This MSC Virtuosa 2‑night sailing from Southampton to Cherbourg and back was our third short break on this ship and a lovely little escape.

Our Cabin: A Balcony With Extra Wow

For this cruise I chose a Fantastica balcony cabin on Deck 10 near the aft. Inside, the cabin layout was very typical for MSC with a sofa that converted into a bunk bed for the children.

The real highlight was the balcony. It was unusually large and covered, so it felt like an extra outdoor room. For us this made a huge difference, especially on a short break. It quickly became our go‑to spot for coffee, an afternoon read with a book and a glass of wine while watching the ocean. If you like private outdoor space, this type of balcony is a real treat.

Seamless Embarkation From Southampton

Embarkation at Southampton’s Horizon terminal was one of the smoothest cruise terminal experiences we have had. We arrived around 10 am, parked directly outside and, from stepping out of the car to walking on board, it took around 15 minutes.

There were no queues for security or check in, and it all felt incredibly easy and stress free, which really set the tone for the rest of the cruise.

One of the reasons I love sailing from Southampton is how quickly your holiday begins once you are on board. Within minutes we had made our speciality dining reservations, booked our spa access and sat down to lunch by 11 am!

Food & Dining:

Overall, dining was very good and worked particularly well for a busy weekend itinerary. We especially enjoyed the relaxed brunch on the morning in port, which was ideal for a slower start to the day without feeling rushed.  Main dining room service was consistently warm, friendly and efficient throughout.

Family Fun: Why Virtuosa Works So Well for Children

Virtuosa is a modern, glitzy ship that is very family friendly. Our children had an action packed couple of days and there was always something to do, including:

Arcade games

Table tennis and table football

Swimming and the splash park

Waterslides

The Himalayan Bridge high ropes course

They also spent a couple of hours in the Junior Club (for ages 7 to 11) on the Sunday afternoon and genuinely did not want to leave. They loved the organised games, Lego building and chance to play with other children on board. For families, having a kids club that children actively want to go back to is a huge plus.

Adult Time: Relaxing in the Aurea Spa:

While the children were happily entertained at the kids club, we took the opportunity to enjoy some quiet time in the MSC Aurea Spa thermal suite.

The thermal area includes:

Saunas

Steam rooms

Hydrotherapy pools

Peaceful relaxation spaces

On a short break, this felt like a proper reset. It gave us a nice balance of family fun and grown‑up relaxation, which is exactly what many of my family clients are also looking for.

MSC Voyagers Club: Loyalty That Really Feels Rewarding

As Diamond Voyagers Club members we received some genuinely worthwhile perks on this short sailing, including:

Teppanyaki speciality dining for two

One free thermal spa session per adult

Prosecco and macarons in the cabin

Use of robes and slippers throughout the cruise

A personalised birthday cake for our daughter

I rate MSC’s loyalty programme very highly, especially given that these benefits were honoured even on a 2‑night cruise.

Atmosphere On Board: Party Vibes or Family Focused?

Was this a “party cruise”? For some guests, yes. We did see hen groups and birthday parties on board, which is fairly typical of a Bank Holiday weekend short break.

For us, however, it was very much a family cruise. We spent our days making full use of the pools, slides and activities, then were tucked up in bed before the late night White Party began. So while there was definitely a lively side to the sailing, it did not impact our enjoyment as a family at all.

Final Thoughts: Is MSC Virtuosa Right for You?

For us, this Bank Holiday weekend on MSC Virtuosa was a fun, easy and relaxed family cruise. It reminded me why MSC continues to be a strong choice for families who want plenty to do on board, whatever the weather, and appreciate great value from a UK departure without needing to fly and with lots of entertainment.

Looking ahead, sister ship MSC Meraviglia is scheduled to operate from Southampton, taking over from Virtuosa which has been based here for several seasons.

If you are curious about trying MSC and would like honest, first‑hand advice on the right cabin type and location for your family, dining options and speciality restaurants, drinks packages and what works best on shorter vs longer cruises, kids clubs and how family friendly the ships really are and whether MSC is the right fit for your travel style, I would be delighted to help you plan the perfect sailing.