MSC Unveils New Family Programming; Drones and Spy Missions Among the Highlights

(12:40 p.m. EDT) – When MSC Grandiosa launches in November 2019, it will feature drone racing, spy games and an epic dance competition -- all activities aimed solidly at teen cruisers.

"The growing number of teens sailing with us, 13-17 year olds, now make up 40 percent of our young guests," said Matteo Mancini, MSC Cruises' children’s entertainment manager. "This has driven our development of exciting new teen-focused entertainment activities and a new web series dedicated to teens."

In the ship's Sportsplex venue, teens will be trained on drone piloting skills in The Drone Academy before competing in teams for a relay race; their mission will be to navigate glowing drones through 15 obstacles in over 4,000 square feet of high-tech arena space as quickly as possible.

A roaming spy experience -- a first for MSC -- will allow young audiences to follow clues throughout the ship, solving a mystery that encompasses both reality and fiction, in Spy Mission.

And production company Fremantle, well-known for TV programs including Idols, The X Factor and the Got Talent shows, will run MSC Dance Crew -- a competition experience for teams of 12- to 17-year-old cruisers.

MSC is also adding a teen-focused web series, debuting early 2020, called "Cabin 12006," which joins MSC's existing kids' web series, "On board with Kelly and Kloe."

MSC Grandiosa will be the first ship in the line's Meraviglia-Plus class, and will include MSC's traditional kids' activities, including the LEGO Experience, the DOREBRO sports program and Family Explorer Club shore excursion program. Additionally, MSC’s Baby-Club for children under 3 and regular childcare service from other ships will be available on Grandiosa.