I went onboard the huge MSC cruise ship – with 6,000 passenger capacity, poolside TVs and English pub open until 2am
IF Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, then the mighty cruise ship has to be the king of the all-inclusive.
Imagine taking the bars, restaurants and swimming pools of your favourite seaside town and throwing in a shopping arcade and a hatful of nightclubs.
Now plonk them on something weighing 181,000 tonnes that sails around the world to any sunny destination you like.
That pretty much makes up MSC Virtuosa.
MSC Cruises became a global F1 partner in 2022 and this year it will continue its sponsorship for the Japanese and Gran Premio dell’Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Formula 1 sees the world’s best drivers battle it out at 220mph in a car with ten times the power of the average Fiesta.
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And while MSC Virtuosa may only have a top speed of 25mph, just one of its bow thrusters has the power of nearly FIVE F1 cars.
In fact, the main engines would dwarf the entire F1 grid four times over.
And at more than 1,000ft long, the ship stretches further than most F1 pit lanes.
I was staying on board for the last F1 race of the 2023 season in Abu Dhabi, where a huge 1,700 crew were moored up.
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The 6,000-passenger capacity Virtuosa was better than any hotel I could have booked, with free shuttles to the track, a viewing suite on board and poolside big screens for those who didn’t want to leave their sun loungers.
The top deck showcased a string of F1 events, including Q&As with Ferrari legend Jean Alesi and double world champion Mika Hakkinen.
And in the evenings it transformed into a giant petrol head rave, with the shimmering lights of Abu Dhabi’s skyscrapers as a backdrop.
Outside of the racing, we could simply enjoy the ship’s facilities.
It was my first time on a cruise, and attacking the vast array of restaurants and cocktails took careful planning.
I came unstuck on the first night thanks to a combination of jet lag, something gin-based with fruit in it and the high of getting a selfie with Jean Alesi.
Luckily, MSC has an excellent app designed to help you navigate the ship, as well as book meals and excursions.
Sadly, it doesn’t have a “find my cabin” feature — and with 2,421 rooms, it would definitely have come in handy.
After the first evening’s excesses, I felt duty bound to punish myself in the one area most passengers go on holiday to avoid — the gym.
I was expecting a windowless dungeon near the engine room with prison yard equipment, but it was an air-conditioned treadmill heaven, with panoramic views over the rest of the ship.
And the same goes for the rest of the Virtuosa’s facilities — they’re not pale imitations of their onshore cousins, they’re top-notch rivals.
There is a full spa suite, with massage rooms and sauna.
The barbers came complete with stripey pole.
And the steakhouse fillets rivalled those from top London restaurants.
One evening, we enjoyed a late-night hot chocolate crafted by Belgian chocolatiers.
The next was a seafood dining odyssey.
Those who still hanker for home can enjoy the onboard English pub, which is open until 2am.
And who needs a kebab shop afterwards when you’ve got an all-inclusive buffet dishing out fresh pizza and hot dogs around the clock.
When it came to race day, MSC’s Abu Dhabi F1 package included a guided lap of the track, pit lane walk and chance to pose with the race trophy.
There was also free entry to the packed evening concerts at neighbouring Etihad park, which saw Foo Fighters star on the big day.
Most importantly though, MSC ticket holders had access to a suite in the West Stand at the Yas Marina circuit at the end of the straight into turn five.
It may have been the last race of the season but it wasn’t short on action.
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We watched in awe as the sparks scattered from under the skittering cars hammering their brakes into the tight left-hander.
Max Verstappen may have taken the podium, but with the amount of all-inclusive action at my fingertips, I felt like the real winner.
GO: MSC Cruises
FORMULA 1 PACKAGES: MSC hospitality packages will be available to purchase for the Japanese and Gran Premio dell’Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, later this year.
Prices and sale dates are yet to be revealed but F1 fans can sign up to be the first to hear on the F1 Hospitality page at
MSC VIRTUOSA: A 12-night Spain and Portugal all-inclusive cruise on board MSC Virtuosa costs from £1,549pp, departing Southampton on June 3, 2024.
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