Western Mediterranean Cruise with MSC Opera

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: 2004
• Renovation: 2015
• Home port: Panama City
• Length: 274,9 metres
• Tonnage: 65.591 BRZ
• Speed: 20.3 knots
• Decks: 13
• Passengers: 2,679
• Crew: 742
• 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 are comfortably furnished and have a bathroom with shower and toilet, a minibar, TV, telephone and safe. The interior and oceanview staterooms offer about 12-13 sqm space, the balcony staterooms are approx. 13 sqm in size. The suites measure 23 sqm and are equipped with a bathtub instead of a shower.

On board the MSC Opera, it's like landing in a modern and well-kept holiday hotel: Good food, a wide range of sports, comfortable staterooms and many entertainment options. Even ig the atmosphere on board is relaxed and casual, festive wear is recommended on two evenings a week. Alternatively, you can also visit the buffet restaurant on these evenings where no formal clothings are recommended.

MSC Cruises is an Italian shipping company, which also characterises the cuisine on board. The culinary offering on board MSC Opera includes several 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 Vele (buffet restaurant): A variety of dishes from the hot and cold buffet await you here.
• Il Patio (buffet restaurant): Enjoy delicacies from the buffet.
• La Caravella (main restaurant): Taste Mediterranean-inspired menus in an elegant ambience.
• L'Approdo (main restaurant): Enjoy fine dining in the à la carte restaurant.

In the various lounges and bars (not included), you can enjoy a relaxing cappuccino in the Aroma Coffee Bar in the afternoon or savour delicious cocktails in the Cotton Club. We also recommend the Sottovento Pub.

There are many ways to spend your holiday on board. Sports enthusiasts and those seeking relaxation are well catered for in the large fitness and spa area with whirlpools, steam bath and much more.

The pool area offers fun for the whole family. Apart from that, there are other entertainment options, for example the Med Pearl Casino for adults or the boutiques. In the "Teatro dell'Opera" you can watch breathtaking shows. If you prefer to go dancing in the evening, the modern Byblos discotheque is just right for you.

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-Italian atmosphere makes the MSC Opera a lively and cheerful ship. But there are also quiet corners and places to relax on board. Also cruise newcomers feel very well on this ship. The price-performance ratio is good.