MSC Virtuosa serves up two new specialty dining venues

With five specialty restaurants, five main dining rooms, a 1,336-seat buffet and 21 bars and lounges, there is incredible choice — from casual to formal — aboard MSC Cruises' newest ship, set to debut April 16.

HOLA! Tacos & Cantina

This new fast-casual street food concept, open for lunch and dinner, offers a selection of Latin American and Mexican-inspired dishes and drinks to be shared in a relaxed atmosphere. Among the choices are blue corn tacos and nachos, beef empanadas, tamales, tortilla soup and vegetarian tacos. Drinks range from agua fresca to MSC's selection of Top 10 tequilas and mezcals.

A salsa bar provides six homemade salsas and a large selection of spicy sauces, along with a guacamole station — diners can have their guacamole prepared for them or make it themselves at their table.

There's a Mexican ice cream taco bar, too.

Indochine

This restaurant will serve Vietnamese classics with a French twist. The menu includes vegetarian and vegan options, as well as dishes that can be served family-style, to share. Choices include green papaya salad, beef bo buns, French-roasted snails and veggie Vietnamese crêpes.

Indochine's ample wine list features both New and Old World options, and there's a selection of signature tropical cocktails.

Returning favorites

Three popular MSC Cruises specialty restaurants from other ships will be aboard Virtuosa: the American-style steak house Butcher’s Cut, Kaito Teppanyaki with the lively East-West cooking style of Japanese cuisine on two teppanyaki grills and Kaito Sushi Bar with sushi, sashimi and tempura.

Buffet and main dining

The 1,336-seat Marketplace Buffet, open from day to night, will serve a wide variety of international dishes, with open-fronted kitchens, a fresh mozzarella factory, freshly baked bread and a fresh pasta and fruit and vegetable market.

This summer the buffet will follow the same service concept as sister ship MSC Grandiosa, with food plated for diners and a seating layout that allows for social distancing.

Additionally, MSC Virtuosa will feature five main dining restaurants serving Mediterranean and international specialties in elegant surroundings. All the main dining venues have been designed around a music theme.

Bars and lounges

Among the 21 bars and lounges, both indoor and outdoor, is the Champagne Bar with an accompanying selection of bubbly, caviar, oysters and crab. The Sky Lounge is known for its molecular cocktails in art deco inspired surroundings. Masters of the Sea is a British pub with a selection of more than 40 beers.

New to MSC Virtuosa is the futuristic MSC Starship Club featuring Rob, the first humanoid, robotic bartender at sea.

Gourmet chocolate, crêpes and gelato

Award-winning pastry chef and chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury returns with his Jean-Philippe Maury Café & Chocolat and Crêpes & Gelato.