Having sailed MSC, with up and downs the last few years, I gave them another try, even after a lesser experience with the MSC Opera Western European cruise earlier this year, which was a service wise a disaster, poor food and even worse service.
The MSC Lirica is identical to the MSC Opera, but with much less balconies.
The itinerary was great, only one sea-day, and all ports probably with the exception of Fujairah, were the best you could wish for.