MSC Cruises is putting a lot of effort into their new flagship cruise ship MSC Virtuosa. While the guests onboard are already spoiled for choice with an incredible five main dining rooms, a 1,336 seat buffet restaurant, and 21 bars, the cruise line revealed two more specialty restaurants, bringing the total up to five.
MSC has been paying attention to food offerings onboard its ships lately, focusing on creating a foodie focussed experience.
Discovering New Cultures And Tastes
The company’s latest flagship, MSC Virtuosa, was initially scheduled for launch in November of last year. As with most things in the last 12 months, the pandemic ruined the party for Europe’s biggest cruise line. But then again, it does give them a chance to reveal the offerings onboard the 6,334 passenger ship bit by bit.
Related: MSC Cruises Takes Delivery of New Mega Ship MSC Virtuosa
The line revealed two new specialty restaurants today: HOLA! Tacos & Cantina and Indochine Restaurant. MSC Cruises’ CEO Gianni Onorato said the following about the food experience onboard:
“Dining on board MSC Cruises ships is a gastronomic adventure with authentic food, globally inspired menus, and culinary artistry at the heart of our offering. As a company, we are in constant pursuit of new and exceptional experiences that showcase international cuisine, taking our guests on a gourmet journey of discovery. MSC Virtuosa will feature two brand new specialty restaurants — HOLA! Tacos & Cantina and Indochine.”
HOLA! Tacos & Cantina will feature Latin American-inspired dining. Curious about what’s on the menu? Guests can choose from blue corn tacos and nachos, authentic beef empanadas, and tasty tamales through tortilla soup or vegetarian tacos. Guests can even make their personal guacamole.
Indochine is an entirely new concept for MSC Cruises. The restaurant will offer guests Vietnamese classics with a French twist, combining two world-famous culinary kitchens. The menu will include vegetarian and vegan dishes and family-style dishes to share with friends like Green Papaya Salad, Beef Bo Buns, French Roasted Snails, and Veggie Vietnamese Crêpes.
The other three specialty restaurants are well-known favorites amongst MSC guests, The traditional American-style steakhouse, Butcher’s Cut, The stylish Japanese Kaito Teppanyaki restaurant, and The Kaito Sushi Bar.
Also Read: MSC Cruises Unveils First-Ever Humanoid Robotic Bartender at Sea
All Set To Sail May 8
If all goes to plan, which in the current climate is anything but sure, MSC Virtuosa is due to sail for her maiden voyage on May 8, 2021. MSC’s latest flagship was originally due to sail on November 8, 2020.
MSC Virtuosa will sail on an itinerary from Kiel, Germany, with calls in Copenhagen, Denmark, Geiranger, Alesund, and Flaam in Norway, before returning to Germany.
Built-in Saint Nazaire, France, where most of the company’s ships are built, MSC Virtuosa is MSC Cruises’ largest vessel to date, together with sistership MSC Grandiosa. Both ships measure 181,000 gross tons, are 331 meters long, and cost an impressive €800 million ($963 million U.S.).
That, however, is mere pocket change if we look at another vessel that MSC is currently building. MSC World Europa will be the companies first LNG-powered ship and will weigh in at 205,700 tons. The vessel will cost more than €1 billion to build.
Photos & Video Courtesy: MSC Cruises
