MSC Virtuosa
No Fly UK, South America & Mediterranean
Overview
MSC Virtuosa is one of the largest and most popular ships in the MSC fleet, offering a modern Mediterranean-style cruising experience with impressive entertainment, stylish interiors and a huge range of dining and accommodation options.
Sailing from Southampton during the summer 2026, the ship is especially popular with UK families, couples and first-time cruisers. The ship carries over 6,000 guests at maximum occupancy and features the spectacular indoor Galleria Virtuosa with its LED dome ceiling.
During the winter of 2026/27 and 2027/28, MSC Virtuosa will be repositioning to South America for the first time with embarkations in Santos (Sao Paulo), Maceio and Salvador.
She will return to Europe again for the summer season in 2027 and will sail in the Western Mediterranean with Fly & Cruise packages available for UK guests embarking in Barcelona and Naples.
MSC Cruise Club with Evhiz Travel
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5%
Enjoy a 5% discount applied by Evhiz Travel on top of your Voyagers Club Discount
1st Booking
£50 off
Minimum Spend £1000 after all discounts applied on your first MSC Cruise Booking
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MSC Virtuosa
No Fly UK (Summer 2026) - South America (Winter 2026/27 & 2027/28) Mediterranean Summer 2027
MSC Virtuosa is an excellent all-round cruise ship that particularly suits:
- Families
- First-time cruisers
- Couples
- UK no-fly cruisers
- Guests wanting plenty of entertainment and dining choice
The ship combines modern design, lively atmosphere and huge onboard variety with the added option of the luxury MSC Yacht Club experience for those wanting something more premium. Frequent praise from guests includes the entertainment, buffet selection, modern cabins and vibrant atmosphere onboard.
Main Features
Galleria Virtuosa
The heart of the ship is the stunning two-deck indoor promenade filled with restaurants, bars, lounges and shops beneath one of the longest LED ceilings at sea. It creates a lively atmosphere both day and night and often hosts night time parties.
Starship Club
One of the ship’s most famous attractions is the futuristic Starship Club featuring “Rob”, the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea.
Family-Friendly Design
MSC Virtuosa is designed for families with large kids clubs, waterpark areas, LEGO partnerships and family entertainment throughout the ship.
Southampton Sailings - 2026
The ship is especially popular with UK guests thanks to regular no-fly cruises from Southampton to Northern Europe, the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean throughout the summer and to the end of October.
Complimentary Dining
Main Dining Rooms
The ship features several elegant complimentary dining rooms including:
- Minuetto Restaurant
- Blue Danube Restaurant
- Il Campo Restaurant
- Opera Restaurant
Guests enjoy waiter-served multi-course meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner depending on itinerary and dining schedule.
Marketplace Buffet
Open 20 hours a day, the huge buffet venue serving international cuisine, pizza, salads, desserts, grill items and late-night snacks. It is one of the most popular dining areas onboard and offers excellent variety.
There is also a dedicated area for families with children in the Marketplace Buffet, which the kids club use on a nightly basis to take the children to dinner leaving the adults free to watch a show or enjoy dinner by themselves.
Room Service
For those on the Fantastica Experience, free room service is available for breakfast
Speciality Dining
MSC Virtuosa offers one of the strongest speciality dining selections in the MSC fleet.
Butcher’s Cut
American-style steakhouse specialising in premium cuts and surf & turf dining.
Kaito Sushi & Teppanyaki
Japanese speciality venue featuring sushi, sashimi and interactive teppanyaki cooking experiences.
Hola! Tacos & Cantina
Relaxed Mexican-inspired street food venue offering tacos, nachos and Latin American favourites.
Indochine Restaurant
A unique French-Vietnamese fusion restaurant exclusive to selected MSC ships including Virtuosa.
Jean Philippe Chocolat & Café
Luxury chocolate, crepes, pastries and gelato venue.
Bars & Lounges
The ship features more than 20 bars and lounges ranging from lively entertainment venues to quieter cocktail lounges.
Popular Venues Include:
- Starship Club
- Carousel Lounge
- Sky Lounge (Adults Only)
- TV Studio & Bar
- Champagne Bar
- Masters of the Sea Pub
- Infinity Bar
- Attic Club
Live music, quizzes, karaoke and themed parties take place throughout the cruise.
Entertainment
Entertainment is one of MSC Virtuosa’s strongest features.
Theatre Shows
Le Grand Théâtre hosts large production shows, tribute acts and musical performances nightly.
Carousel Productions at Sea
Exclusive immersive productions held in the Carousel Lounge combining acrobatics, dance and technology. These shows are bookable at an additional charge and come with a free cocktail/mocktail.
Additional Entertainment
- Dirty Dancing in Concert
- Live musicians and singers
- Karaoke
- Comedy acts
- Casino
- Theme parties (Gala & White Night along with one of Tropical/70's/80's)
- Interactive game shows
Guests regularly praise the evening entertainment and atmosphere onboard.
Family Areas and Entertainment
MSC Virtuosa is extremely family-focused with facilities for all ages.
Highlights
- LEGO-themed Kids Clubs
- Baby Club in partnership with Chicco for under 3's
- Juniors & Teens Clubs
- Mini-club (3 - 6)
- Junior club (7 - 11)
- Young club (12 - 14)
- Teens club including MSC Teens Lab
- Savannah Aquapark with waterslides
- Virtual Games Arcade and Bowling
- Hologate VR Arena,
- Sportsplex
- Family activities and competitions including MasterChef at Sea Juniors and Guinness World Records game show
MSC’s partnership with LEGO helps make the children’s areas some of the best at sea.
Shops
Shopping Areas located on decks 6 and 7
The Galleria Virtuosa includes luxury boutiques, jewellery stores, perfume shops, MSC logo stores and duty-free shopping.
Popular purchases onboard include:
- Effy Shop
- Watches and jewellery
- Handbags and fashion
- Fragrances
- MSC merchandise
- Shopping Gallery (Duty-free including alcohol and tobacco)
- Photo Gallery & The Hub (Photo & Digital)
MSC Aurea Spa and Gym
The MSC Aurea Spa offers a relaxing adults-focused retreat onboard which can be found on deck 7.
Facilities Include
- Thermal Suite
- Sauna & Steam Rooms
- Salt Room
- Massage Treatments
- Beauty Salon
- Relaxation Areas
The panoramic gym features Technogym equipment with sea views on deck 16. Fitness classes are also available and there is also a outside Power Walking Track located on the same deck.
Pools
MSC Virtuosa has multiple pool areas catering for families and adults alike.
Main Pool Areas
- Atmosphere Pool
- Horizon Pool
- Indoor Pool
- Savannah Aquapark
- Whirlpools and hot tubs
The ship’s pools are designed to accommodate over 1,000 guests comfortably.
MSC Yacht Club
The MSC Yacht Club is the luxury “ship within a ship” concept onboard MSC Virtuosa.
Yacht Club Benefits
- Private restaurant
- Exclusive lounge
- Private pool and sundeck
- Butler service
- Priority embarkation
- Premium drinks and Wi-Fi included
- Concierge service
- Complimentary access to the Thermal Suite
It offers a far more premium and quieter cruising experience compared with the standard areas onboard.
Accomodation
Yacht Club Suites
The highest category of accommodation onboard featuring luxury furnishings, premium inclusions and exclusive Yacht Club access. Some suites include large balconies and private whirlpools.
Aurea Suites
Spacious suites with Aurea Experience benefits including flexible dining, Thermal Suite access and premium locations onboard.
Aurea Balcony Cabins
Balcony cabins paired with the Aurea Experience package offering priority boarding, wellness benefits and My Choice dining.
Balcony Cabins
The most popular cabin type onboard featuring private outdoor space, seating area and modern décor. Many guests particularly praise the spacious balconies and storage space.
Oceanview Cabins
Comfortable cabins with windows or portholes offering natural light without the additional cost of a balcony.
Interior Cabins
The most affordable accommodation option onboard. Modern, comfortable and surprisingly spacious for many guests.
Accessible Cabins
MSC Virtuosa offers adapted accessible cabins across multiple categories including interior, oceanview and balcony cabins designed for guests with reduced mobility.
Cabins for Solo Cruisers
Solo travellers can book selected balcony studio and interior studio cabins with reduced single supplements on some sailings, making the ship increasingly attractive for solo cruisers.
Summer 2026
Deals still available on MSC Virtuosa's final season in the UK
- 23/05/26 - 2 nights (Cherbourg)
- 25/05/26 - 5 nights (Northern Europe)
- 30/05/26 - 7 nights (Spain & France)
- 06/06/26 - 14 nights (Iceland & Norway)
- 20/06/26 - 7 nights (Spain & France)
- 27/06/26 - 7 nights (Spain, Portugal & France)
- 04/07/26 - 7 nights (Spain & France)
- 11/07/26 - 7 nights (Norwegian Fjords)
- 18/07/26 - 7 nights (Norwegian Fjords)
- 25/07/26 - 14 nights (Mediterranean)
- 08/08/26 - 12 nights (Canary Islands)
- 20/08/26 - 9 nights (France, Spain, Portugal & Gibraltar)
- 29/08/26 - 7 nights (Norwegian Fjords)
- 05/09/26 - 7 nights (Spain & France)
- 12/09/26 - 14 nights (Mediterranean)
- 26/09/26 - 3 nights (Belgium & France)
- 29/09/26 - 4 nights (Ireland)
- 03/10/26 - 12 nights (Canary Islands & Portugal)
- 15/10/26 - 4 nights (Ireland)
- 19/10/26 - 5 nights (Northern Europe)
- 24/10/26 - 7 nights (France & Spain)
- 31/10/26 - 7 nights (Spain, Portugal & France)
- 07/11/26 - Repositioning Cruise
- 5 nights one way to Malaga
- 8 nights one way to Marseille
- 9 nights one way to Barcelona
- 24 nights one way to Rio de Janeiro
- 25 nights one way to Santos
