A massive new cruise ship is set to function as a floating hotel for the Qatar World Cup, and rooms start at $220 a night. Take a look inside.
Marielle Descalsota
- MSC Cruises launched a new luxury liner ahead of the Qatar World Cup.
- The ship is expected to host more than 6,700 fans at the World Cup.
MSC Cruises just launched a new cruise liner called the MSC World Europa. The luxury cruise is currently moored in Doha, Qatar, and is expected to host thousands of fans during the World Cup in November.
Chantiers de l'Atlantique, one of the world's biggest shipyards, started construction on MSC World Europa in 2019. The ship was fully constructed and delivered to MSC Cruises in October, and it's scheduled for its maiden voyage around the Middle East in December.
MSC World Europa is slated to be used as a hotel for fans at the Qatar World Cup from November 19 to December 19.
MSC Cruises did not reply to Insider's requests for comment.
MSC Europa is the largest ship in the cruise line's fleet — it has a gross tonnage of 215,863. In comparison, the Titanic had a gross tonnage of 46,328, which is about four times less.
The MSC Poesia and MSC Opera, two other cruises in the fleet, are also currently docked in Doha to accommodate fans. MSC Cruises has a fleet of 22 ships.
Source: MSC Cruises
The massive ship has 22 decks and 2,626 cabins, which means it can accommodate more than 6,700 guests at a time.
The ship is large enough to accommodate 2,138 crew members.
Sources: MSC Cruises
The ship is designed with a yacht club, which is an area exclusive to VIP guests.
The yacht club has 152 cabins and two suites, accounting for a fraction of the 2,626 cabins on board. Its amenities include a private pool and 24-hour butler service.
Booking up a yacht club cabin for the ship's nine-day maiden voyage start from $2,290.
Source: MSC Cruises, Clean Cruising
A nine-day cruise around Qatar and the United Arab Emirates costs around $1,070 for an entry-level interior cabin. The ship is expected to begin cruising after the World Cup in December.
There are four main room categories on board: interior, balcony, suite, and yacht club, cruise booking website Clean Cruising shows. The interior cabin does not have windows, a virtual tour shows.
During the duration of the World Cup, however, the ship will stay docked in Doha, and will be used as a floating hotel.
A night's stay at the docked MSC Europa is slated to start from $220 per person. Prices fluctuate according to which stage of the tournament is being held on the day of the accommodation.
Sources: Clean Cruising, MSC Cruises, Associated Press
MSC Europa claims it's home to the world's longest dry slide in a ship, which spans 11 decks.
Source: MSC Cruises
There are six pools and 14 whirlpool baths on board.
There's also a spa with thermal baths, in addition adults-only pools and water facilities made specifically for children.
Source: MSC Cruises
There are 10 dining venues on board, including four main restaurants, three buffets, and six specialty restaurants.
Restaurants on board include a sushi bar, a tacos and cantina restaurant, and a steakhouse.
Sources: MSC Cruises
The ship also has 21 bars and lounges, as well as a casino.
In addition to the casino, there's a massive panoramic lounge that's slated to host dozens of music-themed experiences. The ship also has luxury boutiques, a water park, a sports complex with a bumper cars, and video arcades.
Source: MSC Cruises
After MSC Europa's winter tour, it's expected to cruise in the Mediterranean.
The ship's summer tour is expected to begin on April 16. It's slated to cruise for eight days at a time, across six places in Europe: Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina, and Malta.
Source: MSC Cruises
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