Overview
Cruise Itinerary
Welcome to the ancient city of Athens, the 'Cradle of Western Civilisation'. If your schedule is tight, savor traditional Greek coffee at a café with a view of the city's iconic ruins, soaking in the historic ambiance before your cruise departs. If you've got time to explore the Acropolis stands as a must-see, a UNESCO World Heritage site, adorned with iconic structures like the Parthenon and nearby Temple of Olympian Zeus. The nearby Acropolis Museum showcases stunning artifacts from ancient Greece, providing deeper insight into the city's heritage.
Piraeus is located about 12 km (7.5 miles) from the city center and it takes roughly 20-30 minutes to reach by taxi or train. A taxi ride from the airport to Piraeus port will take approximately 40-60 minutes, depending on the traffic. The taxi fare (indicative only) is around 45 euros in the daytime and 64 euros at night (24:00-05:00).
Rhodes, the largest of Greece's Dodecanese islands, offers a blend of medieval history and sun-kissed beaches. Start your exploration at the Palace of the Grand Master, a stunning medieval fortress in the heart of the Old Town. Wander through the cobbled streets, where the mix of Byzantine, Gothic, and Ottoman architecture tells tales of the island's storied past.
For a relaxing afternoon, head to Elli Beach, just a short walk from the port. Enjoy the crystal-clear waters and perhaps try some water sports. Don’t miss the Acropolis of Rhodes, offering panoramic views of the island and the Aegean Sea. Savor local delicacies like fresh seafood at a seaside taverna to complete your day.
The vibrant city of Limassol is located on Akrotiri Bay in the shadow of the Troodos mountains. Its the jumping off point to explore the ancient riches of Cyprus. See ruins, majestic mountains and scenery, stunning beaches, and vast groves of lemons, oranges and olives. Ships will dock at the cruise terminal.
Top Things to Do in Limassol:
- visit Limassol Castle
- explore the Kourion archaeological site
- journey to the UNESCO listed city of Paphos
- walk around Pissouri Village
- visit the Kolossi Medieval Castle
Enjoy the breathtaking illusion of sailing through oceans of desert sand as you cruise the Suez Canal, the engineering marvel that connects the Mediterranean and Red Seas.
As you transit the 101 mile expanse, admire the desert views occasionally interrupted by little villages, with domed mosques and minarets towering into the sky.
The passage requires no locks, as both bodies of water are at about the same level. Not wide enough to allow 2-way passage, 3 convoys are scheduled to transit the canal on a typical day, two southbound and one northbound.
Enjoy the breathtaking illusion of sailing through oceans of desert sand as you cruise the Suez Canal, the engineering marvel that connects the Mediterranean and Red Seas.
As you transit the 101 mile expanse, admire the desert views occasionally interrupted by little villages, with domed mosques and minarets towering into the sky.
The passage requires no locks, as both bodies of water are at about the same level. Not wide enough to allow 2-way passage, 3 convoys are scheduled to transit the canal on a typical day, two southbound and one northbound.
Onboard MSC you'll experience a welcoming atmosphere with a Mediterranean-inspired elegance. Enjoy a wide array of dining options, from gourmet restaurants to casual eateries and experience live performances, themed parties, and engaging activities for all ages, making it ideal for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
Muscat, Oman's capital, offers a unique blend of ancient heritage and modern architecture. Its strategic location on the Gulf of Oman, surrounded by mountains and desert, has historically made it a maritime hub. Today, Muscat stands out for its preserved cultural identity, visible in its traditional Arab architecture, bustling souks, and the majestic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a masterpiece of Islamic art and craftsmanship.
Muscat is a gateway to experiencing the warmth of Omani hospitality and your greeted with a city that balances its rich history with contemporary living. The Royal Opera House Muscat showcases this blend, offering world-class performances in a stunningly modern venue. For those interested in exploring Oman's natural wonders, a short drive from the city reveals breathtaking landscapes, from wadis to deserts, inviting adventure and relaxation alike.
Onboard MSC you'll experience a welcoming atmosphere with a Mediterranean-inspired elegance. Enjoy a wide array of dining options, from gourmet restaurants to casual eateries and experience live performances, themed parties, and engaging activities for all ages, making it ideal for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
Known as the shining jewel of Qatar, Doha sits on the east coast lapped by the warm waters of the Persian Gulf. It is an ancient city in the midst of a modern renaissance as evidenced by stunning new buildings, resorts, shopping malls, and sporting venues emerging from the desert landscape like a futuristic oasis. Ships will dock at Doha Port.
Top Things to Do in Doha:
- sail Doha Bay in a traditional dhow
- shop at the Souq Waqif market
- visit the Museum of Islamic Arts
- venture to Khor Al Adaid, the inland sea
The lure of Dubai is irresistible, from its glittering mega-skyscrapers to its traditional Islamic roots. Dubai’s most iconic sights include the 160-story Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, and the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, a luxury resort which happens to be shaped like a boat’s sail.
Dubai is all about luxe shopping, high-end boutiques, unique souqs (markets) and cultural institutions like the Dubai Museum. While you’re stopped on a Dubai cruise, you’re meant to live it up on unforgettable excursions like a helicopter tour of the city or a camel ride at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.
The lure of Dubai is irresistible, from its glittering mega-skyscrapers to its traditional Islamic roots. Dubai’s most iconic sights include the 160-story Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, and the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, a luxury resort which happens to be shaped like a boat’s sail.
Dubai is all about luxe shopping, high-end boutiques, unique souqs (markets) and cultural institutions like the Dubai Museum. While you’re stopped on a Dubai cruise, you’re meant to live it up on unforgettable excursions like a helicopter tour of the city or a camel ride at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.
Life Onboard MSC World Europa
A new cruising experience, with a partially open promenade, themed districts for all ages, and 2 new dining venues Read more
Savour specialty dining and exciting gourmet experiences in stylish restaurants. Read more
MSC Yacht Club unlocks a world of luxury, privileged access and choice onboard. Read more
Enjoy world class entertainment with original shows and almost every kind of music in lively bars. Read more
MSC's largest water park, bumper cars, Kid's Club, video arcade, MSC Sportplex and much more. Read more
Revitalise yourself in the world class MSC Aurea Spa with beauty treatments, massages and more. Read more
MSC World Europa Reviews (3) Most Recent 'MSC World Europa' Reviews
1. We didn't know that we could read more have arranged a shuttle pickup at the airport to the ship. We would have preferred this to trying to find a taxi and explaining our destination.
2. The cruise package included 4 complimentary restaurants, which we assumed we could choose as we like. But what we didn't know is that we were allocated a dedicated table to a specific restaurant each night for dinner.
3. To provide something different we asked to move restaurants, which was allowed, but then discovered that each complimentary restaurant had exactly the same menu each night, although it changed daily.
4. The quality of the food at the complimentary restaurants was only fair and on one night poor. In the end we upgraded to some of the speciality restaurants to provide something different and better. This was a much better option.
5. For us, the ship was too big and it took at least 4 days to be confident about where you were going and where our cabin was.
6. In light of the ship being too big, there were simply too many people (6,500 guests and 2,500 staff) and most areas were crowded from early morning. Booking a show or a speciality restaurant had to be done very early else they were full.
7. The breakfast buffet was pretty unpleasant with people jostling all over the place. But, in the end we found an alternative menu driven, table service breakfast venue, which was much nicer.
8. The cabin (1408) was very good. Spacious with most facilities we needed.
9. Cabin housekeeping was excellent. In fact all the ship staff were extremely helpful.
10. Ship logistics in coordinating dining; excursions; theatre shows etc was also excellent. Anyone not phone literate would be completely lost as everything was phone based, even the dining menus.
11. The ships wifi was excellent, but in hindsight we should have upgraded our internet package to include more than 1 device.
12. The excursions (we did one at every port) were pretty good offering a good tase of the cities we visited.
The ship itself was mind blowing, with multiple choices for shops; fast food; adult entertainment; kids entertainment and swimming pools. We would recommend the “back of ship tour” as this provided a real insight into how a ship of this size operates. Finally, whilst we might choose MSC again, it certainly would not be on the World Europa.
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MSC Mediterranean & Northern Europe (2026-27)
USD Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by MSC Cruises. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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