Qatar to Host MSC 'Europa' Naming Ceremony

Credit: MSC

(PRESS RELEASE)_Doha, Qatar and Geneva, Switzerland – September 7, 2022 – The Cruise Division of MSC Group, in partnership with Qatar Airways, announced today that the naming ceremony for MSC Cruises’ trailblazing new flagship, MSC World Europa, will take place on November 13. The Qatari capital of Doha will host the ceremony, which will also serve to officially inaugurate the city’s new Grand Cruise Terminal. The announcement demonstrates MSC’s overall commitment to Qatar and the continued importance of the Middle East, where MSC Cruises is brand leader. It also supports Qatar’s Vision 2030 pledge to triple the number of international tourists visiting the country by the end of the decade.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division of MSC Group, said, “We are incredibly proud that in November we will name our most innovative, futuristic and the world’s largest environmentally-focused cruise passenger ship in Doha. MSC World Europa represents the future of cruising, a totally new platform that will provide our guests with an unforgettable cruise not experienced anywhere before, so it is fitting that this monumental event will take place in one of the seven new Urban Wonders of the World and inaugurate the city’s magnificent new Grand Cruise Terminal.”

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​“Qatar will continue to play an important role in our strategy to expand our presence in the broader Gulf region as we see greater demand from our guests to visit this culturally rich and yet fully discovered part of the world. I would like to thank Qatar Airways for its collaborative partnership and strong support in making this event happen.”

“And it is only fitting that this event marks the coming into service of the highly anticipated MSC World Europa, the first in our trailblazing ‘World Class’ of ships that introduces a completely new cruising platform that boasts future-proof marine and onboard hospitality technologies, state-of-the-art environmental technologies as well as ground-breaking and ultramodern design. The ship will become the biggest and most environmentally high-performing passenger ship to sail out of Doha and across the Middle East and welcome guests from around the world for the winter 2022/2023 season.”

MSC World Europa’s naming ceremony will be a glamourous and star-studded event—celebrated with live entertainment, stunning performances, and the traditional maritime bottle-breaking moment against a backdrop of fireworks over Doha’s skyline. Further details of the special event will be revealed as the ceremony approaches.

His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, commented: “Qatar has taken important steps to position itself as a world class destination for cruise passengers and the naming ceremony of MSC World Europa in Doha is another landmark event as we grow this important tourism sector. As Qatar places great importance on sustainability, it is fitting that we host this ceremony for such an environmentally focused cruise ship. In addition, the opening of the new Grand Cruise Terminal is a state-of-the-art facility that firmly puts Qatar on the map for cruise ships and positions Doha as one of the most modern ports in the world.”
 
The special occasion will take place at Doha’s new Grand Cruise Terminal, a state-of-the-art 258,000-square-foot facility that will handle up to 28,000 passengers per day and has the capacity to host two mega-cruise ships at once. Cruise passengers will enjoy an incredible aquarium in the terminal and a gallery that specializes in Islamic art, among the facility’s many features.  
 
MSC World Europa will make her maiden voyage on December 20, offering 7-night cruises to Doha; Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island (United Arab Emirates); and Dammam (Saudi Arabia). Joining the ship in the region this winter, MSC Opera will offer 7-night itineraries to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island, plus two destinations in Oman – Muscat and Khasab.
 
MSC World Europa will move to the Mediterranean Sea in March 2023 to offer 7-night cruises visiting the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina; Valletta (Malta); Barcelona (Spain); and Marseille (France).