MSC just made a quiet move that can have a very real impact on how you plan a cruise: Yacht Club is coming to two additional Musica-class ships, expanding the “ship within a ship” experience to more itineraries and seasons.
The two ships getting the upgrade are MSC Musica (late 2026) and MSC Orchestra (spring 2027).
What’s changing?
MSC Cruises confirmed it is expanding Yacht Club to two more ships, which also means all four Musica-class ships will have Yacht Club once these retrofits are complete.
That Musica-class detail matters because these ships often sail itineraries that feel a little different than the newest megaships – which is exactly why a lot of cruisers are paying attention to this announcement.
MSC also says Yacht Club will be available across 19 ships fleetwide once these additions are done.
The rollout timeline
Here’s the practical “when can I actually book this?” part:
MSC Musica – will sail South America from November 2026 through April 2027, with holiday sailings that include Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Punta del Este, plus a 16-night transatlantic from Santos to Genoa departing April 1, 2027.
MSC Orchestra – will begin sailing with Yacht Club out of Bari from March 13 to April 24, 2027, on itineraries that include Izmir and Istanbul, plus calls in Piraeus and Corfu.
MSC also noted that sales for Yacht Club suites on both ships will open soon, so the booking window is likely close.
What Yacht Club includes on these ships
If you’re newer to Yacht Club, MSC describes it as a luxury “ship within a ship” with:
- Private suite accommodations
- 24-hour butler service and a dedicated concierge
- Exclusive spaces like a private restaurant, lounge, and sundeck
- Extra “little things” like daily in-suite treats (fruit, macarons, chocolates), plus a complimentary bottle of premium spirits of your choice
- Extras like unpacking and packing service and private shopping appointments outside regular boutique hours
- MSC’s “MED by MSC” bath amenities for Yacht Club guests
- Optional bespoke excursions and private transportation arrangements
That list reads like a marketing brochure (because it is), but the key takeaway is simple: Yacht Club is meant to feel calmer, more personal, and more all-inclusive than the rest of the ship – while still giving you access to everything else onboard.
Why this matters for real trip planning
This is the part I think a lot of cruisers will actually care about:
- It opens Yacht Club up to more itineraries. If you love the Yacht Club concept but the newest ships don’t sail the routes or dates you want, this expands your options in a meaningful way.
- It signals MSC’s ongoing push to “premium-ize” the fleet. MSC has been investing in major ship upgrades and adding Yacht Club to more older ships in recent years, and this is another step in that direction.
- It gives Musica-class ships a new “top tier” product. If you’ve sailed these ships before, you know they have a different vibe than the newest World-class builds. Yacht Club can add a premium layer without changing the overall personality of the ship.
What to watch for if you’re thinking of booking
A few practical tips (and yes, some of this is based on how these rollouts usually go):
- Watch the deck plans once sales open. Retrofits can vary ship-to-ship, and layout matters a lot in Yacht Club – especially how “separate” it feels.
- Expect early pricing to be spicy. New Yacht Club inventory on a ship tends to launch at a premium because demand is high and supply is limited.
- If you’re itinerary-first, this is your moment. A lot of people pick Yacht Club first and itinerary second. These upgrades help you do it the other way around.
Looking ahead
If MSC executes these retrofits well, this could be one of those upgrades that doesn’t make huge headlines – but quietly changes what’s available to book for the next couple years.
The big takeaway: Yacht Club is no longer “only for the newest ships.” MSC is clearly working to make it a broader, fleetwide product, and that’s good news for cruisers who want a more elevated experience without having to chase a specific ship class.
