Virtuosa from Southampton, a couple of questions

[Ergates The Ant]

We are considering a cruise on Virtuosa from Southampton,. The only cabins left on the itinerary we like are connecting cabins on deck 13. Wouldn’t hesitate to book a connecting cabin on Celebrity Silhouette as the doors are sort of outside the cabin, and no noise at all. What is the situation on Virtuosa?

Also keen to avoid any smoking areas, do they allow smoking in the casino out of Southampton?

Any other useful hints would be welcomed. We have enjoyed both Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, and had mixed experiences on Princess, P and O, and NCL. 

I looked at Yacht Club cabins, but worried about being so high up at the front of the ship! Is seasickness more likely to be a problem?

[kernow]

Have not had a connecting cabin but cabin doors are not 'inset' like on Celebrity so assume connecting door is inside cabin.

 

I'm not a casino person so don't know about smoking, have walked through and not noticed it like on some ships though.

 

We've been in YC twice (and booked again for next year), I'm sensitive to movement and yes there is a bit more than in cabins further back but not enough to stop me booking again (as YC is amazing). For me, the most movement I've felt is in the YC restaurant rather than the cabin. We love TAs, but I have said to DH that I would not do a TA  in YC as I wouldn't want to take a chance on all those sea days if the weather was bad.

Edited September 17, 2022 by kernow

[Nunagoras]

2 hours ago, Ergates The Ant said:

We are considering a cruise on Virtuosa from Southampton,. The only cabins left on the itinerary we like are connecting cabins on deck 13. Wouldn’t hesitate to book a connecting cabin on Celebrity Silhouette as the doors are sort of outside the cabin, and no noise at all. What is the situation on Virtuosa? - Don't know the Meraviglia class, but in general, on MSC, the doors are inside the cabin. If they're not set to be used on your sailing they usually find a way forward to block it entirely. the divider wall will be "softer" though, so it is possible those cabins can be more noisy.

Also keen to avoid any smoking areas, do they allow smoking in the casino out of Southampton?

Any other useful hints would be welcomed. We have enjoyed both Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, and had mixed experiences on Princess, P and O, and NCL. - They permit smoking on part of the casino and on one side of the pool deck. MSC will be at same cruising segment of RCI, P&O and NCL. X and Princess are superior, at least in theory. You won't be bad there as either way with whomever else of those.

I looked at Yacht Club cabins, but worried about being so high up at the front of the ship! Is seasickness more likely to be a problem? - The center section will be the most stable. Wonder why the YC is in front? Views? That will only be a premium in some cruises. Either way the ships are generally so stable that I believe I could book wherever else.

 

[kernow]

Just guessing but I think YC is at the front because of all that glass and the amazing views. On our Fjord cruise it took your breath away.

[hamrag]

21 hours ago, Ergates The Ant said:

...I looked at Yacht Club cabins, but worried about being so high up at the front of the ship! Is seasickness more likely to be a problem?

Definitely, yes when the ship has more than standard movement.

[Eglesbrech]

Others have answered the rest of your questions.
 

We walked through the casino to the lounge at the back and yes it stank of cigarette smoke and air freshener. Not as bad a stench as on say Princess ships but there non the less. There seemed to be smoking and non smoking areas (or at least ashtrays at some slots and not others) but the smell clings.