MSC World Europa: Sports, Gym & Running Track Reviewed

How good is the fitness and sports offering on the MSC World Europa? We took a close look at the gym, sports courses, swimming, ball sports and other activities, and rated them honestly.

⭐ Sport-Ahoi Score: 3.0 / 5 🙂

Note on the Sport-Ahoi rating: This rating focuses solely on the sporting opportunities on board and is not an overall review of the ship. Even with a lower rating, a ship can still be a great choice for a sporty holiday when combined with active excursions and exercise ashore.

🏃‍♂️ Running & Cardio – 2/5

Like all World Class ships, the MSC World Europa doesn't have a classic jogging or power-walking track, unlike other MSC cruise ships.

For cardio sessions, the spacious gym on Deck 20 offers numerous modern Technogym treadmills, steppers, and bikes. If you're not keen on treadmill training, it's worth planning your workouts ashore instead. On sport-ahoi.de, we feature suitable running routes for many of the MSC World Europa's ports of call, starting right from the cruise terminal.

👉 The missing on-deck running track costs points – but the wide range of high-quality treadmills in a modern gym with a great view at least offers an attractive alternative.

🏋️‍♂️ Gym & Strength Training – 4/5

At around 700 square metres, the gym on Deck 20 is one of the largest on any cruise ship. The equipment, all modern Technogym gear, leaves little to be desired: alongside numerous cardio machines, there are strength machines, a large free weights area, and two separate yoga rooms. The impressive panoramic ocean view makes training even more special. Personal training can be booked at an extra charge.

👉 One of the best gyms at sea – both size and equipment impress.

🧘 Sports Courses – 3/5

The course offering includes yoga, Pilates, spinning (indoor cycling), Tai Chi, and Bella Barre, among others. The selection is varied, though most courses come at an extra charge.

👉 Good course selection – but the mostly paid access counts slightly against it.

🏊 Swimming – 3/5

The MSC World Europa has seven pools and thirteen whirlpools on board. The large La Plage Pool does allow for a few short laps, but it's primarily designed as a leisure pool and, depending on how busy it is, only offers limited suitability for swimming. There's no separate sports pool. The offering is rounded out by a water park with slides and the covered Botanic Garden Pool as a quieter retreat.

👉 Good for recreational swimmers depending on how busy it is – generally only limited for focused swim training.

🏀 Ball Sports – 3/5

The MSC Sportsplex on Deck 20 is one of the most unusual sports facilities at sea. The space is used differently depending on the time of day — sometimes as a basketball, football, or volleyball court, sometimes as a roller rink or for bumper cars. Roller skates and protective gear such as helmets, knee, and elbow pads are provided free of charge. Use is included in the cruise fare and possible regardless of weather.

The catch: since the space is shared between different uses, ball sports aren't available at all times — you're dependent on the current daily schedule. Anyone wanting to play basketball spontaneously could be out of luck.

👉 A varied and entertaining offering — but not a dedicated ball sports area.

🚴 Active Shore Excursions – 2/5

The range of active shore excursions varies depending on the destination. Compared to AIDA or TUI Cruises, guided bike tours or hikes are much less frequently part of the excursion program. Anyone wanting to make their shore day active is often better off planning independently via GetYourGuide or Viator. You'll find active shore excursions for many ports on our site.

👉 If you prefer active excursions, you're better off organizing them yourself.

🧖 Recovery & Relaxation – 4/5

The MSC Aurea Spa on Deck 8 spans more than 1,000 square metres and is one of the largest wellness areas at sea. Designed in a Balinese style, the paid thermal area offers a Finnish sauna, soft sauna, steam bath, Mediterranean bath, snow room, experience showers, a relax pool, a salt and water cave, and a Kneipp path, among other things. The offering is rounded out by seven pools and thirteen whirlpools on board — the whirlpools are free to use and spread across the ship. Anyone just looking to relax will find plenty of options even without booking the spa.

👉 An excellent relaxation offering — the thermal area costs extra, but delivers high-quality facilities in return. The sheer number of pools and whirlpools alone makes the MSC World Europa one of the most relaxation-friendly ships at sea.

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🧠 Overall Conclusion

The MSC World Europa particularly impresses with:

✅ A huge, modern gym with panoramic views
✅ An extraordinary MSC Sportsplex with roller rink and bumper cars
✅ A varied course offering in the fitness area
✅ A high-quality spa with an extensive thermal area
✅ Seven pools and a large water park

Weaknesses show up in:

❌ No jogging track on deck – true for all World Class ships
❌ Sports courses mostly at an extra charge
❌ Pools only of limited suitability for athletic swimming
❌ Generally few active shore excursions

👉 Sport-Ahoi Score: 3.0 / 5 🙂

Overall, the MSC World Europa offers a strong sports program with one of the largest gyms at sea, an extraordinary Sportsplex, and a first-class spa. Points are deducted mainly for the missing jogging track and the comparatively weak range of active shore excursions. Anyone who can live with those drawbacks will still find excellent ways to stay active on board.

Note: All information reflects the personal opinions of the Sport-Ahoi authors. It is based on our own experience or careful research. Factual details, such as the number of available machines or facilities, are provided without guarantee. If you notice an error, we'd be happy to hear from you via our contact page.