Cruise Comparison

MSC Opera VS Rhapsody of the Seas

Find out all the differences between these two cruises at 2026

MSC Opera Rhapsody of the Seas
Year built 2004 1997
Beam 32 m 32 m
Length 274 m 279 m
Tonnage 65591 tn. 78491 tn.
Velocity 20 23
Passenger capacity 2679 2416
Crew capacity 728 765
Ratio of crew per passenger 3,68 3,16
Decks 13 12
Cabins 1075 1020
Restaurants 4 9
Bars/Pubs 6 7
Lifts 9 9
Nationality Panamá Bahamas
More info More info
Overview
MSC Opera Rhapsody of the Seas
img img

The MSC Opera was launched in 2004, therefore it is 7 years more modern than Rhapsody of the Seas, which was built on 1997. The ship MSC Opera has a capacity of 2679 passengers that are distributed in its 1075 cabins, on the other hand, the Rhapsody of the Seas can accommodate up to 2416 passengers in its 1020 cabins. At the same time, the cruise MSC Opera has a lower ratio of crew members per passenger, having one crew member per 3.7 passengers, compared to the ratio of 3.2 per crew member of Rhapsody of the Seas, which normally translates into better service.

When comparing both cruises, one of the differences of MSC Opera is that it has a total of 2 free restaurants (Marketplace Buffet & Restaurant, Restaurante Principal (MSC)) included in the price of the cruise, making a total of 4 restaurants that we can visit. Nevertheless, the Rhapsody of the Seas accommodates a total of 9 restaurants of different types of menus and includes 3 (Windjammer, Park Cafe, Restaurante Principal, ) where we can have lunch or dinner at no additional cost.

In the common leisure areas we can see that the MSC Opera It has a total of 3 pools and 2 jacuzzis in which to bathe and which are included during the stay. Secondly, the Rhapsody of the SeasIncludes 1 plus pools, having a total of 4 that we can enjoy for free during the stay to bathe and including 6 jacuzzis to relax. Likewise, MSC Opera has 1, bars and lounges less than cruise ship Rhapsody of the Seas, which includes a total of 7 instead of 6, both cruise ships having a variety of places to have all kinds of drinks.

The MSC Opera it has 274 meters length (length), therefore it is equal to the length/height of 58 Tesla Model 3 cars, 7 Boeing 737 aircraft, 11 tennis courts or 6 Statues of Liberty. A la inversa the Rhapsody of the Seas is 279 meters long, so it is equal to the length or height of 10 basketball court, 3 Big Ben, 11 tennis courts, or 6 Statues of Liberty.

MSC Opera Rhapsody of the Seas
  • It is 7 years more recent than Rhapsody of the Seas.
  • MSC Opera has 1 covered plus.
  • Owns 55 more cabins than Rhapsody of the Seas.
  • MSC Opera has a capacity of 263 more passengers.
  • Rhapsody of the Seas has 5 meters more than length.
  • It has 5 restaurants more than MSC Opera.
  • Rhapsody of the Seas has 1 bar more.
  • Rhapsody of the Seas has a better crew to passenger ratio than MSC Opera.
  • Owns 4 tubs more jacuzzis than MSC Opera.
MSC Opera Rhapsody of the Seas