MSC World Europa, MSC Cruises' first LNG-powered and most environmentally advanced ship, arrived at Doha Port today, ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 starting on November 20, and the ship’s naming ceremony which will take place on November 13.

MSC World Europa is the first of the three MSC Cruises ships contracted by World Cup organizers in Qatar to operate as a fan hotel accommodation during the tournament.

MSC Poesia is expected to arrive at Doha Port on November 14, followed by MSC Opera which has crossed the Suez Canal and is en route to Qatar.

The highly anticipated MSC World Europa spans 22 decks, has 2,626 staterooms, boasts over 40,000 square meters of public space, and can house 6,700 World Cup fans.

 After the FIFA World Cup, MSC World Europa will spend its inaugural season in the Gulf offering starting 7-night cruises on December 20, from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, Doha, Qatar, before returning to Dubai with an overnight stay to discover the city.

MSC World Europa will then head to the Mediterranean in the summer of 2023, offering 7-night cruises with stopovers in the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina, as well as Valletta in Malta, Barcelona in Spain and Marseille in France.

Photo credit: MSC Cruises