MSC Cruises has unveiled its mega-ship, the MSC World Europa, designed for sustainable cruising and powered by liquefied natural gas. The newest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet is not only the first in the World Class series, but also boasts cutting-edge technology and is the vessel with which the company aims to further expand its presence in the cruise market, a market it continues to conquer.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 63 – December 2022
By Virginia López Valiente
The ship is certainly impressive. It has 22 decks, a beam of 47 meters, 2,626 cabins, and over 40,000 square meters of public space.
It features a 104-meter-long promenade, 19 different cabin categories with seven new designs, 13 restaurants, gastro bars, a craft brewery, seven swimming pools, and to attract the intrepid, a stainless steel "dry" slide that descends 11 decks called The Venom Drop.
In terms of sustainability, MSC hasn't simply stopped at using LNG, the most environmentally advanced fuel option to date. This is also the world's first contemporary cruise ship to incorporate the new solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The ship will include a 150-kilowatt SOFC demonstrator that will use LNG to produce electricity and heat on board with high efficiency through an electrochemical reaction. It will serve as a testbed to accelerate the development of fuel cell technology for contemporary cruise ships and offers potential for enabling hybrid propulsion solutions in the future.
In addition, MSC World Europe will feature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, shore-to-ship electrical connectivity, advanced wastewater treatment systems to comply with the so-called Baltic standard, the strictest globally for wastewater disposal, an underwater radiated noise management system to reduce the potential impact of noise and vibrations on marine mammals, as well as a wide range of energy-efficient equipment and systems to optimize engine use.
In fact, everything on board has been made more environmentally friendly. All the light bulbs are LEDs, and even the boat's exterior paint has an antifouling treatment, which prevents the hull from becoming covered in algae and mollusks, making it more environmentally friendly and reducing friction and therefore fuel consumption. The boat is also already prepared to meet the goal of zero emissions by 2050, as well as the initial target of a 40% improvement in emissions intensity by 2030, compared to 2008.
Comprising 58 cabins, exploring the ship is undoubtedly an adventure that reveals something new at every turn. From the classic 10-15 square meter interior cabin to the exclusive and luxurious Owner's Suite in the Yacht Club with a whirlpool tub, there is a good variety of cabins, all perfectly equipped. This ship has a promenade, and therefore cabins and suites with balconies overlooking this area. This cruise also features the most glamorous Yacht Club in the fleet, complete with a double-deck terrace.
A fusion of technology, sustainability, and revolutionary onboard experiences.
While not a new concept for MSC, the 104-meter-long World Promenade is one of the ship's most impressive spaces and the place to be, especially at night. It covers 2,214 square meters and is crowned with an LED ceiling and kinetic dome. Many passengers may be looking for the signature Swarovski crystal staircases, but these have only been installed this time in the Yacht Club.
The ship has its own craft brewery, and you can sample its beer along with other brands at the "Masters of the Sea Pub." The Mixology Bar is pleasantly decorated and very interesting, perfect for enjoying an elaborate cocktail or one of the 30 varieties of gin available on board.
But since not everyone drinks, or because there's a time for everything, the ship has a chocolate shop, ice cream, a fresh juice bar, the Emporium coffee shop to enjoy a wide variety of aromas, and a South Asian-style tea room offering 25 different varieties.
The ship will feature 13 dining venues, including six specialty restaurants, such as the classic American-style steakhouse Butcher's Cut and the Asian-inspired Kaito Teppanyaki Grill and Sushi Bar, as well as the Hola, Tacos & Cantina restaurant.
This is also the world's first contemporary cruise ship to incorporate the new solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
It also offers, as a novelty, the Chef's Garden Kitchen, which is eco-friendly and is advertised as the first hydroponic garden at sea for the "green" diners, and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with outdoor seating, and three spacious buffet restaurants, each with a distinctive atmosphere.
Entertainment comes in the form of new large-scale, concert-style shows in the Panorama Lounge, five new theatrical productions in the World Theatre, and surprise live exhibits throughout the ship. The 300-seat Luna Park Arena hosts a variety of shows and interactive games day and night.
The children's area is the largest in the fleet, with over 766m² of indoor space and 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 is even more varied, with new and original game formats, shows, and high-tech rooms. The Aurora Borealis water park also features virtual reality, four water slides, and a special pool for toddlers.
But throughout the cruise and during its days at sea, the World Europa will unleash its full entertainment force, from a disco with skating and a rock & roll bingo to bumper cars.
MSC World Europa will be in the Mediterranean in the summer of 2023 offering 7-night cruises with stops in the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina, as well as Valletta in Malta, Barcelona in Spain and Marseille in France.
celebrated
the christening ceremony of the World Europa at Doha's brand-new Grand Cruise Terminal. The celebrations are part of MSC Cruises' global commitment to Qatar and its efforts to grow international tourism in the country and throughout the Middle East region. In the presence of Captain Marco Massa, guests from around the world enjoyed performances by local artists, a video-mapping projection on the ship's hull, a spectacular drone show, and a grand finale performance by international singer-songwriter Matteo Bocelli. The festivities concluded with a fireworks display and a gourmet gala dinner in the ship's elegant restaurants.
