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11th Oct 2024 | 7 nights | MSC Cruises | MSC World Europa
MSC World Europa marks a new class of ship for MSC Cruises. The line’s first World-class ship began sailing from Doha in December 2022 following the FIFA World Cup Qatar, with the ship first providing accommodation to visiting soccer fans and ‘WAGs’ during the month-long tournament. The ship features seven pools, 33 restaurants, bars and lounges, including several new venues, while the kids' club and MSC Yacht Club are the largest in the fleet. Additional new venues include the Panorama Lounge (Deck 8), replacing Carousel Lounge on previous ships and the 300-seat Luna Park Arena (Deck 5 & 6) for movies, kids entertainment and game shows.
Built in Saint-Nazaire, France, the 6,774-passenger ship (at full occupancy) is more than 1,000 yards in length; has 430,000 square feet of public space, becoming the longest, tallest and biggest in the fleet -- and one of the largest cruise ships at sea. One of the first things passengers will notice about MSC World Europa is its striking design from the exterior. As well as the Y-shaped aft, the bow takes a futuristic bulbous shape, contributing to the ship’s efficiency in the water. MSC World Europa is the line's first LNG-powered vessel; weighing 205,700 gross tons and spanning 21 decks. In addition to being LNG-powered, a source of electricity and heat onboard, the ship also taps into shore-to-ship power where possible and employs enhanced recycling and waste management systems. Passengers will notice waste bins in cabins have been separated into paper, plastic and food compartments, with the ship also recycling water, glass and aluminium.
We loved the buzzy new 113-yard World Promenade on Deck 8 and the impromptu Carnival-style performances that pop up here. Reminiscent of Royal Caribbean's Boardwalk, the half-open space is centred on the 11-deck dry slide -- the largest of its kind at sea -- called Venom Drop @ The Spiral. This coiling dry slide in the middle of the deck is spectacular, though we half expected to see a fanciful merry-go-round, too. Also on Deck 8, World Galleria is a beautiful space filled with drinking, dining and entertainment venues, with the LED-sky screen featured above similar in design to those on the Meraviglia class of ships. Deck 8 is bookended by the ship’s two main show spaces, the all-new Panorama Lounge for music and dance shows, and the World Theatre, where five new shows will be on the program (Eko, Amelia, A Night on Broadway, Cadmo The Landwalke and Yellow Submarine). If you're travelling with children, don't expect to see much of them onboard. The ship's Deck 19 kids club, Doremiland, is the largest in the fleet, while the 300-seat Luna Park Arena (Deck 6 & 7) also offers kids' activities and movie showings. There's more: Bumper cars; roller-skating; arcade games; drone masterclasses, waterslides and an addictive zombie-themed VR game.
Among the new venues on this super-size ship is the Raj Polo Tea House (Deck 8), which reminds us of a lounge you might find at the Raffles Singapore or a luxurious Four Seasons hotel. There's no sign of bling or sparkles here; simply muted colours, plush furnishings and a relaxed vibe where soothing cups of chai and afternoon tea are served. Follow the passage to the left of the venue to see a gallery of teas, tea traditions, a map showing where the teas are produced and artefacts relating to this much-loved drink. There’s another secret passage onboard MSC World Europa, though we won’t spoil the fun by revealing its whereabouts.
MSC World Europa features 13 dining venues, including six speciality restaurants, two of which are new. including two new venues: Chef's Garden Kitchen (Deck 8), replacing L’Atelier Bistrot, features an open kitchen and a glass-encased floor-to-ceiling growing space where micro herbs and other greens are grown onboard. La Pescaderia (Deck 8) has a focus on Greek and other Mediterranean dishes with an outdoor seating area for alfresco dining on the World Promenade. The inclusive Luna Park Pizza & Burger (Deck 6) serves outstanding slices of pizza and other fast food options opposite the new Luna Park Arena. Returning regulars include American-style steakhouse Butcher’s Cut, Asian-inspired Kaito Teppanyaki Grill and Sushi Bar, Latin American street food-inspired Hola! Tacos & Cantina and Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Cafe. Masters of the Sea Pub is split across two decks and three craft brews on board in special copper vats installed as a showpiece in the bar. Another new concept is Elixir -- Mixology Bar with elaborate signature cocktails, a South Asian-style tea room filled with perfumes from the East, an authentic Emporium coffee bar with selections from around the world, a widely stocked Gin Project inspired by a real distillery, a zesty juice bar made from fresh ingredients and a gelateria. There's also a new cafe, Coffee Emporium, serving bean-to-cup coffee and indulgent pastries and cakes.
MSC World Europa will have 19 different cabin categories -- 65 percent of those with balconies. The ship will see the introduction of seven new cabin types. These include: • Balcony suites and cabins overlook the World Promenade. If you’re looking for a quiet cabin location, you may want to avoid these new Promenade-facing rooms, which can pick up noise from bars and lounges above and below. If you prefer to be in the thick of the action, this cabin type will suit you. • Duplex MSC Yacht Club suites with large balconies and private hot tub, as well as open living/dining room area. • Aurea Suites with spacious balcony and private hot tub. • Infinite Ocean view cabins with a panoramic sliding window that turns into a glass balustrade when open.
MSC World Europa features the line’s largest Yacht Club, the line’s exclusive ship-within-a-ship enclave with its own Sun Deck and pool, lounge and restaurant, butler service and luxurious accommodation. The space features a revamped two-story Sun Deck and two sumptuous new 150-square-meter Owners Suites. We didn’t get to see these lavish new Owners Suites during a brief visit ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar, but passengers can expect walk-in wardrobes, large bathtubs, separate bedrooms and living areas, and whirlpools on balconies. The Yacht Club also features one of MSC Cruises' dazzling Swarovski crystal staircases.
Travellers looking for an action-packed, around-the-clock party, plus families with kids on a budget
Recluses looking for a small ship feel with plenty of quiet spaces, penny pinchers looking to avoid extra expenses
MSC Cruises is one of the most diverse cruise lines you can sail on with a multicultural mix of Italians, Brits, Spanish, Germans and French in the Mediterranean, with more North Americans in the Caribbean (but still lots of Italians and Spanish-speaking passengers), and a big local market in South Africa and South America. You'll also come across all ages. The lively night scene means these ships work well for teens and younger cruisers, while the decent kids' clubs (particularly on the newer ships) and the clever arrangements of clustered family cabins mean a lot of families travel during school holidays.
Yes, a little. The usual dress code is informal during the day and smart-casual at night -- think nice trousers and shirt for men and nice pants/skirts with blouse or cocktail dress for women. There's usually one gala night per cruise, when black tie or dark suit and tie are encouraged for men, as is a formal dress for women. This is not enforced, but people do make an effort.
No, unless you're in one of the Yacht Club suites, and even then, not everything is included. MSC sells its cruises through a somewhat bewildering array of packages: Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and Yacht Club. All include your accommodation, meals in specified restaurants and big-stage entertainment, along with basic coffee and tea, and select juices at breakfast and lunch. Beyond that, perks and inclusions vary by which package you've purchased, with Bella having no additional inclusions and Aurea featuring unlimited beverages. The Yacht Club has the most inclusions, with extra dining venues for eating, spa thermal suite passes and most beverages (plus access to a personal butler and a dedicated Yacht Club lounge and pool).
The action onboard an MSC ship is nonstop, with cruisers flocking to participate in pool games, sports contests, shopping promotions, trivia, karaoke and filling the nightclubs until late. On newer ships, high-tech arcade games are all the rage, including a 4D cinema, laser maze, F1 simulator and bowling. Many MSC cruisers are also just as happy to park themselves by a pool and stay there all day, and when the ship is in port, you'll find the vast majority of cruisers off the ship on ship-sponsored or independent tours.
