Travel
MSC World Europa cruise ship review: A top pick for megaresort lovers
Call it the most spectacular megaship that most Americans don’t know exists.
Unveiled just two years ago, MSC World Europa is massive on a scale rarely seen in the cruise world. At 215,863 gross tons, it’s only a tad smaller than the ships in Royal Caribbean’s iconic Oasis Class series, which for years have dominated the list of the world’s biggest cruise vessels.
And like those ships, it’s loaded with all sorts of family-friendly amusements as well as a seemingly endless array of options for dining, drinking and dancing the night away.
And yet this biggest-ever vessel from Europe-based MSC Cruises remains a relatively unknown quantity in North America — in large part because of its year-round deployment to Europe sailings that mostly draw Europeans.
Not that it should be an unknown quantity — at least for Americans looking for a big, bold and bustling ship for a Europe cruise. With the exception of Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, which spends six months a year in the region, there is no other vessel operating in Europe that’s as impressive in its lineup of onboard offerings.
As I saw during a recent seven-night sailing out of Marseille, France, to Italy, Malta and Spain, MSC World Europa is surely one of the best cruise ships in Europe for cruisers who love a megaresort experience.
At certain times of the year, it’s really the only choice — at least for a North American.
The biggest caveat to picking this ship: You have to be OK with crowds. And noise. MSC World Europa carries a lot of people. And it’s not a quiet ship. If it’s intimacy and tranquility you want in a cruise vacation, this isn’t the ship for you.
Overview of MSC World Europa
MSC World Europa was the world’s sixth largest cruise ship when it debuted in 2022, and although it has since been surpassed in size by two more new vessels (Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas), it remains one of the true giants of cruising — a floating megaresort on a scale that was inconceivable just a few decades ago.
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MSC Cruises built MSC World Europa so big — at 215,863 gross tons, it is 17% bigger than the next biggest MSC Cruises ship — not to set a size record but to ensure there was room for a huge range of onboard activities and venues, as that’s what many cruisers want these days. On that goal, it delivers mightily. As you’ll read about below, MSC World Europa has more restaurants, bars, showrooms and deck-top fun zones than just about any resort anywhere (at sea or on land).
In the world of big-ship cruising, only Royal Caribbean has vessels that are packed with as many onboard activities and venues. All seven of the cruise ships that currently surpass MSC World Europa in size are Royal Caribbean ships.
MSC World Europa is bigger and more venue-packed than any vessel operated by such rivals as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.
In the Mediterranean, where it is based, MSC World Europa is by far the biggest and most amenity-filled ship sailing year-round.
Like the biggest Royal Caribbean ships, MSC World Europa is designed to hold an enormous number of vacationers. Rising 20 decks high and longer than three football fields, it can carry an astounding 6,762 passengers with every berth filled. Add in its 2,138 or so crew, and you’re looking at a ship that sometimes sails with nearly 9,000 people on board.
Related: The 6 classes of MSC Cruises ships, explained
Even by land resort standards, that’s a wildly large number of people sharing the same resort space. But like Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships, MSC World Europa has a well-thought-out layout that spreads passengers around in a way that eases congestion.
It’s also an easy-to-navigate ship. As will quickly become evident once you’re on board, the majority of MSC World Europa’s restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment venues are located along an easy-to-find and easy-to-get-around three-deck-high interior promenade that runs down the middle of the ship. Called the World Galleria, it’s on an even bigger scale than the Royal Promenade areas found on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships.
The top deck of this interior World Galleria connects to an outdoor extension at the back of the ship called the World Promenade, which has even more eateries and lounges.
Rounding out the major public zones of the ship are extensive top-deck areas with oodles of pools, waterslides and other amusements.
In its layout and amenities, MSC World Europa has a lot of similarities to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class and Icon Class ships. And that’s not by accident. The vessel is part of a new class of MSC Cruises ships that are designed to go head-to-head with Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships in what is shaping up as a battle royal for the venue-packed megaship lover.
What I loved about MSC World Europa
The incredible array of things to do
I was five days into my recent seven-day cruise on MSC World Europa when I realized I hadn’t been to its spa once, even though my booking came with a daily pass to the spa’s stunning thermal area. Nor had I spent a single moment at the ship’s adults-only Zen Pool area, at the back of the ship. Or tried its terrifying, 10-story dry slide. And the list went on. There were just too many other things to do. As you’ll read about below, this is a vessel loaded with so many deck-top amusements, bars, eateries and shows of all types that you’ll not only never be bored — you’ll never have time to do it all.
The family-friendliness
From a massive water park area with three of the coolest waterslides at sea to an indoor fun zone with bumper cars and a race car simulator, MSC World Europa is filled with family-friendly venues. While not quite as packed with family-focused attractions as Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class and Icon Class ships (there are no surfing simulators, miniature golf courses or ice-skating rinks, for instance), it definitely reigns among the top vessels for families in Europe, where it is based year-round.
What I didn’t love about MSC World Europa
The five-language show intros
Like all MSC Cruises ships based in Europe, MSC World Europa draws a lot of Europeans — something that has to do with the line’s roots as a European cruise line. This can make for a wonderfully cosmopolitan experience, one akin to doing a land trip in Europe. But it has its downsides. Most notably, you’ll find that entertainment staff members kick off theater shows and lounge events in the five languages that represent its biggest groups of customers: English, Italian, French, German and Spanish. While helpful for the diverse crowd, it can be a bit tedious, and it means the staff can’t say all that much, lest the talking part drag on.
MSC World Europa cabins and suites
MSC World Europa has 31 cabin and suite categories — a mind-boggling number. But finding the right cabin category for you isn’t as complicated as that number might make it seem. Many cabin categories on MSC World Europa are essentially the same, with the exception of where the rooms are located.
For instance, there are six categories of outward-facing balcony cabins that are basically the same in size and decor. The only differences among them are whether they are located at the front, middle or back of the ship and whether they have a clear or obstructed view.
Four more categories of balcony cabins face inward over the World Promenade area, all similar in layout.
Other room categories include five types of ocean-view cabins (those with a window but no balcony) and three types of windowless inside cabins. There are more differences among these categories, so it pays to study their layouts before booking.
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At 323 square feet, Yacht Club Deluxe suites are bigger than the typical cruise ship cabin. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Then there are the ship’s suites — the area where there is the biggest amount of differentiation. There are 13 different categories of suites in all, with wide variations between them. In some cases, these suites are part of an exclusive, seven-deck-high suite area at the front of the ship called the MSC Yacht Club that has its own private restaurant, lounge and outdoor pool area — something found on just over half of MSC Cruises’ vessels.
My cabin was a Yacht Club Deluxe suite, the most common type of suite within the MSC Yacht Club, and the exclusive private areas that came with it really were wonderful. I particularly loved my special access to the Top Sail Lounge, a stylish bar and lounge space with floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the bow. Filled with curvy sofas in comfortable boucle and velvet fabrics on one side and intimate clusters of plush chairs and tables on the other, it served as a quiet escape from the ship’s bustling public areas.
One deck up, a private restaurant for MSC Yacht Club guests offered elevated cuisine in an intimate setting, and the two decks above were home to the exclusive MSC Yacht Club Sundeck and Bar — a serene oasis for outdoor lounging with its own pool and whirlpool, plush lounge chairs and an outdoor bar and grill. Like the rest of the MSC Yacht Club complex, it felt a world away from the busier public areas atop the ship.
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The Top Sail Lounge, overlooking the ship’s bow, is open exclusively to passengers staying in the MSC Yacht Club. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Like all Yacht Club Deluxe suites, my room measured about 323 square feet, including its balcony area. That’s quite large for a cruise ship cabin, and it was room enough to contain everything I could want in a cabin for a week at sea: a king bed that could be split into two single beds, a large built-in desk area, a seating area with a sofa and table, lots of built-in closet space and a bathroom.
For the most part, I was happy with my Yacht Club Deluxe suite on MSC World Europa. While it wasn’t inordinately high-end in its finishings, it had a clean-lined, contemporary look that felt modern and up-to-date. It also came with all sorts of extra perks that you don’t get with most MSC World Europa cabins, including free access to the ship’s fastest Wi-Fi service (up to two devices per person), a free premium drink package, free access to the thermal area in the ship’s spa and 24-hour butler service.
One area of the room that wasn’t quite as fancy as one might expect for a suite was the bathroom, which featured relatively basic tile flooring and inexpensive composite wall paneling of the sort usually found in smaller cabins.
That said, it was modern and bright, with a well-thought-out layout that made the most of its space. I particularly liked the relatively large size of the walk-in shower, although the off-centered placement of its wand showerhead made using it for showering awkward (a second, ceiling-mounted showerhead functioned better). I also liked its ample shelving space for toiletries, including in a hidden-away cabinet under the sink.
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Yacht Club Deluxe suite bathrooms have a clean-lined, modern look. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
If my Yacht Club Deluxe suite had a flaw, it was in the narrowness of its balcony area. There only was about five feet between the glass wall of the room and the balcony — not enough space for it to really be functional as an outdoor lounging area.
One detail of the room I loved was the placement of nightstands with large drawers on each side of the bed where I could hide away all my electronics and their cords, books, papers, glasses and the like. Not all nightstands on new ships these days come with such drawers — an effort, no doubt, to save space. The two types of wall-mounted lights on each side of the bed (one for ambient lighting, one for task lighting) also was a nice touch. On the downside: There was only a single USB-A port on each side of the bed, with no traditional outlets or fast-charging USB-C ports as many lines are building into bedside areas these days.
Other MSC World Europa cabin tidbits:
- Every cabin has a hair dryer that works with the ship’s specific current. Leave yours at home.
- Rooms have nicely wide personal safes that can hold even a big laptop.
- Cabin televisions offer movies on demand, which is great, but at a hefty charge of 9 euros ($9.50) per movie, which isn’t. Be sure to download some shows onto your smartphone before sailing if you don’t want to run up a bill.
The Yacht Club Deluxe suites seem like a sweet spot to me when it comes to the higher-end accommodations on MSC World Europa. They get you the same exclusive access to the private indoor and outdoor lounge areas of the MSC Yacht Club as higher-priced suite categories and access to a private restaurant, too, but at a significantly lower price point.
That said, if you’re looking for the ultimate in MSC World Europa swankiness, you’ll find it in four categories of much larger suites within the exclusive MSC Yacht Club area.
The best suites on MSC World Europa
The two largest MSC World Europa suites, called MSC Yacht Club Owner’s suites, measure an astounding 1,636 and 1,539 square feet, respectively — roughly five times the size of my Yacht Club Deluxe suite. They each boast large bedrooms with walk-in closets, separate dining and living areas, and huge balconies with private whirlpools and outdoor dining areas.
Smaller but still over the top are the ship’s four MSC Yacht Club Royal suites, which measure around 1,000 square feet and are located at each of the front corners of Decks 16 and 18. Their corner locations allow for stunning balconies that wrap around the side and front of the ship and have room for private whirlpool tubs as well as outdoor dining areas.
Also impressive are the nine two-deck-high Duplex suites, which range in size from 560 to 829 square feet. They feature an open living and dining room on their lower level with a large bedroom on their second level. Some of the larger Duplex suites come with balconies with their own private whirlpools.
There also are some suites as large as 872 square feet that are not part of the MSC Yacht Club complex. Known as Grand suites, they are less pricey than similarly sized MSC Yacht Club suites but come with fewer amenities.
Related: Everything you need to know about MSC Cruises cabins and suites
MSC World Europa restaurants and bars
As is typical for the world’s biggest cruise ships, MSC World Europa is packed with dining options — some included in the fare, some at an extra charge. It’s got a smorgasbord of bars, too.
When sailing on the ship for seven days, you’ll have trouble visiting every food and drink outlet on board. In fact, we don’t recommend you even try. Just pick a few favorites and save the rest for another sailing.
Restaurants
At the core of the dining scene on MSC World Europa are five main dining rooms where passengers eat most of their meals — all included in the fare. But don’t expect to eat in all five of them. You will be assigned to just one of the five eateries for the duration of your cruise, and you’ll be assigned a specific table and a specific time to dine there in the evenings, to boot.
The five main dining rooms on MSC World Europa include the side-by-side Esagono and Hexagon restaurants, which together can hold a staggering 1,076 passengers at a time. Just beyond them on the same deck is the equally enormous 546-seat Bubbles restaurant. The even bigger 816-seat La Foglia restaurant is nearby, one deck down.
These four giant eateries, which together can hold nearly 2,500 passengers at a time, are where most passengers will find their assigned tables.
There’s also the much more intimate, 162-seat Les Dunes restaurant that is reserved for passengers in higher-end cabins and suites (but not MSC Yacht Club suites; as noted above, those passengers have their own private restaurant).
Don’t worry too much about which main dining room you are assigned. They all serve the same food. As you might expect, with dishes being made for thousands of diners at a time, it’s nothing overly gourmet. But it’s a table-served, multicourse meal.
In addition to the above, MSC World Europa is home to two casual, included-in-the-fare buffet eateries (La Brasserie and Il Mercato) located one on top of the other near the ship’s main pool. They are essentially the same buffet venue spread across two decks.
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The Il Mercato buffet on MSC World Europa. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
The bigger of the two casual buffet eateries (Il Mercato) offers an impressive array of dishes, including (as one might expect given the Italian roots of the line’s owners) an assortment of yummy pasta dishes for lunch and dinner as well as a mix of international and Asian cuisine. We particularly liked Il Mercato’s healthful salad bar area, which had arugula as well as romaine and radicchio and a nice mix of seeds and nuts to sprinkle on top — an upscale touch you don’t always find on mass-market ship buffets.
Il Mercato also offers made-on-board mozzarella — an MSC Cruises signature — and made-on-site pizza that is quite good (something that is relatively rare on ships, where pizza is often disappointing). It’s one of several places on board where you’ll find quality handmade pizza. Again, chalk it up to the line’s Italian roots.
One deck up from Il Mercato, the smaller La Brasserie offers a more limited menu.
Our biggest gripes with the buffet areas were the decor, which was dark in places, and the crowds that built up in the food station areas.
In addition to the above, MSC World Europa has two more included-in-the-fare casual venues — Rive Gauche on the pool deck, and Pizza & Burger along the World Galleria. Both serve grab-and-go burgers, pizza and other quick bites.
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Pizza & Burger serves its namesake dishes as well as other quick-serve comfort food items. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
But that’s just the beginning when it comes to dining options. In addition to the included eateries, MSC World Europa is home to six extra-charge dining venues serving everything from high-end steaks to sushi.
Among these extra-charge eateries, the most laid-back (and least expensive) option is Hola! Tacos & Cantina, a sit-down restaurant with a Mexican street food theme serving creative and tasty tacos, homemade guacamole and margaritas made with a long list of tequilas — all at a la carte prices that are quite reasonable. You’ll pay just 1.99 to 2.49 euros ($2.10 to $2.63) per taco available in seven flavors, including barbacoa, chipotle carnitas, carne asana and ancho tinga.
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Hola! Tacos & Cantina offers Mexican street food favorites for an extra charge. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Just be warned, the tacos are small. You’ll need to order three or four to fill you up.
For a more high-end (and pricier) experience, your top choices are Chef’s Garden Kitchen (the fanciest restaurant on board), Butcher’s Cut (the ship’s steakhouse) and La Pescaderia (specializing in fresh seafood).
I tried all three during my week on board and have few complaints. Created by chef Niklas Ekstedt, who helms a Michelin-starred restaurant in Stockholm, the menu at Chef’s Garden Kitchen is a creative take on traditional Nordic cuisine that is well worth the cost (68 euros, or just under $72, for a fixed-price experience). For a luscious-looking rectangle of meat that melts in your mouth, order the glazed beef short rib, which comes beautifully presented with endive, cauliflower puree and sweet-and-sour onions.
Butcher’s Cut, which is a staple of MSC Cruises ships, is the place for a juicy New York sirloin or dry-aged T-bone cooked just right, with all the usual sides — albeit at relatively high prices for a cruise ship eatery. That T-bone will set you back 66 euros ($68.66).
If you’re on a budget, book Butcher’s Cut’s fixed-priced “dining experience,” which gets you an appetizer, main and dessert for just 47 euros ($49.39). The catch: The priciest cuts of meat aren’t included. Neither are the eatery’s signature cocktails, but you won’t want to miss them. My last word on this is to order the Last Word, a gin-based drink infused with maraschino liqueur and green Chartreuse.
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La Pescaderia on MSC World Europa serves fresh fish. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
La Pescaderia offers whole fish cooked to order (pick one from the display, and then order a round of hot and cold mezes such as hummus and grilled octopus while you wait for it to be ready). I loved sitting in the outdoor section of this eatery, which is located along the lively open-air World Promenade, though it was noisy at times — particularly during the area’s periodic light shows.
You also will find Japanese cuisine on MSC World Europa at Kaito Teppanyaki and Kaito Sushi. Located along the World Galleria, they are essentially two restaurants in one, with the sushi eatery located just in front of the hibachi eatery. If you have kids, book the hibachi side for the family-friendly hibachi hijinks. If you don’t, skip it for the classier sushi side.
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GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
One MSC World Europa restaurant you’ll never see unless you pay up for a top suite is the MSC Yacht Club restaurant. Open only to suite guests staying in the exclusive MSC Yacht Club area, it serves higher-end fare than what you’ll find in the main dining room in a more intimate setting. At the very top of MSC World Europa, overlooking the bow of the ship, it also boasts stunning 270-degree views.
Bars
You will never be more than a short walk away from a bar on MSC World Europa. There is at least one and often several drinking spots in nearly every area of the ship. That said, there are a handful of such venues that really stand out.
One of my favorites for its intimacy and elegance is Fizz Champagne Bar, which, as its name suggests, is all about Champagne. You’ll find all sorts of Champagnes such as Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot by the glass and bottle, sparkling wines and bubbly-infused cocktails, but no other drinks of any kind. If you’re looking for a Negroni, this isn’t the place.
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The Fizz Champagne Bar, as its name suggests, is all about Champagne. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
What you will find at Fizz Champagne Bar, in addition to drinks with bubbles, are oysters, caviar and a handful of other ritzy food items that traditionally pair with sparkling wines, all available for a sometimes hefty extra charge (if you’re in the splurging mood, there’s an 89 euro ($94.14) seafood platter loaded with lobster, king crab legs and more).
For that Negroni, you’ll want to head to my very favorite drinking spot on the ship, The Gin Project. It’s got dozens of specialty gins and all sorts of tonics and garnishes that you mix and match to create the perfect gin and tonic for you. Or if you’re a Negroni-lover like me, you can just order the house version of this classic gin drink, which unlike at the bars on most cruise ships, comes in a proper lowball glass with one single large ice cube, as it should (why other ships can’t figure this out is beyond me).
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The Gin Project stocks more than 20 types of craft gins. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Both Fizz Champagne Bar and The Gin Project are along the top level of World Galleria — the three-level-high restaurant, bar and shopping zone that runs down the middle of the ship. Hands down, it’s the coolest part of the ship to go bar-hopping, as it’s also home to the clubby, craft cocktail-serving Elixir Mixology Bar.
Elixir offers a fabulously eclectic menu of spritzes made with homemade bitters, vermouth drinks infused with all sorts of herbs and spices, and creative cocktails — all served in a stylish setting that, alas, is marred by the wrong choice of background music. Replace the too-loud Ibiza dance club mix with more subtle lounge music — maybe some dialed-down Ella Fitzgerald or Tony Bennett — and this would be the perfect craft bar.
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The Elixir Mixology Bar. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Also along the World Galleria is Masters of the Sea, a British-style pub seemingly lifted straight out of London. Located just below The Gin Project (with a spiral cast iron staircase connecting the venues), it has its own brewed-on-site beer on tap — a first for an MSC Cruises ship — as well as several dozen other beers from around the world on tap and in bottles, a pub menu with burgers, fish-and-chips and the like and live music every night. I’m an admitted craft beer nut, and … I approve.
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Masters of the Sea is a British-style pub where some of the draft beer is brewed on-site. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Other signature drinking spots on MSC World Europa include The Lanai, a semi-open-to-the-outdoors lounge at the back of the ship with comfy sofas, Sinatra playing in the background and a world-class lineup of whiskeys. Alas, as one of the few places on board where smoking is allowed, it’s marred by a cloud of smoke so thick that even if you don’t mind the smell of smoke, you probably won’t want to spend much time there.
Additional interior drinking spots include the Dolce Vita Bar, which is not so much a bar as a venue for around-the-clock visual trivia and name-that-tune games, talent shows, dance classes and other lively activities. If you love those sorts of things, you’ll love it. If not, you’ll walk in and walk right back out.
You’ll also find bars at the ship’s casino (the MSC Signature Casino Bar), the MSC Sportplex (the Box Bar), the indoor Botanic Garden pool (the Botanic Garden Bar) and at the back-of-the-ship showroom known as the Panorama Lounge. None of them have special drinks menus, but they serve a full range of classic cocktails, beer and wine.
There are also several bars on the ship’s outdoor decks, including the main pool area (Rive Droite), the waterslide area (the Surfer’s Bar) and the adults-only Zen Pool area (the Zen Bar). The Zen Bar is my favorite of the bunch for its relative calmness and ocean views.
For coffee lovers, the Coffee Emporium on the World Promenade serves up espresso drinks made with Lavazza coffee. There are also espresso drinks at Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Cafe along the World Galleria, along with every sort of chocolate-infused drink and dessert known to humans as well as homemade gelati, sundaes, smoothies, milkshakes and crepes.
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Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Cafe is a combination chocolate store and cafe. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Note that if you have a drink package, you won’t pay for the coffee drinks at the Coffee Emporium. But you will pay for coffee drinks at Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Cafe, which is not included in the drink package. So … if it’s just coffee you want, skip the latter.
If tea is more your thing, head to the Raj Polo Tea House, which takes the cruise ship’s traditional afternoon tea to a new level with an available-all-day menu of teas handpicked from top tea estates across the world as well as tea-infused cocktails and tea liqueurs. With rattan furnishings, palm trees and polo memorabilia, it has the look and feel of turn-of-the-20th-century India.
Health-focused drinkers will also find the Zest Juice Bar, serving up made-to-order juices and smoothies for an extra charge. It’s appropriately located just outside the ship’s spa.
And one secret venue
The above make up the official list of bars on board MSC World Europa. But there is one more that you have to know about to try. And even then, you might not get the chance. Called the Speakeasy Bar, it’s a speakeasy — billed as the first at sea — hidden far below the ship’s main public areas in a secret location down in the crew quarters.
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MSC World Europa’s Speakeasy Bar is in a secret location on the ship. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Offering live music and handcrafted drinks that often have a theatrical flair (one arrived in a smoke-infused glass box, another in a military gas can that opened to reveal secret compartments), it has a London-during-the-Blitz vibe. How you get in is as much of a secret as the bar itself, and media types like me have been asked not to give too much away. Let’s just say you’ll need a bartender somewhere on the ship to take a liking to you, and there’s a portal you have to pass through to reach it — one that will make you smile.
Related: Cruise ship drink packages: A line-by-line guide
MSC World Europa activities
As you might expect for a ship so big, MSC World Europa is awash with activities of all sorts, nearly all of which are family-friendly. And I’m not just talking about pools and waterslides, though there are plenty of those. This is a ship that offers lots of gee-whiz attractions, from a racing car simulator to a bumper car pavilion, to keep you amused day and night.
The most over-the-top attractions can be found clustered together at the very top of the ship on Deck 20. It’s where you’ll find the Aurora Borealis Aquapark, which is a sight to behold. It has three giant waterslides that are on a scale you’ll only find on the world’s biggest cruise ships. It’s also home to kiddie splash pools.
Just a few steps away is the serpent-themed entrance to Venom Drop @ The Spiral, a 10-story slide (dry, not wet) that swirls down to the Promenade area below. It’s billed as the longest dry slide at sea, and it looks terrifying. But in the name of research, I was determined to give it a go on my recent sailing. Alas, every day, I would wake up saying I would do it, and by nightfall, I had found an excuse to give it a miss. I am wimpy that way.
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Venom Drop @ The Spiral drops ten decks to the Promenade area of the ship. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Also in this same general area, but indoors, is the MSC Sportplex, an arenalike space where you’ll find such rarely-seen-on-ships activities as bumper cars and roller skating (if you’re familiar with the SeaPlex on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey Class ships, you’ll have a sense of what this is. Just know that it’s much smaller than Royal Caribbean’s version).
In addition to periodic bumper car sessions, which cost 7 euros ($7.39) per ride, the MSC Sportplex is open at times for no-extra-charge open-play basketball, tennis, football and volleyball sessions. It’s a multipurpose space that can be reconfigured, with one activity possible at a time.
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Families will find bumper cars, roller skating, basketball and more at MSC World Europa’s indoor Sportplex. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Other indoor amusements near the MSC Sportplex include an F1 race car simulator, a signature of MSC Cruises ships, and an arcade space called the Hall of Games.
In addition, the area is home to an array of kiddie playrooms collectively known as Doremiland. Each age group of kids, from babies to tweens and teens, has its own room, and there’s a Lego playroom, too.
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Other indoor amusements near the MSC Sportplex include an F1 race car simulator. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
MSC World Europa also has a motion simulator ride aimed at the family crowd, located along the World Galleria, and there are additional arcade games in various spots along the World Galleria, too.
All in all, it’s an impressive array of family-focused activities, if not quite as diverse and wow-inducing as what you’ll find on Royal Caribbean’s slightly bigger Oasis Class and Icon Class ships. There are no surfing pools, ice-skating rinks, miniature golf courses or zip lines on this ship.
Indeed, this is one of the biggest differentiators between the World Class ships at MSC Cruises and the Oasis Class and Icon Class ships at Royal Caribbean, which are the biggest ships in the family cruise market. MSC Cruises doesn’t build its ships with quite as many over-the-top family attractions. That said, MSC World Europa still offers a lot of family fun.
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MSC World Europa has one of the largest central pool areas of any cruise ship. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Pool areas
MSC World Europa’s top decks feature three open-to-everyone pool areas and oodles of hot tubs. The main deck-top pool, La Plage, is truly huge, thanks to some trick of the eye. It’s actually two pools placed one in front of the other with a ring of shallow water enveloping the whole thing, creating what looks like an enormously long single pool.
A second pool area, the Botanic Garden Pool, is indoors but covered with a retractable glass roof (known as a magrodome) that can slide open on warmer days. It allows for pool area fun even on chilly or rainy days — something that gives this ship an edge versus some others that sail in Europe.
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A secondary, indoor pool area called the Botanic Garden Pool is just beyond the main La Plage pool area. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
A third pool area, the Zen Pool, is at the back of the ship and open to adults only. It has two pools as well as hot tubs and loungers.
As noted above in the cabin section, there’s also an exclusive pool area at the top of the ship that is open only to passengers staying in the MSC Yacht Club suite complex.
If you like song-related contests or want to learn salsa or merengue, you’ll find a lounge along the World Galleria partially dedicated to such activities. It’s called the Dolce Vita Bar, and it often gets packed when the activities start.
For those who like gaming, there’s a large casino at the back of the ship on Deck 7. Note that, unlike on some cruise ships, smoking is not allowed in the casino.
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MSC World Europa has a large casino located just off its main restaurant, bar and entertainment zone. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
For pampering, the MSC Aurea Spa on Deck 8 is the place. It offers a full array of spa treatments (massages, facials and more) and salon services, as well as a spectacular thermal area. The latter, which you can visit for an extra charge, is home to multiple saunas and steam baths, a snow room, experience showers, a pool, water and salt caves, and a Kneipp walk water therapy room.
A separate fitness center, located at the top of the ship with stunning views, offers a wide range of Technogym exercise equipment and yoga and Pilates classes (at an extra charge).
MSC World Europa shows
MSC Cruises ships are known for lively shows, if not the sort of big-name Broadway productions you’ll find on Royal Caribbean vessels, and MSC World Europa is no exception. In fact, it may have the best array of shows of any MSC Cruises ship.
The vessel’s biggest productions, including “Eko — Recycled Rock Show” and “Amelia — A True Aviator Soul,” take place in the two-deck-high World Theatre, which can hold 1,153 passengers at a time.
As is typical for MSC Cruises shows, these are flashy productions with lots of music and dancing and elaborate costumes but not a lot of plot. MSC Cruises traditionally has shied away from shows with a storyline — at least those requiring speaking roles — due to the fact that there is no common language among its passenger base. If such shows were done in English, some, but far from all, of its customers would understand them. Ditto if they were done in French, Italian, Spanish or German.
Related to the above, most of the shows you’ll find in the World Theatre are designed to last just 35 minutes — if there’s not a complex story to be told, they don’t need to be long.
At the front of the ship, at one end of the World Galleria, the World Theatre is just one of three major entertainment venues on MSC World Europa.
A second sizable theater space, the Panorama Lounge, is at the opposite end of the ship, just beyond the World Galleria and the ship’s casino. Holding up to 462 passengers at a time, it’s a high-tech venue rigged for aerialists and with an LED screen floor that offers showy song-and-dance performances that often have a theme (disco one night, tango the next).
During the day, the Panorama Lounge is a more relaxed lounge space, one with stunning views out to the ocean through the soaring glass wall at its back. You’ll sometimes find classes and seminars in this space, too.
Rounding out the three major entertainment spaces on MSC World Europa is the two-deck-high MSC Luna Park Arena, which is just off the World Galleria. This versatile space offers interactive dance shows with performers, disco nights for dancing and theme parties.
MSC World Europa’s around-the-clock entertainment also includes a light show known as the Palm Tree Light Show that plays out across the treelike pillars and ceiling of the outdoor World Promenade. Silent discos also pop up in the World Promenade, and there are karaoke sessions at the TV Studio & Bar along the World Galleria.
That’s in addition to live music in lots of the drinking venues mentioned in the bar section above.
MSC World Europa itineraries and pricing
MSC World Europa sails year-round in the Mediterranean on a seven-night loop that takes it from Barcelona to Marseille, France; Genoa, Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Palermo in Italy; and Valletta, Malta.
Passengers can board the vessel for a seven-night cruise in any of the above ports with the exception of Valletta.
These year-round sailings will continue until early 2025, when the itinerary will be tweaked to replace the call in Palermo with a call at nearby Messina, Italy. Both ports are on the island of Sicily.
Another tweak to the itinerary is planned for April 2025, when the call at Civitavecchia will be replaced by a stop at Naples, Italy. This change is temporary and will last through November 2025, when the call at Civitavecchia will return.
As of the publishing of this guide, seven-night sailings on MSC World Europa were available for as little as $479 per person, based on double occupancy, for a windowless inside cabin. But you won’t find rates that low often. For the majority of sailings, starting rates range from around $600 to $1,000 per person, based on double occupancy, for a windowless inside cabin.
Note that you’ll typically pay several hundred dollars per week more to upgrade from a windowless cabin to a cabin with a window, most of which come with balconies. Booking a suite will add hundreds of dollars more to the cost.
For an upcoming sailing in March 2025, for instance, the starting rate for an inside cabin at the time this guide was published was $870 per person, based on double occupancy, while balcony cabins started at $1,160 per person, based on double occupancy. The starting rate for a suite was $1,533 per person, based on double occupancy.
As is always the case with cruises, you’ll pay more for sailings over holiday weeks and other prime travel times.
What to know before you go
Required documents
Since MSC World Europa sails in Europe, U.S. citizens must have a current passport that is valid for at least six months to travel on the ship.
The name on your reservation must match that on your passport or other official proof of nationality. Double-check if you’ve recently gotten married or use a different version of your name.
Gratuities
Adult passengers will find an automatic service charge of 12 to 16 euros (around $13 to $17) per person, per day, depending on the cabin category, added to their final bill. Children ages 2 to 11 pay half that rate, while those under the age of 2 pay no service charge. Unlike on the ships of some competing lines, passengers cannot adjust these service charges while on board if they are unhappy with the service.
In addition to the above, a 15% gratuity is added to bar bills. You should not feel pressured to add an additional tip.
Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships
Wi-Fi
MSC Cruises offers two levels of Wi-Fi service on all its ships, including MSC World Europa. The entry-level Browse package allows basic browsing without streaming at a cost of 8.79 euros ($9.31) per day for one device. The upgraded Browse & Stream package adds the ability to stream video and music and to access video chats for a cost of 12.79 euros ($13.54) for one device. Multidevice packages also are available for both levels of Wi-Fi service that cost less on a per-device basis. Certain suite guests receive complimentary Wi-Fi, so know your included perks before you sign up for a package.
Related: Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi? A line-by-line guide to internet access at sea
Carry-on drinks policy
Unlike some cruise lines, MSC Cruises does not let passengers bring their own alcohol on board.
Smoking policy
Smoking (including e-cigarette smoking) is allowed only in designated outdoor areas. It’s forbidden in cabins, on cabin balconies and in all other indoor areas of the ship, including the casino. Passengers who violate this rule could face disembarkation.
Laundry
Unlike some lines, MSC Cruises does not build self-service launderettes onto its ships, so you won’t find any on MSC World Europa. The ship offers extra-charge laundry, pressing and dry cleaning services.
Electrical outlets
You’ll find North American-style 110-volt outlets and European-style 220-volt outlets in cabins, along with USB ports.
Currency
The onboard currency is the euro. But you won’t need cash while on board. MSC Cruises operates on a cashless system, with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. You’ll receive a keycard that you can use to make charges, and MSC Cruises will charge your credit card at the end of the sailing to settle the balance.
While on board, you can check your balance through the MSC Cruises app, at Guest Services or via your in-cabin television.
Drinking age
You must be 18 to consume alcohol on MSC World Europa.
Dress code
During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it’s a sea day, and you’re bound for the pool deck, that means looking like you’re going to the beach — T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine.
There is no official dress code during the evenings, but the line suggests a more polished look when dining in the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants or heading to the theaters, bars and lounges. Collared shirts, tailored pants or shorts, skirts and dresses will fit the bill, the line says.
MSC Cruises also holds occasional Gala Nights where passengers are encouraged to dress up, though there’s no requirement that they do. The line says you’ll be just fine whether you’re out and about in a tuxedo or evening gown, or your best jeans and a polo shirt.
That said, the line does prohibit swimwear in any formal dining venue for any meal, including breakfast and lunch. Shorts, flip-flops and tank tops are not allowed on Gala Nights in the main dining rooms, specialty restaurants or the MSC Yacht Club.
Related: What to pack for your first cruise
Bottom line
MSC World Europa is a big, bustling ship with more deck-top attractions, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues than almost any other vessel afloat. In Europe, where it is based year-round, there really is no other vessel quite like it when it comes to the array of onboard offerings — at least among vessels based in Europe year-round. That makes it a great choice for Europe-bound cruisers who only want to sail on the biggest, most venue-packed vessels.
The only other ship of a similar size sailing in Europe and catering to North Americans as of this year is Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, and the latter vessel only is in the region part of the year. Scheduled for a refit in 2025, Allure of the Seas is tough competition for MSC World Europa. But each vessel has its specific draws. MSC World Europa is far newer and more up-to-date than Allure of the Seas, which dates to 2010. It’s also a great value. With starting rates for many sailings under $1,000 per person, it’s surely one of the most cost-effective ways to tour Europe for a week.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
As regular readers know, I’m a big fan of cabins with balconies. As I explained in a recent story, there’s nothing quite like being able to step onto a balcony on a ship to breathe in the fresh ocean air.
But that doesn’t mean I’m opposed to the idea of staying in a cabin without a balcony. In fact, at times, I’ll even book a cabin that doesn’t have a window — or, as they’re known in the cruise world, an “inside” cabin.
If you’ve never been on a cruise before, you might not even know there’s such a thing as a cabin without a window. But there is, and they’re actually quite common. Many ships operated by major lines such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have hundreds of windowless cabins.
That may seem almost unthinkable to people who are used to staying at hotels on land. After all, there aren’t a lot of hotels that have hundreds of rooms without windows. If there were, we’re guessing they wouldn’t be huge sellers.
But it’s fair to say that accommodations on cruise ships have their own set of quirks.
The upside of an inside
The lack of a window isn’t the only reason to pooh-pooh the idea of staying in an inside cabin.
In addition to offering nary a peek at the world, inside cabins — named because they’re generally located toward the middle of ships, away from exterior walls — also often are the smallest cabins on any cruise ship. Many are downright tiny. That latter point can be a big turnoff for some cruisers.
But there are advantages to inside cabins, too. For starters, inside cabins often are significantly less expensive than ocean-view cabins. They also offer a sort of “less is more” minimalism that can appeal to a keep-it-simple crowd.
Related: 5 reasons to turn down a cruise ship cabin upgrade
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For me, at least, there are times when a cabin that’s inexpensive and modest in size is just fine, even if it doesn’t have anything in the way of a view.
After all, for the most part, I’m not taking cruises to spend a lot of time in a cabin. Like most cruisers, I get on ships to enjoy all they have to offer in their public spaces and to explore all the wonderful places to which they sail.
In that context, does it really matter if the room where I’ll sleep each night is big and fancy?
Related: The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
To steal a line from Arthur Frommer, the legendary guidebook author and guidebook company founder, “Most of the time you’re in your room on vacation, your eyes are closed.”
Frommer said that to me years ago during an interview about his favorite hotel rooms. He thought spending huge sums on fancy digs was a waste. His words stuck with me over the years, and now I see their wisdom.
Here are six reasons you might want to seriously consider the least expensive inside cabins on any cruise ship.
You’ll save money
This is, for sure, the big allure of inside cabins. They can be an incredible deal.
At the time of this story’s publishing, fares for inside cabins on six-day Royal Caribbean cruises out of Fort Lauderdale in January 2026, for instance, were available for about 20% less than fares for balcony cabins. The fares for inside cabins were less than half the cost of the least expensive suite.
Specifically, you could get on the line’s amenity-packed Allure of the Seas out of Fort Lauderdale on a Jan. 11, 2026, departure for $760 per person, if you were willing to stay in an inside cabin. That works out to just $109 a day.
Related: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know
The thing to remember here is that all of Allure of the Seas’ major attractions, from deck-top pools and surfing simulators to an indoor ice skating rink and a giant theater with Broadway-style shows, are open to everyone on board, whether they’re staying in the smallest or biggest cabin. So are nearly all the ship’s onboard restaurants, bars and lounges.
Other than having to sleep in a smaller, windowless room, you’ll be getting much of the same onboard experience as someone who pays far more for a snazzy cabin but at a fraction of the price.
You’ll sleep like a baby
There is no dark in the world like the dark of an inside cabin. Once you turn off the lights, it will be pitch black — the kind of darkness that’s almost scary to contemplate.
This can be a bit disorienting for someone who’s used to at least a little moonlight getting into the bedroom at home. But if you’re the kind of person who has trouble sleeping with any kind of light disruption, an inside cabin can be pure bliss. You’ll go to bed without any worry about the morning sun sneaking through your curtains to wake you prematurely. And moonlight is definitely not a problem.
Related: 8 cabin locations on cruise ships you should definitely avoid
Inside cabins can be particularly appealing if you’re sailing far north around the summer solstice when the sun stays up for much (or all) of the day. We’re talking about places like Alaska, the Norwegian coast and around Iceland and Greenland. Ditto if you’re sailing far south during the winter to places such as Antarctica or the more southerly parts of South America.
You’ll spend more time enjoying the ship
The trick to having a blast on a cruise ship is to dive right into anything and everything it has to offer. If it has a rock wall, you need to climb it. Karaoke? Get ready to sing. Leave no waterslide or late-night comedy show unexperienced. To do this, of course, you need to get out of your room, and there’s no better motivation to venture out of your room than to have one that lacks much space or even a window.
When I book inside cabins, I find that I get up and out early. Instead of ordering room service for breakfast, I’ll head to a restaurant with a view and then explore the ship more than usual in the morning. I’ll spend daytime hours playing on the ship’s top decks and evening hours out late at the bars, lounges and showrooms.
Related: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on your next cruise
By offering you little more than a small, dark place to rest your head at night, inside cabins can be just the impetus you need to make the most of your cruise vacation.
You might get less seasick
Worried about getting seasick on your next cruise?
The most stable place to be on any cruise ship is low down on the vessel near its equilibrium point, which is generally near its center. Since inside cabins are closer to the center of a ship than “outside” ocean-view and balcony cabins, they can be more stable in rough seas. The trick is to find an inside cabin toward the center of the ship in both directions — lengthwise and widthwise.
The counterargument to this, for the record, is that you can’t look at the horizon when you’re in an inside cabin — a common tip for people experiencing seasickness. And you won’t have access to fresh air as you would in a balcony cabin.
If you’re solo, you might avoid extra fees
Nearly all cruise ship cabins are designed for two travelers, each paying their own fare, and solo travelers generally have to pay an extra fee to stay in one alone. But some ships have special inside cabins specifically designed for solo travelers. If you’re traveling alone and stay in one of these special cabins, you can avoid the extra solo traveler fee, known in the industry as the “single supplement.”
Norwegian, which has been at the forefront of the solo cabin trend, now has hundreds of inside cabins for solo travelers spread across more than half a dozen vessels.
Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise
While Norwegian’s solo cabins do have windows, they open up onto hallways, not the outside of the ship. They’re also unusually small, at around 100 square feet, but they’re superbly designed to maximize storage space, too. Additionally, they’re clustered around exclusive lounges where solos can mingle at daily hosted happy hour gatherings.
Royal Caribbean, Cunard and Holland America are among other lines that have been adding solo cabins to some ships — many of them inside cabins.
There are a few ocean-view cabins designed for solo travelers in the industry, but they are very rare.
You might still get an ocean view (with a twist)
On a few innovative cruise ships, there are windowless inside cabins that offer a view of the outside world, thanks to the magic of technology.
On some Disney Cruise Line ships, some inside cabins come with “magical portholes” that show real-time views of the outside. They’re actually screens built into the walls of the cabin to give the illusion of a porthole view.
Royal Caribbean has gone a step further, adding large “virtual balconies” to inside cabins on some ships. These are floor-to-ceiling LED screens that show real-time views of the outside, built into the walls of the cabins in such a way that they offer the illusion of a balcony.
If this idea sounds a little hokey, it is. But I’ve stayed in these cabins, and the illusion is surprisingly real. The addition of the screens really changes the feel of the rooms. The Disney cabins are particularly fun, as Disney characters sometimes make cameo appearances in the magical portholes. If you have young kids with you, they’re going to love it.
Bottom line
Booking a room without a window on a cruise ship might seem like an odd choice. But there are good reasons to consider one, not the least of which is that rooms without windows on cruise ships — known as “inside” cabins — can be an incredible value.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
Travel
Qantas Frequent Flyer announces sweeping changes to loyalty program — here’s what to book now and what to book later
Australian airline Qantas has announced a mixed bag of changes to its loyalty program. Some award rates and carrier-imposed surcharges will increase later this year, but the airline will also add additional award availability and new partner award tickets. Thankfully, these Qantas Frequent Flyer changes won’t take effect until Aug. 5.
Given the news, there are some redemptions you should book now and others that you should wait to book until later this year. Here’s what you need to know about the changes so you can plan accordingly.
Higher prices and surcharges for Classic Flight Rewards
For bookings made from Aug. 5 on, Qantas will increase the cost of its cheapest saver-level redemptions (called Classic Flight Rewards) and saver-level upgrades for Qantas-operated flights by 5% to 20%, depending on the route.
On the shortest domestic routes like Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Sydney Airport (SYD), rates for Classic Flight Rewards will increase from 8,000 points each way to 9,200 points, with the fees, taxes and surcharges of 55 Australian dollars (about $34.50) remaining the same.
The price increase will be more substantial on long-haul services, such as Qantas flights from Sydney to Europe. Bookings made from Aug. 5 on will rise from 144,600 to 166,300 Qantas points each way, and fees, taxes and surcharges will increase from AU$473 to AU$648 (about $297 to $406).
Classic Flight Rewards are often hard to find, especially on long-haul routes in premium cabins. This has been especially apparent since the airline launched dynamically priced Classic Plus Flight Rewards in 2024. These award tickets are tied to the cash price of a flight and are much more expensive.
Verdict: Book now.
Higher redemption rates for partner airlines
Qantas is a member of the Oneworld alliance, meaning you can redeem Qantas points on partner airlines like American Airlines, British Airways and Alaska Airlines. The airline also partners with carriers outside the Oneworld alliance, such as Air France, KLM and Emirates.
For bookings made from Aug. 5 on, Emirates flights will be priced according to the Qantas award chart (rather than the partner award chart). Because of this, award rates and surcharges will increase for Emirates-operated flights, as with Qantas-operated flights.
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Qantas has not yet revealed the price increases of other partner airlines, though it says it will do so in May (for bookings made from Aug. 5 on). Currently, you can book domestic flights within the U.S. on routes like New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) from just 8,000 Qantas points, a great deal given that other Oneworld carriers have devalued short-haul domestic flights.
If you want to redeem Qantas points on partner airlines, you should do so before the prices rise in August.
Verdict: Book now.
Related: A step up from your average economy: Flying Emirates’ A380 from Dubai to Johannesburg
New premium economy award options
For the first time, starting in October, you can redeem Qantas points for premium economy seats on flights operated by Finnair, Air France, KLM and Iberia. Due to this change, the program promises that 200,000 new premium economy award seats will be added.
If you don’t have enough Qantas points to book business-class award seats on these airlines, you may wish to wait until August to book premium economy seats.
Verdict: Book later.
Related: Is Iberia premium economy worth it on the Airbus A330 from Madrid to Dallas?
New Classic Flight Rewards seats on Hawaiian Airlines
In advance of Hawaiian Airlines’ entry into the Oneworld alliance, you will be able to redeem Qantas points for flights on the airline starting in October.
Qantas promises 800,000 Hawaiian Airlines award seats will be available to Qantas Frequent Flyer members.
Verdict: Book later.
Related: A new era for Hawaiian Airlines as it launches Dreamliner service: TPG was on the inaugural
Lower award prices for Jetstar flights
Jetstar is Qantas’ wholly owned low-cost subsidiary, comparable to Europe’s EasyJet in terms of passenger experience, pricing, rules and restrictions. Jetstar is not a Oneworld alliance member, so partner points or miles cannot be used to book Jetstar flights (nor can you use non-Qantas Oneworld status).
You can already redeem Qantas points for Jetstar flights. However, from Aug. 1 on, the cost of Classic Flight Rewards seats on Jetstar for popular Australian routes like Melbourne Airport (MEL) to SYD will drop to just 5,700 Qantas points.
If you want to get from point A to point B and aren’t fussed about traveling on a full-service airline or using your Oneworld status benefits, this will be an inexpensive way to fly domestically within Australia.
Verdict: Book later.
Changes to earning points
In addition to the above pricing changes, Qantas will increase the number of points members earn on domestic cash tickets by up to 25%. The airline will also award additional points on select international tickets.
Earning Qantas points via credit cards
While there are no Qantas-branded credit cards available in the U.S., you can transfer rewards from three programs with transferable currencies directly to Qantas Frequent Flyer:
Each has a transfer ratio of 1:1, so 10,000 credit card points equal 10,000 Qantas points.
Additionally, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Qantas Frequent Flyer at a 3:1 ratio, meaning 3 Marriott Bonvoy points become 1 Qantas point. Marriott will also add 5,000 bonus points when you transfer 60,000 Bonvoy points to an airline.
Bottom line
Devaluations are an unfortunate reality of collecting points and miles. We recommend earning transferable points for precisely this reason; if one transfer partner devalues, you can always book with another.
These changes announced by Qantas represent higher prices and surcharges for both flights operated by Qantas and its partner airlines within and outside the Oneworld alliance.
However, there are some upsides. Qantas is giving members six months’ notice before any price increases. And, for the first time, members will be able to book Hawaiian Airlines and premium economy award tickets on several partner airlines.
For flights that will increase in price, you should consider booking as soon as possible.
If you’ve been excited about the possibility of flying a United Airlines Boeing 737 to Mongolia, you’re in luck. The airline has just officially started selling flights to Ulaanbaatar.
The Chicago-based carrier just filed the details of this creative new route, as first seen in Cirium schedules.
CIRIUM
United’s new 1,900-mile route from Narita International Airport (NRT) to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) will commence on May 1 with three times weekly service in each direction. (The westbound service will operate on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, while the eastbound flight will operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.)
Pro tips: The biggest mistakes people make with travel rewards credit cards
Flights from Tokyo will depart at 4:30 p.m. and land in Ulaanbaatar at 8:55 p.m. The return service will leave at 9:55 a.m. and land in Toyko at 3:45 p.m.
United plans seasonal service in this new market with flights scheduled to end on Oct. 12, 2025.
These flights are timed to connect with United’s primary transpacific departure and arrival banks from Narita. United operates long-haul flights from Narita to Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark and San Francisco.
United will deploy a Guam-based Boeing 737-800 on this route, featuring 16 business-class recliners, 48 Economy Plus extra-legroom seats and 102 standard economy seats.
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Seeing a United Boeing 737 in Mongolia might be puzzling for some, but it’s being operated as part of historical fifth-freedom rights that United has in Tokyo for flights that originate in the U.S. and continue onwards to other countries.
In recent years, United hasn’t really taken advantage of these rights, instead focusing on boosting its hub in Guam. That said, Guam hasn’t been as busy or lucrative as it has in the past, so United seems to be experimenting with new uses for the jets it stations in Micronesia.
Flight review: Is United Airlines premium economy worth it to Europe?
In fact, United has been busy in recent months turning its presence at NRT into a de facto gateway hub within the larger region. The airline recently commenced new flights from Tokyo to Cebu in the Philippines, and now it’s adding three more short-haul regional routes from the airport (Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Koror, Palau; and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia).
United says that its joint venture partnership with Japanese airline All Nippon Airways will help these routes take off. (For instance, ANA doesn’t currently fly from Narita to Ulaanbaatar.) The new flights will also be supported by travelers looking for one-stop connections from the U.S.
“We are thinking about Tokyo differently than how it’s been thought of in the past. I think Tokyo is a real asset to us. … And when we went through the data, a lot of this traffic was connecting over Beijing, but is not doing so anymore. And so this is a way to connect it over Tokyo,” United’s network chief Patrick Quayle told TPG back when the routes were announced in October.
If you’re looking to book the new route, one-way fares start at $326 in economy and $753 in business class. Introductory mileage rates are quite steep, with one-way economy flights starting at 30,000 miles and business-class flights starting at a whopping 75,000 miles.
There was no saver award availability on the new routes as of time of publication.
Related reading:
Having elite status with an airline you frequent — such as JetBlue — can make your travels more comfortable, efficient and seamless.
However, since earning elite status often requires a significant commitment of travel time and money, it’s important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of a frequent flyer program before funneling your business to that airline. For some individuals who are airline free agents, it may not make sense to pursue elite status at all.
This guide will evaluate JetBlue Mosaic status and explain how the status tiers work, how to earn them and whether striving for this status is worth the effort for JetBlue flyers.
Related: Complete guide to airline status matches and challenges
What is JetBlue Mosaic status?
JetBlue rewards the most frequent flyers in its TrueBlue loyalty program with Mosaic status and the TrueBlue points they earn while flying the airline.
Unlike the legacy U.S. carriers, which offer complimentary upgrades on domestic flights to their most loyal members, many of JetBlue’s aircraft are not equipped with its luxurious, well-regarded Mint business-class cabin. Instead, JetBlue elite members benefit from earning bonus points, selecting Even More Space seats and getting free checked bags, among other benefits.
Your JetBlue Mosaic status begins when you meet the criteria and is valid for the rest of that calendar year and the entirety of the following year. So, if you reach the status requirements in June 2025, you will hold the status through Dec. 31, 2026, giving you a year and a half to benefit from the perks.
Related: A business-class boost: Reviewing JetBlue’s Mint Suite
JetBlue Mosaic status tiers
TrueBlue is free to join, and all members start at the “basic” level. While the program initially offered a single status tier, this changed in 2023 when JetBlue overhauled TrueBlue and Mosaic.
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The four published tiers of JetBlue elite status are:
- Mosaic 1
- Mosaic 2
- Mosaic 3
- Mosaic 4
The differences among the tiers are based on the amount you fly and spend with JetBlue. As you fly more with JetBlue and/or utilize a cobranded credit card (among other activities), you can move up in the program.
Mosaic 1 is very similar to the former stand-alone Mosaic status. With each higher tier reached, more valuable perks become available.
How to qualify for JetBlue Mosaic status
JetBlue uses a metric known as Tiles for Mosaic status qualification purposes. Tiles can be earned in one of two ways: through qualifying spending on JetBlue flights and vacations, or with JetBlue credit cards.
You earn one Tile for every:
This means you can reach JetBlue Mosaic status entirely through credit card spending, spending with JetBlue or with some combination of the two.
Here’s what you’ll need to qualify for each Mosaic tier:
| Status tier | Tiles needed | Status earned exclusively by JetBlue travel spending |
Status earned exclusively by JetBlue credit card spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mosaic 1 | 50 | $5,000 | $50,000 |
| Mosaic 2 | 100 | $10,000 | $100,000 |
| Mosaic 3 | 150 | $15,000 | $150,000 |
| Mosaic 4 | 250 | $25,000 | $250,000 |
As you can see, earning status solely through credit card spending isn’t feasible for most travelers. It’s often easiest to use a combination of the two methods — for example:
- $3,000 in JetBlue flights (30 Tiles) plus $20,000 in card spending (20 tiles) gets you Mosaic 1 status.
- $5,000 in JetBlue flights (50 Tiles), $3,000 in Paisly purchases (30 Tiles) and $20,000 in card spending (20 Tiles) gets you Mosaic 2 status.
JetBlue Mosaic status benefits
Basic members earn 3 TrueBlue points per dollar spent on JetBlue flights (except Blue Basic fares, which earn 1 point per dollar), plus an additional 3 points per dollar when they book on JetBlue’s website (1 point per dollar for Blue Basic).
While working their way to Mosaic 1, basic members enjoy “Perks You Pick” — a selection of benefits you can choose from when you earn 10, 20, 30 and then 40 Tiles. These options include:
- Early boarding with Group B (except on Blue Basic fares)
- Priority security (where available)
- Free inflight alcoholic drink (one drink per flight)
- Double bonus points on a JetBlue Vacations package (one-time use only)
- 5,000 TrueBlue bonus points
Note that these are one-time selections, so you can’t (for example) pick 5,000 points at all four thresholds.
Then, once you hit 50 Tiles, you’ve officially earned JetBlue Mosaic status.
Mosaic 1 status
This is the lowest elite tier in JetBlue’s program, where you will receive:
- 3 bonus points per dollar spent on JetBlue flights
- Priority security and boarding
- First two checked bags free
- Complimentary beer, wine, and liquor (up to three drinks per Mosaic member per flight)
- Even More Space seats at check-in at no extra cost
- Same-day switches with no fee or fare difference
- Preferred core seating (excludes Blue Basic starting March 1)
- Dedicated check-in lines and phone support
- Heathrow Express upgrades (pending availability)
- Avis Preferred Plus status match
Mosaic 2 status
You’ll receive all of the same perks as Mosaic 1, as well as:
- Select Even More Space seats at booking at no extra cost
- Status match to Avis President’s Club
Mosaic 3 status
When you elevate your JetBlue elite status further, you unlock these benefits:
Mosaic 4 status
At TrueBlue’s top tier, you will receive everything mentioned above, as well as:
- Two additional Move to Mint certificates (pending availability), plus two more certificates for every additional 100 Tiles earned after reaching Mosaic 4 (starting in January)
- Gift Mosaic 1 status to a TrueBlue member of your choice (these members don’t receive a Perks You Pick selection)
- Dedicated Mosaic 4 phone support
However, the benefits continue beyond there. Once you reach Mosaic 1, and each time you level up through JetBlue elite status, you can choose an additional perk from the Perks You Pick menu, which includes:
- Complimentary FoundersCard Blue membership
- Pet-fee waiver
- $99 one-time statement credit for JetBlue Plus or Business cards
- 20-Tile bonus for yourself or a giftee
- 15,000 TrueBlue bonus points
- Mint Suite priority access to select the best seats (pending availability)
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status
Can a credit card help earn JetBlue status?
JetBlue has three credit cards, all issued by Barclays:
| Card | Best for | Sign-up bonus | Earning rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JetBlue Plus Card | Frequent JetBlue flyers | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days |
|
$99 |
| JetBlue Card | Casual JetBlue flyers | Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 90 days |
|
$0 |
| JetBlue Business Card | Small-business owners | Earn up to 60,000 bonus points: 50,000 points after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases in the first 90 days and 10,000 points when a purchase is made on an employee card in the first 90 days |
|
$99 |
The information for the JetBlue Plus Card, JetBlue Card and JetBlue Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
You’ll earn 1 Tile toward Mosaic status with every $1,000 spent on any JetBlue credit card, with no limit. This means you can, in theory, earn JetBlue elite status without ever stepping on a plane.
But this would require a lot of spending, and don’t forget the opportunity cost. You may get more value by putting your expenses on a card that earns transferable points on dining, travel or other popular categories. Due to their expansive lists of transfer partners, these transferable currencies are generally more valuable than JetBlue points. Plus, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Citi ThankYou Rewards points to JetBlue at a 1:1 ratio. American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to JetBlue at a 1:0.8 ratio.
Is JetBlue Mosaic status worth it?
If you earn Mosaic status anytime in 2025, your status lasts until Dec. 31, 2026. The earlier you achieve status, the longer you can enjoy it.
However, the Mosaic perks outlined above will only be helpful if you fly JetBlue regularly while your status is valid. There’s little benefit in focusing time and money on earning Mosaic elite status if you can’t enjoy the benefits.
If you value time-saving perks like priority boarding and security plus the money-saving benefits of free seat selection, checked bags and upgrade certificates, Mosaic elite status could be very valuable. However, the top perks require a lot of spending to earn, so be sure it’s worth that investment.
Another thing to consider is whether or not JetBlue’s route network matches your flying preferences. Mosaic elite status could be beneficial if your home airport is a JetBlue hub, such as Fort Lauderdale, Boston or New York. It may be less beneficial if your plans involve mostly international travel, since JetBlue has a limited international network (primarily in the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe).
A third factor determining if JetBlue Mosaic’s status is worth it is how much you value TrueBlue points. JetBlue prices award tickets based on the cost of a paid ticket, and TPG’s January 2025 valuations peg TrueBlue points at 1.3 cents apiece. However, this redemption value is generally lower when you redeem points for JetBlue Mint tickets. Since you’ll be collecting TrueBlue points on your pathway to earning status, ensure they unlock the rewards you want.
Finally, consider the perks that are important to you. You may be able to get these by simply adding a JetBlue credit card to your wallet, rather than going out of your way to earn Mosaic status. For example, the JetBlue Plus Card includes a free checked bag for you and three companions, 5,000 points on your cardmember anniversary, 50% off eligible inflight purchases, and 10% of your TrueBlue points back as a rebate when you book JetBlue-operated award flights. This may be plenty for a casual JetBlue flyer.
Bottom line
Earning elite status on any airline is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring loyalty throughout the year. However, JetBlue provides some flexibility in that you can reach Mosaic status through a combination of flying and credit card spending.
With perks such as complimentary Even More Space seat selection, Mint upgrades and priority service, the rewards for your loyalty to JetBlue can be very worthwhile. This is especially true for those who live in cities with a significant JetBlue presence, especially with Mint service (JetBlue’s award-winning business class).
The first thing that struck us as we disembarked our flight at Innsbruck Airport — other than the fresh, bracing air—was the breathtaking mountain scenery encircling us. Towering, snow-dusted peaks are all around, glowing in the morning sunlight – a natural amphitheatre promising several days of history, fun and adventure.
The second thing that stood out was the remarkable ease of travelling from the airport to the heart of Innsbruck. Few international airports in Europe allow you to be dining in a restaurant in the city centre within an hour of landing, but in Innsbruck it’s possible to achieve this effortlessly. Once through passport control and the baggage claim area, the F bus immediately outside the airport doors swiftly connects you to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (the main train station from which you can easily explore the Old Town on foot) in just 15–20 minutes.
And so, we did just that, stopping at Weisses Rössl for a wonderful Tyrolean lunch. But for first-time visitors to the city, I’d strongly recommend taking a private guided tour. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in Innsbruck’s rich history, culture and hidden gems that might otherwise go unnoticed. Our certified Austria guide, Monika, greeted us with a warm smile and the promise of unique insights — stories and details that only someone with centuries of family roots in the city could share.
We set off to explore the city’s layers of history, noting that the streets are dotted with intricately wrought-iron signs. These ornate markers, each a miniature work of art, once served as advertisements for the city’s merchants. From gilded boots to gleaming scales, these signs were not merely decorative but also practical, helping visitors and locals to navigate Innsbruck’s winding streets before literacy was widespread.
We are led to the nearest bridge where we pause to take in a view that perfectly encapsulates Innsbruck: the River Inn, flanked by the pastel façades of Mariahilfstrasse. Each building was painted a different colour—a tradition that began as a way to identify homes and shops but has also become a symbol of the city’s vibrant personality.
Here, Monika drew our attention to the river’s formidable presence. In Spring, the snowmelt floods its banks, often threatening to breach the bridges that connect the city. It’s a reminder of how closely life here is intertwined with nature and the surrounding landscape.
The marketplace near the bridge is alive with energy each morning – it’s a thriving hub of farmers and vendors selling everything from ripe produce to Alpine cheeses, something which the locals take an immense pride in.
Innsbruck’s history unfolded as we entered the Old Town. Monika led us to the Golden Roof, the world-famous symbol of the city with its 2,657 fire-gilded tiles. Built by Emperor Maximilian I, the roof was a symbol of his power and influence when Innsbruck was the capital of Europe.
Maximilian’s legacy looms large here and there’s a plaque that lists notable visitors to the city, including the likes of Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress Maria Theresa,he mother of Marie Antoinette.
Through strategic marriages, Maximilian expanded his empire across the continent, earning the title of Europe’s last knight. But even an emperor’s resources are finite. When his ambitious projects drained his treasury, he left Innsbruck for Vienna, where he died. He’s not buried in the city he so adored, but statues of significant historical figures, particularly from the Habsburg dynasty – which had been built to surround the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I – remain in the Hofkirche.
These statues are a marvel of Renaissance craftsmanship, each figure etched with exquisite detail. Monika pointed out one particularly fascinating statue, which cleverly depicts the artist’s self-portrait in the elbow. Preserved in Innsbruck, these statues survived the bombing of Vienna during World War II, and a poignant reminder of the city’s role as a guardian of history.
Nearby, Dom St. Jakob’s painted ceiling is an exquisite work of art. What appears to be a grand dome is, in fact, a flat ceiling – a masterpiece of illusion, painted to create depth where none exists.
Innsbruck’s spirit of resilience came alive again as Monika recounted the fire that once ravaged the city. From its ashes rose the domed walkways that now characterise the Old Town, offering shelter from weather and a demonstration of the city’s ability to adapt and endure. This theme of survival is mirrored in its people – as Monika noted, those born in Innsbruck often stay or, if they leave, feel an irresistible pull to return. There’s something magnetic about life here, a harmony that blends tradition with progress.
That progress is evident in the youthful energy coursing through the city, thanks to its thriving university, whilst Innsbruck’s proximity to Italy and Germany adds to its vibrancy; introducing new cultures and cuisines. Yet Innsbruck itself feels complete, its charm rooted in its people and its connection to the land.
Our tour ends at Adlers Hotel, a modern counterpoint to the city’s historic heart. It has been a fascinating insight into Innsbruck and a wonderful way to begin our trip. As we say farewell, we now understand what Monika means about the pull of the place. – we’ve only been there a few hours but are already longing for more.
Disclosure: Our trip was sponsored by Innsbruck Tourism.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.
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As Los Angeles slowly begins to assess the damage caused by recent wildfires, it’s clear that rebuilding will take years and cost an astronomical sum of money. Some reports estimate a cost as high as $40 billion. Not to mention the threat of more fires remains strong as the Santa Ana winds and dry conditions persist. The possibility of rain showers this weekend offers hope that the worst of the fires could be over — though the rain could bring new challenges to the area.
In response to the devastation and lingering conditions, LA Mayor Karen Bass signed an executive order on Jan. 21 ordering expedited cleanup in burn areas and mitigation of fire-related pollutants in local stormwater systems, beaches and ocean water. The order also directs the city’s department of public works crews to clear and remove vegetation, shore up hillsides with reinforced concrete barriers, lay down sandbags and clear debris from affected neighborhoods ahead of rainfall.
“With rain in the forecast, it’s imperative we take aggressive action to prevent additional damage in burn areas and to protect our water and ocean from hazardous runoff,” Bass said in a press release. “These communities have already endured unimaginable loss — we are taking action against further harm.”
The Eaton and Palisades fires have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. According to the Associated Press, the Palisades fire had reached 61% containment and the Eaton fire had reached 87% as of Tuesday.
As city and county leaders begin the recovery process, tourism and hospitality officials have announced that the City of Angels wants and needs the support of visitors.
“Los Angeles has always been a beacon to the world — a place where dreams are born and stories unfold from the silver screen to iconic landmarks,” Visit California president and CEO Caroline Beteta said in a press release sent to TPG. “One of the best ways to support the comeback of Los Angeles is to plan a trip.”
Much like Maui after it suffered its own horrific wildfires, Los Angeles is hoping tourism can help kickstart its economic recovery from the calamitous event. The fires not only destroyed homes and entire neighborhoods, but local businesses as well.
“The city, along with its iconic sites and experiences — the Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios Hollywood, the Santa Monica Pier, Getty and Getty Villa, Griffith Observatory and many more — remain intact and accessible to visitors from around the world,” Beteta said. Of course, some wonder if the time is right to visit the city so soon after the destruction.
Is now the right time to visit Los Angeles?
This is a tricky question. Just as Maui struggled with balancing its all-important tourism industry and locals’ rebuilding needs, LA has to manage a similarly delicate situation.
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Obviously, the areas most affected by the fires, like Pacific Palisades, should be off-limits to visitors. Many residents are still unable to return home to survey damage; the last thing they or first responders need is intrusive tourists trying to get a close-up look. The air quality remains poor in some parts of LA, so that’s also something to consider before booking a trip.
However, many shops and restaurants have reopened in popular areas such as Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and West Hollywood. To highlight the urgency of keeping tourism alive and aiding recovery efforts, city hotel and tourism officials put out a call to action on Jan. 21 urging visitors to not cancel their travel plans.
According to their statement in a press release sent to TPG, more than 540,000 people work in the LA tourism industry in some capacity, and a significant number of those employees were likely affected in some way by the wildfires. The influx of visitors and the money they spend helps them get back on their feet.
To give you an idea of just how important tourism is to the city’s bottom line, nearly 50 million people visited Los Angeles in 2023, contributing more than $40 billion in sales to the local economy along the way. Additionally, visitors in 2023 contributed $312 million in Transient Occupancy Tax revenue from their hotel stays.
What’s open in Los Angeles?
As we mentioned earlier, many of the city’s most popular attractions have already reopened. Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures have both resumed studio tours on their Hollywood lots. Major theme parks like Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and Knott’s Berry Farm have all resumed operations, as have the world-renowned Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park (in view of the iconic Hollywood sign).
Most museums — including the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park, the La Brea Tar Pits, the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures — are also operational again.
Speaking of the Oscars, the film adaptation of “Wicked” just scored 10 Academy Award nominations. If you are in LA and want to see the touring production of the stage musical, it has resumed performances at the Pantages Theatre and is playing through Feb. 2.
There are still a number of attractions that have not reopened, though. The Getty Museum in Los Angeles remains closed through Jan. 27. Meanwhile, the Getty Villa — which, despite being located in Pacific Palisades, escaped major damage from the wildfires — is closed until further notice. The popular Runyon Canyon and Will Rogers State Historic parks are also closed.
How you can help Los Angeles recover
One of the easiest ways to contribute to recovery efforts as a visitor is to give the local economy a little help. Dine LA Restaurant Week is going on from Jan. 24 through Feb. 7; you can find a list of participating restaurants and make reservations here. Each reservation at one of these restaurants will benefit wildfire relief efforts coordinated by the American Red Cross.
Another easy way to contribute is to attend one of several fundraising events occurring in the city over the next few weeks. Discover Los Angeles has an extensive list of upcoming relief efforts on their website.
Something else that’s desperately needed? Volunteers. Some LA-based organizations that need help include:
- Habitat for Humanity LA: It needs contributions and volunteers to help wildfire survivors rebuild.
- LA Food Bank: It needs many people to help the local food bank feed some of the thousands of people affected by the fires.
- LA Animal Services: It needs foster pet parents to help with the number of dogs and cats who have ended up in local shelters since the start of the fires.
More volunteer resources are available on the city’s official website.
We’ll keep this story updated as we get more information.
It’s no secret that 2025 is going to be an “epic” year for Universal Orlando Resort. The resort’s third park, Universal Epic Universe, is scheduled to open on May 22. But you don’t have to wait until then to explore some of the park’s other exciting new developments.
In addition to Epic Universe, Universal is opening three new hotels and adding 2,000 guest rooms to its portfolio this year. The first of these, Universal Stella Nova Resort, opened on Jan. 21, 2025, and TPG was among the first to stay at this galactically cool property.
The hotel’s design is inspired by the vast and beautiful wonders of outer space, which you can see reflected throughout the property starting with the exterior. The facade of the hotel is covered by more than 140,000 colorful dichroic tiles that change color based on the lighting and time of day. When I arrived around midday, they were shimmering in an entire rainbow of hues, but in the evening they take on darker blues and purples.
Upon entering the lobby, you’ll see space-themed artwork inspired by NASA photographs. The cosmic aura continues through to the nebulalike purple, blue and white color scheme and the spaceport windows in the guest rooms.
Here’s a first look at Universal Stella Nova Resort, including cost, amenities, dining and theme park perks.
What does it cost to stay at Stella Nova Resort?
Stella Nova Resort is part of Universal’s Prime Value lodging category (Universal Aventura Hotel and the soon-to-open Universal Terra Luna Resort also belong to this collection).
Prices start at $147 per night (plus tax), but this price is only available for stays of four nights or longer. On average, we found pricing to be closer to $200 to $230 per night for a one-night stay. Every room at Stella Nova is a standard two-queen room, so the only price difference you will find is if you choose a pool-view room over a standard view. You’ll pay between $10 and $20 more for a pool view.
The parking cost for overnight guests is $30 plus tax per vehicle per night.
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Stella Nova Resort is bookable via the Capital One Travel portal. Eligible Capital One cardholders can book this resort via Capital One Travel and pay in cash with their Capital One card or redeem Capital One miles. When you pay using your card, you can earn up to 10 miles per dollar spent, depending on the Capital One card you carry.
Among the Capital One cards you should consider using if booking this way are:
Stella Nova Resort location
Stella Nova, along with Universal’s other two upcoming hotels, is located adjacent to Epic Universe. Epic Universe itself is about three miles from the rest of Universal Orlando, but there is a complimentary shuttle service between the new park (and its hotels) and the rest of Universal Orlando Resort. From Stella Nova, it is about a 12-minute bus ride to Universal Orlando’s main security area that leads to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk (bus transfer is available to Volcano Bay water park).
From Orlando International Airport (MCO), it’s about a 20-minute drive to Stella Nova Resort. Universal does offer a paid shuttle service called the SuperstarStar Shuttle, but ride-hailing services and rental cars are also readily available.
Inside Stella Nova Resort guest rooms
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TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
All 750 rooms at Stella Nova Resort are double queen rooms that sleep up to four guests, so the layouts are similar in every guest room, though you can choose from standard-view and pool-view categories. ADA-compliant rooms are available. A standard-view room looks over the back of Epic Universe. You can see portions of the park peeking out, which builds the excitement for your vacation.
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Universal Stella Nova Resort. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Inside the rooms, the color scheme is similar to that of the hotel’s public areas, with space-inspired art. A few fun details, like a galactic mural behind the beds, Creamsicle-colored accent pillows and sleek, curved furnishings add to the futuristic feel.
The beds are soft and comfortable, with a thin coverlet that isn’t necessarily a bad thing when you consider the typical outside temperatures in Orlando. I also appreciated that there was a QR code on the TV that I could scan to use my phone as a remote control (there is a standard remote, as well).
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Universal Stella Nova Resort. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Similar to many other Universal Orlando hotels, the bathroom is split-style, with a sink and vanity in the center and a door that separates it from the toilet and tub. This not only allows for privacy but also makes it easier for multiple guests to get ready simultaneously.
The specialty Cosmic Ember bath products had a fresh scent, and I loved the continuity of the branding even for the shampoo, conditioner and soap.
Guest rooms are also equipped with standard amenities like a coffee and tea maker, mini refrigerator, hair dryer and iron. Standard Wi-Fi is complimentary, or you can upgrade to premium Wi-Fi for $9.95 per day.
Stella Nova Resort amenities
Stella Nova offers similar amenities to Universal’s other Prime Value properties. It has a resort-style pool complex with a 10,000-square-foot pool, a hot tub, a kid’s splash pad and lawn games like hula hoops and table tennis. The resort shows poolside movies on select nights (check at the front desk for a weekly schedule).
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Universal Stella Nova Resort. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
The hotel also has a 24-hour fitness center, an arcade, laundry facilities, an Avis car rental desk, a ticket desk to assist with theme park planning needs and a gift shop so special (for now, at least) that it is one of the first hotels to feature a large collection of Epic Universe merchandise. I saw shirts, toys and collectibles representing all of the lands coming to the new park and some general Epic Universe-branded merchandise.
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Universal Stella Nova Resort. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Universal Creative turned an unused portion of the third floor with no guest rooms into a “sky bridge” with starry lights in the ceiling, which is already proving to be a popular spot after being open only a couple of days.
If you can’t resist getting that perfect Instagram photo in this trippy space, try to do so quietly so as not to disturb the guests staying on this floor.
Stella Nova Resort dining
Stella Nova Resort has several dining options to keep you fueled up for your theme park adventures.
Cosmos Cafe and Market
Located in the hotel lobby, Cosmos Cafe and Market is a quick-service outlet that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. It also offers a selection of grab-and-go items like ice cream, snacks, prepackaged salads and sandwiches and coffee drinks.
The menu is comprised mostly of American classics like burgers, fries, pizza and pasta, but there are some specialty items as well. I stopped by for lunch during my stay (which was too brief to make time for breakfast).
I tried the hot honey pizza ($15.50), which was topped with cheese, garlic cream sauce, buffalo chicken and, of course, hot honey. It was tasty — and spicy. I had the Mexican street corn ($7) on the side, which was by far my favorite dish and a huge portion for being a side item. My dining companion had the Stella burger ($15.50), which was a delicious classic burger.
All in all, the food was good and filling, but there are so many good dining options inside the park and at CityWalk, I think I would save my Stella Nova meals for when I needed something before heading out for the day or when I was starving after a long day at the parks.
Nova Bar
Nova Bar is also located in the lobby and is open daily from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. In addition to classic beer, wine and cocktails, you’ll find space-themed drinks like the Black Hole ($16), which is basically an espresso martini, and the Super Nova (also $16), a whiskey-based cocktail with cherry-infused Campari and tart cherry syrup served smoked over a large ice cube.
Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill
Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill are the hotel’s poolside drink and dining options. Starters include things like chips and salsa, hummus and veggies and a Mexican shrimp cocktail. For your meal, you can choose from a selection of salads, burgers, sandwiches and wraps.
Galaxy Bar has a lengthy beer list with a mix of cans and drafts and a handful of hard ciders and seltzers.
Pizza delivery
Direct-to-room pizza delivery is also available daily between 5 p.m. and midnight. You can place your order via phone or the online order form.
Stella Nova Resort theme park perks
Like all Universal Orlando hotels, guests enjoy certain perks that only onsite hotel guests enjoy. These include early access to select theme parks and attractions each morning. Which park(s) and attractions you get access to can vary by day, but you’ll get a 30-minute head start at Volcano Bay and a full hour at Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios.
Stella Nova guests also get park-to-hotel package delivery, resort-wide charging privileges using their room key and complimentary shuttle service to and from Universal’s theme parks and CityWalk. Even if you drive, I recommend using the shuttle service because Universal does not offer free theme park parking to hotel guests.
Stella Nova (like its sister property, Terra Luna) has a walking path that will lead to Epic Universe when the park opens in May. It’s about a 10-minute walk, but you can also take the shuttle if you choose.
Things I loved about Stella Nova Resort
- I am a sucker for good theming, so I was all-in on the chic spaceship vibes Stella Nova was giving off. Everything from the futuristic lobby seating to the artwork felt upscale and ultramodern. With theme parks leaning more and more toward immersing guests in the worlds they create, it only makes sense that Universal would extend this sentiment to its hotels.
- The excitement for Epic Universe’s grand opening this year is palpable among theme park fans. Stella Nova offers the first and only way for Universal guests to stay so close to this groundbreaking new park and get a glimpse inside even while they are still putting the finishing touches on the attractions. Aside from adding to the anticipation, once the park does open, guests staying at Stella Nova Resort will be only a short walk or bus ride away from Epic Universe.
- Especially while everything in the hotel is shiny and new, you cannot beat this resort’s level of theming and amenities at such an affordable price point. Universal has hotel rooms that range from the $150 range all the way up to as much as $800 per night. Obviously, you get what you pay for, and Stella Nova appears to be a great value for the nightly rate.
Things to consider before staying at Stella Nova Resort
- Though you are a stone’s throw from Epic Universe when you stay at Stella Nova, you are a few miles away from the rest of Universal Orlando Resort. If you prefer the convenience of taking a boat, bus or short walk to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk, that will not be an option when you stay here.
- Unlike Universal’s Signature Collection properties (like the upcoming Universal Helios Grand Hotel), you won’t find amenities like multiple pools, waterslides, formal sit-down dining, 24-hour room service or luggage delivery. If those are luxuries you are acclimated to, you need to consider whether you can do without them at Stella Nova.
Bottom line
Universal Stella Nova Resort is the first of three new hotels opening near Epic Universe this year and it sets a high bar. Universal Terra Luna Resort opens on March 25, 2025, and should be similar in all but its theming, while Universal Helios Grand Hotel will become Epic Universe’s flagship hotel when it opens along with the new park on May 22, 2025.
The reasons for staying at this particular hotel will be obvious once the park opens, but it offers a rare opportunity to be among the first guests on Epic Universe property for those who choose to stay here now even before May. I can confidently say I was not ready to come back down to Earth after my out-of-this-world visit to Universal Stella Nova Resort.
Related reading:
Jan. 23, 2025
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3 min read
New Chase bonus spending offers and a chance to earn a $100 statement credit
Chase is back with another targeted promotion: Eligible Chase cardholders can earn 5 or 7 bonus Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on groceries, gas and dining purchases made with select credit cards.
This promotion targets more than 25 credit cards. Ultimate Rewards earning potential varies based on credit card but applies to purchases of up to $1,000 made between Jan. 15 and March 31.
Below are some of the credit cards with this targeted promotion:
To participate in this promotion, log into your Chase account to see if you are targeted. Eligible cardholders can earn 5 or 7 bonus points for each dollar spent on grocery, gas and dining purchases (on up to $1,000 in purchases) for transactions from Jan. 15 until March 31 at 11:59 p.m. EST. After activating the offer, select cardholders will receive a $100 travel credit for bookings of at least $400 made by Jan. 31 and for travel by Aug. 31.
Other credit cards — including the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card, the Iberia Visa Signature® Card and the Disney® Premier Visa® Card — are eligible for this promotion, so be sure to check your Chase account to see if you’ve been targeted.
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The information for the Aer Lingus Visa Signature and Iberia Visa Signature cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
You can stack this offer with the previously announced offer in December that gives Targeted Chase cardholders the chance to earn 10,000 bonus points through the Chase Travel℠ portal. Note that your hotel stay must total at least $400 in a single transaction, and you must book travel by Jan. 31 for trips completed by Aug. 31.
Featured image by ANDRESR/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued an urgent travel warning for British citizens planning to visit Ireland as Storm Éowyn approaches.
The warning comes as extreme weather conditions are expected to impact the country over the next two days.
The FCDO stated: “There are severe weather warnings in place for Ireland for January 23 and January 24 January due to Storm Éowyn.”
The warning covers the entirety of today and tomorrow, with Irish weather services providing detailed forecasts of the storm’s impact.
‘There are severe weather warnings in place for Ireland for January 23 and January 24’
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The FCDO advised British travellers to check their travel plans in advance before heading to Ireland during the severe weather period.
They should also monitor Ireland’s weather service for the latest updates on Storm Éowyn. Visitors were also instructed to “follow the advice of local authorities”.
The Irish Meteorological Service has updated its weather warnings, issuing Red warnings for several parts of the Ireland and Northern Ireland. Orange and yellow warnings have also been issued for other parts.
Travellers should keep up-to-date with warnings for their specific destination in Ireland.
A ‘Red’ Wind warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford reads: “Gale to storm force southerly winds becoming westerly with extreme, damaging and destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h.”
The warning is valid from 2am – 10am on Friday, January 24.
Potential impacts include:
- Danger to life
- Extremely dangerous travelling conditions
- Unsafe working conditions
- Disruption and cancellations to transport
- Many fallen trees
- Significant and widespread power outages
- Impacts to communications networks
- Cancellation of event
- Structural damage
- Wave overtopping
- Coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas
Red warnings issued in Ireland
- Wind warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford
- Wind warning for Clare, Galway
- Wind warning for Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo
- Wind warning for Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Roscommon, Tipperary
- Wind warning for Donegal
Red warnings issued in Northern Ireland
- Wind Warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry
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Holidaymakers should be aware of ‘extremely dangerous travelling conditions’
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Each warning details the potential impact of Storm Éowyn and how long the warning is valid.
The Met Office stated: “Red Warnings for wind have been issued for Northern Ireland as well as central and southwestern areas of Scotland on Friday. These are accompanied by wider Amber and Yellow Warnings for wind, as well as Yellow Warnings for rain and snow.”
Before going abroad, it is always advisable to consult the FCDO’s latest guidance for your chosen destination for a safe, well-informed trip.
This will include the latest information on warnings and insurance, entry requirements, any regional risks, safety and security, health and getting help.
Britons were recently issued a travel warning as an Asian tourism hotspot faces “heightened tensions”.
Last year, MGM Resorts International and Marriott finalized a deal that saw an impressive collection of Las Vegas megaresorts join the Marriott Bonvoy family. Now, the gaming giant’s namesake property, MGM Grand, is unveiling an extensive renovation set to uplift the resort by $300 million.
Related: Marriott Bonvoy and MGM Resorts boost loyalty partnership benefits for 2025
Scheduled for completion by December, the planned $300 million face-lift will give the main tower’s 4,212 rooms and suites a new life with a modern take on “the flair of the disco era,” according to a statement from MGM Resorts International.
Designed in partnership with architecture firm Gensler and MGM Resorts Design & Development, the updated rooms will have warm gray wall coverings, updated media consoles, updated outlets near beds, modern smart TVs, enhanced blackout drapery, more surface space, new refrigerators that are separate from the minibar, and updated spa-inspired bathrooms with new walk-in showers.
The remodel will also add 111 suites to the hotel’s inventory, bringing the total number of suites up to 753, starting at 675 square feet in size and maxing out at over 2,500. The new and upgraded suites will have strong dark finishes with lighter accents like sheer roller shades to bring in light. Living areas will include new sections and artwork that transforms based on your vantage point. Overall, the suites will be more functional, with layouts that more clearly divide work from entertainment.
The new rooms and suites will be available to book starting March 1.
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New dining and entertainment experiences
Though rooms and suites are the main focus of this project, other areas of the resort are also getting some exciting changes.
Starting Feb. 20, MGM Grand will be home to an experiential full-service restaurant called Netflix Bites, created in partnership with streaming service Netflix. Found on the casino floor, Netflix Bites will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serve a menu inspired by hit Netflix shows like “Stranger Things,” “Bridgerton” and more.
A teaser of the menu includes:
- “Eleven’s Fried Feast” — crispy chicken and waffle sliders perfect for foodies who love a little dimension-hopping, served both “Hawkins” style and “Upside Down”
- “Bridgerton Regency Tea” — a lavish three-tiered tea service with finger sandwiches, scones and pastries straight from the Ton, served with a menu designed by Lady Whistledown herself
- “La Casa del Sangria” — a Spanish-style cocktail with gold-dusted mint leaves, served in a lockbox that’ll have guests solving a puzzle, challenging for even the sharpest of the “Money Heist” crew
- “Too Hot to Handle”-inspired bloody mary — a cocktail so spicy it comes with its own potholder in case guests can’t handle the heat
MGM Grand will also be home to a new day club called Palm Tree Beach Club, set to open in May. Founded by musical artists Kygo and Myles Shear, the day club will open in partnership with Tao Group Hospitality, known for its collection of famous resorts around the world.
Once open, the Rockwell Group-designed club will span 60,000 feet and have a stage, a saltwater pool, bungalows, cabanas, daybeds and chaise lounges in a space designed to fit more than 3,000 people.
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