Qatar to Charter MSC Cruise Ships as Floating Hotels for 2022 FIFA World Cup

(4:05 p.m. EST) -- MSC Cruises has chartered out two of its cruise ships as floating hotels for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

MSC Poesia and MSC Europa, which is currently under construction, will dock at the port of Doha and jointly provide more than 4,000 cabins for the event. The month-long tournament, which kicks off on November 21, 2022, relies heavily on cruise ships to accommodate fans.

In a statement, Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, said, "We are delighted that Qatar has selected our ships to ensure that tourists who visit the country during the upcoming FIFA World Cup have high-end accommodation and services available to further enrich their experience."

Scheduled for delivery in 2022, MSC Europa will become the first vessel in the MSC Cruises fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Currently under construction in Saint-Nazaire, France, MSC Europa will feature advanced waste and water treatment systems in conjunction with a wide array of cutting-edge environmental technologies.

The second vessel under charter, MSC Poesia, was built in 2008 and can accommodate up to 3,223 passengers. The third ship in MSC's popular Musica Class, MSC Poesia typically offers itineraries throughout Europe.