I’ll be honest: my first impression of MSC Sinfonia was not good. We walked on board in Piraeus and I thought — this is small, this is old, and I’ve been telling everyone how great cruises are. Some of our group were sailing for the first time, and I’d built up the whole experience. The Sinfonia was not what I’d described.
What followed was more complicated than that first impression. The ship has real limitations — the cabins are genuinely small, the buffet is the weakest I’ve encountered on any cruise — but it also has a Greek Islands itinerary that delivers, a restaurant that surprised us on the final evening, and entertainment that outperformed every expectation. This is the honest account of all of it.
MSC Sinfonia — Quick Facts
| Detail | |
| Route | Athens (Piraeus) → Katakolon → Corfu → Kefalonia → Bari → Sea day → Santorini → Athens |
| Duration | 8 days, 6 ports |
| Ship built | 2002, last renovated 2024 |
| Gross tonnage | ~65,500 GT |
| Capacity | ~1,950–2,340 passengers, 13 decks |
| Our cabin | Window cabin (partial view — lifeboat obstruction) |
| Cabin price | $1,312 for two adults |
| Travel month | October 2025 |
| Group | 12 people — friends and family, including children |
MSC Sinfonia Ship Overview
Built in 2002 and last renovated in 2024, MSC Sinfonia is the oldest ship in the MSC fleet — and it looks it. At around 65,500 gross tonnes and 13 decks, it is a small ship by modern cruise standards. There is no Swarovski staircase, no dramatic multi-deck atrium, none of the architectural showpieces that define MSC’s newer vessels. The interior design is classic and dated: wood panelling, brass fittings, muted colour schemes that feel very early 2000s.
The 2024 renovation has maintained rather than transformed the ship. Nothing feels neglected, but anyone arriving from MSC Fantasia or MSC Seashore will feel the difference immediately. I sailed on MSC Seashore for my honeymoon and on MSC Fantasia the year before — Sinfonia is a clear step back in scale and modernity. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth knowing before you board.
The one genuine advantage of the smaller size: the Greek Islands itinerary includes ports that larger ships cannot reach. Kefalonia is only possible because the Sinfonia is small enough to dock there — and Kefalonia turned out to be the best port of the entire sailing.
Cabin Review: Small, Functional, and Not Much More
We booked an interior cabin and were upgraded to one with a window. The window faced a lifeboat. In practice it let in a little light and that was its entire contribution to the experience.
The cabin was small — genuinely small, not cruise-ship-small. A double bed in the centre of the room, a curtained shower, wooden wardrobes, a television, and very limited storage. We’d requested two separate beds; there wasn’t physical space to configure them that way. Suitcases slide under the bed, which is the main storage solution. The shower water pressure was fine. The cabin was cleaned every day without exception, which at least meant it stayed manageable despite the size.
The honest comparison: the gap between these cabins and those on MSC Fantasia is significant. If you’ve sailed on a newer MSC ship and are considering Sinfonia, expect a step down in cabin comfort. On a Greek Islands itinerary with beautiful ports every day, you’ll spend relatively little time in the cabin — but set expectations before you open the door for the first time.
Dining: One Disappointment, One Genuine Highlight
The Buffet
The buffet was the weakest part of the ship, and I won’t dress that up. The selection was limited throughout the week — narrow variety in the hot dishes, few options per category, and a rotation that felt thin by day three. On other MSC ships the buffet is a genuine spread; here it felt like a reduced version of the same idea.
The one honest exception: the coffee was excellent. Better than what I’ve had on newer MSC ships, which is a small but daily pleasure when you’re starting every morning with a cup on deck.
For families, the basics are always there — burgers, pizza, chips — so nobody goes hungry. The buffet functions; it just doesn’t impress. Eat lunch before 1:30 PM or after 2:30 to avoid the busiest period.
The Main Restaurant
The main restaurant is where MSC Sinfonia redeemed itself at the table. The format is the same across the MSC fleet — each evening a menu inspired by a different Italian region, rotating nightly — and the quality on this ship was consistently decent throughout the week. But the final evening stood out. The seafood dishes were exceptional: octopus prepared properly, with that particular tenderness that’s easy to get wrong. It was the best meal of the sailing and, honestly, one of the better restaurant meals I’ve had on any cruise.
Portions run small — a consistent MSC observation — but ordering an extra starter when a main looks light is entirely accepted. Wine and alcohol are charged separately; everything else is included.
The assigned seating system works in the ship’s favour: same table, same waiter, for seven evenings. By day three our waiter knew our preferences without being asked. It’s a small thing that adds real warmth to the evening routine. Families with younger children should book the early seating — the late seating runs to 9 PM, which is too long a day for children under 12.
Entertainment: The Part That Genuinely Surprised Us
I did not expect much from the entertainment on a ship this age. I was wrong.
The evening shows were excellent — professionally staged productions with singers, dancers, and acrobats, with production values that felt out of place on a vessel from 2002. The acrobatics show in particular was spectacular: the kind of performance you’d pay to see in a proper theater. More importantly, the repertoire did not repeat across the seven nights. Every evening offered something different, which on a full week’s sailing matters considerably — and is a clear advantage over MSC Fantasia, where the shows begin to repeat by day six or seven.
The variety kept the theater worth attending every evening. Our group spanned children to adults in their forties, and there was something for everyone across the week. It’s the part of MSC Sinfonia that consistently overdelivers.
Beyond the theater: live music across the bars, deck games, trivia, and a well-programmed sea day. The pool areas were at their most relaxed in October with a quieter-than-summer crowd.
Pool Deck and Outdoor Spaces
The sun deck was adequate for the October crowd — enough loungers, accessible pool, relaxed atmosphere. The two hot tubs were in demand throughout the week; there was consistently a queue, which was the one outdoor frustration worth mentioning.
The children’s water park was a genuine success for the younger members of our group. Small but well-designed, and used enthusiastically every day. There is no adults-only area — a standard trade-off on smaller ships. In October it wasn’t an issue; in July with a full summer crowd it would be a different calculation.
The Greek Islands Itinerary
Six ports in eight days: Athens, Katakolon (gateway to Ancient Olympia), Corfu, Kefalonia, Bari in southern Italy, a sea day, and Santorini. The pace is brisk — only one sea day across the sailing — but the destinations compensate.
Our group was sceptical about the ship from the moment we boarded. By the end of the week, nobody was complaining. The ports — especially Kefalonia and Corfu — are simply beautiful, and a beautiful port makes a mediocre ship feel much less relevant. That’s an honest observation: the itinerary carried the Sinfonia more than the Sinfonia carried the itinerary.
For the full port-by-port breakdown — what we did in each port, excursion costs, and what we’d do differently — read the MSC Sinfonia Greek Islands itinerary guide.
MSC Sinfonia Cost Breakdown (October 2025)
| Cost item | Included / Extra | Our cost / typical range |
| Window cabin (7 nights, 2 adults) | Base fare | $1,312 (October) |
| All meals (buffet + main dining) | Included | — |
| Entertainment, pools, shows | Included | — |
| Gratuities | Extra — auto-added | ~$200–250 (2 adults, 7 nights) |
| Wi-Fi | Extra | $80–120 per device |
| Beverages (alcohol, sodas) | Extra | Package $35–50/day or per drink |
| Shore excursions (6 ports) | Extra | €0 if independent; €30–120/pp depending on port |
| Travel insurance | Extra — essential | $80–150 per person |
| Total extras budget (2 adults) | — | $400–900 above fare |
At $1,312 for a window cabin in October, the per-night rate works out to $82 per person — all meals, shows, and pools included. October is one of the better months to sail: warm weather, quieter ship, and fares well below summer pricing.
MSC Sinfonia: Pros and Cons
| What worked well | What to know before you book |
| Evening shows — excellent, varied, no repeats across 8 nights | Oldest ship in the MSC fleet — shows its age clearly |
| Acrobatics show — genuinely spectacular | Cabins very small; twin-bed layout not possible |
| Final evening seafood in the main restaurant — outstanding | Buffet variety poor — weakest point of the sailing |
| Small ship accesses Kefalonia — larger ships can’t dock there | Cabin service varied across our group of 12 |
| October sailing — quieter ship, good weather, lower fares | No adults-only pool area |
| $1,312 cabin fare — strong value for 8-day Greek Islands route | Air conditioning runs cold at night |
Tips for MSC Sinfonia First-Timers
Lower your cabin expectations before you board
If you’ve sailed on a newer MSC ship, the cabin will be a step down — noticeably so. Accept it before you open the door, spend your time in public spaces and ashore, and the week works well. A balcony upgrade is worth considering on a Greek Islands itinerary; the coastal arrivals make it genuinely valuable.
Don’t skip the main restaurant for the buffet
The buffet is the weakest element of the ship. The main restaurant is where the food actually delivers — particularly by the end of the week when the seafood menus appear. Prioritise the restaurant over the buffet whenever time allows.
Go to the shows — every night
The entertainment is the part of MSC Sinfonia that consistently overdelivers. The shows are different every evening across all seven nights, the acrobatics show is genuinely spectacular, and the theater works for all ages. Don’t miss it.
Book the early dinner seating for families with children
The late seating runs to 9 PM. Fine for adults; too late for younger children. Book the early seating at the time of reservation. The sea day evening is also the formal night — worth knowing before you pack
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MSC Sinfonia worth booking in 2025?
Yes, with honest expectations. It’s the oldest ship in the MSC fleet and it shows — in the cabins, the buffet, and the public spaces. But the Greek Islands itinerary is excellent, the entertainment genuinely impressed us, and at $1,312 for two adults in October, the value is strong. If you’re choosing between MSC Sinfonia and a newer ship at a similar price, the newer ship wins on comfort. If you’re choosing between this itinerary and a land-based Greek island trip covering the same destinations, the cruise wins on logistics and value – here are 5 reasons a Greek Islands itinerary makes sense as your first Mediterranean sailing
How old is MSC Sinfonia and does it feel dated?
Built in 2002, last renovated in 2024. It is the oldest in the MSC fleet and feels it — particularly in the cabins and buffet. The renovation has maintained the ship without modernising it. It doesn’t feel neglected, but it won’t have the wow-factor of a ship built in the last decade.
Is MSC Sinfonia good for families with children?
Yes, with some caveats. The children’s water park was well-received by the younger members of our group. The evening shows work for all ages. The cabins are small, which matters more for families. October is a good month for families — the ship is quieter and facilities more accessible than in peak summer.
Is a balcony cabin worth it on MSC Sinfonia?
On a Greek Islands itinerary, yes. Arriving into Corfu, Kefalonia, Santorini from a private balcony is a different experience to watching from a corridor window. We sailed in a window cabin and would upgrade on a repeat sailing specifically because of the itinerary.
How does MSC Sinfonia compare to MSC Fantasia?
MSC Fantasia is larger, newer, and more polished — better cabins, wider buffet, more impressive public spaces. MSC Sinfonia is smaller and older, but sails a Greek Islands itinerary including Kefalonia, which Fantasia cannot access. The entertainment on Sinfonia also had a clear edge: no repeated shows across seven nights, versus noticeable repetition by day six or seven on Fantasia. Which ship suits you depends on what you’re prioritising.
What is included in the MSC Sinfonia cruise fare?
All meals — buffet and main restaurant — entertainment, shows, pool access, and daily housekeeping. Not included: gratuities (auto-added, approximately $12–15 per person per day), Wi-Fi, drinks, shore excursions, and travel insurance. Budget $400–900 above the cabin fare for onboard extras — a full breakdown of what cruises actually cost is here.
MSC Sinfonia: Is It Worth Booking?
Honestly — yes, but go in knowing what you’re getting. The ship is old, the cabins are small, the buffet is poor, and our group arrived on board with genuine disappointment. I’d told everyone how great cruises are. The Sinfonia was not what I’d described.
By the end of the week, nobody was complaining. The ports are simply beautiful — especially Kefalonia, which only the Sinfonia can reach. The acrobatics show was spectacular. The final evening’s seafood in the restaurant was outstanding. And at $1,312 for two adults covering eight days and six Greek islands, the value is hard to argue with.
We’d book it again — in October, balcony cabin, early dinner seating. With one adjustment: I’d describe the ship accurately to anyone travelling with us, rather than overselling it. The itinerary sells itself. The Sinfonia doesn’t need the help.