If you’re looking at booking MSC Poesia after the refit, the biggest thing to understand is that this was a major refurbishment rather than a completely new version of the ship. MSC Poesia emerged from dry dock at the Palumbo Malta Shipyard in April 2026, shortly before crossing the Atlantic for its first Alaska season.
The refurbishment introduced some significant changes, including a new MSC Yacht Club with 69 suites, two speciality restaurants, a redesigned spa, an upgraded gym and a new exclusive outdoor area for Aurea guests. However, many of the ship’s original public spaces remain. MSC Poesia still has its traditional Musica-class layout, with the main bars, lounges, theatre, casino and dining rooms concentrated across Decks 5, 6 and 7.
This guide covers 10 things you need to know about the MSC Poesia refit, including what was added, which areas changed and what passengers should realistically expect onboard now.
Watch My MSC Poesia Full Ship Tour
I filmed my MSC Poesia full ship tour before the 2026 refit. The video still gives you a clear deck-by-deck look at the layout, including the pools, buffet, dining rooms, bars, theatre, casino, outdoor decks and cabin areas.
Some parts of the ship have changed since the tour was filmed, particularly around the upper forward decks, speciality dining, spa and gym. I explain those changes throughout this guide so you can understand how the original layout compares with what passengers will find onboard after the refurbishment.
1. MSC Poesia Had a Major Refit in April 2026
MSC Poesia completed its refurbishment at the Palumbo Malta Shipyard in April 2026. The ship was the second vessel in MSC Cruises’ Musica class to undergo a major refurbishment at the shipyard, following MSC Magnifica. After leaving dry dock, MSC Poesia crossed the Atlantic, travelled through the Panama Canal and continued to Seattle ahead of its first Alaska season.
From May to September 2026, the ship operates aseven-night Alaska cruises from Seattle, visiting destinations including Ketchikan, Juneau, Endicott Arm and Icy Strait Point.
The refit was partly designed to prepare MSC Poesia for these new itineraries, but the main changes affect the general onboard experience rather than only the Alaska sailings. The refurbishment added new accommodation, private facilities, speciality dining and updated wellness areas. It did not involve rebuilding every existing bar, lounge, restaurant or cabin.
2. MSC Yacht Club Is the Biggest Change
The introduction of MSC Yacht Club is the biggest change made during the MSC Poesia refit. MSC Yacht Club is MSC Cruises’ ship-within-a-ship experience. It gives eligible passengers access to private accommodation and facilities that are separated from the main areas of the ship.
The new MSC Yacht Club on MSC Poesia includes 69 suites. Guests staying in these suites receive 24-hour butler and concierge service, along with access to a private restaurant, lounge and outdoor areas.
The Yacht Club also has its own private sundeck with whirlpools, a grill restaurant and a bar. This is a major change for a Musica-class ship because MSC Poesia wasn’t originally designed with Yacht Club facilities.
The addition means part of the upper forward section of the ship is now reserved for Yacht Club passengers. Standard cabin passengers can’t access these private areas.
3. The Former Top 16 Solarium Has Changed
Before the refit, the forward section of Deck 16 was home to the Top 16 Solarium. This was an outdoor adults-only area available to Aurea passengers or, depending on the sailing, passengers purchasing separate access. That area has now become part of the new MSC Yacht Club.
This means passengers who previously sailed on MSC Poesia may notice one of the biggest layout changes as soon as they explore the upper decks. The forward Deck 16 area is no longer the former Aurea solarium. It is now connected with the private Yacht Club facilities and isn’t available to passengers staying outside MSC Yacht Club.
There are still quieter outdoor spaces around MSC Poesia, including smaller deck areas on Decks 14 and 15, but the old Top 16 arrangement no longer applies.
4. Aurea Guests Now Have the Top 15 Exclusive Solarium
Although the former Top 16 Solarium has become part of MSC Yacht Club, MSC has introduced the Top 15 Exclusive Solarium for Aurea guests. This is a spacious outdoor area reserved for passengers travelling with the relevant Aurea experience.
The move separates the Aurea sun deck from the new Yacht Club facilities while continuing to offer Aurea passengers a more exclusive outdoor space away from the main pool deck.
The main public pool area remains on Deck 13, where passengers will find the Coral Bay and Cayo Levantado pools, four hot tubs, outdoor bars and surrounding sun deck space.
MSC Poesia still doesn’t have an indoor swimming pool, so the outdoor areas remain particularly important on warm-weather itineraries.
5. Butcher’s Cut Has Been Added
One of the biggest dining changes is the addition of Butcher’s Cut. Butcher’s Cut is MSC Cruises’ American-style steakhouse and is an extra-charge speciality restaurant.
The menu focuses on steaks, grilled meats and traditional steakhouse-style accompaniments. It gives MSC Poesia a more substantial speciality dining option than the ship offered before the refurbishment.
Before the refit, dining on MSC Poesia was centred mainly around the two main dining rooms and the Villa Pompeiana Buffet, with fewer extra-charge choices than passengers may find on newer MSC ships.
The addition of Butcher’s Cut gives passengers another sit-down evening option and brings the dining offer more in line with other ships across the MSC fleet.
6. Kaito Sushi Bar Is Still Part of the New Dining Offer
Kaito Sushi Bar is the second speciality dining venue included in MSC’s post-refit dining offer. Kaito serves sushi and Asian-inspired dishes for an additional charge.
A Kaito venue was already available on Deck 7 and is still there after the refit. Together, Butcher’s Cut and Kaito give MSC Poesia two dedicated speciality dining options.
The ship still has its two included main dining rooms. Le Fontane Restaurant is on Deck 5 and is easy to recognise by its blue chairs and carpeting. Il Palladio Restaurant is on Deck 6 and has red chairs and red carpeting.
The Villa Pompeiana Buffet remains at the aft of Deck 13 and continues to provide the main casual dining option for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and late-night snacks.
7. The MSC Aurea Spa Has Been Redesigned
The MSC Aurea Spa was redesigned as part of the refurbishment. The spa remains in the forward section of Deck 13, but the updated facilities are intended to provide a more modern wellness experience.
MSC has confirmed that the enhanced spa includes treatment and relaxation facilities, along with a Gentleman’s Barber. Spa treatments and thermal facilities cost extra unless access or treatments are included as part of a passenger’s booking.
The redesigned spa is one of the changes that may be particularly noticeable to returning passengers because the wider forward area has also been affected by the new Yacht Club development.
8. The Gym Has Been Upgraded
MSC Poesia’s gym has also been upgraded as part of the refurbishment. It’s now described as the MSC Gym Powered by Technogym. The gym includes cardio and strength equipment, along with various workout studios.
Before the refit, the gym was already located beside the MSC Aurea Spa at the front of Deck 13 and it had a mix of cardio equipment, weights and resistance machines.
The refurbishment has modernised the fitness offer rather than moving the gym to a completely different part of the ship. This should be a positive change for passengers who regularly use the gym, particularly on sea days or during colder Alaska itineraries when the outdoor decks may be less appealing.
9. Many of the Original Public Spaces Remain
Although the MSC Poesia refit introduced some major additions, much of the ship remains familiar. The main indoor public areas are still concentrated across Decks 5, 6 and 7.
The Teatro Carlo Felice still spans Decks 6 and 7 and remains the main venue for evening shows.
The Zebra Bar, Bar dei Poeti, Giada Bar and Bar Smeraldo remain on Deck 6.
Le Rendez-Vous Bar and the main atrium remain on Deck 5, close to Guest Services and Le Fontane Restaurant.
Casino Royale, Il Grappolo d’Oro wine bar, the Hitchcock Lounge and Pigalle Lounge remain on Deck 7.
The main outdoor pools, buffet, children’s facilities, sports court, mini golf and S32 Disco are also still part of the ship.
MSC Poesia hasn’t been transformed into one of MSC’s newest resort-style ships. It still has the layout, scale and atmosphere of a Musica-class vessel.
10. The Refit Was Designed With Alaska in Mind
The timing and design of the MSC Poesia refurbishment were closely connected to the ship’s first Alaska season. After leaving Malta, MSC Poesia crossed the Atlantic and travelled through the Panama Canal before arriving in Seattle.The ship then began a programme of seven-night Alaska cruises between May and September 2026. These itineraries included ports and destinations such as Ketchikan, Juneau, Endicott Arm and Icy Strait Point.
The Yacht Club, upgraded spa and improved indoor fitness facilities add more premium and indoor options, which may be particularly relevant on colder itineraries.
However, one thing passengers should still understand is that MSC Poesia doesn’t have an indoor swimming pool. The two main pools remain outdoors on Deck 13, so their use will depend heavily on the weather.
Following the Alaska season, MSC Poesia is scheduled to reposition to Miami for round-trip Caribbean cruises during winter 2026–2027 before returning to Alaska in summer 2027.
What Changed in the MSC Poesia Refit?
The main changes introduced during the MSC Poesia refit include:
The MSC Yacht Club was added with 69 suites. A private Yacht Club restaurant and lounge were added. The Yacht Club received a private sundeck with whirlpools. A private grill restaurant and bar were added for Yacht Club guests. The former Top 16 Solarium area became part of MSC Yacht Club.
The Top 15 Exclusive Solarium was introduced for Aurea guests.
Butcher’s Cut was added as a speciality steakhouse.
The MSC Aurea Spa was redesigned. A Gentleman’s Barber was added.
The gym was upgraded to MSC Gym Powered by Technogym. New workout studios were introduced.
What Hasn’t Really Changed?
MSC Poesia still has its traditional Musica-class layout. The two main outdoor swimming pools remain on Deck 13.
The Villa Pompeiana Buffet remains at the aft of Deck 13. Le Fontane and Il Palladio remain the two main dining rooms.
The Teatro Carlo Felice remains the main theatre. The Zebra Bar, Pigalle Lounge, S32 Disco and many of the original bars and entertainment venues are still onboard.
The indoor public areas remain concentrated around Decks 5, 6 and 7.
MSC Poesia still doesn’t have an indoor pool. The ship therefore offers more choice and a more premium experience after the refit, but it hasn’t become a completely different type of cruise ship.
Is the MSC Poesia Refit a Good Thing?
Overall, the refit has added more choice to MSC Poesia. Butcher’s Cut is a useful addition because the ship previously had limited speciality dining compared with newer MSC vessels.
The upgraded spa and gym should improve the wellness facilities, while the Top 15 Exclusive Solarium gives Aurea guests a separate outdoor area after the former Top 16 space became part of Yacht Club.
The biggest change is clearly the addition of MSC Yacht Club. For passengers who book Yacht Club, the new private restaurant, lounge, sundeck, whirlpools, bar and grill create a very different experience from travelling in a standard cabin.
For passengers outside Yacht Club, the main ship remains broadly familiar. You’ll still use the same public pools, buffet, dining rooms, bars, lounges and entertainment venues.
There is also a trade-off because a section of the upper forward deck that was previously available as an Aurea solarium is now restricted to Yacht Club guests.
So whether the refit feels significant will depend partly on how you travel. Yacht Club passengers will experience the biggest difference. Aurea passengers gain a new exclusive solarium, while passengers in standard cabins will probably notice the new speciality dining and wellness facilities more than any complete change to the ship’s overall layout.
Related MSC Poesia Guides
For a broader look around the whole ship, my What’s Onboard MSC Poesia guide covers the pools, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, family facilities, cabins, outdoor spaces and overall layout.
My MSC Poesia embarkation day guide explains how boarding works, what you need to do after getting onboard and how to activate the payment card linked to your cruise account.
My MSC Poesia Dining Guide explains the main dining rooms, buffet, included food and extra-charge dining options available on the ship.
My MSC Poesia bars guide covers the indoor and outdoor bars, lounges, live music venues and evening drinking spots around the ship.
MSC Poesia Refit: Frequently Asked Questions
Has MSC Poesia been refurbished?
Yes, MSC Poesia completed a major refurbishment at the Palumbo Malta Shipyard in April 2026.
What changed during the MSC Poesia refit?
The main changes include the addition of MSC Yacht Club, 69 new Yacht Club suites, Butcher’s Cut, enhanced Kaito Sushi Bar dining, a redesigned MSC Aurea Spa, an upgraded Technogym fitness centre and the Top 15 Exclusive Solarium.
Does MSC Poesia now have MSC Yacht Club?
Yes, MSC Yacht Club was added during the 2026 refurbishment. It includes 69 suites, butler and concierge service, a private restaurant, lounge, sundeck, whirlpools, grill restaurant and bar.
Where is MSC Yacht Club on MSC Poesia?
The new MSC Yacht Club occupies part of the upper forward section of the ship, including the area previously used for the Top 16 Solarium.
What happened to the Top 16 Solarium?
The former Top 16 Solarium became part of the new MSC Yacht Club and is no longer available as an Aurea sun deck.
Does MSC Poesia have an Aurea sun deck?
Yes, MSC has introduced the Top 15 Exclusive Solarium as an outdoor area for Aurea guests.
Does MSC Poesia have Butcher’s Cut?
Yes, Butcher’s Cut was added during the 2026 refurbishment. It is an extra-charge American-style steakhouse.
Does MSC Poesia have Kaito Sushi Bar?
Yes, Kaito Sushi Bar is one of the ship’s two speciality dining venues and serves sushi and Asian-inspired dishes for an additional charge.
Was the MSC Poesia spa refurbished?
Yes, the MSC Aurea Spa was redesigned during the refurbishment and now includes updated wellness facilities and a Gentleman’s Barber.
Was the MSC Poesia gym refurbished?
Yes, the gym was upgraded and is now described as the MSC Gym Powered by Technogym. It includes fitness equipment and workout studios.
Does MSC Poesia have an indoor pool after the refit?
No, MSC Poesia still doesn’t have an indoor swimming pool. The two main pools are outside on Deck 13.
Was the whole of MSC Poesia refurbished?
The refit introduced several major new facilities, but the whole ship wasn’t rebuilt. Many of the original bars, lounges, restaurants, cabin decks and entertainment venues remain.
Was the MSC Poesia refit completed before the Alaska season?
Yes, the refurbishment was completed in April 2026 before MSC Poesia crossed the Atlantic and travelled to Seattle for its first Alaska season.
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise more comfortable and help you stay organised onboard. I personally use variations of these when cruising, and they’re all practical rather than essential.
Magnetic hooks Perfect for extra storage in your cabin
Packing cubes Keep your suitcase organised
Cruise luggage tags Protect your tags at the port
Travel Extension Lead UK For charging multiple phones, cameras, and laptops
Toiletry organiser Great for small bathrooms
You can also browse my full Cruise Essentials list for more useful items I use or recommend for cruise holidays.
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