MSC Virtuosa - European metropolis tour - 19/27 March

[Beamafar]

6 minutes ago, Captain-John said:

Thanks very much for sharing your experience so far.

 

I see in one of your pictures a printed menu of YC wine selections. Is this presented to you in the YC restaurant along with the lunch/dinner menu?

 

I remember the limited wine selection in the restaurant being a bit of an issue for me on previous cruises, but it was never written down and often I just specified 'red' and was expected to drink whatever I was given!

 

 

 

 

Hi Cap’n.  Despite there being a wine menu, they try to limit the offerings to 2 reds and 2 whites, just like in the MDRs.  I’ve had problems over the years trying to get my preferred wine.  On our 28 night on Splendida, I used to pick up a couple of glasses on the way to dinner every evening as they wouldn’t serve the one I wanted. (Was told that they may offer it sometime during the cruise).  
 

Anyway, the sommelier approached me one evening and asked why I was bringing wine to the YC restaurant. When I explained that it’s the one I drink (even when in steerage, where I’d have the top package) he told me I could have any wine on the menu any night!   However, they continued with the 2 of each for other guests. 

[Captain-John]

An extremely frustrating practice. I honestly can't imagine the 'waste' factor is so great they feel the need to limit the choice to just two unless you make a point of it.

 

I can certainly get through a bottle in a couple of days (and the rest!) - so I would not leave them with vinegar stock if they opened a bottle of my choice and no-one else wanted it.

 

Has it ever been properly explained why the sommelier's choice is imposed? If it was a fine dining tasting menu paired with wine I'd understand......

[LiquidWu]

39 minutes ago, defbref said:

Have they fixed that window in the Topsail Lounge yet ? Over to the starboard side?

If you hadn't asked, I wouldn't have known. No more traces of damage 

[LiquidWu]

36 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

Hi Cap’n.  Despite there being a wine menu, they try to limit the offerings to 2 reds and 2 whites, just like in the MDRs.  I’ve had problems over the years trying to get my preferred wine.  On our 28 night on Splendida, I used to pick up a couple of glasses on the way to dinner every evening as they wouldn’t serve the one I wanted. (Was told that they may offer it sometime during the cruise).  
 

Anyway, the sommelier approached me one evening and asked why I was bringing wine to the YC restaurant. When I explained that it’s the one I drink (even when in steerage, where I’d have the top package) he told me I could have any wine on the menu any night!   However, they continued with the 2 of each for other guests. 

Hello,

I think it is normal that the uniformed waiters recommend what is available in open wines. For most of them, the normal ban on alcohol on duty applies and Muslims do not drink alcohol as a matter of principle. If I express my wishes in a differentiated way, they usually fetch a qualified colleague and he then also knows where he can get the good drop. Fits 90%

 

I had only posted the wine list, because it is served every time. No one pays attention to it.

 

I had this wine here today with the risotto and lobster. Not on the list, but perfect match.

Edited March 20, 2023 by LiquidWu

[Beamafar]

1 minute ago, LiquidWu said:

Hello,

I think it is normal that the normal uniformed waiters recommend what is available in open wines. For most of them, the normal ban on alcohol on duty applies and Muslims do not drink alcohol as a matter of principle. If I express my wishes in a differentiated way, they usually fetch a qualified colleague and he then also knows where he can get the good drop. Fits 90%

 

I had only posted the wine list, because it is served every time. No one pays attention to it.

 

I had this wine here today with the risotto and lobster. Not on the list, but perfect match.

 

First of all, apologies for posting on your thread without first wishing you well on your cruise. 
 

The wine list is one of the first things I check, whether in YC or steerage.  There are a couple of wines that are my go-to and are only available on the top drinks package or in YC - Oberon and Cicogna.  When having white, that Woodbridge Chardonnay is the only potable one for me. 

[LiquidWu]

3 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

 

First of all, apologies for posting on your thread without first wishing you well on your cruise. 
 

The wine list is one of the first things I check, whether in YC or steerage.  There are a couple of wines that are my go-to and are only available on the top drinks package or in YC - Oberon and Cicogna.  When having white, that Woodbridge Chardonnay is the only potable one for me. 

Thank you for your good wishes and the tips on .Oberon and Cicogna. I will take them to heart.

[Captain-John]

13 minutes ago, LiquidWu said:

I had only posted the wine list, because it is served every time. No one pays attention to it.

Thank you. I had never seen the printed menu before but good to know it is not 'enforced' and you can have your choice.

 

I still find the idea of them opening pre-selected wines odd, but, as it isn't binding, I'll stop mentioning it all the time now. 😇

[Beamafar]

4 minutes ago, LiquidWu said:

Thank you for your good wishes and the tips on .Oberon and Cicogna. I will take them to heart.

Usually Oberon is available on US sailings and Cicogna on most others.  That’s been my experience, anyway. 

[LiquidWu]

During all these wonderful conversations about wine, but tonight I continue to have in Martini mood. This time the MSC Signature Martini

[BoundForSea]

15 hours ago, LiquidWu said:

 

 

 

@BoundForSea The nuts are back, even in three varieties. Let's see if they are also available in the minibar.

Well there’s where all the snacks are hiding!! I hope you guys grabbed a can for me!! 😂 We had none of those in Port Canaveral on boarding  this month or on Ocean Cay in the cabanas (where they usually bring them). None in the room either. 
 

I did however manage to get my hands on a few cans that I have stashed away here at home! 
 

Enjoy this amazing ship and voyage guys!

[perakcruiser]

When looking at this printed menu I mainly see the Italian MSC "favourites" that do business with MSC since many, many years. Reminds me of the good old "Wine & Water" packages that we always booked. Nothing to be excited of but compared to the wines they offer now in their AI packages something to miss. 

 

@LiquidWu Enjoy your cruise and maybe a recommendation from me to enjoy it more. ask if they offer you a glass of Cloudy Bay sauvignon. Especially with fish or seafood.

Edited March 20, 2023 by perakcruiser

[LiquidWu]

The next stop on my martini tour was the Sky Lounge I had a Sapphire Martini here

 

QR_Q_MIXOLOGY-AND-BAR-LIST-GENERIC_OTHER_DAYX_EN_1679345936.pdf

[LiquidWu]

Here the dancing never stop…for all night owls! I am at Virtuosa Bar. 

 

It's so loud, I didn't understand which martini I was getting. But it is delicious

QR_K_BAR-LIST-GENERIC_OTHER_DAYX_EN_1679351987.pdf

Edited March 20, 2023 by LiquidWu

[Saab4444]

9 hours ago, SweetsugarNL said:

Ah i think strikes in france again.

you can use the second day to Visit Gent or take the kusttram to Oostende.

The MSC app now has been changed back to Le Havre, no clue what is the truth, we will find out….

[kernow]

On 3/20/2023 at 6:31 AM, LiquidWu said:

Oh dear, I had planned everything in advance. But I was shopping and now it comes but differently 😮

In Le Havre I had me on the beautiful walk (see post above). On the other hand, I was offered here for this day the tour of the bridge and the engine room. In these safety-relevant areas you do not come so often at MSC.
But no one on board can tell me what time these two events take place. Can I book them one after the other or do they overlap?
I've been to the front desk, the excursion desk, and the YC concierge....

But worst of all, I've already booked another cruise. Crazy!
You surely know Formula 1. England is the home of motorsports anyway and in the USA this racing series is also becoming more and more popular.
I will be on board the Virtuosa in Abu Dhabi for 5 days in November and visit the race there. The Virtuosa is anchored within sight of the race track. Tickets to the race track are included in the cruise fare. Super interesting. The stay has more the character of a hotel ship than a cruise.  

 

 

I'm enjoying your review so far, we're going on Virtuosa again in May also in YC. 

 

This 'cruise' you have booked looks great, we're big F1 fans. I've just been on to the MSC website to read the details and love the look of the packages. We're already booked for a Panama canal cruise in Nov this year but hoping they repeat this next year as DH has a big birthday and the hospitality package sounds amazing. We did the Abu Dhabi GP on a Celebrity cruise a few years ago and it was brilliant.

[LiquidWu]

 

10 hours ago, Saab4444 said:

The MSC app now has been changed back to Le Havre, no clue what is the truth, we will find out….

The captain has just explained everything. 
You will have heard that too, but attached is a voice recording for all those reading along.

 

Edited March 21, 2023 by LiquidWu

[Saab4444]

8 minutes ago, LiquidWu said:

 

The captain has just explained everything. 
You will have heard that too, but attached is a voice recording for all those reading along.

And the Captain mixed up the days.. However, I figured it out two days before the anouncement!

[LiquidWu]

OK, let's start with the FoodPorn today. I went to ButchersCut specialty restaurant.

 

Nothing has changed in terms of the menu. All products and prices as good as before.

 

But i still can't get comfortable with the seating outside on the aisle. Everyone walks by there, kind of like being at the train station. That's why I made a reservation inside and that was good. This also shows off the open kitchen. Overall, however, I find the room layout of the ButchersCut on ships of the Fantasia class better.

 

As usual, it started with bread and butter. The bread was excellent, warm and crispy. The butter should have been paprika or maple syrup. I did not like the taste of that.

For my appetizer, I had the goat cheese tartlet with blueberries. A real treat.

 

 

After that came my filet mignon. I had to have it returned once. I had ordered medium rare and got medium done. But the second was outstanding.

 

 

 

The crowning glory was the banana date cake. 
And they have great little espresso cups here. They are glass and especially double walled with air in between. This gives a thermos effect and the espresso stays nice and hot.

 

 

 

QR_C_BUTCHERS-CUT_OTHER_DAYX_DE_1679419893[1].pdf

Edited March 21, 2023 by LiquidWu

[LiquidWu]

But after so many great things, some things went wrong today.
Shore excursions are not cheap and therefore they should at least correspond to the description.

I had booked the bike tour to Blankenberge and Bruges. Just the beautiful beach and the pier of Blankenberge were pictured in the catalog as an eye-catcher. (see page one)

 

But we did not even come close :-(I have shown on the following map our route as a line, there where the Ellypse is it should have gone long.

Instead of the beautiful beach we drove through stinking industrial area.

 

The bikes were in reasonably good condition.

 

Bruges is a beautiful old city with many old buildings. 

 

 

Edited March 21, 2023 by LiquidWu

[LiquidWu]

Good morning in Rotterdam,

the weather has dropped, it is a little windy and rainy. The right time for a day at the spa.

 

But before that an exciting spectacle The Splash Tour, a ride on an amphibious bus. Totally entertaining.

 

 

 

 

 

I do not post so many videos, but this is an exception, that you must have seen 

[LiquidWu]

Perfect for the little hunger in between 

 

QR_W_YC_LUNCH_DAY4_EN_1679485156.pdf

[LiquidWu]

I had a wonderful time in the thermal area of the SPA.

Of course I didn't take any pictures there, but I brought you the current price list.

The thermal area on the Virtuosa is very similar to the one on other MSC ships. In addition to the whirlpools, there are steam saunas, a mild and a Finnish sauna, various experience showers, an ice chamber, warm stone loungers and of course relaxation loungers.

 

The general temperature is pleasant, and the usual "doodle music" was fortunately subtle. There were two water dispensers with aromas.

 

Edited March 22, 2023 by LiquidWu
no idea why the images arrive the wrong way around, before uploading everything is correct. I can not change it unfortunately

[LiquidWu]

We are running straight out. The port of Rotterdam is industrial, but very beautiful due to our sailing on the Maas, in the center of the city. 
Although it was already 10 minutes ago " Cast off! ", we still sail on the river and see a lot.

Speaking of seeing a lot: I would like to quickly recommend the Eurotower. It is super conveniently located to look over the city and take photos of the ship.

The tower, the little knob at the top is a cabin that takes you all the way to the top.

 

View from the ship:

 

Wonderful view of the ship

 

Edited March 22, 2023 by LiquidWu

[LiquidWu]

Good morning (back) in Belgium.
Belgium is known for its chocolate, so I took advantage of that and shopped for Easter

The 100g blocks of handmade and decorated chocolate cost 4,50€. Included is to taste and I got 5 for the price of 4.

Edited March 23, 2023 by LiquidWu

[LiquidWu]

The obligatory report from last night’s dinner is still missing 🤪

 

The newspaper had announced the motto “white night”. But in the restaurant everyone was dressed in green for the “Mediterranean night” and also the menu was accordingly

 

The menu was  so excellent, I couldn’t decide. So left out the bread and the starter and enjoyed 2 main courses 😮

 

The lasagna

and the ossobuco

 

And thanks to your advice @Beamafar also a good wine accompaniment