MSC Virtuosa – Antilles- Travel Journal
In today’s post I will tell you about my experience on a cruise in the Caribbean Sea. I admit that before starting this trip I was quite skeptical about whether I could enjoy a trip of this type: being locked up for hours on a ship, surrounded by thousands of people, with rigid schedules of permanence in the various destinations etc.. However, the experience I had was exceptional (to the point that I have already booked the next cruise for next year!). Here is a short travel diary to share my memories of this fantastic trip.
MSC Virtuosa
Let’s start with the ship that hosted me for a week. The MSC Virtuosa belongs to the MSC Cruises company, one of the world leaders in the field. This brand new ship is part of the Meraviglia – Plus class and was launched in 2021. With its 19 decks it can accommodate over 6,300 passengers and is equipped with all comforts and characterized by an elegant and modern design. This ship also has the exclusive area of the MSC Yacht club, where I stayed. It is a unique holiday experience that requires its guests a dedicated area on the ship, high-level suites, restaurant, grill bar and private lounge, sundeck with dedicated pool but above all a 5-star service that requires the presence of a dedicated butler, fast track when boarding and disembarking from the ship and preferential lane for all the activities and experiences on the ship. A real cruise within a cruise that allows the guest to feel pampered and fully enjoy life at sea without having to think about anything. The ship has all the comforts possible, entertainment, shows of the highest value and a cuisine in its countless high-level restaurants.
In the elegant Galleria Virtuosa you will find shops and boutiques of various kinds under a gallery of LEDs whose colors vary according to the day making it unique at every different moment.
First stop: Guadeloupe
From the port of Fort de France, in Martinique, the first leg of the journey took us to Guadeloupe, to Pointe-à- Pitre after about 9 hours of sailing. Once we reached the French island, we relied on an excursion to savor the best of this French overseas department in just a few hours. The tour allowed us to appreciate the magnificent tropical landscape of the island and we visited the fabulous Botanical Garden where, among parrots, ponds, and tropical plants, we savored the beauty of this island of the Lesser Antilles. After having traveled far and wide through the vast botanical garden, we headed for a short stop on the beach, in particular one of the most beautiful on the island, the beach of Grande Anse. This long beach of about 1 km is characterized by golden sand and a crystalline sea, perfect for the first swim in the Caribbean Sea. After the swim, we return to the ship to continue sailing north!
Sea day
After the first stop in Guadeloupe, the sailing day scheduled for our cruise arrived. I admit that the idea of staying at sea for about 18 hours without being able to get off worried me but instead it was one of the best moments of the ship! The ship is huge and there are so many activities to do, even for those who love to move and can’t stay still on a lounger by the pool. In our case we took advantage of it to pamper ourselves between the SPA, pool, drinks and excellent cuisine and a bit of shopping. In the evening we discovered the fantastic shows organized in the Grand Theatre that we couldn’t give up! For sports lovers, the ship has a jogging path on the deck, a large pool, and many fun activities such as an adventure path and a water park.
Second stop: Sint Maarten
After a day of sailing we docked in Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten, a constituent nation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This small state shares the beauty of this small Caribbean island with the French territory of Saint Martin. The tour we decided to do allowed us to visit both the French side (in particular the delightful capital Marigot) and the Dutch side. This island offers unique views from the top of its hills from where you can see other nearby islands such as Anguilla and Saint Barth. A must is a stop at the iconic Maho Beach where, given the proximity to the Princess Juliana airport, you can admire the landing planes passing very close to the swimmers! A unique experience not to be missed! Just as you cannot miss a walk in Philipsburg among its streets full of luxury shops and jewelry and its colorful buildings.
Third stop: Antigua
The next stop took us to the island of Antigua, in the state of Antigua and Barbuda. Docked in the port of the capital Saint John’s, we immediately visited the small center where we admired its colorful houses and its imposing cathedral. After this short walk we went to one of the most beautiful beaches on the island to enjoy the sun and the pristine sea of Antigua, Runaway Bay beach. This white sand beach is not very crowded and ideal for enjoying a bit of relaxation before setting off to discover a new island!
Fourth stop: Saint Kitts
After a night at sea, at dawn we arrived on the island of Saint Kitts, the main island of the island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Once we reached the port of Basseterre, its capital, we were picked up for a nice off-road tour to discover the island. The island of Saint Kitts is very different from the previous ones. More mountainous and green, it is characterized by darker beaches that testify to its volcanic origin. The tour took us into the heart of the island’s rainforest on the slopes of Mount Liamuiga. The island is a protected area and is the only place in the world where the rainforest, instead of retreating, is developing, thanks to the interruption of sugar cane cultivation in recent years. After a beautiful panoramic tour we were taken to the beach of Frigate Bay, one of the most famous on the island, for a bit of relaxation on the dark volcanic sand before returning to the ship!
Fifth Stop: British Virgin Islands
The next stop on our wandering around the Lesser Antilles was the island of Tortola, the main island of the British Virgin Islands. Once we reached the port of Road Town, the capital, we were taken on a panoramic tour of the island’s heights where we admired some unique views. Once back downstream we reached Cane Garden Bay, one of the most beloved beaches on the island. Surrounded by unspoiled nature we were able to enjoy the island’s crystal-clear water and relax while drinking an excellent rum-based drink! What better way to enjoy the Caribbean!
Sixt Stop: Martinique
Unfortunately the week flew by and we reached the port of departure, Fort de France, from where we then took the flight back to Italy. But before leaving the island we treated ourselves to one last excursion to discover Martinique, the French overseas island. After a tour of its capital Fort de France, where we strolled through its streets, the covered market, visited the cathedral and the magnificent Schoelcher library, we reached Balata where we visited the church of Notre Dame de Balata, a miniature reproduction of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre in Paris, and finally the magnificent Balata Botanical Garden! Here we walked along the fun suspension bridge between the trees that allowed us to admire the enchanting landscape of the island for the last time before reaching the airport.
This concludes this short travel diary about my first cruise! A unique experience that I will repeat as soon as possible! If you have any questions or curiosities, do not hesitate to contact me on the various social channels!