MSC World Europa already a huge disappointment

[Acrobatu2]

I find the new ship to be very dull and lame.

I love MSC but I don't understand their marketing and business model so far.

The event of World Europa supposed to be hyped and get a lot of attentions, but instead the Royal Caribbean Icon of the seas has received tons of promotion and detailed videos (and really well made)from RC, explaining all the new contents, and all that, for a ship not even built yet.

The reality is that the World Europa has very little to offer.

Those are the main disappointing features that make me confusing (just my opinion):

1) Lack of a sky lounge like in the Meraviglia, instead MSC used the same space for the gym and for the KIDS CLUB, why???

2) Top solarium for Aurea guest without a dedicated Bar exclusive only for Aurea.

3) Waste of spaces; why we need a bar only for gin lovers, is really gin so loved?? Also is redundant, already there is a malt lounge on deck 8, which I prefer.

4) The Pescaderia is another waste of useful space, already ocean key restaurant was underwhelming, why extend the same concept and adding a fish market... do really MSC believes that cruisers going to buy or to choose fish to bring in their cabin? Also who wants to smell fish while eating??? 

5) the most embarrassing waste of space is the chef garden, really we need to grow basil and other herbs inside a ship? and after I read the menu I was even more skeptical, for example meringue for desert look so cheap.

6) K-pop, no seriously?

7) every bar is the same except for the name, I mean every bar suppose to offer different perks to choose from, for example a bar can offer hors d'oeuvres or tapas, another can offer live sports, a Nutella station etc. ( I loved the sport bar in the Seashore, with those little boots for watching sport tv)

8. Those voyager club points are really worthless, as already stated in this forum, I know is not related to the ship, just whish I had those point for Princess or RC now.

...

I could continue for another ten points, but also I understand that in Europe and for Mediterranean cruises is more important the destination than the ship itself.

Only good thing in this ships seems to be the Yacht Club. 

I just needed to take it off my chest and probably ask for any recommends if cancel my upcoming the trip in may, or just enjoy the cruise port in Europe, even I have been to every port except in Malta.

 

Rant off

[Two Wheels Only]

Since World America will supposedly be "tuned" for the American market, maybe there will be changes that will impress.

[Acrobatu2]

14 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Since World America will supposedly be "tuned" for the American market, maybe there will be changes that will impress.

I hope so, despite I'm Italian 🙂 

[Nikita4]

The World Europa isn't finished at the moment, so there are no Videos oder so. She is still in St Nazaire unter construction.

 

The Sky Lounge on the Meraviglia/Grandiosa is often empty, so they put better another venue there. 
We are European/Italien an we like fish and will try the Pescaderia wenn we are in Dezember on the World Europa. We also like Gin, there are so many different types of Gin.

 

And its a european cruise line, most of the customers are european.

 

For us, there are enough infos about the new ship for the moment.

[Stockjock]

I will withhold judgement until the ship is actually sailing and passengers have had the opportunity to check out the new ship.  I thought it seemed interesting, actually.

[Acrobatu2]

1 hour ago, Nikita4 said:

The World Europa isn't finished at the moment, so there are no Videos oder so. She is still in St Nazaire unter construction.

 

The Sky Lounge on the Meraviglia/Grandiosa is often empty, so they put better another venue there. 
We are European/Italien an we like fish and will try the Pescaderia wenn we are in Dezember on the World Europa. We also like Gin, there are so many different types of Gin.

 

And its a european cruise line, most of the customers are european.

 

For us, there are enough infos about the new ship for the moment.

Actually the ship was jus delivered yesterday, but as I said seems almost nobody noticed.

When I sailed the Meraviglia the lounge was all the time lively, offering free appetizers and good music, it's such a good concept that, the yacht club has their own sky lounge on every new ship .

[carlmm]

5 hours ago, Nikita4 said:

 

 

The Sky Lounge on the Meraviglia/Grandiosa is often empty, so they put better another venue there. 

 

I guess it depends when and where the ship is sailing.

On a summer cruise, yes it was less occupied, as much of the action was going on outside, by the pool or at the Horizon bar until very late. Still a lovely place to be for a drink in a nice location with a great view.

Yet, on another cruise with a somewhat colder weather, the Sky lounge was the place to be. It was hard to get a seat all evening and night.

 

Anyway, I agree with @Acrobatu2, what a waste of such a prime location for the gym and the kids club.

 

[Nunagoras]

The naming ceremony for World Europa is just on November 13 in Doha, Qatar. Yesterday was just the delivery ceremony. Shipyard delivery ceremonies tend to pass quite unnoticed along the lines, no matter the company or the ship, unless a company wants to make said ceremony the naming one, like as my memory can go, has been the case for some of the Seaside class ones. There was a Spanish cruise news outlet that made a live video yesterday's evening. I linked it on my own other thread on World Europa.

 

Yeah; here in Europe, gin is quite loved with an assortment of gin varieties and gin centric cocktails being so appreciated that a fair number of premium gin lover bars are popping up in towns lately.

 

The World Europa seems well balanced from tradition to future mainstream cruising experience, right the opposite of what Royal is doing with the Icon which seems designed from kids to kids, IMHO. To each, its own. I'm excited with the new design, and I want to be there one day! Surely kids and young family friendly, but in such a way one has their activities spread out quite nicely. 90% of this ship seems to be distinctively MSC feature and design wise, appealing to a broad audience. And at least they've found a way forward to solve the "cavernous" look and feel of regular, both Silja Lines ferries, RCI Voyager onward classes and even the MSC Meraviglia class! The one on World Europa, at least resembles a nice piazza in Italy, or at least the grand public entrance for many Las Vegas or Macau casino resorts! Bravo MSC! Yeah; it's possible to cram a non "cavernous" promenade inside a cruise ship!...

 

There is one thing that really fits your concerns, which I can see as accurate from that unique video I saw of the ship though: The lack of classic hotel/cruise ship lounge space for the ship's capacity. Surely Jean Phillipe or the Coffee Emporium can seat a large number of guests, but ones don't go on said venues to enjoy some live music while sipping a nice nightcap adult drink. For World America they'll need to add some more lounge space, perhaps by removing the afternoon tea venue that doesn't seem to make most sense on such a mainstream 2022 onward vessel. Surely there is the 2 decks show lounge at the back of the ship, but that is likely for the paid apart shows and possibly after hours disco.

[RBrowny]

I have been looking online at some of the people who were invited on board, and those who have uploaded photos and videos. I have never been on a bigger ship, so this is all new to me, and after booking, I can get where the post is coming from.

 

I will hold judgement until I see some reviews, and see what's really on offer. It looks amazing to me, for what I would like, but one thing I'm not too keen on is the yacht clubs bar - it looks amazing, but why is this only used for the yacht club?

[kelleherdl]

7 minutes ago, RBrowny said:

but one thing I'm not too keen on is the yacht clubs bar - it looks amazing, but why is this only used for the yacht club?

Maybe you missed this in your looking at the MSC experiences descriptions. That is the whole point of the Yacht Club, all-inclusive and EXCLUSIVE venues for Yacht Club guests.

 

Dennis

[Two Wheels Only]

22 minutes ago, RBrowny said:

It looks amazing to me, for what I would like, but one thing I'm not too keen on is the yacht clubs bar - it looks amazing, but why is this only used for the yacht club?

 

That's like asking why the Yacht Club sundeck is only for Yacht Club guests.

 

If you'd like the entire ship to be like the Yacht Club, look to the much smaller Explora Journeys ships (also owned by MSC). 

[Acrobatu2]

16 hours ago, Nunagoras said:

For World America they'll need to add some more lounge space, perhaps by removing the afternoon tea venue that doesn't seem to make most sense on such a mainstream 2022 onward vessel

Yes, totally agree, anyway I didn't praise the RC Icon for its design but for its innovation and for  setting a line.

About the gin bar, I agree that there are gin aficionados,  despite for me, gin and grappa is totally out, but I was complaining also that the gin bar is taking a huge space in the ship promenade.

Anyway I believe I will give it a shot next spring.

Thanks for the reply.

 

 

 

[sidari]

18 hours ago, RBrowny said:

I have been looking online at some of the people who were invited on board, and those who have uploaded photos and videos. I have never been on a bigger ship, so this is all new to me, and after booking, I can get where the post is coming from.

 

I will hold judgement until I see some reviews, and see what's really on offer. It looks amazing to me, for what I would like, but one thing I'm not too keen on is the yacht clubs bar - it looks amazing, but why is this only used for the yacht club?

We are due to sail on Europa in March on the repo to Genoa, also sailed on Oasis of the seas which still appears to put Europa to bed.

[sidari]

For World America they'll need to add some more lounge space, perhaps by removing the afternoon tea venue that doesn't seem to make most sense on such a mainstream 2022 onward vessel.

 

Nuna ... The same issue with Meraviglia, drink venues are far too small.

[Nunagoras]

1 hour ago, sidari said:

We are due to sail on Europa in March on the repo to Genoa, also sailed on Oasis of the seas which still appears to put Europa to bed.

Humm... I'm not so sure...

 

While the Europa is now a "let's see" sort of vessel, once there are very few real images of it, and the unique video review is a bad image Spanish video, let us to analise it from the information we have and our own experience on the Oasis class:

 

Size wise, they're pretty similar. According to the Portuguese press the Europa is 216k GT, Oasis goes from 225-236 GT. Rumors are here on the Portuguese economy newspapers stating that World America will have one more steel block, pushing her to the 240k GT, 2nd largest in the world, just 10k GT shy of RCI's Icon of the Seas! They can be considered same ship category on different lines. Let us to compare the amenities, and operational workflow of both ships:

 

Europa replaces the Aqua Show external theater with a "Cirque du Soleil" like lounge show. On Oasis class one can only to use the Aqua theater weather permitting. On Europa only the most risky shows will be suppressed on sad weather environments, and they can "easily" to turn it on just another drink place. That's a plus on Europa.

 

While both ships have a spiral slide ending on the open promenade deck, the one on Europa is far better designed and less obtrusive to an extent.

 

Europa's promenade is also more adult oriented; and joining together the 8th deck external and internal promenade parts, that will somewhat to spread the crowds better. Another Europa's plus. General internal promenade look and feel is far better for Europa as far as photos go.

 

How will pool decks to be managed on Europa is set to be known, so I won't comment it.

 

When Europa was designed, MSC told they wanted an entire move from the MDR dinner model to a 4 included buffets model of sorts. The pandemic made them to entirely redesign the concept and the MDR's are there. One of them apparently with a middle break for the internal promenade on deck 6... And there is a hidden cost: Bar/Lounge/Regular Drink space is rare to find, unless they have something on deck 5. Alas: On the MSC's website deck plans page, deck 5 doesn't fully match the upper decks plans, so, they may have done modifications, as far as I can understand. I will to give the doubt benefit here. The main pool deck buffet is more than double the average size of any Oasis class buffets though.

 

Activities wise the Europa is better balanced. There are those nearly 15 years of technology development from firs Oasis class vessels. The Technogym brand new gym on the pool deck seems to be great for the newer generations demand on Europa, for example!...

 

Finally the cabins. Regular Fantasia onward MSC's fare on Europa. Different from ship to ship on Oasis class. I feel more at home on the Europa's ones. And the infinity view ones resemble more of a regular hotel room in town. For long transatlantic or off-season cruises that additional real estate is to be praised for!

 

Sincerely: Only time will tell; but I'm not wondering the Oasis putting the Europa to bed. That's unrealistic, oh, well: Unless MSC is not able to adapt themselves to the demands of such a beast the Europa is logistically speaking!... But that is for a far later day!...

 

Have a nice day!...

[RBrowny]

22 hours ago, kelleherdl said:

Maybe you missed this in your looking at the MSC experiences descriptions. That is the whole point of the Yacht Club, all-inclusive and EXCLUSIVE venues for Yacht Club guests.

 

Dennis

 

22 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

That's like asking why the Yacht Club sundeck is only for Yacht Club guests.

 

If you'd like the entire ship to be like the Yacht Club, look to the much smaller Explora Journeys ships (also owned by MSC). 

 

It was more to the point that it was a really nice view from the front of the ship, that looks like it's just for Yacht club guests.

 

No need to be rude guys. 

[RBrowny]

I must say, this video looks fantastic. Really good tour of the ship. I have even seen images of a private bar you can go too, https://www.facebook.com/aBMagazin/videos/413193117674628/ with accompanying picture : 

 

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, RBrowny said:

It was more to the point that it was a really nice view from the front of the ship, that looks like it's just for Yacht club guests.

 

No need to be rude guys. 

 

It wasn't meant to be rude. It was more about being practical. If what the Yacht Club has isn't in some way "better" than the rest of the ship, nobody would bother to pay extra for the Yacht Club. 

 

It seemed from your post that the thing that bothered you ("...not too keen on..") was the fact that something allocated for the Yacht Club was nicer than what was found in the rest of the ship. 

[RBrowny]

14 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

It wasn't meant to be rude. It was more about being practical. If what the Yacht Club has isn't in some way "better" than the rest of the ship, nobody would bother to pay extra for the Yacht Club. 

 

It seemed from your post that the thing that bothered you ("...not too keen on..") was the fact that something allocated for the Yacht Club was nicer than what was found in the rest of the ship. 

What bothered me was due to the ship barely being released, and not fully knowing what is what. I thought that bar/area would look perfect for a sail away - so I'm a bit disappointed in that, but nothing major. In the previous ship we went on, there was a top bar where we spent a lot of time, and it was brilliant to sail away from there.  

 

I'm trying to figure out if the indoor pool area is for yacht club only, or not. That area looks great!

[doones2]

On 10/25/2022 at 1:40 AM, Stockjock said:

I will withhold judgement until the ship is actually sailing and passengers have had the opportunity to check out the new ship.  I thought it seemed interesting, actually.

I agree.  It’s looks quite beautiful.  Classy looking.  Doesn’t look like a circus.

[sidari]

19 hours ago, RBrowny said:

What bothered me was due to the ship barely being released, and not fully knowing what is what. I thought that bar/area would look perfect for a sail away - so I'm a bit disappointed in that, but nothing major. In the previous ship we went on, there was a top bar where we spent a lot of time, and it was brilliant to sail away from there.  

 

I'm trying to figure out if the indoor pool area is for yacht club only, or not. That area looks great!

The YC area is at the front of the ship, I cannot see the indoor pool area being for YC guests.

[Gatordad1967]

On 10/25/2022 at 1:11 PM, Two Wheels Only said:

 

That's like asking why the Yacht Club sundeck is only for Yacht Club guests.

 

If you'd like the entire ship to be like the Yacht Club, look to the much smaller Explora Journeys ships (also owned by MSC). 

doesn't seem fair that those who pay for amenities are the only folks who get to use those amenities......:-)

[deliver42]

I'll bet the indoor pool is like the Jungle Pool on the Seashore. It's open to all guests. I believe all the ships that have the YC, only have outside pools for them.

[RBrowny]

9 hours ago, Gatordad1967 said:

doesn't seem fair that those who pay for amenities are the only folks who get to use those amenities......:-)

Thankfully it's an area that ordinary guests can use - the indoor pool. Like the sarcasm 🙂 

[Nunagoras]

16 minutes ago, RBrowny said:

Thankfully it's an area that ordinary guests can use - the indoor pool. Like the sarcasm 🙂 

According to a Brit video that popped up today, the indoor pool is definitely for all. The exclusive Aurea sundeck is on deck 20 above and beyond the indoor pool. And to say the least, it isn't the most beautiful area of the ship. It seems incomplete right now. Time will tell, but the ones paying those over inflated Aurea prices would deserve something better, just IMHO.