MSC Virtuosa Cruise

About MSC Virtuosa

MSC Virtuosa’s namesake comes from the word virtuoso, meaning someone highly skilled in any field of activity, and so MSC Virtuosa was named to pay homage to the skill and expertise of the MSC Cruises architects and shipyard partners at Les Chantiers de l’Atlantique who designed and built this innovative class of ships. This new cruise ship is one of the two largest in MSC Cruises’ fleet, along with her sister ship MSC Grandiosa, boasting an impressive array of guest features all coming together in perfect harmony to deliver the ultimate cruise holiday experience. Two brand new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows or the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea are just few of the innovations on board of MSC Virtuosa, one of the most environmentally advanced ships at sea.

Each and every MSC Cruises ship is unique and MSC Virtuosa will feature new experiences for guests, with the introduction of Rob being just one of them. She will be highly equipped with cutting-edge technologies and environmentally conscious capabilities.

• An enhanced MSC Yacht Club, with stylish private facilities and accommodation including a panoramic lounge, gourmet restaurant and private pool and sun deck
• MSC for Me – the multi-channel digital experience to help guests make the most of their holiday experience
• A choice of 10 restaurants and 21 bars including two brand-new specialty restaurant concepts – HOLA! Tacos & Cantina and Indochine
• The brand-new MSC Starship Club featuring the world’s first humanoid robotic bartender offering a futuristic immersive bar and entertainment experience
• A 945-seater theatre and the stunning Carousel Lounge at the aft of the ship with live productions and shows every night
• Extensive kids’ facilities including with LEGO® play areas and a Chicco baby club
• 112-metre-long Mediterranean promenade lined with boutiques bars and restaurants topped with a breath-taking LED sky screen with animations throughout the day and night
• Five swimming pools including an extensive magrodome pool and a 1,000sqm aquapark
• A dedicated entertainment area with an FI simulator, bowling, XD cinema
• The luxurious MSC Aurea Spa with full range of treatments and the state-of-the-art MSC Gym by Technogym®
• The largest shopping area at sea with 1,168 sqm of retail space with 11 boutiques and 250 different brands

The MSC Starship Club is a unique futuristic immersive experience launching on new flagship MSC Virtuosa

MSC Cruises’ Humanoid Robotic Bartender, Rob, and his cosmic cocktails will be the star of this unique bar and entertainment experience

This integrated bar and entertainment experience, inspired by MSC Cruises’ vision of the spaceship of the future - MSC Starliner One is enabled by state-of-the-art technologies designed to create a futuristic atmosphere. This includes 3D holograms, an immersive digital art wall and a 12-seater infinity digital interactive table, giving guests the possibility to explore space with their own personalised galactic tour. Rob will mix, and serve his signature cocktails, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and countless personalised drinks, just like a human bartender would do, whilst engaging the guests with his voice, human-like expressions for a fully immersive bar experience. Rob’s skills and emotional responsiveness combined with bartenders dressed as if they had just stepped out of a sci-fi movie supported by the immersive surroundings and technology will ensure that the MSC Starship Club is a must-visit attraction for all ages.

Guests will use specifically designed vertical digital cockpits within the area to place their order. Rob will then get to work and use all of his customised robotic skills to prepare the cocktails – pouring spirits, juices and syrups; shaking, building or stirring the concoctions; garnishing. Not only does Rob prepare an impressive range of cocktails, but he can speak 8 languages (English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese and Japanese), according to language chosen when the guest makes the order and he also has a clear personality that evolves with the surrounding settings and atmospheres. He uses his LED face to convey emotion so that guests can enjoy his performance whilst they sip on their cocktail.

The status of the cocktail preparation will be displayed through digital monitors within the area and a ticker-tape-style LED strip above the robotic island, whilst being immersed in the space-themed experience. The cosmic cocktails are served in custom-designed futuristic glasses that guests can be collected as a lasting souvenir of the MSC Starship Club experience. Guests will be able to return to the club multiple times over the course of their cruise, experiencing a new interaction with Rob each time.

MSC Cruises is constantly looking to the future for inspiration for the guest experiences, seeking out new ways to employ the latest technology to create something unique, to develop new innovations on board to elevate the guest offering to the next level. This latest innovation takes cutting-edge robotics and digital technologies to deliver a futuristic, immersive entertainment lounge, completely re-imagining the traditional bar experience to literally transport guests to another world.

The MSC Starship Club has been nearly six years in the making, since the first original concept and the Company has really pushed the boundaries with the engineering that has gone into making this a reality. During this time, MSC Cruises has worked with leading experts from companies specialising in robotics and automation, interior design as well as entertainment and digital experience solutions to create a custom designed entertainment venue with a humanoid robot as the star.