MSC Virtuosa Cruise Reviews - Reviews

Stay away from MSC or atleast any of their ships coming out of England. The cruise director summed it up the first night/show: this is a British ship and if you don’t have British tastes you’re on the wrong boat.

it was a great trip. we enjoyed all of the ports of call

MSC could be a stellar experience if they improved their food and service as well as ability to accommodate the large quantity of people exiting and entering the ship in ports. Will not use them again until they get better reviews in these areas.

Food was horrible. 2 of our party of 6 had food poisoning on different nights. Their buffet would never pass health inspection. Not many activities to do on the ship if you do not get off in port.

Per the travel requirement provided by MSC Cruise (msc-booking@email.msccruisesusa.com), it reads like all Ukrainian citizens can visit the ports of call on this itinerary without Schengen visa and no stipulation about the specific type of passport required. As the wife (with US citizenship) to a Ukrainian husband, little did I know this only applies to biometric passport holders. I purchased the cruise as a surprise Christmas trip for my husband, who had never been on a cruise. After we left our bags at the front of the cruise terminal for check in, we were disappointed to find out at the embarkation desk that my husband wasn’t allowed to embark, so we couldn’t get on the boat. We were also traveling with my parents who are almost 80 years old. When I mentioned that they need someone to take care of them on the boat without us there, it would have been nice if someone would at least try to understand what will their needs be. Instead, everyone seems to look the other way when this was brought up and provided an option that my parents could give up the cruise and leave with us as well. One of the staffs suggested we visit the embassy the next business day to see if we could get a last minute visa, and rejoin the cruise from a different port. We took that suggestion, so I encouraged my parents to continue to go onboard, which they were very reluctant but did so in the end. We waited almost 2 hours to get our bags back out from the boat and left the cruise terminal without being able to experience the cruise, which I am sure would have been wonderful. As for the last-minute visa suggestion, no such thing exists, we just ended up spending precious time doing research, asking around, and visited different embassies to no avail.

We got Covid on this ship. They also don’t care about you.

Lovely Middle East cruise to escape the cold in the UK! Really enjoyed it and will definitely do a similar cruise again so we can visit the ports ourselves once covid restrictions change!

Cruising in MSC was a horrible experience. Not sure how AA will align with such a horrible company. Had problems with billing, paid for picture package that I was never able to get, paid for drink packaged that allowed me to drink only on type of beer, guest service was bad. To top off, we felt like in prison because we were forced to use only their excursions. Talking about COVID control environment but then put 6 busses in a tour in Lisbon. Won't use this line ever again.

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 !

The cruise was sold as 'pearls of the North' (I guess 'places damaged by ww2' is too depressing). Some ports were more 'pearls' than others. The ship mostly docked in industrial ports but that wasn't a problem for us. We walked a lot and used public transport. The ship itself is a definitely a pearl and has its charms, but it wasn't full. Being on Virtuosa when it is fully booked might not be so charming. Some of the spaces on the ship are clearly not set up for larger crowds. The music everywhere on the ship was good and the volume at shows was better than on any other cruise we've been on before (i.e. not at a volume as if every passenger is deaf, but just a normal decent volume).

Very dissapointed compared to other cruise lines we have sailed with.

Mini cruise, 3 days with our parents and 7 year old

Great cruise, food in MDR needs to improve as does the service. The ship is huge and amazing though.

Fantastic ship, hopefully the service will improve in the future

MSC seem to get a bad rep, however I found with the traditional cruise set up, they were fantastic. Crew engagement was the best yet. We will be definitely looking forward to booking our next with them.

The ship is beautiful and staff great. We didn’t suffer from anything running out as far as I’m aware. Food was fine. Plentiful and my husband thought it was fantastic. They were saying that it would be more British but I don’t think they’ve achieved that. Nor do I really think they should if you want Britishness go to P and O staff were great as helpful as they could be. It’s a new crew I think learning on the job so quite a bit of miscommunication happens with some of them not sure what they’re meant to or allowed to do this will resolve in time. Something that can’t be resolved is the design of the ship. It’s a newish design very top heavy and I personally don’t think suitable for rougher ocean voyages. The med and sheltered seas it’s prob fine but far too much sway for me. In fact I renamed it Shake Rattle and Roll ship. In addition to the excessive movement the pod designs and build of the rooms leads to a lot of creaking of plastic panels doors curtain pelmets. I’m sure they will sort this stuff out over time but it’s not a ship I would return too. MSC yes but not this ship

Restaurant staff do not treat professionally ,There are no various programs and activities.

From start to finish the MSC staff were so helpful and friendly. Our cabin was spotless and comfy. The choice of food was amazing. We dined in the opera and was looked after by Kandi our waiter for the week, what an amazing person. We enjoyed the Mexican restaurant aswell well worth it. Facilities were were great fun, plenty to keep you busy on sea days. Really enjoyed port days, well organised. Lift system best I have seen. Pizza superb. Vegetarian options great in all restaurants. Will definitely go again on MSC, thank goodness we didn't take any notice of negative reviews.

Great value for money, would definitely book again

Relaxing and enjoyable with lovely ports and excursions.