MSC Cruises’ new flagship, MSC World Europa, will be named on 13 November in Doha, Qatar at the city’s brand new Grand Cruise Terminal.
The announcement was made today by MSC Group and Qatar Airways in a joint statement.
The ship naming ceremony is set to be a “glamourous and star-studded event” with an outstanding array of live entertainment, performances, a traditional bottle-breaking moment and fireworks.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division of MSC Group, said:
“We are incredibly proud that in November we will name our most innovative, futuristic and the world’s largest environmentally-focused cruise passenger ship in Doha.
“MSC World Europa represents the future of cruising, a totally new platform that will provide our guests with an unforgettable cruise not experienced anywhere before, so it is fitting that this monumental event will take place in one of the seven new Urban Wonders of the World and inaugurate the city’s magnificent new Grand Cruise Terminal.
“Qatar will continue to play an important role in our strategy to expand our presence in the broader Gulf region as we see greater demand from our guests to visit this culturally rich and yet fully discovered part of the world.
“I would like to thank Qatar Airways for its collaborative partnership and strong support in making this event happen.
“And it is only fitting that this event marks the coming into service of the highly anticipated MSC World Europa, the first in our trailblazing ‘World Class’ of ships that introduces a completely new cruising platform that boasts future-proof marine and onboard hospitality technologies, state-of-the-art environmental technologies as well as ground-breaking and ultramodern design.
“The ship will become the biggest and most environmentally high-performing passenger ship to sail out of Doha and across the Middle East and welcome guests from around the world for winter 2022/2023 season.”
His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, commented:
“Qatar has taken important steps to position itself as a world-class destination for cruise passengers and the naming ceremony of MSC World Europa in Doha is another landmark event as we grow this important tourism sector.
“As Qatar places great importance on sustainability, it is fitting that we host this ceremony for such an environmentally focused cruise ship.
“In addition, the opening of the new Grand Cruise Terminal is a state-of-the-art facility that firmly puts Qatar on the map for cruise ships and positions Doha as one of the most modern ports in the world.”
Doha’s brand new Grand Cruise Terminal is a state-of-the-art 24,000 square metres facility that will handle up to 28,000 passengers a day and has the capacity to host two mega-cruise ships a day.
Cruise passengers are set to enjoy an incredible aquarium in the terminal and a gallery that specialises in Islamic art, among its many features.
MSC World Europa will make her maiden voyage on December 20, offering 7-night cruises to Doha, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates, plus Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
For the upcoming winter season, MSC Opera will also offer 7-night itineraries in the Gulf region to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas island plus two destinations in Oman – Muscat and Khasab.
MSC World Europa from March 2023 will then move to the Mediterranean Sea where she will offer 7-night cruises to the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina, as well as Valletta in Malta, Barcelona in Spain and Marseille in France.
For more information on MSC World Europa, click HERE.
For more information on MSC Cruises’ Gulf region itineraries, click HERE.
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