Live "Virtuosa" YC 15th - 29th July - Relatively novice cruisers Med trip

[Corriegr]

Hi everyone

 

Just wanted to say hello before we travel out to Southampton this weekend for a two week cruise aboard the MSC Virtuosa in Yacht Club. Plan to update throughout our travels and if anyone wants to virtually tag  along or ask any questions you are most very welcome.

 

This is my first time "live" blogging and only our third cruise ever, having previous been on a Caribbean 7 day on Carnival Magic  8 years ago and on the Virtuosa in YC last year on a trip to Norwegian Fjords. We are however seasoned travellers in both senses of the word being a couple aged 57 & 56, as well as enjoying travelling the world while we can. In last twelve months we have been to Mexico, The Maldives, Luxembourg, Morocco and Grenada. We have definitely caught the cruise bug  as we have booked another 4 cruises already between now and summer 25, with trips booked on  a trip on Explora 1  from Barbados for our first wedding anniversary in November, MSC Seascape in Caribbean next summer, Antarctica cruise by on Celebrity Equinox in Feb 25 and Transatlantic/Iceland trip on Majestic Princess in July 25. Along with other land trips planned we have a packed diary.

 

Just thought as I enjoy writing it would be fun to share our experience and hope along the way it might help others booking a similar cruise, just as reading other posts have helped us.

 

Anyway a little more about ourselves: I am 57 and freelance IT consultant and my wife is 56 and works as freelance Social Worker. My wife has some mobility issues  due to osteo-arthritis so walks with a stick and so  as part of this we hope to also give some insight into her challenges taking a cruise ( her biggest challenge making sure I behave). We are based in Nottinghamshire, UK so have about 4 hours to drive (well my wife does as I dont drive!!) and we are staying overnight at Holiday Inn in Eastleigh just outside Southampton. As my wife is a blue badge holder we are able to park pretty much next to the ship which is very very useful.

 

When we originally booked this cruise through our TA we booked YC inside at a really amazing price, but with a strategy to hopefully be able to get a balcony cabin through bidding. Through some very canny bidding by my wife and after the panic of tracking cabin availability through the website we got our upgrade on 21st June to a Deluxe Balcony - 18001 - the closest cabin to the YC restaurant.

 

So we are pretty much packed with our three suitcases  and my new suit-carrier/holdall (a great bit of kit) and just counting down the hours until we set off. We do have a little trepidation having seem some of the stories on other social media platforms around crowding, but we pretty much took this as read when we booked knowing will be filled with families as the school holidays just starting, but hopefully the YC will be a haven of calm amongst the chaos.

 

Anyhow that a bit about us, feel free to ask any questions and leave any comments as we go along.

 

 

Edited July 11, 2023 by Corriegr
title edit

[bigblue1952]

Following along.  Hope you have a great cruise.

 

[andyhp]

Following along too. 

The wife and I will be getting on as you get off on 29th. 

We too booked YC inside as a bit of a treat as it's our 25th Wedding Anniversary, we also had an eye on bagging an upgrade to Deluxe Suite (Balcony). 

As of right now, there only seem to be 4 of these left and no interior, so feeling a bit anxious!

 

I hope you both have a great cruise and I look forward to reading all about it here.

Bon Voyage!

[Corriegr]

1 hour ago, andyhp said:

Following along too. 

The wife and I will be getting on as you get off on 29th. 

We too booked YC inside as a bit of a treat as it's our 25th Wedding Anniversary, we also had an eye on bagging an upgrade to Deluxe Suite (Balcony). 

As of right now, there only seem to be 4 of these left and no interior, so feeling a bit anxious!

 

I hope you both have a great cruise and I look forward to reading all about it here.

Bon Voyage!

We was in same situation until I realised they had two inventories of YC deluxe balcony cabins ...one for couples and then another for three or more passengers ...so couples cabins were on deck 15/16/18 and the others on deck 14 and deck 15 ( although diff no's to ones for couples)....so there may still be cabins to be allocated

[andyhp]

Sunday all the deluxe balconies were on deck 18 and 15 but yesterday they all vanished and the last 4 are now on deck 14 only!

But I guess you probably don't get to see the true picture as they will be allocating cabins and juggling them about!

I shall just have to wait and see if the bid gets accepted or not - not long to wait either way! lol

[Corriegr]

Well this is going to be fun, middle of July and weather forecast makes for an interesting sailaway from Southampton Saturday.......now on Amazon stocking up on seasickness remedies for Mrs C

Edited July 12, 2023 by Corriegr
AMazon capitalisation

[insidecabin]

Will try to keep up love a virtual cruise when we can't be on one(just got off one)

 

We did a school holiday Virtuosa cruise and it was crazy full good to see a lot of people having a lot of fun.

Some struggled with the busy venues we work around others and we're fine.

 

The YC can act as a sanctuary as long as any kids in their are behaving.

 

[Corriegr]

I think we will probably very selective for our trips outside “the ship within a ship”  especially during day although Mrs C will definitely want her daily late night visits to the Casino to play the slots. 
 

Last time the nightly entertainment was very patchy and other than shows,  was centred in the Atrium which got very very crowded. With this being a summer cruise hoping  it might be a bit more varied. In any event we love the Top Sail Lounge and I’m sure we will just end up just staying there on some night sampling the beverage menu!!

[Corriegr]

Quick update on weather for Saturday....it could only happen to us on a summer cruise yikes!!!!

(and for those unsure on UK geography Southampton is at the bottom in the middle)

 

[Corriegr]

Well after a six hour journey that should have taken three and half hours we are now in Southampton well Eastleigh, at  the Holiday Inn.

 

Weather  is absolutely horrendous for July with torrential rain. Tomorrow still looks stormy and cruise schedules does show both P&O ships going out tomorrow delaying sailing until 2300 and 0100 Sunday. Virtuosa still scheduled for 1800 but we shall see. 
 

Anyway  we are heading down early to board as soon as we can so will catch up once we are parked up in the morning.

 

Now what’s for dinner??

 

 

[insidecabin]

52 minutes ago, Corriegr said:

Well after a six hour journey that should have taken three and half hours we are now in Southampton well Eastleigh, at  the Holiday Inn.

 

Weather  is absolutely horrendous for July with torrential rain. Tomorrow still looks stormy and cruise schedules does show both P&O ships going out tomorrow delaying sailing until 2300 and 0100 Sunday. Virtuosa still scheduled for 1800 but we shall see. 
 

Anyway  we are heading down early to board as soon as we can so will catch up once we are parked up in the morning.

 

Now what’s for dinner??

 

 

Definitely watch the AIS for real arrived times.

 

There is a risk the road traffic could be bad with the crazy weather.

 

If using ABP they can get backed up some dates around horizon terminal

 

If it is bad we go onto town to avoid hanging around in traffic.

 

[Corriegr]

Day One - Lunchtime 

 

Well we are onboard and have just finished a beautiful lunch.

 

Traffic from hotel from was non existent although I did question Sat Nav a few times. From hotel to car park in 20 mins although slightly confused as ship in reverse order, although I have since found out that due to weather this is for quick getaway tonight. P&O sailings in the meantime are delayed until midnight. 

 

I have to say they have the embarkation at Southampton off to a fine art. Car to Top Sail lounge was 41 mins and that was only so long because of waiting for passengers to deboard. Glass of bubbly in hand at 10:30!!!

 

Relaxed morning and cabin was available by half eleven . Then onto lunch and a nice piece of steak preceded by a Hamachi starter and traditional Apple Crumble with ice cream to follow. A free flowing of Sauvignon Blanc and I am one happy shipmate this afternoon. 
 

Lots of introductions and names I always forget, now off for an explore to see how the rest of the ship is looking..

 

oh and it’s still very blowy outside 

[sollyman]

Hello.

 

Glad to hear embarkation went smoothly after your long difficult journey yesterday.

 

We will be following your posts very closely as we are doing the same trip in YC at the end of September. It will be our first experience with MSC.... we have mainly cruised in the Retreat with Celebrity, and have Elite Plus status that MSC matched to Gold. We originally had a September Med cruised booked with Celebrity but decided to "jump ship" and give MSC Yacht Club a chance, even though it meant a lost deposit.

 

We have gradually become a little disappointed with the Celebrity Retreat and prices have skyrocketed. The MSC cruise is a day longer and £3000 cheaper.

 

The latest weather forecast seems to show the winds easing considerably from about 6. Lets hope things are not too bumpy for you.

 

As newbies we will be very interested to hear your opinions on the Yacht Club and MSC experience.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[insidecabin]

its often security that drive the start.

 

10am earliest we have had at Southampton.

 

Great you got on by 10:30 good start to the trip.

 

VTS has 19:00 departure now.

 

[insidecabin]

See you got away around 19:30.

 

Any idea why the ship stayed north and then did a sharp tun off the coast around  Berry Head at 3:30am

 

 

[Corriegr]

4 hours ago, insidecabin said:

See you got away around 19:30.

 

Any idea why the ship stayed north and then did a sharp tun off the coast around  Berry Head at 3:30am

 

 

I think it must be weather related as I thought we might have been further in Biscay by now but just past Brest.  It been pretty bumpy over night and still quite a swell although been assured it will calm down in next couple of hours.

 

Great first night but the wifi is pretty non existent and managed to revert to 4g as close enough to French coast.

 

Had a great meal In YC then a bit of cheese in the Theatre as we don’t normally do the shows but thought we would venture out. Then let Mrs C pile through some cash on the slots although she did come out a few quid up. Then back up to YC for nightcap and late night jazz.

 

Decided to be lazy this morning and book room service but both got a little confused about ship time having adjusted our clocks by an hour only to realise when we woke up this morning that they actually changed tonight. 
 

One big observation is there’s 6000 plus onboard and whilst certain areas are challenging, (thank god I don’t have to do the buffet) it’s pretty easy moving around bar the wait for lifts but maybe that’s just because it was first night.

 

Now onto the lunchtime YC captain’s cocktail party…..

[Corriegr]

6 hours ago, insidecabin said:

See you got away around 19:30.

 

Any idea why the ship stayed north and then did a sharp tun off the coast around  Berry Head at 3:30am

 

 

Bit more on this… at the Captain’s cocktail party the man himself said that they did a little detour as due to weather we had pilot for an extended period and had to drop him off.  He was also very proud of the fact that Virtuosa was able to sail out in 68kt winds but the P&O ships were delayed until after midnight.

 

Now braving the sun deck but there’s quite a swell still as we enter the Biscay 

[insidecabin]

 

might have been avoiding the worst of the channel staying close to the coastline

(update : while writing that explains it,  the turn would have been to drop the pilot)

 

Don't forget to use your priority lift call on the elevators just outside YC.

 

We have been on with 6k+ and it does get very busy,  

It often all about timing, we have missed YC breakfast a few times and been ok inthe buffet or just had early lunch.

 

How is the casino bar,  we would hang out in Masters and had no problems with service even when rammed as we had OUR server. 

 

[Corriegr]

2 minutes ago, insidecabin said:

 

might have been avoiding the worst of the channel staying close to the coastline

(update : while writing that explains it,  the turn would have been to drop the pilot)

 

Don't forget to use your priority lift call on the elevators just outside YC.

 

We have been on with 6k+ and it does get very busy,  

It often all about timing, we have missed YC breakfast a few times and been ok inthe buffet or just had early lunch.

 

How is the casino bar,  we would hang out in Masters and had no problems with service even when rammed as we had OUR server. 

 

Room service was fantastic this morning and we never did that last trip. Masters was rammed when we wheeled past last night. Casino we weren’t really in long enough as too full of smoke and few fellow shipmates who had had a fair share of rum rations and were starting to become a nuisance.

 

Yeah had forgot about lift override but eventually remembered how to use it 

[insidecabin]

Yep the smoking always a bit of a run the gauntlet to get to Carousel.

Always forget there is a secret route that avoids the casino  

 

I understand Attic can also get a bit rowdy late night, Top Sail wins.

[Ryan82]

5 hours ago, insidecabin said:

Yep the smoking always a bit of a run the gauntlet to get to Carousel.

Always forget there is a secret route that avoids the casino  

 

I understand Attic can also get a bit rowdy late night, Top Sail wins.

What's the secret route to the carousel lounge?

[Corriegr]

Good day just chilling and trying out thermal spa.

 

Now at dinner and it’s not the best of experiences. Absolutely packed and staff not coping very well. Seated to any king of attention from waiters was 25 mins as they seem

mainly  focused  on the larger groups.  Had to prompt to get a wine order and totally forgot to bring some items out. Hoping that this is just a one off bad night but will see how rest of meal

goes and now been here 35 mins and yet to see any kind of food….

[insidecabin]

1 hour ago, Ryan82 said:

What's the secret route to the carousel lounge?

If I told you it would not be secret.

Clue needs to be dry

[Corriegr]

21 minutes ago, Corriegr said:

Good day just chilling and trying out thermal spa.

 

Now at dinner and it’s not the best of experiences. Absolutely packed and staff not coping very well. Seated to any king of attention from waiters was 25 mins as they seem

mainly  focused  on the larger groups.  Had to prompt to get a wine order and totally forgot to bring some items out. Hoping that this is just a one off bad night but will see how rest of meal

goes and now been here 35 mins and yet to see any kind of food….

Ok credit where credit’s due, there was a wait but the pasta dish was unreal so all is forgiven. And anyway I can think of worse views in the world whilst eating dinner … 

[insidecabin]

Even in YC a word with matreD is sometimes needed. 

 

Even when tables are  full attention should be distributed evenly might be gaps which you can live with but 25mins is too long to get started with water, drinks, menu, bread.