutes after opening and late entry is not permitted.
Pricing and What Is Included
Carousel Productions at Sea shows are not included in your fare.
Prepaid price: $10 per person
Onboard price: $15 per person
The price includes a pre show experience and one specialty cocktail made exclusively for Carousel Lounge guests. The cocktails are pre prepared and selected from a set menu. Drink packages do not apply and you cannot bring outside drinks into the venue. We’ve seen where cruisers with the drink package may also get a discounted price if booked onboard, but this appears to have changed.
Seating Tips
Arrive when the doors open for the best center facing seats.
The venue’s curved layout offers good views from almost everywhere, but central seats are ideal for aerial acts.
Because seating is open, early arrival makes a noticeable difference.
Why You Should See Both Shows
Each sailing generally includes two productions operated by the same cast, but each production is different in theme, staging and musical style. For guests who enjoy acrobatic or theatrical entertainment, attending both shows is absolutely worth it. The short runtime makes it easy to fit into your evening schedule.
Final Thoughts
The Carousel Lounge is one of the defining entertainment experiences of the Meraviglia Class. The combination of immersive LED lighting, acrobatics, live vocals and intimate staging delivers a type of evening show that feels unique within the cruise industry. At only ten to fifteen dollars per show with a cocktail included, the value is excellent. Whether you love high energy performances or simply want to see something completely different at sea, it is a highlight of any Meraviglia Class cruise.