MSC Opera Brings Its Elegance to South Africa This November
MSC Opera will sail to South Africa for the summer season (November 2025 – April 2026), offering cruises from Durban and Cape Town to scenic Indian Ocean destinations.
Image: Supplied
With MSC Opera's arrival in November for the 2025/2026 season, MSC Cruises brings elegance, adventure, and the world-class hospitality it's known for to South African shores. This magnificent vessel, part of the Lirica-class, is designed to offer a refined cruising experience, blending intimate settings with expansive deck space and exceptional service.
MSC Opera will be calling in South Africa for the second time in November 2025 as part of the 2025/2026 season. Designed for elegance and exploration, the ship accommodates 2,658 passengers in 1,070 cabins, featuring spectacular entertainment options. From 24 November, MSC Opera will sail from Durban and Cape Town to some of the Indian Ocean's most picturesque locations.
Onboard relaxation, featuring a double pool complex, whirlpool baths, a state-of-the-art gym, and the indulgent MSC Aurea Spa.
Image: Supplied
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Setting sail for a spectacular summer in South Africa
After concluding a season in the Mediterranean, MSC Opera will make her way to South Africa's warm waters, where she will spend the summer season (November 2025 – April 2026) sailing from Durban and Cape Town to some of the Indian Ocean's most picturesque locations. Sun-kissed getaways
MSC Opera's first departure from Durban is set for the 24th of November 2025, heading to the idyllic Portuguese Island. Throughout the season, guests can embark on 12 different itineraries, ranging from short, sun-kissed getaways to Mozambique's famed Portuguese Island, Pomene, and Maputo, to immersive 14-night adventures covering Madagascar, Mayotte, Mauritius, and Reunion.
For KwaZulu-Natal travellers, the MSC Opera experience starts effortlessly at Durban's state-of-the-art Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in the Point Waterfront. For those looking to extend their stay, MSC Cruises has partnered with a selection of top Durban hotels to ensure a seamless pre- or post-cruise retreat.
In Cape Town, the journey begins at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal, where MSC Cruises provides similar hotel partnerships for added convenience.
Guests can enjoy an intimate cruising experience without compromising on worldclass amenities.
Image: Supplied
A ship designed for elegance and exploration
MSC Opera's thoughtful design prioritises open deck space and personalised, traditional service – guests can enjoy an intimate cruising experience without compromising on world-class amenities.
With a passenger capacity of 2,658 across 1,070 cabins, the ship provides an atmosphere of exclusivity while maintaining a vibrant social scene.
Guests can expect: Elegant accommodations ranging from family-friendly cabins to suites, balcony cabins, and ocean view options.
ranging from family-friendly cabins to suites, balcony cabins, and ocean view options. Fine dining experiences , offering an ever-changing selection of Mediterranean, international delicacies, and some local flavours.
, offering an ever-changing selection of Mediterranean, international delicacies, and some local flavours. Entertainment and nightlife , including Broadway-style shows, live music, a casino, and plenty of lounges and bars.
, including Broadway-style shows, live music, a casino, and plenty of lounges and bars. Onboard relaxation , featuring a double pool complex, whirlpool baths, a state-of-the-art gym, and the indulgent MSC Aurea Spa.
, featuring a double pool complex, whirlpool baths, a state-of-the-art gym, and the indulgent MSC Aurea Spa. Fun for the whole family, with dedicated kids' clubs, play areas designed by LEGO® and Chicco®, and thrilling teen zones.
From tranquil beach escapes on Portuguese Island to adventurous discoveries in Madagascar, an MSC Opera cruise is more than a holiday—it's an experience to remember. Bookings for the 2025/2026 season are now open, so secure your spot and set sail on a journey of elegance, exploration, and extraordinary memories.
Take this opportunity and plan for your festive holiday, and book a Christmas or New Year's cruise onboard MSC Opera. Choose between 5 nights of endless relaxation and family time, with visits to the white sandy beaches in Portuguese Island and Pomene in Mozambique, or 14 nights filled with a range of great activities, including visits to Nosy Be, Port Louis, and La Possession.
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