MSC World Europa makes maiden call in...

Maltese capital visit was part of cruise ship’s inaugural seven-night Mediterranean itinerary

The port of Valletta has welcomed MSC World Europa for the ship’s maiden call to the Maltese capital.

The vessel is the largest in MSC Cruises’ fleet and the first to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), one of the cleanest marine fuels available at scale.

The maritime tradition of a ‘crest exchange’ to celebrate a ship’s first visit to a destination took place on board between the master of the vessel, captain Dino Sagani, and the CEO of Valletta Cruise Port, Stephen Xuereb.

The line also welcomed nearly 200 guests on board MSC World Europa, including Malta’s minister for tourism, Clayton Bartolo, and other government officials, plus local tour operators and travel agents.

The ship can accommodate up to 6,762 passengers and will visit Valletta with weekly calls throughout summer 2023, winter 2023-24 and summer 2024 during seven-night cruises to Italy, Spain and France.

MSC Cruises executive director Angelo Capurro said: “Malta has been an integral part of our operation for nearly 25 years, and we have brought hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers to visit this wonderful island. We will continue to bring even more guests to Valletta in the future, and we are very proud that MSC World Europa, an ultramodern metropolis at sea, will be a weekly visitor for at least the next 18 months at her port of registry.”

Valletta Cruise Port CEO Stephen Xuereb added: “We are proud today to welcome another splendid MSC Cruises ship, MSC World Europa, for the first time to our scenic grand harbour. Valletta Cruise Port will host her this year on a further 36 calls as part of her inaugural Mediterranean season until May 2024 and throughout next year she will call Malta on another 52 occasions.”

MSC Cruises' nine ships that are registered in Malta are MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Seashore, MSC Seascape and MSC World Europa.

For more information, visit www.msccruises.com