MSC Cruises has increased the mandatory hotel service charges for passengers sailing aboard its ships in North America. The updated rates took effect on May 11, 2026, and apply to all new bookings made from that date onward.
Passengers aged two years and older staying in standard staterooms on cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, Bermuda, Canada and New England now pay a daily hotel service charge of US$17 per person, compared to the previous US$16 rate. Guests booked in MSC Yacht Club suites now pay US$23 per person per day, up from US$20. Children under the age of two remain exempt from the charges.
According to MSC Cruises, the hotel service charge is a mandatory part of the cruise fare and supports both front-of-house and behind-the-scenes crew members across the fleet.
“At MSC Cruises, exceptional guest service is our top priority,” the company states on its website. “The hotel service charge helps us maintain the highest quality standards of service by supporting the dedicated crew members who work to enhance your onboard experience.”
MSC Cruises introduced mandatory hotel service charges as an integrated part of the total cruise price in April 2021 for new reservations from the Winter 2021-2022 season onward.
Guests who confirmed and prepaid their gratuities before May 11, 2026, will not be affected by the increase.
The updated rates are part of a broader global structure of hotel service charges that varies according to destination and accommodation category. For Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Middle East cruises, MSC Cruises currently charges adults €12 per night in standard accommodations and €16 per night in MSC Yacht Club suites. Different rates also apply for South America, South Africa, Asia and MSC Grand Voyages itineraries.
The increase comes as MSC Cruises continues to expand its footprint in North America. Five MSC ships are currently sailing from U.S. homeports, including MSC World America, which entered service in 2025.
The LNG-powered vessel arrived in Miami in April 2025 ahead of its maiden season and now operates year-round seven-night cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas from PortMiami. The ship visits destinations in both the Eastern and Western Caribbean, including San Juan, Cozumel and Roatán, with all itineraries featuring a call at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.
Alongside MSC World America and MSC Seaside in Miami, MSC Cruises also operates MSC Seascape from Galveston and MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral.
Earlier this month, the company also entered the Alaska market for the first time with the arrival of MSC Poesia in Seattle. The ship recently underwent a refurbishment ahead of its inaugural Alaska season and now features MSC’s Yacht Club concept, alongside new dining venues such as Butcher’s Cut steakhouse and Kyoto sushi bar.
According to Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America, the company continues to see significant growth opportunities in the region. MSC Cruises is also preparing to introduce another World Class vessel, MSC World Atlantic, from Port Canaveral in late 2027.
In addition to expanding its fleet deployment, MSC Cruises is investing further in its private destination portfolio in the Bahamas. Alongside Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company is developing Sandy Cay, a second private island destination that is scheduled to open in 2028.
Contact us for more information about MSC Cruises.
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