MSC Cruises’ massive new ship, MSC World Europa, has officially been named during a ceremony at the brand-new Grand Cruise Terminal in Doha, Qatar.
The first LNG-powered vessel in its fleet will commence its inaugural cruise season on December 20 with a four-night sailing from Doha, Qatar to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as part of MSC Cruises’ overall commitment to the region.
MSC World Europa’s Naming Ceremony
On November 13, MSC World Europa had its naming ceremony at the brand-new Grand Cruise Terminal in Doha, Qatar with distinguished guests, international media, and travel agents from around the world present for the occasion.
After the 2022-built vessel was handed over to the cruise line during a ceremony at the shipyard in St. Nazaire, Chantiers de l’Atlantique on October 24, it left the shipyard on October 31, traveling through the Mediterranean Sea in anticipation of its naming ceremony in Qatar.
The Master of the Vessel, Captain Marco Massa, took part in the official naming ceremony for the 22-deck, 215,863 gross-ton ship as part of this long-standing maritime tradition, celebrating MSC Cruise’s new flagship to begin its inaugural season on December 20 with an itinerary from Doha.
This special event was hosted by comedian, producer, and entrepreneur Hamad Al Amari, and featured performances by local artists, a video-mapping projection onto the ship’s hull, and a creative drone show.
With his new album due in early 2023 via Capitol Records, international singer-songwriter Matteo Bocelli provided the grand finale performance, presenting his solo work for the first time ever in Doha, the capital and largest city in Qatar.
MSC Cruise’s first LNG-powered vessel in its fleet celebrated this memorable occasion with a spectacular fireworks display against the Doha skyline and a gourmet gala dinner in the ship’s signature restaurants.
In partnership with Qatar Airways, the cruise line continues to show its support and commitment to the growth of international tourism in Qatar and the broader Middle East region, where MSC Cruises is the brand leader.
The Ship’s Arrival in Doha
As the largest ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet, the 6,762-passenger MSC World Europa is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world and the largest LNG-powered cruise ship worldwide.
The World Class ship is now in Doha, where it will serve as a floating hotel to assist in housing guests during the upcoming FIFA Soccer World Cup in Qatar beginning on Sunday, November 20.
As part of MSC’s deal with the Qatari government in 2019 to provide two, now three, ships as floating hotels, the new cruise ship will host fans during the World Cup tournament, alongside MSC Poesia and 65,591 gross ton MSC Opera.
Following its time housing football fans, MSC World Europa will sail her maiden voyage on Dember 20 to the Persian Gulf stopping in Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, and Dammam, and will remain in the Persian Gulf through its winter season before repositioning to the Mediterranean in March 2023.
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On March 25, 2023, the innovative ship will head to the Mediterranean Sea for summer 2023, offering seven-night cruises that visit the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples, and Messina, as well as Valletta, Barcelona, and Marseille.
The line’s new standard-setting ship took about two years to build and began construction on October 31, 2019, running on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), one of the world’s cleanest marine fuels available helping to decarbonize international shipping, eliminating local air pollutants emissions like sulfur oxides and reducing nitrogen oxides by up to 85%.
