This year marks the first year that the MSC World Europa has been in service.

MSC Cruises received the LNG-powered vessel on Oct. 24, 2022, after it was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France.

Afloat during the 2022 FIFA Soccer World Cup, the 205,700-ton ship spent the following weeks as a floating hotel after leaving its building dock.

A four-night repositioning cruise to Dubai was the maiden voyage for the MSC World Europa on Dec. 25.

The ship got underway in Dubai on Tuesday, kicking off a series of seven-day cruises to the Middle East that included Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Dammam, and Doha.

Several months later, in April, the MSC World Europa repositioned to Europe to begin year-round operations in the western Mediterranean.

In addition to visiting the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples, and Messina, the ship’s regular seven-night itinerary also visits Valletta, Malta, Barcelona, Spain, and Marseille, France.

MSC Cruises introduced a new class of ship, the World Europa, the company’s largest at 333 meters. With capacity for more than 5,400 guests, the ship also introduced several firsts, such as LNG-powered propulsion.

Among the hotel’s unique features is the 11-deck Venom Drop @ The Spiral, the longest dry slide at sea.

Besides La Pescaderia, there is Chef’s Garden Kitchen, which specializes in microgreens grown on the premises, and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with alfresco seating.