Eastern Mediterranean Cruise with MSC Lirica

Welcome aboard MSC Cruises! The cruise line was founded in 1970 and is the cruise division of the container shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company. MSC Cruises is the world's largest privately family-owned cruise line (Aponte family) and has many years of expertise on the seven seas. The Aponte family has also established an independent charitable organisation, the MSC Foundation, which is also present on board and supports many humanitarian and environmental projects.

MSC Cruises offers its guests a Mediterranean and modern lifestyle at a good price-performance ratio. Guests of all ages feel at home on the sometimes colourful, sometimes understated ships. The ships are also well received on the German market and the number of German guests is growing steadily. A knowledge of English is recommended, although some services are also offered in German.

With the MSC Yacht Club, the ‘ship-within-a-ship concept’, MSC Cruises offers an exclusive area on selected ships with luxurious suites, its own restaurant with five-star service and other amenities.

• Category: Lirica Class
• Built in: 2003
• Home port: Panama City
• Length: 275 metres
• Tonnage: 65,591 BRZ
• Speed: 20,1 knots
• Decks: 13
• Passengers: 2.648
• Crew: 752
• Language: German, Italian, English, French, Spanish
• Currency: € or US-$ (depending on the destination)
• Internet: Starlink from SpaceX, internet café and Wi-Fi (fee required)

The staterooms on the MSC Lirica are modern and comfortably furnished and have a bathroom with shower and toilet, a minibar, a safe and a TV. The interior and ocenview staterooms are about 12-13 sqm in size. The balcony staterooms already have 17 sqm and the suites have 21-53 sqm, depending on the suite category. Some balcony staterooms and all suites have a bathtub.

On board the MSC Lirica, it's like being in a well-kept holiday hotel on land: good food, a good range of sports, comfortable staterooms and many entertainment options. Even though it is relaxed and casual, festive attire is recommended on two evenings during a week. On these evenings, you can always opt for the buffet restaurant as well.

MSC Cruises is an Italian shipping company and so the cuisine is also Italian in character. The restaurant and buffet area has been greatly expanded as part of the Renaissance programme. The culinary offering on board MSC Lirica includes numerous restaurants with something for everyone. Drinks are available for an additional charge or you can take advantage of a drinks package.

The following restaurants are included in the price:

• Le Bistrot (buffet restaurant): A variety of dishes from the hot and cold buffet await you here.
• La Pergola (buffet restaurant): Enjoy delicacies from the buffet in the outdoor area when the weather is nice.
• La Bussola (main restaurant): Sample freshly prepared dishes in an elegant ambience.
• L'Ippocampo (main restaurant): Enjoy fine dining in the à la carte restaurant.

There is a surcharge for the following speciality restaurants:

• Kaito Sushi Bar: sample Japanese specialities such as exquisite sushi or soup.

In the various lounges and bars (not included) you can enjoy a relaxing cappuccino in The Coffee Corner in the afternoon or savour delicious cocktails in The Beverly Hills Bar. We also recommend the Lord Nelson Pub, which is reminiscent of a typical English pub.

On board there are many ways to spend your holiday. Sufficient space has been created for entertainment and relaxation.

The pool area offers fun for the whole family. Apart from that, there are other entertainment options, for example, the Las Vegas Casino for adults or the boutiques. In the theatre you can watch breathtaking Broadway-style shows.

Sports enthusiasts will find an extensive gym with a beautiful view of the sea on the MSC Lirica. In addition, there is also a power walking track in the fresh air or a mini golf course.

For wellness lovers, the MSC Lirica also has a lot to offer. The Aurea Spa invites you to relax with sauna, whirlpool, massages and cosmetic treatments.

There is plenty for children of all ages to discover on board, such as the LEGO® play area or the Doremi Spray Park with many water attractions.

Childcare is also provided: babies and toddlers aged between six months and two years are looked after by certified staff in the Baby Club, which was created in collaboration with the leading children's brand Chicco®. Toddlers aged three to six play in the MSC Mini Club and the Junior Club looks after children aged seven to eleven. MSC's experienced entertainers look after the children with various games and many sporting activities. During the day, 12 to 14-year-olds in the Young Club and 15 to 17-year-olds in the Teens Club can enjoy clubs equipped with the latest consoles, games and VR technology, a teen disco and a dinner organised exclusively for teenagers.

The European and especially Italian characterised atmosphere makes the MSC Lirica a lively and cheerful ship. But also a quiet place for relaxed hours can always be found on board. Cruise newcomers and families feel very comfortable on this ship. The price-performance ratio is good.