MSC World Europa

The 2022-built MSC World Europa cruise ship (initially announced as "MSC Europa") is the first in a 4-unit "MSC WORLD Class" series of passenger liners designed and built for MSC Cruises. The first vessel (World Europa) is to be followed by the sistership World America (2025). The two optional vessels (ordered in 2022) will be launched in 2026 (World Asia) and 2027 (MSC World tbn).

The vessel (IMO number 9837420) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 256070000) and registered in Valletta.

History - construction and ownership

MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Genoa and Naples. It was established in 1960. Today, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) - the world's 2nd largest containership company. MSC Crociere is the world's largest privately-owned cruise company.

By annual passenger shipping volumes, MSC is ranked the world's 3rd largest cruise shipowner - following only Carnival Corporation and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group.

As of 2021, MSC is ranked Europe's largest passenger shipping company. By the year 2026, MSC could become the world's 3rd largest cruise company (eventually surpassing NCLH by combined berth capacity) with a 29-vessel fleet that includes 15 newbuilds (2017-2027) and the unprecedented USD 13 billion budget for new shipbuilding projects.

MSC Cruises World-Class liners

On April 6, 2017, during MSC Meraviglia's delivery ceremony at STX France Shipyard (Saint-Nazaire), MSC signed a new shipbuilding MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with STX France for a new series of 2 vessels (World Class) at a total cost ~EUR 4,5 billion (~USD 4,8B). The ceremony was attended by Emmanuel Macron (France's President), Bruno Le Maire (France's Minister of Economy), Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC's Chairman) and Laurent Castaing (STX France's CEO). The first World-Class ship order was officially signed on May 31, 2017.

The order for the two optional ships was announced in January 2020, making MSC the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard's largest customer - with a total of 21 units constructed there.

World Class MSC ships are with max passenger capacity 6782 (5079 lower berths). Building cost per ship is EUR 1,125 billion (USD 1,255B). The shipbuilder is Chantiers de l'Atlantique (fka STX France). The shipbuilding order includes 2 initial units, plus 2 optional. Each vessel has Gross Tonnage/volume 215,863 (GT tons), LOA length 333 m (1093 ft), waterline beam/width 41 m/135 ft (max width 54 m/177 ft), height 75 m (245 ft), draft 9,2 m (31 ft).

When was first announced by MSC (in April 2016), this ship design was planned with GT 205,000 tons, 2760 passenger staterooms, max passenger capacity 6850 (world's biggest by capacity). By GT tonnage/volume, MSC's World Class represents one of the world's largest passenger ships.

Reviewing the boat's design concepts (renderings and videos) was suggested a similar to the Oasis-Class interior structure with a Promenade (ship-long wraparound complex) with numerous dining and drink venues (on the ground floor - Aurea Restaurant, Raj Polo Tea House, Gin Bar, Zest-Juice Bar, Elixir-Mixology Bar, Fizz-Champagne Bar, Malt Lounge & Smoker's Bar, Emporium Coffee House), Promenade Cabins (interior-facing balcony rooms) and aft-located swimming pool (family pool deck).

The Lido Deck is dome-covered (by a retractable glass roof with solar panels) and with a large resort-style swimming pool, 6x Jacuzzis (4 cantilevered whirlpool hot tubs / porside and starboard), kids' Aquapark with 1x swimming pool and 3x waterslides (aft-located outdoor playground adjacent to the funnels/smokestacks) and aft-located adults-only Sundeck (with 2x swimming pools). Forward is the MSC Yacht Club (exclusive Sundeck with its own swimming pool, Spa pool, bar lounge).

World Europa's MSC Yacht Club is enhanced, with key highlights being:

• The 2-deck sundeck is redesigned and provides 270-degree front views. The Lower Sundeck is fitted with dining and beverage venues (bar and grill). The Upper Sundeck has a large Jacuzzi/whirlpool and a swimming pool surrounded by a sunbathing area with padded loungers and private cabanas.
• Two new Owner Suites (cat YC4) feature a double bedroom (walk-in closet), bathroom (with a full-size bathtub), a separate living-dining area (with floor-ceiling windows), two spacious sundecks (terraces with alfresco dining areas and Jacuzzies).
• The 2-deck Duplex Suites have a lower level dedicated to the sundeck, lounge and dining areas, half bath. On the upper level is the master bedroom (with its own bathroom with bathtub). Duplex Suites have 2 sundecks, with the lower housing a jacuzzi/whirlpool bath and a lounge area, while the upper deck is for sunbathing (fitted with padded loungers).
• MSC Yacht Club's passengers can visit exclusive treatment rooms for massages (part of MSC Aurea Spa) and also enjoy unlimited use of the thermal area.

MSC Yacht Club complex houses a total of 152 suites.

The large ship has 40,000+ m2 (430,000+ ft2) of public spaces, 15,000 m2 (161,000 ft2) outdoor deck space, 3440 m2 (37000 ft2) main pool deck area, 7x swimming pools, 13x Jacuzzis (outdoor whirlpools/hot tubs), 760+ m2 (8200 ft2) of children's interior complex designed by Lego & Chicco (with 7x rooms dedicated to different age groups), multiple bars, lounges, retail shops, 13 dining venues (including 6x specialty restaurants), 21 bars and lounges, "Zen district" (adults-only complex with 2x swimming pools, solarium/sundeck, shaded outdoor bar lounge), "Family district" (with 10x kids facilities/pools, clubs, playgrounds), family sundeck (kids-friendly sunbathing area), Aquapark (fleet's largest, with playgrounds, splash pools, water cannons, waterslides with virtual reality experiences, High-Trail Ropes Course, Zip-Line. A teens-exclusive Sundeck has its own swimming pool and Jacuzzi. There are also several family-themed "villages" (open-air districts arranged similarly to RCI's neighborhoods) with their own venues and specific amenities.

The list of restaurants features 3x buffet-style (Luna Park Pizza, Il Mercato, La Brasserie) and 6x specialty, including Kaito Teppanyaki Restaurant & Sushi Bar (Asian), HOLA! Tacos & Cantina (Latin American and Mexican food), Marketplace/Il Mercato Buffet (20-hours-a-day-open Lido Restaurant), Eataly Restaurant (Eataly Food Chain designed food store), La Piazzetta (self-service buffet and pizzeria/Afternoon tea service, midnight buffet, seafood), Butcher's Cut (American steakhouse with an open kitchen), Jean-Philippe Maury Chocolaterie (patisserie and creperie by pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury, also offers homemade gelato/gourmet ice creams).

MSC World Europa features a futuristic design with an arrow-shaped (90-degree/vertically positioned) G-bow and a Y-shaped stern that opens onto the World Europa Promenade. World Promenade spans 7 decks (total length 104 m / 341 ft) and continues indoors (to the World Galleria/sized 300 m2 / 3200 ft2) as it is partially covered by a kinetic dome ceiling with a LED screen on which are projected UHD images and videos throughout the day and night. World Galleria is lined with restaurants, bars, shops, and boutiques.

On the Promenade ends "The Spiral" (aka The Venom Drop) - a stainless-steel "dry slide". Spanning 11 decks (length 76 m / 250 ft), the slide is the quickest (and most fun) way to get from Deck 22 down to Promenade Deck (deck 8).

The liner's largest entertainment venue is The World Theatre (capacity 1153 seats) hosting original large-scale show productions in the evenings and daily activities like lectures, bingo, trivia games, dance classes. Other signature fun facilities and activities include bumper cars, roller disco, Cinema/Luna Park Arena (300-seat multifunctional complex housing game shows, movies, themed parties, kids' activities, game shows), botanic garden pool (with a retractable glass roof, lounge area, tropical bar).

The ship's interactive entertainment programming features newly designed shows presented at Luna Park Arena (3x concert-style), The World Theatre (5x grand-scale productions), and in Panorama Lounge (4x themed). Also new for the fleet are the surprise exhibits (popping up throughout the boat.

• During the day, Luna Park Arena also hosts VR Drone Academy (virtual reality experience), Digital Dance Academy (3x "Dance with Flavia" classes by Flavia Cacace-Mistry/1980-born professional dancer), "Wake Up Rave" (by MSC's Doremi kids program), 2x new interactive gameshow, also fun challenges (for breaking Guinness world records). In the evenings, the Arena hosts a large-scale show, followed by 3x interactive musical concerts.
• The World Theatre stages 5x new large-scale shows, custom-designed and featuring modern technologies (LED visuals, UHD media), unique scenery and props, talented actors, a total of 350 custom-made costumes. The shows are named "Eko" (sustainability-themed, all costumes are made from recycled materials), "Amelia Earhart" (sea-themed, with an E-Bike Stunt Wheel), "Cadmo The Landwalker" (exploration-themed), "Yellow Submarine" (circus show with elements based on The Beatles songs) and "A Night on Broadway" (classic theatrical production).
• The aft-located (on decks 6-7) Panorama Lounge features an interactive floor and LED screens reflecting the night's theme. On the floor are projected drawings made by the guests onto interactive screens. Nightly, Panorama Lounge hosts 4x 90-minute music-themed experiences themed on different dance styles (waltz, tango, samba, disco) with performances by aerialists, acrobats, singers and dancers, live bands.
• During the voyage, surprise pop-ups (throughout different parts of the ship) include 2x living exhibitions themed "Earth and Ocean". The surprise experiences are provided by professional actors, artists, and musicians.
• Every evening is hosted the high-tech "Sundowner DJ Party" (a poolside holographic experience).

Kids venues

World Europa has MSC's largest children's area (sized 766 m2 / 8245 ft2) that consists of 7 spaces dedicated to children of different ages - from a nursery for toddlers to teenagers (up to 17-year-old).

All kids' facilities are complimentary and supervised by certified staff.

The venues include Baby Club (6- to 36-month babies), Mini Club and Junior Club (3- to 11-year-olds), Young Club and Teen Club (12- to 17-year-olds).

New children's facilities and activities (fleet-first) include:

• LEGO CELEBRATION ROOM (via partnership with LEGO Group/plastic brick-made toys)
• TEENS LAB (technology room for teenagers) for high-tech activities based on gaming (21x consoles), VR stations (7x Virtual Reality arcades), videogames (50+ titles).
• 3,2,1 KNOCK (family gameshow with Asian entertainment- K-pop/Korean popular music and Japanese fun games and tests)
• BEAT THE MUSIC (all-ages interactive game show/music-themed, based on playing through a mobile app) parents work together to identify their kids' music preferences, while the kids try to name their parents' favorite singers and bands.
• Z ACTIVE (new children's sports program for playing football, basketball, pickleball, zorb balls, hoverboards)
• DRONE ACADEMY 2.0 (relay race with glowing drones) using POV cameras (Point-of-View Shot) and VR (Virtual Reality) - the drone race is based on navigating 15 obstacles.
• CABIN 12006-THE EXPERIENCE (via partnership with Viacom Inc/Nickelodeon brand) - live kids entertainment (7x activities, including a family game and a casting session)
• MSC DANCE CREW (via partnership with FremantleMedia/producer of the TV series Idols, The X Factor, Got Talent) - a dancing competition for tens (10-17 year-olds)

New venues (fleet's firsts)

Next are listed all the new (MSC fleet's first) venues introduced with MSC World Europa.

"Chef's Garden Kitchen" is a food bar selling specialties based on microgreens/young vegetable greens with aromatic flavors and concentrated nutrient content. Chef's Garden Kitchen has its own hydroponic garden for growing herbs, greens and garnishes. The menu was developed by Michelin-starred chef Niklas Peter Ekstedt (Swedish restaurant manager, TV personality, author).

"La Pescaderia" is a market-style seafood grill (fresh fish display, takeaway options) with alfresco seating.

"Luna Park Pizza & Burger" is a buffet restaurant also offering interactive experiences (family games and a fun menu with favored American food - Coney dogs/Coney Island hot dogs, salted pretzels, classic burgers, funnel cakes, pancakes. The ship's other two buffet-type restaurants are named "Il Mercato Buffet" and "La Brasserie Buffet".

Perennial specialty restaurant favorites will also be found onboard, including the American-style steakhouse Butcher’s Cut, fun and flavourful Asian-inspired Kaito Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar, and newly launched Latin American street food-inspired Hola! Tacos & Cantina.

"Masters of the Sea Pub" is a British pub restaurant with The Microbrewery and craft beer bar spanning 2 decks and offering live musical performances. The Microbrewery (on Deck 7) produces MSC's signature craft beers via an exclusive partnership with master brewer Teo Musso. He is the owner of Baladin Farm Brewery in Piozzo (Italy) supplying Birra Baladin (craft beer) for Selezione Baladin (brewpub in Piozzo), Baladin Bologna (gastropub in Bologna) and Open Baladin (beer hall in Rome).

Coffee Emporium is a specialty coffee house with an outdoor patio. It also serves and sells for home brewing the signature roast MSC Lavazza.

Raj Polo Tea House is an India-themed venue.

The Gin Project is a gin bar serving 70+ craft gins, as well as classic and botanical cocktails prepared by certified bartenders.

"Elixir - Mixology Bar" serves handcrafted and trendy cocktails prepared by expert mixologists and features an outdoor terrace with seating.

Also new for the MSC fleet are "Zest - Juice Bar" (selling fresh-squeezed juices), "Malt Lounge & Bar (smoker's bar also selling fine cigars and with an incredible selection of top-shelf whiskies and cognacs), "Sweet Temptations" (ice cream bar for premium gelato and frozen yogurt/build-your-own choices).

The cruise liner's main dining/complimentary options are 4x MDRs/main dining rooms (Bubbles, La Foglia, Esagono, Hexagon), and 3x buffets (Il Mercato, La Brasserie, Luna Park Pizza & Burger). Les Dunes Restaurant is exclusive, serving only Aurea-cabin passengers.

Introduced on the 2022-built MSC Seascape, MSC WORLD ships have the ROBOTRON. The developed by RWS Entertainment Group robotic arm is rotating a 3-seat gondola for 360-degree views. ROBOTRON's riders hang over the top deck's edge (53 m / 174 ft above sea level) as the robotic arm is twisting and turning the gondola upside down in all directions. Near the ROBOTRON there is a DJ Booth for a personalized "grooving" experience as the rhythm and bass are visualized as colorful patterns and pulsating lights, while the robotic arm is "dancing" in tempo. ROBOTRON has different thrill levels, making it a family-friendly experience as well.

Decks and cabins

MSC World Europa staterooms (2633 total, in 19 categories) include 159x Suites and ~65% of all cabins are with step-out balconies. For passengers with disabilities, the liner has a total of 65 handicapped/wheelchair-accessible ADA cabins (33x Inside, 24x Balcony, 8x Junior Suite).

Of all the 19 cabin grades, 7 are new for MSC types of cabins.

• There are staterooms with balconies that overlook the Lower Promenade deck.
• MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suites (2-deck accommodations) are fitted with large terraces with Jacuzzi and an alfresco dining area.
• AUREA Suites are also with balcony Jacuzzies.
• Infinite Oceanview cabins are with a French Balcony (down-sliding window/balustrade opening to a false balcony/glass balustrade).

The boat has 20 decks, of which 16 are passenger-accessible and 12 with cabins.

MSC World Europa decks are named after European capital cities - Berlin (Germany), Rome (Italy), London (UK), Madrid (Spain), Dublin (Ireland), Vienna (Austria), Moscow (Russia), Copenhagen (Denmark), Prague (Czechia), Brussels (Belgium), Bern (Switzerland), Athens (Greece), Paris (France), Lisbon (Portugal), Valletta (Malta), Amsterdam (Holland).

Itineraries

In March 2019, Gianni Onorato (MSC's CEO) announced that the first WORLD-Class MSC ship (Europa) will be USA-homeported (in Miami Florida) at least for the inaugural cruise season (Caribbean 2022-2023 winter).

In November 2019, MSC and Qatar signed an agreement for chartering two liners (Europa and Poesia) to serve as hotel ships during FIFA World Cup 2022 (football championship's 22nd edition). During FIFA 2022 tournament (November 21 through December 18), both MSC cruise ships will be permanently moored at Port Doha to accommodate soccer fans.

On May 31, 2021, were open for booking MSC World Europa cruises, with the inaugural season in the Middle East.

The Arabian Gulf deployment (December 2022 through March 2023) was based on a 7-day itinerary leaving roundtrip from 3 homeports - Dubai UAE (Port Rashid), Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Doha (Qatar). The itinerary's call ports include Sir Bani Yas Island (UAE), and Dammam (Saudi Arabia, port to Al-Ahsa Oasis). Prices for the 7-night roundtrips started from EUR 815 (USD 995 / GBP 700) per person with double occupancy.

World Europa's Maiden Voyage departed on December 20, 2022. The 9-night Doha roundtrip visited Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Dammam, ending in Doha on Dec 29th. Prices started from EUR 1280 (USD 1565 / GBP 1100) per person. The "Inaugural Cruise" was also offered as a 4-night Doha-Dubai voyage.

The "Arabian season" ended on March 25, 2023, with the 19-day relocation voyage (RepositionCruises.com) to Europe (Dubai to Genoa) with call ports Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, 1x seaday, Muscat (Oman), 4x seadays, Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Suez Canal transit (April 6-7), 2x seadays, Naples, Civitavecchia-Rome, Genoa (April 12).

The ship's Mediterranean itinerary program is based on 7-night roundtrips from homeports in Italy (Genoa, Naples, Messina Sicily), Spain (Barcelona) and France (Marseille), all visiting Valletta (Malta).

The vessel (STX France, Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard/hull number W34) has volume 215863 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 18000 tons, max draught 9,2 m. The powerplant is based on 5x Wartsila marine diesel engines (model 14V46DF) with combined output 80 MW (107280 hp). The propulsion is based on 2x aft 5-blade propellers and 7x azimuth thrusters (4x bow + 2x stern) with combined output 44 mw (59000 hp). The registered shipowner is COMPANIA NAVIERA WORLD 1 SA, while the registered manager is MSC CROCIERE SPA.

The vessel's construction officially started with the steel-cutting ceremony held on October 31, 2019, at Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard/STX France in St Nazaire. During the ceremony was also officially announced the newbuild's name ("MSC Europa") by Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC Cruises' Executive Chairman).

The vessel's keel-laying / coin ceremony was held on June 29, 2020. During the special event, the ship was presented under the name "MSC World Europa". The ceremony was attended by two "godmothers - Zoe Africa Vago (daughter of Pierfrancesco Vago / shipowner) and Aurore Bezard (shipbuilder employee / in the shipyard's HR / human-resources department). The godmothers placed two specially minted coins under the keel (hull's first block) for good fortune - shipbuilding's historic maritime tradition. At the keel-laying ceremony were also present Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC's Executive Chairman) and Laurent Castaing (Chantiers de l'Atlantique Shipyard's General Manager).

The vessel was launched/floated out from drydock on December 2, 2021. On the same day at the French shipyard was held the keel-laying ceremony for the fleetmate MSC Euribia. Both ceremonies were attended by Pierfrancesco Vago and Laurent Castaing. MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia were, respectively, the 15th and 16th boats constructed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique for MSC.

World Europa's sea trials (in Biscay Bay, Atlantic Ocean) were successfully completed on June 18-19, 2022. The vessel was officially delivered to MSC Group by Chantiers de l’Atlantique

The ship's christening was on November 13, 2022, held at Port Doha's new "Grand Cruise Terminal". The naming ceremony was in partnership with Qatar Airways and led by godmother Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani (1984-born Qatari royal, as well as Qatar Foundation's CEO and Vice Chairperson). The event made World Europa MSC's first cruise ship not to be named by Sophia Loren. The ceremony was attended by Pierfrancesco Vago, Captain Marco Massa (ship's Master), Diego Aponte MSC Cargo's President), Akbar Al Baker (Qatar Tourism's Chairman and Qatar Airways Group's CEO), Hassan Al Thawadi (Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy's secretary general). The ship naming ceremony featured a drone show, a fireworks show, gala dinner, live musical performances (by Qatar Youth Choir and Matteo Bocelli).

The ship's laundry and catering equipment was delivered and installed by ALMACO (contracted by STX France in January 2021). The catering area (~5000 m2 / 53820 ft2) was fitted with 12x galleys/kitchens and 58x pantries (storage rooms for food, crockery, cutlery). ALMACO also provided the ship with 46 provision stores (total area ~2150 m2 / 23140 ft2). The ALMACO-installed laundry equipment is by Girbau Group (1960-founded, Barcelona-based manufacturer) and the laundry system is integrated with the onboard water recycling plant purifying the wastewater.

Inaugural itineraries 2022-2023

Next tables show the boat's Maiden Voyage and inaugural cruise itineraries (by theme/homeport) with prices in USD/EUR per person with double occupancy.

(MAIDEN VOYAGE/first cruise 2022) 9-day roundtrip from Qatar (USD 790 / EUR 665 pp)

(Inaugural Suez Canal repositioning cruise 2023) 15-day from Abu Dhabi to Rome (US$1070 / EUR 900 pp)

(inaugural Mediterranean cruise 2023) 4-day roundtrip from Genoa (US$400 / EUR 335 pp)

(2023) 7-day Mediterranean itinerary (all are homeports/departure ports except Malta) - from USD 650 / EUR 550 pp

Godspeed!

Ship technology

In mid-January 2020, MSC and the French shipbuilder unveiled the revolutionary R&D (research and development) project PACBOAT that focuses on integrating the new fuel cell technology (SOFC) on LNG-powered cruise ships. PACBOAT allows the generation of power/electricity using as fuel LNG.

• PACBOAT project's partners are France's CEA (Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission / government-funded research organization) and ADEME (Environment and Energy Management Agency / under the joint authority of country's Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Higher Education and Research), also ENTREPOSE Group (product design and manufacturing), BUREAU VERITAS SA (marine safety certification agency), CHANTIERS DE L'ATLANTIQUE (as shipbuilder, integrator, project coordinator / subsidiary of STX Europe AS) and MSC CRUISES (as shipowner, subsidiary of MSC-Mediterranean Shipping Company SA).
• SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) operates at very high temperatures (~750 Celsius / 1382 Fahrenheit). The new technology is ~60% more efficient than the Hydrogen-based PEMFC (Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell). PEMFC (aka polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells) is a low-temperature technology developed mainly for transport, stationary and portable applications. The LNG-fueled SOFC technology reduces greenhouse gas emissions by ~30% in comparison to the standard Wartsila dual-fuel marine engines (LNG-diesel).
• In 2022, MSC's SOFC project joined GE (General Electric Company), LR (Lloyd's Register Group Ltd), Ceres (nonprofit organization). GE developed a collaborative design for multi-megawatt (max 10 MW) shipboard SOFC system - powerful enough to provide electricity for large ships, and able to replace the conventional diesel generators.

Among "MSC World Class" key features are the new generation LNG-powerplant, new wastewater treatment plants, ultra-modern marine architecture with a Y-shaped superstructure (better panoramic views, significantly increased number of balcony staterooms), G-bow hull (vertically positioned / at 90-degree angle) improving the vessel's stability and hydrodynamics / fuel efficiency).

In January 2020, the Finnish company Wartsila was contracted to supply the engines, fuel systems, and propulsion systems (thrusters, propellers) for both "MSC World" ships (2022 and 2024). Each boat has 5x Wartsila 46DF dual-fuel engines (14-cylinder, running on MDO/marine diesel oil, each is fitted with NOx reduction units), 2x Wartsila LNGPac (gas supply system/fuel storage), 7x Wartsila thrusters (steerable/4x bow, 2x stern), 2x Wartsila FPPs (fixed pitch propellers/5-blade). The machinery was scheduled for delivery in mid-2020 (World Europa) and mid-2022 (World America).

This MSC ship class is also the industry's first to introduce LNG-powered SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) to produce all the electricity and heat needed for onboard services without combustion. The technology further reduces (by ~1/3) greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to conventional LNG-powered cruise ships.

• SOFC is an electrochemical conversion device using solid oxide electrolytes to produce electric power directly from oxidizing a fuel (in this case LNG/liquified natural gas).
• SOFCs are best known for having relatively fuel flexibility, low cost, low greenhouse gas emissions, high heat and power efficiency, long-term stability.
• SOFCs operate at very high temperatures (500-1000 C) and thus don't require platinum catalyst material and are not vulnerable to CO catalyst poisoning. IT-SOFCs operate at "intermediate temperatures" (600-800 C). LT-SOFCs operate at "low temperatures" (350-650 C). SOFC-GT is a system that combines a SOFC and a gas turbine.
• SOFCs are often used in stationary generators (with max power outputs 2 MW). The higher operating temperatures allow SOFCs to be used in the marine industry (engine heat recovery systems), which further increases the ships' overall fuel efficiency.

MSC World Europa's two LNG-based SOFCs (fuel cells by Bloom Energy) are with capacity 75 kW per unit (total output 150 kW). While the liner is in port, Bloom Energy Server shows ~60% efficiency and ~30% reduction of CO emissions without methane slippage.

MSC WORLD-class units are fitted with the latest and most environmentally efficient BWTS (ballast water treatment system) model BIO-SEA B02 0300 (by BIO-UV Group). The technology combines mechanical water filtration with UV disinfection. It is chemical-free and meets the IMO's requirement of 300 m3 per hour water flow rate.

MSC's ZOE

On February 1, 2019, MSC officially revealed the in-cabin digital assistant ZOE. The technology ("cruise industry first") was developed by Harman International (USA-based company, fully-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics) which has developed digital audio solutions for major corporations like Google, Microsoft, Amazon.

• ZOE is an artificial intelligence device (voice-enabled, with advanced voice recognition software) available in all passenger staterooms.
• ZOE speaks 7 languages, answer cruise-related questions, provides info on shipboard services-activities-facilities, makes reservations and bookings.
• The digital device features far-field microphones, top-quality speaker, quad-core processor (for fast response times), direct phone connection (through Bluetooth). The system can also upgrade its own database to answer previously unanswerable questions.
• Passenger data (including itinerary/tour and shipboard preferences) is stored in the Cloud Storage system and used on the next scheduled voyage.

The device (sized ~15 cm) can be activated whenever passengers choose. A waiver must be signed to agree for their personal data to be stored.

Starting with MSC Bellissima (2019), ZOE is planned for a fleetwide introduction (over the period 2019-2024) and available on all MSC newbuilds.