A luxurious getaway: My MSC Virtuosa cruise experience
Recently, my partner and I embarked on a short yet splendid two-night cruise on the MSC Virtuosa. This was my partner’s introduction to the world of cruising, and as someone who has voyaged on numerous cruises and even had a brief nine-month stint working onboard, I was eager to show him what cruising is all about.
Our experience did not disappoint! Here’s what we got up to…
“We managed to secure a great deal for a balcony cabin but couldn’t resist upgrading to a Premium Suite with a Whirlpool when the opportunity arose. It was a bit extravagant, but as the saying goes, you only live once, so why not treat yourself?“
Our journey began in Southampton, where the check-in and boarding process was nice and efficient. We’d chosen a 10am arrival slot during online check-in and were through security and onboard within 15 minutes of our arrival. This meant we could get on board and start enjoying the facilities straight away.
First impressions
Stepping into the Galleria Virtuosa, we were greeted by friendly crew members. As we made our way to our cabin, we began to explore the ship’s various bars, specialty restaurants, shops, and boutiques…there were quite a few! Our suite was easy to find, and we were warmly welcomed by our cabin steward. Although our cabin was still being prepared, we were able to drop off our luggage, collect our cruise cards, and check out the suite.
The suite featured a lounge area with a sofa that converted into a double bed and a separate double bedroom, both opening onto a huge balcony. The balcony had lots space for chairs, sun loungers, and, best of all, there was the hot tub. As part of MSC’s Aurea Experience, a welcome bottle of Prosecco was waiting for us. It made us feel very special and we thought we would save it for a glass of bubbles in the hot tub later.
A party at sea
Having opted for a Premium Drinks package (of course), we headed straight to the Atmosphere Pool to grab a few cocktails and enjoy the welcome party on deck. The DJ was fantastic, and everyone was in high spirits. For lunch, we enjoyed quick bites from the poolside grill, including burgers, hot dogs, and freshly cooked pizzas, perfect for a lazy poolside meal.
The safety drill was conducted smoothly, involving a short video played on our cabin TV followed by a quick trip to the muster station for card scanning. Afterward, we returned to the Atmosphere Pool for the Sailaway Party, a lively event with music and entertainment suitable for all ages, marking the official start of our holiday.
Dining and nightlife
With the Aurea Experience, we enjoyed flexible dining at the Il Campo Restaurant, where we could dine anytime between 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm. The freedom to choose our dining time was great, allowing us to adapt our plans as needed. We couldn’t resist stopping for a glass of champagne at the bar near the restaurant entrance, again included in our Premium Drinks Package.
After dinner, we returned to our suite for a relaxing dip in our private hot tub, watching the twinkling lights from ashore as we sailed out towards the channel.
Exploring Cherbourg
The next morning, we arrived in Cherbourg, France. After a leisurely breakfast at the Marketplace buffet, we took a stroll into town. Despite it being a Sunday with many shops closed, we enjoyed wandering the quaint streets and the main town square, which was dotted with charming cafés and wine bars. Back onboard, we explored the ship’s open spaces. The Aurea Solarium on Deck 18 was a serene spot to relax, but we preferred the livelier Horizon Pool and Bar, a real sun trap with tiered sun loungers and plenty of seating.
A special dining experience
That evening, we treated ourselves to a Speciality Dining Experience at the Kaito Teppanyaki restaurant. This Japanese-style show cooking was a highlight, with the chef preparing our meal on a central grill surrounded by diners. We chose the Samurai Menu, featuring sushi and sashimi, white miso soup with tofu and seasonal greens, salmon and tiger prawns, filet mignon, egg fried rice, and a stunning dessert of caramelised pineapple, ginger ice cream, and mint. The food was exquisite, and the experience was so much fun. I highly recommend it for something different and memorable.
A party and farewell
Post-dinner, the huge screens above the Galleria Virtuosa transformed for the evening’s White Party, a staple event on MSC cruises. Guests, dressed in white, enjoyed the party atmosphere provided by the ship’s DJ and entertainment team. The party continued at the Atmosphere Pool, moving later to the onboard nightclub for those not ready to call it a night (including us!).
Disembarkation and final thoughts
On the last day, larger luggage was left outside our cabin door to be organised for departure. As we traveled light with just hand luggage, we could disembark at our leisure. The entire cruise was incredibly relaxing, with delicious food, an excellent drinks package, and fun entertainment. For anyone considering a short taster cruise, MSC Virtuosa is a fantastic choice, offering a variety of activities and entertainment options for all ages. We traveled as a couple but noticed a great mix of other couples, families, and groups of friends onboard.
We had a fabulous time, and my partner is now a cruise convert, already looking for our next adventure, likely a longer sailing down to the Mediterranean!
Lauren CÂ | 2023
