MSC Cruises announced it will deploy MSC Virtuosa for British guests on summer sailings around the U.K. MSC Virtuosa’s will take its maiden voyage on May 20, with guests embarking from Southampton, which will be the first in a series of 3 and 4-night mini-cruises before beginning 7-night sailings starting June 12 from three embarkation ports in England and Scotland.
All voyages will be for British residents only, and for guests of all ages who have either already been vaccinated or are waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine. All guests will be tested before embarking the ship, and non-vaccinated guests will also be required to show proof of a negative test conducted up to 72 hours prior to embarkation. Other pre-boarding and onboard measures will also apply to both guests and crew, in line with MSC Cruises’ health and safety protocol.
The range of 4-night mini-cruises will offer a late sail from Southampton and call at the Isle of Portland in Dorset, part of the Jurassic Coast, where guests will be able to go ashore and enjoy a day at the beach. The itinerary will also include two days at sea so guests can enjoy the onboard activities, entertainment and amenities.
Starting June 12, cruisers can go on 7-night sailings that will include stops in Portland and the cultural city of Belfast in Northern Ireland with multiple ports of embarkation including Liverpool and Greenock, close to Glasgow in Scotland.
MSC Virtuosa was delivered in February and is not only MSC Cruises’ newest ship, but also its most innovative and environmentally-advanced ship to-date. MSC Virtuosa is part of the Meraviglia class vessels that are characterized by a 367-ft.-long Mediterranean style promenade with an LED sky dome.
The 19-deck ship will offer its British guests of all ages fine dining restaurants, entertainment, bars and lounges, boutique shopping, spa and fitness centers, an aquapark, and dedicated clubs for kids from toddlers to teenagers.
Guets on board will experience the brand-new MSC Starship Club featuring the world’s first humanoid robotic bartender, named Rob, offering a futuristic immersive bar and entertainment experience.
“We are incredibly proud that we can offer British guests of all ages our very latest vessel MSC Virtuosa for their summer holiday and I’m sure they will have a fabulous time on board with all that this incredibly innovative ship has to offer, as well as being able to enjoy a range of protected shore excursions in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO, MSC Cruises, in a press statement.
“We also look forward to the day when current international travel restrictions are lifted in the U.K. and we can welcome British guests back on board our ships once again in the Mediterranean and other parts of the world that we know that they love to visit,” he added.
MSC Virtuosa was previously scheduled to serve itineraries in Northern Europe out of Germany, she will be replaced by MSC Seaview. Booked guests and travel agents will be contacted directly.
For more information, visit msccruisesusa.com.
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