MSC Cruises’ newest LNG-powered ship sails on maiden operational voyage

MSC Cruises’ flagship MSC Virtuosa recently departed Southampton in the UK for a four-night sailing that marks the start of its maiden season at sea.

MSC Cruises said that its newest LNG-powered vessel is also the first ocean liner to sail in British waters since March 2020, when the global cruise industry came to a voluntary halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

MSC Virtuosa‘s UK cruises add to current sailings in the Mediterranean of MSC Grandiosa and MSC Seaside as MSC Cruises finalises its preparations to restart five more ships across the East and West Mediterranean and in Northern Europe in the coming weeks following the go-ahead from relevant authorities to resume operations.

The company clarified that MSC Virtuosa will be available during the summer for British residents only and for guests of all ages who are either waiting for a Covid-19 vaccine or who have already been vaccinated. All guests are tested before they embark the ship and non-vaccinated guests are required to also show proof of a negative test conducted up to 72 hours prior to embarkation.