MSC Opera

The MSC Opera is a luxury cruise ship with many unique ways to keep its guests happy and entertained. It has a large variety of activities on offer, catering to a diverse selection of guests and curating a luxurious and enjoyable experience for all those onboard.

There are three cruising experiences to choose from on the MSC Opera and in fact all the MSC ships: the Aurea, Fantastica and Bella experiences. The cruise experience that is selected will each bring a uniquely different feel to the cruise. The Bella experience allows the budget-conscious guest to experience a memorable cruise, while remaining within budget. The Fantastica experience includes all benefits within the Bella experience, with additional benefits, such as one free cruise change and the opportunity to choose the location of the cabin. The Aurea experience boasts the most benefits, as it includes all benefits from the Fantastica experience, as well as priority boarding and luggage drop off, a welcome package and a strong focus on relaxation and wellbeing.

In regards to cabins, there are four different kinds available: interior cabins, ocean view cabins, balcony cabins and suites. All cabins include either two single beds or a double bed, a bathroom, seating, a television, a telephone and a safe. Interior (inside) cabins is perfect for guests that look forward to spending time on the rest of the ship, rather than spending the day in the cabin, as they have no windows. They often have one to two beds that can fold down from the wall at night which makes the cabin suitable for three to four guests. Ocean view (outside) cabins come with a porthole that allows natural light into the room. They are slightly larger than inside cabins and can also come with fold down beds. Balcony cabins include a balcony with a small table and chairs for guests to enjoy the view. The inside sitting area comes with a pull-out couch that can be made up into a sleeper couch. Suites are very similar to balcony cabins; however, the room is much larger, the wardrobe far more spacious, and there is a bathtub as well as a shower in the bathroom.

When exploring the ship, extensive options for entertainment can be found. There are lounges and bars across the ship where guests can sit and listen to live music. Some of these are small and intimate areas and others can seat over 400 people, with a variety of music genres being performed. The Teatro dell’ Opera presents live theatre shows every night with a very talented cast of singers, dancers, acrobats, magicians and more. Many guests enjoy dancing the night away at the Byblos Disco, where there is a live DJ from 11pm.

The card room gives guests the opportunity to enjoy card games items needed supplied. For guests that enjoy reading, the card room shares a space with a library with many books available to browse. Guests that like taking their chances with luck will enjoy the onboard Med Pearl Casino that has both card tables and slot machines. The onboard mini mall entices guests with a variety of goods - MSC merchandise, watches, perfumes, sweet treats, jewellery and more!

Photographers will take high quality photos throughout the cruise, which will be available for purchase in various sizes in the ship’s photo gallery. For those with a need to catch up on work or to access social media, there is a Wi-Fi connection is available across the whole ship. Guests looking for outdoor entertainment will enjoy the swimming pools or one of the jacuzzis. Of course, the wonderful entertainment team schedules many games and activities both indoors and outdoors on the daily. Details can be found on the day-to-day itinerary left in each cabin every morning.

Families with people of all ages are also taken care of on the MSC Opera. Parents can enjoy a carefree cruise while their babies, children and teenagers can participate in the (age appropriate) activities in one of the four clubs, each with a particular age range. There are also child-friendly play areas on the ship if the family should like to spend time together, such as the Doremi Spray Park – which is alongside the main pools - and other play areas.

On the MSC Opera, an assortment of food is available. There are two formal dining restaurants, L’Approdo and Le Caravella. Le Caravella is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, whereas the L’Approdo restaurant is only open for dinner. Le Vele is the self-service buffet that offers many Italian and local-inspired dishes, and is alongside the Il Patio hamburger paradise, pizza and pasta. There are always vegetarian and halaal options available on South African departures. Kosher meals can also be requested up to three weeks before the cruise departs. The many bars that the ship has to offer will supply guests with all the coffee, smoothies, sodas, ice-cream and alcohol that they can possibly want.

For people that don’t wish to give up on physical activity while on holiday, the free gym has a range of cardio exercise equipment as well as weights. There is also a power walking track that extends across the length of the ship that can be frequented. Mini golf and shuffleboard are also good options for less energetic activities.

The famous Aurea Spa allows guests to enjoy the luxury of almost any beauty and spa treatment. Relax while having one of the various massage options, decompress in the sauna, get a brand-new hairdo in the hair salon or barber shop, have a facial, or even get your nails done. The possibilities are endless!

The MSC Opera caters to a spectrum of different people with differing tastes and interests. Each aspect of the lifestyle that is experienced onboard the MSC Opera has been carefully curated to make it as luxurious and relaxing as possible, while keeping the guest’s monetary needs, and any wants that they might have, in mind.