The 6,762-passenger MSC World Europa will have 22 decks and feature the longest dry slide at sea, the Venom Drop @ The Spiral. It will span 11 decks and plunge riders into a 250-foot drop.

Scheduled to debut in December (the official inauguration happens in Doha on November 14, 2022), this massive new vessel named MSC World Europa is an astounding 22 decks high — four decks higher than Royal Caribbean‘s Wonder of the Seas, the current size leader in the cruise world.

It’s also 1,093 feet long, which is longer than any other MSC Cruises ship ever built. Like the Oasis-class ships, MSC World Europa will be able to hold nearly 7,000 passengers with all berths filled — 6,762 to be exact.

In other words, this is going to be one serious mega-ship.

Pierfrancesco Vago, the Executive Chairman associated with the Cruise Division of the MSC Group, mentioned that they were proud to welcome to their fleet MSC World Europa, their 20th vessel, and the first one was LNG-powered.

The path-breaking vessel represents the next phase in our journey toward net zero and sustainable cruising and symbolises our unwavering commitment to both.

The ship is the first in the MSC fleet to be entirely powered by Liquid Natural Gas (LNG). The ship will also have a fuel cell, which will reduce direct dependence on the powerplant for onboard power. Underwater, the ship features new propulsion technology to reduce marine noise, lessening the impact on noise-sensitive ocean mammals like whales and dolphins. The ship will also have a shore-to-ship power connection, allowing for the ship to completely cease direct emissions while berthed at select ports.

MSC Cruises is the world’s third-largest cruise brand. The fleet will number 23 ships by the time MSC World America is launched in 2025, plus options for six more ships through 2030.

MSC World Europa: Sailings and Voyages

MSC World Europa departs soon for Qatar, where the official naming ceremony will be held. It’s then under charter to Qatar for accommodations during the 2022 World Cup. MSC World Europa will debut in December in the Persian Gulf with sailings that include a visit to Saudi Arabia — a destination rarely visited by cruise ships.

The vessel will initially sail a four-night Persian Gulf voyage from Doha, Qatar, to Dubai on Dec. 20. Then, it will begin a series of seven-night voyages from Dubai. The seven-night voyages will feature calls at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Doha; and Sir Bani Yas Island. The latter is a beach and wildlife-viewing destination in the UAE that will be exclusive to MSC World Europa passengers during their visit.

In late March 2023, MSC World Europa will reposition to the Mediterranean for a series of seven-night voyages to ports in Italy, France, Malta and Spain.

Eventually, MSC World Europa (or a yet-to-be-built sister ship) is likely to operate sailings in the Caribbean out of Florida. However, such itineraries have yet to be set.

Talking numbers

After its debut, MSC World Europa will fall just behind them in the rankings of the world’s largest cruise ships, at No. 6.

In all, MSC World Europa will measure about 205,000 tons — about 10% less than the five Royal Caribbean ships, known as the Oasis class. However, smaller is relative. At 205,000 tons, MSC World Europa still will be significantly bigger than any vessel currently operated by any line other than Royal Caribbean; this includes such cruising rivals as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.

The World Europa will have the largest children’s area in MSC fleet, with more than 8,200 square feet of interior space designed by Lego and Chicco, including seven rooms dedicated to distinct age groups.