Have you been on virtuosa? Do you agree with our assessment? If your heading on in the next year and have a question please pop it 👇 As always thanks for watching and if you enjoyed it a thumbs up really helps us out and consider subscribing plenty of cruise content on the way. Thanks everyone for watching. Happy cruising
Hi Rach, thank you so much for the insightful overview video of this cruise. It was great to hear your perspective of cruising with friends vs with family. Did you notice much in the itinerary for solo cruisers, e.g. solo meetups? I've booked for November, just me. Also, how did your first-time-cruiser friends find the motion of the ship - did any of them feel seasick? Thank you!
@@joshpipe7755 I do recall seeing daily meet ups for solo travellers in the bars of an evening, one thing I forgot to do was take a pic of the itinerary everyday! When we go on preziosa in a couple of weeks I’ll be sure to take some pics of what’s available and send them to you if you like? The motion of the ship was fine until the last evening where it was a bit chopping and all of my friends felt very sicky, a ginger cocktail and dinner sorted them out though 🙂. Thank you for commenting.
Hi 1B, we were on Virtuosa in March, stayed in Yacht Club Deluxe suit, to answer your question about that experience, for some reason we have booked these for some time but because of some great bloggers like yourselves and Frazer at Sea we have reconsidered. Every benefit of the Yacht Club is there for all, rather bizarrely we tend to have our curtains closed all the time so why we want a balcony is perhaps only for the feel of luxury, so we have booked Virtuosa from Southampton from the end of July for 14 nights in an inside Yacht Club Cabin and are paying slightly more than we paid for a week this month on the World Europa , we have the Grandiosa in September and Seaview next June but that will be the last time we go for balcony cabins in the Yacht Club, we have actually cancelled a sailing next September 2024 on Virtuosa which in hindsight was outrageously priced at £9000.00 and this was booked on board with the all edged savings, One other point balconies can be disruptive at times because of the need to clean them, on the World Europa on at least two nights i was woken by what i think was the glass being washed in the small hours, i hope and expect in an inside cabin i will get a good nights sleep. Thank you for your tips advice and keeping us informed, it is really appreciated and priceless. Regards Kevin
1B? I like the hairy guy from the 4B’s. Bring him back. He’s got great banter. But this video is great too! Virtuosa looks amazing! Great information on the ship.
Enjoyed the video, due to go on a MSC Virtuosa tomorrow so wanted a bit of an insight, so appreciate the video. New to cruising, young couple and personally, love it. The holiday starts the second you get on board. Cheers
Such a great review Rachel and it’s good to see that boarding was super quick! A world away from what it was in April. Also great that MSC realised your bookings were linked and upgraded you too! 🎉
Excellent Video Rach! Jam-packed full of detail, and much of your experience on board is representative of our own :) Look forward to seeing more of your videos in the coming weeks :)
After serving in the Merchant Navy,I never fancied a cruise,but I went on the VIRTUOSA for a six day European cruise.All I can say is that if you have never been on a cruise,,THEN GO brfore its to late. David Williams.
Love your videos! I was waiting to see your thoughts on this cruise as there has been so much negativity on some of the forums. I agree with everything you say! The way people speak to staff is appalling. We witnessed some of that in August. We've booked to go again next summer but we're taking my 14 year old and her friend so I'm hoping that'll give us a bit of a chance to do some of the more adult things on board. Booked Aurea for us and really looking hard to it!
Thank you for watching and commenting. Totally agree I get so fed up of seeing negativity all the time when the ships are at captivity people need to understand the staff are all working under a lot of pressure to keep everyone happy, I always find by being polite you get further in life 🙂. Yes I was really shocked by the way some people spoke took a lot to hold my tongue 🤣. Yes I did enjoy doing more of the adult things onboard this time round it was very different. Make sure you book all your spa times in on the first day as they get booked up quickly.
On the Virtuosa,do not get lost as you will have one hell of a job to find out where you are.If you can find your way back to a lift you have a chance but "lifts" are not signed only "exits" that lead in in circles. Dave Williams P.S I would still go again.
I made bit for an upgrade last year on both segments of my family trip to Bali on Qantas from Sydney Kingsford Smith International airport to Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) from economy to business class
Great ship but very few seats in the Galleria as taken up with designer shops and even a chocolate factory. In evenings we stood for full 7 days with our drinks,its excellent for teetotallers and morning people,by the way ship was only half full due to covid.
Hi Aa carney. Thanks for watching and commenting. The upgrade bid comes through on e-mail but not for all sailings depends I guess how busy your sailing is, I wouldn’t think travelling solo would effect this, maybe check junk mail. Ours tend to come through month to two months before.
Quick question! Just read that passengers were complaining about not getting off the ship at the port unless excursions weren’t booked through MSC! Any idea on this! Thanks!
Hi, that did happen when they first went back to operating after covid so they had some control over where people were mixed etc. However this is not the case anymore you can get on and off at any port without a booked excursion 🙂
14:30 I had a look on the MSC website's FAQs, under the 'Service Charge / Gratuities' section. It looks like the official answer is: 'MSC Cruises does not recommend tipping individual members of staff.' But doesn't say why. So I had a look at the same FAQ page on the American website, and it provides a little more detail behind the reasoning: 'During your cruise, you will meet staff throughout the ship who provide you with excellent service. They are supported by just as many staff and crew who work hard behind the scenes to ensure you enjoy every moment on board.'
Very interesting! Although I always feel on royal the gratuity is so high! Esp when they charge for kids as well works out to £80 a day for us! So yes I guess that with anything in life you go to a restaurant and you tip the waiter, I totally get that everyone behind the scenes misses out but they don’t have to put up with all the rubbish that these guys do from guests 🤣. We always tip at the end of our server has gone above and beyond if not then we don’t. Thank you for watching and doing some research for me 😊
@@garyatkinson5699 have you booked YC or aurea? With YC there will be someone to go to when you hand cases over and they will follow you through to the ship, with aurea you can have priority so with both check in from 11 and basically you just go in a different line. To be honest each MSc cruise we have got through and on the ship in 20 mins. Which ship are you heading on?
What is status on getting COVID test to get on board? If vaccinated? My vaccination card from US for vacation going back to June 2021. I know I will need to bring passport and med forms filled out. Going out in December from Italy on Grandiosa. Thanks.
You were lucky with embarkation it’s not normally like that with msc it’s normally chaos and everyone turns up early. The seating on that ship is very poor it lacks it in most places. I have been on many msc cruises and this ship is really bad for seating. It’s not our favourite ship I must say
Thanks for watching, have to say if the 4 MSc cruises I’ve done this year embarkation has been straight forward and swift each time, but agree not the best ship for seating too open for my liking.
Lots of issues with unruly kids on this boat, including fights, abuse of other passengers and staff. MSC need to get act together on how to control badly behaved kids. Spoken from experience. Never again, boat attracts big bellied northern English tattooed types that would normally be boozing on a Benidorm beach and have little respect for others.
@@cruisingwiththe4bs The MSC staff (mainly Indonesians) were excellent, efficient, welcoming. The director and the entertainment manager gave off Butlin redcoat vibes. MSC failed in terms of ensuring a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all. Just because customers have paid does not mean they must be left to do what they like and let their children run loose on the boat to abuse passengers and staff. Less children, more security and stricter enforced rules are required. Areas for adults only also needed. Kids in Jacuzzis and no adult only pools is to the detriment of others with kids messing about all over the place.
@@aldozilli1293 thanks for commenting, sorry you had such a bad experience I have never experienced any of these issues but understand each sailing is very different. I’m unsure how you expect MSc to control children when they have no say 🤷♀️ so we’ll just leave it there. Have never had a bad experience with children on l board MSc so that’s a shame.
@@aldozilli1293 we most definitely do not work for them I can assure you, if you had actually watched all of this review or any of our other MSc reviews you will see we give both the positive and negative points of each ship 😊 just that we have never had an issue with children onboard however doing mainly European cruises in colder weather may be part of that
Have you been on virtuosa? Do you agree with our assessment?
If your heading on in the next year and have a question please pop it 👇
As always thanks for watching and if you enjoyed it a thumbs up really helps us out and consider subscribing plenty of cruise content on the way.
Thanks everyone for watching. Happy cruising
Hi Rach, thank you so much for the insightful overview video of this cruise. It was great to hear your perspective of cruising with friends vs with family.
Did you notice much in the itinerary for solo cruisers, e.g. solo meetups? I've booked for November, just me.
Also, how did your first-time-cruiser friends find the motion of the ship - did any of them feel seasick? Thank you!
@@joshpipe7755 I do recall seeing daily meet ups for solo travellers in the bars of an evening, one thing I forgot to do was take a pic of the itinerary everyday! When we go on preziosa in a couple of weeks I’ll be sure to take some pics of what’s available and send them to you if you like?
The motion of the ship was fine until the last evening where it was a bit chopping and all of my friends felt very sicky, a ginger cocktail and dinner sorted them out though 🙂.
Thank you for commenting.
Hi 1B, we were on Virtuosa in March, stayed in Yacht Club Deluxe suit, to answer your question about that experience, for some reason we have booked these for some time but because of some great bloggers like yourselves and Frazer at Sea we have reconsidered. Every benefit of the Yacht Club is there for all, rather bizarrely we tend to have our curtains closed all the time so why we want a balcony is perhaps only for the feel of luxury, so we have booked Virtuosa from Southampton from the end of July for 14 nights in an inside Yacht Club Cabin and are paying slightly more than we paid for a week this month on the World Europa , we have the Grandiosa in September and Seaview next June but that will be the last time we go for balcony cabins in the Yacht Club, we have actually cancelled a sailing next September 2024 on Virtuosa which in hindsight was outrageously priced at £9000.00 and this was booked on board with the all edged savings, One other point balconies can be disruptive at times because of the need to clean them, on the World Europa on at least two nights i was woken by what i think was the glass being washed in the small hours, i hope and expect in an inside cabin i will get a good nights sleep. Thank you for your tips advice and keeping us informed, it is really appreciated and priceless. Regards Kevin
1B? I like the hairy guy from the 4B’s. Bring him back. He’s got great banter. But this video is great too! Virtuosa looks amazing! Great information on the ship.
There’s always one! The hairy B will be back soon. Thanks for watching 😊
Enjoyed the video, due to go on a MSC Virtuosa tomorrow so wanted a bit of an insight, so appreciate the video. New to cruising, young couple and personally, love it. The holiday starts the second you get on board. Cheers
Thank you for watching 🙂 you will have a great time.
Such a great review Rachel and it’s good to see that boarding was super quick! A world away from what it was in April. Also great that MSC realised your bookings were linked and upgraded you too! 🎉
Informative as always. Lovely looking ship! Enjoyed the stairwell very much and glad you had some lovely time away without the hubby and kids!
Thanks for watching and commenting James R. Maybe a ship you will consider next year.
Excellent Video Rach! Jam-packed full of detail, and much of your experience on board is representative of our own :) Look forward to seeing more of your videos in the coming weeks :)
Thank you for watching guys, and I’m glad it shows a true representation 😊
Amazing video Rach, great detail
Thank you Trudy and thanks for watching 🙂
Great idea for a short catch up break with friends xx
yes yes Virtuosa, we found it fabulous :-)
After serving in the Merchant Navy,I never fancied a cruise,but I went
on the VIRTUOSA for a six day European cruise.All I can say is that if
you have never been on a cruise,,THEN GO brfore its to late.
David Williams.
Great video. Lots of useful info. 👍
Thanks Rob 👍
That mirror behind you is hilarious, I thought you had horns the entire video! 🤣
😂😂😂 maybe I do 🤔
Love your videos! I was waiting to see your thoughts on this cruise as there has been so much negativity on some of the forums. I agree with everything you say! The way people speak to staff is appalling. We witnessed some of that in August. We've booked to go again next summer but we're taking my 14 year old and her friend so I'm hoping that'll give us a bit of a chance to do some of the more adult things on board. Booked Aurea for us and really looking hard to it!
Thank you for watching and commenting.
Totally agree I get so fed up of seeing negativity all the time when the ships are at captivity people need to understand the staff are all working under a lot of pressure to keep everyone happy, I always find by being polite you get further in life 🙂. Yes I was really shocked by the way some people spoke took a lot to hold my tongue 🤣.
Yes I did enjoy doing more of the adult things onboard this time round it was very different.
Make sure you book all your spa times in on the first day as they get booked up quickly.
I’ve always hated the idea of a cruise! But will look into it now
Thanks for commenting and watching Neil. Hopefully we might help to change your mind on cruising.
Thanks for the info, looking forward to mine and my partner trip, hopefully get a little win like you did the the casino lol
I’ll keep my fingers crossed 🤞🏻 for you. Thank you for watching.
On the Virtuosa,do not get lost as you will have one hell
of a job to find out where you are.If you can find your way
back to a lift you have a chance but "lifts" are not signed
only "exits" that lead in in circles.
Dave Williams
P.S I would still go again.
Thank you for the comments Dave, agreed and most MSc ships are like that it takes me a good few days to navigate my way around!
I made bit for an upgrade last year on both segments of my family trip to Bali on Qantas from Sydney Kingsford Smith International airport to Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) from economy to business class
Hello, quick question . See the onboard credit you get , what can it be used for ?
If you get onboard credit (they are being a bit tight with it these days!) but it can be used for anything onboard shops restaurants etc 🙂
I love cruise
We do as well Martin. Hopefully see you on deck sometime. Happy cruising
Great ship but very few seats in the Galleria as taken up with designer shops and even a chocolate factory. In evenings we stood for full 7 days with our drinks,its excellent for teetotallers and morning people,by the way ship was only half full due to covid.
Thanks for watching Sunil. Yep agree definitely needs more places to sit.
Hi when you said BID for a upgrade I'm a SOLO traveller there does not seem any option for me to bid??
Hi Aa carney. Thanks for watching and commenting. The upgrade bid comes through on e-mail but not for all sailings depends I guess how busy your sailing is, I wouldn’t think travelling solo would effect this, maybe check junk mail. Ours tend to come through month to two months before.
Ok thanks will have a look
On it dec 21, from Rotterdam.
Have an amazing time 😊
@@cruisingwiththe4bs you bet!
Quick question! Just read that passengers were complaining about not getting off the ship at the port unless excursions weren’t booked through MSC! Any idea on this! Thanks!
Hi, that did happen when they first went back to operating after covid so they had some control over where people were mixed etc.
However this is not the case anymore you can get on and off at any port without a booked excursion 🙂
14:30 I had a look on the MSC website's FAQs, under the 'Service Charge / Gratuities' section.
It looks like the official answer is: 'MSC Cruises does not recommend tipping individual members of staff.'
But doesn't say why. So I had a look at the same FAQ page on the American website, and it provides a little more detail behind the reasoning:
'During your cruise, you will meet staff throughout the ship who provide you with excellent service. They are supported by just as many staff and crew who work hard behind the scenes to ensure you enjoy every moment on board.'
Very interesting! Although I always feel on royal the gratuity is so high! Esp when they charge for kids as well works out to £80 a day for us!
So yes I guess that with anything in life you go to a restaurant and you tip the waiter, I totally get that everyone behind the scenes misses out but they don’t have to put up with all the rubbish that these guys do from guests 🤣.
We always tip at the end of our server has gone above and beyond if not then we don’t.
Thank you for watching and doing some research for me 😊
Hi Rachel Are you going back on virtuosa mid October?
Hi Sarah, no we’re on Preziosa mid October, luckily our cruise is just before it changes to virtuosa sailings 🙂
Have you done priority boarding?
Hi Gary. The only priority boarding is for yacht club as far as I am aware. Do have a MSc cruise booked?
@@cruisingwiththe4bs yeah we do , it’s saying priority boarding on ticket but no explanation on how to go or where it works ( thought I’d ask you )
@@garyatkinson5699 have you booked YC or aurea? With YC there will be someone to go to when you hand cases over and they will follow you through to the ship, with aurea you can have priority so with both check in from 11 and basically you just go in a different line. To be honest each MSc cruise we have got through and on the ship in 20 mins.
Which ship are you heading on?
@@cruisingwiththe4bs aurea and thank you
@@cruisingwiththe4bs virtuoso your video was awesome
Did you do Cobh?
Hi, no that was this weeks 4 night cruise we did the 3 nights we were on just before you 🙂
@@cruisingwiththe4bs oh nice the ship is just so good
What is status on getting COVID test to get on board? If vaccinated? My vaccination card from US for vacation going back to June 2021. I know I will need to bring passport and med forms filled out. Going out in December from Italy on Grandiosa. Thanks.
As long as your jabs are upto date (pretty sure MSc accept 2 doses as fully vaccinated) then you just need covid passport 🙂
Just to say as well check the MSC website a few weeks before, as changes all the time
You were lucky with embarkation it’s not normally like that with msc it’s normally chaos and everyone turns up early. The seating on that ship is very poor it lacks it in most places. I have been on many msc cruises and this ship is really bad for seating. It’s not our favourite ship I must say
Thanks for watching, have to say if the 4 MSc cruises I’ve done this year embarkation has been straight forward and swift each time, but agree not the best ship for seating too open for my liking.
Lots of issues with unruly kids on this boat, including fights, abuse of other passengers and staff. MSC need to get act together on how to control badly behaved kids. Spoken from experience. Never again, boat attracts big bellied northern English tattooed types that would normally be boozing on a Benidorm beach and have little respect for others.
That’s a shame you had such a bad experience with unruly children on the ship however this is not down to MSC but the parents I’d say personally.
@@cruisingwiththe4bs The MSC staff (mainly Indonesians) were excellent, efficient, welcoming. The director and the entertainment manager gave off Butlin redcoat vibes. MSC failed in terms of ensuring a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all. Just because customers have paid does not mean they must be left to do what they like and let their children run loose on the boat to abuse passengers and staff. Less children, more security and stricter enforced rules are required. Areas for adults only also needed. Kids in Jacuzzis and no adult only pools is to the detriment of others with kids messing about all over the place.
@@aldozilli1293 thanks for commenting, sorry you had such a bad experience I have never experienced any of these issues but understand each sailing is very different. I’m unsure how you expect MSc to control children when they have no say 🤷♀️ so we’ll just leave it there. Have never had a bad experience with children on l board MSc so that’s a shame.
@@cruisingwiththe4bs You appear to work for them or get some kind of sponsorship so have a different angle. This is my experience.
@@aldozilli1293 we most definitely do not work for them I can assure you, if you had actually watched all of this review or any of our other MSc reviews you will see we give both the positive and negative points of each ship 😊 just that we have never had an issue with children onboard however doing mainly European cruises in colder weather may be part of that