The world of cruises always leads to extremes: either you love them or you detest them. What seems obvious is that before taking a stance on either side of the scale, it is advisable to embark to speak from experience. Stereotypes and prejudices often play tricks, especially when choosing an experience or destination. Hand in hand with MSC, we embark on one of their impressive ships, the World Europa, departing from Genoa and making stops in Naples, Palermo, La Valeta, and ending in Barcelona. The Yacht Club, that world of serene luxury and hospitality designed by the shipping company originating from Sorrento (Italy), welcomes us for a week. The ship's horn sounds, with its futuristic silhouette and distinctive 90-degree bow; a journey begins painted in blues. The Mediterranean has never been a better plan.
In reality, the Yacht Club —with its 152 suites— is a yacht within the ship itself; just like a cruise allows you to experience two journeys: one enjoyed onboard and one explored at each stop. It may be just a few hours, but each place allows for capturing a few highlights. Less is more on many occasions. One of the services included in this exclusive club is having a butler available 24 hours a day; our accomplice will be Stan, a small and friendly man who finds a solution for any issue; he moves silently through the corridors ensuring everything is perfect when you enter or leave the room, whether it's to make a reservation at one of the restaurants —there are six world cuisines: Mexican, American, Oriental...— or to facilitate the arrival at the bumper cars. We are on a cruise with 22 decks, 40,000 square meters of public spaces, and a maximum capacity for 6,762 passengers. Nothing more and nothing less.
We depart from Genoa with our sights set on Naples, that noisy, disorderly, and charming city that you fall in love with as soon as you step foot in it. Its unbeatable location, its street stalls, and hidden treasures —like that Caravaggio, The Seven Works of Mercy, located in a small church that is always closed— invite you to a somewhat improvised stroll (its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and enjoyable, because gastronomy is another fundamental aspect of this city. Two recommendations to keep in mind and book in advance: Mimi alla ferrovia (Via Alfonso D'Aragona, 19), a simple dining place with traditional Neapolitan cuisine, and Diego Vitagliano (Via Nuova Agnano, 1), where they prepare one of the best pizzas in the world. Yes, in the world, and we are not exaggerating at all.
Presided over by the imposing and historic Vesuvius, a volcano known for the tragedy of the Roman city of Pompeii, the stop in the Italian city can be complemented with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum (Piazza Museo, 18), where an impressive collection of historical pieces is kept, including sculptures, mosaics, and frescoes from Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the Castel Nuovo (Via Vittorio Emanuele III), an imposing medieval castle located next to the port that offers beautiful views of the city.
Ice cream or the sfogliatella, a typical sweet from the region made with thin puff pastry and powdered sugar, can be enjoyed at Piazza del Plebiscito before returning to the ship. Boarding and disembarking at the stops for Yacht Club guests are done through accesses without queues or crowds. It's time to put on your swimsuit and enjoy the Sundeck & Pool, an outdoor area with a pool, a spacious terrace, and large hot tubs, with a cocktail in hand. For dinner, there is plenty of good options to choose from. On the first night, we chose Kaito Teppenyaki, where, in addition to tasting delicious oriental bites, the party is guaranteed with the acrobatics and good vibes of the chefs, who turn each menu course into a show.
In reality, there is a lot of spectacle in the cruise world. Themed nights that guests strictly adhere to. If it's a white attire night, the entire ship dresses in that color. Photographers stationed on every corner immortalize family photos, affectionate couples, or groups of friends who have decided to spend a vacation at sea. The hustle and bustle of the dining area resembles a street in any coastal city, with its lights and benches to rest during a stroll.
Next stop: Palermo (time constraints led to a change in the planned stop in Messina). The capital of Sicily is a friendly city easy to enjoy, as everything is concentrated in the historic center. Shops filled with souvenirs, street musicians livening up the walk, cafes, museums, small churches, charming courtyards, and splendid sunshine paint the picture of the moment. There are two main streets - Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emmanuele - around which the city's life revolves. A must-see is the Quattro Canti, one of the most charming spots, where both streets converge with their four symmetrical and perfectly curved facades. Harmony distributed on three levels with different types of ornaments on each: the bottom part is dedicated to the seasons; the central part to the Spanish monarchs, and the upper part to the saints of Palermo.
The Cathedral, which along with the Cappella Pallatina -a true marvel- and the Cathedral of Cefalú are part of the Arab-Norman Palermo complex protected by UNESCO, is another recommended visit. If hunger strikes, it's time for a reward with a good plate of pasta at Il Salumaio di Santamarina (Via del Celso, 3), a charming restaurant in the heart of the city. And if there is time before returning on board, the Teatro Massimo doesn't disappoint, where the decadence and peeling walls add to the charm of the place. A visit to the second largest opera house in Europe and the largest in Italy costs 8 euros and takes about 40 minutes to see.
After hours of non-stop walking, the return to the World Europa involves taking a break in the Top Sail Lounge, with great views. This space is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for MSC Yacht Club passengers. Live music is usually played at night. One floor up is the restaurant, which offers a very good gastronomic proposal based on vegetables, fresh meats, and fish, with a very friendly service team. To end the day, all that's left is to choose a show.
We continue towards La Valeta, the capital of Malta, which boasts hosting 320 monuments in its scarce 55 hectares —making it one of the smallest capitals in the world— and enjoying 300 days of sunshine a year. The first thing that impresses is the entrance through its natural harbor. The initial contact with the city invites you to walk aimlessly. Once again, Caravaggio crosses our path; in the cathedral, two works by the Italian painter can be found, The Beheading of Saint John, the largest in dimensions he ever painted and the only one he signed, and Saint Jerome Writing.
The Knights of the Order of St. John were the creators of the impressive defensive structures seen in the city. Near the Cathedral, you will find the Grand Master's Palace, another gem. In the National Museum of Archaeology, small but quite comprehensive, you can learn more about Malta's eventful history, as its strategic location, halfway between Africa and Europe, has always made it a coveted territory.
The final stage of the journey to Barcelona, the longest at sea. Hours to enjoy the pools on the cruise, indulge in a wonderful massage at the spa, try the Mexican restaurant and its delicious guacamole, dance, revisit the bumper cars, and of course, slide down the impressive 11-deck-high slide. The water park will have to wait for the next voyage. We watch the sunset from the treadmill in the gym —748 square meters— with Dua Lipa playing in our headphones. Let's dream of the next time we will sail the seas.
DIZZYING NUMBERS
The 'World Europa' is the first ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the MSC Cruises fleet, which represents up to a 21% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an 85% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions. This is part of the company's commitment to sustainability policies. Beyond that, the ship's figures are staggering: from its 2,626 cabins—with 19 different categories—to the more than 6,700 passengers it can accommodate. It features nine children's areas, six pools and 13 whirlpool tubs, a 1,300-square-meter spa, a 1,153-seat theater, and six themed restaurants. It's impossible not to find our place on board.