This is the new €1billion next-generation luxury cruise ship England and Wales football fans could be staying on at the Fifa World Cup 2022 in Qatar this winter.
The giant 6,762 passenger MSC World Europa is being completed at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, near Nantes, France, and in October will sail to the host country’s capital Doha to be used as a floating hotel for supporters.
Fans from the home nations who opt for match package accommodation in the 205,700 gross tonnage MSC flagship will be able to enjoy a "globally inspired urban design" and a “world of immersive guest experiences”.
On a tour in the shipyard, where up to 2,000 workers a day are on the ship, I saw first hand what England and Wales football fans can expect - and it’s worldie class.
There's an 643ft long alfresco promenade with balcony cabins facing in to the action and an incredible 11 deck high The Venom Drop @ The Spiral snake-themed dry slide (riders will descend using a hessian style sack like a helter-skelter). Prefer a water slide? No problem, there are those too.
Moving inside, the 23,800 sq ft Galleria features an impressive LED kinetic ceiling, bars and restaurants, while the Luna Park area is for the likes of drone races by day and clubbing at night.
The Sportplex zone will offer basketball, bumper cars, roller disco and more, while the Panorama lounge at the stern will stage "flamboyant, immersive" shows with images projected onto the screens which can drop down to cover the huge windows over the wake.
Three swimming pools (two outdoor, one indoor with a sliding roof) have botanic garden, zen or beach vibes and to keep refuelled there are 13 dining venues including Japanese, Mexican and steaks and ranging from casual to fine dining.
One venue, Chef’s Kitchen Garden, will have hydroponics plants, mainly herbs, growing in the galley for use in cooking and cocktails in adjacent bars.
Those bars and cafes number 20, offering anything from Ethiopian coffee, whisky and champagne to afternoon tea. There will also be a coffee roaster on board, to offer Turkish, French and Italian ‘’coffee experiences’’.
British pub Masters of the Sea will have three signature beers from the on-board micro brewery plus 12 drafts and big screen sports and a barber shop next door, while fans can blend their own botanical spirits in the gin bar and take them home.
The cabins I saw looked cool and contemporary - one an Infinite Ocean View with a clever opening window design replacing a balcony, and an inside one with a balcony facing the landmark Promenade. Both have good sized bathrooms by cruise ship standards and come with a hi-tech control pad for lights, aircon and TV etc.
England and Wales supporters who are interested in climate change will be pleased to know that World Europa is part of the MSC mission for net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and will have the lowest carbon footprint per passenger of any cruise ship.
As the debutant liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered vessel in the fleet, the cleaner marine fuel is set to play a key role in the line’s decarbonisation goal.
She also features selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, shore-to-ship power connectivity, advanced wastewater treatment system and a wide range of energy efficient equipment and systems to optimise engine use.
Also, a demo fuel cell using LNG will be in place, which can transition to bio or synthetic LNG fuel in the future, or even to hydrogen when the technology arrives. The cell is powerful enough to create heat and energy for the hotel aspect of the ship.
An underwater noise management system will reduce any potential sounds and vibration impact on marine mammals in the vicinity of the ship.
The ship will be moored at Doha's Grand Terminal, just a few minutes by shuttle bus to the main tourist hotspots such as Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art.
After the tournament, World Europa will be named in Doha on December 20 and then homeport in Dubai for a winter season sailing the Persian Gulf. msccruises.co.uk qatar2022.qa
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