MSC Cruises · Meraviglia Plus Class

MSC Virtuosa: ship guide

Meraviglia Plus ship with a robot bartender, bound for Brazil and then Barcelona in 2027.

Best for: Families and couples who want a big, design-forward MSC ship for a Brazilian coast cruise in winter 2026 to 2027 or a Western Mediterranean week from Barcelona in summer 2027, with the all-inclusive MSC Yacht Club as a step up. Sails from Southampton (London), Santos (Sao Paulo), Salvador, Maceio, Barcelona in 2026 and 2027.

MSC Virtuosa
MSC Virtuosa
181,541gross tons
4,842guests at double occupancy
1,704crew
15decks
2021entered service
1,086 ftlong
2,421staterooms

About MSC Virtuosa

MSC Virtuosa is the second Meraviglia Plus ship, delivered in February 2021 and launched into service from Southampton that May. At 181,541 gross tons with 4,842 guests at double occupancy, 2,421 staterooms and a crew of 1,704, it is a twin of MSC Grandiosa. The Galleria Virtuosa promenade carries what MSC calls the longest LED dome at sea above 11 boutiques, the main and specialty restaurants and the MSC Starship Club, a futuristic bar where Rob, MSC’s humanoid robotic bartender, mixes drinks in eight languages.

The ship has four pools and nine whirlpools, an aquapark with waterslides, the Himalayan Bridge ropes course and a Sportplex with a sports court, bowling, MSC Formula Racer, a Hologate Arena virtual reality venue and an XD interactive cinema. Eleven dining venues include Butcher’s Cut, Indochine, Sea Pavilion by James Leung and Kaito Teppanyaki, and there are 21 bars. The MSC Yacht Club forward is a keycard-access ship within a ship with a private restaurant, Top Sail Lounge and pool deck.

MSC Virtuosa closes its final Southampton season in October 2026 after a summer of Norwegian fjords, Iceland, Canary Islands and short Channel cruises. From November 2026 to April 2027 it makes its South America debut from Santos, Salvador and Maceio on 3- to 8-night Brazilian coast cruises to Buzios, Ilha Grande and the Northeast; MSC says it will be the largest ship sailing in Brazil. From April to October 2027 it sails its first Mediterranean summer from Barcelona to La Goulette, Palermo, Naples, Livorno and Marseille.

  • Galleria Virtuosa, a two-deck indoor promenade under what MSC calls the longest LED dome at sea, with 11 boutiques
  • MSC Starship Club with Rob, the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea, serving in eight languages
  • Carousel Lounge with a rotating stage and Carousel Productions at Sea shows twice nightly
  • Dirty Dancing in Concert live-to-film show plus Songbook Abba and Starwalker in the theater
  • Four pools and nine whirlpools, an aquapark with waterslides and the Himalayan Bridge ropes course
  • Hologate Arena virtual reality, MSC Formula Racer, bowling and an XD interactive cinema in the Sportplex
  • Eleven dining venues including Indochine, Sea Pavilion by James Leung, Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Teppanyaki
  • MSC Yacht Club ship within a ship with butler service, private restaurant, Top Sail Lounge and pool deck

Staterooms and suites

Interior

Interior and Deluxe Interior staterooms with a double bed that converts to twins, plus Studio Interior rooms for solo travelers; the most affordable way to try a short Brazilian coast or Mediterranean cruise.

Ocean View

Junior, Deluxe and Premium Ocean View staterooms with a picture window, some with partially obstructed views at lower fares; a sensible choice for families who want daylight without a balcony.

Balcony

Deluxe Balcony staterooms are the largest category on the ship, with Studio Balcony rooms for solo cruisers and partial-view balconies at a saving; the Deluxe Balcony Aurea adds the Aurea Experience with spa access, a drinks package and the Top 19 Exclusive Solarium.

Suites

Premium Suite Aurea and the Grand Suite Aurea with Terrace and Whirlpool include the Aurea Experience: priority boarding, My Choice dining, a massage at the MSC Aurea Spa and access to the private solarium.

MSC Yacht Club

Interior, Deluxe, Deluxe with Whirlpool and Royal Suites inside the keycard-access Yacht Club forward, with 24-hour butler service, a dedicated concierge, premium drinks, Wi-Fi, the private Yacht Club Restaurant, Top Sail Lounge, a sundeck with pool and whirlpools and thermal area access.

MSC Virtuosa deck plans

Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.

19 - Mendelssohn plan

19 - Mendelssohn

MSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar, MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Bar, MSC Yacht Club, MSC Yacht Club Pool, Whirlpool Bath, Solarium, Top 19 Exclusive Solarium, Savannah Aquapark, Savannah Bar, Himalayan Bridge.

  • MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & BarMSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Bar.
  • MSC Yacht Club Grill & BarMSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar.
  • Savannah BarSavannah Bar
  • Savannah AquaparkSavannah Aquapark
  • Himalayan BridgeHimalayan Bridge

Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.

On board MSC Virtuosa

Young Club
Young Club
Virtuosa Pools
Virtuosa Pools
TV Studio And Bar
TV Studio And Bar
Top Sail Lounge
Top Sail Lounge
Top19 Exclusive Solarium
Top19 Exclusive Solarium
The Art Wall
The Art Wall
Thermal Area
Thermal Area
Theme Parties
Theme Parties
Thalasso Therapy
Thalasso Therapy
Tennis Court
Tennis Court
Teen Club
Teen Club
Technogym
Technogym

Dining on MSC Virtuosa

Main Dining RoomsIncluded

Mediterranean-rooted menus with assigned seatings for Bella and Fantastica guests and flexible My Choice dining for Aurea and Yacht Club guests.

Marketplace BuffetIncluded

Open 20 hours a day with pizza, pasta, grill, salads, regional stations and late-night snacks.

Butcher’s CutSpecialty

MSC’s American-style steakhouse with aged, hand-cut steaks and seafood.

IndochineSpecialty

Vietnamese classics with a French twist, a restaurant concept that debuted on this ship.

Sea Pavilion by James LeungSpecialty

Modern Asian restaurant from Hong Kong chef James Leung.

Kaito Teppanyaki and Kaito Sushi BarSpecialty

Theatrical teppanyaki grill plus a sushi and sashimi bar.

Hola! Tacos & CantinaSpecialty

Mexican street food, tacos and margaritas on the Galleria.

Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café and Crepes & GelatoSpecialty

Chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury’s pastries, chocolate, crepes and gelato on the Galleria.

MSC Yacht Club Restaurant and Grill & BarIncluded

Private restaurant and pool-deck grill reserved for Yacht Club guests, included in the Yacht Club fare.

Entertainment and activities

  • Carousel Productions at Sea shows such as Ajedrez, Chronicles and Hall of Fame in the Carousel Lounge
  • Dirty Dancing in Concert, Songbook Abba and Starwalker in the main theater
  • MSC Starship Club immersive bar with Rob the robotic bartender
  • Aquapark waterslides, four pools, nine whirlpools and the Himalayan Bridge ropes course
  • Sportplex with a sports court, bowling, MSC Formula Racer, Hologate Arena VR and XD interactive cinema
  • Galleria Virtuosa LED dome shows, themed parties, silent disco and the TV Studio & Bar game shows
  • MSC Aurea Spa thermal area, MSC Gym powered by Technogym and the adults-only Top 19 Exclusive Solarium
  • Attic Club nightclub, Sky Lounge, Masters of the Sea pub, L’Atelier Bar & Art, Tropical Bar and a casino

Families and who it suits

Kids clubs run from the Chicco Baby Club for under-threes through LEGO-themed Mini and Junior clubs for ages 3 to 6 and 7 to 11 to Young and Teen clubs for 12 to 14 and 15 to 17 with consoles and a tech lab; the aquapark, Hologate Arena, bowling, Formula Racer and LEGO Experience on Board days keep families together.

Best for: Families and couples who want a big, design-forward MSC ship for a Brazilian coast cruise in winter 2026 to 2027 or a Western Mediterranean week from Barcelona in summer 2027, with the all-inclusive MSC Yacht Club as a step up.

Sails from: Southampton (London), Santos (Sao Paulo), Salvador, Maceio, Barcelona · Regions: Northern Europe and Norwegian Fjords, Canary Islands, South America, Western Mediterranean

MSC Virtuosa questions we answer every day

How big is MSC Virtuosa?
MSC Virtuosa is 181,541 gross tons and 1,086 feet long, carrying 4,842 guests at double occupancy and up to 6,334 with every berth filled, with 2,421 staterooms and a crew of 1,704. It is the second Meraviglia Plus ship, a twin of MSC Grandiosa, delivered in February 2021 and launched from Southampton in May 2021 when cruising restarted in the UK.
Where does MSC Virtuosa sail in 2026 and 2027?
The ship ends its Southampton season in October 2026, then sails to Brazil for its South America debut from November 2026 to April 2027 with 3- to 8-night cruises from Santos, Salvador and Maceio to Buzios, Ilha Grande and the Northeast coast. From April to October 2027 it sails its first Mediterranean summer from Barcelona on weeklong itineraries to La Goulette, Palermo, Naples, Livorno and Marseille.
What makes MSC Virtuosa different from MSC Grandiosa?
The two ships are structural twins, but MSC Virtuosa added the MSC Starship Club with Rob the humanoid robotic bartender, the Indochine Vietnamese-French restaurant, a Hologate Arena virtual reality venue and the Dirty Dancing in Concert show. MSC also calls its Galleria LED dome the longest at sea and its 11-boutique shopping area the largest on any cruise ship.
Which staterooms are best on MSC Virtuosa?
Deluxe Balcony staterooms are the sweet spot for most couples and families, and the Deluxe Balcony Aurea adds spa access, a drinks package and the private Top 19 solarium. Solo travelers have Studio Interior and Studio Balcony rooms. For the top experience the MSC Yacht Club offers Deluxe and Royal Suites with butler service, a private restaurant, pool deck and lounge, all included in the Yacht Club fare.
What is included in the fare on MSC Virtuosa?
Your fare covers the main dining rooms, the Marketplace Buffet, main theater shows, the pools, aquapark, Sportplex basics, gym and kids clubs. Specialty restaurants, Carousel Lounge shows, drinks, Wi-Fi and spa treatments are extra unless your experience level or a package covers them. SmartCruiser adds bonus onboard credit on MSC sailings where the line allows it, something you will not get booking direct.
Is MSC Virtuosa good for families?
Yes. Kids clubs run from the Chicco Baby Club through two LEGO clubs to Young and Teen clubs, and the aquapark, ropes course, bowling, Formula Racer, Hologate Arena and XD cinema give families plenty to do. Connecting staterooms sleep up to four, and the short Brazilian coast cruises and weeklong Mediterranean loops from Barcelona are easy itineraries for a first family cruise.

Facts checked against MSC Cruises: MSC Virtuosa, Cruise Industry News: MSC Virtuosa Kicks Off Season in Southern Caribbean After Drydock, Cruise Industry News: MSC Announces 2026-27 Season in South America on October 13, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.

Live from the cruise line

Every MSC Virtuosa sailing, priced all-in

Every MSC Virtuosa departure the cruise line is selling, priced live with taxes, fees and port expenses included. SmartCruiser picks at the top are sailings where booking with us gets you something extra. Stack the filters, then sort by lowest price, best value per night or sail date.

Every MSC Virtuosa sailing

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