One Ship, Three Experiences -

From the moment we stepped aboard MSC Virtuosa, my two friends were completely captivated.

The sparkling atrium, mirrored staircases and constant buzz of excitement felt magical to them, especially as this was their very first cruise.

My friend Jackie immediately wanted photographs on the grand staircase, posing happily while people streamed past us in every direction.

I smiled and took the photos, while quietly thinking to myself:

this might not be my kind of ship at all.

And yet, by the end of the cruise, I realised something important:

sometimes a trip can still be meaningful, even when the experience itself isn’t quite what you hoped for.

Seeing the Cruise Through Their Eyes

We’d planned the cruise a year in advance to celebrate my friend’s 50th birthday. I was tasked with finding a cruise within a specific budget. Jackie became increasingly excited about celebrating her milestone birthday on a cruise that there was no way we could cancel when one of our party of four needed to drop out.

Aboard the ship, Jackie practically told everyone she met that she was celebrating her 50th birthday and became even more excited whenever she met others doing exactly the same thing. Her enthusiasm was infectious. At times she happily invited fellow passengers she had only just met to join us for dinner or pop by our cabin for cake.

Taking the cruise became an opportunity for Khosi to dress up which made a change from her usual black and white work clothes. She changed outfits everyday and even for dinner. She appreciated the compliments she received, especially after working hard to stay active and healthy. Dressing up and feeling good about herself became part of the fun of the cruise.

Jackie is naturally outgoing and struck up conversations everywhere. She was thrilled to meet three members of the crew who were from Uganda. She wanted to return to their location over and over again, just to chat to them.

It was evident that many people onboard felt comfortable simply being themselves, something Khosi especially noticed and appreciated.

When Bigger Isn’t Better

At times, the ship felt overwhelming.

The buffet was constantly busy, with passengers moving around in every direction searching for tables, food or simply somewhere to sit. The allocated table in the restaurant offered a suitable alternative to the buffet but my friends preferred the buffet.

Bars and lounges were often crowded too, and I found myself longing for quiet corners and calmer spaces.

I realised I missed the relaxed ambience and understated elegance I’d previously experienced on Princess and Celebrity cruises.

The Cabin Experience

Our original party of four was to share two twin cabins but when one person dropped out, we decided, reluctantly I might add, to share a cabin with a bunk bed and a single bed. I must admit that I dreaded it but resolved to make it work.

The cabin felt small and claustrophobic to me, and I struggled to sleep well throughout the trip. Yet for Khosi, the complete darkness and lack of distractions resulted in what she described as “the best sleep ever.”

Jackie slept well after she had celebrated her birthday which was not surprising as she had looked forward to it so much and the excitement stopped her from sleeping! The contrast said so much about our different travel needs and personalities.

Three Women, Three Different Holidays

Our travel preferences was even more evident in the activities we chose to do. We had different energy levels and priorities. I had not fully appreciated friendship dynamics and expectations versus reality. The age differences, different priorities and compromises, all played a part in what could have easily have become a stressful trip. There were tensions at times as well as moments of genuine affection. I stepped in a couple of times to keep peace and harmony. The saying “two is company and three is a crowd” came to my mind a few times.

We all wanted different types of experiences-

Jackie wanted excitement, connection and celebration.
Khosi wanted relaxation, fun and a break from routine.
I wanted atmosphere, comfort, quality and calmer spaces.

Three completely valid travel needs. The real interesting thing is none of us were wrong.

Travel can strengthen friendships but it also reveals differences in personality, energy and expectations.

Moments That Made It Worthwhile

I was happy to see my friends discover cruising for the first time. We shared laughter and made memories despite mixed feelings. Khosi was assigned map reading when we were ashore. I was the photographer. And Jackie, well, I think her role was just to have fun and simply enjoy celebrating her milestone birthday, which she did.

I’d planned “do it yourself” excursions at all the ports, and it went smoothly. We walked the Royal Mile after seeing Edinburgh Castle. We wandered around Old Stavanger with its beautiful white wooden houses and flower-filled streets. It was one of the prettiest and most relaxed stops on the cruise. The highlight in Haugesund was seeing the Rising Tide horse sculptures. This was a unique photo spot and stunning rugged coastline. Kristiansand was a perfect final cruise stop. We explored Posebyen (Old Town) and did some souvenir shopping.

Of all the moments onboard and ashore, one of the most unforgettable for Jackie came in Kristiansand when she discovered that a souvenir shop owner came from her very own village in Uganda.

What were the chances?