MSC Sinfonia

The MSC Sinfonia - named after the Italian word for symphony - was originally built for the Festival cruise line and called the MS European Stars.

When Festival went defunct in 2004, MSC Cruises acquired the Sinfonia and its sister ship, the MSC Armonia, to join the two brand-new and nearly-identical ships that the cruise line had recently commissioned: the Opera and Lirica. These four ships paved the way for MSC to grow in both the European and North American markets. Today, the line is the fourth largest in the world.

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The Sinfonia is a truly beautiful ship. Its interior decor has been inspired by the works of Europe's great classical composers and it's easy to see that great attention to detail was paid during the ship's construction and in subsequent refurbishment projects. While it's not nearly as big as many of the most modern liners, it's still a comfortable and well-equipped vessel that will provide passengers a fabulous holiday experience.

During most of the year, the Sinfonia can be found cruising around the Mediterranean. Popular destinations include Naples, Florence and Catania in Italy, as well as locations in Spain and the French Riviera.

Occasionally, the liner leaves the Med for journeys along the western coast of Africa, stopping at ports of call like Casablanca, Cape Town and Durban.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 2,223
Year entered service: 2002
Beam (ship width): 94.4 feet
Draught (ship depth): 22.4 feet
Length: 823.4 feet
Tonnage: 58,625
Crew: 710
Maximum speed: 21 knots
Number of passenger decks: 10
Number of lifts: 9
Number of swimming pools: 1
Number of cabins: 783

Food, cuisine and dining

There are two main restaurants on the Sinfonia. Both are lavishly decorated and serve three meals a day.

Il Galeone is the larger of the two and has space for 610 guests. It has a simple decor, with terracotta coloured walls and there are a number of pretty plants dotted around the venue, giving it a fresh and relaxing ambience. Most tables are quite large, so dining in this location means that you'll probably be seated with another party.

Alternatively, there's the smaller Il Covo. It's decorated with soft neutral colours for a modern and elegant appearance. Large paintings of what looks like Renaissance nobility line the walls, while the large windows provide excellent views of the lower decks and the beautiful seascape. There are also a number of smaller tables - even a few for couples - allowing passengers to enjoy a private meal.

Dinner is typically a formal occasion and there are two services every night. Both locations offer the same level of service and identical menus consisting mainly of Mediterranean-inspired fare.

Other alternatives include La Terazza, a casual buffet, which is open 24 hours a day. There's also Cafe del Mare where passengers can find various fast food items like grilled hamburgers and pizza.

If you're looking for a cup of tea or coffee, try the Baroque Cafe. Located at the top of the atrium lobby, it offers excellent views of the deck below - perfect if you enjoy people watching while enjoying a warm drink and a delicious pastry.

On-board entertainment and activities

There are a number of impressive show venues on the vessel. In the Sinfonia Lounge, guests can enjoy music and cabaret acts, while the Teatro San Carlo offers acrobatic performances and other productions.

In addition, several public rooms can be found scattered around the ship - perfect for sitting back and enjoying your favourite tipple, and maybe even getting up and doing some dancing yourself.

One popular choice, especially amongst British and Irish passengers is Shelagh's House - an Irish-themed pub. Other options include Manhattan's, the Buddha Bar and La Baroque Cafe.

For younger cruisers, there are three age-specific kids clubs, which offer various games and activities throughout the voyage.

Pinocchio's is a play room for small children, while Planet Teen and Club Pasha are hangout areas for adolescents, which double as discos in the evenings. Babysitting services can also be provided for an extra fee if parents want to get some time to themselves during the voyage.

Spas and fitness facilities

Atlantica is a large wellbeing venue operated by OceanView, an Italian spa company. The facility features a thermal suite with steam rooms, saunas and whirlpool tubs. You can also book an indulgent massage or enjoy a number of other treatments like facials, body wraps, manicures and acupuncture.

There are plenty of ways to keep in shape during your voyage and the spa offers various exercise equipment. Elsewhere on the vessel, you can find a virtual golf simulator where you can practice your swing. There's also a jogging track and some games courts.

Cabins

The Sinfonia has nearly 800 cabins split over 11 categories such as suites, balcony rooms, cabins with views and interior staterooms. This means that when booking your cruise, you'll have a wide range of options to choose from - from luxurious rooms with a variety of amenities, to more basic accommodation for a great cruise deal.

All rooms have air conditioning, televisions and private bathrooms, as well as hairdryers and safes. Room service is provided to all cabins, and items are charged on an a la carte basis.