As you step aboard the vast vessel from the port of Barcelona, an overwhelming sense of luxury envelops you. Opulence unfolds, accompanied by the question of navigating this ship's seemingly endless corridors, which boasts 2,626 rooms spanning 22 decks.
Couples and families no longer have to choose between pampering and attractions. The new "MSC World Europa" from MSC Cruises elevates every vacation, offering aquatic experiences and an onboard environment that seamlessly blends grandeur, sophistication, and cutting-edge technology with diverse activities catering to all ages and interests.
After a swift check-in, you settle into a comfortable, modern room complete with a king-size bed, bathroom facilities, a television, a mini-bar, and even a spacious balcony. Throughout the voyage, there's no chance of going hungry. With six unique themed restaurants, three buffet restaurants, four main dining venues, and 20 bars and lounges on board, the culinary options are limitless.
The ship boasts seven swimming pools and 13 hot tubs, complemented by an interactive water park with virtual reality waterslides. While you might not have time to experience all the aquatic offerings, make sure to visit the water park with its interactive slides.
For families with children, the "MSC World Europa" offers seven dedicated areas, encompassing seven virtual reality stations and a diverse range of activities for infants and children up to seven years old. Additionally, the ship features a 1,153-seat theater, an innovative entertainment zone hosting live performances and parties around the clock, and a 364-square-meter shopping promenade for retail enthusiasts.
The 104-meter outdoor promenade provides an ideal setting for a relaxing stroll while taking in the breathtaking ocean vistas. This promenade is home to live performances, activities, and an architectural marvel – a spiral slide towering 11 decks high, recognized as the longest dry slide at sea. Nearby, the 2,214-square-meter "World Galleria" offers shopping, dining, and entertainment options, adorned with a magnificent LED-lit domed ceiling overlooking the stunning scenery.
If delectable cuisine is your passion, the ship offers a vast selection of 33 restaurants, bars, and dining venues, including six exclusive restaurants and seven bars, and even a collaboration with a Michelin-starred chef. The "Teppanyaki" sushi restaurant, a Mexican taqueria, a steakhouse, and the "La Pescaderia" fish market concept are just a few of the culinary offerings. Guests can also dine at the "Chef's Garden Kitchen," developed in partnership with Chef Niklas Ekstedt, specializing in natural ingredients with a "farm-to-ocean" concept. For the first time at sea, the restaurant features a hydroponic garden and a unique dining experience with master chefs preparing Ekstedt's creations in an open kitchen with panoramic ocean views.
Award-winning brewmaster Tao Musso collaborated with the cruise line to create a range of exclusive craft beers brewed onboard. Room service is available 24/7, as is a fast food court for late-night cravings like pizza, burgers, and fries. Rounding out the culinary landscape are 20 unique bars, including a coffee bar, a tea bar with global selections, a gin bar offering over 70 varieties, a chocolate and coffee bar, a cocktail bar, a juice bar, and a champagne bar.
Entertainment is available around the clock, with live performances and endless amusements for all ages. Highlights include three concerts at the Luna Park Arena, five theatrical productions at the "World Theatre," four live shows at the Panorama Lounge, and a surprising animal exhibition throughout the ship.
The innovative Luna Park area offers movie screenings, sports activities, children's programming, and themed parties. If children accompany you on the voyage, they can enjoy bumper cars and a 766-square-meter kids' club with seven dedicated rooms for different age groups from infants to 17-year-olds, carefully designed in collaboration with LEGO and Chicco.
Each day after breakfast, guests disembark for sightseeing and shopping excursions. The itinerary includes stops in Provence, Genoa, and Naples. While most passengers choose to explore ashore, it's crucial to return on time, as the ship departs promptly as scheduled.
"MSC World Europa's" circular route allows guests to embark and disembark at any port of call, including Barcelona, Italy, or Malta.
For an elevated cruising experience, the exclusive Yacht Club offers an intimate, serene, and private atmosphere. This premium enclave features luxurious suites, 24/7 personal butler service, an exclusive private restaurant open throughout the day, a private pool, and other indulgences spanning two decks – a "ship within a ship" concept, complete with spacious, state-of-the-art grand suites.
MSC Cruises is the world's third-largest cruise line and the largest in Europe, South America, and South Africa, with a growing presence in North America and the Far East. Based in Geneva, the company's fleet comprises 22 innovative ships, with three more scheduled for launch in 2025, 2026, and 2027. MSC Cruises operates voyages in over 100 countries worldwide, visiting more than 300 destinations across five continents.
The writer was a guest of MSC Cruises.
