MSC Cruises is expanding and strengthening its presence in the United Arab Emirates - in the winter season, 2 of the company's ships will be based here at once - the newest liner MSC World Europa , which will be launched in December 2022, and MSC Opera .
The company's plans were announced by the CEO of MSC Cruises Gianni Onorato after the opening ceremony of the new berth for passenger ships on the island of Sir Bani Yas, which was held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Ben Zayed Al Nahyan - the representative of the ruler in the region of Ed Dhafra Emir.
Mr. Onorato described MSC Cruises' business prospects for next winter in the UAE and the Persian Gulf as very positive: the United Arab Emirates is a very important market for us, next winter a completely new class ship will arrive here - MSC World Europa, and we will also expand our program in the region by cruises on MSC Opera.
On MSC World Europa, our guests will have a completely new cruise experience thanks to a number of technological innovations that have no equal today - these cruises will attract even more tourists from all over the world, especially from Europe, as well as from the countries of the Persian Gulf, especially from the UAE.
For the first time in the history of cruises in the region, MSC Cruises is extending the 2021-2022 season: MSC Bellissima will sail here from April 2 to June 25, 2022, after MSC Virtuosa left for Northern Europe from March 26.
From December 2022, MSC World Europa will be based in the region, operating weekly cruises from Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the following routes: Dubai (UAE), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Sir Bani Yas (UAE), Dammam (Saudi Arabia), Doha (Qatar).
MSC Opera will sail to Dubai (UAE), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Sir Bani Yas (UAE), Muscat (Oman), Al Khasab (Oman).
MSC World Europa
MSC World Europa is under construction at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. The inauguration of the liner will take place in December 2022.
MSC World Europa can accommodate 6,850 passengers in 2,760 cabins – more than any other cruise ship. The length of the ship will be 330 m, width 47 m. The liner will have futuristic architecture and a large area of exterior spaces opening onto an open aft terrace, where passengers will be able to enjoy the proximity of the ocean. Also, MSC World Europa will have a special G-shaped nose, which will ensure maximum stability of the ship, fuel economy and additional comfort for passengers.
In addition to its unique architecture, MSC World Europa will set new technological and environmental standards for the cruises of the future: the liner will be the first ship of MSC Cruises to run on liquefied natural gas, which will also be used to generate electricity and heat on board. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% compared to ships running on conventional engines.
In addition, MSC World Europa will also feature a next-generation wastewater treatment system that exceeds some of the world's most stringent regulatory standards, as well as other advanced environmental technologies.
