Looking to elevate your next cruising experience? MSC Virtuosa Yacht Club will do this and so much more…
The evening air is balmy as I step out onto the balcony of my cabin on MSC Virtuosa’s Yacht Club. The sun is setting slowly in a way that you only really see when you’re out at sea – where there’s no light pollution or skyscrapers tarnishing the horizon. A warm orange glow is puddling off the surfaces and the sea is so calm it almost looks like the bow of the ship is slicing through glass. It’s at this moment I feel myself relax – something that I don’t realise quite how much I need to do until I actually do it. After two years of my passport gathering dust in a drawer and my suitcase hiding sleepily in my wardrobe, the appeal of travel is still something that I’m not taking for granted. And what better way to branch back out into the world than with a cruise? There’s still an amount of stigma around cruises yet lines such as MSC Cruises are working hard to shake this. After three days on board Virtuosa, this reputation change is something that can’t come quick enough.
I’ve eaten freshly cooked Japanese food, I’ve danced until my feet hurt, I’ve relaxed in a hot tub and had one of the best massages of my life on the onboard spa. I’ve wandered the colourful streets of Guernsey, contemplated using the state-of-the-art gym (somehow the allure of tacos in the Spanish speciality restaurant enticed me away instead) and gone for a swim under the hazy afternoon sun. Leisurely afternoons sipping cocktails have slipped into evenings spent under the stars, dining on fine cuisine with the gentle chimes of live piano music in the background. The notion that cruises are only for the elderly looking to play bingo and stay in a dated cabin couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, my cabin on MSC Virtuosa Yacht Club is larger than my bedroom back home, tastefully decorated and a real haven of escapism. On this trip I was discovering the Yacht Club on board MSC – their premium and luxury experience – and it didn’t disappoint. Designed to be a “ship within a ship” it offers an unrivalled experience that defies all expectations.
MSC Virtuosa is a Meraviglia-Plus class ship that measures 331 metres long, 65 metres high and has a maximum capacity of 6,334 travellers. Built-in 2020, it was the first ship to sail out of the UK following the pandemic – a sign of the company’s commitment, innovation and determination. The ship is defined by the main galleria – a beautiful digital ceiling that greets you as soon as you board and is the main heart of the ship. There are glittering Swarovski staircases, live music playing and many places to sit, relax and soak up the atmosphere.
My cruising experience began at the Horizon terminal at Southampton, where we were led to a separate Yacht Club check-in area. We were guided past the throngs of crowds, straight through security and taken to a designated seating area where we were offered complimentary snacks and drinks. We were checked in and given our cruise cards at our seats, avoiding having to join the long queues of passengers, instead able to relax under the air con, a cup of coffee in hand. The Yacht Club experience is designed to make every process of your holiday as effortless as possible, leaving you with nothing to think or worry about.
After this seamless check-in, our butler who we had just been introduced to, took us on board. We made our way to the Yacht Club concierge lounge where we were offered further refreshments and given an overview of the services included in our experience.
Drink in hand, we headed to our cabin to freshen up. Thanks to its location at the very front of the ship, our balcony was large and unobstructed, offering sprawling views of the ocean below. The cabin itself was an impressive 29 sqm, stylishly decorated and complete with a spacious wardrobe, large double-bed, sitting area with sofa, TV and minibar. The bathroom was also very large, with a rainfall shower and plenty of space to move around – something you don’t often find on cruise ship bathrooms.
Dining-wise, there are many options when on MSC Virtuosa, ensuring you never go hungry. On our trip we had a taste of Spain in Hola Tacos & Cantina – the onboard tapas restaurant that offers all-you-can-eat for just £17.99 per person. The quality is fantastic, the space airy and tastefully decorated. You can dine on an exquisite selection of dishes in Indochine, a French-Vietnamese concept with a range of excellently paired wine and cocktails and you can tuck into tender, mouthwatering steak in the Butcher’s Cut. I also recommend booking a table in Kaito, the Teppanyaki restaurant and Sushi bar. Here, dining is an experience where you can watch meals being made fresh in front of you in full theatrical flair. Whether celebrating a special occasion or just looking for something a little different (and wickedly tasty) you won’t be disappointed.
While these are the onboard speciality restaurants, you can also dine at no additional cost in the MSC Virtuosa Yacht Club main restaurant, reserved exclusively for Yacht Club guests. It’s a stunning space with large windows drenching the space in natural light. Chandeliers glitter and you truly feel as though you are somewhere special. The menu is varied, changing every day and every meal I had was of the highest quality.
After dinner, there are plenty of things to do on the ship. Over the three days I spent on MSC Virtuosa, we shot zombies in the onboard 4D, VR cinema, played air hockey and went bowling. We swam, chilled in hot tubs, drank cocktails and danced the night away with the themed “white night” and “70s/80s night” parties in the main galleria.
The theatre shows are also well worth a watch on board. While the included show is good, there is also the option for a paid show and I would highly recommend it. For a small fee, you can see a West-End worthy performance that also includes a cocktail upon arrival. These shows are breathtaking, with acrobats, effects and props designed to truly amaze and excite – we won’t give too much away but do try and watch it when you’re next on board!
For a bit of relaxation, which is why many of us go away, of course, look no further than the Aurea Spa. Located on deck 7, it offers an impressive menu of treatments where you can let yourself properly unwind. Opt for a massage to loosen your muscles before making your way to the thermal area. Here you can recline in a whirlpool bath, sit in the sauna or steam rooms and lie on heated beds. It’s the most perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon, relaxing with friends, family or taking some time to yourself.
After your time in the spa, I’d recommend heading back to the Yacht Club area for an afternoon tea. With a selection of mouthwatering cakes, savoury treats, teas and champagne it’s the perfect way to spend your time. Dine to the backdrop of the ocean while live music plays in the background. If you miss the afternoon tea, don’t worry as there are always a host of delicious snacks available in the Yacht Club lounge.
It took a lot of inner persuasion to drag myself off the ship when we reached Guernsey – a sign of just how fantastic the ship is that I’d prefer to stay on board for three solid days rather than explore. The weather wasn’t great, so I didn’t stay long, but it was nice to have a wander and tick somewhere new off my travel bucket list. MSC Cruises has a host of fantastic itineraries coming up, from the Norwegian Fjords to the sunny climes of the Mediterranean, so be sure to find the perfect itinerary for you.
The MSC Yacht Club experience really does go above and beyond to make your time on board special. You will be taken care of from the moment you book until the moment you sadly disembark at the end of your holiday. It’s luxury without pretentiousness and offers a relaxed way to really relax and enjoy yourself. Nothing is too much trouble for your butler and you will be treated to 5* service from start to finish. From your own concierge desk to avoid any queues, to the beautiful rooms and dining space, you will have an experience that sets the bar for cruising in the future.
One of the best things about cruising is that you can make of it what you want. It takes all the best bits of other holiday forms and rolls it into one, making the travelling just as important as the destination. You have the chance to see so many places in one go, to relax around a pool, indulge in an array of restaurants and sample different cuisines. You can make your way through the cocktail menu or sip juices and jog around the running track while a sea breeze gently teases your hair. You can meet others – families, friends or couples, or you can keep to yourself – the choice is yours.
Forget air travel where you’re crammed into a seat for hours, knees almost touching your chin, breathing recycled air and attempting to chew a cardboard-tasting panini and tepid cup of tea. Where you are shunned onto a cramped transfer, lugging your suitcase and having to unpack, repack and sort tickets and transport if you wish to see somewhere new. Instead, arrive at your cruise terminal, leave your case with the MSC team and you can be sitting relaxing with a glass of fizz before you would have normally even got through the airport check-in. The Yacht Club on MSC Virtuosa takes your cruising experience and multiplies it by 100. My time on board was unforgettable and I made memories that will last a lifetime.
To find out more about MSC Cruises and to book your own cruise, head to their website. Prices start from £259pp for an interior cabin in the main part of the ship or from £1049pp in the Yacht Club.
Privileges of the MSC Yacht Club
Dedicated priority check-in and check-out as well as priority departure and return on excursion days
24-hour butler service and a dedicated concierge
Room Service is available 24 hours
Premium Extra Drink Package (includes all drinks up to 13€ in all ship areas)**
Premium Internet package (Browse – 2 devices Unlimited Internet Package)
Complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa
Relaxation amenities in each suite (including bathrobe, and slippers)
Pillow menu
Other personal touches: luggage packing/unpacking service, newspaper directly delivered in cabin on request
MSC for Me wristband (where available)
1 free cruise change*
Welcome package (Prosecco + chocolate)
