MSC Cruises focuses on evolving and enhancing the traditional cruise experience and the privately-owned cruise line has invested 10.5billion euros in new ships, by 2026 the fleet will have doubled to 24 ships. Thanks to the use of innovative technologies, world-class partnerships and exciting itineraries, MSC Cruises is the ideal choice for holidaymakers who want to explore the world in comfort and style.

Here’s five things you might not know about the cruise line:

They take tea, and coffee very seriously

MSC Cruises has commissioned research into the top items Brit’s won’t holiday without and I’m sure you won’t be surprised by the response. Tea and Coffee came out unanimously on top with over half of those surveyed admitting to packing food and drink in their suitcase when they travel. To ensure there are all those home comforts Brit’s can’t live without, MSC Cruises is adding a water, tea and coffee package to every booking made from the 1st May, for free. This means that tea, filter coffee and water will all be available free of charge in the main dining room at lunch and dinner for all UK guests.

Free Cirque du Soleil at Sea

Cruising the Mediterranean in winter just got even better with this unique offer. From now until 30th June 2018 passengers booking a winter cruise (16th November to 7th April) on MSC Meraviglia will receive a free Cirque du Soleil at Sea dinner and show experience (terms & conditions apply). The two unique three course tasting menus which consist of dishes including Turmeric Scallops with a corn relish, and Slow cooked Irish Angus Beef Shank have been designed with each show concept in mind. See Viaggio, a poetic adventure into the world of colour following the journey of a painter and his muse or go on an auditory adventure with SONOR a production with sound at its heart.

There’s a new Spanish chef making waves in the kitchen

MSC Cruises is adding another household name to boost its culinary offering. Ramon Freixa will create main meals and tapas dishes which will be introduced across the fleet, as well as an exclusive selection of dishes designed especially for the Christmas and New Year menus. As part of the Elegant Night celebrations, guests in the main restaurants will be able to enjoy Freixa’s signature dish, a mouth-watering Duck Royal with cream of foie gras and onions. Freixa joins other chefs including James Beard award winner Roy Yamaguchi, and Chocolatier and Pastry Chef Jean Philippe-Maury famous for his chocolate fountain in the foyer of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. MSC Cruises offers dining packages for speciality restaurants starting from 15 euros per person on advanced bookings.

The award-winning MSC Aurea spa has just launched brand new treatments and they involve wine

To celebrate the launch of the newest ship in the fleet, MSC Seaside which boasts a 2,410m2 authentic Balinese spa, MSC Cruises has created a signature collection of spa treatments using the LAJATICA vinotherapy products from Bocelli Wines. Exclusive to the MSC Aurea Spa, the treatments debuted on the Miami-based MSC Seaside and will soon be introduced on MSC Cruises ships fleet-wide, including MSC Seaview which launches in June. The vinotherapy cosmetic range is named for the Lajatico region in Tuscany where the Bocelli family has long-held its family estate and the grapes from the vineyard are a key ingredient. Throughout her life, Andrea’s grandmother, Andreina, was known to prepare a compote of red grapes and wild herbs which she used to hydrate her skin.

Cruise to fundraise for UNICEF

Since 2009 MSC Cruises has been working with children’s charity UNICEF. Thanks to the generous contributions of its guests 8 million euros has been raised to provide malnourished children with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) such as Plumpy’ Nut®, and to date more than 6.5 million sachets of RUTF have been delivered to children in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia and Malawi. As well as supporting the charity with donations the cruise company raises awareness on board its ships through “edutainment” activities for children and their parents. Each week sees the programme on board each of MSC Cruises’ ships including a dedicated UNICEF Day with fun games, a children’s parade and the distribution to each participating youngster of a leaflet to teach them about malnutrition in the world.