MSC Lirica
“The ship that started it all — MSC's first-ever purpose-built newbuild, still sailing the Adriatic today.”
MSC Lirica holds a special place in MSC Cruises' history: delivered in 2003, she was the very first newbuild the line ever ordered, launching MSC's transformation from a cargo-shipping company into a major cruise brand. A 2015 stretch, part of MSC's fleet-wide Renaissance Programme, added a new mid-ship hull section, growing her from around 58,600 to 65,591 gross tons and adding dozens of new cabins. She spends most of the year on round-trip Adriatic and Greek Isles sailings, with seasonal homeports that shift between Venice, Bari, and Ancona depending on the month. Onboard, she keeps the same intimate, single-class Italian styling as her three Lirica-class sisters, without the megaship scale of MSC's newer ships.
MSC Cruises' first-ever purpose-built newbuild — delivered in 2003, she's the ship that launched MSC's entire modern cruise fleet, still sailing today after a 2015 stretch that added a new hull section and dozens of cabins.
What’s Onboard
Dining
- ✓Two main restaurants offering formal and informal dining
- ✓Al fresco buffet restaurant with outdoor seating
- ✓Marketplace buffet for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks
- ✓English-style pub
- ✓Italian café with espresso and pastries
- ✓Themed bars and lounges
Pools & Recreation
- ✓Two outdoor pools and whirlpools
- ✓MSC Aurea Spa with thermal suite
- ✓Gym with sea views
- ✓Open-air power walking track
- ✓Sauna and relaxation areas
- ✓Sun deck with loungers
Entertainment
- ✓Two-deck main theatre with production shows
- ✓Casino with table games and slots
- ✓Piano bar and themed lounges
- ✓Nightclub with DJ sets
- ✓Karaoke nights
- ✓Evening cabaret and live music
Cabins
- ✓Interior, Oceanview, Balcony & Suite categories
- ✓New cabins added in the 2015 stretch
- ✓Family-friendly balcony staterooms
- ✓Accessible cabins across categories
- ✓Compact, classic Lirica-class layouts
- ✓Refreshed decor fleet-wide
Family & Kids
- ✓MSC Doremi kids' club (ages 3–6)
- ✓MSC Explorers (7–11) and Teens Club (12–17)
- ✓Dedicated children's pool area
- ✓Family staterooms and connecting cabins
- ✓Kids-eat-free policy on select sailings
- ✓Family game shows and themed nights
Video Tour
MSC Lirica Full Tour — This Is What This MSC Cruise Ship Is Like
- ✦Adriatic and Greek Isles itinerary seekers
- ✦Travellers wanting a smaller, classic-style MSC ship
- ✦Value-focused cruisers prioritising fare over cutting-edge features
- ✦Fans of MSC's cruise-line history
Travellers wanting an MSC Yacht Club, waterslides, or megaship scale — Lirica is one of MSC's oldest and smallest active ships and keeps a simple, single-class layout.
7-night Adriatic & Greek Isles from ~$450/pp (interior) to $1,150+/pp (suite)