MSC VIRTUOSA

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Man suspected of murder released on bail

The man who died on board the 'MSC Virtuosa' following an altercation on May 3, has been named as James Messham, 60, from Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. A 57-year-old man from Exeter, Devon, was arrested on suspicion of murder and has been released on bail, pending further inquiries by Hampshire Constabulary. Proceedings into the death had not yet been opened. Messham was part of a stag party on board the cruise ship, which was in British waters at the time.

One passenger died during altercation, another arrested

On Maa 3, a 60-year-old man died on board the 'MSC Virtuosa', and another was arrested in connection with his death. Around 8:30 p.m.,2,5 hours after the cruise ship had departed from the port of SouthamptonUK, an altercation reportedly broke out between several passengers, A 60-year-old British man attending a stag party reportedly died during the altercation. Another British man, aged 57, was reportedly arrested on suspicion of murder and later released on bail. The 'MSC Virtuosa', which had departed Southampton around 6:00 p.m. for a two-night voyage to Bruges, Belgium, finally returned to the British port on May 5. The relevant authorities have been contacted and the company was cooperating fully with their investigations.

Meddevac off Tenerife

On April 29, 2025, the 'MSC Virtuosa' informed the RCC of Salvamento Marítimo via VHF CH72 that it needed to medevac a passenger on its voyage from the port of Tenerife to the port of Arrecife. The ship returned to the roadstead of the port of Tenerife, where the crew of the SAR boat 'Salvamar Tenerife' (MMSI :224023000) was mobilized to the cruise ship and successfully took the patient off. He was taken to Tenerife and transported to hospital for further medical care on a higher level.