Ship Statistics
| Name: Opera |
Registry: Panama |
| Ship Completed Date: 1/1/2004 |
Christened By: Sophia Loren |
| Capacity: 1756 |
Number of Crew, Nationality: 880, Italian |
| Gross Tonnage: 58,000 |
Number of Passenger Decks: 8 |
| Non-Smoking Dining: Yes |
Non-Smoking Ship: No |
Since its christening by Godmother Sophia Loren, the MSC Opera has lived up to the connotations of its name: timeless, opulent, and grand. A sweeping marble reception area welcomes guests onboard with panoramic windows overlooking the sea. Many of the 878 spacious staterooms include private balconies. After an invigorating fitness workout on state-of-the-art equipment, don a plush robe and get pampered in a private room of the luxurious spa. Dining is a delight, with a pair of restaurants, a pizzeria, and a grill offering sumptuous traditional Italian cuisine. And by the time the curtain falls in Teatro Dell 'Opera, you will know the warmth of true Italian hospitality.
Overview
"And now for something completely different..."
The lead-in from the old "Monty Python's Flying Circus" television show kept repeating itself in my head as the shuttle made its way from the airport to Port Everglades and Opera, a new ship from MSC, the Italian company just breaking into the North American market. I knew that there would be differences from the usual cruise experience, but I didn't know exactly what they were -- or how they would affect my week onboard.
Certainly, the walk from the gangway to my cabin produced no surprises; the mid-sized ship, which holds 1,750 passengers, was obviously new, with an Italian-moderne-meets-Art-Deco styling that is both elegant and appealing. And my cabin, while small, was efficient and cheerfully decorated, with all of the accoutrements one expects in a modern ship's stateroom.
No, the differences were not in the physical aspects of the ship at all but they became apparent to me as the week progressed.
The major difference? There is a spirit that pervades Opera, an unmistakable Italian bonhomie that is fostered at every turn by its officers, crew and incredible Animation Team -- the equivalent of a cruise director's staff. Good cheer, good food and good company are the order of the day. Entertainment starts in the morning and lasts through the night. Mealtimes are festivals of hearty food and, while a few concessions have been made for the North American palate and dining styles, reflect the Italian kitchen as well as its culture.
The ship, the second of the fleet to venture into Caribbean waters (MSC Lirica debuted in 2003), sails alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries in the winter months and the Mediterranean in the summer. One of the most enjoyable aspects of my too-short cruise is the fact that with the dollar so low against the Euro, Europeans find it extremely economical to explore and cruise the seas of North America, and there are plenty of Europeans onboard during the Caribbean season.
The concessions to North American styles (ice water, iced tea and American-style coffee served during meals and available all day, for example, or the extended buffet service at breakfast and lunch) will disappear when the ship returns to the Mediterranean, and North Americans choosing a European itinerary on MSC Opera will be able to experience Italian-style cruising at its purest.
Ultimately, the multiple languages spoken (and the announcements, blessedly rare, are offered in five of them) make this a genuinely multinational experience. In the Mediterranean, of course, the ship reverts back to its Italian roots and North American guests have to adapt to the ship's style rather than the other way around.
Public Areas
One of the benefits of minimizing atrium space and eliminating two-level dining rooms is that usable space seems to expand. MSC Opera has what seems like an inordinate amount of public area to enjoy, made to feel intimate (even though some of the rooms span the width of the ship and are quite large) by low ceilings and the use of banquettes, cafe tables and chairs. During the day there is a wonderful deck to use behind the disco, perched over the stern's wake and quiet with covered tables and plenty of chairs.
There is a flashy disco on Deck 12 aft which gets going at around midnight and, like the Energizer bunny, keeps going, and going, and going...
The casino gets quite lively at night, but is very short on slot machines. There is plenty of space to add more, and considering the four-deep lines waiting for an available machine, the ship could substantially increase its revenue by accommodating the gamblers just itching to donate to the bottom line.
There are a series of shops surrounding the "plaza" on Deck 5; alas, the shopping experience on Opera is a non-starter with scant variety of merchandise that's whoppingly overpriced (even the duty-free items are about 25 percent higher than on other ships or even in stores in port).
The Internet Center is modern, convenient and well-located and uses an ingenious system for access: Just insert your room key card into a little box and you are online. Unfortunately, it is horrendously expensive and incredibly slow (check e-mail while in port).
Entertainment
It's in its entertainment offerings -- day and night -- that MSC Opera really shines. The fun comes in two flavors. First are the professional production shows, individual performers and incredible musicians. Then there is the wacky world of the ship's Animation Team, a troupe of young, hip, funny, charming and possibly certifiable "camp counselors."
During the day, activities include language lessons (Italian, of course, or Japanese), tango classes, craft creations, contests, games, and live music playing everywhere -- even during the daytime! You'll hear tunes at the pool, at the al fresco dining spots, during tea, in the main lounges on Deck 5 ... all performed by a sundry group of musicians including bands, trios and pianists.
The nightly production shows are jazzy, colorful and exuberant, whether it's a "Night in Paris," a "Grand Gala" or guest talent show (there is no live music in the theater -- it's recorded, but it doesn't distract from the show). Magicians interact with the audience and singers serenade.
The Animation Team practically shames the guests into participating, acting as cheerleaders for enjoyment and inclusion. They may have to shout their instructions in five languages, but all the guests "get it." Bingo is a hoot, with the announcer repeating the numbers in all the languages represented. "Number eight! Numero ocho! Acht! Huit! Otto!" The Mr. and Mrs. Opera contests are so funny that it's hard to remain upright because you're laughing so hard.
A 24-hour Virtual Reality arcade is located on Deck 12 near the Byblos Disco.
What to do, what to do? Each day brings different activities. Sleep in or wake up early. Stroll around the deck or run on the jogging track. Get refreshed with a swim or relaxed in the whirlpool. Work out at the gym or try out one of the aerobic and step classes offered on board. Join in a game of cards, table tennis or shuffleboard or play a game of tennis or volleyball. The library is stocked with books for your perusal. Our cinema features recently released and classic movies. There’s the Internet Cafe to email friends and family with updates throughout your journey, duty-free shopping boutiques, a video arcade and a card room—or you can enjoy the simple pleasure of lounging on a deck chair under the warmth of the sun sipping tropical drinks.
After dinner, let MSC Cruises entertain you. The lounges have bands playing music for all tastes from pianists and string quartets to pop, rock and oldies. Many of our nightly shows have an accent of the Mediterranean—vivid Flamenco dancers from Spain or historical glances back to Old Europe.
Next, it's time for Vegas. We'll keep your glass filled as you test your luck with poker, roulette or blackjack in the casino. After a visit to the midnight buffet for a late-night snack, have one more dance or slip away to the privacy of your stateroom with the promise of another perfect day ahead.
Activities
MSC Opera stands out for its wide variety of high quality entertainment. Every evening, musicians perform in the various lounges including a jazz trio, Latin trio and solo piano in addition to the disco. The Caruso Lounge is particularly lively in the late evening with the audience joining in the fun and games. On our cruise, two classical concerts were well attended with standing ovations for both and passengers showed up for rehearsals.
Behind the swimming pools, a large deck area is used for games and dance classes. The cruise staff called Animators or Pagliacci are also entertainers and create a lot of light hearted fun and mischief around the ship. Bingo is available but understated with no hype about the snowball jackpot. There is also little pressure to shop with no sidewalk sales or daily specials. We found prices to be reasonable with good quality Italian fashions, sunglasses and jewelry available as well as a variety of duty free liquor, cigarettes and cosmetics.
The pre and after-dinner shows are highly imaginative, colorful programs performed with great passion. Again the quality of performers is extremely high. The Russian, Romanian and Spanish dancers are classically trained and able to perform any style of dance. Accomplished acrobats perform Cirque du Soleil style spots during most of the shows.
Baseball and music theme cruises operate on may Caribbean cruises and offer a unique opportunity to meet baseball greats and leading musicians. On our baseball theme cruise, hitting, pitching and batting clinics, interview, q&a, storytelling and autograph sessions drew a large crowd. The six legends of the game mingled with passengers throughout the cruise and their presence certainly enhanced the cruise experience.
Fitness and recreation
The spa may suffer the unimaginative name of The Health Center but it is lovely, specializing in Balinese treatments offered by Balinese therapists. Treatments are a bit pricier than the norm ($149 for a 60-minute massage) but there are discounts and specials offered throughout the week, especially on port days.
On the port side there is a large relaxation room, again with floor-to-ceiling windows, wicker chaises -- and peace and quiet. There are steam and sauna rooms for both men and women, generously sized and free of charge. A small workout room is located at the bow. Classes in "yogalates" and Latin Dance are offered for a small fee.
The pool deck has two pools and two hot tubs.
There is a small mini-golf area at the very top of the ship and recreational activities, such as line dancing, at poolside.
Fellow passengers
In the Caribbean, Opera's demographic is predominantly North American, with about 30 percent of passengers hailing from Europe. Expect the reverse in Europe. The cultural differences are fascinating and fun. You never know what response your "good morning" will get ... it might be a Texas "Howdy!" or a "Guten tag" or "Buenos Dias," "Buon Giorno" or "Bonjour." That's one of the things that make this ship special.
Ages range from families with young kids to seniors with walkers.
Family
Opera is relatively family-friendly, especially during school holiday times. Its kids' facility is called Buffalo Bill and children are grouped in three categories (3 - 8, 9 - 12, and 13-plus). Activities include themed parties, pool and sport games, arts and crafts, treasure hunts, mini disco and water games.
Dress
There are two formal nights on a seven-night cruise; otherwise, dress during the day is casual and, at night, is country club casual.
Gratuity
MSC Cruises' oft-confusing tipping policy stipulates that gratuities are not necessary (though passengers are encouraged to leave additional amounts for exceptional service). In general, plan on leaving the industry average $10 per person, per day.
An automatic 10 percent gratuity is added to bar bills.
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