Live on Board MSC Virtuosa European Cruise 27th July 2024

[Thejuggler]

A relative was on this trip and whilst they enjoyed it, they felt the ship was far too crowded with the almost full complement of passengers.  

[RBrowny]

You have very much scared me with how limited space there was on board and how overcrowded everything was. I know there will be places to find a spot, but we're a group of 6 so I think we're really going to struggle for seating and all to be sat together which is a great shame.

[notley-cruise]

10 hours ago, RBrowny said:

You have very much scared me with how limited space there was on board and how overcrowded everything was. I know there will be places to find a spot, but we're a group of 6 so I think we're really going to struggle for seating and all to be sat together which is a great shame.

Doesn't get crowded on Aurea and Yacht club sun decks...

Inside bars, lounges and casino are quiet during the day.

There's always quiet outdoor areas away from the attractions.

[DamianG]

11 hours ago, RBrowny said:

You have very much scared me with how limited space there was on board and how overcrowded everything was. I know there will be places to find a spot, but we're a group of 6 so I think we're really going to struggle for seating and all to be sat together which is a great shame.

 

It's not so much a lack of space, it's more a case of lack of seating. For example, there is more than enough room for extra tables and chairs in the Champagne Bar, but if MSC added them then more passengers would sit there and they would need to deploy more staff to serve them.

 

As a party of five we did have to be patient sometimes, but on our cruise passengers didn't tend to stay long in the Champagne Bar due to the limited menu, so we eventually would all get seated. Patience is the key. 

 

For all that the premium on seats was ridiculous and on all the cruises we've been on we've never seen so much borrowing and dragging of seats so that groups of five or more could sit together, often leaving empty tables with no seats alongside them at all.

[RBrowny]

39 minutes ago, DamianG said:

 

It's not so much a lack of space, it's more a case of lack of seating. For example, there is more than enough room for extra tables and chairs in the Champagne Bar, but if MSC added them then more passengers would sit there and they would need to deploy more staff to serve them.

 

As a party of five we did have to be patient sometimes, but on our cruise passengers didn't tend to stay long in the Champagne Bar due to the limited menu, so we eventually would all get seated. Patience is the key. 

 

For all that the premium on seats was ridiculous and on all the cruises we've been on we've never seen so much borrowing and dragging of seats so that groups of five or more could sit together, often leaving empty tables with no seats alongside them at all.

Yeah, lack of seating is what I meant to write - my bad. Yeah, and the fact the Champagne bar is open a little later than most places, means it will probably get busy quick. On every other cruise we always used to go for a pre-dinner glass (or two) of champagne before we headed down to MDR. 

 

I can imagine it's going to be a bit of musical chairs trying to find a seat and get everyone sitted down, especially in places like the masters of sea. 

 

Will probably end up spending more time in a 2 with my partner and hide from my family anyway. 

2 hours ago, notley-cruise said:

Doesn't get crowded on Aurea and Yacht club sun decks...

Inside bars, lounges and casino are quiet during the day.

There's always quiet outdoor areas away from the attractions.

Yeah we've not gone for Aurea or Yacht Club, although have put a bid in for a whirl pool room in Aurea so fingers crossed for that. Have seen that the ship is at full capacity though!

[notley-cruise]

Yep, seem to remember the Champagne bar is right outside the Aurea restaurant and was convenient for pre-dinner drinks.  Sadly the restaurant exterior view is totally blocked by the lifeboats.

[amurray88]

On 8/12/2024 at 10:12 PM, RBrowny said:

You have very much scared me with how limited space there was on board and how overcrowded everything was. I know there will be places to find a spot, but we're a group of 6 so I think we're really going to struggle for seating and all to be sat together which is a great shame.

It completely depends how you like to spend your time. There are spaces where you'll get seats no problem (outdoors behind the buffet for example) but there obviously is no entertainment. 

 

We found it hard at times to find a quiet space - for others they make look for noisier places to go.