In November 2025, the MSC Virtuosa will embark on a 17-night journey from Rotterdam to Martinique, and there’s currently an attractive offer for this cruise. You can book an interior cabin for €1,059 or an ocean-view cabin for €1,279. For such a long cruise, however, many might prefer a balcony cabin for €1,499 (prices are per person). All meals and gratuities are included.
The price includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with cold and hot water, coffee, tea, and milk during meal times or buffet restaurant hours. Speciality restaurants are generally excluded and may incur additional charges. All cabins are equipped with double beds that can be converted into twin beds if needed.
The Route
This itinerary begins in Rotterdam and includes early stops in Southampton and Le Havre, offering opportunities to explore parts of southern England and northern France. After a stretch of sea days across the Atlantic, there’s a stop in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel in the Azores, known for its natural scenery and geothermal activity. The second half of the trip focuses on the Caribbean, with port calls in Barbados, St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua, Dominica, and Martinique, providing a mix of urban centres, beaches, and natural landscapes. The balance between port days and sea days offers time for both sightseeing and rest.
Here’s the cruise’s detailed itinerary:
| Date | Location | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 19 | Rotterdam | 17:00 | |
| November 20 | Southampton | 08:00 | 20:00 |
| November 21 | Le Havre | 07:00 | 19:00 |
| November 22 – 24 | 3 days at sea 🌊 | ||
| November 25 | Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| November 26 – 30 | 5 days at sea 🌊 | ||
| December 1 | Barbados | 08:00 | 20:00 |
| December 2 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| December 3 | St. Kitts & Nevis | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| December 4 | Antigua | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| December 5 | Dominica | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| December 6 | Martinique | 08:00 |
The Ship
The MSC Virtuosa (Meraviglia-Plus) was completed in 2020 at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard. It is 331 meters long and 43 meters wide. The ship accommodates nearly 6,400 passengers and 1,700 crew members. With a tonnage of 181,000 gross register tons, it can reach a maximum speed of 23 knots.
In addition to the buffet restaurant, which features its own mini-mozzarella production, and a good main restaurant, the ship has a total of 7 speciality restaurants (e.g., Mexican & Japanese) that require an additional charge, as well as 21 bars. The centre of the ship, known as the Galleria, houses the speciality restaurants along with various shops and bars. The Galleria leads to the theatre entrance at the bow.
For an additional fee, the ship offers a spa and fitness area, various cultural and leisure activities, including a bowling alley, theatre, casino, nightclub, and 4D cinema.
The ship also features a lovely upper deck with a pool at the stern, as well as a large water park and climbing garden. The downside is the long distances to the only two elevator shafts. The onboard languages are English and Italian. The currency onboard is the Euro.
Flights
Most of our readers probably need a flight back from Martinique to Europe. The cheapest option is usually flying with Corsair to Paris. Currently, prices for the fare including luggage start at €614.
Feel free to check how much the flights to your city would cost:
Cover Picture: Martinique | Photo by Léopold de Reynal on Unsplash