CONTEMPORARY CRUISE SHIP CHRONICLES:
MSC MUSICA
by Peter Knego

Published August 21, 2006. All images and text copyright Peter Knego 2006 (unless otherwise noted).

MSC MUSICA "Preview" Tour, Page One: Sport (16) and Cantata (15) Decks

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Owners: MSC Cruises
Built by ALSTOM Marine/Aker Yards, Chantiers de l'Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France
Yard no: Q32
89,600 gt
963.9 by 105.6 feet
Speed: 23 knots
Passengers: 2,550 (double occupancy)
Crew: 987

Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2006.

The MSC MUSICA is a third larger than MSC's previous newbuilds. Her increased size allows for twelve (versus nine) passenger decks, beginning at the top with Sport Deck (16), and continuing down with Cantata (15), Capriccio (14), Vivace (13), Virtuoso (12), Adagio (11), Minuetto (10), Intermezzo (9), Forte (8), Maestoso (7), Brillante (6), and Grazioso (5). There are thirteen passenger lifts and elevator access is available between Grazioso (5) and forward Cantata (15) levels.

All photos by and copyright Peter Knego 2006, unless otherwise noted.

Facing port from the forward section of the Solarium on Deck 16.

Facing aft along the starboard portion of the Solarium.

Facing forward along the port portion of the Solarium.

Facing aft from the port side of the Solarium, showing the midships pool area and the outskirts of Venice.

In MaritimeMatters' tradition, our tour will begin at the top of this beautiful new vessel and work its way down. The forward portion of Sport Deck (16) is actually called the Solarium. The Solarium is glassed in for protection from high winds, but the panels are spaced in such a way that taking pictures of passing scenery can be unhampered with a skillful placement of the camera. The MSC MUSICA and other MSC ships have comfortable aluminum deck chairs with a face-shading overhang that can be adjusted, as desired. From the Solarium, there is an all-encompasing view of the pool area.

The stylish funnel from a rear 3/4 port perspective.

Facing forward along the starboard flanks of the MSC MUSICA from the forward starboard side of the tennis court.

Facing aft along the tennis court, revealing the two futuristic galley exhaust vents.

And the same view in reverse, capturing some of Venice's splendor in the background.

Just aft of the grilled funnel on Sport Deck (16) level, there is a dedicated tennis court. This is a feature not available on the MSC OPERA or MSC LIRICA, and is an improved, expanded version of those on MSC SINFONIA and MSC ARMONIA.

A view over the bow from Cantata (15) Deck, showing the MSC MUSICA's semi-circular fo'c'sle area.

Facing port along the forward Deck 15 balcony.

Suite 10518 facing starboard. Note the nice wood tones and plush soft fittings.

Suite 10518 facing port.

The balcony of Suite 10518

The bathroom of Suite 10518.

A view of the sumptuous pool area from the aft portion of forward Deck 15.

Cantata Deck (15) begins with a narrow platform overlooking the MSC MUSICA's bow and leads to a block of accommodation that includes 18 category 12 (suites), 3 category 8 (balconied staterooms), and 2 category 3 (insides).

Facing forward from aft/port Cantata Deck.

Facing aft along the port side of aft Cantata Deck.

Facing aft along the starboard side of aft Cantata Deck.

The aft portion of Cantata Deck (15) has a mini-golf terrace on the port side and a shuffleboard/deck quoits terrace on the starboard side.

Click here for Page Two of MaritimeMatters' MSC MUSICA "Preview" Tour

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