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PhotographsThe ItineraryLirica Review Part I

Aboard MSC Lirica, 26 Oct - 2 Nov 2003
Part II

Public Rooms:- The Beverly Hills Bar [Ponte Verdi 5] fwd of La Bussola, in peaches & blues, is "circular" with lovely large round windows to port. Also to port there is a bar in one corner, and to starboard is the Rodeo Drive Shopping Arcade. Usually quiet during the day. There is a central stage area with piano and audio equipment, where "Music D'Ambiance" is played during late afternoon and dancing later in the evening. A relaxing room; just right for that pre dinner drink.

Beverly Hills Bar
Beverly Hills Bar

The shops are quite unobtrusive and were only open whilst at sea; which didn't give us much time for browsing. There's a Jewellery Shop, Cosmetic Shop, Boutique, MSC Shop & "Duty Free" Shop [wines, spirits etc nearer the reception area]. Most goods are top quality & Italian. The sales were not pushed, and there are no walkway stalls set up of "50% Off Today Only" watches, perfumes etc, but discounts of the same within the shops from time to time. No "Inch of Gold".

Jewellery Shop
Jewellery Shop

The Excursion Desk, where one can collect detailed maps and port information, along with booking excursions, is behind Reception. Lovely marbled floors, with plenty of seating and a stage with piano where easy listening music is played. The Main Foyer and Reception Area, again has a marble floor and staircase leading up to the Coffee Corner around the Atrium's Upper Level.

Stage & Seating Area opposite the Excursion Desk
Stage & Seating Area opposite the Excursion Desk

To one side of Reception is an interactive unit which you can use to see details of the ship and ports, along with an Interesting Maritime History section on the famous Explorers of Yesteryear. Reception will post your postcards, e1 a time, hand out as many MSC Lirica postcards as you would like, free, but charge you e1 for any postcards of the Ports of Call. All the girls spoke reasonable English and were very helpful.

View more Photos of the Reception Area & Foyer

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The Marble Floor of the Reception Area
The Marble Floor of the Reception Area

The Lord Nelson Pub with red tartan carpeting, deep blue and red decor, nautical pictures on the walls and polished wooden flooring to the bar area, is another lovely room. The lower level of the Broadway Theatre empties out into here, but within a few minutes the crowds have walked through and departed. During the daytime various quizzes, darts, card tournaments, chess, backgammon, draughts & other games and Italian Lessons take place in here. See more Photos.

Lord Nelson Pub
Lord Nelson Pub

Le Cabaret
Le Cabaret

Le Cabaret [Ponte Puccini 6] midships, again in peaches, oranges and blues, but much brighter colours and "modern art" bright murals on the walls, has a central dance floor, disco lights etc, stage with band to one side, and comes into its own in the evenings with lively entertainment. During the day it was the venue for, amongst others, the Mime Cinema Quiz, Dancing Classes, Aperitif Game [water pyramid]. Bingo, Music with Punjabi Atmosphere, and outdoor entertainment was scheduled for here if the weather was bad.

L'Atmosphere Piano Bar in strong reds & blues, with bar, tables with candles, and a piano on a stage to one side, describes its own function and intimate ambience. This was a very popular evening venue, hard to come by a seat. The Las Vegas Casino is small, made to look bigger by the clever use of mirrors, and slot machines line the walls and walkway outside. I cannot comment on the type or standard of games, as I never played.

Las Vegas Casino
Las Vegas Casino

L'Atmosphere Piano Bar
L'Atmosphere Piano Bar

The Lirica Lounge [Ponte Scarlatti 7] is beautiful, in pinks, mauves, maroons, divided seating areas with tables, stage, dance floor & band. Big Band Dancing, Ballroom Dancing, and such Contests as "Mr Lirica", along with the Cocktail Parties took place in here. During the daytime hours it was little used.

Wanna Be Mr Lirica?
Wanna Be Mr Lirica?

The Blue Club [Ponte Rossini 12 aft] in bright greens & blues is the Disco area. Very popular at night, but little used during the daytime. Wonderful all round views over the stern and sides. To one side is a small Virtual Reality Games room. The Blue Club was the meeting place for the teenagers and many of their organised parties took place here. It's a wonderful room, but in my opinion should have been placed forward, and "swapped" positions with the Lirica Health Centre, Gym, Saunas and Beauty Parlour. There is no forward observation lounge on MSC Lirica and this room would have been ideal. As it is, when coming into port, people crowd into the gym for viewing [this is usually before anyone is using it for a workout].

Lirica Lounge
The Lirica Lounge

The Blue Club
The Blue Club

View more Photos of these Lounges

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The Broadway Theatre
The Broadway Theatre
The Broadway Theatre

The Broadway Theatre is two-storey and well appointed with good lines of sight & comfy seating in deep reds. Drinks are not served in here. With such an International audience shows tended to be a variety of acts which everyone can enjoy. Magic & Illusion, Plate Spinning, Contortionists, Singing, Mime, Dancing & Flamenco. The contortionists & "strong men" were superb. Some other acts were not to my liking. I didn't go every night either. DGM-Fascination Ballet were the dance troupe and "OK". There was a Spanish night "Eviva Espana" with Duende Flamenco [Flamenco dance troupe], and an Oriental Amulet which was very good. Bit of a mix 'n match really. By the time one has heard the CD introduce and applaud the acts at the beginning and end of each show in numerous languages, where the word "Applause" appears to be the same in every one of them, it does get a bit tiresome. Movies are sometimes shown here in the afternoons, usually in English with sub-titles, but not always.

Quizzes of all types are held daily, very popular it seems. Various types of music can be found all over MSC Lirica during the afternoon and evening. Piano, Violin, Duo's, Trio's, Instrumental, Italian Music, Classical, International Music, could be heard in the Beverly Hills Bar, L'Atmosphere Piano Bar, Lirica Lounge, Blue Club, in the Foyer; a myriad of types and styles. People just sat and listened. The Mr Lirica contest caused a laugh, as did those for Miss Teen & Lady Lirica. There was a large Indian group aboard from London for whom a special Diwali Night was held, along with other Punjabi parties and activities during the week.

There is Bingo, Ballroom Dancing, other Dancing, Deck/Pool Games, Dance Classes, Arts & Crafts, Learn Italian, Carving [fruit & veg] Demonstration, Cocktail Demonstration, Cooking Demonstration, Meringue Lesson, Mini-golf, Shuffleboard, Table Football Tournaments, Millionaires Game, Talent Show, Grease Party, Dance Contest, Magic Tricks. All in 7 nights with 6 ports! I didn't do any of it, except obtain a Diploma in Italian. There are no Art Auctions. See sample Daily Programmes for Barcelona and Palermo.

Minigolf, 8 Holes around the Funnel
Minigolf, 8 Holes around the Funnel

The Cabin. We had 2 identical inside standard cabins on Ponte Panganini [8], 4043 & 4047 [these both had 2 upper berths if required]. Howard & myself in one, and Beverley with her friend Katy in the other. Nicely decorated with light beige/cream furniture, blue carpet and yellow & blue bedspreads; Not overly large, but well laid out & plenty of storage space. A double wardrobe with plenty of hangers, another wardrobe with 6 deep drawers and 2 shelves above. Mini Bar [with price list] in fridge in cupboard under the TV. Pool towels [blue] supplied and changed by your cabin steward when required. Corner dressing table unit & chair, with central drawer and thin cupboards either side. Large mirror which swings open to reveal shelves and a safe with which you use a 4 digit number of your choice.

4043 Vanity Unit4043 Beds

The beds can be made up as a double or 2 singles. Two cupboards with shelves between the beds, both with lamps that had arms to swing out over the beds. Upper bunks had their own individual lights recessed in the ceiling. A large mirror made the room seem bigger than it was. The room temperature was fine throughout the cruise. Two large pillows are placed on the beds during the day. Sheets & blankets used, rather than duvets. The beds were very comfortable and the cabin quiet, so we slept well. The phone can be used for an alarm call,

The bathroom was small but adequate. The basin had cupboards underneath. A selection of toiletries are provided and replenished as required, including sewing kit, shower hats & shoe shine. The shower is small, curtained and it sticks! Need to be careful one doesn't flood the floor, but any spilled water drains away through an outlet under the toilet. Water temperature remains constant and a decent pressure. The hairdryer, attached to the wall, is not too powerful, but adequate unless you have very long thick hair.

The TV shows the "Report from the Bridge", the Navigator's Log including the ship's position, heading, speed, next sunrise/sunset, air temp/humidity/pressure, wind speed & direction, sea conditions, time aboard and arrival and departure time in the ports. Bridge Cam & "Safety on Board" pages showing how to do everything from following the floor lights to loading the lifeboats.

TV ImagesTV Images
TV Images

Various channels showed documentaries on the ports of call, including historical facts & what to do and see, and how to get around, no "Shopping Tips". BBC News 24, English Films, Foreign Programmes & many other items, but I didn't see any of these to comment. There are electrical outlets for both 110v [US flat 2/3 pin] & 220v {European round 2 pin]. Having a multi point extension lead is useful if one uses a laptop & battery charger.

A bowl of fresh fruit was in the cabin [but no chocolate on the pillow at night], replenished daily by the cabin steward, who was excellent. His command of English was not brilliant, but we got along fine with a few gestures & laughs. The girls' cabin was always a mess, as they appeared to try on every item of clothing they possessed, every night whilst changing for dining and the Teens Activities, discarding the "unsuitable" ones on the floor. I was not amused and the poor steward picked them up all the time. He got a good tip!

MSC Lirica does not have a self-service launderette, but the standard laundry is reasonably priced. See the Tariff. In the higher category suites/balcony cabins, I understand robes are provided, but I didn't see them myself.

View More of our Cabin Photos & Photos of 10060 Bellini Deck [10] Balcony Suite

All those Drawers
All those Drawers

Bathroom
Bathroom

Bathroom

Radisson Diamond, sails by.
Radisson Diamond sails by -
shame I'm in the Shower!

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The Library
The Library

The professional photos were not too pricey, and the photographers were not intrusive. There were the usual embarkation photos, and they did the rounds of the decks, entertainment venues, and dining rooms, but no endless photos taken at every port of call, nor with scantily glad women! If there had been, I doubt there would have been time for passengers to see them all. You could have a formal photo taken if required, anytime.

The Library was situated in the Card Room, with the books locked in cabinets, only accessible for an hour each morning and a couple each afternoon. I don't think many had the time for reading. I had my own books, but never got one finished. Board Games, Packs of Cards etc are all available. There is mini-golf around the funnel, table tennis by the pools, and table football on the Sun Deck [Solarium], all of which require a deposit to be held [e10] by reception for any equipment borrowed. View Outdoor Sports Photos.

The Children's Mini-Club, "I Pirati" was in a lovely room, themed as Treasure Island, brightly decorated. Open during different times of each day depending on the hours in port. Children could be booked in whilst parents went ashore on excursions. Howard loved it in here, even though he was the only English speaker most of the time. He made good friends with a French boy & a Chinese boy. Italians as a whole are very child friendly.

Teen Mummies
Teen Mummies

The Teens had many activities during the evenings, not so many during the daytime, but once they had all met at the first disco, they met up in the Blue Club most of the time, or could be found playing board games and cards in the Library. Beverley & Katy made many friends from all over, and keep in contact via email now. My only gripe was that the teens discos & activities often did not start until 10 or 11pm each night, so I could never get them up in the mornings!

View More Children's Playroom Photos.

"I Pirati"
"I Pirati"
"I Pirati"

To the Sauna & Steam Rooms
To the Sauna & Steam Rooms

The Lirica Health Centre had lots of good equipment, all sorts of programmes running and was very popular. The Beauty Parlour & Hairdressers was always busy, various packages of 'treatments' were available and there is a small shop selling sportswear.

Gym
Gym

Lyrica Health Centre
Lirica Health Centre

There are steam & sauna rooms, mixed sex I believe, I did not use them to verify, and a relaxation area serving soft drinks & juices.

View the "Treatments" on Offer

What a let down arriving in back in Genova. Disembarkation was by way of colour coding depending on ones forward transport arrangements. Fully explained and laid out in Reception for you to collect the right coloured labels the previous day. We had a late afternoon flight back from Milan [arranged by MSC], were given lunch on board and disembarked well after embarkation commenced for the following cruise. Nice touch. So as not to get in the way of embarking passengers and push back down the gangway they were boarding by, we were taken out through the baggage loading area. Whilst having our cards swiped for the last time we were able to watch the incoming baggage go through the scanners. Surprising the number of hangers people bring aboard. I am obviously not the only one who leaves everything on their hangers for a quick unpack in the cabin.

Tipping is done in the "Old Fashioned" way, by handing an envelope to your Cabin Steward & Waiter. They share the money with their assistants. No guidelines are given, but passengers suggested amongst themselves around e8 per person per day between the staff, more or less depending on how you rated the service. It is cashless onboard and everything is charged to your cabin using the MSC Lirica Card issued on embarkation. This is also used for security purposes when going ashore and returning in ports. Your picture shows up on the operator's screen. No other ID is required.

The Passenger mix was very International. As a guess, 40% were Italian, 20% British, 20% German, !0% French & the remaining 10% were Spanish, Austrian, other Europeans, Australian, New Zealanders, Canadian & American. The language barrier was evident at times, and occasionally the announcements seemed to go on forever in numerous languages. Thankfully they were few and far between. Most of the time it's fun to try and converse with other language speakers. I can see the food may not be to the liking of Americans, as it is very Southern European both in Style & Flavour. French Toast is not the sort which comes with Maple Syrup, and bacon is not the streaky crispy variety. Steaks are thin and there are few "Death by Chocolate" or Cheescake type desserts.

Please note that this is an Italian Ship mainly catering to Southern Europeans, and we were on a cruise in the Mediterranean. Cruises sailing from Florida, may be slightly different, with amended menus, tariffs and entertainment.

All in all we had a wonderful cruise. MSC Lirica is a beautiful ship and we'd return anyday. All was not perfect however. When is anything?

For hundreds of Photographs of the Menus, Food, Midnight Buffets, Staff & Ports of Call during MSC Lirica's Caribbean Cruises sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, please see Buil & Diane Chamless's excellent website CruiseClues.

MSC Lirica postcard

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The Itinerary

Lirica Review Part I

View My Photos of MSC Lirica

PhotographsThe ItineraryLirica Review Part IMSC Melody Review

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