New to this story? Read Part 1 of our MSC Virtuosa family cruise, starting in Southampton →

Our first days aboard MSC Virtuosa — from that first holiday dessert to the little moments that made us fall in love with life at sea all over again.

Back on Board — And It Already Felt Like Home

One of the best surprises of our first day was how quickly we got on board. After arriving at the cruise terminal in Southampton, everything went remarkably smoothly. We didn’t even have to wait until our allocated boarding time. The whole process was quick and well organised, and for that, MSC deserves some credit. There is something wonderful about starting a holiday without spending hours standing in a queue.

As soon as we stepped aboard MSC Virtuosa, we had a strangely familiar feeling. We had sailed on MSC Grandiosa the previous year, and Virtuosa is her sister ship. The main layout was already familiar to us, which made finding our way around much easier. But of course, we were still curious. What would be different this time? Would we discover new favourite places? Would the experience feel the same? And, perhaps most importantly, where should we go first?

First Stop: Coffee and Dessert, Obviously

Some people board a cruise ship and immediately head for the pool. Others rush to explore every deck. We went for dessert.

I have a particular weakness for MSC desserts. The little cakes, pastries and sweet treats are something I genuinely miss between cruises. There is nothing quite like sitting down with a coffee and a delicious dessert, knowing that your holiday has officially begun. No cooking, no cleaning, no rushing around. Just that first bite and the wonderful feeling that, for the next few days, somebody else is taking care of everything.

One thing I really appreciate about MSC is how easy it is to find something to eat throughout most of the day. There are a few breaks between the opening hours of the buffet and other food venues, but we have never found the schedule particularly difficult to work around. So, while waiting for our cabin to be ready, we enjoyed our first treats and started planning our week.

A Little Planning Makes a Big Difference

Cruise holidays can be wonderfully relaxing, but there is also a surprising amount to do. And if you want to experience as much as possible, a little planning really helps. Once on board, we usually check restaurant opening hours, theatre programmes, themed evenings and activities that require advance booking.

One of the experiences we particularly enjoy is the Carousel Productions show. These are separately ticketed performances combining acrobatics, theatre and impressive visual effects. We had heard comparisons with Cirque du Soleil, and although I cannot confirm the performers’ backgrounds, the shows themselves have always felt spectacular to us. There are usually different performances and several opportunities to attend, so it is worth checking the schedule early and deciding together which ones you would like to see.

Then there is the main theatre, karaoke, the F1 simulators, waterslides and all the other activities competing for your attention. We don’t plan every minute of our holiday. Far from it. But with so many possibilities, we like to have a rough idea of what we don’t want to miss. Otherwise, the week can disappear before you realise it.

A Small Discovery That Made Life Easier

One new thing we discovered on MSC Virtuosa was the option to purchase wearable wristbands that could be used instead of constantly carrying our cruise cards. Now, cruise cards have never been a major problem for us. We usually bring lanyards from home so everyone can wear their card around their neck and avoid losing it. But the wristbands turned out to be a surprisingly convenient alternative. Especially for the children. And especially around the swimming pools.

An even better detail? We were told that we could take the wristbands home and reuse them on a future MSC cruise, simply having them linked to our new cruise cards at Guest Services. A small thing, perhaps, but one of those practical details that makes everyday life on board easier.

Familiar Spaces, New Discoveries

MSC Virtuosa reminded us a lot of Grandiosa. There were some differences, including restaurants and the rather impressive robotic bar. The robotic bartender is certainly something worth seeing, although personally, I preferred some of the smaller, cosier bars where I could sit and enjoy a drink in a more relaxed atmosphere.

And this is where travelling on sister ships becomes interesting. On one hand, knowing the layout is a huge advantage. You don’t spend half your holiday trying to remember where everything is. You already know how to get around, which makes the whole experience feel effortless. On the other hand, if you love discovering completely new spaces, the similarities can make it feel as though you’ve been there before. For us, the familiarity was mostly a positive thing.

Another difference was the atmosphere created by our fellow passengers. Sailing from Southampton, we found ourselves surrounded by British guests, and English was spoken almost everywhere. That made communication especially easy, both for us and for the children.

Speaking of the children, they wasted absolutely no time settling in. Almost as soon as they received their cruise cards, they waved goodbye and headed off to discover the children’s and teenagers’ clubs, opening hours, rules and activity programmes. My husband and I sometimes laugh about how naturally they adapt to cruise holidays. For them, everything seems so simple. They already know how this kind of holiday works, and they are perfectly happy finding their own way around. Meanwhile, we are still checking schedules and trying to work out where everyone has disappeared to!

Our Balcony Cabin: Small but Perfectly Practical

Once our cabin was ready — surprisingly quickly compared with some of our previous cruises — it was time for our traditional inspection. We always book a balcony cabin, usually with the Fantastica Experience. Some people might wonder whether a balcony is really worth the extra cost, especially when there are so many beautiful public spaces on the ship. For us, travelling as a family of four, it makes a difference.

Our cabin was approximately 16 square metres, so certainly not enormous. But the balcony and large glass doors made the room feel more open and spacious. And there is something special about watching a ship arrive at or leave a port from your own private balcony. You can enjoy the view without having to go anywhere.

Interestingly, I am not someone who spends hours sitting on the balcony. If I want to relax during the day, I usually prefer the open decks, where there is more space, a swimming pool nearby and perhaps a bar within easy reach. But I still love having that balcony. It changes how the cabin feels.

Inside, everything was fairly standard. A double bed, bunk beds for the children, a desk, drawers, wardrobes, a minibar, a mirror and the ZOE virtual assistant. Nothing particularly extravagant, but everything we needed.

After several family cruises, we have become quite good at organising ourselves in a relatively small space. Clothes go straight into the wardrobes, suitcases disappear under the bed, and everyone knows where their belongings belong. Well, at least in theory! The children are always delighted with the bunk beds. Even though they are teenagers now, there is still something exciting about sleeping in a bunk bed on a ship. And since we spend very little time in the cabin during the day, the space works perfectly well for us.

Can We Talk About the Beds?

I have absolutely no idea what kind of mattresses MSC uses. But I sleep incredibly well on their ships. Perhaps it is the mattress. Perhaps it is the gentle movement and almost unnoticeable vibration of the ship. Or perhaps it is simply the exhaustion that comes after a full day of exploring. Whatever the reason, I always seem to sleep wonderfully. And for me, a good night’s sleep is a rather important part of a successful holiday.

One Small Tip for Families With Younger Children

The bathroom is compact but practical, with enough room for the essentials — unless, of course, you travel with an entire suitcase dedicated to cosmetics! There is one thing worth knowing if you are cruising for the first time. The toilet uses a vacuum flushing system, similar to the ones on aeroplanes. And yes, it can be quite loud.

If your children are frightened by aeroplane toilets, it might be worth preparing them for the sound before their first visit. Sometimes a little explanation, some help from a parent or simply leaving the bathroom door slightly open can make the experience less intimidating. It is a tiny detail, but exactly the sort of thing that is useful to know before travelling with children.

Dinner With a View — And an Unexpected Surprise

One of the things I enjoy most about cruising is having the option of a proper sit-down dinner in the evening. Depending on your booking and dining arrangements, MSC assigns you a restaurant and dining time for dinner. That doesn’t mean you have to eat there every evening. The buffet is still available if you prefer something quicker or more casual. But I really enjoy the atmosphere of the main dining rooms.

On MSC Virtuosa, we were particularly lucky with our assigned restaurant. It was located at the back of the ship, with beautiful views over the wake stretching out behind us. Even though our table was in the middle of the dining room rather than directly beside a window, we could still enjoy the scenery. And one evening, something truly special happened. Dolphins appeared behind the ship. We could see them through the restaurant windows as they followed us through the water. It was one of those unexpected holiday moments that stays with you long after you return home. A beautiful dinner, the sea outside and dolphins swimming behind the ship. What more could you ask for?

A Little Elegance at the End of the Day

Every evening, the main dining room offers a different menu, with several options to choose from. It is a lovely opportunity to try something new, enjoy the chef’s recommendations and perhaps have a glass of wine in a beautiful setting. I also like the slightly more elegant atmosphere. Guests often dress up for dinner, the tables are nicely presented, and the experience feels more like an evening out than simply finding something to eat.

After a busy day, it is wonderful to sit down and enjoy being served. The buffet is convenient, of course, but it can also be much busier and noisier. The main dining room offers a different pace.

And Then We Went for Pizza…

Of course, travelling with teenagers brings its own little challenges. The children’s menu can sometimes feel a bit too childish for them, while the more elaborate dishes on the regular menu are not always what they want to eat. The staff can usually help with alternative options, and it is always worth asking.

But there have definitely been evenings when we ordered something that sounded wonderful on the menu, only to discover that it wasn’t quite what we had imagined. And sometimes the teenagers are brave enough to try something sophisticated — but not quite enthusiastic enough to finish it. So yes, on more than one occasion, we have enjoyed a lovely dinner in the main restaurant… And then gone to the buffet for pizza. Because sometimes, no matter how elegant the evening, pizza is exactly what you need. And that is one of the things I love about cruising. There is room for both.

That First Evening at Sea

The first day of a cruise always feels a little different from the rest. There is so much excitement, so much to discover and so many things you want to fit into those first few hours. My advice is not to rush too much. Explore the ship. Find a café you like. Walk along the open decks. Take a moment to watch the coastline slowly disappear as the ship heads towards open water.

And if you can, don’t miss that first sunset. There is something incredibly peaceful about watching the sea as the day comes to an end. For me, that is often the moment when the holiday truly begins.

By dinner, our conversations are usually already turning to the next day. Where will we wake up tomorrow? What will we explore? How will we get into the city? What should we make sure not to miss? And at the same time, there is another thought quietly running through my mind. We have barely started exploring the ship itself. There are still pools to discover, shows to watch, activities to try and so many corners of MSC Virtuosa we haven’t visited yet. But that is a story for Part 3.

Next in our MSC Virtuosa series: swimming pools, waterslides, entertainment, theatre shows and all the things that make a week at sea fly by.

And later, we’ll share a different perspective on cruise life — what children and teenagers really think about spending their holidays on a ship.

Breeze Stories — Real journeys. Honest impressions. Little moments worth remembering.