BAD BAD BAD PLEASE AVOID MSC !!!! TERRRRRRRRRIBLE
MSC Virtuosa Cruise Review to Europe - Northern Europe
7 Night Northern Europe (Rotterdam Roundtrip)
Sail date: December 28, 2022
Ship: MSC Virtuosa
Traveled as: Family (older children)
Reviewed: 1 year ago
Review summary
Good day We have cruised 5+ Times in passed 10 years with different Cruise lines , which we all loved, but this one is reallly BAD let me start to say, the vessel is beautiful , but how MSC operates it terrible : 1. All cruise lines are off course have a money making concept - which we understand but this one is next level A> we had a pre - purchased easy drink PACK which many drinks in it - per person 220 EURO but very limited places to order - as actually only one place in the interesting area DECK 6 to order from - RESULT LONG QUES - as at all the other places you have to PAY - and they dont tell you beforehand in the BAR - so with your drink you get a bill - THEY CAN SEE on the cruise card what package you have and every venue YOU have to PRE- announce your package to avoid a BILL or even at the venue if you order a Vodka with ice - they try to serve you the PAID One - WHY ?? as they can see your package WHY they pour a VODKA ABSOLUT if a VODKA SMIRNOFF only covered under your package - , B as said in the dome where many restaurant and BARS where only 2 !!!!!!!!!!you could get drinks with your EASY PACK - !! for us 2 adults + 2 kids this package cost 680 EURO !!! and all que C 1 bar below was band and where some nice activity wss going on but MAX 70 seats for 5500 !!! guest - so impossible to sit , - all other venues down stair EXTRA PAID !! D we also had a package for the children - where icecream was included - but the only venue sold ice cream whihc was in the package was on deck 15 and always closed - so the children had to BUY ice at deck 6 at 6.99 euro as extra charge - ............ E at the moment you left your cabin the MONEY machine started - every corner you where pushed to buy A - B - C-D yes other cruise lines had simular but LESSSSSSSSSSSS pushing and all the Key areas to make your own pictures around the stairs they BLOCKED with cords so you could not stand tehre to make a picture UNLESS you boughta 120 euro pack from them .... F The food - we were with full amount of passengers 5600 on board and with only 2 venues to eat - MARKET PLACE ( buffet) and SYMPHONY( seated) it was extreme crowded in the market place - several times on different hours stood in QUE and no seats to sit with your food in hand - and then to get a drink - you had to stand in line again in que to order a drink - as only few waiters walked around to order via mobile comp - and delivery tok easy 20-25 min QUALITY food - very AVERAGE - 90 pct days same - i am not a culinair demanding person - but some food was very simple - also in the MAIN dining room SYMPHONY - off course i compare with other cruise lines i sailed on - ENTERTAIMENT --- Very very poor - only really one venue with live music - and where you cant SIT - to full on deck 6 since only 70-80 places impossible to sit the the SHOWS - simple camping cabaret - no variation every show same only theme changes per country one day they sing song in Italian next day simualar setup with French songs - but ALL CABARET style - so not like other crusie lines where you could really compare the shows highend shows on broadway or west end , - On other cruise lines many venues with MUSIC performers - comedians - magicians - piano players etc - here NOTHING like that - Again unless you paid for a show euro 17.50 PP ( which was in my case even 30 min before showtime cancelled due to lack of PAID customers ..... ) so very very poor entertainment Nightclub on deck 18 attached to the TEENAGE CLUB - was small and logical all TEENAGERS were here 90 pct as it was attached to there open Teenage club - SPECIALITY RESTAURANT many cruise lines you have 1 or 2 venues you cna try for free during your cruise - BUT here you PAY $$$$$$$$ idea sushi restaurant was 85 euro Per person set menu + 15 pct TAX so 400 euro EXCL drinks as the easy pack whick costed 660 EURO Was NOT covering drinks in the SPECIALITY restaurants So all was focused on $$$$$$$$$$ in an irritating way . - even came accross people who sailed many times before on MSC and they even complained on all above items , So MSC good luck - chasing as wolfs behind peoples money , unfortunate you lost me as a customer ,, I hear you thinking - Sir you cant compare a cruise line where you paid much more per person with MSC - unfortunate not the case the money difference was in 3 cases same and other cases Fraction higher - so no MSC is not CHEAPER and with all the extra you have to PAY for and NO normal entertainment it is MUCCCCCCCCCHHHHH MORE expensive - oh forget to say Bowling 45 euro hmmmm nice , So my suggesting is AVOOOOOOOOOOOOOID MSC !!!!! dont sail this ship all SUB STANDARD !!!!!! beside the ship themselves whihc is nice but how it is operated and lack of space to sit makes it terrible !Embarkation
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Marketplace Buffet
Good dayWe have cruised 5+ Times in passed 10 years with different Cruise lines , which we all loved, but this one is reallly BADlet me start to say, the vessel is beautiful , but how MSC operates it terrible : 1. All cruise lines are off course have a money making concept - which we understand but this one is next level A> we had a pre - purchased easy drink PACK which many drinks in it - per person 220 EURO but very limited places to order - as actually only one place in the interesting area DECK 6 to order from - RESULT LONG QUES - as at all the other places you have to PAY - and they dont tell you beforehand in the BAR - so with your drink you get a bill - THEY CAN SEE on the cruise card what package you have and every venue YOU have to PRE- announce your package to avoid a BILL or even at the venue if you order a Vodka with ice - they try to serve you the PAID One - WHY ?? as they can see your package WHY they pour a VODKA ABSOLUT if a VODKA SMIRNOFF only covered under your package - , B as said in the dome where many restaurant and BARS where only 2 !!!!!!!!!!you could get drinks with your EASY PACK - !! for us 2 adults + 2 kids this package cost 680 EURO !!! and all queC 1 bar below was band and where some nice activity wss going on but MAX 70 seats for 5500 !!! guest - so impossible to sit , - all other venues down stair EXTRA PAID !!D we also had a package for the children - where icecream was included - but the only venue sold ice cream whihc was in the package was on deck 15 and always closed - so the children had to BUY ice at deck 6 at 6.99 euro as extra charge - ............ E at the moment you left your cabin the MONEY machine started - every corner you where pushed to buy A - B - C-D yes other cruise lines had simular but LESSSSSSSSSSSS pushing and all the Key areas to make your own pictures around the stairs they BLOCKED with cords so you could not stand tehre to make a picture UNLESS you boughta 120 euro pack from them ....F The food - we were with full amount of passengers 5600 on board and with only 2 venues to eat - MARKET PLACE ( buffet) and SYMPHONY( seated) it was extreme crowded in the market place - several times on different hours stood in QUE and no seats to sit with your food in hand - and then to get a drink - you had to stand in line again in que to order a drink - as only few waiters walked around to order via mobile comp - and delivery tok easy 20-25 min QUALITY food - very AVERAGE - 90 pct days same - i am not a culinair demanding person - but some food was very simple - also in the MAIN dining room SYMPHONY - off course i compare with other cruise lines i sailed on - ENTERTAIMENT---Very very poor - only really one venue with live music - and where you cant SIT - to full on deck 6 since only 70-80 places impossible to sit the the SHOWS - simple camping cabaret - no variation every show same only theme changes per country one day they sing song in Italian next day simualar setup with French songs - but ALL CABARET style - so not like other crusie lines where you could really compare the shows highend shows on broadway or west end , - On other cruise lines many venues with MUSIC performers - comedians - magicians - piano players etc - here NOTHING like that - Again unless you paid for a show euro 17.50 PP ( which was in my case even 30 min before showtime cancelled due to lack of PAID customers ..... ) so very very poor entertainment Nightclub on deck 18 attached to the TEENAGE CLUB - was small and logical all TEENAGERS were here 90 pct as it was attached to there open Teenage club - SPECIALITY RESTAURANT many cruise lines you have 1 or 2 venues you cna try for free during your cruise - BUT here you PAY $$$$$$$$ idea sushi restaurant was 85 euro Per person set menu + 15 pct TAX so 400 euro EXCL drinks as the easy pack whick costed 660 EURO Was NOT covering drinks in the SPECIALITY restaurants So all was focused on $$$$$$$$$$ in an irritating way . - even came accross people who sailed many times before on MSC and they even complained on all above items , So MSC good luck - chasing as wolfs behind peoples money , unfortunate you lost me as a customer ,,I hear you thinking - Sir you cant compare a cruise line where you paid much more per person with MSC - unfortunate not the case the money difference was in 3 cases same and other cases Fraction higher - so no MSC is not CHEAPER and with all the extra you have to PAY for and NO normal entertainment it is MUCCCCCCCCCHHHHH MORE expensive - oh forget to say Bowling 45 euro hmmmm nice , So my suggesting is AVOOOOOOOOOOOOOID MSC !!!!! dont sail this ship all SUB STANDARD !!!!!! beside the ship themselves whihc is nice but how it is operated and lack of space to sit makes it terrible !
Onboard Activities
Plaza Virtuosa
Good dayWe have cruised 5+ Times in passed 10 years with different Cruise lines , which we all loved, but this one is reallly BADlet me start to say, the vessel is beautiful , but how MSC operates it terrible : 1. All cruise lines are off course have a money making concept - which we understand but this one is next level A> we had a pre - purchased easy drink PACK which many drinks in it - per person 220 EURO but very limited places to order - as actually only one place in the interesting area DECK 6 to order from - RESULT LONG QUES - as at all the other places you have to PAY - and they dont tell you beforehand in the BAR - so with your drink you get a bill - THEY CAN SEE on the cruise card what package you have and every venue YOU have to PRE- announce your package to avoid a BILL or even at the venue if you order a Vodka with ice - they try to serve you the PAID One - WHY ?? as they can see your package WHY they pour a VODKA ABSOLUT if a VODKA SMIRNOFF only covered under your package - , B as said in the dome where many restaurant and BARS where only 2 !!!!!!!!!!you could get drinks with your EASY PACK - !! for us 2 adults + 2 kids this package cost 680 EURO !!! and all queC 1 bar below was band and where some nice activity wss going on but MAX 70 seats for 5500 !!! guest - so impossible to sit , - all other venues down stair EXTRA PAID !!D we also had a package for the children - where icecream was included - but the only venue sold ice cream whihc was in the package was on deck 15 and always closed - so the children had to BUY ice at deck 6 at 6.99 euro as extra charge - ............ E at the moment you left your cabin the MONEY machine started - every corner you where pushed to buy A - B - C-D yes other cruise lines had simular but LESSSSSSSSSSSS pushing and all the Key areas to make your own pictures around the stairs they BLOCKED with cords so you could not stand tehre to make a picture UNLESS you boughta 120 euro pack from them ....F The food - we were with full amount of passengers 5600 on board and with only 2 venues to eat - MARKET PLACE ( buffet) and SYMPHONY( seated) it was extreme crowded in the market place - several times on different hours stood in QUE and no seats to sit with your food in hand - and then to get a drink - you had to stand in line again in que to order a drink - as only few waiters walked around to order via mobile comp - and delivery tok easy 20-25 min QUALITY food - very AVERAGE - 90 pct days same - i am not a culinair demanding person - but some food was very simple - also in the MAIN dining room SYMPHONY - off course i compare with other cruise lines i sailed on - ENTERTAIMENT---Very very poor - only really one venue with live music - and where you cant SIT - to full on deck 6 since only 70-80 places impossible to sit the the SHOWS - simple camping cabaret - no variation every show same only theme changes per country one day they sing song in Italian next day simualar setup with French songs - but ALL CABARET style - so not like other crusie lines where you could really compare the shows highend shows on broadway or west end , - On other cruise lines many venues with MUSIC performers - comedians - magicians - piano players etc - here NOTHING like that - Again unless you paid for a show euro 17.50 PP ( which was in my case even 30 min before showtime cancelled due to lack of PAID customers ..... ) so very very poor entertainment Nightclub on deck 18 attached to the TEENAGE CLUB - was small and logical all TEENAGERS were here 90 pct as it was attached to there open Teenage club - SPECIALITY RESTAURANT many cruise lines you have 1 or 2 venues you cna try for free during your cruise - BUT here you PAY $$$$$$$$ idea sushi restaurant was 85 euro Per person set menu + 15 pct TAX so 400 euro EXCL drinks as the easy pack whick costed 660 EURO Was NOT covering drinks in the SPECIALITY restaurants So all was focused on $$$$$$$$$$ in an irritating way . - even came accross people who sailed many times before on MSC and they even complained on all above items , So MSC good luck - chasing as wolfs behind peoples money , unfortunate you lost me as a customer ,,I hear you thinking - Sir you cant compare a cruise line where you paid much more per person with MSC - unfortunate not the case the money difference was in 3 cases same and other cases Fraction higher - so no MSC is not CHEAPER and with all the extra you have to PAY for and NO normal entertainment it is MUCCCCCCCCCHHHHH MORE expensive - oh forget to say Bowling 45 euro hmmmm nice , So my suggesting is AVOOOOOOOOOOOOOID MSC !!!!! dont sail this ship all SUB STANDARD !!!!!! beside the ship themselves whihc is nice but how it is operated and lack of space to sit makes it terrible !
Galleria Virtuosa
Good dayWe have cruised 5+ Times in passed 10 years with different Cruise lines , which we all loved, but this one is reallly BADlet me start to say, the vessel is beautiful , but how MSC operates it terrible : 1. All cruise lines are off course have a money making concept - which we understand but this one is next level A> we had a pre - purchased easy drink PACK which many drinks in it - per person 220 EURO but very limited places to order - as actually only one place in the interesting area DECK 6 to order from - RESULT LONG QUES - as at all the other places you have to PAY - and they dont tell you beforehand in the BAR - so with your drink you get a bill - THEY CAN SEE on the cruise card what package you have and every venue YOU have to PRE- announce your package to avoid a BILL or even at the venue if you order a Vodka with ice - they try to serve you the PAID One - WHY ?? as they can see your package WHY they pour a VODKA ABSOLUT if a VODKA SMIRNOFF only covered under your package - , B as said in the dome where many restaurant and BARS where only 2 !!!!!!!!!!you could get drinks with your EASY PACK - !! for us 2 adults + 2 kids this package cost 680 EURO !!! and all queC 1 bar below was band and where some nice activity wss going on but MAX 70 seats for 5500 !!! guest - so impossible to sit , - all other venues down stair EXTRA PAID !!D we also had a package for the children - where icecream was included - but the only venue sold ice cream whihc was in the package was on deck 15 and always closed - so the children had to BUY ice at deck 6 at 6.99 euro as extra charge - ............ E at the moment you left your cabin the MONEY machine started - every corner you where pushed to buy A - B - C-D yes other cruise lines had simular but LESSSSSSSSSSSS pushing and all the Key areas to make your own pictures around the stairs they BLOCKED with cords so you could not stand tehre to make a picture UNLESS you boughta 120 euro pack from them ....F The food - we were with full amount of passengers 5600 on board and with only 2 venues to eat - MARKET PLACE ( buffet) and SYMPHONY( seated) it was extreme crowded in the market place - several times on different hours stood in QUE and no seats to sit with your food in hand - and then to get a drink - you had to stand in line again in que to order a drink - as only few waiters walked around to order via mobile comp - and delivery tok easy 20-25 min QUALITY food - very AVERAGE - 90 pct days same - i am not a culinair demanding person - but some food was very simple - also in the MAIN dining room SYMPHONY - off course i compare with other cruise lines i sailed on - ENTERTAIMENT---Very very poor - only really one venue with live music - and where you cant SIT - to full on deck 6 since only 70-80 places impossible to sit the the SHOWS - simple camping cabaret - no variation every show same only theme changes per country one day they sing song in Italian next day simualar setup with French songs - but ALL CABARET style - so not like other crusie lines where you could really compare the shows highend shows on broadway or west end , - On other cruise lines many venues with MUSIC performers - comedians - magicians - piano players etc - here NOTHING like that - Again unless you paid for a show euro 17.50 PP ( which was in my case even 30 min before showtime cancelled due to lack of PAID customers ..... ) so very very poor entertainment Nightclub on deck 18 attached to the TEENAGE CLUB - was small and logical all TEENAGERS were here 90 pct as it was attached to there open Teenage club - SPECIALITY RESTAURANT many cruise lines you have 1 or 2 venues you cna try for free during your cruise - BUT here you PAY $$$$$$$$ idea sushi restaurant was 85 euro Per person set menu + 15 pct TAX so 400 euro EXCL drinks as the easy pack whick costed 660 EURO Was NOT covering drinks in the SPECIALITY restaurants So all was focused on $$$$$$$$$$ in an irritating way . - even came accross people who sailed many times before on MSC and they even complained on all above items , So MSC good luck - chasing as wolfs behind peoples money , unfortunate you lost me as a customer ,,I hear you thinking - Sir you cant compare a cruise line where you paid much more per person with MSC - unfortunate not the case the money difference was in 3 cases same and other cases Fraction higher - so no MSC is not CHEAPER and with all the extra you have to PAY for and NO normal entertainment it is MUCCCCCCCCCHHHHH MORE expensive - oh forget to say Bowling 45 euro hmmmm nice , So my suggesting is AVOOOOOOOOOOOOOID MSC !!!!! dont sail this ship all SUB STANDARD !!!!!! beside the ship themselves whihc is nice but how it is operated and lack of space to sit makes it terrible !
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
Good day We have cruised 5+ Times in passed 10 years with different Cruise lines , which we all loved, but this one is reallly BAD let me start to say, the vessel is beautiful , but how MSC operates it terrible : 1. All cruise lines are off course have a money making concept - which we understand but this one is next level A> we had a pre - purchased easy drink PACK which many drinks in it - per person 220 EURO but very limited places to order - as actually only one place in the interesting area DECK 6 to order from - RESULT LONG QUES - as at all the other places you have to PAY - and they dont tell you beforehand in the BAR - so with your drink you get a bill - THEY CAN SEE on the cruise card what package you have and every venue YOU have to PRE- announce your package to avoid a BILL or even at the venue if you order a Vodka with ice - they try to serve you the PAID One - WHY ?? as they can see your package WHY they pour a VODKA ABSOLUT if a VODKA SMIRNOFF only covered under your package - , B as said in the dome where many restaurant and BARS where only 2 !!!!!!!!!!you could get drinks with your EASY PACK - !! for us 2 adults + 2 kids this package cost 680 EURO !!! and all que C 1 bar below was band and where some nice activity wss going on but MAX 70 seats for 5500 !!! guest - so impossible to sit , - all other venues down stair EXTRA PAID !! D we also had a package for the children - where icecream was included - but the only venue sold ice cream whihc was in the package was on deck 15 and always closed - so the children had to BUY ice at deck 6 at 6.99 euro as extra charge - ............ E at the moment you left your cabin the MONEY machine started - every corner you where pushed to buy A - B - C-D yes other cruise lines had simular but LESSSSSSSSSSSS pushing and all the Key areas to make your own pictures around the stairs they BLOCKED with cords so you could not stand tehre to make a picture UNLESS you boughta 120 euro pack from them .... F The food - we were with full amount of passengers 5600 on board and with only 2 venues to eat - MARKET PLACE ( buffet) and SYMPHONY( seated) it was extreme crowded in the market place - several times on different hours stood in QUE and no seats to sit with your food in hand - and then to get a drink - you had to stand in line again in que to order a drink - as only few waiters walked around to order via mobile comp - and delivery tok easy 20-25 min QUALITY food - very AVERAGE - 90 pct days same - i am not a culinair demanding person - but some food was very simple - also in the MAIN dining room SYMPHONY - off course i compare with other cruise lines i sailed on - ENTERTAIMENT --- Very very poor - only really one venue with live music - and where you cant SIT - to full on deck 6 since only 70-80 places impossible to sit the the SHOWS - simple camping cabaret - no variation every show same only theme changes per country one day they sing song in Italian next day simualar setup with French songs - but ALL CABARET style - so not like other crusie lines where you could really compare the shows highend shows on broadway or west end , - On other cruise lines many venues with MUSIC performers - comedians - magicians - piano players etc - here NOTHING like that - Again unless you paid for a show euro 17.50 PP ( which was in my case even 30 min before showtime cancelled due to lack of PAID customers ..... ) so very very poor entertainment Nightclub on deck 18 attached to the TEENAGE CLUB - was small and logical all TEENAGERS were here 90 pct as it was attached to there open Teenage club - SPECIALITY RESTAURANT many cruise lines you have 1 or 2 venues you cna try for free during your cruise - BUT here you PAY $$$$$$$$ idea sushi restaurant was 85 euro Per person set menu + 15 pct TAX so 400 euro EXCL drinks as the easy pack whick costed 660 EURO Was NOT covering drinks in the SPECIALITY restaurants So all was focused on $$$$$$$$$$ in an irritating way . - even came accross people who sailed many times before on MSC and they even complained on all above items , So MSC good luck - chasing as wolfs behind peoples money , unfortunate you lost me as a customer ,, I hear you thinking - Sir you cant compare a cruise line where you paid much more per person with MSC - unfortunate not the case the money difference was in 3 cases same and other cases Fraction higher - so no MSC is not CHEAPER and with all the extra you have to PAY for and NO normal entertainment it is MUCCCCCCCCCHHHHH MORE expensive - oh forget to say Bowling 45 euro hmmmm nice , So my suggesting is AVOOOOOOOOOOOOOID MSC !!!!! dont sail this ship all SUB STANDARD !!!!!! beside the ship themselves whihc is nice but how it is operated and lack of space to sit makes it terrible ! dont sail with MSC