MSC Virtuosa Cruise Review - France and Spain 2022

[@EmmaCruises]

Great video Matt! I had the best MSC cruise in February on Seaview and I’ve just booked another for a couple weeks time. I paid £320 for 6 nights, it’s cheaper than a premier inn so I think they’d have to do something reallllyyyyy awful for it not to be worth that. Ha ha 😅

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Emma - big fan by the way... £320 is really good! If you expect the Ritz for that you'll be disappointed, but if you expect the Premier Inn you'll be delighted!

[@EmmaCruises]

Oh hey!!! I knew I commented here somewhere, took a year to find you in real life but I did!! Woohoo!! Haha. 😀❤️

[@elRaymo]

Hi Matt, just subscribed and I'm glad I watched this vlog. We're off on the Virtuosa next week on the same cruise from Southampton. I was a little worried having watched the vlog from the guys who reported difficulties with filming and I am so glad I came across your channel were I am sure will find a totally unbiased opinion of Cruise Sips and Cruise Lines. Thank You.

[@MattsOceans]

I think I know the video you're referring to! This video was in part a rebuttal of some of the points they made.... I've been back on MSC and had no trouble filming either time.... You making videos too??

[@elRaymo]

No I am an avid watcher of travel videos generally. We have been on 3 Msc Cruises to date and enjoyed everyone so far. I was a little annoyed to watch what I considered a very one sided view of Msc, particularly so soon after the Pandemic, when understandably, rules might have been a little tighter. I don’t subscribe to that channel anymore.

[@EmmaCruises]

Ps, you have a great voiceover voice! Reminds me of some documentaries I’ve seen. ❤

[@MattsOceans]

< in best voiceover voice > Thank you verrrrry much!

[@jjbsf]

Great balanced review.

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Jack

[@suewood6308]

Just been on a celebrity cruise (our first ever cruise) and had concerns about MSC due to negative u tube videos. Your video has given us the comfort to give MSC a go. Thank you

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Sue. Its a different experience to Celebrity for sure, but its not as dire as some of those KZbin videos suggest!

[@cafsixtieslover]

I thought that about the donation too - very cheeky!

[@MattsOceans]

They did it to us again on this cruise... It's only a pound but trying to hide it and sneak it in without advertising it is not acceptable to me....

[@stevebetts1275]

This is a very good review and sums up my experience recently. Amazing ship, good food, great staff and lots to do.

[@MattsOceans]

"Not Awful"! I've booked to go on it again I enjoyed it so much!

[@cafsixtieslover]

we were on the Virtuosa two weeks ago on a three day cruise to Guernsey and France. The Virtuosa is certainly a beautiful ship and was so big we did not feel her moving at all. The food and service were good, and the restaurant was very helpful with my husband's food intolerances but the racket every night in the restaurant and public areas - it was so loud we could not hear ourselves think and we found it painful. We had an accessible balcony cabin which was not that big and the beds were essentially camp beds which slid across the floor if you sat on them and we had to park the wheelchair on the balcony slope as there was nowhere else where it was not in the way. They had slats in the base of the bed which rendered the bed rail that my husband had paid to hire completely useless. They certainly tried to get you to spend money everywhere they could although we are the original cruise meanies - my total onboard spend was under £50.00, a cruise teddy (which I collect) a fridge magnet, some small presents for the grandchildren and a shuttle bus ticket into Le Havre. We only eat in the main restaurant, only drank what was provided for free, did not use the spa or casino or the more expensive shops and fought off dozens of photographers. Announcements were in English only - we did a Med cruise on the Splendida in 2017 and everything was done there in several languages. Our next three cruises are with P&O on the Iona and Arvia - we had a fabulous accessible cabin on the Iona two years ago and have booked it again.

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks so much. I'm on the Virtuosa again right now and it's all good - can't speak for the disabled aspects which sound unsatisfactory.... I believe those 3 night cruises can be real party marathons which is a real chore if that's not your thing...

[@Clivejvaughan]

Very happy to see this. Cruised with MSC 4 times...but not for 7/8 years. Glad to find there's every chance it'll be worth coming back to them, since I no longer wish to fly. Thanks for your efforts on these videos !

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks so much. Keen to take a Euro MSC cruise to see if it is substantially different but nothing from this cruise puts me off travelling with them again! Great value too....

[@tommymoloney8574]

Best of luck with the new channel!

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Tommy - a different experience to be managing two channels but enjoying it so far!

[@havewheelswilltravel]

I agree with probably, all you said. We had a week aboard the Preziosa in October for the first time and as you, did so with a bunch of preconceptions. We too were pleasantly surprised. Our embarkation process was however, was totally smooth and easy and quick. Excellent MSC and an excellent video Matt!

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks - may be booking MSC again in their Black Friday offerings...

[@havewheelswilltravel]

@@MattsOceans We did just that, only yesterday!

[@cecilialeitet2794]

My family (2 adults 2 kids 10 and 12) was on the Seaside out of Miami in the summer of 2019. It was an amazing cruise experience and we never understood the complaints on the food or the entertainment. I researched multiple cruise lines before we wen't, and Im not gonna lie and say that we didn't decide based on cost (and ship ofc). MSC is the only cruise line I have found that have a fixed price for children under 12, and then another for teens 13-17. All other lines I checked only had cheaper costs for guest 3 and 4. Our Miami cruise incl. drink package was about 3500 USD total for 7 nights. We have booked the Virtuosa out of Dubai for christmas, and since our kids are now teens instead of kids, the price for a 7 night cruise (incl drinks of the middle east) went up to about 3800 USD. Which Im pretty sure is gonna turn out cheaper that the week on land in Dubai, by quite a lot.

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks - I've seen the Seaside in Miami and am keen to try it - MSC adapts to its locality and I'd love to see what a US cruise feels like with them... Dubai on the Virtuosa should be fun - and even if seems a little more expensive there's a host of other factors to think about to understand the true value... Have a great time!

[@Lifewithamyj]

Brilliant video. You are a natural presenter. I am new here, but after one video I have subscribed. A fair and honest review of a ship I am sailing with very soon. Keep the vids coming!

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Amy! I enjoyed the Virtuosa so much I'm going back on it myself!

[@primmtravels450]

[@MattsOceans]

They're addictive for sure!

[@steve-marsh]

This is a fantastic video! I’m glad You enjoyed the cruise, but there’s something about that sneaky donation process that gives me a bad impression of the company culture. It’s amazing how something so small can cast a negative cloud over the experience and make me suspicious about the people making decisions, so they really need to think harder about these things.

[@MattsOceans]

Cheers Steve. Just been back on MSC and they did the same donation thing again... I feel bad about grumbling about £1, but as you say, its the principal of it! Many people would have a string of things on their accounts and probably wouldn't even notice...

[@richardhooper7297]

Thanks Matt that was really helpful. Me and the wife will be on that ship on the 25th and are looking forward to trying it out. It was much cheaper than a week in the Canary Islands and without all the faff of airports and flying! Our 4th cruise in 2 years from Southampton, so easy to do.

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Richard. Southampton is great - its just that its hard to find a voyage that gets you somewhere warm (and back) inside a week... Even in July you're playing the British weather lottery!

[@richardhooper7297]

@@MattsOceans We did the Enchanted Princess to Norway and Denmark in July and had a sunny week up to 29Degrees!

[@mim3097]

Thanks for your thoughts, this was really helpful. Our family is contemplating taking the relocation cruise from Dubai in March next year. It's a bit daunting contemplating 23 nights on a cruise line we have no experience with.

[@MattsOceans]

I've had a look at that cruise myself - 23 days is certainly an investment of time, even if you know and like MSC! I might have suggested trying a shorter cruise on MSC before committing, but their short trips become crazy parties where everyone has a drinks package and no-one bothers to sleep! A 23 day cruise might be far more chilled, although MSC will also sell that trip in smaller chunks with people getting on and off within your 23 day trip. Would be a great experience though!

[@mim3097]

@@MattsOceans we're Aussies, and it will be the first time my adult kids have been to Europe. My 80yr old mum will also be with us, so I'm hoping there is a little of something for everyone. None of us are big party people, so quieter would definetly be a bonus.

[@King.of.wishful.thinking]

I have never sailed MSC before and have reservations due to some of the videos Iv seen. However, remarks and videos such as yours makes me think the other fools are not really interested in a real reflection based on knowledge. It would seem that MSC are learning and are keen on breaking into the USA market this is also benefiting us in the UK. The complication of the different experiences can be hard to navigate but after watching a few KZbin vids it makes sense. So happy sailing folks. I’m sailing august 2023 and intend to enjoy every moment of this bargain cruise. Sure it won’t be the quality of royal, celebrity or NCL. But it will be good and much better than a all inclusive in Europe

[@MattsOceans]

That's exactly the right attitude if you ask me!!! MSC seem to realise they are behind so I really hope what I've reported is recognition of that and the pricing is intended to get people aboard. Have a great time!!!

[@mike_maple]

Brilliant Video, thanks for posting it - so nice to see someone else bucking the trend of piling criticism on MSC - aside from the excellent EmmaCruises of course who has been mainly complementary. There does seem to be a bit of snobbishness from some youtubers - yes I did see the video you mentioned, which put us off MSC last year, (much as I love Ben & David's videos). Happily just grabbed a week on the Virtuosa in March with my Mum doing the Northern pearls route - they'd just dropped the week we could go from £420 to £360, which sealed the deal (the low single suppliment helps a lot too).

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Mike. I'm back on the Virtuosa in a couple of months!

[@jubed]

Such a great fair review and very informative thank you :)

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks!

[@dulls8475]

Getting on board for the first time in 2 weeks. Looking forward to it.

[@MattsOceans]

Have a great time!

[@seandryden5662]

Thanks for your objectivity! Looking forward to my trip in April.

[@MattsOceans]

I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

[@irishinusa1615]

Great vlog. Informative and helpful. Got us thinking 🤔 Thanks Matt

[@MattsOceans]

Ha ha! Looking at taking an MSC cruise from the US to see whether the experience has been localised for the US market too...

[@irishinusa1615]

@@MattsOceans good idea. Interested to know, being a Mediterranean cruiseline if they are better in this area.

[@jimbaker3281]

I’m booked on Virtuosa from Dubai. It is my 3rd MSC cruise. Their ships are spectacular and hopefully the food and service will continue to improve. They really need to think about who their paying customers are and what they want not want MSC wants them to have.

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Jim - is that one that stops in Saudi? I really hope MSC is listening and evolving... Whether the needs of a Gulf cruise leads MSC in the same direction as the needs ex-Southampton is an interesting question!

[@jimbaker3281]

@@MattsOceans Yes it goes to Damman. Being a very picky eater, MSC definitely is more of an issue on MSC for me as opposed to Carnival or Royal. Enjoyed your vlog

[@oliverbutterfield9844]

I was looking forward to this one! I’ve sailed with MSC twice - on Grandiosa last Summer on a UK-covid special cruise (you were on another ship in Southampton at the time iirc) and on Virtuosa this Easter on one of their Mediterranean circuit cruises. Prior to that, only ever been P&O, several times over the past 25 years. I think MSC will do announcements based on who they have travelling. Our covid special cruise was obviously English-only. The Med cruise was about 5 or 6 languages, and it did get mildly annoying. Also, that was my first experience of a non-Brit focused cruise, and having a melange of European cultures on board definitely did alter things. Non necessarily worse, just different. My main gripe with MSC is the MDR experience compared with P&O. I feel like P&O has gone downhill over the 25 years I’ve been sailing with them, though I’ve gone from being 14 to 40 in that time, so maybe it’s just my perspective that’s changed. Irrespective, the MSC MDR was all just a bit crap. From the service, proximity of the tables to each other, and general quality of the food. Nothing was gross, but it wasn’t special either. I have P&O Azura booked for December, and MSC World Europa next summer. With COVID hopefully far behind us then, we’ll see what they can both deliver 😊

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Oliver! I'm looking to do a Euro MSC cruise next year as I think we may have been a bit spoiled by the UK experience. Food can be very subjective but I thought MSC was decent - no michelin stars but certainly not a chain pub's food offering. I need to also go on P&O but I just can't get excited about them for some reason!

[@NLMusique]

Matt, thank you for your honest feedback and I'm glad I found your video. I have sail with msc about 5 years ago on the msc mariviglia. I believe the virtuosa is the sister ship to that one. I completely understand why people say negatives things about msc because we felt the same way after that cruise. We thought we'll not sail msc again but never say never. We are booked on the msc virtuosa for next April on the 12 nights. We got an amazing deal through our cruise agent. I can share that deal with you if you like to travel on her again. Our cruise agent was about to get us solo cabin price which you can't find those deal online at all. I'm paying $620 USD for a solo inside but thinking of upgrade to Oceanview for $890 USD and those prices already included taxes. Your video gave me hope and something to look forward to for next year.

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Danny - I hope you have a great trip. You're based in the US I assume as you quote in dollars?

[@NLMusique]

@@MattsOceans yes, that's correct. We composure the price with royal Caribbean which does the exact port and their starting price is $2000 USD.

[@ronaldboonstra4834]

Thanks for the vid. MSC is one of our favorites. I really dont understand the negativity. Christmas 2022 well be on Virtuosa , May 2023 on the new MSC Seascape from Miami and RCL Spectrum of the Seas end of 2023 from Singapore. I find them quite the same....sure there are differences, but for us we are very happy with both of them (also did Costa, Princess, no complains at all!)

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Ronald. Rebooked the Virtuosa and I'm keen to see how the experience does differ on a non-UK (and non-US) cruise...

[@ronaldboonstra4834]

@@MattsOceans let us know in a vlog😉

[@MattsOceans]

@@ronaldboonstra4834 Oh, don't worry - I will!

[@themaninthecape1887]

Good & honest review of your time on the virtuoso, my partner & myself took a 2 week cruise on the virtuoso last July & we loved it, food was great, staff lovely & helpful, our cruise included the premier drinks package which made the cruise great value for money. The ship is huge so there’s plenty of quieter places to have a drink when other parts of the ship get hectic. Like yourself the £1 voluntary donation to their fund angered my partner when she realised it had been taken without her consent & promptly got it credited back to her card 😂 It’s a great ship & we’ve booked again to sail this October

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks MITC - great name by the way... I enjoyed it so much I've booked for another cruise too!

[@sircravenuk]

Great video. I know for a fact that one of the other reviews you mention by two of the UKs biggest bloggers has a lot more to it behind the scenes and they decided to give MSC a bad review, a friend was onboard with them. That aside, MSC probably isn’t for cruisers who are more traditional and enjoy P&O, just as P&O isn’t for me - it’s great we all have a choice but up you are right, MSC having been slowly improving over the years, they really do take on the criticisms that people have. Also, very few people take into account the price they pay when they compare them to other cruise lines. If you ever get the chance, try the Yacht Club, it’s wonderful.

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks so much Andrew. I think you guessed the correct video - they really did get stuck in... But you're absolutely right - someone getting off the Queen Mary and boarding the Virtuosa will probably think they've changed planets rather than changing ships... Would love to try the Yacht club, indeed all of the "ship within a ship" concepts but I think I need to grow the channel a little before that's an economic reality!!! Tell your friends...

[@primmtravels450]

Your cruise looks more quiet then mine , the bars anyways . I agree about the music from the entertainers . I rememer there being a jazz night I went to the adult bar to listen to it , couldnt hear it at all from the bar so I gave up and went back to normal seat at horizon bar.

[@MattsOceans]

Quite a few young kids on this one and I think the parents were all ready for bed around 9pm... A bit of life though but easily avoided if you preferred it quiet.

[@carmelshepherd6739]

I really liked MSC Virtuosa my style modern and glamorous went from Liverpool round UK only cruise line to give NHS discount and free drinks package 🙌

[@MattsOceans]

It's hard to beat! And with an NHS discount it just gets better! Thanks for your service!

[@marklittle6408]

A really good evaluation of MSC, I agree totally. I Am travelling on Virtuosa next month, I really hope they haven’t scrapped the multi language announcements, I quite enjoy hearing all the languages. I’m always in awe of how the crew transition so effortlessly from one to the next.

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Mark - I was recently on a Norwegian cruise in the Med with a Brazilian cruise director and I actually really enjoyed hearing the announcement in Spanish after English - I still hope that if I hear enough Spanish I'll somehow absorb it and be able to speak it! He then repeated the announcement in Portuguese - I didn't hear any Portuguese speaking passengers aboard so I suspect he did it just because he could!!!!

[@kevinandperry6961]

Have booked to go on the virtuosa in January for the Northern pearls , £513pp for ocean view and premium drinks. Certainly not expecting the world but have only been on rc before . Nice to see a more positive review of msc 🤣

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks guys. Heading North in January!! I'm sure there'll be hot toddies in the drinks package! That's a great price - have a good trip.

[@michaelbennett3310]

how did you find this cruise? I'm thinking of doing this very cruise next month and have only sailed with RC and P&O. RC is a firm favourite of mine.

[@kevinandperry6961]

@michael bennett was a very good cruise was only half full around 2500 we heard when we embarked. Service is still really good just not as attentive as rc but thats be expected with a european cruise line . Food was nice just smaller portions but we found the buffet to be better than rc

[@michaelbennett3310]

@@kevinandperry6961 Thanks for coming back to me 🙂 im looking at 10th march traveling solo and will most likely head to the buffet but may try a speciality restaurant too. booking an Aurea balcony but never sailed with MSC so not too sure what to expect.

[@peetbothma6982]

Hi Matt. Very informative again. MSC certainly looks worthy of a punt. They have 3 and 4 night cruises around South Africa in our summer. With your love for stats, and sure it is "legal", would enjoy a price comparison between the cruiselines for a similar voyage?😊🇿🇦

[@MattsOceans]

Cheers Peet - a short cruise is a great way of seeing if you'd like the experience and the brand... Price comparisons are handy - your interest in alcohol makes a huge difference!!! Might be a video idea for the future...

[@peetbothma6982]

@@MattsOceans Been on two cruises, one with Royal Carribean and one with Lloyd Trestino way back when. If my calculations are close to being correct, you would need to drink at least 7 or 8 every day just ti nreak even🥂🍾🥂🍷🍻🍻🥃🤣

[@wessexTim]

Sounds a good idea if you can get a good price. Thanks Matt.

[@MattsOceans]

Worth a look!

[@maracavicchia6785]

Grazie.

[@MattsOceans]

Looks like I did! Thanks so much

[@davidpang5312]

Did Norway and Iceland and I had a great time Apart from my wife’s diamond ring going missing from my cabin Had a search done and not found Head of security very rude and condescending Made me and my wife feel like we were the victims 😢

[@MattsOceans]

That sounds terrible... Presumably they could see if anyone had been in the cabin other than yourselves and the cabin attendant?

[@paulkeay5032]

Once again Matt, a great review! A lot of the MSC cruises we've looked at seem to have passengers joining and leaving at every port, was that the case here? It's not something we would be keen on - we quite like the idea of all the passengers being together for the cruise (I know on very long itineraries that is nigh on impossible). Celebrity remains our go to line (my wife doesn't like change and likes what she likes) - I'm trying to persuade her to go to on a small ship ( Azamara and Oceania appeal)

[@MattsOceans]

Cheers Paul. This was a Southampton only boarding experience - you could see they were used to multiple joining points though... You search for cruises, particularly in the Caribbean and think you've found dozens of options until you look more closely and see that its the same cruise with 4 or 5 joining points though the week! Azamara is an interesting one - they were sold off by Royal Caribbean to generate cash to see them through the you-know-what, and they're now owned by a private equity firm... Which doesn't usually create that warm fluffy feeling about the customer experience, but their pricing looks really good and the experience seems to be more intimate as its a smaller ship. I've been really close to booking with them twice now and may well commit...

[@ThePolaroid669]

What? Who cares if the passengers stay on board for the whole cruise or not? Very weird.

[@George-iy8dd]

Excellent review. Very thorough. Thank you.

[@MattsOceans]

You are very welcome!

[@billsirname8514]

Hi Matt. How full eas this cruise ? We're booked to go on the virtuosa over new years eve and I think it sold out . In your opinion would you go on it when its full. I'm really apprehensive about this cruise ship when it's full. Great videos, keep it up. .

[@MattsOceans]

Hi Bill - we were less than a third full.... Its a different experience when the ship is full, and I did travel on full ships before the you-know-what. Whether that's better or worse will be down to you... If you like pubs to be busy and to have atmosphere, if you like having lots of people to people watch and if you like the energy that is brought (from the passengers and the crew) then it won't be a problem... You'll still be able to eat as much as you want and drink as much as you want but it might be a little less relaxing to do so...

[@rossgwelsh]

Try the Yacht Club. You'll be even more impressed!!

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Ross... Quite a price increment every time I've looked... Would you prefer two cruises in normal accommodation or one in the yacht club?

[@rossgwelsh]

@@MattsOceans One in Yacht Club!!

[@josemi.enfermero]

Hi Matt I wasn't sure about going on a MSC Cruise for muy honeymoon from Spain (where I'm from) , but having watched your video now I know I Will enjoy It , thank you for your video It was lovely! , By the way is there any interesting package you can recomend me to get? Thank you a lot!

[@MattsOceans]

Gracias Jose! The MSC website will walk you through the various options for upgrades and add-on packages... Difficult to recommend anything specifically without knowing you... What I would advise is to let them know its your honeymoon - they will probably make a bit of an effort for you... There'll be an opportunity to do that after booking in their website or if you call to book, mention it then. A few times!!!

[@josemi.enfermero]

@@MattsOceans thank you very much for the advice Matt y really apreciate it , I've just subscribed to your Channel and I'll keep and eye on your videos!!

[@jenniferpratt440]

Virtuosa is my fav ship on msc im sailing on virtuosa 16th dec this year and 7th april next year😃

[@MattsOceans]

It was a great ship!!! Where is it based over the winter?

[@jenniferpratt440]

@@MattsOceans its been replaced by preziosa it wil be doing northen europe from southampton

[@jonnydavis362]

Hi Matt, what was the name of the website you looked on to track the cruise prices, please?

[@MattsOceans]

vacationstogo.com. Enjoy!

[@JackKing12.]

So MSC is worth cruising with...

[@MattsOceans]

I think so.... Great value for a great product. Have just cruised with them again so another suite of videos is coming....

[@thefrugalwanderlustinglinguist]

Im.on Virtuosa now. Great value. Fabulous staff. Good food. My only complaint is that they sneak in all sorts of charges. You need to psvk your boxing gloved. Ie. Be careful not to wstch a movie or even ck anynout. There is NOWHERE thst tells you it is $9 and they stsnf firm. I watched 10 mins and was shocked. Still arguing. Yes. Part full but hard to get a seat in lounge for shows.

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Janet. You do have to tiptoe around the extra charges... I think we were lucky that we finished dinner at a time when a lot of people left the lounge so we could often find seats but the venue is ridiculously undersized for the demand there is for seats!

[@lindaarthur8385]

DANGEROUS? to base one's opinion on one experience? Really? DANGEROUS😮 😮

[@MattsOceans]

Not sure I understand your point... Are you disagreeing that its dangerous? Or are you pointing out the irony that I made these conclusions based on one cruise with MSC?

[@adamwade2546]

I love how this video is a direct reply to an absolutely ridiculous moan fest from another creator

[@MattsOceans]

Ha ha! I tried to not make it obvious to all, but if anyone knows that particular video then it would be quite obvious! Thanks for watching!

[@rajindernijjer]

MSc ships make other ships look bland

[@MattsOceans]

It is quite a special ship!