Start from the beginning: MSC Virtuosa, Part 1 — Southampton and the start of our cruise · Part 2 — our balcony cabin, dolphins and dinner.
One of the things we love most about cruising is that you don’t have to plan every minute of your day. Sometimes the best plan is simply to wake up, see what everyone feels like doing and let the day unfold. And on MSC Virtuosa, finding something to do is certainly not a problem. Between swimming pools, water slides, sports, entertainment and a little shopping, the days seem to pass surprisingly quickly.
Pool Days and Family Fun
Let’s start with one of our family’s favourite places on the ship: the pools. MSC Virtuosa has several swimming areas, including the large outdoor Atmosphere Pool, the indoor Tropical Pool with its retractable roof, the Horizon Pool and exclusive pool facilities for Yacht Club guests. We travel with the Fantastica Experience, which means we use the shared areas, and honestly, they are more than enough for us. We usually manage to find a sun lounger where we can leave our things, relax for a while and occasionally pretend we’re going to read a book. One or two loungers are plenty for our family because the children rarely stay still long enough to use them. They have much more important business to attend to: the water slides!
The Savannah Aquapark is easily one of the highlights of MSC Virtuosa for families. With different slides, including rides with inflatable tubes, there’s plenty to keep the children entertained. And once they’ve tried everything, they simply start again. Nearby, there’s also the Himalayan Bridge, a ropes course above the deck. It isn’t particularly long, but it’s another fun challenge for children who meet the height and safety requirements. Of course, the weather makes a difference. On colder itineraries, especially during winter cruises departing from Northern Europe, you might not get much use out of these outdoor attractions. Fortunately, the indoor Tropical Pool is a wonderful alternative. With its covered swimming area, loungers and nearby bar, it’s somewhere you can enjoy a little pool time even when the weather outside isn’t particularly inviting. So whatever season you’re cruising in, don’t forget your swimsuits, pool shoes and perhaps a favourite book. MSC provides pool towels onboard, so there’s no need to bring your own.
The pool decks aren’t just for swimming, either. Throughout the day, the entertainment team organises games, competitions and activities for passengers. Sometimes there’s music, sometimes a lively competition, and during major sporting events you might even find the action being shown on the big outdoor screen. Watching a match surrounded by fellow passengers, with the sea somewhere in the background, is quite a different experience from watching it at home.
Speaking of sport, here’s something I still find impressive: MSC Virtuosa has a walking and jogging track approximately 328 metres long. Imagine going for your morning run with the ocean as your view! There’s also the Sportplex, a multipurpose sports court where passengers can enjoy activities such as basketball, football, volleyball and tennis, depending on the programme. For anyone who prefers a more traditional workout, the ship has a well-equipped Technogym fitness centre with panoramic sea views. Personally, I think a walk around the deck followed by a coffee sounds like an excellent fitness programme too.
Kids’ Clubs and Entertainment
Another thing MSC does particularly well is providing different spaces for children of different ages. On MSC Virtuosa, younger children have the Baby Club Chicco and LEGO-themed Mini and Junior Clubs, while older children and teenagers have their own spaces, including the Young Club and Teens Club. There are organised activities, games, opportunities to meet other children and, for older age groups, technology-focused entertainment. The idea is simple: little ones can enjoy age-appropriate activities while teenagers have somewhere to spend time with people their own age. And parents might occasionally get to finish a coffee while it’s still hot. But do these clubs really work for teenagers? Are older children actually interested in joining, or would they rather spend their time elsewhere? I’m saving that question for another article because I want our children to share their own opinions. After all, what parents think is a fantastic activity and what teenagers actually enjoy are not always quite the same thing.
One place we always seem to return to is the entertainment area on Deck 16. It’s home to Formula 1 racing simulators, bowling, virtual reality experiences, arcade games and XD interactive cinema. The F1 simulators are a particular favourite in our family. The children love competing against their dad, and let’s just say that family competition can become surprisingly serious. These activities generally come at an additional cost, so here’s a tip worth remembering: if you’re planning to try several attractions, consider purchasing an MSC Fun Pass before your cruise. Pre-cruise offers can give you more entertainment credit for your money than buying it onboard, making it a great way to save, especially when travelling with children. Just check the available offer and which activities it covers before purchasing.
My advice is to visit the entertainment area early in the cruise and reserve the activities you really want to experience. We’ve managed to get a turn without booking in advance, too, but that depends on how busy the ship is. During school holidays or particularly full sailings, I wouldn’t leave the most popular attractions until the last minute. Opening hours can vary depending on the day and itinerary, and some activities operate mainly later in the day, so check the MSC for Me app or visit Deck 16 to see what’s available.
As I mentioned in Part 1, evening entertainment is another big part of life onboard MSC Virtuosa. The ship’s main theatre, Le Grand Théâtre, hosts different performances throughout the cruise, often with several showtimes in one evening. This makes it easier for passengers with earlier or later dinner sittings to enjoy a show. Depending on the sailing, you can expect music, dancing, colourful costumes and plenty of stage energy. One thing I always recommend is reserving your preferred showtime early. You can use the interactive screens around the ship: simply scan your cruise card and follow the instructions. It’s quick and straightforward, but on a busy sailing, popular times can fill up.
And then there’s something a little different: Carousel Productions at Sea. MSC Virtuosa has hosted two spectacular productions, combining acrobatics, dance, music and impressive visual effects in the Carousel Lounge. These performances are an extra-charge experience, but our family really enjoys them. For us, they’re one of those special cruise evenings that feel a little different from the usual theatre show. On our cruises, tickets have been around €15–20 per person, although prices and booking arrangements can change. We’ve booked through the onboard reservation desk, and it’s worth asking about availability early in your sailing. Would I recommend trying one? Absolutely.
Shopping, Chocolate and Something Special for Dinner
Now, let’s talk about another onboard activity that I happen to enjoy very much. Shopping. Yes, really! MSC Virtuosa has a selection of boutiques where you can browse perfumes, cosmetics, jewellery, watches, sunglasses, fashion, accessories and gifts. There’s also an MSC-branded shop with souvenirs and little reminders of your holiday. It’s worth having a look, even if you don’t intend to buy anything. We’ve sometimes found prices that compare favourably with airport duty-free shops, especially during onboard promotions. Of course, it pays to know the usual price before deciding something is a bargain. And what do I buy? Handbags. Somehow, buying at least one small handbag has become a little tradition of mine on cruises. What can I say? In my opinion, a woman can never have too many handbags. Or shoes.
But the shops aren’t the only tempting places along the promenade. One of the sweetest stops is Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café, where you can watch chocolates being made in an open chocolate kitchen. It’s fascinating to see the process, even if you’re only passing by. You can also create your own personalised chocolate bar using the interactive stations, which makes a lovely little gift — although whether the chocolate survives the journey home is another question entirely. And if chocolate isn’t your weakness, there’s Jean-Philippe Crêpes & Gelato, serving freshly made gelato, sorbets and crêpes. A little warning: walking past these places without stopping requires considerably more self-discipline than I usually have on holiday.
Of course, there’s no shortage of food included in your cruise fare, from the main dining rooms to the Marketplace Buffet. But MSC Virtuosa also has several speciality restaurants for those evenings when you fancy something different. There’s Butcher’s Cut for steak lovers, Kaito Sushi Bar for Japanese cuisine, Kaito Teppanyaki for dinner with a cooking performance, Hola! Tacos & Cantina for Mexican-inspired dishes and Indochine for Vietnamese flavours with a French influence. These restaurants generally require an additional payment, separate from your standard cruise fare. You can browse the menus and prices before deciding, and reservations can usually be arranged through MSC for Me or onboard. If there’s somewhere you particularly want to try, it’s worth booking early. We love having the choice. Some evenings, the included dining options are exactly what we want. On others, a speciality restaurant can turn an ordinary dinner into another little holiday experience.
One More Thing: Theme Nights
There’s one more part of cruising that deserves its own story: themed evenings. White Night, elegant evenings, colourful parties and other special events can be great fun, especially when you’ve packed the right clothes. But what should you actually bring? Do you need to dress up? And which themed evenings are worth preparing for? I’ll share our experiences and packing tips in a separate article, because these aren’t unique to MSC Virtuosa. They’re something we’ve encountered on several cruises, and I think they deserve a proper explanation.
For now, that’s our look at life onboard MSC Virtuosa. Between the water slides, family competitions, theatre shows, shopping and the occasional quiet moment with a sea view, there’s certainly no shortage of things to do. And perhaps that’s what I love most about cruising: everyone can find their own little version of a perfect holiday.
Even if mine occasionally involves a new handbag.
