Cruise ship review: MSC Euribia

Named after the ancient Greek goddess who harnessed the winds, weather and constellations to master the seas, MSC Euribia is the line’s most environmentally advanced ship to date – and the second vessel to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Euribia, sister ship to Grandiosa and Virtuosa in MSC’s Meraviglia-Plus class category, was christened in Copenhagen by screen goddess Sophia Loren. Earlier this month, Euribia made her maiden call in Southampton ahead of the ship’s winter sailings around Northern Europe – and World of Cruising’s Kaye Holland was invited onboard.

Style and character
MSC Cruises describes itself as a “Swiss-based European company” but the vibe onboard Euribia, which can accommodate 6,327 passengers at full capacity, is very much Vegas at sea. The line’s signature Swarovski-studded crystal staircase is present and correct, as is the two-storey Mediterranean-style promenade with its shiny, 80m LED dome – the longest at sea – that’s used for hourly, and spectacular, music and light shows.

Despite its colossal size, the 19 deck Euribia is well designed and and easy to get around – a lot of thought has been put into how best to accommodate everyone without ever making it feel crowded – while the relaxed onboard atmosphere makes the ship well suited to families.

Accommodation
You’ll find 2,419 ample-sized staterooms spanning four categories – inside, ocean view, balcony and suite. The latter are found in the Yacht club, a special tier of accommodation and services. All accommodation is well appointed with spacious wardrobes, kettles, and plenty of charging points.

There’s nothing to dislike about the subtle decor – expect shades of ecru and espresso – but equally it won’t send you into raptures either. Bathrooms are compact but can accommodate a toilet, small sink, and shower replete with a glass door. Dispensers filled with MSC's own brand of shampoo and shower gel are fixed to the walls.

Food and drink
Euribia is home to no fewer than 10 restaurants, five of which are classed as ‘specialty’ venues and incur an extra charge. Room service is also available for a small fee. Repeat passengers will be familiar with venues such as HOLA!, a Mediterranean-inspired tapas joint from twice Michelin-starred Chef Ramón Freixa, the Jean-Philippe Maury chocolaterie, and the stylish Kaito Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar.

New to Euribia, and replacing Butcher’s Cut which is found on other MSC ships, is Le Grill – an elegant, specialty brasserie-style restaurant whose menu features moules frites, seafood platters, dry-aged beef and desserts like mille-feuille with mascarpone.

Options for a pre or post dinner drink include the British-style pub Masters of the Sea, a classy champagne bar and – again in a first for Euribia – the digital Helios Wine Bar. Here passengers can learn a little more about whichever of the venue's 96 wines they have in their hand.

Service and facilities
With five different swimming pools – four outdoor and one indoor – as well as one of the largest waterparks at sea, a vast fitness area, Sportsplex for court games, and an arcade area for virtual reality fun, there’s never a dull moment onboard Euribia.

If the aforementioned all sounds a tad too active, relax and unwind in the state-of-the-art, 20-treatment-room Aurea Spa. It features a gigantic thermal area replete with two steam rooms, two saunas, two relaxation rooms and two aromatherapy rooms, in addition to a salt room, snow grotto, walk-through shower and thalassotherapy pools.

Children are exceedingly well catered for too. Seven zones cater to different age groups from toddlers up to those aged 17, while Baby Club Chicco Eco features a designated play area for under threes. Kids of all ages will also love the new MSC Foundation Lab where they can engage in sustainability-focused activities. The activities have been conceived so that youngsters can get creative while simultaneously addressing hot topics of the day such as climate change and marine conservation.

Entertainment and excursions
There’s never a dull moment onboard Euribia. Enjoy Broadway-style shows in the Delphi Theatre before dancing your socks off in the reimagined Carousel Lounge, where a 15-piece band plays a wide selection of floor-fillers every night until the early hours. Elsewhere there’s a casino and stylish nightclub called Attic Club. There’s also a wide range of shore excursions to suit every interest and activity level. World of Cruising tip? Book in advance to secure a 20 per cent discount.

Value for money
A cruise onboard Euribia represents fantastic value for money with fares for a seven night sailing starting from as little as £429 per person including all onboard meals in the buffet or main dining room, port taxes and service charges/gratuities. The price easily shoot up though when you add on excursions, WiFi access, and specialty restaurants.

Get on board
Departing from Southampton on January 26, 2024, this seven-night ‘Northern Europe’ cruise calls at iconic cities such as Hamburg, Rotterdam, Belgium, and Paris, before returning to Southampton. Two sea days afford plenty of time to get to know your fellow passengers and make the most of MSC Cruises’ newest flagship. Fares from £429 per person.