Tragic Incident Aboard MSC Virtuosa Prompts Murder Investigation

A murder investigation is under way after a 60-year-old man died following an alleged altercation onboard the MSC Virtuosa during a short cruise from Southampton, UK to Bruges.

The incident occurred on Saturday, 4th May 2025, while the ship was sailing in British waters. MSC Virtuosa had departed Southampton at 6:00 PM for a two-night roundtrip sailing to Belgium. Emergency services were contacted around 8:30 PM following reports of the altercation.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed that a 57-year-old man from Exeter was arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody while investigations continue. It is believed that both the suspect and the victim were part of a group of 20 people travelling together.

Police Statement and Passenger Experience

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Gillooly, who is leading the investigation, said: “We want to reassure you that this appears to be an isolated incident onboard, and we want to thank the crew for their cooperation and assistance with our enquiries.”

Passengers reported a visible police presence upon returning to Southampton at 6:00 AM on Monday, 6th May. The ship remains docked while further enquiries are carried out.

MSC Cruises Responds

MSC Cruises released an official statement confirming the incident and its support for those affected:

“Following an incident on board our ship, the relevant authorities were contacted and we are cooperating fully with their investigations. We are providing full support to those impacted.”

At this stage, no additional details regarding the nature of the altercation or the identity of the deceased have been made public. Authorities are appealing for any passengers or crew members to come forward with information.

MSC Virtuosa is one of MSC Cruises’ flagship vessels, homeported in Southampton. The ship has been operating a series of short European itineraries this spring and is renowned for its sleek, modern design and wide array of onboard amenities. It remains a popular choice for UK cruisers seeking quick getaways.

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