Our Winter Cruise on MSC World Europa
Exploring the upper Decks on the MSC World Europa
What It’s Like Sailing in February + Infinite Ocean View Cabin & Aurea Package Review
We cruised on the MSC World Europa in early February 2025, sailing the Mediterranean from Barcelona with stops in Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Messina, and Valletta. In this blog, we share our real experience staying in an Infinite Ocean View Cabin, what it’s like to cruise the Med in winter, and tips we learned along the way as a couple travelling from Australia. Whether you’re curious about the Aurea package, specialty dining, or just want to know what life onboard is like in the cooler season, we’ve got you covered.
“Sailing the Med in winter might not mean sunbathing on deck—but it’s peaceful, beautiful, and surprisingly relaxing.”
Embarkation in Barcelona
We walked from our *hotel, just off La Rambla, to the Cruise Bus stop at the World Trade Centre. The shuttle was clearly marked and waiting when we arrived around 10:00 a.m. The process was incredibly easy, and we were excited to begin our cruise. To our surprise, we were allowed to board early, even though our scheduled time was 1:00 p.m. Having completed the online check-in made the process smooth and fast. We were onboard and exploring by 11:20 a.m.
Tip: Early boarding is possible, but not guaranteed. Be prepared to wait if needed.
Cruising the Med in February
We were a little unsure at first about cruising in February — would it be too cold? Too rainy? But we were pleasantly surprised. The cooler weather made walking in port more comfortable, and the ship didn’t feel crowded.
There were a couple of brisk mornings and two slightly rainy days, but for the most part, we had clear skies and sunshine. We packed layers, comfortable shoes, and a rain jacket just in case, and we were glad we did.
Currency: Euros are used onboard, and you link a credit card to your cruise account.
Despite the ship’s size, it was never hard to find a peaceful spot. Two of our favourite hangouts were the Raj Polo Tea House and the Coffee Emporium — both felt a little special, and became part of our daily rhythm.
Tip: Pack layers, a compact umbrella, and a rain jacket for added protection. The weather can vary by port.
Our Itinerary
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We loved the itinerary. While we did board in a major port and had the option to go to Rome, we made the conscious choice to keep our port days simple. In Marseille, we stayed on board and explored the ship instead. We’d read reviews that it was a tricky port to navigate, and honestly, after a hectic lead-up to the cruise — including supporting our daughter after a car accident (she’s fine now) — we just wanted to slow down.
“Sometimes, the best decision is to skip the ‘must-sees’ and just enjoy the quiet moments together.”
We didn’t feel guilty about it — in fact, it gave us a real sense of holiday. We had time to talk, wander, and soak up the ship’s atmosphere without rushing.
Related: Our Winter Cruise Packing List
MSC World Europa Infinite Ocean View Cabin Review – Cabin 14065
Our Cabin
We were so happy with this cabin. It felt spacious, well-designed, and had everything we needed. The bathroom was clean and modern, and the main living area was open yet cozy.
One of the best parts? The infinite window. The top half opens to let in the fresh air, and sitting on the sofa with a view of the sea was just magic. We loved waking up and seeing the sky first thing, or enjoying a glass of wine as the sun went down.
Super comfy king-sized bed (we slept so well!)
A large lounge that we both loved curling up on
Desk area and plenty of storage
Great lighting and design touches that made it feel more like a hotel room than a ship cabin
Couples’ Take: The space gave us room to stretch out, but also felt romantic and relaxing.
Tip: Bring *magnetic hooks — they help keep things tidy and accessible.
One note: The bridge may lock the window during certain operations. This happened once during refuelling.
Aurea Package Benefits
We had the Aurea Package, which includes:
Priority boarding (though we didn’t need it)
Access to the Thermal Spa (book early to avoid crowds)
Ready for the Spa
Anytime dining in the main dining room
Welcome gift (bottle of Prescoco, chocolates, diffuser)
We especially appreciated the flexibility of dining times — great after port days.
Tip: Visit the spa on port mornings or later in the evening for a quieter, more relaxing experience.
Specialty Dining & Drinks
Our Waiter in Bubbles MDR
We love trying specialty dining on cruises, so we pre-purchased the 3-meal dining package. It included:
Butcher’s Cut – a good meal, though not the best steakhouse we’ve tried at sea
Chef’s Garden Kitchen – our surprise favourite! Delicious, fresh, and beautifully presented
Halo Tacos & Cantina – we swapped this Mexican restaurant in for the sushi bar (I don’t eat seafood), and it was so much fun that we went twice!
The main dining room, Bubbles, was lovely. We received excellent service and thoroughly enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. We loved being able to eat when it suited us, especially after long days.
The buffets were hit and miss — both Il Mercato and La Brasserie served the same food, but we preferred La Brasserie for its deck seating and quieter atmosphere.
Tip: Enjoy proper coffee from the drinks stations if you have a drinks package — don’t miss out!
The pizza and burger venue was our biggest food disappointment. We had heard great things, but the buffet pizza was actually even better.
Drinks Package: We opted for the Easy Plus package and found it to offer more than enough variety. Cocktails, wine, soft drinks, coffee — all included. We never hit the 15-drink limit.
The Easy Plus package includes 15 alcoholic beverages per day and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, at a cost of up to €9. It covers:
Wine, beer, cocktails, spirits, juices, coffee, water
10% discount on bottles over the €9 limit
Favourite Bars & Lounges
One of our favourite parts of the ship was finding places to sit, chat, and enjoy a drink. We especially loved:
Raj Polo Tea House — cozy, elegant, and great tea
Coffee Emporium — our daily caffeine fix
Fizz Champagne Bar — a lovely evening spot
Other places we tried:
Masters of the Sea (the brewpub — the beer was okay)
The Gin Project — great selection if you love gin
A few outdoor bars where we watched sailaways
Tip: Visit bars earlier in the day for a more relaxed vibe.
Life Onboard the MSC World Europa in Winter
Phil is enjoying a drink on the deck
We didn’t have a set spot onboard — every day, we discovered something new. In between relaxing moments, we took advantage of the onboard entertainment and activities. The app made it easy to see what was on and reserve seats — just be sure to check early in the day, as popular shows can sell out quickly. That said, the rear decks became a favourite for afternoon drinks. It was never too cold to enjoy a quick moment outside.
We saw three shows while onboard — the Broadway musical, a high-energy disco show, and Amelia, a Cirque-style performance that was our absolute favourite. Each show offered something different, and we were impressed with the quality and energy of the cast. If you enjoy live performances, we recommend planning to attend at least a couple. The talent was top-notch, and booking through the app was simple.
We also both had a go on the Venom Drop dry slide, which is advertised as the tallest at sea. It’s a long, winding slide from the top decks to the promenade — and not for the faint-hearted! It added a fun, thrill-seeking moment to our otherwise relaxed cruise experience.
Even though the ship carries thousands, it never felt too busy. The lift system helped, and there were always places to escape to.
Tip: Explore early in the morning or before new guests board to capture peaceful moments and get great photos.
Internet & Connectivity
The basic internet package worked well for messaging and light web use. There were a few hiccups during the website update, but overall, the process was reliable.
Tip: Use aeroplane mode and activate Wi-Fi only when needed to save battery and bandwidth.
Final Thoughts: Would We Sail on MSC World Europa Again?
Enjoying a coffee in the fresh air on MSC World Europa
Absolutely — yes. This was one of our most relaxing cruises ever. Between the cooler weather, the more relaxed itinerary, and the ship’s amenities, we came home feeling genuinely rested.
We’ve learned that a cruise doesn’t have to be jam-packed with activities or excursions to be memorable. For us, this blend of low-key ports and sea days was exactly what we needed.
Would we recommend a winter Med cruise? Definitely — especially if you want to avoid crowds, get great photos, and enjoy the ship without it feeling overwhelming.
Want to see our first day onboard and cabin tour? Watch the vlog here:
Please read our complete winter cruise packing guide here
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