The MSC World Europe is the first in a pioneering series of MSC World Class ships, and will feature innovative maritime design and an ultramodern interior unlike anything else at sea today, promising to redefine the cruise experience. This new ship, currently under construction at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, offers a wealth of entirely new experiences.
MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago commented: “Innovation is and will remain at the heart of our business, as we consider how to reinvent our ships with each new class, the passenger experience, ship operations, and technology. This is increasingly important in an industry where we need to design and build ships that will continue to appeal to passengers for many years to come. At MSC Cruises, we have a clear and robust vision for the future, which we combine with our own timeless style. MSC World Europa embodies this perfectly, blending globally inspired urban design with our signature European style to provide our passengers with a superior cruise experience.”.
“We want to offer our passengers not only truly unique and memorable holidays, but also sustainable ones, so this is an intrinsic part of our innovation program. This is why MSC World Europa, our first LNG ship and the most environmentally advanced to date, represents another important step forward for us in terms of our long-term vision of zero emissions.”.
- Experiences for all ages. The ship's size will allow for completely distinct zones or neighborhoods, each with its own style and experiences, from a tranquil zen zone for adults or a lively promenade with entertainment, shops and bars, to a separate family area housing ten new children's facilities; new single-brand stores, six swimming pools and 14 hot tubs, a family sun deck and Aquapark; high-quality theatrical shows, as well as new venues for watching the shows.
- A next-level shopping experience. MSC World Europa also offers superior gastronomy with a focus on artisanal products and innovative gourmet dining concepts. The ship boasts 11 dining venues, including six incredible specialty restaurants, three expansive onboard buffets, each offering a distinct ambiance, with one specifically dedicated to families; and a selection of bars such as the Masters of the Sea Pub, where craft beer will be brewed onboard for the first time. Other concepts include the Elixir cocktail bar, an Asian-style lounge, a café, the Gin Project gin bar, a juice bar, an ice cream parlor, and much more.
The MSC World Europa will also offer 19 different cabin categories to choose from, with 65% of cabins offering ocean views. The ship will see the introduction of seven new and innovative cabin types. These include:
- Suites and cabins with balconies overlooking the seafront are designed to allow passengers to soak up the vibrant atmosphere that surrounds them.
- Luxurious duplex suites at MSC Yacht Club with spacious balconies and private whirlpool tub, as well as a living room and dining area.
- Two refined MSC Yacht Club passenger suites with up to 152m2 of privacy and exclusivity, and their own dressing room.
- Elegant Aurea suites with a large balcony and private whirlpool tub.
- Oceanview cabins equipped with a panoramic sliding window that turns into a glass railing when open.
MSC World Europa's innovative design features a striking futuristic silhouette, with the ship's 90-degree plumb bow resembling an arrow. The impressive Y-shaped stern opens onto the fantastic 104-meter-long Europa Promenade, offering extraordinary ocean views. Half open to the sky and half covered by an imposing LED-Sky screen, the display will feature bespoke programming throughout the day.
One of the key features of the promenade is The Spiral, a striking architectural centerpiece in the form of a dry slide spanning 11 decks—the longest at sea! The elegant curves of the impressive stainless steel slide make it a true work of art, as well as a fun way to get from the top of the ship to the promenade.
With a length of 333 meters, 22 decks high and 40,000 m2 of public space, MSC World Europa is the longest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, which will allow it to offer a variety of novel and attractive experiences for everyone.
MSC World Europa will be the first LNG-powered ship in the MSC Cruises fleet and the most environmentally advanced to date. The fuel it runs on, liquefied natural gas (LNG), is one of the cleanest marine fuels in the world available on a large scale and is destined to play a key role in the transition to decarbonizing international shipping. It significantly reduces emissions of local air pollutants such as sulfur oxides by up to 99% and nitrogen oxides by up to 85%. LNG also plays a key role in mitigating climate change, offering CO2 reductions of up to 25% and paving the way for the uptake of hydrogen and ammonia, sustainable non-fossil fuels.
In addition, MSC World Europe will feature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, shore-to-ship electrical connectivity, advanced wastewater treatment systems designed in line with the International Maritime Organization's MEPC 227 (64), an underwater radiated noise management system, and a wide range of energy-efficient equipment that helps reduce and optimize engine use.
MSC Cruises' newest ship will enter service in December 2022 and spend its inaugural season in the Gulf, offering passengers the ultimate winter cruising experience. Its season will begin with a special 4-night sailing from Doha, Qatar, to its new homeport of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
MSC World Europe will offer 7-night cruises from Dubai to the nearby modern metropolis of Abu Dhabi, and on to Sir Bani Yas Island, where passengers will have the opportunity to discover an exotic array of wildlife or soak up the sun on pristine beaches—all exclusive to MSC Cruises on the days the ships are in port. Its Gulf program has been enhanced with stops in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage-listed oasis of Al Ahsa. The ship will also call in Doha, Qatar’s futuristic capital, before returning to Dubai for an overnight stay to explore all the wonders the city has to offer.
Departing from Dubai on March 25, 2023, MSC World Europa will head to the Mediterranean Sea. In the summer of 2023, it will offer 7-night cruises calling at the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples, and Messina, as well as Valletta in Malta, Barcelona in Spain, and Marseille in France.
