MSC Virtuosa

The 2021-built MSC Virtuosa cruise ship is MSC's second MERAVIGLIA PLUS-class boat - with sisterships MSC Grandiosa (2019) and MSC Euribia (2023). Meraviglia-Plus vessels are an upgraded (enlarged design) version of the previous Meraviglia-Class boats MSC Meraviglia (2017) and MSC Bellissima (2019).

The vessel (IMO number 9803625) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 215610000) and registered in Valletta.

History - construction and ownership

MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Genoa and Naples. It was established in 1960. Today, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) - the world's 2nd largest containership company. MSC Crociere is the world's largest privately-owned cruise company.

By annual passenger shipping volumes, MSC is ranked the world's 3rd largest cruise shipowner - following only Carnival Corporation and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group.

Decks and Cabins

MSC Virtuosa staterooms (2421 total, in 17 categories) provide max passenger capacity 6334 (4810 lower berths) and ~75% of all cabins are with private step-out balconies. The largest are the MSC Yacht Club Royal Suites (700 ft2 / 65 m2 plus 430 ft2 / 40 m2 terrace with Jacuzzi).

The boat has 18 decks (3 crew-only, 15 passenger-accessible, 11 with cabins) and also features "cluster cabins" (up to 3 connecting staterooms for families) allowing up to three cabins to be interlinked for max capacity 10 guests. There are also 95x Yacht Club Suites (with 24-hour butler service and exclusive facilities), 15x Interior Studios (dedicated for solo travelers single cabins without single supplement), 60x ADA-compliant (wheelchair-accessible cabins for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility).

MSC Virtuosa decks are named after the world's most famous composers.

The MSC ship Virtuosa has total service area 460,000 m2 (4,951398 million ft2) and public areas 35,000 m2 (376,736 ft2), public area ratio 7,7 m2 (83 ft2) per passenger, 4 swimming pools (including 1x sliding roof-covered and 1x MSC Yacht Club), 9 Jacuzzis (outdoor whirlpool hot tubs), 32 elevators (19 passenger lifts, including 1x MSC Yacht Club and 2x panoramic / glass-walled lifts in the Atrium).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The ship offers 12 new and creative dining options onboard. Among those are the Mediterranean Village (speciality restaurant) and the exclusive Yacht Club Fine Dining Restaurant. The buffet is open 20 hours per day for international cuisine, Mediterranean specialities, itinerary-based themed food (with locally sourced produce), healthy and dietary dishes. Fine dining options include Kaito Sushi Bar, Kaito Teppanyaki Restaurant and an American-style steakhouse featuring speciality meats from all around the world.

Follows the complete list of MSC Virtuosa restaurants and food bars.

• 5x Main Restaurants (MDRs / dining rooms offer different Italian traditional meals and wines; open for Breakfast 7-9:30 am, Lunch 12-2 pm, and Dinner with 2 fixed seatings at 7 pm and 9:30 pm, with a 7-course dinner menu; also features vegan and vegetarian meals)
• Blue Danube Restaurant (598-seat dining room, size 11302 ft2 / 1050 m2, open between 7 - 9 am, 12noon-2 pm, and 6:45 - 9:30 pm) is a complimentary restaurant with fixed dining times. It is the only restaurant on the ship that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (in fact, breakfast is only served at Waves). It is situated behind the Reception on Deck 5 and though at the aft it doesn't have aft windows (only porthole windows), so it is quite dark and with low ceilings. Tables vary from 2- to 8 seats. Blue Danube is a buffet-style restaurant with a la carte menu items (Eggs Benedict and omelets, for example). Hot dishes include buttermilk pancakes, cinnamon raisin French toast, fresh-baked pastries, and Belgian waffles. The "MSC Express" meal consists of bacon, sausages, hash browns, and eggs. There are also yogurts, cereals, toast, tea, coffee. Adjacent to the dining room is the Galley (kitchen and storage rooms for food and beverages).
• Sea Pavilion by Jereme Leung (155-seat, size 4197 ft2 / 390 m2 main dining room available on China itineraries) 
• Eataly Restaurant (Eataly Food Chain designed food store and speciality restaurant)
• La Piazzetta Restaurant (self-service buffet and pizzeria; offers Afternoon tea and occasional midnight buffet; includes Onboard Pizzeria and steaks seafood speciality restaurant)
• Marketplace Buffet Restaurant and Bar (1336-seat Buffet Bar and Aft Wine Cellar, size 39288 ft2 / 3650 m2, open between 6:30 am - 10 pm) serve international cuisine specialties and traditional Mediterranean dishes, world food, itinerary-based cuisine, healthy food items.
• MSC YACHT CLUB Restaurant (size 4359 ft2 / 405 m2) serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with no fixed times. A different menu is offered every day, reflecting the current cruise itinerary/region of the ship.
• Masters of the Sea (81-seat, size 340 m2) is MSC Cruises version of a "British" pub, with a picture of London on its outside wall. Its outside tables are overlooking the promenade. Inside, it is designed in soft greens, with plenty of booth seating and low lighting. There is also space for a small band, 12 beers on tap as well as 47 bottles - a variety of popular brands from around the world. Cider and bar snacks are also offered, including fish 'n' chips starting at EUR 3.
• Katio Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar (open between 12-noon - 2:30 pm and 7-11 pm, a la carte-priced, capacity 16+32 seats, size 1022 ft2 / 95 m2 Sushi and 775 ft2 / 72 m2 Teppanyaki) offers 3 menu choices: Geisha (EUR 18), Samurai (EUR 24) and Emperor (EUR 45). The price reflects the seafood and meat choices. The Teppanyaki has two cooking areas, with 8 people sat on stools either side. Meals start with miso soup and a plate of sushi and tempura. Guests specify how they'd like their meat done, so the chef prepares it in front of them. The experience lasts around 2 hours. Reservations are essential in the evening, while the venue is walk-in during the day. Outside is the sushi bar, overlooking the promenade.
• Butcher's Cut (open between 12noon-2:30 pm and 7-11 pm, size 753 ft2 / 70 m2) is a 58-seat American steakhouse restaurant on Galleria's upper deck, with an open kitchen and indoor seating, along with outside seating (overlooking the promenade). The food consists of big cuts of different meats (steak, lamb, even bison), salad starters and prawn cocktail (served on ice), dipping sauces on the side, desserts bar (including a signature lava cake and New York cheesecake).
• Minuetto Restaurant (714-seat, size 10763 ft2 / 1000 m2, open between 6:15-10 pm) features a high ceiling, large windows, Flexi and MyTime Dining. The restaurant is accessed via the corridor that cuts through The Opera and The Simphony, passing the wine cellar.
• The Opera and The Simphony (908-seat, size 14402 ft2 / 1338 m2, open between 6:45-9:30 pm) are part of the same restaurant divided via a central walkway with Enomatic wine-dispensing machines and a wine display in the middle. The venue offers Flexi and MyTime Dining, so passengers can choose when they want to eat here. Tables are ranged tightly around the room and in various sizes.
• Il Campo Restaurant (188-seat, size 3584 ft2 / 333 m2 main dining room)
• Sports Bar (24-seat drinks and finger food bar, size 3433 ft2 / 319 m2) is an American-dinner type food bar that serves beers, soft drinks, hot dogs, popcorns, snacks, energy and protein drinks, shakes, and juices.
• Jean-Philippe Maury chocolaterie (chocolate atelier) and creperie by renowned pastry chef Jean Philippe Maury, offers gourmet ice creams.
• Champagne Bar (premium brand sparkling wines served with caviar, oysters and crabs)
• Edge Cocktail Bar
• (NEW) HOLA! Tacos & Cantina (Latin American and Mexican restaurant)
• (NEW) Indochine Restaurant (Asian-Vietnamese)

On Virtuosa, MSC introduced two new specialty dining concepts with the fleet's first restaurants "HOLA! Tacos & Cantina" and "Ristorante Indochine".

• HOLA is a fast-food/street food bar (with Latin American and Mexican dishes and beverages) open for lunch and dinner. Menu's signature dishes include blue corn tacos 9also vegetarian), nachos, beef empanadas, tamales, tortilla soup. Beverages include the top 10 brands tequila and mezcal. HOLA's salsa bar offers 6 homemade salsas, several spicy sauces, fresh-made guacamole. HOLA also has the fleet's new Mexican Ice Cream Taco bar.
• Indochine Restaurant (66-seat, size 1108 ft2 / 103 m2) offers Vietnamese traditional cuisine specialties "with a French twist" and a la carte pricing or EUR 29 for the "Dining Experience". The menu includes various vegetarian and vegan items and larger (family-style) dishes for sharing. Signature dishes are Green Papaya Salads, Beef Bo Buns, French Roasted Snails, Veggie Crepes, healthy food, an ample wine list, tropical cocktails menu.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Meraviglia Plus class ships feature new original shows. A total of eight shows are available on MSC Meraviglia and Meraviglia-plus ships. Each of the 4 ships sails with 2 new contrasting shows, with the first 2 debuted on MSC Meraviglia in June 2017.

MSC Virtuosa has a large water park (Savannah Aquapark) connected to an indoor amusement park on two levels and to 2-deck entertainment space (interior promenade) housing specialty restaurants, bars, duty-free shops. The Promenade is covered by a LED dome ceiling (called "digital sky") displaying visual shows.

Virtuosa also boasts cutting-edge wristband technology to make payments, book specialty restaurants and spa treatments, and allow parents to geo-locate their kids.

Follows the complete list of MSC Virtuosa lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• (NEW) L'Atelier Bistrot (L' Atelier Bar & Art lounge, 148-seat pre-dinner cocktail bar, size 3315 ft2 / 308 m2) features a stage for live performances (including jazz), a large dancefloor, a pop-up art gallery.
• Sky Lounge & Bar (180-seat, size 6781 ft2 / 630 m2) is an indoor lounge with floor-ceiling windows (overlooking the main pool deck) and a separate Cigar Room. Sky Lounge is ideal for pre- and post-dinner cocktails, with a menu that includes "molecular" cocktails. A guitarist, pianist, and singer entertain passengers throughout the day.
• Plaza Virtuosa is a semi-circular space (size 2949 ft2 / 274 m2) housing duty-free shops, patisserie (pastry bar), ice cream bar, live music performances. Promo sales are often offered throughout the day. The shops include Perfumes and Cosmetics, Watches and Sunglasses, Fashion Jewellery, MSC Shop (logoed merchandise), Boutique and Accessories Shop, Fine Watches and Jewellery Shop, Mini-Mall (convenience store).
• Galleria Virtuosa (size 13454 ft2 / 1250 m2, Deck 6/7) is the indoor Promenade featuring an 80-meter LED ceiling changing throughout the day with different skies, patterns, mini-movies. The Galleria is the ship's social hub, with a double-deck of shops, bars, and restaurants. It is home to nightly parades, featuring the onboard performers. The ceiling over Galleria Virtuosa is sized 480 m2 (LED screen "digital sky") and transmits live views (sunsets, sunrises, night sky), also special events, shows, live performances. At Galleria Virtuosa's LED ceiling are displayed a variety of scenes throughout the day and night, all of which are listed on the ship's daily planner. Themed parties are held in the evenings when the indoor promenade turns into a party street for dancing till late.
• MSC Excursions (tour-booking point), La Vetrina, Panoramic Lifts (Atrium), Luxury Plaza, Photo Shop (THE HUB Photo & Digital, size 1291 ft2 / 120 m2) and Gallery, MSC Starship Club (60-seat, Industry-first futuristic bar with humanoid, robotic bartender, size 1722 ft2 / 160 m2), MSC Foundation Centre (size 409 ft2 / 38 m2), Emotions Immersive Gallery.
• Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Coffee (80-seat, size 2475 ft2 / 230 m2, open between 7 am -1 am, a la carte priced) is an open-kitchen / patisserie display / chocolate shop / cafe with a few seats by its porthole windows. The emphasis is on the unique sweets creations made by the ship's chocolate team (reefs, octopuses, turtles) displayed in glass cases in front of the open kitchen. Guests can't buy these but can buy an exquisite chocolate shoe for EUR 29 apiece, which is the best-selling chocolate item.
• Jean-Philippe Crepes & Ice Cream (15-seat, size 441 ft2 / 41 m2, open between 4-10 pm) is an a la carte-priced venue serving crepes, gourmet ice cream and ice cream sundaes.
• Broadway Theater (main show lounge, lower level 1 of 2, capacity 945 seats, size 10763 ft2 / 1000 m2) is a fore-located show lounge hosting 6 different shows per voyage - including opera, flamenco show, grand productions, such as Virtual, based on phone apps (dating apps, maps, a sequence of nurses and doctors, all to energetic dance background. These shows run 3 times per night to cater for different dining times and last around 40 min each. They vary in theme, with the opera and flamenco being more adult-oriented, Virtual being kids-aimed. The theatre has good sightlines and comfy seats. During the day, it is used for a variety of activities including kids activity programs like Doremi Music Match, part of Kelly & Kloe program and Doremi live talent show.
• Business Centre (size 721 ft2 / 67 m2, Conference Hall / Meeting Rooms)
• MSC Excursions / MSC Future Cruise (size 592 ft2 / 55 m2 Tour Desk providing information and onboard booking services)
• Infinity Atrium (Lobby level, served by Infinity Bar) with Reception Lounge (22-seat, size 4,843 ft2 / 450 m2) is 3-decks high and crisscrossed via 4 chrome staircases. A grand piano is available on a raised dais, with early evening performances. Infinity Bar (21-seat, size 1291 ft2 / 120 m2) is an Atrium Bar popular for daily coffees and evening pre- and post-dinner cocktails with robotic service. The Reception Desk provides 24-hour guest services and assistance.
• Champagne Bar (155-seat, size 6393 ft2 / 594 m2, serves premium Champagne brands, with Atrium seating)
• Virtuosa Library (6-seat walkthrough library, size 35 m2, with bookshelves)
• Effy Shop (Jewellery)
• Red Gem Casino (600-seat, size 15068 ft2 / 1400 m2 gaming bar lounge with slot machines and tables for Blackjack, Roulette, Poker)
• Carousel Lounge (427-seat, size 11840 ft2 / 1100 m2) is a dedicated to themed entertainment venue hosting weekly a total of 12 Cirque du Soleil shows (live circus acrobatic performances). The (EUR 20 million construction cost) lounge has capacity 120 seats for dinner. Additional 290 seats are reserved for drinks. Carousel Lounge is operated via an exclusive partnership with Cirque du Soleil for regular live circus-style entertainment at sea. Cirque du Soleil created specifically for MSC a total of 8 original acrobatic shows available exclusively on Meraviglia-class and Meraviglia Plus-class cruise ships.
• MSC Aurea SPA complex (size 11840 ft2 / 1100 m2, open between 9 am - 9 pm) consists of Steam Rooms, Saunas, Frigidarium, Relaxation Room, Thalassotherapy hot tubs, heated swimming pool, Whirlpools, Treatment Rooms, Aerobics Studio/Yoga classes, Bar, Solarium Area, Beauty Salon) is the largest on any MSC Cruises ship, with twenty treatment rooms and possibly the largest thermal suite at sea. There are 18 Balinese therapists offering treatments like facials, traditional Balinese massage (EUR 70 for 30 minutes), Thai massage, candle massage and Aurea del Mare treatment with shells (EUR 110). A 45-minute Bali "Holistic" massage is EUR 110 (not including the 15% service charge). Treatments also include anti-cellulite as well as various water treatments. The Thermal Suite has 2 steam rooms (one light, one dark), two saunas (one Mediterranean, one Finnish), 2 relaxation rooms, 2 aromatherapy rooms, salt room, snow grotto, walk-through shower and 2 thalassotherapy pools. A daily pass is EUR 40 per day (EUR 55 per couple), and weekly is EUR 120 (EUR 165 per couple). Jean Louis David salon is adjoining the spa and as well as hair treatments, features beauty therapies including waxing, nail services, men's grooming. Shampoo and style starts at EUR 27.
• TV Studio and Bar (101-seat, size 3659 ft2 / 340 m2) is an enclosed cocktail bar located on the upper deck of Galleria that has live music, late-night karaoke, and a dance floor. It broadcasts live games, talent contests, popular quizzes.
• Galleria Virtuosa is the indoor Promenade featuring an 80-meter LED ceiling changing throughout the day with different skies, patterns, mini-movies. The Galleria is the ship's social hub, with a double-deck of shops, bars and restaurants. It is home to nightly parades, featuring the onboard performers. The ceiling that covers the entire indoor promenade area is actually a LED screen (sized 5170 ft2 / 480 m2). This is the digital sky that transmits live views (including sunsets, sunrises, the starry sky) and also various special events and shows.
• Solarium is an adults-only sundeck / relaxation area. The fore-located Top Sail Lounge (size 4553 ft2 / 423 m2) is exclusive (open to Yacht Club passengers only) with a dedicated concierge area (size 538 ft2 / 50 m2). It features floor-ceiling windows (for panoramic bow views), plenty of seating (sofas, chairs, and tables), designated Bar (table service). Drinks are served free to all MSC Yacht Club passengers. Snacks are also complimentary and offered throughout the day. The entire YC Suite-exclusive complex is named MSC YACHT CLUB Lounge & Bar.
• MSC Gym by TechnoGym (fitness centre, size 6135 ft2 / 570 m2, open between 9 am - 10 pm) features floor-ceiling windows, cardio equipment, 14 treadmills, 6 exercise bikes (of which 3 pro and 3 recumbent), Kinesis machine, free weights training area, separate spinning room and circuit training area, separate studio for classes. Yoga, pilates and group bike training cost EUR 10 per person per hour. A fitness package (including 3 personal training sessions and 2 body analyzer scans) costs EUR 59.
• XD Interactive Cinema (EUR 8 per person, EUR 6 for kids)
• SPORTPLEX Team Sports Arena (multiuse sports court for playing basketball, tennis, football, volleyball, size 208 m2, lower level 1 of 2)
• Super Amusement Park (TV Games, team sports, two “Formula 1” F1 car simulators, full-size Bowling Alley, Flight Simulator)
• Virtual Games Arcade (size 1786 ft2 / 167 m2)
• Power Walking Track (runs around half the entire ship / 1 lap = 328 m).
• Horizon Amphitheatre is a sundeck (outdoor theatre, size 11571 ft2 / 1075 m2, decks 16-18) with capacity 140 seats (loungers-deckchairs) and a sundeck / Horizon swimming pool (size 9256 ft2 / 860 m2). 
• Main Pool area (swimming pools - 150-seat Tropical Pool & Bar size 10,763ft2 / 1000 m2, 851-seat Atmosphere Pool size 18298 ft2 / 1700 m2, 258-seat Bar North, 84-seat Bar South & Ice Cream Bar, whirlpools, sunbathing area with loungers), Dance Floor
• Attic Club (41-seat disco nightclub bar, size 753 ft2 / 70 m2) is Horizon Bar's indoor area with a dance floor and overlooking the Seaplex. The 45-seat Horizon Bar serves Horizon Amphitheater (pool deck) and nightly serves as it is tiny but serves a large space.
• Cinema, Disco Club, Aft Sun Deck (with swimming pool)
• Reception (for the children’s facilities), Doremi Tech Lab (with 3D printer)
• Doremi Studio (size 48 m2) is a theatre-like (TV studio) with a big LED screen and tiered seating, family time games, dance floor, interactive gaming.
• Baby Club CHICCO (size 505 ft2 / 47 m2) is a nursery (babysitting facility via partnership with CHICCO / Italian babywear company). It is open for toddlers from 6 to 36 months old and offers a lot of free baby products (diapers, wipes, bottles, Infant formula, selection of strollers and cots). The nursery has a large TV, coloured books and soft play area with age-appropriate toys, a separate room with cots, bathroom. Supervised activities include Mini Olympic games, cooking class, Baby Time (allows parents to play with their kids), Baby Care (allows parents to leave their children / 1-year-old and older for ~90 min in the morning-afternoon-evening). Parents must do the feeding, but the staff change nappies. Nursery's opening hours are between  9 am - 1 pm, 3-6 pm and 8-11:00 pm.
• Mini Club LEGO (playroom for 3-6-year-olds, size 65 m2) has a lot of Lego and Duplo bricks, cinema, foosball, kids books, crayons, pens, age-appropriate toys, kids programming with supervised activities (sports, arts-crafts, treasure hunts, musical chairs, games, dressing up, cooking in the TV Studio).
• Juniors Club LEGO (playroom for 7-11-year-olds, size 753 ft2 / 70 m2) has a big play pit full of bricks, ageappropriate toys and games, cinema, foosball, supervised activities (games, sports, arts-crafts), educational activities, a daily session at Doremi Lab. The two rooms are connected and when opened up create a large playground.
• Young Club (size 861 ft2 / 80 m2) is for the 12 to 14-year-olds (the "tweens") and operates on a different basis from the younger kids' clubs. Programming is offered all day on sea days and only in the afternoon on port days. Facilities include table tennis, foosball, PS4, some double seats in which kids can lounge back to play video games from a TV placed in the ceiling, as well as traditional board games. The most innovative technology asset is a multi-media table allowing kids to post messages and pictures which then get screened on the club's walls. Programming includes generation games, lip sync battles, sports tournaments in the Sportplex. There is a EUR 10 per kid per hour charge for use of the club between 11 pm - 2 am (otherwise access is free).
• Teen Club (size 50 m2) is aimed at 15- to 17-year-olds. The private room is adjacent to the kids' club. It is a circular lounge with dance floor, plenty of chairs, large TVs, beanbags, video games (PS4, VR, Nintendo Switch), and WEB Creator Room (size 516 ft2 / 48 m2). The programming includes generation games, sports and dancing competitions including ping pong and mini-golf.
• MSC Yacht Club Open Area (size 13185 ft2 / 1225 m2) is an exclusive sundeck (for YC passengers only) with Swimming Pool, Bar, Grill, two Solariums (sundecks each with a large-size Jacuzzi / Whirlpool)
• TOP 19 Exclusive Solarium is an adults-only sundeck sized 500 m2
• Savannah Aquapark and Bar (size 10763 ft2 / 1000 m2) has four twisting waterslides, swimming pools, Himalayan Bridge, Ropes Course, Savannah Bar (12-seat ice cream bar). Himalayan Bridge is an 82-meter long suspension bridge spanning Deck 19's entire width.

In 2022, MSC introduced on Virtuosa two shows at The Carousel Lounge - AJEDREZ and ARKYMEA. The 40-minute shows (developed by MSC’s new brand "Carousel Productions at Sea") combine sound and light effects with music, dancing and live acrobatic performances by professional artists.

MSC Starship Club's Rob - the first-at-sea humanoid robot bartender

On Virtuosa MSC Cruises introduced the fleet's first MSC Starship Club (MSC Starliner One Bar) spaceship-themed venue served by the industry's first humanoid robot bartender - named Rob. Working on this project for 6 years (since 2015), MSC partnered with experts from companies specializing in entertainment experiences, digital solutions, robotics, automation, and interior design.

MSC Starship Club provides integrated bar-and-entertainment experiences and its interior is marked by a cold-white ceiling, a digital art wall, 3D holographic projections, a 12-seat digital (touchscreen) table for personalized interactive galactic tours.

Rob mixes and serves cocktails while entertaining the guests by moving his body, head and arms (shaking-stirring-garnishing-pouring drinks) in a natural way. The humanoid barman speaks 8 languages (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, English, French, German, Chinese, Japanese) and engages with his voice and human-like (LED face) expressions/emotions.

Between making and serving beverages, Rob interacts with the passengers, changes his facial expressions, dances, tells jokes, riddles, cosmic facts and trivia. Orders are placed in vertical digital cockpits. The drinks are served in futuristic, custom-made (MSC branded) souvenir glasses. The humanoid bartender can prepare a total of 16 "cosmic cocktails" (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) plus personalized (made-to-order) drinks using 40+ ingredients.

Itineraries

MSC Virtuosa itinerary program during the maiden season in Europe is based on 5 homeports (Barcelona Spain, Genoa Italy, Civitavecchia-Rome, Palermo Sicily, Marseille France) and 7-day Western Mediterranean cruises. The 6-port roundtrip itineraries, along with the rotational homeports, also visit Malta (Valletta).

In mid-January 2021, MSC officially announced that Virtuosa will be deployed in Asia (homeported in China). Starting in 2022, MSC Virtuosa joins in Asia MSC Bellissima. MSC offers cruises in China since 2016 (with MSC Lirica), followed the deployments of Splendida (2018), Bellissima (2021).

In late-March 2021, MSC announced Virtuosa's homeporting in the UK for summer 2021 (starting May 20). The ship was scheduled for a series of 3-4-night roundtrips followed by 7-day itineraries (starting June 12). The mini-cruises visited Isle of Portland with 2 sea days. The 7-night voyages visited Portland and Belfast Ireland. Hhomeports were Liverpool England and Greenock-Glasgow Scotland.

The vessel (STX France, Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard/hull number H34) has volume 181541 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 19610 tons, max draught 9 m. The powerplant is based on 4x Wartisla marine diesel engines (models 2x 12V46DF plus 2x 16V46DF) with combined output 64 MW (85830 hp). The propulsion is based on 2x Azipod thrusters with combined output 40 MW (53640). The registered shipowner is VISTA 4 COMPANIA NAVIERA SA, while the registered manager is MSC CROCIERE SPA.

On February 1, 2016, MSC announced a shipbuilding order for two Meraviglia Plus-class units. The newbuilds are with max capacity 6300 passengers, 200 additional cabins and longer (16 m / 50 ft) compared to Meraviglia-Class. Meraviglia-Plus vessels were delivered in October 2019 (Grandiosa) and April 2020 (Virtuosa).

Bookings on MSC Virtuosa cruises were opened on November 21, 2018 (for MSC Voyagers Club/loyalty program members) and on December 3 (for general customers). Sales for the inaugural cruise (November 8, 2020, from Genoa) were opened on October 7, 2018. The promo offer was for MSC Voyagers Club members only (exclusive access through October 21 midnight), who also received a special discount (5%) in addition to their regular 5% loyalty discount. All potential customers also receive 5% Early Booking Discount (through June 3, 2019).

The vessel's construction started with the keel-laying (coin) ceremony held on February 27, 2019, at St Nazaire's Chantiers de l’Atlantique Shipyard. The ship was rescheduled for delivery in November 2020. On the same day (Feb 27), to MSC was delivered Bellissima. During the traditional keel-laying, two shipyard employees placed 2 special-edition coins (under the hull’s first keel block) for good luck. The ceremony's godmothers were Helen Huang (MSC Cruises China's President) and Elise Guerin (shipyard's Project Manager).

The vessel was launched (floated out from drydock) on December 1, 2019, following the delivery of MSC Grandiosa (October 31) and the steel-cutting of MSC World Europa (also on Oct 31). Chantiers de l'Atlantique officially delivered Virtuosa to MSC on February 1, 2021. The ceremony was attended by Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC's Executive Chairman) and his family (the wife Alexa Aponte-Vago and the children) and Laurent Castaing (shipbuilder's General Manager).

In mid-July 2021, MSC announced that Virtuosa's christening ceremony will be held at Port Rashid (Dubai UAE). The ship's naming ceremony was held on November 27, 2021, as part of the UAE Golden Jubilee (UAE's 50th anniversary) featuring celebrations planned for the period April 6, 2021, through March 31, 2022. The ship's naming ceremony was attended by MSC's traditional godmother Sophia Loren (1934-born Italian actress) who christened 17 (out of MSC fleet's 19 ships) - each newbuild since 2003. VIP guests at the event were Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC), Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem (DP World's President and CEO), His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri (DTCM's Director-General/Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing), His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Saeed Rashid Al Maktoum (UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister).

Meraviglia Plus-Class ship technology

New features on Meraviglia-Plus ships include the first at sea fine-art museum (with original artworks), longer (111 m / 36 ft) indoor promenade (Galleria) and larger LED screen (95x6 m / 280x20 ft) for the pool deck's outdoor theater. The extra space in the Galleria allows two additional restaurants. MSC signed an exclusive partnership with Samsung (providing the digital technology) and Cirque du Soleil (providing live shipboard programming).

Meraviglia Plus-class ships are also the fleet's most technologically advanced, implementing the latest marine engine technologies. Their machinery includes hybrid scrubbers (exhaust gas cleaning systems), SCR (selective catalytic reduction system converting NOx into diatomic nitrogen), most efficient waste plant, latest wastewater treatment system, superior recycling capabilities, emission-reducing, and fuel-efficient heat recovery system.

MSC's ZOE

On February 1, 2019, MSC officially revealed the in-cabin digital assistant ZOE. The technology ("cruise industry first") was developed by Harman International (USA-based company, a fully-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics). Harman International has developed digital audio solutions for major corporations (Including Google, Microsoft, Amazon).

ZOE is an artificial intelligence device (voice-enabled, with advanced voice recognition software) available in all passenger staterooms. ZOE speaks 7 languages, answer cruise-related questions, provides info on shipboard services-activities-facilities, makes reservations and bookings.

The digital device features far-field microphones, top-quality speaker, quad-core processor (for fast response times), direct phone connections (through Bluetooth). The system can also upgrade its own database to answer previously unanswerable questions.

Passenger data (including itinerary/tour and shipboard preferences) is stored in the Cloud Storage system and used on the next scheduled voyage.

The device (sized ~15 cm) can be activated whenever passengers choose. A waiver must be signed to agree for their personal data to be stored.

Starting with Bellissima (2019), ZOE is now available on all newbuild MSC liners and introduced fleetwide over 2019-2024.

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2021

MSC Virtuosa was eventually rescheduled to enter service on April 16 (inaugural cruise date) starting a mini-season in the Mediterranean (4 voyages/3- 4-10-night itineraries) before the Med-Baltic repositioning to Germany, where started the Northern European program (roundtrips from Kiel/7-day and 14-day B2Bs) on May 8.

4-day roundtrip Mediterranean ($400 pp with double occupancy)

(repositioning) 10-day from Genoa to Kiel (from $400 pp)

(inaugural Norway-Baltic Cruise) 14-day B2B-back-to-back "Northern Europe" - $1270 pp

(Mediterranean) 9-day itinerary ($700 pp)

(Inaugural Suez Canal relocation) 25-day from Genoa to Dubai and Doha ($2430 pp)

(Inaugural Red Sea cruise/roundtrips from the UAE and Qatar) 7-day from Dubai ($450 pp)

Godspeed!

Inaugural cruise 2020 (CANCELED)

The vessel was planned for inauguration in 2020, but due to the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, it was rescheduled for 2021 April. Next table show's ship's Maiden Voyage scheduled for 2020.

(Maiden Voyage) 7-day Inaugural Cruise from Genoa

Next are listed the planned/canceled for 2020 maiden departures from the other 4 homeports, also showing times during homeport stays.

7-day Inaugural Cruise from Rome

7-day Inaugural Cruise from Palermo

7-day Inaugural Cruise from Barcelona

7-day Inaugural Cruise from Marseille