For our 2025 cruise, we chose MSC Virtuosa. By then, we had already sailed on MSC Orchestra, MSC Divina and MSC Grandiosa, so we were wondering what to try next. A larger ship was tempting, but the Mediterranean itineraries we were finding took us back to Barcelona, Marseille and Italian ports we already knew.

Then we spotted something different: a cruise from Southampton, crossing the Bay of Biscay and exploring the Atlantic coast of Europe. A familiar kind of ship, but a whole new set of places. That was enough to get us interested.

A familiar ship, a new route

Our route was Southampton in the UK, Brest in France, Lisbon in Portugal, Vigo in Spain and Cherbourg in France, before returning to Southampton. Every port of call was new to us.

MSC Virtuosa is a sister ship to MSC Grandiosa, which we had sailed on the year before. We already knew the general layout and could enjoy noticing the differences instead of learning everything from scratch.

London was a convenient starting point for us. We often visit friends there as a family, and when we booked, there was a good choice of flights from Vilnius. Southampton is roughly a couple of hours away by road, depending on the airport and traffic, so we decided to try this direction.

This time, we left some of the planning until we were on board. We did not arrive with a detailed sightseeing plan for every city. Our main preparations were getting from London to Southampton and packing for a July holiday that might be cooler than our Mediterranean cruises. The Bay of Biscay also made us think about possible motion at sea. Mostly, though, we were looking forward to seeing somewhere new.

From the airport to the ship

We landed early in the morning and travelled to Southampton that same day. Before the trip, I compared the options from our arrival airport, adding up the full cost for four people. With teenage children, we were looking at four standard fares, plus a longer journey and changes of train or bus with suitcases.

In the end, we booked a private taxi transfer. It cost us about £160 and took us straight to the cruise terminal. For our family, on that particular trip, the convenience was worth it. Prices and journey times depend on the airport and booking, but it is worth comparing the total for everyone rather than just one ticket.

Our boarding time was 1 pm, but we reached the terminal around 10.30 am. On that day, MSC let us proceed early. By 11 am, our luggage had been handed over, our documents checked and we were sitting on board with coffee. It was a lovely start. That was our experience, rather than a promise of early boarding on every sailing; I would still follow the instructions on the cruise documents.

Our cabin — and what I keep in my hand luggage

We tend to choose the option that gives us the best balance of comfort and price. For this cruise, we booked the Fantastica experience with a balcony cabin for all four of us.

Once you hand over your suitcases at the terminal, they are delivered to your cabin later. On our cruises, they have often arrived between 1 and 3 pm, although we have also had them delivered within about half an hour of boarding. Sometimes there is barely time for a coffee and a look around before everything is there.

Still, I would not rely on that. I like to keep a change of clothes in my hand luggage, especially after an early start, when I want to get out of my travelling shoes and feel properly on holiday. A swimsuit is a good addition too: it takes up very little space and means you can enjoy the pool without waiting for your suitcase.

Finding our way around Virtuosa

After Grandiosa, Virtuosa felt familiar. The differences between these sister ships are more about design, restaurants and entertainment than a completely different layout.

There is plenty of technology to help you find your way: the MSC for Me app, interactive screens and the cabin television. It is convenient once you get used to it, but I can also see how it could be frustrating for someone less comfortable using a phone to find the daily programme or book an activity. Guest Services can help.

I admit that I liked having a printed daily programme on our earlier cruises aboard Orchestra and Divina. It was easy to glance at and put aside. The app saves paper, though, so I have learned to work with it.

Staying in touch as a family

One useful feature of MSC for Me is the onboard chat. It works through the ship’s Wi-Fi without a paid internet package. The limitation is that it is available only to guests aged 16 and over, which matters when your children want to explore the ship independently.

For our family, keeping in touch with the children was the main reason to buy onboard internet. We paid for access for a child’s phone and a parent’s phone so that we could message each other. I would love to see an easier option for families with younger children.

Once ashore in the EU ports, our usual mobile plan was generally enough. With an eligible EU/EEA plan, roaming on local land-based networks is normally covered under your home tariff, subject to your plan’s allowance and fair-use rules. The UK is different, so check your provider’s terms before travelling.

At sea, do not assume that the same rules apply: a phone can connect to the ship’s maritime network, where charges can be much higher. I keep mobile roaming off while sailing and use airplane mode with Wi-Fi switched back on for the ship’s app or internet.

Four very different ports

I will write about the places themselves in separate posts. For now, I would say that they were different enough to make every stop worth getting off the ship, even without an organised excursion. A walk can be a lovely way to get a first impression.

Getting into town depends on where the ship berths. These are our notes from this sailing, not fixed directions for every visit. Guest Services can explain the arrangements for your stop, and I also like to check recent travellers’ experiences.

Brest: the ship was in a commercial port, with roughly 1.5 km of restricted port area that we could not simply walk through. There were paid ship-transfer and local bus options; check the access arrangements before setting off.

Lisbon: from our berth, we could walk into the city in about ten minutes.

Vigo: we stepped off just a few minutes from the old town. No transfer was needed.

Cherbourg: there was a shuttle option, but in good weather the walk into town took about ten to fifteen minutes.

The part that makes a cruise feel like a celebration

For me, the gallery and the sparkling Swarovski staircases are what make Virtuosa feel special. They are such recognisable MSC features, and they make me want to dress up a little.

On our sailing, people wore a mixture of styles: relaxed holiday clothes during the day and plenty of smart casual outfits in the evening. Some dressed up more than others. I enjoy it. A cruise is a celebration for me, and I believe we help create that feeling ourselves. So yes, a few pairs of heels always find their way into my suitcase.

For the themed evenings, I like to pack something white, an elegant outfit and something brightly coloured or tropical. White Night, a gala evening or a tropical or disco party can be a fun excuse to try something different. The programme varies by sailing, so check what is planned for yours. Joining in is part of the fun for me.

There is more to tell about life aboard Virtuosa. Continue reading Part 2: our balcony cabin, dining and everyday life aboard MSC Virtuosa →

Practical references: MSC for Me · EU roaming guidance. Journey details reflect our July 2025 experience.