Passengers on MSC Cruises’ new flagship Virtuosa will be served by Rob, a futuristic robot bartender.
The humanoid barman will be part of the crew of MSC Starship Club venue when the ship comes into service from April 16.
Described as an “integrated bar and entertainment experience”, it includes 3D holograms, a digital art wall and a 12-seat digital interactive table, enabling guests “to explore space with their own personalised galactic tour”.
Rob will mix and serve cocktails while “engaging the guests with his voice, human-like expressions” – and he can speak eight languages.
He will be joined by bartenders “dressed as if they had just stepped out of a sci-fi movie”.
MSC Cruises has worked with experts from companies specialising in robotics and automation, interior design and digital experiences to create an entertainment venue with the humanoid robot.
After completing three, four and five-night cruises in the Mediterranean, MSC Virtuosa will be deployed to northern Europe in summer 2021 with a range of itineraries to the Norwegian fjords and Baltic capital cities.