MSC Virtuosa

The 2021-built MSC Virtuosa cruise ship is MSC’s second MERAVIGLIA PLUS-class vessel, with sisterships MSC Grandiosa (2019) and MSC Euribia (2023). Meraviglia Plus vessels are an upgraded and enlarged evolution of the earlier Meraviglia-class ships MSC Meraviglia (2017) and MSC Bellissima (2019).

The vessel (IMO number 9803625) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 215610000) and registered in Valletta.

History – construction and ownership

MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Genoa and Naples. Founded in 1960, today MSC Crociere is part of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) – the world’s 2nd-largest container shipping company. MSC Crociere is the world’s largest privately owned cruise company.

By annual passenger volumes, MSC ranks as the world’s 3rd-largest cruise shipowner, following Carnival Corporation and RCG–Royal Caribbean Group.

Decks and Cabins

MSC Virtuosa staterooms (2421 total, across 17 categories) accommodate a maximum of 6334 passengers (4810 lower berths). Approximately 75% of all cabins feature private step-out balconies. The largest accommodations are the MSC Yacht Club Royal Suites (700 ft2 / 65 m2 plus a 430 ft2 / 40 m2 terrace with Jacuzzi).

The ship has 18 decks (3 crew-only, 15 passenger-accessible, 11 with cabins), and features “cluster cabins” (up to 3 interconnecting staterooms) allowing a maximum capacity of 10 guests. Additional accommodations include 95 Yacht Club Suites (with 24-hour butler service and exclusive facilities), 15 Interior Studios (solo traveler cabins without a single supplement), and 60 ADA-compliant staterooms (wheelchair-accessible).

MSC Virtuosa’s decks are named after the world’s most famous composers.

The vessel has a total service area of 460,000 m2 (4.95 million ft2) and 35,000 m2 (376,736 ft2) of public areas, with a public space ratio of 7.7 m2 (83 ft2) per passenger. Onboard amenities include 4 swimming pools (1 sliding-roof-covered and 1 MSC Yacht Club pool), 9 Jacuzzis, and 32 elevators (19 passenger lifts, including 1 reserved for MSC Yacht Club and 2 panoramic glass-walled Atrium lifts).

Shipboard dining options – Food and Drinks

The ship offers 12 diverse dining venues, including the Mediterranean Village specialty restaurant and the exclusive Yacht Club Fine Dining Restaurant. The Marketplace Buffet is open 20 hours per day and offers international cuisine, Mediterranean specialties, itinerary-themed dishes, healthy selections, and dietary menus. Other fine dining venues include Kaito Sushi Bar, Kaito Teppanyaki, and an American-style steakhouse serving premium cuts from around the world.

Below is the complete list of MSC Virtuosa restaurants and food bars.

• 5 Main Restaurants (MDRs) serving traditional Italian meals and wines; open for breakfast (7–9:30 am), lunch (12–2 pm), and dinner with two fixed seatings (7 pm and 9:30 pm). A 7-course dinner menu is offered, including vegan and vegetarian options.
• Blue Danube Restaurant (598 seats; 11,302 ft2 / 1050 m2) – complimentary restaurant with fixed dining times, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Located aft on Deck 5 behind Reception. Despite its aft location, it has no aft windows, only portholes. Buffet-style service with a la carte options.
• Sea Pavilion by Jereme Leung (155 seats; 4197 ft2 / 390 m2) – available on China itineraries.
• Eataly Restaurant – Eataly-branded food market and specialty dining venue.
• La Piazzetta Restaurant – self-service buffet and pizzeria; offers afternoon tea and occasional midnight buffets.
• Marketplace Buffet Restaurant & Bar (1336 seats; 39,288 ft2 / 3650 m2), open 6:30 am–10 pm, serving international and Mediterranean dishes, world cuisine, healthy options.
• MSC Yacht Club Restaurant (4359 ft2 / 405 m2) – open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with no fixed dining times; menus vary by itinerary.
• Masters of the Sea (81 seats; 340 m2) – MSC’s classic British-style pub offering 12 beers on tap, 47 bottled varieties, cider, and bar snacks including fish & chips.
• Kaito Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar – a la carte priced; open 12–2:30 pm and 7–11 pm; three menu tiers (Geisha EUR 18, Samurai EUR 24, Emperor EUR 45).
• Butcher’s Cut (58 seats; 753 ft2 / 70 m2) – American steakhouse with large cuts, starters, seafood, and signature desserts.
• Minuetto Restaurant (714 seats; 10,763 ft2 / 1000 m2) – features Flexi and MyTime Dining.
• The Opera and The Simphony (908 seats; 14,402 ft2 / 1338 m2) – connected MDRs with Enomatic wine stations and Flexi/MyTime dining.
• Il Campo Restaurant (188 seats; 3584 ft2 / 333 m2).
• Sports Bar (24 seats; 3433 ft2 / 319 m2) – serves drinks, snacks, hot dogs, popcorn, shakes, juices.
• Jean-Philippe Maury Chocolaterie – chocolate atelier and creperie offering gourmet ice cream.
• Champagne Bar – premium sparkling wines with caviar, oysters, crab.
• Edge Cocktail Bar.
• (NEW) HOLA! Tacos & Cantina – Latin American/Mexican street-food concept.
• (NEW) Indochine Restaurant – Vietnamese cuisine “with a French twist”.

On Virtuosa, MSC introduced two new specialty dining venues: “HOLA! Tacos & Cantina” and “Ristorante Indochine”.

• HOLA is a fast-casual venue serving Latin American and Mexican dishes. Signature items include blue corn tacos (including vegetarian options), nachos, empanadas, tamales, and tortilla soup. The salsa bar offers six homemade salsas, spicy sauces, and fresh guacamole.
• Indochine Restaurant (66 seats; 1108 ft2 / 103 m2) offers Vietnamese specialties with French influences. The menu includes vegetarian/vegan options and family-style dishes for sharing.

Shipboard entertainment options – Fun and Sport

Meraviglia Plus-class ships feature new original productions. A total of eight exclusive shows are available across the Meraviglia and Meraviglia Plus fleets.

MSC Virtuosa has a large water park (Savannah Aquapark) connected to a two-level indoor amusement park and a two-deck promenade housing specialty restaurants, bars, and duty-free shops. The promenade is covered by a spectacular LED dome (“digital sky”) displaying dynamic visual shows.

The ship also features advanced wristband technology enabling contactless payments, spa and dining reservations, and geo-location for children.

Below is the full list of MSC Virtuosa lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for children, teens, and adults.

• (NEW) L’Atelier Bistrot (148 seats; 3315 ft2 / 308 m2) – bar and art lounge with stage, dance floor, and pop-up gallery.
• Sky Lounge & Bar (180 seats; 6781 ft2 / 630 m2) – panoramic cocktail lounge with adjacent Cigar Room.
• Plaza Virtuosa – semi-circular space with shops, patisserie, ice cream bar, and live music.
• Galleria Virtuosa (13,454 ft2 / 1250 m2) – indoor promenade with an 80-m LED ceiling, shops, bars, restaurants, and nightly parades.
• MSC Excursions, La Vetrina, Photo Shop, MSC Starship Club (with humanoid robot bartender), MSC Foundation Centre, Emotions Immersive Gallery.
• Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Coffee (80 seats; 2475 ft2 / 230 m2), open 7 am–1 am.
• Jean-Philippe Crepes & Ice Cream (15 seats; 441 ft2 / 41 m2).
• Broadway Theater (945 seats; 10,763 ft2 / 1000 m2) – main show lounge with 6 rotating productions.
• Business Centre.
• MSC Excursions / Future Cruise Desk.
• Infinity Atrium with Infinity Bar and 24-hour Reception.
• Champagne Bar (155 seats; 6393 ft2 / 594 m2).
• Virtuosa Library.
• Effy Jewellery Shop.
• Red Gem Casino (600 seats; 15,068 ft2 / 1400 m2).
• Carousel Lounge (427 seats; 11,840 ft2 / 1100 m2) – hosts Cirque du Soleil-style productions.
• MSC Aurea Spa (11,840 ft2 / 1100 m2) – MSC’s largest spa, featuring a thermal suite, saunas, steam rooms, snow grotto, thalassotherapy pools, treatment rooms, and beauty salon.
• TV Studio & Bar (101 seats; 3659 ft2 / 340 m2).
• Solarium and MSC Yacht Club-exclusive Top Sail Lounge.
• MSC Gym by TechnoGym (6135 ft2 / 570 m2).
• XD Interactive Cinema.
• SPORTPLEX Team Sports Arena.
• Super Amusement Park with Formula 1 simulators, bowling alley, flight simulator.
• Virtual Games Arcade.
• Power Walking Track (1 lap = 328 m).
• Horizon Amphitheatre and Horizon Pool.
• Main Pool Area (Tropical Pool, Atmosphere Pool, bars, whirlpools).
• Attic Club (41-seat nightclub).
• Cinema, Disco Club, Aft Sun Deck.
• Doremi Tech Lab, Doremi Studio.
• Baby Club CHICCO, Mini Club LEGO, Juniors Club LEGO.
• Young Club (ages 12–14) and Teen Club (ages 15–17).
• MSC Yacht Club Sundeck (exclusive pool, bar, grill, Jacuzzis).
• TOP 19 Exclusive Solarium (adults-only).
• Savannah Aquapark (10763 ft2 / 1000 m2) with four waterslides and Himalayan Bridge suspension walkway.

In 2022, MSC introduced two new Carousel Lounge productions—AJEDREZ and ARKYMEA—developed by “Carousel Productions at Sea”, combining music, lighting, and acrobatic performances.

MSC Starship Club’s Rob – the first humanoid robot bartender at sea

MSC Virtuosa introduced the fleet’s first MSC Starship Club (MSC Starliner One Bar), a futuristic venue featuring the cruise industry’s first humanoid robot bartender, Rob. MSC worked for six years with specialists in robotics, digital solutions, entertainment, and interior design to create this concept.

The Starship Club features 3D holographic projections, a digital art wall, and a 12-seat interactive galactic tour table. Rob prepares and serves cocktails using natural human-like movements and communicates in eight languages. He interacts with guests using gestures, jokes, riddles, and expressive LED facial animations. Drinks are ordered via digital cockpits and served in MSC-branded futuristic souvenir glasses.

Itineraries

MSC Virtuosa’s maiden season in Europe is based on 5 homeports (Barcelona, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Palermo, Marseille) operating 7-day Western Mediterranean roundtrips, with calls in Valletta (Malta).

In mid-January 2021, MSC announced the ship’s deployment in Asia (homeported in China) starting in 2022, joining MSC Bellissima. MSC has offered China-based cruises since 2016 (MSC Lirica), followed by deployments of Splendida (2018) and Bellissima (2021).

In late March 2021, MSC announced Virtuosa’s homeporting in the UK for summer 2021 (starting May 20). The program included 3-4-night roundtrips followed by 7-night itineraries (starting June 12). Short cruises visited the Isle of Portland with two sea days. The 7-night voyages visited Portland and Belfast. Homeports were Liverpool and Greenock–Glasgow.