My first MSC cruise was aboard the MSC Opera, and I’ve returned with a heart full of stories and memories that still feel unreal.
Before embarkation day arrived, I was nervous. Very nervous. Every day, I scrolled through TikTok looking for tips from people who had cruised before. What to pack. What not to pack.
What to expect. Where to eat. What to avoid. That endless scrolling actually helped. It calmed my nerves and made the whole idea feel less intimidating. By the time the day arrived, I felt like I had a tiny crew of strangers guiding me through my first cruise adventure.
The trip was four nights long, which felt both short and endless in the best way.
I was booked into the balcony cabin, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to experience the magic fully. There is something about waking up, opening the curtain, and seeing blue water stretch forever.
You sit there quietly, watching the ocean move, feeling like the world has paused just for you. It becomes your private cinema, except the screen is the sea and the soundtrack is the waves.
Days one and two were spent at sea. Day three was meant to be our stop in Pomene in Mozambique, a moment I had been looking forward to. But nature had other plans, denying us even a few precious hours of island life.
Captain Pietro Scarpato, master of MSC Opera, announced that we could not disembark due to the bad weather. He explained that forecasts showed rough seas and strong winds, making anchoring and tendering unsafe.
I will not lie. My heart sank. As a first-time cruiser dreaming of island life, I was disappointed. But that feeling did not last long. The ship had so much happening that the day still unfolded with laughter, music and unexpected joy.
The MSC Opera is designed for people of all ages, moods and energy levels. There is always something happening somewhere.
Entertainment flows from morning to night. There are shows, games, activities, music and moments that you never planned but somehow stumble into.
The adult club deserves its own paragraph. Every night from 11pm, the Byblos Disco comes alive. It becomes a world of its own. Music pulses through the space, DJs keep the energy high, and strangers turn into dance partners.
We partied. We laughed. We forgot about time. But I must be honest, I am not a 2K (born in the 2000s). I could not survive all four nights. Even on the nights that I went, I did not stay long. The day’s activities catch up with you. Sleep eventually wins.
There is also the Teatro dell Opera, a two-deck theatre that feels like a surprise tucked inside the ship. Each night brings different performances, from musicals to magic to mime acts. Live music is everywhere. You hear it drifting through corridors and lounges.
The Cotton Club offers live bands. La Cabala Piano Bar hosts pianists and vocalists. Sometimes you sit down for a drink and accidentally stay for an hour because the music holds you gently in place.
If your idea of a good time is peace and slow living, the ship also gives you that. There are pools and whirlpool baths where people gather to soak up the sun. I am not a strong swimmer, so I skipped the pool experience. Instead, I explored the quieter corners.
The MSC Aurea Spa is one of the most calming spaces on board. They offer massages, facials, a sauna, a steam room and a relaxation area where you can take a nap or sit with a book while the ocean stretches endlessly outside the windows.
I carried a book with me, convinced that I would become that person who reads peacefully by the sea. That did not happen. There is simply too much to do, too much to see, too many moments pulling you in different directions. Still, the massage that I was booked for became one of the highlights of my trip.
It felt like floating while still being. Some spa rooms offer ocean views. Imagine lying there, waves rolling outside, while someone gently works tension out of your shoulders. It feels unreal.
There is also a gym with panoramic views. Even exercise feels different when the ocean is your backdrop.
The food also deserves applause. Dining on the ship feels like a journey on its own. The main restaurants, La Caravella and L Approdo, offer waiter service and a different menu each night. It feels like sitting down to a new story every evening.
The buffet offers casual dining for breakfast and lunch, with endless options. You eat until walking feels like a choice you must negotiate with your body.
For those worried about shaky waters, the ship offers helpful advice. Booking a cabin on a lower deck and closer to the middle helps reduce motion. A balcony cabin also allows fresh air, which can help with nausea.
I took medication before boarding, but I also believe that the balcony played a role. The air felt clean. The space felt open. Even when you see the ship moving, you can close the curtains if needed and rest.
MSC Opera offers several itineraries in South Africa, mainly departing from Durban to destinations in Mozambique, with later sailings from Cape Town. The local season runs from November 2025 until April 2026, with round-trip tickets to places like the Portuguese Island and Pomene.
This is an experience that everyone should have at least once. It stretches time, softens the mind and fills your memory with moments that you did not know that you needed. As for me, I am going back. Without hesitation.
For a holiday of a lifetime, bookings can be made at msccruises.co.za.
∎ Lutho Pasiya was hosted for four nights by MSC Cruises on a trip from Durban to Mozambique.
