Sun-Drenched Shores – La Rochelle & Bilbao

About this cruise

This one leaves Southampton on September 5, 2026 and spends 7 nights visiting La Rochelle, Bilbao, A Coruña and Cherbourg at a pace where every day has something going on but there's always time to just sit and watch the water too. There's a stretch of back-to-back port days, so those days are busy, but the sea days around them give you time to recharge. Fish and chips in one port, moules-frites in the next. Close neighbours, very different kitchens. Most ports give you about 10 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, MSC Virtuosa keeps you well fed. 7 places to eat, with 1 included in the fare and a few specialty spots if you're in the mood. If you like having options (restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment), a big ship delivers that. Being shoulder season helps: golden light, comfortable weather, and shorter queues at the popular spots. Hard to ask for much more than that, honestly.