Smurfies Latest Adventure

[david63]

Later today we will be setting off on our latest adventure/cruise (not sure which at the moment!)

There are some new things with this cruise:

• First is that we are trying a new, to us, cruise line - MSC, but will be in the Yacht Club (will post more about this after we experience it).
• Obviously with being a new cruise line then the ship is new - MSC Virtuosa (a.k.a The Murder Ship). This ship is about the same size/capacity as Iona/Arvia, so is bigger than any ship we have been on before.
• We will be embarking from the Horizon Terminal at Southampton, so will be interesting to see how it compares to the other Southampton terminals.
• We will be using ABP parking. CPS do not operate from Horizon Terminal, except when there is a forced terminal move. This is park your own car and keep the keys. The cost was only a couple of pounds more that P4C (after I found a discount code for ABP). Basically it is, or at least should not be, much different than using P4C as you drop your luggage off, park the car and walk back to the terminal and on return straight to the car. Will have to see how this works.

The good points - so far:

• Dealing with MSC over the phone has been quick and straightforward.
• The cruise price includes all tips (in fact they also state that no other tips should be given), unlimited drinks (although they are in the process of having a 15 drinks a day limit but that has not apparently arrived in the Yacht Club yet) and wi-fi for two devices each.
• MSC have a "proper" app that works.
• The daily program is available for the entire cruise in the app a couple of weeks before the cruise starts so gives you a chance to plan ahead.
• Being in the Yacht Club then we can check-in at whatever time we want.

The less good points - so far:

• MSC's IT leaves a lot to be desired - in fact it makes Carnival's look good.
• They seen quite keen on the amount of luggage that you can take on board - limited to four cases and 100kg per cabin.
• Excursions are quite expensive - but as we do not go on excursions these days unless it is something special that is not a problem to us.

So must go now and get the spanners out to remove the kitchen sink for packing before setting off to Newbury for the night.

More to follow - hopefully!

[Ray B]

David, I hope the cruise will come up to your expectations and you have a good cruise.
Considering the reputation of the ship, a death/murder in every port , should the unfortunate happen, I would like to say it was a pleasure to have known you. I'm sure there will be lots of messages in memory of you, which you must find heartening before your demise.
I'm sure that will not happen ,so please don't let that spoil your cruise, have a lovely time, and I look forward to your report when/if you return.

[Stephen]

We used ABP parking recently and found it worked fine. Prefer CPS, but as they don't operates from all terminals you have to make do.

Friends of ours were on a MSC cruise a couple of months ago from Southampton. Can't remember which ship. They had mixed views, including some of the clientele, which were a bit to be desired, or scum as he called them .If they were to go on another one they said they would probably upgrade. He did however enjoy the formula one simulator on board which is his thing.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I'm sure the murder thing is overstated, but if there's a senior officer called Kate and a singer who looks like Shayne Ward maybe best to lock yourself in your cabin.

[Happydays]

Hope you enjoy your cruise. Shall be interesting to hear how it goes

[david63]

I'm sure the murder thing is overstated, but if there's a senior officer called Kate and a singer who looks like Shayne Ward maybe best to lock yourself in your cabin.

Well at least we would have somebody to drive the ship and an excuse for entertainment. What worries me is the one crew member who part times as a cabin steward, wine waiter, restaurant waiter, deck attendant and crime solver's assistant

[david63]

Well to say that the journey down to Newbury was a nightmare could be classed as an understatement! 190 miles of mainly motorway took five hours instead of the normal three

[Onelife]

Well to say that the journey down to Newbury was a nightmare could be classed as an understatement! 190 miles of mainly motorway took five hours instead of the normal three

Sounds like murder …it can only get better, Enjoy!

[Stephen]

Well to say that the journey down to Newbury was a nightmare could be classed as an understatement! 190 miles of mainly motorway took five hours instead of the normal three

Sounds like a large drink was in order.

[Portsmouth]

Well to say that the journey down to Newbury was a nightmare could be classed as an understatement! 190 miles of mainly motorway took five hours instead of the normal three

It might have been easier if you had sent your main luggage ahead using a company like Baggex or the Baggage Handling Company and then had a relaxing train journey down to Southampton. Maybe an idea for your next cruise

[barney]

Have a great holiday David.
Can’t wait to read your reviews.

[david63]

Sounds like a large drink was in order.

Certainly was - helped by the fact that as the hotel was having some renovations done we were given vouchers for two free drinks each.

It might have been easier if you had sent your main luggage ahead using a company like Baggex or the Baggage Handling Company and then had a relaxing train journey down to Southampton. Maybe an idea for your next cruise

Train is not an option from where we live - last time I looked it was something like an eight hour journey with multiple changes. Also I do not trust our rail network.

[Stephen]

Are you now onboard?

Being nosey inquisitive I looked up MSC Yacht Club to see what it was all about. Very nice David, and sounds very similar to the Retreat which we had on Celebrity.

[david63]

Well things did not improve on the journey down from Newbury - a journey of 45 minutes took an hour and a half. The M3 was another car park and Southampton was gridlocked due road closures.

Anyway we arrived at the terminal OK. The car parking was not wonderful and the drive up and drop luggage off was non existent. Eventually wheeled the luggage over to the Yacht Club area and from there on things went smoothly.

More later - off to explore.

[david63]

Are you now onboard?

Yes

[Mervyn and Trish]

Been murdered yet?

[Stephen]

Is that part of the Yachty Club package

[Mervyn and Trish]

I believe so.

[david63]

Been murdered yet?

Sorry to disappoint, but I am still very much alive

[Stephen]

How are first impressions of the ship/cabin.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Been murdered yet?

Sorry to disappoint, but I am still very much alive

Excellent. Keep it up.

[david63]

One thing that I forgot to mention yesterday is that MSC match loyalty points from other loyalty programs (cruise lines, hotels etc.)

Once luggage was dropped off we were then escorted through security and into the dedicated YC check-in area where you are given a glass of fizz whilst waiting for the check-in operative to come to you - none of this queueing nonsence. Once that id done one of the butlers then escorts you through the ship and up to the Top Sail Lounge where you are again plyed with more fizz whilst waiting for the cabin to be ready. Once cabin ready go and drop off hand luggage and then to the YC restaurant for lunch (with free flowing wine) Have to say that the lunch was as good as any I have had on a cruise ship - just hope it continues.

Now the big downside - Safety Drill. This has to be the most idiotic way to have a safety drill immaginable. All passengers are required to go to their cabin and watch a video on the TV. At the end you are told to call a number on the phone and once done go to your muster station. You do not need much imagination to picture the chos of 5k passengers all on the move at the same time - utter chas.

Anyway after safety drill and back to our cabin to find that our luggage had arrived, and so unpacking was next. Must admit that there is a lot of useable storage space.

Next task is to have a shower and then go for drinlie poos prior to dinner.

[Stephen]

David wrote:
Next task is to have a shower and then go for drinlie poos prior to dinner.

Fiz must be good ….hic


Enjoy David

[jacksparrow]

Have a great cruise, will have to google the murder bit although might be a good idea for a novel

[Portsmouth]

Now the big downside - Safety Drill. This has to be the most idiotic way to have a safety drill immaginable. All passengers are required to go to their cabin and watch a video on the TV. At the end you are told to call a number on the phone and once done go to your muster station. You do not need much imagination to picture the chos of 5k passengers all on the move at the same time - utter chaos.

That must have been horrible..... I think perhaps you were unlucky, When I was on Virtuosa, same system but when I went to the muster station only a few ahead of me, maybe because I went a little bit later there were less people.