Set to sail in April, MSC Cruises took delivery this week of the MSC Virtuosa, its new flagship and most environmentally conscious ship yet and a vessel that the Switzerland-based (Italian-founded) cruise line promises will “push boundaries in terms of guest experience all-around.”
Company and shipyard executives were on hand for a traditional flag ceremony in France, held privately in accordance with the pandemic, where the ship received her official flag and blessings for good fortune.
“The delivery of MSC Virtuosa at such a challenging time for our industry symbolizes how as a family company we continue to look at the longer term and build our future,” said MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago.
He added, “In doing so, we remain committed to building each time some of the most innovative ships in the world when it comes to their environmental performance, featuring nothing but the most advanced available technology at sea. Just as importantly, with each new ship we continue to push boundaries and innovate our product offering with new and unique experiences for our guests.”
Vago pointed to the MSC Virtuosa boasting the world’s first humanoid bartender at sea, as an example of the type of “futuristic, immersive experience using cutting-edge technologies” that will be available.
Among the other ship amenities are:
• 19 decks named after famous composers
• At 331 metres long, this ship has an extra 16 metres versus MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima with more public space and more cabins
• 21 bars, 4 main restaurants and 5 specialty restaurants with two brand new restaurants and one new specialty bar
• A 945-seat theatre offering different large-scale productions every night
• 12 different cabin types including 190 family cabins that can be connected to create Super Family cabins, accommodating up to six people or Super Family Plus accommodating up to 12 people
• 5 pools including a magrodome pool on deck 15
• A Himalayan Bridge on deck 19 offering a fun rope course 80 metres above the water
• 1,168 sq. m, of retail space with 11 different boutiques
When it comes to the environment, MSC Virtuosa features some of the most advanced technology currently available, including: hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) and cutting-edge selective catalytic reduction systems (SCR); wastewater treatment systems in line with the International Maritime Organization’s MEPC 227(64) Resolution; shore-to-ship power connectivity; as well as, underwater radiated noise management system, with hull and engine room designs that minimise acoustic sound impact, reducing their potential effects on marine fauna, amongst other.
She has also received 11 Golden Pearls from Bureau Veritas for her range of innovative aspects including environmental protection and health and safety. MSC Virtuosa is in fact the first cruise ship in the world to receive a BIORISK notation from Bureau Veritas in recognition of her ability to mitigate and manage infectious disease risk for passengers.
Pierfrancesco Vago concluded, “Our long-term goal is to achieve a zero-impact cruise operation, and this is the journey we are on today. MSC Virtuosa represents another important step in this direction together with our other investments in the accelerated development of next-generation environmental technology. It also confirms our long-term firm commitment to achieving this ambitious goal.”
The flagship MSC Virtuosa will come into service for the summer season from April 16, with four cruises in the Mediterranean of three-, four- and 10 nights before the ship moves to her new homeport of Kiel, Germany, where she will commence her Northern Europe itineraries from May 8.
2021 will also see the launch in August of MSC Seashore – bringing the fleet total to 19, with a further four to be launched by 2025.