MSC Cruises is heading into 2026 with new momentum after earning two major honors in Cruise Critic’s 2025 Best in Cruise Awards. The cruise line was named Best for Families and secured Best Suite Complex for its MSC Yacht Club for the second year in a row. The recognition spotlights both ends of MSC’s growing North American identity: family friendly innovation and elevated, ship within a ship luxury.
Cruise Critic’s annual Best in Cruise Awards are determined by the site’s editorial team using expert ship inspections, itinerary comparisons, and guest review data. For 2025, MSC stood out in categories where competition has become increasingly fierce as cruise lines battle for family travelers and premium suite guests.
MSC Named Best for Families
Cruise Critic highlighted the significant expansion of MSC’s family entertainment programs, especially those debuting on MSC World America. Its new Family Aventura zone is one of the most ambitious family focused spaces at sea, anchored by:
- The Harbour, an outdoor park overlooking the ocean
- Cliffhanger, the first over-water swing ride on any cruise ship
- A two level High Trail ropes course
- Jaw Drop @ The Spiral, an 11 deck dry slide
- The line’s largest Doremiland kids area with age specific zones and expanded programming
The editors also praised MSC’s partnerships with LEGO and Chicco, wide ranging menus for toddlers through teens, expanded baby care options, and the multigenerational design seen throughout the new flagship.
Cruise Critic noted that MSC World America elevated the brand’s family experiences to a new level and positioned the cruise line as a top competitor to Royal Caribbean’s family focused ships. According to Cruise Critic review trends across 2024 and 2025, MSC saw one of the largest year over year jumps in “family satisfaction” scores among mainstream cruise brands.
MSC Yacht Club Wins Best Suite Complex Again
For the second year in a row, MSC’s Yacht Club earned Best Suite Complex in the Ocean category. The recognition reflects growing traveler interest in premium, all inclusive enclaves that provide privacy while allowing access to the rest of the ship.
Yacht Club features:
- Keycard only access
- Dedicated restaurant, lounge, pool, and sundeck
- 24 hour butler service
- A private concierge who handles everything from spa reservations to celebration planning
Cruise Critic editors highlighted how MSC continues to refine the experience, especially on MSC World America, which now hosts the line’s largest Yacht Club with 152 suites including inside options to make luxury pricing more accessible. MSC has also been retrofitting Yacht Club onto more of its legacy ships, signaling the brand’s commitment to this growing segment.
Across review data from 2023 to 2025, Yacht Club scored consistently higher than comparable premium complexes such as Norwegian’s Haven and Carnival’s Excel class suites, particularly in service, exclusivity, and overall value.
A Big Win for MSC’s North American Expansion
These awards reinforce MSC Cruises’ broader strategy of building a stronger foothold in the United States. With MSC World America arriving in Miami in 2025, new terminals being developed, and continued investment in the Caribbean and family travel segments, the recognitions help position MSC as a more prominent competitor in the region.
For families, MSC now offers one of the most competitive entertainment lineups at sea. For luxury travelers, Yacht Club provides a compelling hybrid of big-ship amenities and small-ship exclusivity.
To see all winners, visit cruisecritic.com/awards/2025.
