MSC Cruises, MSC Virtuosa, UK and Ireland Review

MSC Virtuosa, UK and Ireland

We sailed from Liverpool and arrived to the port building at our designated time. We were greeted, swabbed as for Covid19 procedures and checked in after a 20 minute wait for swab results we were escorted to a bus and taken to the ship. It was the easiest check in we have ever had.
On arrival to the ship our rooms were ready so we dropped our bags and started exploring. We were in an Inside cabin on deck 12, plenty of space, nice bathroom. Not much drawer/wardrobe space if you were doing more than a week it may be difficult to unpack everything! Beds and pillows were very comfortable.
The ship herself is just glorious everywhere was spotlessly clean and as social distancing was in place there were signs and seat coverings on some of the seats to ensure this. Masks were worn when walking around but not when eating and drinking!
We particularly liked the Star ship bar with Robbie the robot bartender. We had coffee there most mornings and drinks before dinner. Service was always great the waiters could not do enough for you. The Champagne bar is beautiful but we found on staff member a little abrasive here so put us off a little.
The main shopping area is gorgeous with chocolate making in the specialist chocolatier shop and cafe. There is a lovely Ice cream shop here too. Higher up there are speciality restaurants including sushi, the pub is there too.
We ate every night in our main dining room, I have a dairy allergy so had my own Maitre'd to ensure I was ok. I was given the menu for the next night so I could choose safely. My food was amazing the chef was made me a melting chocolate cake that was not on the menu. I was not disappointed in any of the meals and they were presented just as well as my husbands 'normal' meals.
The buffet restaurant was very well organised with a one way system and food served to you at the station. Food selection was excellent.
Entertainment was superb throughout the ship. The theatre shows were excellent with amazing costumes and such talented performers. There is another show which you can pay for in the smaller music venue it is well worth seeing, we were blown away by it. It is a cirque de soleil type show amazing.
We only did one trip it was in Belfast, due to Covid19 it was very restricted. It was well managed and we got to see a lot despite restrictions. We were not allowed to leave the group and look around alone as you would have been refused entry back to the ship if you broke the bubble.
The cruise came to an end all too quickly, we enjoyed every minute. We felt very safe, everywhere was clean and you saw staff cleaning everywhere at all hours. Would we cruise on this ship again? Yes without a doubt.