[7][2] Each new vessel was designed to be larger than their older Meraviglia-class sisters, at 181,000 GT, with a maximum passenger capacity of 6,334 guests.

[12][13] MSC Virtuosa was originally scheduled to be delivered in October 2020[14] and sail her maiden voyage on 8 November 2020 from Genoa.

[3] However, due to the construction delays, MSC Grandiosa replaced all of the ship's scheduled itineraries through the winter 2020–2021 season.

[19] She re-positioned to Dubai in autumn 2021, where she was based throughout the winter, sailing 7-day itineraries in the Persian Gulf to the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

[21] Whilst in Southampton she will perform 2-14 night cruises to regions including Northern Europe, Baltics, Norwegian Fjords and the Canary Islands.

French fire and rescue services winched the casualty with a helicopter crew, and the woman was later pronounced dead by doctors.