Tea Library with 100 varieties launches on board MSC Virtuosa

Varieties include PG Tips, Tetley, Clipper, Yorkshire Tea, Twinings and supermarket own brands, plus dozens of varieties of milk, sugar, sweeteners, mugs, cups, teapots, tea cosies and more. These are encased in a handmade box also containing different types of water. 

If successful, the MSC Tea Library will be rolled out next year. 

Passengers staying in the MSC Yacht Club can take afternoon tea daily – also part of the British culture. Following popular demand from Brits, MSC Cruises increased its frequency from weekly to daily on board MSC Virtuosa. 

British travellers survey

A poll of 2,000 people commissioned by MSC Cruises in May showed 76% of British travellers believe tea never tastes the same at sea, which has left 51% bringing their own tea bags when they leave England and 37% going as far as bringing their own kettle, mug – and even their own sugar bowl. 

Six in 10 (58%) said they believe drinking British tea abroad can improve the overall experience when travelling. 

Antonio Paradiso, VP of international sales and MD of MSC Cruises UK and Ireland said, ‘Brits are very particular about their tea, and they should be. When it doesn't taste right abroad, it can change the whole experience. It might be that the tea bags are wrong, or the water tastes off or it might be that UHT milk – it's very hard to replicate the components that make the perfect cuppa when you're not at home.’ 

Water to suit preference 

For a limited time this month, tea lovers sailing on board MSC Virtuosa will have a variety of bottled British tap water to suit their preferences – whether they are accustomed to very hard tap water from London, moderate water from Birmingham or soft water from Dundee. 

Paradiso added, ‘We're always listening to our customers to ensure their sailing experience is truly remarkable and if this trial is successful, we will roll it out during 2025.’ The trial is an extension of a previous survey amongst enthusiasts of MSC to find out which tea bag they wanted when cruising with the line, to inform the tea brands it offers on board. ‘We want our guests to feel like they're in a home away from home when sailing with us, which is why we have always taken tea seriously on board MSC Virtuosa and perfected even the smallest of details so that our guests can sit back and relax with their perfect cuppa, whatever their tastes,’ Paradiso concluded.