On the 21st of January we flew to Dubai, where we started our week-long trip. We travelled from Warsaw and chose Emirates airline, so our way to the port of departure was as comfortable as possible, and we felt the holiday already when we got on the plane.
We chose the flight together with our manager in order to combine everything successfully by time, we chose the morning departure from Warsaw, and arrived in Dubai in the afternoon. On arrival we left the airport and took an official taxi (it was very easy, everything is clearly organised at the airport). 30 minutes and we pulled into Dubai harbour.
The MSC ship was visible from afar. It looked like a huge, wide multi-storey building (looking ahead, I will say that the ship towered 21 floors high! And how many floors are still under water…).
My first thought is, how does it stay on the water?! It’s gigantic!
After going through passport control and dropping off our luggage, we walked up to the ship and couldn’t believe our eyes. There was no end in sight to this gorgeous, luxurious, new liner!
We couldn’t wait to get inside, appreciate our cabin and walk the decks.
About the cabin
The reality exceeded all our expectations! The Aurea category cabin reminded us of a full hotel room – a spacious room of about 20m2, comfortable bathroom, atmospheric balcony, large bed. Every day we were brought gifts from the Service Desk – a diffuser for the house, several bottles of champagne, fruit. It is very pleasant such attention, you really feel welcome! All problems were solved very quickly! Photos and videos of the cabin can be requested from Onlinetours experts when selecting a cruise.
We would like to point out that the MSC World Europa liner has more than two dozen types of cabins, which differ in the presence of windows and balconies, location, view and area, so that everyone can choose the accommodation according to their preferences. All cabins have an en-suite bathroom, interactive TV, telephone, hairdryer, mini bar, safe, air conditioning, wireless internet (extra chargeable). In addition to the specification of cabins you can choose the tariff category – Bella, Fantastica, Aurea or Yacht Club – which is not only a choice of accommodation, but also a choice of privileges on board that will make your cruise even more intense;
About the food
Food: We had several restaurants assigned to our cabin (included in the price; you could order as many meals as you wanted). Fresh fish and seafood, steaks, desserts, drinks, appetisers – the choice is very large, there is everything from dietary to traditional dishes, from fast food to local specialities! Very tasty! There is a 24-hour buffet (on the 18th and 19th floors). Water, tea and coffee are included.
In addition to the main restaurants included in the price, there are cafes and bars for extra charge of different concepts:
▫ Emporium Coffee House – In the mornings there is always authentic Italian coffee and fresh croissants.
▫ Raj Polo Tea House – Here you will find a wide selection of teas from different regions of the world, as well as a treat for the traditional Five O’Clock.
▫ Masters of the Sea Brewery & Pub – Here you will find craft beers brewed on the liner itself using desalinated sea water.
▫ Gin project – Author’s cocktails based on gin.
▫ Malt Lounge – For whisky lovers there is a special zone with the rarest Single Malt varieties and a relaxation zone.
▫ Chefs Garden Kitchen Restaurant – It is unique in that the herbs and herbs used here as seasonings are grown right on the ship and can be seen in pots in the lounge itself.
▫ La Pescaderia Restaurant A must for those who love good fish and seafood. It operates on the principle of an open-air grill bar and serves very unusual dishes.
And for those who are planning a trip with children, we would like to add that every day in the main restaurants there is a children’s menu, developed in cooperation with Chicco.
Entertainment
A cruise liner is a full-fledged resort where everything has been thought out to the last detail! Absolutely everyone will find something to their liking: relaxation and hot dancing by the pool in the open air on the deck, roller skating, a huge sports complex, dance training, an interesting children’s room, a lot of Duty Free shops (every day there were different sales), thematic restaurants, a brewery right on the ship, a chocolate shop, a jewellery shop, the world’s largest dry slide (located right on the ship), Broadway street (with many coffee shops). Every night you can attend different shows: plays, musicals, dance shows, illusionists, immersive parties. Afterwards we moved to the bar on the 8th floor where there was live music – people danced, socialised, participated in intelligent contests.
Water park
How did we keep up with everything? – Easy! Every day in the evening we were brought to our room an announcement of the activities for tomorrow. What port we were arriving in, when we had to return to the ship, the schedule of restaurants and activities, and the most unusual – the dress code for the new day. For example, White Party (everyone dressed in white), or Elegant Evening (girls go out to dinner in long dresses and men in dinner jackets), or Casual. It was very exciting!
There is always something to do on MSC Cruises liners: theatre with evening show programmes, bright parties on open decks, lounge areas with live music, night club, 4D cinema, mini-bowling, amusement rides, library, Formula 1 race simulator and casino – everyone will find entertainment to their liking. Playgrounds for children, attractions, children’s clubs with interesting events are organised for children.
Venom Drop dry slide, which will take you from the 20th to the 8th deck, is a separate kind of unusual and daring entertainment!
SPA that you will want to return to
We would like to make a special mention of Aurea SPA complex. It is the best SPA we have been to. It was included in the price (due to the type of cabin we had). If the type of cabin does not include free access to the SPA – a single entry will cost 100€ per person per day.
The whole complex gives the impression that you are in Bali. There is a salt room, hammam, Soft Sauna, classic sauna with large windows to the street, massage showers with hot and ice jets, warm pool, Jacuzzi, massage waterfall – 3 hours here flew by unnoticed. The feeling afterwards is just fabulous! We tried to be there every day.
The liner has a main pool, a separate aft pool, water slides, indoor pool, and an exclusive TOP area (for guests in certain room categories).
Port calls en route
From 07:00 am every day (except for one day when the ship is at sea all the time) it was possible to leave the ship, to explore excursions (which were offered by the ship’s staff. At the same time, you could order a taxi and explore the cultural sights and shopping centres on your own. Or you could hang out on the ship all day.
We tried to get maximum impressions, so we went out in every port and came back in the evening. In general, the very idea of a cruise is a whole adventure – while you are on the liner, you feel like you are in a luxury hotel (only the views are much cooler!), and then you sleep, and every day a new city!
We were very satisfied with our trip and we are already dreaming of a new voyage on MSC! Thank you very much Onlinetours for the unparalleled organisation of the tour!
Tourist’s comment
Important additions on the cruise from an expert. It should be said that wi-fi on the ship is paid – 120€ per week. The more devices – the bigger the discount.
When planning your cruise, you should carefully familiarise yourself with the visa requirements of the countries in whose ports the liner calls so that you can spend time off the ship. For a Gulf Pearls: UAE cruise, obtaining a tourist visa on arrival in the UAE is free of charge. Saudi Arabia electronic cruise transit visa. The cost is 7 105 ₽. In the absence of this visa, the tourist will be able to take the cruise but will remain on board when entering Saudi Arabia. No visa is required to visit Qatar on this cruise.
The ship is Italian, so all prices are in Euros. You don’t need to pay in cash, as on the first day on the ship you are given a Cruise Card, where you make a deposit. By the way, this card also serves as a key to your cabin and a pass to the liner. Important❕The deposit is non-refundable, multiple of 100 € . The entire amount must be spent on the liner and cannot be withdrawn.
Drinks (water, juices, spirits, cocktails) are not included in the cruise price (to be arranged additionally)
From 12 February, MSC Cruises has simplified the boarding rules for its liners, removing the requirement of the Gulf cruise protocol. From this date, no vaccinations or PCR tests will be required for cruises.
We know that many people are afraid of motion sickness – the liner has rocking stabilisers, which provides maximum comfort to passengers, you can safely forget about fears.
A sea cruise is a profitable and unusual solution for your holiday! And, by the way, at very attractive price offers!
