MSC World Europa: 14th Largest Cruise Ship

MSC World Europa is the 14th largest cruise ship in the world. As the flagship of MSC Cruises’ world class, it boasts an impressive array of features and amenities, making it a dream destination for many travelers. The ship’s design is a masterpiece of modern architecture. Its sleek lines and futuristic aesthetics testify to MSC Cruises’ commitment to innovation. The striking black hull, adorned with intricate patterns, sets it apart from other vessels.

Key Statistics of MSC World Europa:

• Gross tonnage: 215,863 GTs
• Length: 1,093 feet
• Passenger capacity: 5,200
• Crew members: 1,700

MSC World Europa – Overview3

MSC World Europa is the first ship in a whole new class of ships for MSC Cruises, combining the best features of the company’s previous ships with a host of new bars, lounges, entertainment, and dining options guaranteed to delight you. Welcoming international families and couples who want to escape their daily lives.

MSC World Europa, the predecessor to sister ship MSC World America, set to debut in the U.S. in 2025, does many things right. Gone is the over-reliance on reflective materials like mirrors on previous MSC Cruises ships, replaced by a more modern, subdued look – with more wood accents and soft wall treatments instead of mirrors and marble. Even the ship’s signature Swarovski stone staircase has been scaled down compared to previous ships, removed from the ship’s main atrium, and placed in MSC’s exclusive Yacht Club Lounge.

Interior walkway on MSC World Europa

This reduces the overall noise level on board, which seems more manageable than on previous MSC ships (all those mirrors amplify the sound). But make no mistake: this is an absolutely MSC ship through and through, with lots of bold colors, clear architectural touches, and the distinctive design that defines MSC.

The result: a ship that’s bold, fun, and fresh, but surprisingly, never feels crowded despite its massive capacity of more than 6,000 passengers. This is perhaps the best feature MSC has done on board MSC World Europa: expansive open-air decks and clever little shelters hidden outside select restaurants and bars for al fresco dining.

Other standout features include the ship’s environmental credentials, reinforcing MSC’s goal of becoming a zero-emission ship by 2050. To that end, MSC World Europa ships are powered by cleaner LNG technology and equipped with shore power to enable them to shut down their engines while in selected ports, among many other technological developments.

The only real issues on board when we cruised were the elevator system, which was sometimes slow to respond, and the “call car” system—where you press the desired floor on a touchscreen and are directed to a labeled floor in the elevator cars—which took a long time to respond, especially in port when the ship’s front and middle lanes were in use.

Other oddities that may bother passengers include public toilet facilities that are too small for a ship of this size and extra expenses that can start to pile up, as with any large flagship.

MSC World Europa deck plan includes brand-new features

La Pescaderia onboard MSC World Europa specializes in fresh seafood and offers indoor and outdoor seating. MSC World Europa has many amenities that past passengers have loved, but it also has a stunning array of new bars, lounges, restaurants and entertainment venues.

New culinary facilities include the Chef’s Garden Kitchen, which features gourmet cuisine based on microgreens grown onboard MSC World Europa. In addition to offering a modern and intimate setting, it serves one of the best meals we’ve had on any ship.

Another new addition, La Pescaderia, is an upscale marine fish market and restaurant serving the finest marine cuisine. Conveniently located adjacent to the open-air World Promenade, the restaurant even offers a takeaway menu of specialties like fish and chips for those who don’t have time for a full gourmet experience.

Gin lovers will find it hard to stay away from The Gin Project, a new 87-seat bar inspired by a real distillery that serves up all the world’s most famous cocktails, including G&Ts. Additionally, passengers can descend down a metal spiral staircase to MSC’s classic Masters of the Sea bar, where a wide range of drinks are prepared onboard MSC World Europa.

\Likewise, Elixr is a club-only area that offers indoor and outdoor seating and some of the most unique craft cocktails we’ve tried at sea, while the new Malt Lounge specializes in cigars and cognac collections, as evidenced by its high-armed leather chairs.

Perhaps the most interesting addition to MSC World Europa is the Raj Polo Tea House, which serves dozens of different teas (hot and cold) and tea cocktails in an atmosphere that evokes a colonial setting from the good old days. There’s soft live piano music in the afternoons, and it’s worth stopping for a delicious cookie.

Since MSC World Europa is an all-European ship, finding a good cup of coffee is not hard. There are two separate cafes on board—Coffee Emporium on deck 8 and Jean-Philippe Chocolat and Café on deck 6, which combines premium beverages with fine chocolate. Luckily, the beverage package offered on board doesn’t apply to this location; we’d be five hundred pounds heavier if it did.

Other noteworthy new amenities on MSC World Europa include a surf-inspired outdoor bar; a casual restaurant serving burgers and pizza, open 24 hours a day; the MSC Sportsplex, which offers everything from sports leagues to bumper cars; and an 11-story dry slide called Venom Drop @ The Spiral.

MSC Yacht Club on MSC World Europa is the best

The Top Sail Lounge is the social hub of MSC Yacht Club on MSC World Europa. Since its launch on MSC Fantasia in 2008, the MSC Yacht Club – MSC’s luxury ship-within-a-ship concept – has gone through several iterations. The company has slowly refined its design with each subsequent ship, culminating in the comfortable, luxurious spaces and accommodations on MSC World Europa.

Like MSC Seaside and its sister ships, the MSC Yacht Club on MSC World Europa is berthed in a unique two-level space that combines the MSC Yacht Club Lounge on the lower level with the Yacht Club Restaurant on the upper level. Both cabins overlook a forward-facing glass wall, offering expansive bow views and a dedicated outdoor viewing deck.

But MSC World Europa goes a step further, offering the most luxurious suites ever and a dedicated Yacht Club pool and sundeck, complete with outdoor dining, outdoor bar, private seating, and sun loungers (including private suite dressing rooms). Plus, the courteous and attentive service you’d expect from a cruise ship is four times the price.

Lakshadweep Escapade: Aboard the M.V. Kavaratti for Ultimate Island Exploration

MSC’s Yacht Club will satisfy you if you want a luxurious experience without sacrificing the ship’s great features.

Staterooms on board MSC World Europa to suit every budget

You don’t need a luxury suite to enjoy your time on board MSC World Europa. The ship offers a wide range of cabins, from Economy Suites to Aurea Suite cabins with spacious balconies.

Newly added cabins on board MSC World Europa feature balconies overlooking the outdoor World Promenade that runs along the aft centerline of the ship. These inward-facing cabins have views of the ship’s interior promenade rather than the ocean, allowing passengers to get up close to the action and enjoy the stunning light show here most evenings.

Whether you choose an ensuite, balcony, or even suite, MSC has raised the bar in cabin design. Mattresses are noticeably more comfortable than in the past, and the in-room bathrooms—always well-designed on previous ships—seem to have been further revised here to provide more shower space and a better countertop layout. MSC also deserves credit for relying on pump soaps with its signature scents rather than odd little bars of soap.

Passengers in all cabins will find amenities like in-room safes, ample storage space (although lower cabins are a bit cramped), and U.S., European, and powered USB ports. Each cabin has an interactive TV, but sadly, there are few English channels, and the movies on demand are all pay-per-view.

MSC World Europa has 16 different dining options on board

The restaurants on board MSC World Europa are divided into several smaller dining rooms. From casual burgers and chip shops to high-end restaurants designed to please sophisticated palates, MSC World Europa has 14 different dining options to suit your budget – 16 if you include room service.

Four main restaurants serve dinner every night, and one usually serves breakfast and lunch on sea days (most restaurants only serve dinner when in port unless otherwise stated). Each restaurant has its unique style and decor, and one of the restaurants – Les Dunes on Deck 8 – is reserved exclusively for passengers who book an MSC Aurea dining experience.

Enjoy a casual snack at one of the two buffet restaurants on deck 18: Il Mercato on deck 18 or La Brasserie on deck 19. Both restaurants offer indoor and outdoor seating and a delicious selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Burgers and pizza can be enjoyed 24 hours a day in the arcade-style restaurant on deck 6, while much of decks 7 and 8 are reserved for the ship’s specialty restaurants, which are available at an additional cost. You really should eat at least one before your trip is over: from classic American steakhouse The Butcher’s Cut to Hola! Kaito serves tacos, restaurant, and crazy teppanyaki fun; there’s something for everyone on MSC World Europe.

While the Deck 7 Masters of the Sea bar isn’t a dining venue per se, it offers several pub favorites, including fish and chips and sausage and mash, for a small fee.

We won’t tell you where it is or how to get there, but there’s a great place to chat on board MSC World Europe. It’s not included in the deck plan and can’t be entered without an invitation. Still, the experience (including beautifully designed and presented cocktails, 40s-style music, and live performers) is another world halfway between a transatlantic ship’s cabin and a war bunker. The fact that someone gave this amazing space the green light continues to surprise us in the best possible way.

Final Thoughts 

MSC World Europa is an exceptional cruise ship that offers an unforgettable experience for travelers of all ages. With its luxurious accommodations, world-class dining, and exciting entertainment options, it’s undoubtedly one of the most sought-after cruise ships in the world.