MSC VIRTUOSA ARRIVES IN LIVERPOOL READY TO EMBARK GUESTS BIGGEST CRUISE SHIP TO EVER CALL AT THE PORT
Liverpool, UK – 8 June 2021 – The Port of Liverpool has welcomed the first call of MSC Virtuosa this morning, ready to embark local holidaymakers for a special range of seven-night summer sailings around the British Isles.
On board MSC Virtuosa, guests will find an unbeatable holiday offering – all in one place. With unparalleled facilities and entertainment for every member of the family, bringing experiences that they have missed over the last year, from live music performances, a choice of four full-scale theatre shows, 21 bars and restaurants, swimming pools, bowling alley, aquapark and much more. Guests can also enjoy the world’s first futuristic, immersive experience at sea at the MSC Starship Club where Rob, the humanoid robotic bartender, stirs up galactic cocktails.
Usually able to accommodate over 6,000 guests, the 1,085ft-long ship is currently sailing with only 1,000 guests in accordance with government guidance.
Antonio Paradiso, Managing Director of MSC Cruises UK & Ireland commented: “MSC Cruises is excited to be in Liverpool for the first time and we are proud to bring our new flagship MSC Virtuosa to this renowned cultural city. Offering holidaymakers the option to embark in Liverpool provides some much needed convenience with direct access to MSC Virtuosa’s world class facilities. From West-End style shows and speciality restaurants, to an immersive entertainment lounge with a humanoid robotic bartender or high energy water parks, holidaymakers joining us in Liverpool can start discovering again as we take them on a tour of some of the best destinations across the UK.”
Angie Redhead, Head of Cruise Liverpool added: “We are delighted to offer guests the opportunity to join an MSC cruise in Liverpool for the very first time and as MSC Virtuosa is the largest cruise ship to ever call here, I have no doubt she will draw quite a crowd to our World Heritage Waterfront! We just know that MSC Cruises’ guests are going to love the convenience of embarking in Liverpool, whilst our amazingly friendly city will extend a warm Liverpool welcome to everyone on board.”
MSC Cruises’ new flagship kicked off her inaugural season last month offering a series of three- and four-night mini cruises, and now commences her seven-night cruises throughout the summer, exclusively for UK resident guests. For the week-long sailings, guests can embark directly at Liverpool, with port calls including Portland, Dorset, Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Greenock, close to Glasgow, Scotland.
Both vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests are welcome on board, as all guests are tested at embarkation. This falls under MSC Cruises’ industry-leading and proven health and safety protocol developed by a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts. This protocol was first deployed on MSC Grandiosa in August 2020 and has since helped protect thousands of guests sailing on the ship in the Mediterranean.
Guests aboard MSC Virtuosa may explore ashore in each destination the ship calls, by taking part in ‘bubble’ shore excursions, carefully developed to extend the comprehensive health and safety protocol that has been tried and tested onboard, ashore. With sanitised transfers, tour guides and drivers in PPE and all guests staying within their group, visits to pre-screened venues and will offer reserved areas for MSC Cruises guests. All of these measures not only help to protect the health of the ship’s guests, but also residents of the local communities where the ship calls.
MSC Cruises has a long-term goal to achieve a zero-impact cruise operation, and MSC Virtuosa represents another step towards this goal as one of the most environmentally conscious cruise ships at sea. The ship features some of the most advanced technology currently available, such as shore-to-ship power to substantially reduce emissions close to urbans areas, waste management centres, a hybrid exhaust gas cleaning system, and advanced water treatment systems.
For more information and to book, visit: www.msccruises.co.uk/cruises/ships/msc-virtuosa/itineraries
