We did our first cruise with them. Paid 350 for 8 nights and it was worth every penny. With MSC always remember to think about value for money. We will go with them again. Great time.
Coming from the USA and this is our first MSC cruise and first not embarking from the states. Thanks for sharing all the info. We're booked for 14 days in July. Cheers to a positive experience.
Agreed regarding Princess, For me enjoyed the MDR better than the speciality’s venues. You came across my go to. 😀 When having a meal solo at the buffet, always prefer outside seating. Lot less hustle with better views. A little brisk at times but not a problem-👍 Enjoying the look of this beautiful ship ✅
Enjoyed this, thanks! Honestly, I like that they do announcements for all, but it would drive me crazy to have 10+ minutes of them. No need to calculate the temperature for us Yanks; we can do it. 44F 😉 I often eat outdoors to avoid the crowd. I don't really want to try the mega ships. But that's just me. 😁Beautiful and impressive, but too many people. I loved the guy and his cube! 🤣 Looking forward to more!
I also like the announcements, just not when I’m trying to record a video, haha! I do really enjoy the megaships, but there’s a few bits of Virtuosa’s design that don’t do any favours for dispersing the crowds. I haven’t seen Oasis class looking really busy at any point - looking forward to trying Royal Caribbean later this year! Thanks for watching - always good to chat to you on the comments! :)
Great video Fraser! You try to stay positive, but honestly. Not getting my coffee or having to sit outside in 7 degree confirms my decision never to go on a MSC cruise.
Excellent video Fraser 🎉 I'm booked in for the 24th March, taking my dad , our first cruise. What did you think of the easy drinks package? If we're going in March I'm hoping it won't be at full capacity. Hence why I booked off season. Great tips and advice as always 🙏🙏
Hey Sonia, oh amazing! Is it the same itinerary that you’re doing? I’m so jealous - I really enjoy the product that Virtuosa offers! Drinks package is good, but I usually only buy if it’s part of a good deal when booking - you often need to drink a lot to get your moneys worth, and an itinerary like this is port heavy, so sometimes not worth it. That said, there’s nothing nicer than a glass of champagne at lunch, is there?! Thanks so much for watching, and delighted you’re enjoying!
@@FraserAtSea thanks Fraser, yes doing the Hamburg, Zeebrugge, Rotterdam and le Harve route - very excited I must admit. I think the peace of mind knowing we can just order drinks without having to pay ( apart from speciality restaurants) is good. I'm looking forward to the cocktails and café latte's. The New Year cruise looks amazing, I'm just not sure about the amount of people and the busyness but it certainly looked a brilliant time. Thanks again 🙏
Hi Fraser, thanks so much for these great vlogs! We are going on this cruise in March, and i was wondering whether is it worth to buy the Spa "no limit" in advance, if it's that super busy... For the whole cruise the price is 99 eur. Do you know how much a single entrance to the spa is? I even wrote to MSC - after 2 weeks they wrote to ask my Travel Agency, which of course has no clue. .
Hey! Oh, for 99 EUR, I’d book that! The quality in the spa is really high (in the thermal suite) - it’s a beautiful area! The advice I’d give is to avoid ‘peak’ times in there - I’d go in the middle of the day (or just before dinner) which is when it’s the busiest - it always seemed much quieter in the mornings or later in the evenings! Thanks for commenting too actually - glad you’re enjoying the vlogs!
We were disappointed with the 'offers' for future cruises on msc. They were cheaper online. May have changed now. Awaiting your visit ... still watching. For entertainment purposes only!
Hey! Some days were worse than others - the days in port really weren’t an issue as the majority seemed to go ashore. The buffet was the worst I’ve seen on a ship for fill level, but the bars were coping MUCH better, probably due to the fact the crowds spread out as there’s so many of them!
I thought you were going to claim a seat with your jumper and then go wait for your food and drink. To wear it to sit outside and not fight the crowds was brilliant.
We went in June , lovely clean ship, great staff, good entertainment, food ok but 5000 people onboard so very busy, hard to find a table at breakfast and in the evening in the bars, very expensive for booze if you are full board. Day trips expensive as well, we wanted to go on a trip , £35 each so £70 , we went by taxi ,€10 each way. 🤔
Glad you enjoyed - I agree that this ship can be VERY busy, which makes it difficult in places! I very rarely will do cruise line excursions due to cost - they’re ideal for some, but I really enjoy going and exploring independently! Thanks for watching!!
On Virtuosa, you will have solo traveller meet ups! You should also be seated at dinner with other solo travellers too - MSC are pretty good with solo’s!
@@FraserAtSea thanks for your reply, where would you find them? I called them up and they said they don’t but do seat you at dinners, but other sites say they do solo meet ups? Not sure where they would be advertised
@@NorthernAnt ah, good question. For me, I just turned up to dinner and they took me to a table of solo’s. If they don’t with you, just ask the restaurant manager and they should be able to help you!
Hi Jennifer, I found it to be quite repetitive with MSC, but there’s loads of choice, so don’t worry at all. My tip with an MSC buffet is to avoid loading 20 nationalities on your plate at the same time, ha!
Couldn't get into the spa; yet you paid for a pass. That would anger me so much. I need my sauna every day. That's my favourite bit of the cruise! Did they offer anything like a refund / obc? I'm shocked. For entertainment purposes only!
@@FraserAtSea for the zeebuges port was it 20 euros just to get to the train station and then train on top ? I ask as viator offer the full trip 20 return ?
You make us laugh, you leave everything to the last minute always rushing out to eat or to get somewhere You should have been 10 minutes before. I'd be dragging you out. Enjoying your vlogs.
Hello! Ha, maybe that’s why I often travel solo - people would be annoyed at my timekeeping…! Really glad you’re enjoying - thanks for your support and for following along!
I was on this cruise too, it was super busy but it was still a wonderful week. The new year celebration was something I'll remember forever!
Yeah, I adored New Year on here - a real cruise highlight. Thanks for commenting - you’ve made me relive the memory!
so fun to watch. I'm going on Virtuosa on March 15th as a solo traveler. First time cruiser, so can't wait. looking forward to the packing video
Oh, amazing! Will that be a Southampton departure? You’re going to have a blast!
We did our first cruise with them. Paid 350 for 8 nights and it was worth every penny. With MSC always remember to think about value for money. We will go with them again. Great time.
Coming from the USA and this is our first MSC cruise and first not embarking from the states. Thanks for sharing all the info. We're booked for 14 days in July. Cheers to a positive experience.
Ah, cool! Which itinerary are you doing? Hope you have a blast - thanks for watching!
@@FraserAtSea Southampton to Toulon and back with most of our ports being in Spain.
Agreed regarding Princess, For me enjoyed the MDR better than the speciality’s venues. You came across my go to. 😀 When having a meal solo at the buffet, always prefer outside seating. Lot less hustle with better views. A little brisk at times but not a problem-👍 Enjoying the look of this beautiful ship ✅
I think I’ll be eating outdoors more often - way more relaxed and less eyes on you! Haha, she’s a beauty of a ship, for sure!
Great videos Fraser. On her 3 March from Southampton. Doing the same itinerary
Enjoyed this, thanks! Honestly, I like that they do announcements for all, but it would drive me crazy to have 10+ minutes of them. No need to calculate the temperature for us Yanks; we can do it. 44F 😉 I often eat outdoors to avoid the crowd. I don't really want to try the mega ships. But that's just me. 😁Beautiful and impressive, but too many people. I loved the guy and his cube! 🤣 Looking forward to more!
I also like the announcements, just not when I’m trying to record a video, haha! I do really enjoy the megaships, but there’s a few bits of Virtuosa’s design that don’t do any favours for dispersing the crowds. I haven’t seen Oasis class looking really busy at any point - looking forward to trying Royal Caribbean later this year!
Thanks for watching - always good to chat to you on the comments! :)
Great video Fraser!
You try to stay positive, but honestly. Not getting my coffee or having to sit outside in 7 degree confirms my decision never to go on a MSC cruise.
Ha, believe me - the lack of a coffee did REALLY push me! I’ll be on my next MSC cruise in 5 weeks - let’s see if it’s the same or a different story!
I tried them once. Remember they are not asking the prices other firms offer. They are the best value for money. We will be going again.
The MSC veggie curries were some of the best I’ve ever eaten.
Excellent video Fraser 🎉
I'm booked in for the 24th March, taking my dad , our first cruise.
What did you think of the easy drinks package?
If we're going in March I'm hoping it won't be at full capacity. Hence why I booked off season.
Great tips and advice as always 🙏🙏
Hey Sonia, oh amazing! Is it the same itinerary that you’re doing? I’m so jealous - I really enjoy the product that Virtuosa offers!
Drinks package is good, but I usually only buy if it’s part of a good deal when booking - you often need to drink a lot to get your moneys worth, and an itinerary like this is port heavy, so sometimes not worth it. That said, there’s nothing nicer than a glass of champagne at lunch, is there?!
Thanks so much for watching, and delighted you’re enjoying!
@@FraserAtSea thanks Fraser, yes doing the Hamburg, Zeebrugge, Rotterdam and le Harve route - very excited I must admit. I think the peace of mind knowing we can just order drinks without having to pay ( apart from speciality restaurants) is good. I'm looking forward to the cocktails and café latte's.
The New Year cruise looks amazing, I'm just not sure about the amount of people and the busyness but it certainly looked a brilliant time.
Thanks again 🙏
Hi Fraser, thanks so much for these great vlogs!
We are going on this cruise in March, and i was wondering whether is it worth to buy the Spa "no limit" in advance, if it's that super busy...
For the whole cruise the price is 99 eur. Do you know how much a single entrance to the spa is? I even wrote to MSC - after 2 weeks they wrote to ask my Travel Agency, which of course has no clue. .
Hey! Oh, for 99 EUR, I’d book that! The quality in the spa is really high (in the thermal suite) - it’s a beautiful area! The advice I’d give is to avoid ‘peak’ times in there - I’d go in the middle of the day (or just before dinner) which is when it’s the busiest - it always seemed much quieter in the mornings or later in the evenings!
Thanks for commenting too actually - glad you’re enjoying the vlogs!
We were disappointed with the 'offers' for future cruises on msc. They were cheaper online.
May have changed now. Awaiting your visit ... still watching.
For entertainment purposes only!
Ahh, yeah I’ve noticed this with a few cruise lines to be honest - I tend to stick to online, to be honest! Thanks for watching, john!
@@FraserAtSea Not at all. As always: very entertaining. Did you cover your visit to the future cruises clerk?
For entertainment purposes only!
Getting a little concerned about the ship being so full. Was it just the buffet or were the bars all full as well?
Hey! Some days were worse than others - the days in port really weren’t an issue as the majority seemed to go ashore. The buffet was the worst I’ve seen on a ship for fill level, but the bars were coping MUCH better, probably due to the fact the crowds spread out as there’s so many of them!
How do you book special restaurants once on board please?
Really easy - there’s a desk in one of the restaurants (it was at Indochine when I was last on) - you just stopped by there to make your reservation!
Did you do another virtuosa cruise ?
I haven’t since this one, but it’s only a few months since…
Hi, would you know how many passengers there was on onboard? 👍
We were full capacity for this sailing!
Thankyou Fraser
Been on MSC 8 times , there is an Italian, white, black and white, 60/70,s , Gala and elegant, 😅
Ah, I bet you’ve been to some great places! Thanks for listening these out - I also saw a Hollywood night and a Space night too!
I thought you were going to claim a seat with your jumper and then go wait for your food and drink. To wear it to sit outside and not fight the crowds was brilliant.
Ha, that’s my pet hate! Glad you enjoyed - next time, carry your extra layers…!!
We went in June , lovely clean ship, great staff, good entertainment, food ok but 5000 people onboard so very busy, hard to find a table at breakfast and in the evening in the bars, very expensive for booze if you are full board. Day trips expensive as well, we wanted to go on a trip , £35 each so £70 , we went by taxi ,€10 each way. 🤔
Glad you enjoyed - I agree that this ship can be VERY busy, which makes it difficult in places! I very rarely will do cruise line excursions due to cost - they’re ideal for some, but I really enjoy going and exploring independently! Thanks for watching!!
What’s this like as a solo traveller? Any meet ups?
On Virtuosa, you will have solo traveller meet ups! You should also be seated at dinner with other solo travellers too - MSC are pretty good with solo’s!
@@FraserAtSea thanks for your reply, where would you find them? I called them up and they said they don’t but do seat you at dinners, but other sites say they do solo meet ups? Not sure where they would be advertised
@@NorthernAnt ah, good question. For me, I just turned up to dinner and they took me to a table of solo’s. If they don’t with you, just ask the restaurant manager and they should be able to help you!
@@FraserAtSeamaybe I will gamble and just go with the dining room with singles, do you have to request this?
@@NorthernAnt nope - should be automatic! 😊 Check your daily schedule for solo meet ups too!
Show the video footage so people can see what it's actually like on the ship
Fear not - more like this in my newer videos :)
Does the buffet change every day
Hi Jennifer, I found it to be quite repetitive with MSC, but there’s loads of choice, so don’t worry at all. My tip with an MSC buffet is to avoid loading 20 nationalities on your plate at the same time, ha!
@@FraserAtSea thank u
@@FraserAtSea i can still eat as much as i want x
Couldn't get into the spa; yet you paid for a pass. That would anger me so much. I need my sauna every day. That's my favourite bit of the cruise!
Did they offer anything like a refund / obc?
I'm shocked.
For entertainment purposes only!
Oh, I know - I was really annoyed at the time. No refund, no 😔
@@FraserAtSea MSC come on - l know you're watching - can't take money and give zero.
For entertainment purposes only!
Is the water park free.?
Yeah - there’s 4 slides and the kids section, all included. All adult pools included too :)
@@FraserAtSea for the zeebuges port was it 20 euros just to get to the train station and then train on top ? I ask as viator offer the full trip 20 return ?
You make us laugh, you leave everything to the last minute always rushing out to eat or to get somewhere You should have been 10 minutes before. I'd be dragging you out. Enjoying your vlogs.
Hello! Ha, maybe that’s why I often travel solo - people would be annoyed at my timekeeping…! Really glad you’re enjoying - thanks for your support and for following along!
I really enjoy your videos, but if I may suggest a little less talking to camera would be good. It does get a bit tedious.
Thanks for watching Brad, and for taking the time to leave some feedback :)
You've chatted so much I've lost the will to live !!🤬
Sorry Alan - thanks for tuning in!