In just six months MSC Cruises will launch its latest flagship, MSC World Europa, which it calls its "most innovative, most environmentally advanced and most exciting ship to-date."
The new vessel is the first from MSC's World Class prototype, spanning 22 decks, 47 metres wide, with 2,626 cabins and boasting more than 430,000 square feet of public space.
"This ultramodern urban metropolis at sea is the future of cruising and will offer a world of different experiences pushing the boundaries of what is possible at sea - setting a new standard for the cruise industry," MSC said in a statement. As the debut draws closer, the cruise line highlights some different features of the upcoming MSC World Europa.
The Promenade – the beating heart of the ship
The 304-feet long, seven deck-high outdoor World Promenade opens out onto the aft of the ship with sea views, which guests can enjoy day or night with entertainment and al-fresco dining space. The "crowning glory of the promenade" is an architectural piece: The Venom Drop @ The Spiral spanning 11 decks. Those feeling brave can take it on as they jump on the "longest dry slide at sea," and travel down 242 feet, the most fun (and quickest) way to get from the top of the ship to the promenade.
Connected to this in the indoor promenade is the World Galleria spanning over 3,200 square feet and topped with an LED and kinetic dome ceiling - also where guests can browse and enjoy the various lined bars, restaurants, shops, and boutiques.
Savour the World with restaurants, bars and lounges
MSC World Europa features 33 restaurants, bars and lounges each with its own distinct style.
The ship will offer a spectacular range of 13 restaurants, including six specialty restaurants with two brand new concepts for MSC Cruises:
- Chef’s Garden Kitchen - The first hydroponic garden at sea where the ingredients literally take centre stage with micro herbs, salads and garnishes grown and harvested on board.
- La Pescaderia - This signature Mediterranean fish restaurant will serve fresh fish, aiming to mix sophistication with casual and family dining.
Guests can also find MSC Cruises signature favourites including the Butcher’s Cut, an American-style steakhouse, Latin American street food inspired Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Kaito Teppanyaki and Sushi bar.
Among the 20 bars and lounges onboard are seven brand new bar and café concepts including the line’s first onboard microbrewery, a new gin bar, a new cool, a cocktail bar honoring the art of mixology, and more.
Entertainment for all ages
Guests can experience entertainment with a host of different venues that include grand-scale theatre productions, immersive performances in the aft lounge, interactive family entertainment in the Luna Park Arena, and an authentic Bohemian Street theatre around the ship. Guests can also let their hair down at the roller-disco or let their inner child free with the bumper cars.
- Panorama Lounge at the aft of the ship offers immersive and flamboyant entertainment
- The 1,153 seat World Theatre will host original productions each night of the cruise
- The Luna Park Arena is a new multifunctional entertainment venue that will host movies, game shows, kids’ activities and different themed parties.
Family offerings
MSC World Europa's children's area will be the largest in the fleet, with over 8,200 square feet of interior space, seven rooms dedicated to different age groups from 0 to 17 years old developed in collaboration with LEGO and Chicco.
Entertainment for children and teenagers will be even more varied with original game and talent show formats that will be created for The Studio, Luna Park Arena and the World Theatre.
Finally, thanks to the extended opening hours of the Kids Club and Teens Club, accompanied by youth staff, youngsters will also be able to enjoy other attractions of MSC World Europa, including bumper cars, the dry slide and the virtual room.
Leisure and wellness escape
Guests can enjoy seven swimming pools and 13 whirlpools located in distinct parts of the ship.
Highlights include:
- A new Zen Pool area at the aft of the ship – dedicated to adults only featuring two pools, solarium, and a shady lounge area – all from deck 18 for sea views
- The MSC Yacht Club with its double-deck sundeck, private pool and whirlpool
- The Aquapark on deck 20, the largest in MSC Cruises’ fleet, features a kids’ pool and slides for all the family
- La Plage – the main pool with a pool deck area at over 37,000 square feet, complete with different levels for sunbathing
- The Botanic Garden Pool with retractable roof, tropical bar and area for lounging
MSC Yacht Club
MSC World Europa will feature an enlarged MSC Yacht Club with more public space, an expanded outdoor area and new suites all wrapped up in the futuristic design of the ship.
The enhanced public spaces include a reimagined sundeck, set over two decks for the first time, while two new spacious OwnerSuites join the exclusive ‘ship within a ship’ concept with key-card access exclusively.
New accommodation design
According to MSC, the new ship is as different on the inside as it is on the outside, with all-new cabin designs and the most balcony cabins on any ship in the fleet. From suites with private facilities in the MSC Yacht Club, to traditional cabins and new cabins overlooking the outdoor promenade, there are plenty of accommodations for guests to choose from.
The ship will offer seven new cabin types not seen on any other MSC Cruises’ ship, and more suites than ever have private whirlpool baths.
Another highlight is the new Infinite Oceanview cabins with panoramic sliding windows that turn into a glass balustrade when open.
Itineraries
MSC World Europa will spend its inaugural season in the Gulf giving guests a winter cruise experience. Her season will commence on 20DEC 2022, with a special 4-night sailing from Doha in Qatar to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
MSC World Europa will then offer 7-night cruises from Dubai to the nearby metropolis of Abu Dhabi, on to Sir Bani Yas Island, where guests will have a chance to discover an array of wildlife or bask in the warm sun on the beaches, all exclusive to MSC Cruises on the days which the ships call. The ship's programme in the Gulf has been enriched with calls in the port of Dammam, Saudi Arabia, visiting Al Ahsa oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ship also calls Doha, the capital of Qatar, before returning to Dubai with an overnight in the city to discover all the marvels it has to offer.
Environmental efforts
MSC World Europa will be the first LNG-powered vessel in MSC Cruises’ fleet. According to MSC Cruises, the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) "virtually eliminates" local air pollutant emissions like sulphur oxides and reduces nitrogen oxides by up to 85 per cent. LNG also plays a key role in climate change mitigation as it reduces CO2 emissions by 25 per cent and is paving the way for the uptake of sustainable non-fossil fuels including green hydrogen.
In addition, MSC World Europa will feature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, shore-to-ship power connectivity, advanced wastewater treatment systems to comply with the so-called Baltic standard, the strictest global standard for wastewater disposal to sea, an underwater radiated noise management system to reduce potential noise and vibration impact on marine mammals, as well as a wide range of energy efficient equipment and systems to optimise engine use.
For more information on MSC World Europa, visit its web site.
