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MSC Lirica

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MSC Lirica docked in Argostoli, Kefalonia in 2019.
History
NameMSC Lirica
Namesakelirica, Italian word for "lyric"
OwnerMSC Cruises
OperatorMSC Cruises
Port of registryPanama
BuilderChantiers de l'Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France
Cost$250 million
LaunchedAugust 2002
Christened1 March 2003
Completed2003
Maiden voyage2003
In service2003
Identification
Statusin service
NotesFirst newbuild for MSC
General characteristics
Class and typeLirica-class cruise ship
Tonnage
  • 59,058 GT
  • 65,591 GT (after renovation)
Length
  • 251.25 m (824 ft 4 in)
  • 274.9 m (901 ft 11 in) (after renovation)
Beam
  • 28.8 m (94 ft 6 in)
  • 32 m (105 ft 0 in) (after renovation)
Draft6.60 m (21 ft 8 in)
Decks13 (9 for passengers)
Installed powerFour diesel generators (7,650 kW each)
PropulsionTwo azimuth thrusters (20,000 kW)
Speed21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph)
Capacity
  • 1,984 (double occupancy)
  • 2,648 passengers (maximum after renovation)
Crew700

MSC Lirica is the lead ship in her class of cruise ship, owned and operated by MSC Cruises. She was the first newbuild cruise ship to enter service for MSC Cruises. She can accommodate 1,560 passengers in 780 cabins. Her crew complement is approximately 732. MSC Opera is an identical sister ship to the MSC Lirica. Her other sisters in the class, MSC Armonia and MSC Sinfonia are essentially the same, but have a smaller funnel and other modifications, such as the bow windows and changes to the interior.

History

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During a cast-off maneuver in Civitavecchia, the MSC Lirica was pressed against the pier facilities on 2 November 2007 in strong winds and damaged in the bow area on the port side. The ship was repaired in dry dock between 12 and 17 November 2007 and returned to Fort Lauderdale on 4 December.[1]

MSC Lirica in original white livery

The MSC Lirica was lengthened in November 2015.[2][3]

On 12 March 2021, the ship caught on fire amidships during lay-up at the port of Corfu, Greece, with only crew on board. According to MSC Cruises, the fire started in an empty fiberglass lifeboat and caused damage to the side of the ship, but not its interior, and there were no injuries.[4][5] The area of the fire corresponded to the part of the vessel that was added in her 2015 lengthening and was later repaired.[6]

Areas of operation

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From March 2016 she cruised in Asia visiting ports in China, Japan and Korea.[7] In January 2018, MSC Cruises announced that the ship would spend her 2018-2019 winter season operating cruises in the United Arab Emirates.[8] In July 2019, the MSC Lirica served as a hotel for athletes competing in the 30th Summer Universiade in Naples.[9]

Following the interruption due to COVID-19 and the on-board fire, MSC announced that MSC Lirica would return to service in April 2022 with a full season of 7-night Eastern Mediterranean cruises, based at Piraeus.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Events by MSC".
  2. ^ Staff, C. I. N. (2014-05-20). "MSC Renaissance Program Begins with Laying Out of Armonia's New Section". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
  3. ^ Staff, C. I. N. (2014-09-03). "Armonia Enters Drydock for Stretching". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
  4. ^ Kalosh, Anne (12 March 2021). "No injuries reported in fire on MSC Lirica in Corfu". Seatrade Cruise News. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  5. ^ "MSC Lirica Is On Fire in Corfu". Cruise Industry News. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Where is the MSC Fleet of Cruise Ships?". 16 April 2021.
  7. ^ "MSC to Send Lirica to Shanghai in 2016". Cruise Industry News. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  8. ^ Staff, CIN (2018-01-19). "MSC Adds Lirica to UAE Lineup". Retrieved 2018-01-22.
  9. ^ Staff, C. I. N. (2019-07-03). "MSC Lirica Hosting 30th Summer Universiade Athletes in Naples". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  10. ^ Bond, Mary (16 December 2021). "MSC Lirica to homeport in Piraeus summer 2022". Seatrade Cruise News. Colchester. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
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