The 'floating palace' that 'will host' England's WAGs during World Cup

Inside ‘floating palace’ that ‘will host’ England’s WAGs during the World Cup: Luxury £1billion cruise liner comes complete with SIX swimming pools, 30 bars and the tallest slide on a ship

  • MSC World Europa’s maiden voyage was spotted making its way through the Suez Canal on Wednesday 
  • The wives and girlfriends of England’s football stars will apparently lap up the luxury of the lavish ship
  • But the players will instead be in a strict Covid bubble while staying at the Souq Al Wakra hotel in Doha
  • £1billion cruise liner boasts beauty salons, boutiques, six swimming pools and the longest dry-slide at sea
  • The 2022 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 

It offers six swimming pools, 30 bars and cafes, a cinema and the tallest slide on any ship in the world – so it’s no wonder that the MSC World Europa – dubbed a ‘floating palace’ – is said to be hosting England’s WAGs during the World Cup in Qatar.

The luxury £1billion cruise liner – which usually costs £2,434.80 for nine nights – has set sail for Doha and was spotted making its way through the Suez Canal on Wednesday, according to The Sun, ahead of setting up base at the Doha Port.

WAGs set to live aboard the vessel during the 2022 FIFA World Cup – which is taking place from 20 November to 18 December – include air hostess Georgina Irwin, 26, who is engaged to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, 24, Phil Foden’s girlfriend Rebecca Cooke, 22, and Harry Maguire’s wife Fern, 27, reported the publication.

Guests will be living the high life, thanks to onboard beauty salons, boutiques, dodgems, 14 ocean-view Jacuzzis and the longest dry-slide at sea titled The Venom Drop to keep them entertained between matches.

But while the wives and girlfriends of the football stars will lap up the luxury of the swanky ship – complete with its very own shopping mall, roller disco rink and a range of clubs for children – it’s said that players won’t be allowed on board as they are set to form their own strict Covid bubble at the Souq Al Wakra hotel in Doha. 

Off she goes: The luxury £1billion cruise liner that will reportedly host the England WAGs during the World Cup in Qatar has set sail for Doha, it’s been reported 


It offers six swimming pools, 30 bars and cafes (pictured), a cinema and the tallest slide on any ship in the world – so it’s no wonder that the MSC World Europa – dubbed a ‘floating palace’ – is said to be hosting England’s WAGs during the World Cup in Qatar

The luxury £1billion cruise liner – which usually costs £2,434.80 for nine nights – has set sail for Doha and was spotted making its way through the Suez Canal on Wednesday, according to The Sun , ahead of setting up base at the Doha Port. Pictured, the cinema


 Guests will be living the high life, thanks to onboard beauty salons, boutiques, dodgems, 14 ocean-view Jacuzzis and the longest dry-slide at sea titled The Venom Drop to keep them entertained between matches. Pictured, the swimming pools



WAGs set to live aboard the vessel during the 2022 FIFA World Cup – which is taking place from 20 November to 18 December – include air hostess Georgina Irwin (left), 26, who is engaged to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, 24, Phil Foden’s girlfriend Rebecca Cooke, 22, and Harry Maguire’s wife Fern (centre), 27, reported the publication. Pictured right, Model Anna Modler, 24, who is dating defender Eric Dier, 28, is rumoured to be among those planning to stay on the luxury cruise liner

Elsewhere on the cruise liner, a Sportplex zone offers basketball, bumper cars and even a roller disco rink, meaning plenty of opportunities for fun, alongside more than 30 bars and cafes, as well as a micro-brewery and mixology classes in its Elixir gin bar.

With a tonnage of 215,863 GT and length of 333.3 m (1,094 ft), its beam is 47 m (154 ft), height is 68 m (223 ft) and speed, 22.7 knots and a capacity of 6,762 passengers.

Covering 21 decks, there are 2,138 crew members, two five blade propellers and seven thrusters being four Bow and two stern.

Packages begin at £6,000 for the footballers’ families to stay on the luxury liner, with model Anna Modler, 24, who is dating defender Eric Dier, 28, also rumoured to be among them. 

An insider told the publication: ‘The boat is an amazing place to stay. It is like a floating palace, which is why many of the players’ wives and families quickly snapped up packages that the Football Association arranged. 

But while the wives and girlfriends of the football stars will lap up the luxury of the swanky ship – complete with its very own shopping mall, roller disco rink and a range of clubs for children – it’s said that players won’t be allowed on board as they are set to form their own strict Covid bubble at the Souq Al Wakra hotel in Doha. Pictured, one of the bedrooms

Elsewhere on the cruise liner (pictured), a Sportplex zone offers basketball, bumper cars and even a roller disco rink, meaning plenty of opportunities for fun, alongside more than 30 bars and cafes, as well as a micro-brewery and mixology classes in its Elixir gin bar


With a tonnage of 215,863 GT and length of 333.3 m (1,094 ft), its beam is 47 m (154 ft), height is 68 m (223 ft) and speed, 22.7 knots and a capacity of 6,762 passengers. Pictured, some of the cafe and bars

Covering 21 decks, there are 2,138 crew members, two five blade propellers and seven thrusters being four Bow and two stern. Pictured, one of the clubs for children

Fun: Guests on the cruise liner – dubbed the ‘floating palace’ are in for a thrilling time on The Venom Drop (pictured) 


Luxury: MSC World Europa boats a swanky Casino. Packages begin at £6,000 for the footballers’ families to stay on the luxury liner, with model Anna Modler, 24, who is dating defender Eric Dier, 28, also rumoured to be among them

Bottom’s up: In addition to 13 restaurants and bars, the cruise liner features a micro-brewery and mixology classes in its Elixir gin bar

‘Due to the fact the boat is off shore, guests can have a drink and enjoy themselves without having to worry about falling foul of Qatar’s strict rules. 

‘And many hotels aren’t even allowed sunbathing areas. But by staying on the boat guests just relax and have a great time. If England do go all the way it’s likely to become like a carnival on board.’

In Qatar there are strict alcohol rules, but because the MSC World Europa is ‘off-shore’, those on board can sip on champagne without fear of legal repercussions. 

Meanwhile, manager Gareth Southgate is said to be desperate to ensure that coronavirus won’t dash his squad’s hopes of lifting the world cup. 

The publication said sources from the Football Association confirmed that Covid restrictions will be in place for the first three opening games of the competition, and will likely continue for the duration of England’s participation in the games. 

MailOnline have contacted representatives of MSC World Europa for comment. 

An insider told The Sun: ‘The boat (pictured) is an amazing place to stay. It is like a floating palace, which is why many of the players’ wives and families quickly snapped up packages that the Football Association arranged’

Now that’s impressive! The cruise liner features a huge theatre to keep the WAGs entertained on board

What a treat: In Qatar there are strict alcohol rules, but because the MSC World Europa is ‘off-shore’, those on board can sip on champagne without fear of legal repercussions

Wow: A café on the cruise liner features a chocolate sculpture of Laeeb as the Official Mascot for this year’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

It comes after England’s WAGs were allegedly told they’re ‘not above the law’ while ordered to follow a strict list of rules ahead of the World Cup in conservative Qatar. 

Those expected to attend could face jail time if they don’t take the warning seriously, and it has been claimed they were issued the instructions at a secret presentation.

Revealed: MSC World Europa 

Owner: MSC Cruises

Tonnage: 215,863 GT

Length: 333.3 m (1,094 ft)

Beam: 47 m (154 ft)

Height: 68 m (223 ft)

Decks: 21

Propulsion: 2 five blade propellers and 7 thrusters being 4 Bow and 2 stern

Speed: 22.7 knots

Capacity: 6,762 passengers

Crew: 2,138

Largest ship built for MSC Cruises

Powered by LNG-fuelled cruise ship and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)

Cost per nine-day stay: £2,434.80

Dressing modestly in public, abstaining from drinking alcohol or packing on the PDA, swearing, playing music, singing, shouting, or acting ‘inappropriately’ during the call to prayer are all thought to have been included on the agenda.

Jack ­Grealish’s girlfriend Sasha Attwood, Harry Kane’s wife Katie Goodland, Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan Davison, Jarrod Bowen’s girlfriend Dani Dyer and Harry’s wife Fern are some of the partners of the England football team. 

A source told The Sun: ‘The FA left little room for doubt. They have been very clear about the rules and have a responsibility to the players and their families to make sure they are aware of the local laws and customs.

‘They cannot — and will not — tolerate any controversy or incident that could and should have been avoided with good planning. It is important the WAGs understand Qatar is not England and will treat everyone even handedly, irrespective of who they are.’

In Qatar, littering is illegal – with a £6,000 fine and a year in jail – and taking selfies outside government buildings could lead to police action, they were reportedly warned.

MailOnline has contacted the FA for comment. 

This isn’t the first time that the England WAGs have been warned about the strict rules in Qatar that they should be aware of.

At a meeting before England’s 3-3 draw with Germany last month, FA chiefs said: ‘It is important to understand that you and your husband/partner are not above the law here. Every order is in place to protect both yourselves and your partner/husband in any case of indiscretion. Fines and prosecution are commonplace.’

Last month it was revealed that partners of the England players have booked in at Banana Island, a luxury spot 25 minutes by boat from the Doha seafront, according to the place’s sales director.

Those with children have their eyes on the biggest chalets which sleep five. Benefits include a helipad, should they prefer that to the motor launch, with white leather seats, complimentary dates and cold flannels.

Those £6,000 a night chalets, built on stilts which sit in the Arabian Sea, won’t offer total escape from hoi polloi.

Anyone can catch the boat and pay £100 to enjoy the resort’s pool and beach. But with a cinema, a surf pool with a wave machine and scuba diving courses, it all rather contributes to the sense that England’s partners are well ahead of the rest when it comes to the accommodation quest for Group B.

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