The MSC Lirica is a popular floating resort. The waters are crowded with sea-worthy vessels, so to make planning easier, we've done all the prep work for a cruise vacation. As part of a Huffington Post Travel series on cruise ships, here is a tip sheet offering all the key information one could ever need to know about the MSC Lirica.
Destination
The MSC Lirica sails in the Mediterranean during summer months. Starting in October, it sails to Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.
Passenger Ship
The Lirica is a midsize cruise ship that melds Italian sophistication with a relaxed cruising style. The ship is designed for easy navigation, with most of the public areas of the ship on the bottom two decks.
Special Features
As a family-owned company, MSC offers a wide range of
, including free children's fares. Parents may also purchase cards for their teens with a prepaid amount of ship credit. The card opens the stateroom door and allows teens to make small purchases at ship stores. This gives teens independence while protecting parents from "sticker-shock" at the end of the cruise. Families can also relax at either of the ship's
or miniature golf course. Adults can enjoy a cocktail at the
or a glass of ale at Lord Nelson Pub.
Accommodations
Interior
have twin beds that can be converted into a single double bed. The suites have balconies and up to 300 square feet of space. All rooms feature calming beige walls with bright-colored artwork and furnishings.
Cost
Cruises on the Lirica to Abu Dhabi and the
start at $649 per person for an inside suite and $1,399 per person for a balcony suite. A seven-night cruise to the same destination over the
costs as much as $1,149 per person for an interior stateroom and $1,899 per person for a balcony suite.
Excursions
Passengers recommended the tour of
. They said the tour guide was knowledgeable and spoke English well. The group visited Catherine Palace and the Hermitage. The ship took care of all Russian visas needed to visit the city.
Dining Experience
The ship's two main restaurants are
. The ship offers open seating for breakfast and lunch and two assigned seatings for dinner. La Pergola is the ship's outside restaurant located near the pool and serves casual meals such as sandwiches and pizza. Le Bistrot offers casual buffet dining on Deck 11.
Maiden Voyage
The Lirica was completed in March 2003. The ship made its
on April 13, 2003.
In The News
Our research revealed no notable news stories or safety concerns regarding the Lirica.
WATCH
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A passenger's video of the MSC Lirica.
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