MSC World Europa passes through the Suez Canal en route to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup

A massive 4.1 billion dirham ($1.1 billion) cruise liner bound for Qatar for the FIFA World Cup is currently passing through the Suez Canal.

MSC World Europea 205,700-tonne luxury ship, was slowly crossing the Suez Canal, a maritime link between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, according to ship tracking service MarineTraffic.

The website says the liner is scheduled to dock at Dubai’s Port Rashid on Wednesday, November 9.

The ship is on its maiden voyage and will eventually dock at the Grand Terminal in Doha, where it will be used as a floating hotel from November 19 to December 19 for fans attending the FIFA World Cup.

MSC World Europe accommodates 6,762 guests in 2,633 staterooms and features six pools, 14 ocean-view hot tubs, 13 restaurants, and more than 30 bars and cafes.

He will have his christening ceremony in Doha before the start of the World Cup on November 13.

After the month-long tournament, MSC Europe ― the largest ship in the company’s fleet ― will spend the winter months offering cruises in the Arabian Gulf.

Two more MSC ships will soon set sail for Doha ― the MSC Poesia and the MSC Opera ― which will also be moored at the port of Doha to welcome fans.

The cruise ships have a combined capacity of 4,000 rooms and can accommodate up to 9,400 people. Cruise hotels will offer a variety of cabin options, from traditional and ocean view cabins to balcony cabins and luxurious suites.

Rooms on all three ships range from $220 to $469 a night, but prices can be higher on weekends.

Updated: November 04, 2022, 10:10 a.m.