Ship reference
MSC Opera
Ship specifications and sources.
Quick facts
- Cruise line
- MSC Cruises
- Class
- Lirica
- Entered service
- 2004
- Status
- In service
About us MSC Opera
MSC Opera entered service in 2004 and is the later purpose-built member of the original Lirica pair. Construction took place in Saint-Nazaire, France. The ship's current name does not represent a later transfer from Festival, unlike Armonia and Sinfonia. Keeping those histories separate helps prevent MSC brand-entry years from replacing the actual first service of a different hull.
The operator's current reference gives 65,591 gross tonnage and a rounded overall length of 274.9 metres, with 28.8 metres breadth. Its full guest reference is 2,658. The October 2024 technical sheet counts thirteen total decks, nine for guests. Cabin and crew figures differ between the regional web reference and technical sheet, so those optional values remain unresolved. A double-occupancy number is not produced from either disputed room total.
Opera was lengthened at Fincantieri's Palermo yard during the Renaissance programme in 2015. The inserted central section changed accommodation and public spaces, meaning that original 251-metre-era specifications should not be presented as today's dimensions. Palermo was the conversion location; it should not be substituted for the French original shipyard.
Teatro dell'Opera, Med Pearl Casino and Byblos Disco provide particular evening landmarks. La Cabala Piano Bar and Cotton Club offer other gathering settings. The dining inventory identifies La Caravella and L'Approdo, with Il Patio and Le Vele providing further meal references. These own-ship names are useful when comparing routines with the other smaller MSC vessels.
The operator advertises a Caribbean programme from La Romana beginning in November 2026. That is a dated future deployment at the check date, not a permanent homeport guarantee. Confirm the exact departure before arranging transport. Compare the selected room's beds, view and balcony conditions, then follow the routes to regular meals and meeting places. Put those practical details alongside port time and days aboard. Opera's own configuration, booked itinerary and fare conditions provide a stronger decision than assuming that all Lirica-family cruises are interchangeable.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Year built | 2004 |
| Entered service | 2004 |
| Gross tonnage (GT) | 65,591 |
| Guests at double occupancy | — |
| Maximum guests | 2,658 |
| Crew | — |
| Cabins | — |
| Decks (total) | 13 |
| Length (m) | 274.9 |
| Beam (m) | 28.8 |
| Last verified refurbishment year | — |
| Maximum speed (knots) | 20.3 |
| IMO | 9250464 |
| Shipyard | Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire, France |
| Flag | — |
| Propulsion / fuel description | — |
A dash means no independently verified value is available. Guest counts at double occupancy and maximum capacity are different measures. GT measures enclosed volume, not weight.
Highlights
- Teatro dell’Opera
- La Cabala Piano Bar
- Cotton Club
Other ships in the same recorded class
Shared class does not guarantee identical cabins, venues or deck layouts.
| MSC Armonia | Lirica | 2001 | 65,542 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSC Lirica | Lirica | 2003 | 65,591 |
| MSC Sinfonia | Lirica | 2002 | 65,542 |
Last checked:
Sources
- MSC Opera — current operator overview — Accessed
Full published guest configuration, not double occupancy. Regional Opera cabin/crew conflicts left null. Lirica current global721 crew retained over regional742.
- MSC Opera — individual operator technical sheet — Accessed
Armonia/Opera October2024, Sinfonia July2022, Lirica March2019 MSC-authored PDF. Wrong Armonia link on regional Lirica page rejected. Older capacities not assumed current.
- MSC — individual fleet service history — Accessed
Lirica2003/Opera2004 original service, not later conversion year.
- MSC Opera — IMO identification — Accessed
Immutable identifier only; original short dimensions not imported.
- Fincantieri — completed Renaissance lengthening — Accessed
Palermo conversion completed2014 Armonia/2015 others; not original shipyard or latest-refit claim. Brand-entry dates in generic programme overview are not original construction dates.