Similar in size and structure to the (now defunct) Festival Cruises’ sister ships European Dream and European Vision, but arguably with a more attractive exterior profile, MSC?Lirica (sister to MSC?Opera) is the first of a pair of newbuilds for Mediterranean Shipping Cruises (MSC), Italy’s largest privately owned cruise line (its former name was Star Lauro Cruises). The blue funnel is quite sleek, with a swept-back design that closely resembles that of the Princess Cruises ships, and carries the MSC logo. From a technical viewpoint, the ship is fitted with an azimuthing pod propulsion system.
Inside, the layout and passenger flow is quite good with the exception of a couple of points of congestion (typically when the first seating comes out of the dining room and passengers on second seating are waiting to go in. The decor has many Italian influences, and this includes clean lines, minimalism in furniture design, and an eclectic collection of colors and soft furnishings that somehow work well together, and without any hint of garishness.
Real wood and marble have been used extensively in the interiors, and the high quality reflects the commitment that MSC has in the vessel’s future. The “fit and finish” of the interior decor, and most carpeting, is very good throughout.
Facilities include the ship’s main showlounge, a nightclub/discotheque, several lounges and bars, an internet center (Cyber Cafe, with 10 terminals), a virtual reality center, a shopping gallery named Rodeo Drive (with shops that have an integrated bar and entertainment area so that shopping becomes a city-like environment where you can shop, drink, and be entertained all in one convenient area), and a children’s club. Gamblers may find solace in the Las Vegas Casino, with blackjack, poker and roulette games, together with an array of slot machines. There is also a card room, but the integral library is small and disappointing, and there are no hardback books.
The ship is designed to accommodate families with children, who have their own play center, youth counselors, and programming.
MSC?Lirica features Mediterranean cruises during the summer and Caribbean cruises during the winter. The onboard currency is the euro (summer) and US$ (winter). Note that gratuities are extra, but bar drinks include a service charge.
Anyone who is wheelchair-bound should note that there is no access to the uppermost forward and aft decks, although access throughout most of the interior of the ship is very good (there are also several wheelchair-accessible public restrooms). The passenger hallways are a little narrow on some decks for you to pass when housekeeping carts are in place, however.
Some things that passengers find irritating: the ship’s photographers always seem to be in your face; the telephone numbering system to reach such places as the information bureau (2224) and hospital (2360) are not easy to remember (single digit numbers would be more user-friendly). Note that standing in line for embarkation, disembarkation, shore tenders and for self-serve buffet meals is an inevitable aspect of cruising aboard all large ships. Heavy smokers are everywhere, and are virtually impossible to avoid (in typical European fashion, ashtrays are simply moved – if used at all – to wherever smokers happen to be sitting).
Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008
