Guests relax beside the pool on board MSC World Europa on November 12, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
Anthony Devlin/Getty Images/MSC Cruises
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.
A single night’s stay on the docked ship during the World Cup starts at $220.
hasan zaidi/Getty Images
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.
Anthony Devlin/Getty Images/MSC Cruises
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
Courtesy of MSC Cruises
The ship is large enough to accommodate 2,138 crew members.
Sources: MSC Cruises
Courtesy of MSC Cruises
The yacht club has 152 cabins and two suites, accounting for a fraction of the 2,633 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 can cost up to $2,290.
Source: MSC Cruises
Courtesy of MSC Cruises
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
Courtesy of MSC Cruises
Source: MSC Cruises
Courtesy of MSC Cruises
There’s also a spa with thermal baths, in addition adults-only pools and water facilities made specifically for children.
Source: MSC Cruises
Courtesy of MSC Cruises
Restaurants on board include a sushi bar, a tacos and cantina restaurant, and a steakhouse.
Sources: MSC Cruises, Associated Press
Courtesy of MSC Cruises
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
Courtesy of MSC Cruises
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