MSC CRUISES —   

One of the more family-friendly cruise lines, this Italian cruise line specializes in classic Mediterranean cruises, authentic Italian cuisine and design, long stays in ports, including off-the-beaten-track ports of call, and very few days at sea.   Their state-of-the-art fleet of 12 ships (with a mostly Italian crew) sail year round in the Mediterranean and seasonally in Northern Europe, the Canary Islands & Morocco, the Caribbean, South America, the Indian Ocean, and South and West Africa.  Have children?  On MSC, kids under 11 sail for free!  Their family-friendly philosophy is reflected in their ‘kids policy’ and MSC’s qualified entertainment staff are on hand all day to entertain and plan activities for your little ones.  Onboard activities for adults include lectures, cooking classes and Italian language classes; theaters with Broadway shows, casinos, discos, and live music; an Aquapark with pools and water slides; libraries, F1 simulator, 4D cinemas, boutiques for shopping, bowling, tennis, basketball, squash, shuffleboard, jogging track, as well as large spas and fitness centers.  In addition, this cruise line with a conscience has won numerous environmental honors, including the Green Planet Award 2008-2009 for its commitment to environmental management and good practice.