Travel Spotlight – MSC World Europa – The newest ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet

by Harden Holidays

We have just returned from having spent a week onboard this beautiful new ship cruising in the Persian Gulf and we can’t wait to share the details with you. At 22 decks, 215,863 gross tons, 154 feet wide, and featuring more than 430,000 square feet of public space and 2,626 cabins, MSC World Europa is an ultramodern urban metropolis at sea offering a veritable world of experiences while setting a new standard for the cruise industry.

You will find numerous reasons to book MSC World Europa, but here are our highlights:

1. Engaging experiences for all ages

The size of the ship allows for completely distinct districts, each with their own mood and experiences, from a tranquil adults-only zen district to the lively promenade with entertainment, shops and bars, to a separate family district that houses as many as ten new kids facilities. The result is a vibrant cosmopolitan melting pot, for a varied and exciting guest experience. Among the host of leisure options on board, you will be faced with choosing which of the new single-brand shops to visit first and how to divide your time between the incredible variety of six pools and 14 whirlpools. A family sundeck offers the littlest ones a chance to enjoy a day at sea with the whole family, while an Aquapark with integrated virtual reality technology entertains both children and every adult’s inner child in equal measure. You can also expect the same high quality, full-scale production theatre shows that they have come to expect from MSC Cruises, as well as new and exciting, immersive performance venues like the Luna Park.

2. A next level dining experience

The ship features 13 dining venues, including an incredible six speciality restaurants. The trendy Chef’s Garden Kitchen focussing on flavourful microgreens and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with alfresco seating are amongst the top rated culinary experiences you can find at sea. Fan favourites are also back, such as the classic American-style steakhouse Butcher’s Cut and Asian-inspired Kaito Teppanyaki Grill and Sushi Bar, as well as the newly launched Latin American street food-inspired Hola! Tacos & Cantina. You will also have the opportunity to discover not one but three ample restaurant-buffets on board, each offering their distinct ambiance, including a brand-new location open 24/7.

The snack and bar selection is also setting itself apart, with familiar faces having returned with amplified offerings, such as the Masters of the Sea Pub, which is split across two decks and brews craft beer specially on board for the first time. Other concepts also include the Elixir - Mixology Bar with elaborate signature cocktails, a South Asian-style tea room filled with perfumes from the East, an authentic Emporium coffee bar with coffee selections from around the world, a widely stocked Gin Project inspired by a real distillery, a zesty juice bar made from fresh ingredients and a gelateria with a multitude of flavours to tempt your sweet-tooth.

3. New and stylish cabin types

MSC World Europa also offers an extensive range of accommodation options to satisfy every taste, with a staggering 19 different categories to choose from and 65% of cabins with balconies. The ship sees the introduction of seven new and innovative cabin types. These include:

• Balcony suites and cabins that overlook the promenade designed for guests to soak up the vibrant atmosphere below.

• Luxurious duplex MSC Yacht Club suites with large balconies and private hot tub, as well as open living/dining room area.

• Stylish Aurea Suites with spacious balcony and private hot tub.

• Infinite Ocean view cabins with a panoramic sliding window that turns into a glass balustrade when open.

MSC World Europa’s ground-breaking design certainly is based on a brand new platform and sets her apart from the crowd - with a striking futuristic silhouette, the ship’s signature 90-degree plumb bow shaped like an arrow will cut through the water with ease and grace. The impressive and never seen before Y-shaped aft opens onto the impressive 104-metre-long World Promenade with breath-taking ocean views. One of the key, and most fun, features of this completely reimagined ship promenade is The Spiral - a striking architectural centrepiece in the form of a dry slide spanning 11 decks - the longest at sea! The sleek curves of the impressive stainless-steel slide make it a true work of art as well as a fun way to get from the top of the ship to the promenade.

MSC World Europa is the first LNG-powered vessel in MSC Cruises’ fleet and the most environmentally advanced to date. The fuel she runs on, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), is one of the world’s cleanest marine fuels available at scale and is set to play a key role in the transition to the decarbonisation of international shipping. It strongly reduces local air pollutant emissions like sulphur oxides by up to 99% and nitrogen oxides by up to 85%.

MSC World Europa will depart Dubai on 25 March 2023, she will head to the Mediterranean Sea. Here she will offer 7-night cruises calling at the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina, as well as Valletta in Malta, Barcelona in Spain and Marseille in France until April 2024.

We, and our 9-year-old daughter, absolutely loved our time onboard this beautiful ship. For all things MSC Cruises and cruise in general, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.

ELLENOR REVEALS PLANS FOR NEW WELLBEING WING - ENABLING FASTER, MORE EXPANSIVE CARE

It also recently completed the new health and wellbeing quarter at the University of Suffolk – a purpose-built space for healthcare students and professionals, designed to mirror the kind of facilities found in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Barnes Construction will be building our new Wellbeing Wing,” says ellenor CEO Paula Wilkins. “The company has a strong track record of delivering projects on time, on budget and to reliable, rigorously high standards. The company’s professionalism and pedigree, particularly in terms of its high-profile developments in the health sector, are outstanding.

ellenor has appointed Barnes Construction to build and deliver its new Wellbeing Wing. The project will expand ellenor’s Northfleet, Kent-based hospice with a wealth of modern, improved facilities – all of which are set to benefit the charity’s patients, families, staff, and volunteers.

ellenor’s new Wellbeing Wing will enable the charity to continue and grow its support for people living with life-limiting conditions – such as heart failure, dementia, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s and motor neurone disease (MND) – to live the best they can with the time they have left.

The expanded facilities will extend ellenor’s space for providing all wellbeing services – such as new outpatient consultation rooms, counselling room, occupational therapy and complementary therapies, improved play therapy rooms for children, quiet spaces for patients and their families, as well as a large multipurpose area for a range of activities to support patients to maintain their independence and maximise their quality of life. This Wing will also serve as a place for health and social care professionals to receive education and training in palliative and end-of-life care.

Barnes Construction has, over their 45 year history, delivered numerous healthcare schemes. Of particular relevance are the Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge, the East Anglian Children’s Hospice in Ipswich, the Fair Havens Hospice in Southend, and the new St Catherine’s Hospice currently being built in Crawley.

“All of us here at ellenor are looking forward to our new Wellbeing Wing taking shape allowing us to work in partnership with even more patients, to maximise their quality of life. We also want to acknowledge the generosity of our local communities who have, be it through private donations or personal gifts, made this extension possible. And express our gratitude to our passionate patrons, supporters, and ambassadors within the local community – all of whom strive tirelessly to raise vital funds for, and awareness of, ellenor’s work throughout Kent and Bexley.”

Mark Hart, joint Managing Director at Barnes Construction commented: “We are delighted to be involved in this exciting scheme for ellenor, which will provide specialist care in the community, and that we are sure will be well received. It also gives us the opportunity to further develop our excellent track record in this specialised market.” ellenor would like to acknowledge our supporters, without whom this project would not have been possible. In particular, we would like to thank the Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust, Paul & Clare Rooney, the Lawson Trust and the Bernard Sunley Foundation for their generous support of our capital build.

Barnes Construction will be collaborating on the development of ellenor’s Wellbeing Centre with R H Partnership, Northmores and Faithful + Gould.

Starting on the 6th March 2023, preliminary work includes the refurbishment of ellenor’s existing ambulance entrance and car park. Construction of the two-storey extension that will become ellenor’s Wellbeing Centre will start on the 9th May.