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Login MSC Poesia is an innovative cruise ship with an elegant style that brings traditional craftsmanship to creative designs. Step aboard and you’ll enter a refined world of comfort. Whether your reason for being on board is a family holiday, a luxury treat or a romantic escape, MSC Poesia is a ship that offers a truly inspiring cruise experience.
My mother and I recently sailed on MSC Poesia, and while I enjoyed the ports(this was an Alaskan cruise) , I think this ship needs some work. They did have a refit earlier in the spring, which boasted the addition of MSC Yacht Club and updated cabins. However, I noticed Poesia was missing quite a lot compared to other MSC ships. Honestly, I expected more with the refit as far as restaurants and venues are concerned. That was not the case. Also, it should be noted that if you book the Deluxe Balcony Cabin, it is quite small. What you want is the Premium Balcony Cabin. With that said, the food was amazing; the crew members were amazing, and the ports were excellent. Although I will warn you, the town of Hoonah and Icy Strait Point might not be to everybody's taste. Definitely try the crab legs at Icy Strait Point and do the rickshaw ride through Victoria, BC.
MSC Poesia Yacht Club in Alaska: A Refined European Retreat Between Adventures By Weldon Mann Some cruises are remembered for the ship. Others are remembered for the destination. Our week aboard MSC Poesia in Alaska will be remembered for both—but especially for the people who shaped our Yacht Club experience. My family and I have taken more than twenty cruises throughout Alaska, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean on MSC, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Carnival. Much of our cruising has been at the premium end of the market, including Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite accommodations, Disney Concierge, Norwegian’s The Haven, and Holland America suites. I mention that background not to rank one product against another, but to explain the perspective through which we viewed MSC Yacht Club. Each cruise line approaches premium cruising differently. MSC does not try to imitate its competitors, and it should not. Yacht Club’s appeal lies in its refined European character, personalized service, and intimate private spaces. Overall, MSC Poesia Yacht Club delivered a memorable and highly recommendable Alaska experience. It was not flawless, and several aspects of the operation appeared to be rapidly maturing. What ultimately earned our confidence was the way the crew and leadership listened, adjusted, and worked to deliver the quality guests expect from a premium product. First Impressions Embarkation began exceptionally well. Security screening and check-in were among the quickest and easiest we have experienced, and reaching the dedicated Yacht Club waiting area felt appropriately premium. The process then stalled. Although we already had our cruise cards and could have boarded independently, we remained in the lounge for an extended period while other guests boarded. We were also told that we could not leave to board on our own. What began as a seamless priority experience became an unnecessary wait. Once aboard, however, the atmosphere improved quickly. MSC Poesia is not a new vessel, but her traditional design and more intimate scale fit Alaska well. The Yacht Club additions brought a fresh premium dimension to the ship while preserving the character of the Musica-class design. A Distinctly European Premium Experience MSC Yacht Club does not feel like a copy of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite product, Disney Concierge, Norwegian’s Haven, or Holland America’s suite experience. It has its own personality. The atmosphere is elegant rather than flashy. Service is attentive without becoming intrusive. The emphasis is on comfort, conversation, and personal recognition rather than constant activity. At its best, Yacht Club feels less like a private resort and more like a refined European hotel at sea. That European character is reflected in the furnishings, the pace of service, the traditional afternoon tea, and the understated way the crew delivers hospitality. Guests expecting the energy and attractions of a large American-style resort ship may find the atmosphere different. Travelers who appreciate a quieter and more polished environment will likely view that difference as one of Yacht Club’s greatest strengths. Not a Fully Enclosed Yacht Club Enclave Travelers familiar with Yacht Club on MSC’s newer and larger ships should understand that the arrangement aboard Poesia is different. On many newer vessels, the Yacht Club suites, Top Sail Lounge, concierge desk, restaurant, and outdoor areas are grouped behind a single key-controlled entrance. That creates a fully enclosed ship-within-a-ship enclave. Poesia does not offer that same degree of physical separation. The Top Sail Lounge and concierge area are protected by controlled access, and the Yacht Club suites are located nearby. However, the suites are not contained within a single members-only residential area. They are located along passenger corridors that also serve standard cabins, including some of the ship’s lower-priced inside accommodations. As a result, the hallways outside the suites experienced more general foot traffic and, at times, felt more crowded and noisy than the private corridors found within newer ship-within-a-ship complexes. The Yacht Club restaurant is also separate from the primary Yacht Club area. It is located midship on Deck 7, so guests must leave the vicinity of the suites and Top Sail Lounge to reach it. Access is controlled, but its location reduces some of the seamlessness associated with a fully enclosed premium enclave. The restaurant also appeared too small to comfortably accommodate all Yacht Club guests during the busiest periods. It became crowded and noticeably louder, and the team sometimes appeared challenged to seat and serve everyone while preserving the quiet, intimate atmosphere expected of the product. In that respect, Poesia’s layout reminded us somewhat of The Haven experience aboard Norwegian Jewel, where the suites were distributed across the ship rather than contained within a fully enclosed enclave. Poesia, however, represents a meaningful upgrade from the arrangement we experienced on Norwegian Jewel by providing both a private Top Sail Lounge and a dedicated Yacht Club restaurant—amenities that were not available to Haven guests on that ship. The distributed layout did not eliminate the value of Yacht Club. The lounge, concierge, butler service, private restaurant, and priority benefits remained significant. Future guests should approach Poesia with accurate expectations: it offers the principal services and exclusive spaces associated with Yacht Club, but not the completely self-contained enclave found on many of MSC’s newer ships. As the first Musica-class ship to receive the Yacht Club concept, Poesia will likely serve as an important learning experience for MSC. Hopefully, the company will use what it learns from this installation to further refine the design, capacity, and flow of Yacht Club spaces on any future ships undergoing a similar transformation. At the same time, there will always be practical limitations and tradeoffs when introducing a premium enclave into an older ship that was never designed to accommodate one. Expanding Yacht Club or creating greater physical separation could significantly affect existing cabins, public spaces, and the experience of guests sailing outside the premium product. Viewed in that context, Poesia represents an ambitious and largely successful conversion, even if the result cannot fully replicate the seamless layout found on ships designed with Yacht Club from the outset. The Top Sail Lounge: A Sanctuary and Observation Lounge At first, the Top Sail Lounge felt like an elegant and exclusive retreat. By the middle of the cruise, it had become something more—a familiar private sanctuary where we could unwind after each day of exploring Alaska’s wild beauty. Its panoramic forward-facing windows also made it one of the best places aboard Poesia to remain connected to the destination. We could relax with a drink or light refreshment while watching Alaska’s mountains, forested coastline, and open water unfold around us. On several occasions, the calm atmosphere of the lounge was interrupted—in the best possible way—when someone spotted a whale outside the windows. Guests would alert one another, move toward the glass, and watch together as whales surfaced in the distance. Because Yacht Club accommodates relatively few guests, those sightings quickly became shared experiences. We began recognizing fellow travelers, comparing wildlife encounters, recommending excursions, and discussing the day’s adventures while Alaska passed outside. Yacht Club was exclusive, but it did not feel isolating. The intimacy of the Top Sail Lounge created a small community in which passengers became familiar companions and crew members knew guests personally. Those meaningful conversations added something unexpected to the voyage and made the lounge feel like much more than simply another premium amenity. Service Beyond the Private Spaces The value of Yacht Club became particularly clear whenever we returned from a port or excursion. After long days exploring Alaska, MSC butlers were consistently waiting near the gangway. They greeted Yacht Club guests, escorted us past the reboarding lines, and helped us return quickly to the Top Sail Lounge for refreshments. After hours of whale watching, wildlife viewing, or exploring a port, we could settle into a comfortable chair, enjoy a drink or light snack, and watch the scenery through the panoramic windows. These were not extravagant gestures, but they were useful, consistent, and genuinely luxurious. The butler service shaped the rhythm of the cruise and made each transition from adventure to relaxation feel effortless. Dining: An Uneven Beginning and Excellent Recovery Dining was the most inconsistent part of our voyage, particularly early in the cruise. Lunch in the Yacht Club restaurant was consistently excellent. The food was well presented, the menu offered enough variety, and service was attentive without feeling rushed. Breakfast was less successful. On one morning, pastries tasted stale, the vegetables in my omelet had not been sautéed, the cheese was not fully melted, the French toast was undercooked, and the toast was overdone. Together, those issues fell short of the Yacht Club standard. Our early dinners were also uneven. A steak arrived substantially overcooked before being replaced, several sides lacked seasoning, a dirty martini was not particularly dirty, and one dessert never arrived. The room also became surprisingly loud during one dinner, which appeared to reflect both the restaurant’s limited size and an operation still refining its pacing. The response to our concerns, however, became one of the strongest examples of Yacht Club hospitality. The restaurant team did not simply apologize and move on. They pivoted. Service became more attentive, meal execution improved, and the overall dining experience quickly reached the standard we expected. Most impressively, the chef personally checked on us during subsequent meals to ensure we were happy and to ask whether everything met our expectations. That continued follow-up demonstrated a genuine commitment to restoring our confidence. No cruise operation is perfect. What distinguishes a premium product is how it responds when something goes wrong. The Yacht Club restaurant team listened, adapted, and followed through. Visible Leadership A similar recovery occurred after an interaction with an assistant concierge felt unusually dismissive. The Yacht Club Director personally approached me, listened thoughtfully, acknowledged the concern without becoming defensive, and had a constructive discussion that quickly brought the experience back on track. That demonstrated visible leadership and accountability. Some parts of the Yacht Club operation aboard Poesia appeared to be experiencing understandable growing pains as the team refined new processes and adapted the concept to a ship that was not originally designed around a fully integrated Yacht Club enclave. It was equally clear, however, that MSC leadership was committed to making the product successful. The director’s response, combined with the chef’s continued follow-up, showed that guest feedback was not merely being acknowledged—it was being acted upon. Afternoon Tea While Whales Passed By One of the most memorable Yacht Club experiences was the traditional afternoon tea offered once during the sailing. We have enjoyed afternoon tea in San Francisco and Europe, so we were interested to see MSC’s interpretation. The presentation reflected Yacht Club’s refined European character, with carefully prepared tea, pastries, finger sandwiches, and attentive service. What made this afternoon tea unlike any we had experienced before was the setting. We sat comfortably in the Top Sail Lounge, looking through its panoramic windows as Poesia sailed through Alaska’s coastal waters. During the service, whales surfaced repeatedly in the distance. Guests paused their conversations, turned toward the windows, and shared the excitement of each new sighting. Enjoying a classic European afternoon tea while watching whales from an elegant lounge at sea was an experience no traditional hotel tearoom could reproduce. It perfectly blended MSC’s European heritage with the extraordinary wildlife and scenery of Alaska. It was not simply about the tea. It was about the moment—the elegance of the service, the intimacy of the lounge, the conversations with fellow travelers, and the unexpected appearance of whales outside the panoramic windows. Our Suite and the Ship Our Yacht Club suite was attractive, comfortable, and exceptionally well maintained. Storage was excellent, the bedding was comfortable, and housekeeping kept the cabin in outstanding condition. My main cabin suggestion is simple: add a shelf inside the shower for toiletries. It is a small detail, but one guests notice every day. MSC Poesia offers a more traditional experience than today’s newest mega-ships. Guests seeking roller coasters, sprawling water parks, or endless high-tech attractions may find her modest. Those who appreciate elegant lounges, comfortable public spaces, and a quieter style of cruising may find that her character complements Alaska very well. A Serious Planning Warning for Juneau The most significant operational concern occurred in Juneau. During our sailing, Poesia initially tendered guests ashore. The process felt poorly organized and, at times, chaotic. Guests had limited clarity about how long it would take, while long lines and uncertainty created a stressful beginning to the day. The situation became more complicated when a berth became available at the AJ dock. Tender operations stopped while Poesia maneuvered into the berth. Guests already waiting to leave the ship then faced an additional delay until docking was completed. For Yacht Club guests, priority disembarkation proved extremely valuable. Our butlers escorted us past the line and helped us reach the tender as quickly as possible. Even with that advantage, we arrived only minutes before our independently booked excursion departed. Had we not been sailing in Yacht Club, I am not convinced we would have made it. Guests outside Yacht Club did not appear to receive the same assistance and were largely left to navigate a crowded and confusing process themselves. From what we observed, it was not an enjoyable way to begin a port day. If Poesia is expected to tender in Juneau and you are not sailing in Yacht Club, I would recommend scheduling an independent excursion no earlier than approximately three hours after the published arrival time. If the tour departs earlier or cannot accommodate delays, booking through MSC may be the safer choice because the cruise line can coordinate its excursions with changes in the ship’s arrival process. This advice is based on firsthand experience: even with Yacht Club priority, we nearly missed our excursion. Alaska Remained the Star No premium product should overshadow Alaska, and Yacht Club generally enhanced the destination rather than competing with it. At Icy Strait Point, we watched humpback whales perform repeated bubble-net feedings—one of the finest whale-watching experiences we have ever had. Near Ketchikan, a brown bear emerged from the forest, caught a salmon, paused in our direction, and disappeared back into the wilderness. The whale sightings from the Top Sail Lounge added another dimension to the experience. Alaska was not something we encountered only after leaving the ship. It remained present throughout the voyage, visible beyond the panoramic windows while we relaxed, enjoyed afternoon tea, or talked with fellow guests. Alaska provided the adventure; Yacht Club provided the sanctuary between adventures. The best luxury travel experiences do not insulate guests from the destination. They immerse them in it while removing the stress that can distract from it. Throughout most of our voyage, Yacht Club accomplished exactly that. Final Recommendation Would I sail MSC Yacht Club again? Absolutely. Would I recommend MSC Poesia Yacht Club in Alaska? Yes, with confidence and a few realistic qualifications. Guests should understand that Poesia does not provide the fully enclosed Yacht Club enclave found on MSC’s newer ships. The suites share passenger corridors with non-Yacht Club accommodations, and the restaurant is physically separated from the primary Yacht Club spaces. Embarkation should be smoother. Breakfast and early dinner execution need greater consistency. The restaurant needs better capacity management, and the Juneau tender and docking process requires much clearer communication, organization, and crowd control. Yet those shortcomings did not define our cruise. What we remember most is the chef checking on us after our dining concerns, the Yacht Club Director personally restoring our confidence, butlers waiting at the gangway after long days ashore, whales appearing beyond the panoramic windows, meaningful conversations with fellow Yacht Club guests, and the Top Sail Lounge becoming our familiar private sanctuary. MSC Yacht Club does not need to become Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite product, Disney Concierge, Norwegian’s Haven, or Holland America’s suite experience. Its strength lies in being something distinctly its own: a refined European premium product centered on personal attention, elegant surroundings, and genuine hospitality. The voyage was not perfect, but the leadership and crew showed that our experience mattered. That commitment made the small frustrations fade while the meaningful moments remained. Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Guests can choose from a variety of different accommodation, from interior and ocean-view cabins to balcony cabins and spacious suites.
A choice of 3 distinct dining venues promises something special for every taste, while the wide range of bars and lounge on board offer refreshment and relaxation in the ideal atmosphere for every moment.
Seek the extraordinary and make your cruise holiday an unforgettable adventure.
We offer an incredible choice of shore excursions to suit every taste: whether you prefer adventure, nature, culture or history, we’ve designed something for you and the whole family.
From Culture & History and our breathtaking Scenic Routes, to our Active & Adventure tours and the discovery of Natural Wonders, to Sea & Sun’s relax, our Something Special experiences and our Accessible Tours, you can enjoy the treasures of each destination in your preferred way.
We’ve also established the MSC Family Explorer Club, Excursions Explorer Package and MSC Bike Adventours, which are unique to our line and available on selected MSC Cruises' itineraries.
The superb amenities on board include 3 swimming pools, 4 whirlpool baths and a giant poolside cinema screen. Kids and teens are also well served, with their own clubs and parties, a dedicated Dinosaur Play Area, video games and even a disco!
From the spectacular foyer waterfall to the Zen Garden, authentic Japanese Sushi bar and opulent MSC Aurea Spa wellness centre with its steam room, sauna and divine massages designed to pamper body and mind, MSC Poesia is full of great places to unwind.
MSC family cruises are designed for parents and children to enjoy fun times together and quality time separately. That's why we’re proud to have built a renowned reputation as a company that knows how to create the best cruises for kids.
Today we continue to deliver on that reputation by paying extra attention to the needs of children, tweens, teens and their parents: so book your cruise and immerse in a World of Discovery!
