Reviews
![2022-12-12 17:30:30]()
Virtuosa was pleasantly full (about 1/2 capacity I believe, I feel full capacity would have been unbearable), the ship was impressive and felt modern/new. In my opinion there was not enough 'lounging' space (moreso when you consider the size of the ship) and most of the seating areas (including those in the cabin) were very hard.
The shows in Carousel were outstanding and I would happily recommend to anyone.
Mixed language tours are not a good idea.
The dining was pleasant and the cafeteria was acceptable (especially given the price point)
Reviews
![2022-12-10 04:27:22]()
Fortunately we had booked a cabin with a balcony because although it was small the window stopped it from being claustrophobic.
The public rooms were many and varied. The live entertainment in the piano bar was good.
The food in the buffet area was good although one could die of thirst waiting for the drink servers, still one could go to the bar oneself so that was not really a problem. On a day in port there were the same number of staff on duty as when the boat was full so one did feel a little conspicuous in the buffet as the staff did not have much to do.
On the whole a relaxing enjoyable trip I would happily do again.
Reviews
![2022-12-09 20:03:56]()
Worse cruise I’ve been on . Terrible service staff looked like they didn’t want to be there overworked & understaffed for over 6000 crammed on passengers! Unable to get a seat in venues queues for everything . Food up to an hour between courses people served at different times although dinning together so made you feel uncomfortable . Buffet not good system caused crowding & queues very badly designed ship would have been different if it could accommodate this amount of passengers in comfort. To be told you could always go to your cabin if there were no seats anywhere is a joke!
Reviews
![2022-12-09 19:40:24]()
Our first MSC cruise. A truly stunning ship, wonderful staff, great amenities and outstanding service.
We will definitely be returning to our MSC family.
Reviews
![2022-12-09 15:53:33]()
Paid £600 each for a balcony with all inclusive drinks.
Unbelievable value for money.
Great service from staff.
Decent food
New ship.
What’s not to love.
Oh yes, debarkation was dreadful, hours and hours of queuing.
But other than that, a great cruise.
Only did Hamburg excursion, given by a bigoted German tour guide. That was awful.
Reviews
![2022-12-09 14:49:14]()
Loved it,such a relaxed fun ship.
The Virtosa is such a beautiful ship she is stunning.
Brilliant staff ,good food, excellent drinks package, lovely cabin and good live music.
Just perfect.
Reviews
![2022-11-10 07:23:04]()
Sailed to Ireland from Southampton on MSC Virtuosa. Ship is beautiful, new and spotless. Staff very friendly and helpful. Balcony cabin was spacious, modern and everything you needed. Plenty of bars and restaurants on board and excellent entertainment. Food although plenty of choice was average at best and the buffet felt like a works canteen. Main dining rooms were far better although again food was average. Spar was a lovely area but treatments very expensive. The biggest let down were the excursions which were short and overpriced. Overall we had a great time and have booked to go on Virtuosa in December 2022, due to a bargain deal, to Europe Christmas Markets. This time we will sort our own excursions and are staying in an internal cabin due to cost. I would rate the MSC Cruise 4 out of 5 mainly down to cost, the beautiful ship and fantastic staff
Reviews
![2022-11-10 07:23:41]()
Sailed to Ireland from Southampton on MSC Virtuosa. Ship is beautiful, new and spotless. Staff very friendly and helpful. Balcony cabin was spacious, modern and everything you needed. Plenty of bars and restaurants on board and excellent entertainment. Food although plenty of choice was average at best and the buffet felt like a works canteen. Main dining rooms were far better although again food was average. Spar was a lovely area but treatments very expensive. The biggest let down were the excursions which were short and overpriced. Overall we had a great time and have booked to go on Virtuosa in December 2022, due to a bargain deal, to Europe Christmas Markets. This time we will sort our own excursions and are staying in an internal cabin due to cost. I would rate the MSC Cruise 4 out of 5 mainly down to cost, the beautiful ship and fantastic staff
Reviews
![2022-11-09 22:21:36]()
It’s a beautiful ship but not fit for purpose on UK based cruising. We sailed with 2600 passengers out of a possible 6000+ when full. All the bar areas are small and wa along with many others had trouble finding a seat. It may be better in warmer climates with people able to use outside areas.
Could not fault the staff who worked their socks off.
Reviews
![2022-11-09 18:10:08]()
2 hours to embark, the ship was full with approx 1000 ferrel children, so called Marketplace Buffet would have been better called Cattle Market, queues every where, breakfast restaurant closed at 9.0 a.m. dinner 5.30 or 60 p.m and then nothing till 7.30 p.m. Our cabin was noisy and we could hear music until 1.0 a.m, complained for 3 days finally got to another cabin. We have cruised for over 20 years , this is the worst cruise we have experienced, avoid at all cost. I have sent MSC survey in , no reply.
Reviews
![2022-10-29 02:27:51]()
Can't find no fault for the ship itself, its beautiful. The only the downside is the food especially in the buffet (marketplace). Did not expect much as i have read a lot of bad reviews. Less option compared to Royal Caribbean (the only cruise line I'd been to 3 times aside from MSC). But we enjoyed our meal on the main dining room. All in all we enjoyed our 7 nights. But MSC please do something on your food/buffet department.
Reviews
![2022-10-25 08:01:27]()
Beautiful ship, spotlessly clean, great facilities and fantastic staff. Food not the best but plenty of choice and variety. Shows were excellent if a bit short. Shore excursions were expensive and not very enjoyable.
Have booked to go again on Virtuosa in December of this year and can’t wait, however will not be booking excursions with MSC
Reviews
![2022-10-24 22:18:34]()
First night in dining room was chaotic but things improved as the cruise progressed. Insufficient seating in bars even though ship was only half full.
Time taken between ordering a drink and receiving it could be up to 15 minutes.
Generally, communication was poor with many supposedly important announcements not broadcast in cabins. For example, we were unable to dock in Visby but the reason was never communicated to us and even when we asked an officer what was going on the explanation was vague. We were due to dock at 9am but by that time a decision was made to spend the day at sea instead. Reasons were never explained but we ended up missing a port without adequate explanation or compensation. I may sail with MSC again but after this trip they would not be my cruise company of choice.
Reviews
![2022-10-24 20:41:13]()
Everything from food to accommodation was amazing and staff were very attentive and pleasant.
Reviews
![2022-10-24 20:35:33]()
The boat was 2 hours getting in and a consequence we sat at traffic lights in Southampton for 2 hours, only no-one came to tell us all what was going on, so thousands of us were worried we'd missed our embarkation slot. The booking in process was long and drawn out although ground crew were friendly. We paid for an upgraded room which was horrible and it took hours to get a different one. There were so many guests upset that the rooms they booked weren't provided, more than any other cruise I'd been on. Only choice if early or late dinner unless you paid extra, and the free restaurant food was not to my liking at all. The buffet was the best I've had on any boat, apart from the desserts. Breakfast had great sweet pastries and cakes, tea time had ice cream but every lunch and dinner was a variety of bread and butter pudding and it was vile. The little cakes were not much better, very disappointing. I didn't think much of the choice or variety of entertainment through the day, and not many shows, mainly comics etc, not to my taste. There was always live music in the reception which made speaking to reception incredibly difficult and not very well thought out. Not the cruises fault that the weather was so bad we missed Sweden. I and my whole family caught Covid, as did a large portion of the ship, but I guess this couldn't be helped. Probably the worst holiday I've been on in many years, but buffet was wonderful.
Reviews
![2022-10-24 20:19:47]()
This was my first cruise and I was very impressed , the ship was pristine and beautiful , the balcony cabin had plenty of space , the food in MDR and buffet varied and delicious and as for the champagne and cocktails what more need I say
A few issues ordering at times but all the staff are doing their best and are very friendly , only took one ships excursion as I prefer to find my own way around the ports
