CLIA Conference 2022 - Day 1 MSC Virtuosa
I have had for a long time the pre-conception that cruise is just for a certain demographic, how wrong I was!!
My first steps ever on a cruise ship took me to onboard the MSc Virtuosa and those first steps blew me away! I honestly thought I was walking through the shopping area of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas; the opulence of this ship is totally amazing. I could have walked up and down the main staircase all day imagining I was some famous movie star as each step is made up of 8000 Swarovski crystals! Walking around MSc Virtuosa she has everything to cover all your holiday needs, kids’ clubs from babies to teens, bowling alley, aqua park and even a full-sized MSc Formula Racer along with a multi-sensory experience in the interactive XD cinema.
The entertainment on board was mind-blowing, the brief snippet I saw of the show that day, well you would have thought you were either in the West End or Broadway. The dining experience was second to none, we had lunch in one of the main restaurants, a standard 4 course fine dining experience! Pana Cotta with White Asparagus, daikon sprouts and truffle caviar, followed by Pansoti with Wild Greens and Ricotta, with walnut sauce – just about everyone has said this is the best pasta dish they have ever eaten, following on Grilled Tournedos & Perigueux Sauce, zucchini, buttered carrots and roasted rosemary potatoes, by now I was feeling rather full but when desert of Chocolate Royal Cake arrived it just had to be eaten, all of this amazing food was washed down with a few lovely glasses of wine suggested by the Sommelier – a perfect dining experience. Along with the main restaurant, there is a buffet with a variety of astonishing dishes, speciality restaurants from Vietnamese, Teppanyaki, Sushi, Steak House and Latin American – something on board for everyone.
A visit to the spa after lunch, if only for a look, was amazing, the sauna, steam room, whirlpool bath, salt room to name a few areas, were fantastic, an area for some ‘me’ time, time to chill, get a traditional Balinese massage, time to feel rejuvenated. If you are feeling energetic or just need to burn some of those calories consumed at lunch then the gym on board has you covered, this takes your work-out to the next level with amazing panoramic ocean views whilst exercising.
There are plenty of bars to relax and enjoy a drink, even a robot called Rob in the Starship Club who will mix you your favourite tipple!
Overall MSC Virtuosa is a truly magnificent ship and one I cannot wait to go on and experience her to the fullest. There is a cruise out there for everyone as I am learning.
