MSC Cruises · Lirica Class
MSC Lirica: ship guide
The ship that named a class: Venice and Ancona Adriatic cruises with a Kaito Sushi Bar.
Best for: Travelers who want a smaller, classic MSC ship for a seven-night Adriatic and Greek Islands cruise from Venice or Ancona, or a winter Eastern Mediterranean cruise from Bari, Athens or Istanbul. Sails from Venice (Marghera), Ancona, Split, Bari, Piraeus (Athens), Istanbul in 2026 and 2027.
About MSC Lirica
MSC Lirica was MSC Cruises’ first purpose-built ship when it entered service in 2003, and it gave its name to the four-ship Lirica Class. In 2015 it was the last of the four through the Renaissance Programme at Fincantieri, which cut the hull and added a 24-meter midsection, bringing it to 65,591 gross tons and 902 feet with 988 staterooms, the Doremi Spray Park, new kids areas and more public space. Decks are named for Italian composers from Verdi to Rossini.
The interiors mix natural wood, marble and brass in the classic MSC style: a glass-walled foyer, the two-deck Broadway Theatre, the Las Vegas Casino, the L’Atmosphère Piano Bar, the Lord Nelson Pub and the Blue Club Disco. Dining centers on the La Bussola and L’Ippocampo main restaurants and the Le Bistrot buffet, and MSC Lirica is the one Lirica Class ship with a Kaito Sushi Bar. Balcony staterooms are few, so most guests book interior or ocean view rooms.
In 2026 and 2027 MSC Lirica is a Mediterranean ship. Seven-night Adriatic cruises from Venice and Ancona to Kotor, Mykonos and Syros run from April to October 2026 and again from April to October 2027. Between them it sails ten- to twelve-night fall cruises from Venice and Split to Greece, Egypt and Cyprus, then seven-night winter 2027 cruises from Bari, Piraeus and Istanbul calling at Corfu and Izmir. From November 2027 it moves to seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Civitavecchia, Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa and Valencia.
- Renaissance Programme stretch in 2015 added a 24-meter midsection, about 200 staterooms and the Doremi Spray Park
- Kaito Sushi Bar, the only specialty restaurant on a Lirica Class ship
- The Broadway Theatre with Ovation, Showstoppers, Generation Rock, Club Deco and Destination
- Las Vegas Casino, Lord Nelson Pub, L’Atmosphère Piano Bar and the Blue Club Disco
- MSC Aurea Spa with Balinese massages and a panoramic MSC Gym powered by Technogym
- Mini golf and power walking track on the top deck
- Seven-night Adriatic cruises from Venice and Ancona in summer 2026 and summer 2027
- Winter 2027 Eastern Mediterranean cruises from Bari, Piraeus and Istanbul
Staterooms and suites
Junior Interior
Interior staterooms of about 140 sq ft with a double bed convertible to two singles and pullman beds for a third and fourth guest; the most common category and the value choice for a port-heavy Adriatic week.
Junior Ocean View
About 140 sq ft with a window, also sold with an obstructed view; third and fourth beds available.
Premium Ocean View
Roomier ocean view staterooms of about 237 sq ft, a good family option on a ship with few balconies.
Junior Balcony
A limited number of balcony staterooms of about 140 sq ft plus a 32 sq ft private balcony on the upper decks; book early.
Junior Suite Aurea
The top category at about 248 sq ft plus a 54 sq ft balcony with bathtub, sold with the Aurea experience that adds a drinks package, priority boarding, My Choice dining and spa benefits. MSC Lirica has no MSC Yacht Club.
MSC Lirica deck plans
Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.
13 - Sun
Top 13 Exclusive Solarium, Mini Golf.
- Top 13 Exclusive SolariumTop 13 Exclusive Solarium
- MinigolfMinigolf.
Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.
On board MSC Lirica
Dining on MSC Lirica
La Bussola RestaurantIncluded
Main restaurant serving multi-course Mediterranean and international dinners at a set seating.
L’Ippocampo RestaurantIncluded
Second main restaurant with the same evening menu and open-seating breakfast and lunch on some days.
Le Bistrot BuffetIncluded
Self-service buffet for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks, with the Pergola pizza and pasta counter alongside.
Kaito Sushi BarSpecialty
MSC’s Japanese counter for sushi, sashimi and Asian small plates, unique to MSC Lirica within the class.
The Coffee CornerSpecialty
Italian espresso bar with pastries, charged per item or covered by drink packages.
Gelateria Italiana and The Vitamin BarSpecialty
Gelato by the scoop and fresh juices on the pool deck.
Bars and loungesSpecialty
Lord Nelson Pub, The Beverly Hills Bar, L’Atmosphère Piano Bar, La Canzone del Mare pool bar, the Casino Bar and The Blue Club Disco Bar.
Entertainment and activities
- The Broadway Theatre with production shows such as Ovation, Showstoppers, Generation Rock, Club Deco and Destination
- Las Vegas Casino and The Blue Club Disco
- Two pools with whirlpools and the Doremi Spray Park
- MSC Aurea Spa with Balinese massages, sauna and Turkish bath
- Panoramic MSC Gym powered by Technogym and an outdoor power walking track
- Mini golf, shuffleboard and the arcade with virtual reality games
- Karaoke, game shows, themed parties and the MSC Aurea Solarium
Families and who it suits
Play areas designed with Chicco, LEGO and Namco include a pirate-themed kids playroom: the Baby Club for under-threes, the Mini Club for 3 to 6, the Junior Club for 7 to 11, the Young Club for 12 to 14 and the Teen Club for 15 to 17 are all included in the fare, and the Doremi Spray Park and mini golf keep families busy on sea days.
Best for: Travelers who want a smaller, classic MSC ship for a seven-night Adriatic and Greek Islands cruise from Venice or Ancona, or a winter Eastern Mediterranean cruise from Bari, Athens or Istanbul.
Sails from: Venice (Marghera), Ancona, Split, Bari, Piraeus (Athens), Istanbul · Regions: Adriatic, Greek Islands, Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey, Egypt and Cyprus, Western Mediterranean
MSC Lirica questions we answer every day
How big is MSC Lirica?
Was MSC Lirica refurbished?
Where does MSC Lirica sail in 2026 and 2027?
Which staterooms are best on MSC Lirica?
What is included in the fare on MSC Lirica?
What are the Bella, Fantastica and Aurea experiences on MSC Lirica?
Facts checked against MSC Cruises USA: MSC Lirica, MSC Cruises USA: MSC Lirica staterooms and suites, MSC Cruises UK: MSC Lirica cruise search (2026-2028 departures), Fincantieri press release: MSC Cruises launches a two-year Renaissance Programme for its Lirica Class on October 13, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.
Every MSC Lirica sailing, priced all-in
Every MSC Lirica departure the cruise line is selling, priced live with taxes, fees and port expenses included. SmartCruiser picks at the top are sailings where booking with us gets you something extra. Stack the filters, then sort by lowest price, best value per night or sail date.
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Sorted by what you save, biggest firstEvery MSC Lirica sailing
Stack any filters, then pick a sortPrices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars, and include cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as published by the cruise line at the moment you load this page. Fares are capacity controlled and change daily; the fare is confirmed when you book. Flights, hotels and transfers are extra unless the line’s offer says otherwise. Onboard credit shown on a sailing is per stateroom and applies to the lowest category offered unless stated otherwise.