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MSC Virtuosa’s namesake comes from the word virtuoso, meaning someone highly skilled in any field of activity, and so MSC Virtuosa was named to pay homage to the skill and expertise of the MSC Cruises architects and shipyard partners at Les Chantiers de l’Atlantique who designed and built this innovative class of ships. This new cruise ship is one of the two largest in MSC Cruises’ fleet, along with her sister ship MSC Grandiosa, boasting an impressive array of guest features all coming together in perfect harmony to deliver the ultimate cruise holiday experience.
MSC Virtuosa Yacht Club - 12 Nights ex Southampton (21/05/2025) Having enjoyed three post-COVID 14-night cruises in Princess mini-suites (Enchanted and Sky x2), our last experience on Sky Princess left us somewhat disappointed with a perceived decline in waiter service and increasing difficulty securing evening dining. This prompted us to explore the Yacht Club on MSC Virtuosa, believing it would offer a significant upgrade – the exclusivity and premium service of a boutique experience coupled with access to the broader ship's amenities. We paid a considerable premium over a comparable Princess mini-suite for a virtually identical itinerary. These are our observations from our inaugural MSC cruise and first experience within the Yacht Club. NB: This voyage was the first following the ship's repositioning from the US, and we suspect a significant crew change may have contributed to some of the inconsistencies noted below, which we hope will resolve as the new team settles. Embarkation: Efficient but not that much faster than Princess from Southampton. Escorted to the TSL, where we were told to wait…and wait we did. Not good. Cabin (YC1 Balcony Starboard): Excellent. Notably wider and more spacious than a Princess mini-suite, featuring a generously sized balcony of similar depth. The bathroom was well-appointed with a rainfall shower, glass screen, and illuminated shaving/makeup mirror. Pleanyu of storage well stocked mini fridge etc. Beds/Pillows: Comfortable, though we felt Princess offered a slight edge. However, the bed linen on MSC was superior. Super Junior Butler: Provided outstanding and attentive service. The Head Butler was rarely visible in our cabin area. Muster Drill: Cumbersome and inconvenient. Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge, Restaurant & Pool Deck: The views were superb, and the area boasted ample, high-quality furnishings and sun loungers. We consistently found seating, a welcome contrast to our experience on Sky Princess. Breakfast: We primarily utilised the Pool Grill's buffet, which included an excellent egg station and friendly, efficient service. The hot and cold selections were reasonably varied, and staff seemed willing to accommodate off-menu requests. Our two restaurant breakfasts (first and last sea days) were less satisfactory. The first sea day was disorganized. On the final day, my wife's simple fruit and yoghurt arrived and was finished twenty minutes before my bacon and poached eggs. The presented dish was unacceptable: two pieces of blackened, charred bacon and one rock-hard overcooked egg alongside one that was barely cooked. The waiter's apparent indifference was disappointing, echoing similar experiences in the restaurant at dinner. I chose not to wait for a replacement and left, receiving only a weak "sorry" and a shrug. Room Service: Our single order (toasted ham and cheese sandwich) was as cold and uninspired as those we'd experienced on Princess. Lunch: After embarkation day in the restaurant, we preferred the Pool Bar for lunch when onboard. The menu offered sufficient choice for us, with hot food cooked to order. This area was enjoyable in good weather; however, the alternative main buffet appeared chaotic at times. Dinner: The anytime dining format allowed flexibility. On occasion, we received a buzzer and waited briefly (max 15 minutes), resulting in different table locations and servers each evening. The menus were appealing, with a good selection of seafood, pasta, and risotto (a better variety than Princess, in our opinion), though the dessert menu lacked imagination and variety. Ingredient quality seemed comparable to Princess. The opportunity to discuss wine selections with Florian, the knowledgeable sommelier (who also fulfilled other roles), was a highlight. His willingness to guide me through recommendations and offer tastings was much appreciated, especially as I know diddly squat about wine.. The restaurant's sunset views and elegant table settings were also noteworthy. Waiter service was inconsistent, seemingly dependent on the assigned section and individual waiters. For a future cruise, we would request a more structured seating arrangement, as we observed some guests consistently seated at the same table each evening. While automatic glass refills were a welcome touch in some sections, in others, we repeatedly had to seek out service. Similarly, some waiters were proactive in clearing finished plates, while others were slow to do so. Food quality was consistently inconsistent. Salmon, a regular menu item, was delicious one evening and dry and overcooked the next. A scallop starter featured one raw, one perfect, and one rubbery scallop. Melted ice cream was served without comment. A pannacotta that failed to set was defended by the waiter as being "how it's supposed to be." While issues were addressed when dishes were returned, the recurrence of similar problems in the second week led us to cease complaining. This was a significant disappointment. However, Salvatore, Paulo, Florian, and John provided superb service, demonstrating experience and genuine hospitality. Pool Deck: We were very pleased with this area, enjoying the views, furnishings, and service. However, the lack of shade was noticeable, and it could be quite windy. The single hot tub was out of service for most of the second week. The "pool" itself was underwhelming, appearing to be an afterthought tucked away in a corner. Top Sail Lounge: Again, well-appointed with stunning views and ample seating (except during the White Night event). Service was inconsistent, particularly during the late afternoon (4-6 pm). The provided snacks were a nice gesture, but bread-based items quickly became dry due to a lack of proper covering (a similar issue was noted at the pool bar). Drinks in the TSL were generally acceptable, though we cannot comment on the cocktails. It took three days to establish that my preferred gin and tonic (Hendricks, Fever-Tree on the side, over ice with cucumber) would be served correctly, as the barman initially insisted on filling the highball with tonic.. He was also unable to make a mojito, though I should have addressed this directly at the bar rather than through a waiter. We missed the information regarding afternoon tea in the TSL due to the lack of a printed daily schedule, which was frustrating for those with visual impairments relying on the app. Evening entertainment in the TSL (pianist, vocalist, pianist) was adequate but repetitive. Fortunately, we met some wonderful fellow passengers, enhancing our enjoyment. A significant benefit of the YC is its smaller capacity (around 220 guests), facilitating quicker acquaintance. Staff were generally friendly, and it was common to see them in different roles within the YC during the day. Our junior butler's escort service for timed excursions and disembarkation on the final morning was excellent and saved us considerable queuing. Concierge: Raj was exceptional – both friendly and highly efficient and professional. Witnessing the queues at Guest Services in the main ship highlighted the value of the YC concierge. We experienced no significant issues, and minor ones were resolved swiftly. We used the concierge desk for show reservations, excursion bookings, etc., which was incredibly convenient. One instance particularly stood out: when my wife was concerned about needing Euro coins for restroom facilities during an excursion, the assistant concierge was unhelpful. Raj overheard, immediately offered to assist, and within ten minutes, provided us with the necessary coins, stating with a smile, "we wouldn't want the lady to worry." Full praise to Raj. We understand that Raj joined the ship at our first port of call (Lisbon), as did the new YC Director. Unfortunately, this individual was rarely seen and twice completely ignored us in the YC stairwell. This was not impressive. Overall Thoughts on Yacht Club: Despite the various "issues" encountered within the YC, we genuinely enjoyed the experience. However, the elephant in the room remains: MSC's underlying identity as a budget cruise line was evident, despite the premium paid for the Yacht Club. Examples include the inability to view BBC website videos without a streaming package, the £8 charge for in-cabin movie rentals, and the £15 fee for Carousel shows (which were good). Courtesy buses at ports were non-existent. Main theatre shows were significantly below Princess standards, featuring mediocre performances, no live band, and the same basic set for all shows with only projected backdrops changing. Daily activities seemed limited to dance classes and trivia, lacking the variety we experienced on Princess. Overcrowding and seemingly slow service were also issues in the main ship areas. Finally, the excessive number of smoking areas on MSC, was a significant drawback. The jury is still out.
We boarded the ship in Lisbon. The queues were long, and the boarding process at the port felt quite chaotic. However, once on board, we were warmly greeted by the courteous staff. They were consistently friendly—whether it was simply saying good morning or offering helpful tips for exploring ports. We absolutely loved the staff onboard. Our waiter even made us an origami dragon during dinner, which was such a fun touch! On the final evening, the team surprised us with a dance show, and one of the managers even did the worm, which was totally unexpected and hilarious. While the weather wasn't great, the crew made sure there were plenty of indoor events and activities to enjoy. The theatre shows were fantastic. We attended Michael Star Walker, which was excellent—I couldn’t recommend it more. We also played bingo, which was a bit pricey at €20 per triple, but it was still a lot of fun. We visited the spa as well, and it was a relaxing haven onboard. We were lucky to get access for free as MSC Voyager Club Gold members. Tip: Make sure you know all the benefits included in your cruise package. As gold members, we received all our perks except robes and slippers. We simply asked at reception and they brought them to our room right away. Considering MSC is known as a more affordable cruise line, we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of both the ship and the food. All meals were warm and delicious. We purchased the two-dining experience package, which was a great budget-friendly way to try the specialty restaurants onboard. We dined at Indochine, where the service was top-tier and the food was exceptional. Fun bonus: we were eating at the same time as the captain and his family! We also tried Butcher’s Cut, which had brilliant food and crew. If you go, try to get a table on the terrace—it offers a much better atmosphere. Our cabin was a Fantastica Balcony Cabin. It was average size for MSC but clean, modern, and for us, well worth the upgrade. Having a balcony made a big difference—we saw dolphins from our cabin and waking up to a sea view was an unforgettable experience. Disembarkation was smooth for us, but many passengers seemed confused about how the process works. MSC could definitely improve the clarity of disembarkation instructions for a better experience all around.
There is very little to criticise about this cruise and this ship. I must start by saying the ship was at 50% occupancy, and if you find yourself in the same situation, count yourself VERY lucky as honestly, it is the best thing that can happen on such a large ship. This ship is beautiful and very well planned in terms of how you navigate the spaces. This seems to be a common review of the ship it self, and often it is the amount of people that let it down, so half empty is perfect. I would say that it was comfortable at 50% so I would not want to be on this shop anywhere near 100% occupancy as it I can see it would be horrific in terms of service and space. Lets break down the cruise itself; EMBARKATION Even with less than 1000 people joining in Lisbon (the ship started in the Caribbean) this was not good. There is a new terminal in Lisbon and MSC and the Terminal operator seem to be insistent on not using it as designed and have made a total mess at embarkation process. From queuing for an hour just to drop bags (because most passengers hadnt bothered to attach luggage labels, we had but were not allowed to just drop them even though thats all we did once we arrived at the desk), to 3 people sat at a small table in a tiny space (the terminal space is huge but they pack you into a tiny corner) processing passports - if there were more people boarding this wouldve been truly horrific. GETTING ON BOARD This is always fun, and you immediately arrive into the Galleria which is breathtaking when you first see it, a really impressive space and very much the heart of the ship. You go to your cabin to pick up your cruise card which is attached to the door - I actually DO NOT like this as anyone could go by and pick up your cruise card quite easily. However we were greeted by the attendant who let us into our cabin early and was delightful (Sylvia - she was amazing, although moved off our cabins mid way through which was weird but i expect due to the unusual nature of people joining a longer cruise). THE SHIP ITSELF It really is a brilliant ship. It is well planned with plenty of popular spots not placed too close together to avoid bottle necking as much as possible - again this was 50% occupancy, I doubt it will work like this with 75-100%. It is a big ship, but its super easy to navigate so it doesnt seem like it. The lift system worked well where you enter your deck and are assigned a lift, this works better than everyone jumping in one, but might not work as well at high occupancy as if everyone is trying to use it then they will fill up quickly. The ship is equipped with 2 stablisers although i have to say i dont believe they were used, the ship was not overaly stable, it wasnt bad, but you will feel it even if you are comfortable at sea like i am - i understand they are not efficient and quite costly to use but it does take a way a little bit of the comfort - although that being said sometimes you dont even feel like you are at sea so its quite nice to feel the motion, but if you are prone to sea sickness just be aware. SAFETY DRILL They make a bit of a mess of this, something else Costa do well with their in room safety video. It is a traditional go to a point, hear the briefing then get taken to your muster point and back to room - it was frustrating for us as we went to the theatre for the video and briefing, our muster was the theatre but we were made to sit and wait for 15 minutes whilst they escorted others to their muster point, even though we were in ours and couldve been sent on our way, this was made frustrating by the fact our dining time was set at 5.45 and we were not allowed to leave the briefing until 5.40 so you can see the problem as we hadnt even had time to get ready at this point. THE CABIN The cabin was great, modern as you would expect and had everything you need - plenty of storage space so not sure how much some people are bringing when they complain about this. The bathroom is tiny - in comparison to Costa which is something they do better (although maybe the only thing they do better). The position of our cabin was towards the bow on deck 9, i would advise avoiding this if you are nervous at sea, it is loud during the night when at full speed, especially in the Bay of Biscay when the sea was a little rough as the waves are slamming on the hull and it sounds like god himself is trying to smash through the ship. It is also right above the bow thrusters so expect a wake up call at 6am when getting into port, its seriously noisy. It is well positioned for the ship itself though as its directly below the solarium and has easy access to the Galleria also. There is also a kettle which we did not know - and the TV options are great, be sure to look at Free movies - Wicked was on for us which was great when relaxing late evening. FOOD The food was good, not great but not bad either. We dined in the main restaurant and had a wonderful server and server assistant. The food was small in portion size but then the buffet is open almost 24 hours so if still hungry easy to go grab extra, and they happily send out extra servings in the main dining when requested. The buffet food both lunch and breakfast are again good but not great. Our dining time was 5.45. We initially were not happy with this but tried it the first night and for a cruise where we had no plans to get off at any point we actually ended up keeping it as it left our evenings free and we had no commitments in the day that made it a rush. If you have shore days where you will get off it is a really bad time though, even with kids. SERVICE The service i have to say was exceptional, the crew were extremely happy and relaxed, but very attentive and friendly - I have to caveat they had been on a ship at max 50% occupancy for a week when we boarded so wouldve been well rested and many mentioned having time to talk to passengers for the first time in a long time, so it shows when they are treated well how much of a difference it makes - you could see the worry hit their faces the last night of our cruise ahead of 6k people boarding in Southampton - even today i worry for them. POOLS There were a fair amount of pools on board and the size of the pools is unusually big. They are also heated which seems to be industry standard - not hot but warm and usable even when weather is only up to 20 degrees C. There were a lot of hot tubs on board, i counted 7 in public spaces (not including Aurea and YC) and they were rarely full (again this will change with higher occupancy) the locations of them were great although the side tubs on top deck outside are more wave pools when at sea. SHOWS The carousel shows are worth doing although i would suggest you could easily just watch one as they basically the same content with different stories - if you do this Chess makes more sense than the other one and is a little more impressive, we had less than 20 people watching on both our shows so clearly people even at 50% are reluctant to pay for these shows - this will likely change on 7 night 100% occupancy so if you want to see them book them when you get on boar (you book them at the Indochine reception desk) The main theatre is as you expect, the show quality is entertaining enough but dont expect west end or broadway. Also they now ban drinks in there, which honestly i cannot understand as it does remove the enjoyment a little to not have any refreshment for what can be an hour+ with getting there early etc. BARS There are a lot of bars on board and for the most part they work well. Favourites for us were the pub (which is a clear favourite) TV studio (but only for karaoke as it was not used at all really outside of this) and the sky lounge which is great during the day for somewhere quiet (bar is not open though) but very busy all night. The Virtuosa bar is a bit of a mess - it is the only space really with a ballroom type dance floor, but the bar gets WAAAAYYY too busy even at 50% occupancy, it is right on the Galleria and fills up all night, they have added seats which sit on half the dance floor but it just seems too popular for its design so is just a bit of a mess. DRINKS PACKAGE If you can get the premium extra as standard which MSC do sometimes, it worked out only £200 extra PP for our 5 night cruise which considering on board it is 89 euro per night is a massive deal and we deifnitely drunk more than £200 pounds worth. However, be aware, they have quietly added a 15 drink limit and they do enforce it. No this is frustrating to an all inclusive cruise, but in reality it is extremely difficult to manage to go beyond that and probably a good thing to limit it even if just for your own health. The options of drinks on the Premium Extra package is exceptional, pretty much anything goes, other than bottles of wine / champagne, it is a 14 Euro limit per drink but 99% of drinks are that or below. I cant comment on excursions as i never use them, i find them overpriced and often not worth it as there is always on shore excursion companies and with a bit of planning you can do it better yourself Also didnt really join in the activities on board, they all seem great we just prefer to do our own thing. THE APP It is okay but not great, the UX is a little frustrating but you do get used to it, i would advise spending some time just getting to grips with it as soon as board. The more you can use it the better tool it will be. DISEMBARKATION Like embarkation this was a mess. MSC really dont seem to understand how to manage this and is something i have noticed both myself on other cruises and in various forums and reviews. They just make a total mess of it buy trying to rush everyone out at the same time and causing their own problems. It was also annoying that 2 days before we disembarked we were notified at 11pm that the next morning we would need to go to the sports hall to do a face to face UK immigration check, this prevented any type of lie in as it was mandatory and also meant the sports hall was closed all day on a sea day. There was no advance warning of this and i can see they are trying to find a way to solve their issues but this just made it frustrating 2 days before you even disembark. Mornings are not a thing on this ship, either the noise that is made with the ship itself, crew drills which they decided to do from 8.30am one morning and went all the way to abandon ship, where they were piping the announcements into every room, even though it was a crew drill, immigration meetings last minute, if you want to relax and have lie ins on this ship i would recommend you change your plans. Overall it was a great cruise and so much was great but i feel this was more to do with low occupancy than MSC itself and i wold be very apprehensive to book a cruise expected to be high occupancy with them.
Whether you’re looking for a duplex suite with private whirlpool bath, a sea-view balcony cabin or a family option, you’ll find it all on MSC Virtuosa.
A choice of 10 dining venues promises something special for every taste including a brand new Indochine restaurant concept - a delicious take on the Vietnamese classics with a French twist.
Seek the extraordinary and make your cruise holiday an unforgettable adventure.
We offer an incredible choice of shore excursions to suit every taste: whether you prefer adventure, nature, culture or history, we’ve designed something for you and the whole family.
From Culture & History and our breathtaking Scenic Routes, to our Active & Adventure tours and the discovery of Natural Wonders, to Sea & Sun’s relax, our Something Special experiences and our Accessible Tours, you can enjoy the treasures of each destination in your preferred way.
We’ve also established the MSC Family Explorer Club, Excursions Explorer Package and MSC Bike Adventours, which are unique to our line and available on selected MSC Cruises' itineraries.
MSC Virtuosa will offer a superb choice of entertainment for the whole family, from days in the water park or sports centre to evenings in the super-amusement park or the multi-purpose karaoke bar, comedy club, TV studio & bar.
21 bars: 5 outdoor bars with breathtaking view and 16 indoor bars, each offering a unique experience including the first humanoid Robotic Bartender at sea. The robot will be at the centre of an immersive bar experience and will entertain guests in eight different languages.
MSC Aurea Spa with its thermal area, professional massages, body treatments, facials and beauty services.
Panoramic gym equipped with the latest Technogym machines, 5 outstanding pools and the TOP 19 Exclusive solarium
SPA & BEAUTY
Feeling healthy and looking your best is a part of the MSC Cruises experience. Try something new, like high-tech beauty treatments, a soothing sauna or enjoy a Balinese massage. Book now one of our spa packages and take advantage of our pre-boarding rates.
SPORT & FITNESS
A voyage with MSC Cruises brings you the leisure time and the facilities to maintain and build your fitness thanks to a wide choice of Sports Facilities and a state-of-the art Sports Centre with fabulous sea views. You can admire the panorama, burn off calories and keep in shape. Whether you prefer to train alone, love a workout in company or live to compete, you’ll find just what you need.
PLEASE NOTE:
In order to grant the best experience to our guests, all Thermal Area experiences are available by appointment only.
Access to the MSC Aurea Spa is only permitted for guests over the age of 18.
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Due to the increased Health & Safety measures in order to grant a safe cruise for all our guests, depending on ship-class, the following experiences will be closed until further notice: Steam Rooms, Heat Baths Whirlpools, Ice & Snow Experiences. Saunas, Salt Relax Room, Harmonic Relax Rooms, Experience Showers, Heated Loungers will remain open to our guests.
MSC Cruises is known for its award-winning family offering and has a long-standing partnership with the LEGO Group to design the kids club areas as well as on board activities. Discover all activities and services for children, tweens, teens and their parents
CRUISES FOR FAMILIES AND KIDS
MSC family cruises are designed for parents and children to enjoy fun times together and quality time separately. That's why we’re proud to have built a renowned reputation as a company that knows how to create the best cruises for kids.
Today we continue to deliver on that reputation by paying extra attention to the needs of children, tweens, teens and their parents: so book your cruise and immerse in a World of Discovery!
To ensure family activities run in a safe environment, some onboard services are subject to changes based on local regulations or other restrictions, in the context of the COVID-19 situation.
