The naming ceremony of MSC Cruises’ flagship MSC World Europa will take place in Qatar this autumn.
The ceremony has been scheduled for November 13 in Doha, just before the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the Gulf state.
It will take place at the city’s new Grand Cruise Terminal, which is expected to handle up to 28,000 passengers a day and has capacity for two mega cruise ships.
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The cruise line said the ceremony is part of its “latest commitment to Qatar and the continued importance of the Middle East”, and supports Qatar’s pledge to attract six million international visitors a year by 2030.
The 2,626-cabin ship is MSC Cruises’ first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered vessel in its fleet, and is group’s the “most innovative and futuristic”, according to Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s cruise division.
MSC World Europa will be used as a floating hotel during the World Cup, before it embarks on its maiden voyage on December 20, offering seven-night cruises to Doha, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island, the UAE, Dammam and Saudi Arabia.
From March 2023, the ship will reposition to the Mediterranean to offer seven-night cruises to the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina, as well as Valetta, Barcelona and Marseille.
Vago said: “MSC World Europa represents the future of cruising, a totally new platform that will provide our guests with an unforgettable cruise not experienced anywhere else before.
“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.”
Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Tourism chairman and Qatar Airways Group chief executive, said: “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.”