| MSC’s double delight

SALES have opened for MSC Cruises’ MSC World Europa, the first World-class ship on the market.

World Europa, which MSC said is its “most innovative and environmentally friendly ship to date”, will aim to bring together technology and industry-first design features, including its unique Y-shape.

The ship will offer a variety of distinctive experiences on board, with a mix of “never-before-seen concepts” and “creative areas unlike anything at sea”.

Currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said World Europa and the entire World Class hopes to redefine the cruise experience.

“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…World Europa marks the beginning of a new era for cruising,” he said.

“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…we have a strong, clear vision for the future and we combine that with our own timeless style.

“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.”

Meanwhile, MSC has obtained final clearance to build and operate a new terminal at the Port of Barcelona.

Set to enter service in 2024, the 33 million terminal will allow MSC to increase homeporting operations in Barcelona, with the cruise line partnering with Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill on the build.

With construction work set to start shortly, the multi-year concession will see MSC operate and manage the terminal for a 31-year period.

The new facility will feature shore power facilities, and will be ready for LNG bunkering operations, allowing MSC to deploy more next-gen ships in Barcelona, such as World Europa.

Vago weighed in on Barcelona’s importance to MSC.

“Perhaps most importantly, the new terminal will allow us to operate expanded homeport operations, resulting in added direct and indirect economic benefit for the city and the overall region,” he said.

“This will come from higher spend locally by our international guests either flying into or out of Barcelona Airport and likely to spend additional days in the city and its hotels together with their travelling parties.”

MSC also recently announced it will restart Baltic Sea sailings next month from Germany, with a range of brand new itineraries (CW 20 May).