Afloat in a futuristic megaship: What it’s like onboard the Qatar cruise… – New Zealand Herald

Adele Thurlow luxuriates aboard the new and revolutionary MSC World Europa

Floating along a lustrous boutique-lined promenade beneath crystal chandeliers plus computer-generated silhouettes of whales gliding silently above could easily be a scene from the futuristic remake of Alice in Wonderland . So could whisking down a mirror-polished 11-storey spiral slide winged by towering LED light pillars with a view out to ancient-style Arabic buildings painted the particular colour of marshmallows. You’d be excused for thinking you were dreaming.

But it’s no fairy tale – it’s the ultramodern MSC World Europa, where every inch associated with the ship’s design is somewhat surreal. The family-owned cruise ship company will be adept at raising the particular bar each time it launches a new addition to its fleet and the 333m-long megaship this christened in a spectacular launch within Doha, Qatar, in November is simply no exception.

The ship’s luxe European interior is largely the inspiration of its Italian owners, particularly Rafaela Aponte, the wife of MSC founder Gianluigi Aponte. Her timelessly elegant style is usually juxtaposed with a generous dash of grand ambition and is evident throughout the ship’s 40, 000sq m of public space. Pale marble, brushed brass, Scandinavian timber, and plush soft furnishings in muted velvets, cream boucle and vintage tobacco leather sit alongside glass floors, mirror-faceted facades, lush foliage walls, imposing artworks, the MSC-signature Swarovski staircase plus – of course – the aforementioned 11-deck high sleek architectural spiral slip and the particular life-sized whales projected via a 330m2 LED dome ceiling. The result is innovative and exquisite.

Space for all

With 22 decks, 33 restaurants and bars, seven pools, 13 hot pools plus accommodating almost 6800 passengers, it’s far beyond being described as a floating hotel – it’s a modern metropolis in its own right.

Don’t be deterred by the megaship capacity; there is space for everyone and every yearning. Sip the cup associated with English Breakfast in the particular ship’s serene and airy Raj Polo Tea House, which could easily have been plucked from a Raffles hotel. Or savour a pint in the dark and cool English pub replete along with Chesterfield-style sofas, oak tables and featuring its personal onboard microbrewery created by Italy’s numero uno craft beer guru, Teo Musso. There’s also a gin bar with 70 craft gins plus gin-blending classes, plus a coffee emporium along with espresso made with beans from France, Italy, Turkey and Morocco adorned with extraordinary latte art.

Among the speciality dining places, there’s the Chef’s Garden Kitchen led by Swedish-born Michelin-starred chef Niklas Ekstedt. The dining area is definitely flanked simply by an open kitchen, glass-encased floor-to-ceiling hydroponic gardens and champagne-gold wall-mounted herb planters.

Also fringed with greenery is the ship’s Botanic Backyard Pool, the tranquil rainforest-like indoor area with a retractable glass roof, oversized day beds, hanging loungers plus a tropical pool bar. Two more of the ship’s seven pools can be found in the chic “Zen district”, an adults-only zone at the aft of the ship linked by a glass walkway having a bird’s-eye view in order to the outdoor promenade much below.

Cabin to Club

To satisfy all budgets, MSC World Europa has 19 different cabin categories, 65 per cent of which have balconies. The particular ship’s cutting-edge Y-shaped aft allows even more travellers to enjoy a balcony view, along with cabins within this promenade-facing area perfectly positioned for people-watching and hearing squeals of delight (and fright) from the particular spiral glide.

Along the external lengths of the ship are conventional balcony cabins, suites with private very hot tubs, plus a new open-air alternative with some cabins featuring a floor-to-ceiling window which slides downwards to become a glass balustrade to let the warm Middle Eastern or Mediterranean breeze waft indoors.

For the ultimate in palatial surroundings and first-class service, the particular MSC Yacht Club can be an exclusive ship-within-a-ship enclave at the front from the vessel. On MSC Globe Europa, yacht club guests are indulged with a multitude of special privileges, including 24-hour butler service, a two-storey sundeck along with seclusive swimming pools and shady cabanas, a private club lounge with unlimited complimentary drinks and gourmet canapes, along with a fine-dining restaurant away from the masses.

The Private yacht Club’s 152 suites include extra home comforts, such as walk-in wardrobes, imperial bathtubs, separate bedrooms plus living areas, and private spa private pools on extra-large balconies. The pinnacles of the Yacht Club accommodation are two palatial “Owner’s Suites” and the “Royal Suite” featuring 150sq m associated with opulent styling which, until the team’s quarter final defeat against France, was housing some of the top-tier English football WAGs during the particular Fifa Planet Cup.

At your support

With a crew who are said to speak a minimum of three languages each and sport smiles that glow all day time and night, there’s never a moment where you’re bereft of services. From the breakfast buffet waiter who’ll suggest a freshly squeezed juice to accompany your warm, fluffy omelette and flat white, in order to the ever-smiling room attendant who cheerily greets guests, while magically leaving cabin rentals neatly serviced and minibars restocked. And in the MSC Aurea Spa, softly-spoken plus skilful staff listen to guests’ requirements (like treating swollen long-haul legs) before suggesting the tailored plan from the array of massage styles and therapeutic offerings: a Finnish sauna, a Mediterranean bath, Japanese sizzling stone beds, a German Kneipp walk (through popular and cold knee-deep pools), and the snow room. Puffy ankles are simply no match with regard to the lap of luxury.

CHECKLIST

QATAR

GETTING THERE

Qatar Airways operates daily flights through Auckland in order to Doha, Qatar via Australia. qatarairways. com

DETAILS

MSC World Europa is spending her inaugural season within the Persian Gulf visiting Doha, the UAE ports of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island; plus Dammam, Saudi Arabia. From April 2023, she’ll relocate to the Mediterranean for the European summer. msccruises. co. nz