8-Day Mediterranean Cruise aboard MSC VIRTUOSA

Virtuosa has some good points and bad.

The ship is wonderful and plenty to do day and evening, shows we're good but only on for about 30mins, cabin were clean , all staff were friendly and helpful.

Getting onboard at the start of the cruise took 1hour 30mins, beds were double and not single as asked for, our group of 10 were not sitting together in main dinning room, as asked. Food was tasteless and cold, in both main dinning and buffet. You are not aloud to take wine glasses out of main dinning if you had not finished your drink, rushed to eat your meal because they wanted to set up for next sitting. Slow waiter service in adult only bar. Not easy to find seating in the bars. Area's in the buffet was shut sometimes so made it extra busy to not only get food but to find a seat.

I have been on Iona and Athem of the Seas, the service was not only good, the food was hot and lovely could not fault both ships in anyway.

Two people in our group it was there first Cruise and it has put them off going on another Cruise.

first time cruise with MSC (27th cruise with other cruise lines). upon booking, we chose Aurea suite on deck 8 on the stern which accomodated up to 6 people, but we cruised as a couple. We specifically asked if gluten free food was available (I am a coeliac) and Hays travel contacted MSC and we were assured it was available. Just before our sail date, having read reviews, we checked again with MSC, who told us we had to contact them through our booking agent! So, Hays travel rang MSC and again asked about gluten free meals. we were then told that none of the speciality restaurants (included in our booking grade) catered for coeliacs, and neither did the Buffet / Lido. Only one restaurant to which we were allocated, actually catered for my needs! Too late to cancel!

However, Fransiscus, our head waiter, had my meals made up in a segregated area free from contaminates such as wheat flour, which was acceptable and the food was good.

Breakfast? No chance! Nothing gluten free!

On the whole, the ship was clean, modern and had something for everyone; gym, spa, sports deck - even a formula 1 simulator

This ship is a disaster. The menus are when I say bad I mean exceptionally bad. The choices are rubbish and when you do find something eat the food is cold and they don’t seem to care. The buffet is terrible and like school meals (bad school meals). The reception staff don’t care or understand a complaint. I had pre booked for a speciality show and then it was made complimentary so I was given a non refundable on board credit. If I don’t spend it the I have lost it. The reception staff could not under non refundable credit is not the same as paying back the money they should not have taken. I am currently onboard and cannot wait to get off at the end of the cruise in Southampton. I hope someone from MSC read this whilst I am still on board and do something about this ship.