Sales open for MSC World Europa
- Details
- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 03 June 2021 03 June 2021

Sales opened on May 31 for MSC Cruises’ most innovative and environmentally advanced vessel to date, MSC World Europa. The first in a new class of ships - the MSC World Class, this next-generation ship introduces to the market a completely new platform that boasts future-proof marine and on board hospitality technologies as well as ground-breaking and ultramodern design all-around.
MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago commented, “Quite unlike anything else at sea today, MSC World Europa and the entire MSC World Class redefines the cruise experience in so many ways: from the future-proof on board technologies that this completely new platform introduces for the first time all the way to its ground-breaking marine and interior design features. Put it simply, MSC World Europa marks the beginning of a new era for cruising.
“At MSC Cruises innovation will and has always been at the heart of our business, driving how with each new class of ships we reimagine the guest experience, the operations as well as every single aspect of the technology that brings it all together. Whether it is the new advanced air filters that will be introduced here or the vessel’s iconic and never seen before Y-shape design, MSC World Europa is all about the future.
At MSC Cruises we have a strong, clear vision for the future and we combine that with our own timeless style. MSC World Europa embodies this perfectly - bringing together future-proof technologies, globally inspired urban design and our signature European flair to give our guests a next-level cruise experience.”
“Just as important, we want to provide our guests not only with a truly unique and memorable holiday but also a sustainable one, so this is an intrinsic part of our innovation program. This is why MSC World Europa, our first LNG ship and our most environmentally advanced yet, signifies another important step forward for us in terms of our long-term vision for zero emissions.”
Guests will find numerous reasons to book MSC World Europa, but here are four of the top highlights.
"Urban metropolis at sea"
As a brand-new prototype, the MSC World class ships have enabled MSC Cruises architects to create so much more than just new features, and instead guests will find a veritable world of different experiences – an ultramodern urban metropolis at sea. The size of the ship allows for completely distinct districts, each with their own mood and experiences, from a tranquil adults-only zen district to the lively promenade with entertainment, shops and bars, to a separate family district that houses as many as ten new kids facilities. The result is a vibrant cosmopolitan melting pot, for a varied and exciting guest experience that is unlike any other at sea today.

Indoor promenade
Among the many leisure activities on board, guests will be faced with choosing which of the new single-brand shops to visit first and how to divide their time between the incredible variety of six pools and 14 hot tubs. A family sundeck will offer the littlest ones a chance to enjoy a day at sea, while an Aquapark with integrated virtual reality technology will entertain both children and every adult’s inner child in equal measure. Guests can also expect the same high quality, full-scale production theater shows that they have come to expect from MSC Cruises, as well as new and exciting, immersive performance venues.
Elevated dining experience
MSC World Europa also features next-level dining, not limited to geographical boundaries, but based around seasonality and carefully curated immersive experiences. There will be a strong focus on artisanal and craft products, particularly in the variety of bars and lounges, as well as new exceptional gourmet dining concepts.
The ship will feature 13 dining venues, including an incredible six specialty restaurants. The new prototype offers a blank canvas with the opportunity to introduce brand-new concepts and immersive experiences, based around creative expression and offering an unexpected, interactive experience. The two entirely new locations include the trendy Chef’s Garden Kitchen focusing on flavorful microgreens and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with alfresco seating. Fan favorites will also return with enhancements, including the classic American-style steakhouse Butcher’s Cut and Asian-inspired Kaito Teppanyaki Grill and Sushi Bar, as well as the newly launched Latin American street food-inspired Hola! Tacos & Cantina. Guests will also have the opportunity to discover not one but three ample restaurant-buffets on board, each offering their distinct ambiance, including a brand-new location open 24/7.
The snack and bar selection will also set itself apart, with numerous soon-to-be-revealed concepts making their debut and familiar faces returning with amplified offerings, such as the Masters of the Sea Pub, which will be split across two decks and brew craft beer specially on board for the first time. Other concepts will include the Elixir - Mixology Bar with elaborate signature cocktails, a South Asian-style tea room filled with perfumes from the East, an authentic Emporium coffee bar with selections from around the world, a widely stocked Gin Bar inspired by a real distillery, a zesty juice bar made from fresh ingredients, a gelateria with a multitude of flavors to tempt your sweet-tooth, and many more to come!
New cabin categories
MSC World Europa will also offer an extensive range of accommodation options for every taste, with 19 different categories to choose from and 65% of staterooms including balconies. The ship will see the introduction of seven new and innovative stateroom types. These include:
– Balcony suites and staterooms that overlook the promenade designed for guests to soak up the vibrant atmosphere below.
– Luxurious duplex MSC Yacht Club suites with large balconies and private hot tub, as well as open living/dining room area.
– Stylish Aurea Suites with spacious balcony and private hot tub.
– Infinite Ocean view staterooms with a panoramic sliding window that turns into a glass balustrade when open.
Whether guests seek increased sea views, larger balconies, more spacious staterooms than ever before or other requirements, MSC World Europa offers increased options to meet each of these needs.

Infinite Ocean View cabin with a sliding window
"Future-proof design"
MSC World Europa’s ground-breaking design is based on a new platform and sets her apart. With a striking futuristic silhouette, the ship’s signature 90-degree plumb bow shaped like an arrow will cut through the water with ease. The impressive, never before seen Y-shaped aft opens onto the impressive 341-ft.-long Europa Promenade with breath-taking ocean views. Half open to the sky and half-covered by an imposing LED-sky screen, the screen will feature tailor-made displays throughout the day.
One of the key features of the completely reimagined ship is The Spiral - a striking architectural centerpiece in the form of a dry slide spanning 11 decks - the longest at sea! The sleek curves of the impressive stainless-steel slide make it a true work of art as well as a fun way to get from the top of the ship to the promenade.
At 1,093 ft. long, 22 decks high and with 430,556 sq. ft. of public space, MSC World Europa is MSC Cruises’ longest ship in the fleet, but this space is not just for show. The increased size means that the ship will offer a variety of novel and engaging experiences to be enjoyed by one and all.
MSC Cruises' first LNG-powered vessel
MSC World Europa will be the first LNG-powered vessel in MSC Cruises’ fleet and the most environmentally advanced to-date. The fuel she runs on, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), is one of the world’s cleanest marine fuels available at scale and is set to play a key role in the transition to the decarbonization of international shipping. It strongly reduces local air pollutant emissions like sulphur oxides by up to 99 percent and nitrogen oxides by up to 85 percent. LNG also plays a key role in climate change mitigation as it offers CO2 reductions amounting to 25 percent and is paving the way to the uptake of sustainable non-fossil fuels hydrogen and ammonia.
In addition, MSC World Europa will feature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, shore-to-ship power connectivity, advanced wastewater treatment systems designed in line with the International Maritime Organization’s MEPC 227(64), underwater radiated noise management system and a wide range of energy efficient equipment that help reduce and optimize engine use.
Inaugural season in the Gulf
MSC Cruises newest ship will come into service on December 2022 and will spend her inaugural season in the Gulf giving guests the ultimate winter cruise experience. Her season will commence with a special 4-night sailing from Doha in Qatar to her new homeport of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
MSC World Europa will offer 7-night cruises from Dubai to the nearby modern metropolis of Abu Dhabi, on to Sir Bani Yas Island, where guests will have a chance to discover an exotic array of wildlife or bask in the warm sun on the immaculate beaches, all exclusive to MSC Cruises guests when in port. Her program in the Gulf has been enriched with calls in the port of Dammam, Saudi Arabia, visiting Al Ahsa oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ship also calls Doha, the futuristic capital of Qatar, before returning to Dubai with an overnight in the city to discover all the marvels it has to offer.
Departing Dubai on March 25, 2023, MSC World Europa will head to the Mediterranean Sea. In summer 2023, she will offer 7-night cruises calling the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina, as well as Valletta in Malta, Barcelona in Spain and Marseille in France.
Hurtigruten reports bookings exceed pre-pandemic levels by 45%
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 28 May 2021 28 May 2021

Further evidence has emerged that there is strong pent up demand for cruises as Hurtigruten Group, the Norwegian expedition and coastal express shipping company, said bookings for 2022 are well ahead of those in 2019, before the Covid 19 pandemic, for the following year.
“Across Hurtigruten Expeditions, the world’s largest expedition cruise company, and Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express, bookings for 2022 are currently 45% ahead of bookings for 2020 as of the same time in 2019,” the company said in a statement.
The Coastal Express service runs along the west coast of Norway between Bergen and Kirkenes, with several ports of call en route. While it is a popular cruise product, its main purpose is to serve the various communities along the coast.
“There is a huge pent-up demand for travel, and we see a substantial and growing demand for authentic adventure travel. After a very challenging year and a half for the entire travel industry, we are extremely excited about our step-by-step return to operations,” said Hurtigruten Group CEO Daniel Skjeldam, in the statement.
While bookings for 2022 are already well ahead of the pre-pandemic levels, recent positive news on travel restrictions being lifted and the introduction of vaccine passports to ease international travel has further accelerated bookings over the past 30 days, the company noted.
“Over the years, we have seen a trend that travelers seek out truly unique travel experiences, with an extreme increase in demand for the type of small ships / big experiences adventure travel we offer. But the pandemic has dramatically pushed this development forward,” added Skjeldam.
“Companies offering unique and more sustainable experiences – such as small-ship expedition cruises – are perfectly positioned for a quicker and stronger post-pandemic comeback,” concluded Skjeldam.
Norwegian Cruise Line to redeploy eight additional ships
- Details
- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 26 May 2021 26 May 2021

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced that it will resume operations from additional U.S. and international ports this fall.
Guests will once again sail aboard Norwegian Breakaway, Encore, Escape, Pearl, Jewel, Sun, Spirit and Norwegian's Pride of America to explore Hawaii, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Asia and much more. Earlier this week, NCL also announced its return to Seattle for the Alaska cruise season, with a start date of Aug. 7, 2021. Voyages expected to operate in the U.S. are contingent on obtaining a Conditional Sailing Certificate from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC").
Today the Company announced its redeployment plans for the following ships:
– Norwegian Joy will cruise from Miami beginning Oct. 19, 2021 with five to 11-day Caribbean voyages.
– Norwegian Breakaway will cruise seven-day itineraries to Bermuda from New York beginning Oct. 24, 2021.
– Pride of America will offer seven-day Hawaii interisland voyages from Honolulu beginning Nov. 6, 2021.
– Norwegian Bliss will cruise from Los Angeles for seven-day Mexican Riviera voyages beginning Nov. 7, 2021.
– Norwegian Encore will offer seven-night itineraries from Miami to the Caribbean beginning Nov. 14, 2021.
– Beginning Nov. 20, 2021, Norwegian Escape will cruise for the first time from Orlando (Port Canaveral), Fla., offering seven-day itineraries to the Caribbean.
– Norwegian Pearl will sail from Miami offering Panama Canal, Bahamas and Caribbean cruises beginning Dec. 23, 2021.
– Beginning Jan. 20, 2022, Norwegian Jewel will be the first ship in the fleet to offer roundtrip Panama Canal cruises from Panama City (Colón and Fuerte Amador).
– Norwegian Sun will sail for the first time in Asia beginning Jan. 28, 2022, offering a five-day Japan itinerary from Hong Kong, before sailing a variety of 11-day cruises from Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok.
– Norwegian Spirit will cruise 12-day Australia and New Zealand voyages from Sydney, and Auckland, New Zealand beginning Feb. 9, 2022.
Further redeployments will be announced in the near future.
"When we first welcome our guests aboard Norwegian Jade this July, it will be exactly 500 days since our ships last sailed," said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. "I am so happy that we're finally getting back to what we love the most, and I'm very proud that we continue to redeploy our fleet methodically. We always said we wouldn't rush to sail again, but that we'd get back to it when we felt we could do so safely while maintaining our incomparable guest experience. Our efforts to resume cruising safely will continue to be slow and steady, guided by the science-backed protocols of our SailSAFE™ health and safety program and in collaboration with our destination partners as well as with a variety of governing bodies. We cannot wait to see our guests rediscover the world and make memories with their loved ones again."
In conjunction with today's redeployment announcement, the Cruise Line has canceled all voyages on Pride of America through Oct. 30, 2021; Norwegian Escape through Nov. 2, 2021; Norwegian Jewel through Jan. 9, 2022; Norwegian Pearl through Dec. 7, 2021; Norwegian Spirit through Jan. 28, 2022; Norwegian Sun through Jan. 18, 2022; and the Oct. 24, 2021 itinerary aboard Norwegian Bliss.
Due to the previously disclosed lead time needed to relaunch a vessel and in order to maximize the short Alaska cruise season, the cruise line has made the decision to transfer crew from Norwegian Joy to Alaska and has canceled itineraries aboard Norwegian Joy from Montego Bay, Jamaica. Guests and Travel Partners with impacted reservations will be contacted directly.
The Cruise Line's Peace of Mind cancelation policy remains in effect for guests sailing on cruises with embarkation dates through Oct. 31, 2021. These guests have the flexibility to cancel their cruise 15 days prior to departure. Those who take advantage of the Peace of Mind policy will receive a full refund in the form of a future cruise credit which may be applied to any sailing through Dec. 31, 2022. In addition, the Company is extending its 60-day final payment requirement to all voyages with embarkations through Dec. 31, 2021, instead of the standard 120 days, allowing for more flexible booking.
NCL will continue its measured approach to redeploying its fleet, working in partnership with destination partners, governing bodies and the leading experts of the SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council. The Council will regularly evaluate the robust protocols of the SailSAFE health and safety program and make science-based decisions to protect guests, crew and the destinations it visits. As protocols evolve and are modified and additional information becomes available, updates will be published at www.ncl.com/sail-safe.
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