MSC World Europa delivered in October 2022 by French shipbuilder Chantiers de l'Atlantique, has arrived in Europe to start her first summer season in the Mediterranean. As MSC's largest and the first LNG-powered ship, World Europa is a leader in terms of environmental sustainability, with the best performance in CO2eq emissions per passenger among large cruise ships worldwide.
Throughout the summer season, MSC World Europa will be powered by LNG, with the first bunkering scheduled in Marseille on April 15th, 2023. LNG is currently the cleanest marine fuel available at scale, virtually eliminating local air pollutants such as sulfur oxides and fine particles, and reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 85%. Additionally, LNG plays a significant role in mitigating climate change, offering up to a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and paving the way for the use of sustainable non-fossil fuels in the future.
MSC World Europa is also the world's first contemporary cruise ship to feature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology powered by LNG. The ship is equipped with a 150-kilowatt SOFC demonstrator that uses LNG to produce electricity and heat onboard in a highly efficient manner through electrochemical reactions. This innovative technology has the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional LNG engines, without producing NOx, SOx, or fine particle emissions. Moreover, the SOFC is compatible not only with LNG but also with other low-carbon fuel sources such as green methanol, ammonia, liquid hydrogen, and bio or synthetic LNG, making it a promising solution for future sustainability gains.
MSC World Europa has several other environmentally friendly features, including shore power plug-in connectivity to reduce carbon emissions in port, an advanced wastewater treatment system that meets the highest regulatory requirements, a ballast water treatment system to prevent the introduction of invasive species and a dedicated crew team for strict waste management protocols. The ship also features underwater radiated noise management systems, onboard energy-efficient equipment, and enhanced automatic data collection systems for remote energy monitoring and analysis to optimize operational efficiency.
During its first summer season in the Mediterranean, guests onboard MSC World Europa will have the opportunity to experience its extraordinary features, including the impressive World Promenade, immersive culinary experiences, next-level entertainment options, and the largest and most action-packed kids' area in MSC's fleet.
MSC World Europa offers a range of unique features and experiences for guests on board. One of the standout features is the 104-meter-long outdoor World Promenade, which offers entertainment, breathtaking sea views, and The Venom Drop @ The Spiral, the longest dry slide at sea with an 11-deck drop. Connected to the World Promenade is the World Galleria, a 2,214-meter space with a mesmerizing LED and kinetic dome ceiling, perfect for shopping, dining, and relaxing with a drink.
Food enthusiasts will be delighted with MSC World Europa's dining options, which include 20 bars and lounges, and 13 dining venues, including six specialty restaurants and seven new bar and café concepts. A highlight is the Chef's Garden Kitchen, a unique collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Niklas Ekstedt, featuring a hydroponic garden and an open kitchen with panoramic sea views, offering an immersive farm-to-ocean dining experience. MSC World Europa also features the cruise line's first onboard microbrewery in partnership with Italian craft brewery Birra Baladin, curated by brewmaster Teo Musso.
Onboard entertainment options are plentiful, with concerts in the Luna Park Arena, theater productions in the World Theatre, themed experiences in the Panorama Lounge, and live shows throughout the ship. Families will appreciate the largest children's area in the fleet, with dedicated spaces for different age groups, developed in collaboration with LEGO and Chicco, as well as new game and talent show formats in high-tech venues for children and teenagers.
World Europa also offers a variety of swimming pools and whirlpools for relaxation and adventure, as well as the most luxurious MSC Yacht Club yet, with expanded public spaces, outdoor areas, and new suites. Cabin designs have been updated, with a range of accommodations from luxurious suites in the MSC Yacht Club to cabins overlooking the outdoor promenade and Infinite Ocean View staterooms with panoramic sliding windows.
During the summer season, World Europa will offer 7-night Mediterranean Sea itineraries visiting Italian ports (Genoa-Milano, Naples, Messina Sicily), as well as Valletta Malta, Barcelona Spain, and Marseille France.