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Latest Review: Playing cards with the captain |
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MSC Opera Cruise Specials 2013/2014
In fantastic news for the South African cruise market, the MSC Opera will return to South Africa's waters for the 2013/2014 cruise season, together with her sister ship the MSC Sinfonia. Almost all of the Opera's cruises are from Durban. We are now taking bookings for cruises to May 2014.
Fill in the form below and our cruise consultants will find the best deal for you (or email cruises@southafrica.to if you're experiencing difficulties) - guaranteed cheapest cruise prices (we have access to the best cruise specials). Also see brochure rates on the MSC Opera and the 2013/2014 MSC Opera Summer itinerary.
News of the MSC Opera & history
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Jul 2013. The MSC Opera starts serving the port of Le Havre. The MD of MSC Cruises, Erminio Eschena, says that “Our presence at Le Havre reflects our development strategy launched for several years which focuses mainly on the French territory. In this sense, the Port of Le Havre is a tremendous asset for MSC Cruises” because it opens the way to Northern Europe as well as to the Mediterranean. For these reasons our arrival at Le Havre marks the beginning of our partnership with the Le Havre conurbation which we wish sustainable and successful. In addition, our relationship with the port of Le Havre has been long established thanks to our cargo traffic”.
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14 Feb 2013. Our first 2014 reservation on the Opera is a 4-berth cabin on the 27 January 2014 cruise from Durban to Portuguese Island and Inhambane.
11 Jan 2013 |
Back to Back cruise specials from Durban to Portuguese Island, Maputo & Inhambane. |
1 Feb 2013 |
Kyknet cruise from Durban to the Portuguese Island (Mozambique) |
27 Nov 2012 |
The MSC Opera visits Maputo, Mozambique, for the first time. |
21 Dec 2012 |
Anchors Aweigh reviews the MSC Opera: "Having travelled on MSC Opera from Cape Town to Durban, courtesy of MSC Cruises, one can report that she is comfortable even in quite heavy seas encountered off our coast. On leaving Cape Town four metre swells were running but MSC Opera took them in her stride and paper bags distributed around the ship were an unnecessary precaution." |
20 Nov 2012 |
The MSC Opera cruises into Cape Town for the first time, at 08h30, docking at E-berth with 1284 passengers. "This year considerable improvements have been made at E-berth. The rubble has been removed, the area is very spacious and Home Affairs officials were on-site this morning to assist with customs processes. All in all, the experience was a very positive one. We look forward to making use of the passenger terminal currently under construction at E-berth, which we understand should be ready in February." said Mr Rob McEwan, MSC Operations Manager in Cape Town. Mr Alan Winde, the MEC of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism in the Western Cape Province, said: "I would like to extend a warm Western Cape welcome to the MSC Opera. We wish its passengers a very good stay, and hope that they take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore all the wonderful attractions our Province. We look forward to welcoming other cruise liners to the Western Cape during the summer season. In 2011, 19 visiting cruise liners brought approximately 11 144 passengers and 6 342 crew members to the Western Cape, sustaining a significant number of jobs in our flourishing tourism industry. While we have not yet been able to return to docking at the Waterfront, the facilities within the port have been significantly improved." |
19 Nov 2012 |
The MSC Opera cruises into South African waters, approaching Port Nolloth. |
2 Oct 2012 |
Derrick "Duracell" van Wyk, from Humansdorp, will be cruise director on the MSC Opera during her South African 2012/2013 season. "After my first two years of studying I had to complete a mandatory six month working internship, I was a bit concerned as I didn't really know what to do or expect from these six months. After having several conversations with my dad, we contacted Starlight Cruises, and were put in touch with Mr. Stephen Cloete. After chatting with Stephen, I flew to Johannesburg for an interview at the Sandton offices ofStarlight Cruises. There I met Stephen and another 20 or so hopefuls, all hoping to join a ship for the upcoming season. After my interview with Stephen, I returned to Port Elizabeth and continued my studies when, about six weeks later, Stephen rang me to confirm my embarkation on the MSC MELODY as part of the ‘animation team’ for the 2006/2007 season. I remember that day as if it was yesterday! I was having a braai after class with a few friends that lived in the same housing complex. I was ecstatic and phoned my dad immediately to share the great news! In the event, I embarked on MELODY a little later than the others because I still had to complete some exams." said Derrick. Here's Derrick getting airborne during a Melody sail-away party.
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12 - 20 Aug 2012 |
MSC Opera Atlantic cruise from IJmuiden |
7 Aug 2012 |
The Opera arrives in A Coruna (Corunna), Spain, and docks in the harbour with the sun setting on it. |
Jun 2012 |
MSC Opera spotted in Amsterdam: |
4 May 2012 |
The MSC Opera is the first ship to dock at the Netherlands new IJMuiden Port, which opened on the 4th May. |
4 May 2012 |
The MSC Opera is spotted leaving Ijmondhaven, Netherlands. |
Mar 2012 |
It's announced that the MSC Opera will cruise South Africa's shores from the 20th November 2012. MSC Starlight's head of Marketing, Allan Foggitt, said that "The decision to send both MSC Opera and MSC Sinfonia to South Africa for the upcoming 2012/2013 season shows the level of commitment MSC Cruises has to the South African market. We will continue to invest in the destinations, and the development of port infrastructure to continuously improve the product and the guests’ overall experience." |
Apr 2012 |
As the MSC Opera left Argentine waters, a passenger suffered a medical emergency, requiring urgent hospital treatment. Luckily a Uruguayan helicopter was on hand to carry out an emergency evacuation, taking the passenger to a Montevideo Hospital. |
2 Jul 2011 |
A video (with Dutch audio) of the MSC Opera cruise from Amsterdam to La Rochelle, Bilbao, La Coruna, Southampton & Cherbourg. |
13 - 23 May 2012 |
On the Opera's cruise from Southampton, an international chocolatier, Gerry Wilton, the founder of the Chocolate Boutique Hotel in Bournemouth, hosts a series of hour-long chocolate classes. |
25 May 2011 |
The Opera has a small collission with the dock in Buenos Aires. Nobody was injured. |
14 May 2011 |
The Opera suffers engine failure in the Baltic Sea, & is towed to the Port of Nynshamn in the south of Stockholm. |
21 May 2010 |
The Opera lives up to her name, with high drama when while docked in Dover, some 35kg of cocaine is discovered concealed in 4 passenger cabins on the MSC Opera. The ships was on its way from Brazil to Amsterdam. Four Latvians & 3 Lithuanians were later convicted. |
2006 |
The Opera served as MSC Cruises' flagship until 2006, when the MSC Musica entered service. |
2004 |
The MSC Opera is built by MSC Cruises. |
Parties on the MSC Opera
Be sure to attend the sailaway party, as it tends to be the biggest joll.
| 26 Feb 2013 | A Conga line forms on the MSC Opera at the start of the sail-away party |
29 Nov 2012 |
Tropical party in the evening on a cruise from Durban to Maputo & Barra Lodge. Here's the dance steps you need to practise for your cruise.
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1 Jul 2012 |
Just a party on the MSC Opera: |
photo by John Ambler of the MSC Opera leaving Southampton
The MSC Sinfonia & MSC Opera operating in tandem off South Africa's shores during the 2012/2013 cruise season means an extra 135,000 passengers. This will break the previous record for passengers cruising off our shores in a season.
Reviews of the MSC Opera
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17 May 2013. Samantha and friends have a whale of a time on the MSC Opera cruise from Durban...the guys even getting to play cards with the captain below deck.
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7 May 2013. Anthea takes her children on a cruise on the Opera. "Never in their wildest dreams did they expect to see such splendour...I have grown addicted to cruising and already looking at what my next route would be."
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July 2012. Richard takes advantage of an MSC Opera day visit offer, to take some clickies and explore the ship: "One feature in all cabins that was most prominent was the clever use of large mirrors to give the impression of increased size... The Biblos Discoteca is a very quiet area until late evening and a lovely place to read or relax on inclement days with its long windows... the risottos are superb." (not all comments by Richard).
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21 Jun 2011 Hannah describes the MSC Opera as being a "great ship" with "great food". " I am prepared to stick my neck out and say that I was impressed with her."
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8 May 2011 Richard cruises on an MSC ship & on the MSC Opera for the first time.
Inside the Opera
The MSC Opera is a "Lirica class" ship, and can accommodate guests in 856 cabins (compared to the Sinfonia's 777 cabins), of which 172 are balcony cabins & 28 are balcony suites (in addition to some 740 crew members). The Opera is 251m long and weighs 58,600 tons. It has 4 restaurants (1 outdoor dining area), 11 bars (1 outdoor pool bar), 2 pools & 2 whirlpools.
Inside the ship are the MSC Aurea Spa & Solarium, a video game room, a disco (deck 12, seating 322 people), an internet cafe, a casino, a medical centre & 0team building facilities.
If your kids get bored, take them to Buffalo Bill's play area (3 to 18 years old). They have professional child minders that will keep your kids entertained for hours. The older kids might enjoy the virtual reality games room also offered on the Opera.
For the sport enthusiast there is a 200m running track located on the top deck, mini golf and shuffleboard.
Cabins & suites
Inside cabins consist of single beds which may be converted into double beds (except in cabins for the disabled), a bathroom with a shower (no baths), a wardrobe, a mini bar & safe & a TV. Size is some 13 square metres.
Ocean view cabins are the same as inside cabins, but have a view of the sea (these cabins sell out the fastest).
Balcony cabins are slightly larger, at 15 to 16 square metres, have a balcony, but are otherwise the same as the ocean view cabin (e.g. shower).
Balcony suites have a double bed which may be converted into 2 single beds & a bathroom with a tub. It is some 27 square metres in size.
Cabins for people with disabilities have two fixed single beds, a bathroom with a shower, a wardrobe, a mini bar & safe & a TV. It is some 21 square metres in size. There are 5 inside wheelchair friendly cabins.
MSC OPERA CABIN CONFIGERATIONS |
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Cat Type |
Deck Name |
Deck # |
Cabins per Deck |
Type |
Configeration |
Bathroom |
Size |
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1 Inside |
Rigoletto |
7 |
5 |
qdpl (5) |
2 lower convertible + 2 upper bunks |
Shower |
13 Sqm |
2 Inside |
Rigoletto |
7 |
16 |
dbl (3) |
2 lower convertible 7134 / 7174 / 7181 |
Shower |
13 Sqm |
tpl (2) |
2 lower convertible + 1 upper 7170 / 7177 |
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qdpl (13) |
2 lower convertible + 2 upper bunks |
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3 Inside |
La Traviata |
8 |
116 |
dbl (48) |
2 lower convertible |
Shower |
13 Sqm |
qdpl (67) |
2 lower convertible + 2 upper bunks |
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H dbl (1) |
2 Fixed lower beds 8142 - disabled cabin |
Shower |
20 Sqm |
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4 Inside |
Norma |
9 |
119 |
dbl (77) |
2 lower convertible |
Shower |
13 Sqm |
tpl (1) |
2 lower convertible + 1 upper bunk 9126 |
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qdpl (38) |
2 lower convertible + 2 upper bunks |
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H dbl (3) |
2 Fixed lower beds 9052 / 9053 / 9155 - disabled cabin |
Shower |
20 Sqm |
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Turandot |
10 |
83 |
dbl (70) |
2 lower convertible |
Shower |
13 Sqm |
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qdpl (12) |
2 lower convertible + 2 upper bunks |
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H dbl (1) |
2 Fixed lower beds 10018 - disabled cabin |
Shower |
20 Sqm |
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5 Inside |
Turandot |
10 |
20 |
dbl (20) |
2 lower convertible |
Shower |
13 Sqm |
6 Outside |
Rigoletto |
7 |
19 |
dbl (17) |
2 lower covnertible - restricted view cabins - staff cabins |
Shower |
13 Sqm |
dbl (2) |
2 lower convertible - back of ship 7185 / 7178 |
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La Traviata |
8 |
4 |
dbl (4) |
2 lower convertible - front 8003 / 8004 & back 8281 / 8266 |
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Norma |
9 |
5 |
dbl (5) |
2 lower convertible - front 9001 / 2 / 4 & back 9277 / 9270 |
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Turandot |
10 |
2 |
dbl (2) |
2 lower convertible - back of ship 10243 / 10238 |
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7 Outside |
Rigoletto |
7 |
28 |
dbl (4) |
2 lower convertible |
Shower |
13 Sqm |
tpl (24) |
2 lower convertible + 1 upper bunk |
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8 Outside |
La Traviata |
8 |
146 |
dbl (32) |
2 lower convertible |
Shower |
13 Sqm |
tpl (82) |
2 lower convertible + 1 upper bunk |
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qdpl (32) |
2 lower convertible + 2 upper bunks |
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9 Outside |
Norma |
9 |
58 |
dbl (50) |
2 lower convertible |
Shower |
13 Sqm |
tpl (6) |
2 lower convertible + 1 upper bunk |
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family(2) |
2 lower convertible+1 bunk+sofa bed - max 2 Adults+3 kids under 12 |
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Turandot |
10 |
44 |
dbl (39) |
2 lower convertible |
Shower |
13 Sqm |
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qdpl (5) |
2 lower convertible + 2 upper bunks |
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10 Balcony |
Norma |
9 |
86 |
dbl (74) |
2 lower convertible |
Shower |
13 Sqm |
dbl (12) |
Fixed dbl beds - 9060/61+9118/21/22/25+9163/64/67/68+9216+9223 |
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Turandot |
10 |
86 |
dbl (74) |
2 lower convertible interleading cabins |
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dbl (10) |
Fixed dbl bed - NOT interleading cabins 10032/35/89/90/92/93+10132/35/88/89 |
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dbl (2) |
Fixed dbl bed interleading cabins - 10136 / 39 |
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11 Balcony Suite |
La Boheme |
12 |
28 |
Suite |
1 Double bed + Sofa Bed - maximum 2 adults + 2 kids under 12 years |
Bathtub |
23 Sqm |
Bars & lounges
Sotto Vento Pub is a bar on the 5th deck (also used for videos), where smoking is allowed. I love how Patricia described it in her writeup of her MSC Opera cruise to Stavanger: "It was such a fantastic atmosphere in there, like bars should be, we ended up staying until about 12.40am! I reeked of smoke though so needed to get clean before bed."
Aroma Coffee Bar on the 6th deck.
Byblos is a bar/disco on the 12th deck.
Caruso Lounge is a bar on the 7th deck (also dancing & videos).
Cotton Club is a bar on the 6th deck (also used for shows).
La Cabala is a piano bar on the 6th deck.
Lo Spinnaker is a pool bar, also offering ice-cream, on the 11th deck.
Monte Carlo is a casino bar on the 6th deck.
Piazza di Spagna is a piano bar on the 5th deck.
Onboard Activities
Shows on the MSC Opera
A joy of cruising is watching the shows. You usually don't know in advance what you're going to see, but here's what there's been in the past:
In July 2012, Millie Campana's performs on the Opera:
Peter Sore's BMX show on the MSC Opera:
And sometimes it's the passengers creating the vibe - in June 2012 here's Juliana Pedroso and Marcos Vinicius Bueno dancing on the MSC Opera.
Dancing
If you love dancing then you'll get your heart's content. Visit the disco and party all night. Don't despair if you don't know how to dance - most cruises have dance classes.
MSC Opera in the Mediterranean
- 4 Oct 2012. There is so much you can get to see when cruising the Med, as you can stop at a city every day. Here's a set of photos from The Baguette's stop on the MSC Opera in Dubrovnik: "Another beautiful day at sea before arrival in the fortified city of Dubrovnik, Croatia"
19 Sep 2012 |
MSC Opera in Piraeus (to the strains of Phantom of the Opera) |
Aug 2012 |
MSC Opera in Venice |
25 Oct 2011 |
Fourty-Six minutes of photos from an MSC Opera cruise in the Med. |
Technical specifications
Gross tonnage |
59.058 tons |
Length |
251.25m |
Beam |
28.8m |
Height |
54m |
Number of Passengers |
1 712 (on a double basis) |
MSC Opera Wooden Boat carvings
And if you just cannot get enough of the ship, here's a company which does wooden carvings of the MSC Opera:
Cruise to Italy
The repositioning cruise to Italy is the ultimate holiday, visiting African ports, European ports & setting you up for a fantastic holiday in Italia.
Lifeboats
The lifeboats are used to ferry passengers between the MSC Opera and some destinatinos which don't have suitable docking facilities for the ship. Here's footage of a lifeboat trip from the Opera to Mossel Bay harbour.
Bridge Camera
The bridge camera on the MSC Opera updates every 15 minutes or so.
