MSC Cruises Welcomes England Rugby Legends Onboard MSC Virtuosa For Exclusive Rugby-Themed Sailing

Saturday, Sep 13, 2025 0

MSC Cruises brought world-class rugby action to sea this September, as England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup heroes Martin Johnson (World-Cup winning captain), Ben Cohen, and Mark Regan joined guests onboard MSC Virtuosa for an unforgettable sporting-themed cruise.

Sailing roundtrip from Southampton to the stunning Norwegian Fjords, the trip featured a full line-up of unique events hosted by the rugby legends. Guests not only enjoyed exclusive opportunities to meet, learn from and even compete alongside some of England’s most celebrated players, but also made the most of everything MSC Virtuosa has to offer, from restaurants, entertainment and shopping to swimming pools and shore excursions.

Those onboard enjoyed the following activities:

Live Q&A with the Rugby Legends: Guests heard first-hand stories from the 2003 Rugby World Cup and took part in an interactive Q&A, with the chance to win a Champions ’03 shirt signed by the full squad.
Sportsman’s Lunch: A 3-course dining experience with Johnson, Cohen, and Regan gave fans the chance to capture photos and hear personal insights from their glittering careers.
Dance Class with Ben Cohen & Kristina Rihanoff: Guests swapped the rugby pitch for the dancefloor as Ben teamed up with professional dancer and choreographer from a popular British TV show, Kristina, for an energetic workshop.
Rugby Coaching for Kids: Captain Martin Johnson and Ben Cohen led a fun-filled coaching session at the ship’s Sportsplex, inspiring the next generation of players.
Guest Talent Show “Dancing Shoes”: Cohen and Rihanoff took to the judging panel to crown the cruise’s most entertaining performers.
MSC Formula Racer Simulator Challenge: Guests put their driving skills to the test, racing against the World Cup winners in the ship’s state-of-the-art racing simulator.
Premium Prize Draw: Guests could purchase £10 tickets for the chance to win a limited-edition 2003 England rugby shirt signed by the full squad. Ticket holders for the paid events (Q&A and Sportsman’s Lunch) were automatically entered into the draw.

Antonio Paradiso, VP of International Sales at MSC Cruises, said: “We recently welcomed three of England’s most iconic rugby legends onboard MSC Virtuosa, giving our guests the chance to meet their heroes and enjoy some fun, once-in-a-lifetime experiences with them. It’s a great example of how MSC Cruises brings people together to create unforgettable holidays in some of the world’s best destinations. And with one final rugby sailing coming up this September, we’d encourage fans not to miss out on the chance to be part of it.”

For guests who didn’t get the chance to attend previous rugby sailings on MSC Virtuosa, there is one final opportunity to book the last sailing on 27 September 2025. This voyage will give holidaymakers a final chance to enjoy the ship’s award-winning entertainment, world-class dining and family-friendly amenities before she repositions.

More information about the next rugby sailing can be found here. The 2003 England Rugby legends Neil Back, Kyran Bracken, and Andy Gomarsall will be joining this cruise.

Guests are able to pre-book the Q&A and Sportsman’s Lunch through their personal area ahead of the cruise. To book, visit www.msccruises.co.uk