MSC to Add Yacht Club to Its 2027 World Cruise - What That Means for Luxury Cruisers

George and Dan
Oct 6
3 min read

MSC Cruises has confirmed that its world cruise in 2027 will feature Yacht Club amenities for the first time by retrofitting MSC Magnifica. This “ship‑within‑a‑ship” experience brings private lounges, butler service and exclusive areas to one of its longest sailings ever. In this post I’ll explain what Yacht Club is, why this matters for long‑haul cruisers, how this compares with other lines, and what to watch when booking.

What is Yacht Club (and why fans love it)

The Yacht Club concept is MSC’s premium offering: a more exclusive zone within the ship, giving you added privacy, perks and elevated service. Key features usually include:

• Private reception, lounge and restaurant

• Butler or concierge service

• Exclusive sun decks, swimming pools or whirlpools

• Priority embarkation/disembarkation

• Premium amenities, sometimes better included extras

On regular MSC cruises, Yacht Club is often found on newer ships or in certain suite blocks. But until now it hasn’t been applied to its world cruises.

The announcement: 2027 World Cruise + Yacht Club

MSC recently revealed that MSC Magnifica will be retrofitted with Yacht Club across 63 suites in five suite types.
For the first time ever, guests on a world cruise - those epic, months‑long voyages - can enjoy Yacht Club privileges.
The world cruise will last 121 nights covering 25 countries.
Earlier announcements also hint that MSC Poesia might get Yacht Club before its Alaska season.

Why this is a big deal for serious cruisers

Elevated experience for long voyages
On a world cruise, you’re at sea or in transit for long stretches. A quieter, premium zone can make a big difference.
More direct competition with luxury lines
By bringing Yacht Club to world cruises, MSC is stepping into territory often dominated by lines like Seabourn, Silversea or Regent.
Greater flexibility for suite lovers
If you prefer suite upgrades or premium tiers, this gives you more choice even for ultra‑long itineraries.
Value recalibration
Because Yacht Club often includes extras (drinks, dining, maybe shore excursions), its addition may change how inclusive a “luxury” cruise is across the board.

What to look for / what to check before booking

Which services are included vs à la carte? Make sure you know what “Yacht Club” includes on this world cruise (meals, drinks, excursions, transfers)
Suite allocation & pricing premium - expect a markup for those suites; is the difference worth it?
Private vs shared areas - check how separated the Yacht Club zones are from the rest of the ship
Access and priority benefits - luggage, embarkation, port tender, disembarkation
Comparisons vs other lines’ premium experiences - see how MSC stacks up
Future retrofits - watch if MSC extends Yacht Club to other ships or sailings

Final Thoughts

This move is smart for MSC. It gives long‑haul cruisers a new premium option and nudges MSC upmarket in the world cruise space. For you, it’s worth keeping an eye on, especially if world cruises are on your radar. If Yacht Club on your next world cruise becomes an option, the extra cost might well be worth the elevated comfort and perks.

FAQ

Q: Will Yacht Club be included for all 121 nights or just part of the cruise?

A: The plan is to apply Yacht Club status for the full cruise across the designated suites.

Q: Can I book the world cruise without Yacht Club?

A: Yes - the retrofit is for specific suites. The rest of the ship remains standard.

Q: How does this compare to luxury lines?

A: Yacht Club narrows the gap, but ultra‑luxury lines may still beat it in inclusions, space per guest and service level.

Q: Is this only for MSC Magnifica?

A: For now yes, but there are signs MSC may retrofit Yacht Club to Poesia and potentially others.

Q: When does booking open / when is the cruise?

A: The 2027 world cruise with Yacht Club is now confirmed, so bookings should open or already be open.