Cruise Ship of the Week: MSC World Europa – First in Every Way!
MSC Cruises broke with tradition when it launched the MSC World Europa—and not just because, on November 13, 2022, the ship was christened by a member of the Qatari royal family, Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, rather than actress Sophia Loren, the godmother of the rest of the fleet.
This year, at the naming ceremony in Doha, Qatar, the world witnessed a major shift at MSC Cruises, with the launch of MSC World Europa accompanied by other significant developments.
This 333-meter-long ocean liner, with a tonnage of 215,863 tons, making it one of the largest in the world, can accommodate more people than any other ship in the fleet—up to 6,762 passengers (in 2,633 cabins) in addition to 2,138 crew members.
The new, sleek bow visually positions the ship as a vessel of the future, while the Y-shaped stern leads to a 104-meter-long open promenade—another first for the fleet. Here, guests can experience an 11-deck dry slide (from decks 20 to 8—deck 17 does not exist), called The Spiral, which has earned the latest industry accolade as the longest at sea.
The first ship powered by liquefied natural gas and other eco-friendly technologies
World Europa is also the first LNG-powered ship to join the fleet, reducing CO2 emissions by 25%.
“Last year, we made a significant commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, leading the cruise industry on the path to decarbonization,” says Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of the cruise division of the MSC Group.
“Liquefied natural gas is the cleanest marine fuel currently available on a large scale, significantly reducing emissions while also ensuring compatibility with future alternative fuel solutions, in which we are actively investing in research and development. This includes a pilot solid oxide fuel cell on board the MSC World Europa.”
The introduction of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology on board, powered by liquefied natural gas, is another first for the fleet. It includes a 150-kilowatt SOFC unit that uses liquefied gas to generate energy—heat and electricity—on board through an electrochemical reaction. The company says that MSC Europa will serve as a test bed “to accelerate the development of fuel cell technology for modern cruise ships.”
A recent study on solid oxide fuel cells in future ship power systems, conducted by the Italian government agency ENEA, found that “SOFCs can reduce ships' greenhouse gas emissions by up to 34%.” Researchers also found that when using liquefied gas as fuel, “SOFCs are the most cost-effective solution, allowing for a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.”
Other systems implemented to reduce emissions include: selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems; shore-to-ship power connections; advanced wastewater treatment systems; underwater noise control systems to reduce the impact of noise and vibration on marine mammals; as well as energy-efficient equipment and systems to optimize engine utilization.
New Entertainment Concepts
The onboard environment has also undergone changes, and the lineup includes more new features. The iconic Swarovski staircase can now be found exclusively in the luxurious yacht club area, featuring more subdued tones chosen in place of the typically glittering interiors. With 40,000 square meters of public space, restaurants, and entertainment—for both adults and younger guests—there is more choice on board than on any other ship in the fleet.
In total, there are 33 restaurants, bars, and lounges, including six signature restaurants and seven new bar and café concepts. Michelin-starred chef Niklas Ekstedt leads Chef's Garden, which focuses on “farm-to-ocean” dishes to create yet another sea: a hydroponic garden. Thanks to a collaboration with craft beer expert Teo Musso, founder of Birra Baladin, the line will launch its first onboard microbrewery.
MSC World Europa offers an unprecedented amount of entertainment space across three key zones:
- Luna Park Arena
- World Theater
- Panoramic Lounge
The Luna Park Arena seats up to 300 people and offers interactive nightly concerts, including Ibiza-themed club nights and stunt shows inspired by movies, and is the venue for some of the most famous children's events, such as the new VR. Drone Academy and Dance Academy with Flavia Cacassi-Mistri from Strictly Come Dancing.
Five theatrical productions have been created for the 1,153-seat World Theater, while the Panorama Lounge will host musical performances.
“The new interactive entertainment experiences on board MSC World Europa will be unlike anything our guests have ever encountered, combining futuristic technology with unique, purpose-built spaces,” says Steve Litam, Global Head of Entertainment at MSC Cruises.
Kids' Zone
MSC World Europa also features an expanded range of entertainment for children. Not only does it span 766 square meters across seven distinct spaces, but it caters to children aged 0 to 17. While partnerships with Lego and Chicco remain, new ideas and activities are woven throughout the program, influenced by feedback from the company's young guests.
“We've invested significantly in entertainment for our young guests, and we know they value the latest technologies, trends, and experiences,” says Matteo Mancini, Children's Entertainment Manager. “We've worked to introduce real innovations in both the design of the facilities and the development of an incredible program of activities.
“Over the years, more than 350,000 young people have traveled with us, and we've listened to their feedback. MSC World Europa reflects this knowledge, and we were inspired to create an experience that combines technology and social media with activity and sports to create new and exciting entertainment for the children who sail with us.”
Highlights include access to
- 21 of the latest consoles
- 7 virtual reality stations and over 50 different video games
- Z Active, a new sports program for children and teens, including soccer, basketball, zorbing, and, for the first time on board, pickleball and hoverboards;
- Drone Academy, featuring cameras and VR;
- MSC Dance Crew, developed in collaboration with the production company X Factor Fremantle. Here, teams of 10- to 17-year-olds compete to be crowned Dance Crew of the Year.
The ship's water park, featuring VR technology, is also the largest in the fleet. There are four water slides and a separate pool for toddlers. Water also plays a key role in guests' relaxation. In total, there are seven pools for guests (the Botanical Pool has a retractable roof for year-round swimming) and 14 hot tubs.
Innovative "World Class" Ships
The Aurea Spa covers an area of 420 m² and includes
- a spa pool
- a Finnish sauna
- a steam room
- a snow room
- shower cabins
- salt cave
- Kneipp walk.
The 748 m² fitness center is equipped with premium Technogym equipment.
Sportsplex caters to the physical activity needs of the resort's younger guests by providing courts for
- basketball
- tennis
- soccer
- volleyball
- bumper cars and roller skating.
The entertainment area, featuring an F1 simulator and a video game zone, offers high-tech entertainment that guests associate with MSC Cruises' smart ships.
The MSC Yacht Club offers a more personalized experience for premium guests through butler service and exclusive amenities. This iteration includes a new sun deck design spanning two decks, dedicated treatment rooms, and two new 150-square-meter owner's suites, which are multi-room spaces exclusive to world-class ships.
MSC for Me—MSC Cruises' innovative digital platform—operates throughout the ship, eliminating barriers for guests and supporting a more personalized onboard experience.
Features include:
- pre-booking of the cruise
- digital route planning using a blue dot
- geolocation bracelets (to find friends and family on board)
- in-app booking and a chat feature that doesn't require purchasing an internet package.
MSC World Europa marks MSC Cruises' largest-ever deployment in the Middle East for the 2022/2023 winter season.
It offers seven-night voyages, from December 2022 through March 2023, from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island in the UAE; Dammam, Saudi Arabia; and Doha, Qatar; before returning to Dubai.
In March 2023, MSC World Europa will set sail for the Mediterranean for seven-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.
“Our innovative ‘World Class' ships represent a completely new cruise platform that boasts cutting-edge maritime and onboard hospitality technologies, state-of-the-art environmental technologies, as well as an innovative and ultra-modern design,” says Vago.
“MSC World Europa represents the future of cruising, a completely new platform that will provide our guests with an unforgettable cruise experience unlike anything seen before.”
