‘MSC Opera’: A Cruise Ship With An Italian Ambience
By P W Mooney
MSC Cruises’ MSC Opera made her debut
in 2004 and has been operating cruises in both the Mediterranean
and in the Caribbean. As the sister ship to the MSC Lirica,
the 59,058 ton Opera can hold 1,756 passengers, 176 more than
MSC Lirica, and Opera also has a 52 percent increase in cabins
with a balcony (130 to 198).
MSC Cruises is a cruise line, albeit young,
that has plenty of energy and tries to emulate the passion of
things Italian in food and customs. So when you take a cruise
on this ship, while most of your ship companions may be from
the US in Caribbean waters, you get an Italian feel—whether
it is in the dining experience or the entertainment—though adjusted
to American tastes.
Interested in things Italian, in late January,
I took a seven-day cruise on the MSC Opera that sailed out of
Ft Lauderdale on an eastern Caribbean itinerary—San Juan, PR;
St. Maarten; the Dominican Republic ports of La Romana and Cayo
Levantado. (Click My
MSC Opera’s Seven-Day Caribbean Itinerary for the
details.) And here is what I found.
After a near flawless flight to Ft. Lauderdale
on Jet Blue Airways, I found my airport transfer van and soon
I was off to the port. Unfortunately as the terminal MSC Cruises
usually uses was heavily damaged when Hurricane Wilma hit last
fall, the ship had been forced to use a substitute docking area
temporarily. This somewhat delayed what would have been a smooth
check-in process as a makeshift security system near the building
entry dictated that passengers line up outside the building
to go through security.
Accommodations
Once off the gangway, after a long wait to
be processed since I arrived at peak check-in time, I was met
by a white-gloved steward who took my hand luggage and escorted
me to my stateroom where a bottle of bubbly in an ice bucket
awaited. Nice touch to begin a cruise.
My Category 10 balcony cabin was located
on Norma deck—one of nine passenger decks named after famous
operas composed by Verdi and Puccini. The cabin measuring 140
square feet was comfortable though small. Storage space was
also at a minimum and I would like to have seen more drawers.
There was a convertible queen-size bed, a small vanity area,
a satellite television, a minibar, and a room safe. The balcony
had two chairs and a small table. The shower-only bathroom was
cramped but furnished with nice towels and toiletries and the
hair dryer was conveniently placed on the wall beside the basin
vanity.
At night beds were turned down and the ship’s
program for the next day placed there. I could not have been
happier with cabin stewards Eugenie and Laurel, both from Madagascar,
who have worked for MSC Cruises for several years.
Opera’s deluxe balcony suites (Category 11)
are about 75 percent larger and feature a sitting area, a walk-in
closet and Internet capability. Bathrooms have a tub.
The ocean-view cabins and inside cabins are
about the same size as my Category 10 stateroom and feature
the same amenities.
For the disabled, there are five staterooms
measuring a total of 240 square feet. And for families, there
are two family-size suites available but these accommodations
are without a balcony.
Dining
La Caravella is one of two main dining rooms
that seats 618 guests while the smaller L’Approdo restaurant
with a fushia color décor seats 380 guests who occupy suites.
(Non-suite passengers can request a table there on a reservations
basis.) There are two sittings for dinner and guests are assigned
their table for the cruise on the first day though, the maitre
d’hotel tries to honor any passenger request for a time or table
change.
The food served offers a wide choice of Italian
dishes representing the different areas of Italy. Many of the
wines served (at extra charge) are also Italian and often from
the region represented by the dishes offered. Each night I was
offered a different risotto from the seven-course menu—a mushroom
risotto one evening, a pumpkin risotto with truffle oil another—and
all were delicious. Pastas, such as Piedmontese-style gnocchi,
farfalle with grilled vegetables and Sienese Pecorino cheese,
or Emilian-style baked lasagna were equally as good and were
offered with other international or American dishes. The American-style
cuisine faltered when it came to some of the grilled-meat entrées
designed to please American tastes, which differ from their
European cousins. I learned that Italians prefer pasta or fish
dishes and not as much meat on their menus, and smaller portions.
And they like to linger longer at the table. Opera’s culinary
staff adjusts the menu to better please the American palette
when the ship is sailing in the Caribbean, with more emphasis
on meat and American-style pastas and pizzas and more variety
in the offerings.
Le Vele Cafeteria was the Lido-styled area
serving a selection of hot and cold foods. The 380-seat cafeteria
is crowded at peak times and the lines circling both sides of
the major buffet station could be slow. I found it noisy and
somewhat chaotic at breakfast and opted for La Caravella or
room service. Having only one major food station on an 1800-passenger
vessel does not work. Instead several stations placed around
a dining area would help to prevent gridlock and hopefully that
problem will be corrected on MSC’s newbuilds.
Outside Le Vele was Il Patio, a large outdoor
dining area offering grilled foods and pizzas at lunch; and
other refreshments during the day. There was no table service
in this area; and annoying to many passengers were the tiny
paper cups used for beverages or the lack of salt and pepper
shakers on the tables.
At midnight there is a buffet served at the
different dining venues such as the Pastry Buffet at out on
the pool deck, or snacks or finger foods served in the lounges.
But on the next to the last night on the cruise, there was the
Buffet Magnifique that took place in the kitchen galleys.
The display was truly magnifique and very tempting to
this person, who had dined only two hours earlier.
Room service is available around the clock
but the selections are limited to snacks or sandwiches and beverages.
Continental-style breakfast is also available in your cabin
or at the Aroma Coffee bar if you are a late riser. The bar
had a nice selection of specialized coffee and tea beverages
and assorted pastries throughout the day.
Public Areas
The ship’s public areas are tastefully decorated
with lots of marble and wood worked into the interior design
scheme along with Italian-designed minimalist furniture to give
openness to the interior space. Public lounges and areas flow
smoothly into each other, allowing easy accessibility for passengers.
The spacious Teatro dell’Opera is the place
for after-dinner shows, performed twice nightly by a very talented
European troupe. The comfortable multi-tiered theater with deep-blue
plush seats and unimpeded views of the stage provides a nice
venue for the presentations. Guests on different nights were
treated to off-beat variety shows—one featured Sanders, a Belgium
magician with his guest, a python encircling his body while
another show presented its version of Cirque du Soleil. A live
semiclassical music show one evening was so popular with the
passengers, there was a repeat performance several days later
and that was packed as well. One enthused ship guest described
the musicale as a true Italian-style show that was magnifico!
I had a backstage group tour of the theater
which is located forward on the ship. Backstage, we learned
how difficult it is to perform when seas are rough but the show
must go on. We saw the tight spaces the performers had to maneuver
in for their many costume changes, and how the scenery is handled
for the shows. The performers are hired by Ars Media Productions
in Milan and usually sign a six-month contract. The shows on
this cruise were tailored more for Americans, the cruise director
told us, and are somewhat different when the ship is cruising
in the Mediterranean.
The ship had other lovely areas, many with
soft-color themes and smooth lines, but with a definite Italian
flourish. The Reception Desk and foyer area was a complex of
richly sandblasted crystal, marble inlays and artistically decorated
mirrors giving space and light to an area that is the focal
point of the ship. Choices used to decorate the public areas
throughout the ship were in good taste with spotless brass railings
and trims along with light colored walls and marble floors gave
me a feeling of clean this ship was. And even though there were
nearly 2000 passengers on board, most areas did not feel crowded.
Located next to La Caravella, the Piazza
di Spagna was a lovely lounge area for an after-dinner drink
and some semiclassical music by a talented East European trio.
The violinist was a versatile master of the violin, playing
lovely renditions of musical favorites with his dexterous handling
of the instrument.
The Caruso Lounge’s cabaret or improvised
entertainment bordering at times on the risqué—perhaps that
is European style—was popular. The entertainment team headed
by nonstop dynamo Daniela hosted a different event each evening
after the variety show ended in the Teatro. One night it was
a Pick Mr. Opera contest when several male volunteers vying
for the title were put through a series of funny antics that
ended with their stripping down to their underwear. I missed
Pick Ms Opera held the previous evening and I can only imagine
the antics.
The semi-circular Byblos disco high up on
La Boheme deck had a mauve color scheme with shiny steel columns
and surround glass windows. While it was rocking away in the
late hours of the night, it seemed underused and very quiet
during the day and early evening hours except for the occasional
teen-only dance parties.
Other lounges included the Cotton Club, decorated
with a gold and black geometric color scheme, was a popular
with guests throughout the cruise; as was the Sottovento Pub
done up in a purplish geometrical design where meetings or other
events can be held.
The Internet Center had ten computers and
a printer set up in the semicircular area next to the La Cabala
Piano Bar. The computers’ access to the Internet if you were
an AOL user went through AOL’s UK site which caused frustration
at times and dial up was slow. The rate for the first 10 minutes
is $6 and each subsequent minute 60 cents on Caribbean cruises.
It could become pricey so bring your laptop as there are now
Wi-Fi hot spots in different public areas.
The Library and card room had a selection
of books and magazines to choose from.
The Monte Carlo Casino was fitted with gaming
tables—roulette, black jack, poker— and a limited number of
slot machines. Some machines seemed to spill out the quarters
to its users—spotting one, I placed several quarters in it and
actually won $50.
The Via Condotti or the shopping area had
some nice wares. One offered Italian sportswear as well as MSC
branded clothing. I found the prices to be reasonable but that
was because much of the merchandise was discounted during my
cruise. The shop to purchase duty-free liquor was offering some
great bargains of well-known brands as well.
Health and Fitness
The Opera Spa is uses Balinese techniques
for its facials and massages. I had the Balinese massage with
stone therapy—a relaxing oil is massaged onto your body and
hot stones placed on various points to relax the muscles ($145).
The Spa also contains a beauty salon, where I had my hair cut
($39) by a most talented young Croatian named Nemenja, who hopes
someday to work in New York. There is also a sauna, a tanning
room, and Turkish bath.
Within the Spa complex is the Relaxation
Room—total quiet as one reclines on a cushioned lounger and
gazes through the wall of glass at the sea. Next door is the
workout center with free weights and weight-training machines
and treadmills. There is a small exercise area with Pilates
and yoga classes offered; or you can sign up for a private session
with the personal trainer.
Other Activities:
There is a 656-foot long jogging track on
the deck above the pool deck. A nice eight-hole mini-golf course
located in aft on Deck 13 wraps itself around the ship’s funnel
area. Adjacent was a spacious sunning area. Other deck sports
include shuffleboard, table tennis and table soccer.
The outdoor pool is really two pools separated
by two whirl pools at the midpoint. At one end of the pool there
was an area in front of the Spinnaker Bar to accommodate such
activities as dance classes, line dancing and ping-pong tournaments;
or zanier events such as a towel-ball square off, a hula-hoop
session or creating a pyramid (use your imagination) or men
vs women a in musical chairs contest.
Other daytime activities in the public rooms
ranged from bingo and card games to Italian lessons to arts
and crafts. There was bound to be some activity to please each
guest.
Since this was a baseball theme cruise, there
were informative sessions and clinics with some former major
leaguers—two-time AL homerun king Frank Howard; NY Yankee superstar
third baseman Craig Nettles; and Pirates Manager Pete Mackanin
and others.
In addition to the baseball stars, Polka
King Jimmy Sturr and his band were on board with a coterie of
some 400 devoted fans who booked the cruise just to dance to
his music. For children there is a lovely area adjacent to the
Opera Spa called Buffalo Bill’s. Decorated with amusing panels
especially created the Italian cartoonist Luca De Pasquale depicting
a Western motif, child guests can do arts and crafts supervised
by a lovely counselor who also doubles as the entertainment—when
I visited the children’s room she was dressed in a bunny outfit
to entertain her charges—and the night baby sitter for a fee.
For teens, there are the adult sports as
well as a small video arcade just before the entrance to the
Byblos Disco.
Overall Assessment
The ship is different from other mainstream
ships in that it is truly an Italian-oriented vessel. There
is an uncluttered feel to the vessel and most importantly the
personnel on board are friendly. And she is clean. You sense
it as you walk through the ship—brass rails and fixtures shine,
marble floors gleam, and cabin upkeep is quite good. Workers
were constantly erasing rust spots with white paint or wiping
down the decks. Hand sanitizers are placed in areas, such as
the Casino, and in other public areas for guests to use. Signs
abound for passengers to wash their hands in the public lavatories
and it was very much in evidence in the kitchen galleys where
wash your hands
signs were placed everywhere.
In fact, when I was on the cruise, the ship
had just received a 99 percent rating from the CDC sanitation
inspection. It would have made the 100 mark, like her sister
ship MSC Lirica, if it had not been for a glitch in the inspection
process, such as a cleaning rag left in the wrong place.
The officers and many of the service staff
are Italian. And so are the chefs. Fresh food is brought on
weekly and tons of it are consumed by the cruise’s end. Nothing
is left over I found out when taking an informative tour of
the food storage area.
Importantly, the ship offers a more Italian
approach to cruising—from the cuisine served on board to the
entertainment that was provided. Public announcements are kept
to a minimum and are done in five languages.
Disembarkation was efficiently executed.
My color coded bags were picked up around midnight—conveniently
later that many ships— and placed in the terminal pickup area
the morning the ship docked. Groups were called by their color
code to leave at designated times and this system helped to
facilitate the ease of getting one’s luggage.
Overall, for cruisers on a budget the ship
offers good value. There are 11 categories of cabins but MSC
Opera offered a discounted cruise rate of $495 per person on
this cruise for an inside cabin. That rate is way less that
one would spend for a week’s stay at a resort—and food and entertainment
are included with an Italian touch!
What’s Ahead?
MSC Cruises is a neophyte in this pressured
industry. When the name MSC Cruises is mentioned, many cruisers
give a quizzical look as this fast emerging cruise line is not
yet on travelers’ minds. But that is quickly changing. In the
next three years, MSC’s current seven-ship fleet will increase
by three Panamax ships beginning with the debut of the MSC
Musica in July and two post-Panamax vessels.
Add to that the signing on as MSC Cruises
official spokesperson the Academy Award–winning Italian actress
Sophia Loren to reflect the new slogan for MSC as a cruise line
that is “beautiful, passionate and Italian.” Just as Richard
E. Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises (USA) likes to point
out. “[We are] a cruise line inspired by the strong personal
vision and commitment of its Italian owner; richly endowed with
the traditions, warmth and flair of its Italian heritage,” he
says, and MSC boasts “a fleet of elegantly appointed and spacious
ships offering travelers experiences that reflect the heart
and soul of Italy.”
But it is a cruise line that is evolving
as it continues to grow. And with that comes acquired experience
translated into higher premium services aboard its ships. This
summer its first major new ship built for the company—MSC
Musica—will raise the bar. The 89,600-ton ship will carry
2,550 passengers (do)—about 800 more than the Opera— and a crew
of 987. There will be more public areas and alternative dining
options currently not available on MSC Opera and MSC Lirica.
Guided by an ebullient CEO with unending
energy and a zest for this company, I believe it will become
a major ship line noted for its slightly different approach
to cruising, at least in the US. It is an Italian shipping company—one
that is still privately owned— and many of the amenities found
on board reflect this. As Mr. Sasso repeatedly likes to point
out, “we are not aiming to be the largest cruise line but the
one that is most respected.” It appears that this laudable objective
is well underway.
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Ship Statistics
and Company History
My MSC
Opera’s Seven-Day Caribbean Itinerary
2006/2007
MSC Opera/MSC Lirica Itineraries
MSC
Opera’s Photo Gallery
