What a great ship Virtuosa is, ok 6,000 passengers on board does make it look busy , but plenty of events happening. The galleria along deck 6 is where most of the action takes place, shops , bars, food outlets , chocolate cafe , all along this area, later at night this is a great area for entertainment. Our cabin on the 8th floor was very quiet , even being near the lifts and stairway , the lifts are very impressive , press the button for which floor you want and on screen shows which lift is on its way .Staff were fabulous always passenger focused. Meals were of a high quality, lots of choices . Would we travel on Virtuosa again , yes we would, but we also understand that some people would not like the thought of 6,000 passengers .
The ship is magical. The service excellent, the food outstanding.
However this is a VERY busy ship, so is very crowded at times, with lots of queuing.
As a Solo traveller I cannot say I would recommend it to single folk.
Groups and families are fine as they seem to be well catered for.
I found the whole experience quite isolating. Having taken 5 cruises in the past, this
was new to me.
Great food,weather, Crew& Entertainment
I had the pleasure of sailing with MSC on a breathtaking journey through the Norwegian fjords this May, and it was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we boarded, the ship offered a seamless blend of luxury, comfort, and adventure.
Ship Experience:
The vessel itself was immaculate and stylish, with plenty of amenities to keep everyone entertained. Whether relaxing in the spa, enjoying a cocktail with panoramic views, or catching a show in the theatre, there was always something to do. The staff were friendly and attentive, making the experience feel truly special.
Cabin:
Our cabin was spacious, modern, and well-maintained throughout the trip. Waking up to views of towering cliffs and serene waters was unforgettable. The balcony was definitely worth it for the fjord scenery.
Food & Dining:
Dining onboard was a highlight. The buffet offered a wide variety of options, and the à la carte restaurants served beautifully presented meals with fresh ingredients. I especially appreciated the regional dishes inspired by Scandinavian cuisine.
Excursions & Destinations:
The fjords themselves were absolutely stunning, Flåm was the standout. MSC’s excursions were well-organized and informative, with knowledgeable guides who added depth to the natural beauty. Kayaking, hiking, and scenic train rides gave us a real taste of Norway’s wild charm.
Overall:
This cruise was a perfect mix of relaxation and exploration. MSC delivered a high-quality experience that made the majesty of the Norwegian fjords even more memorable. I’d highly recommend this itinerary to anyone looking for a scenic escape with a touch of luxury.
Very disappointed with the service throughout. The whole ship was full of children nothing was available for adults throughout the day it was all for the children. Food was better in the Market Place than the restaurant. A complete change from my trip in January on board. Food, service, in all areas was much better . Overall if that is how MSC is going then that's the last time for me. Recommend M SC. On the voyage NO
Booked MSC instead of Royal Caribbean as the ports of call were new, the ship was one we hadn't been on (also MSC was new to us) and the price was a absolute snip.
The entertainment was "so-so" (too much just singing and dancing" the food was pretty but that might because they are catering to a European clientele and I'm not a fan of Mediteranean food.
The Ship was spotless as were the staterooms (which even for the smallest was plenty big enough for us. Would I go again for the price - yes, for the food and entertainment - no.
Great value overall. Drinks expensive. Food really good. Great entertainment.
A lovely ship but due to having taken on extra passengers (another MSC shop had broken down) it was crowded in public places. Dining room was very hot and noisy and bars and lounges full. Couldn't find a seat in the main lounges in the evening. We liked our cabin with a balcony and the crew were wonderful. All in all it was a positive experience for our first cruise.
Overcrowded , buffet a mess and not exciting
Went on this cruise, Found the embarkation very frustrating and it took ages. One of our suitcases was lost and after a search I found it. There did not seem to be any organization on board,
The ship itself was beautiful but a lot of passengers had health problems and our party of 5 all ended up with a virus.
Overall I loved the cruise and would recommend MSC to anyone
Our second cruise on the MSC Virtuosa. 'Love this ship'. something for everyone! cant wait to try the new MSC ships too...
OK, so we paid £300 for a week's cruise. There, it's out of the way. Booked on one ship and quickly 'bumped' to Virtuoso, no hardship there, but thoughts really were: who are MSC? Will we actually go? Are we stoking the boilers?
Arriving at their embarkation point, I was very pleased with their routines, all was pleasing and efficient. Straight up to the buffet, the food was excellent - all boded well. Public areas spotless, cabin (inside) was spacious and well appointed, for what it was.
Disembarkation at ports of call always efficient, we never had to queue either leaving or rejoining the ship.
Only negative view was on first night in nominated restaurant our waiter was less than attentive. Other tables in his area arrived after us and completed their meals before us - they had ordered wine, we just had water. Changed restaurant are thereafter service was good, so perhaps a one-off unlucky experience.
Buffet food was always excellent, unlike what we had earlier in the year from Celebrity which was dire ( but their restaurants were outstanding).
Service across the ship was excellent, and their 'greener cruising' representative was knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
Their 'disco events' were disappointing, but I am sure that there success depends on passengers engaging, so to an extent that was down to us.
All in all, would we cruise with MSC again, absolutely.
2nd time on virtuosa and went to the Norway fjords - more stunning than I imagined . beautiful clean ship , staff excellent just some areas could do with more .
Have been on many holidays around the world.
But nothing has compared to the 7 day cruise to the Norwegian fjords on the must beautiful ship MSC Virtuosa
5 star service all the way,Thank you
Can't wait to book my next one.
See you soon.
Embarkation and disembarkation were dreadful. They only operate one point for both and crew are getting back on and going off while they are disembarking thousands. 6800 passengers is about 3000 too many. I think it is a great cruise for families lots of things to do on board but it is not an experience we will repeat.
I loved the Virtuosa it was very clean and covid awareness was excellent.
The staff on board were fantastic, very friendly, professional and would help you any way they could. The buffet restaurant had a great choice of foods but not a lot of queuing/taking turns as is the English way but the food made up for it. The main restaurant was fabulous, good choice of dishes and all tasty delivered very professionally, politely and in a timely way, my husband is a chef and he couldn’t fault the food for taste and seasoning. Our balcony room was spacious and plenty of storage, bathroom was the same it was all spotless, bed was comfy although a little firm for my husband. Negatives, the towels could be bigger and softer, because the virtuosa ship allows people to hop on and then off next port as well as 7 nights cruise they have to do the safety drills each time over the address system which can be a little tedious but I guess that is part of maritime law. The embarkation was extremely quick and efficient and the disembarkation a little confusing. I know it has been a very long time since my husband and I have been on a cruise and maybe a little starstruck but we loved it and have booked again for April as it’s good value.