MSC Opera Begins Winter Cruises in Canary Islands & Madeira

The MSC Opera has arrived in Tenerife, marking the start of MSC Cruises' winter season in the Canary Islands and Madeira.

After a brief pause, MSC Cruises returns to the region with seven-night itineraries departing from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Funchal. The week-long cruises also include stops at Arrecife de Lanzarote, Puerto del Rosario, and Santa Cruz de La Palma, along with a full day of cruising in the Atlantic Ocean.

This deployment, running through late March, replaces a previously planned winter season in the Red Sea, which was canceled due to security concerns. MSC’s last full winter season in the Canary Islands was in 2013-14, when the MSC Armonia operated in the region.

After completing its winter schedule, the Opera will embark on an 11-night repositioning cruise to Venice, Italy. Once there, the ship will serve as a homeport for seven-night cruises to destinations in Greece, Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro, running through late October.

For the 2025-26 season, MSC Cruises will expand its presence in the Canary Islands by replacing the MSC Opera with the larger MSC Musica. The Musica will begin its four-month deployment in the region in early November.

In related news, MSC Cruises has announced its plans for the South American market for winter 2025-26. The company will deploy five ships, including the MSC Seaview, MSC Preziosa, MSC Fantasia, MSC Lirica, and MSC Armonia, with itineraries departing from Brazil and Argentina.