MSC Opera Launches Winter Season in the Canaries

The MSC Opera just arrived in Tenerife, kicking off MSC Cruises’ winter season in the Canary Islands and Madeira.

MSC returns to the region after a brief absence with a series of seven-night cruises departing from St. Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Funchal.

During the week-long voyages, the MSC Opera will also visit Arrecife de Lanzarote, Puerto del Rosario, and St. Cruz de La Palma. The week-long schedule includes a full day cruising in the Atlantic Ocean.

The deployment, which runs until late March, replaces a previously scheduled winter season in the Red Sea that was canceled owing to security concerns in the area.

MSC’s last complete winter season in the Canaries was in 2013-14 when the MSC Armonia cruised the region.

After finishing its winter deployment in the region, the MSC Opera provides a repositioning voyage to the Eastern Mediterranean.

The 11-night voyage departs for Venice, Italy, where the ship will be based for a series of Adriatic Sea cruises.

In late October, the ship departs from the harbor for seven-night trips to Greece, Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro.

For the 2025-26 season, MSC Cruises is increasing capacity in the region, with the MSC Musica taking up the deployment.

The larger ship, which will replace the MSC Opera, is slated to arrive in early November for a four-month season in the Spanish archipelago.

In related news, MSC Cruises recently announced their plans for the 2025-25 winter season in South America.

The business is deploying five ships to the region, including the MSC Seaview, MSC Preziosa, MSC Fantasia, MSC Lirica, and MSC Armonia, with itineraries departing from Brazil and Argentina, respectively.