We visited in detail, but still under construction, what will be MSC Cruises' first cruise ship powered by liquefied natural gas.
By: Virginia López Valiente
On a trip to the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyards in the French town of Saint Nazaire, we were presented in all its splendor with the magnificent 205,700 gross ton megacruise ship from MSC Cruises that will enter service at the end of the year.
This World series from the company balances and combines the more outward-facing orientation of the Seaside class with the inward-facing orientation of the Meraviglia class, so that the ship is perfectly prepared for all climates and all tastes.
1.3 million work hours were dedicated to the design and engineering over 25 months, and more than 15 months to its manufacture. This cruise ship, which can accommodate up to 6,762 passengers and 2,138 crew members at maximum capacity, and which took more than 15 months to build, is composed of 700 panels and 59 "superblocks," using 38,000 tons of steel in 350,000 pieces, and its total cost was €1 billion.
With a length of 333.33 meters, a beam of 47 meters, 2,626 cabins and 40,000 m2 of public space, it becomes the longest, widest and largest in the MSC fleet and one of the largest cruise ships at sea.
The interior design of this engineering marvel includes new spaces in the form of neighborhoods or “districts”, a semi-open promenade of more than 100 meters and a dry slide, The Spiral, the longest at sea, which will start on the top deck and go down to The Promenade.
MSC World Europa will also feature a unique Y-shaped stern and a vertical, arrow-shaped bow instead of the traditional bulbous bow. The stern will open onto the main promenade, which is semi-open to the sky and partially covered by an LED screen, similar in design to those on the Meraviglia-class ships.
The ship will feature 13 dining options, including six specialty restaurants with two new additions: Chef's Garden Kitchen, which focuses on flavorful microgreens, and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with al fresco seating. MSC classics will also be present, such as the American-style steakhouse Butcher's Cut and the Asian-inspired Kaito Teppanyaki Grill and Sushi Bar, as well as the newly launched Hola! Tacos and 
Cantina. There will also be three buffets on board. The Masters of the Sea pub will occupy two decks and, for the first time, will brew craft beer on board. Other concepts will include the Elixir – Mixology Bar with signature cocktails, a South Asian-style tea lounge filled with oriental aromas, an authentic Emporium coffee bar with selections from around the world, a well-stocked Gin Project inspired by a real distillery, a tempting juice bar made with fresh ingredients, and an ice cream parlor.
The Luna Park Arena spans two decks and features retractable seating and a giant, ultra-high-definition screen at the front. This multipurpose venue will host 
shows and the Drone Academy for children. It's a multifunctional space that will be in full use throughout the day.
Of particular note are the seven swimming pools and 13 jacuzzis of various sizes, both indoors and outdoors. A retractable roof rises over the spa pool to accommodate guests in all weather conditions, and two pools can be found in the adults-only Zen area.
In contrast, the two-story Sportplex is an excellent area for children, offering activities such as basketball, soccer, and bumper cars, as well as food and drinks. The ship boasts the largest children's area in the MSC Cruises fleet.
MSC World Europa will have 19 different cabin categories, 65% of them with balconies, and introduces seven new cabin types including suites and balcony cabins overlooking the promenade, MSC Yacht Club duplex suites with spacious balconies and private whirlpool bath, as well as an open living area, Aurea Suites with a large balcony and private jacuzzi, and ocean-view infinity cabins with a panoramic sliding window that becomes a glass balustrade when open.
The company's new construction and delivery program begins with MSC World Europa and Seascape at the end of the year. The first ship in the luxury Explora Journeys brand, Explora I, is scheduled for delivery in mid-May 2023, and MSC Euribia is slated for delivery at the end of next May. This means the company will receive four ships in a seven-month period, all during a time of global supply crisis.
MSC World Europe will make its first appearance in Doha, Qatar for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, focusing its itineraries on the Middle East.
