MSC Opera

The MSC Opera was one of the first two ships to be built specifically for MSC Cruises. It was launched in 2004 and, along with its sister ship the Lirica and two vessels acquired from Festival Cruises, the liner helped to set the company on its way to becoming one of the largest cruise operators in the world.

Designed to be a very spacious and comfortable cruise ship, the Opera is a gorgeously designed vessel with plenty of open deck space and amenities to keep passengers entertained throughout their voyage.

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It's obvious for anyone who steps on the liner that significant time and energy have been put into designing a luxurious and attractive ship. All the interiors feature richly coloured fabrics and elegant furnishings, with fine brass and marble embellishments throughout.

If you're considering a cruise on the Opera, you'll have a variety of destinations to choose from. The ship offers a series of European, Baltic and Norwegian fjord cruises, which depart from Southampton throughout the summer. During the European winter, the vessel can be found in South America, cruising mainly along the coast of Brazil.

Like the other ships in the MSC fleet, the Opera has been designed for a predominantly European market, but depending on the port of departure, the passenger population may also have a large proportion of North Americans. Guests are typically young couples and families, while the dress code is usually fairly casual - although formal nights are held on each voyage.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 2,200
Year entered service: 2004
Beam (ship width): 94.4 feet
Draught (ship depth): 22.4 feet
Length: 830.7 feet
Tonnage: 58,058
Crew: 701
Maximum speed: 21.7 knots
Number of passenger decks: 10
Number of lifts: 9
Number of swimming pools: 2
Number of cabins: 878

Food, cuisine and dining

The Opera has two main restaurants, La Caravella and L'Approdo. Both offer delicious, high-quality cuisine, with menus predominantly inspired by Italian and Mediterranean fare. The company boasts that all of its food is carefully prepared from only the freshest ingredients - and all the bread is baked on-board every day.

These two eateries serve three meals a day, with breakfast and lunch on an open-seating basis. Dinner is more traditional, with six courses and two set meal times. Most tables are fairly large, with six or eight seats, so normally, you will find yourself sharing a table with fellow passengers, although some tables with two or four seats are also available.

If you'd prefer something a bit different, Le Vele is a casual self-serve buffet that offers many of the same foods as the main dining rooms. With its large windows, comfortable wicker chairs and wooden flooring, it gives the feeling of an outdoor dining experience inside.

On the main pool deck, you'll find Il Patio, which provides fast food items for a la carte dining. In addition, coffees and pastries are available throughout the day from the Aroma Cafe.

On-board entertainment and activities

If you want to enjoy a show on the Opera, then the stunning Teatro dell'Opera is the place to be. This venue has more than 700 cinema-style seats and the ceiling is filled with tiny lights for a starry sky effect. Productions range from cabaret acts to concerts.

Live music is also available in the lounges and bars throughout the ship - such as Bar Aroma, Piazza di Spagna piano bar, Caruso Lounge, Cotton Club Bar and La Cabala Piano Bar.

If you fancy dancing late into the night, then the Byblos Disco is the place to go. There's also the Monte Carlo Casino: it offers a variety of card games, slot machines and video games and measures more than 400 square metres.

Enrichment opportunities are available throughout the day, such as language courses, arts and crafts workshops and dance lessons. Meanwhile, cruise favourites like karaoke and bingo are also available.

Spas and fitness facilities

The Opera is equipped with a wide range of exercise facilities, such as two swimming pools, a miniature golf course and a jogging track.

If you prefer to relax in a spa setting, then the ship's health club won't disappoint. It features a tranquil relaxation room and a thermal suite with steam rooms and saunas, while treatments ranging from massages and acupuncture through to facials and manicures are all available.

There's also a fitness room with various exercise machines and a space for aerobics and yoga classes.

Cabins

The Opera has nearly 900 staterooms for passengers to choose from. These span 11 different price ranges: suites for those who prefer the most deluxe accommodation, five grades of outside-view rooms and five types of interior rooms for holidaymakers seeking cruise deals. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are available in every category.

There are 172 suites, all of which include balconies. However, it's important to note that these aren't traditional suites, in that they comprise just one room. They're simply larger than other accommodation options and include extra amenities.

The more basic rooms are smaller, but still very comfortable and with plenty of storage space for you and all your belongings. They have a simple decor and are equipped with a private bathroom, flat-screen television and a desk/vanity unit with a hairdryer.

Most cabins are suited for two guests. However, some offer space for additional people, while others can be converted to single beds.