Inside the Speakeasy Bar on the MSC World Europa
Below deck, a beguiling 70-seat lounge awaits for passengers in the know.
MSC World Europa
Out of all the spots to get a good drink on the MSC World Europa—from a whiskey lounge overlooking the wake to one of the only breweries at sea—the one that doesn’t officially exist might just be the coolest. And while it’s not easy to snag an invite, those who succeed return home with a great memory —and bragging rights.
Yacht Club
Recently, I embarked on a seven-day Mediterranean itinerary on the Swiss-Italian cruise line’s first World-class ship, a 6,850-passenger vessel launched in 2021. As a guest of the private enclave called the Yacht Club, I was afforded a larger and more sumptuous cabin and amenities including a dedicated butler and private restaurant, lounge and pool deck. But even being a VIP passenger didn’t give me automatic access to the speakeasy I discovered was tucked away in an undisclosed location somewhere in the bowels of the ship.
Getting an Invite
Kelly outside the speakeasy's door
On the third day of the cruise, after spending a magical day on the island of Malta, I was enjoying a G&T in The Gin Project, which serves up a dizzying array of juniper-based spirits, mixers and garnishes, when I met a delightful couple from Ireland. After learning that I write about drinks, they asked me if I’d like to accompany them one evening to “the secret bar.” Um, yes please.
But I wondered how they got an invite. As I learned, the selection process was a bit nebulous. Someone told me tables were reserved for ultra-VIPs, someone else said it was completely random, and one couple asked their butler if she could get them in. One evening after dinner, my new friends found two tokens in their cabin, along with a note listing the rules. One token gains entrance for one passenger (they were able to secure a third one for me), all guests must be 18 or over and onboard beverage packages aren’t accepted. They were instructed to use any phone on the ship to reserve a table, and then proceed to a designated meeting point at that date and time with the password. Oh, and they were asked to keep it all a secret. (Sorry, MSC!)
Secret Entryway
Sign that leads to staircase down to crew quarters and bar photo credit Kelly Magyarics
I’m not going to divulge the exact location of the entry point. If you’re truly curious, you can Google it and find references online. (There’s also a big clue at the end of the in-cabin safety video cruisers are required to watch before embarkation.) But I don’t want to ruin it for you if you’re planning to take a cruise on the MSC World Europa (and you should!) Let’s just say that if you’re familiar with other speakeasies, this one pays homage to a common way to gain entry. What I initially thought was just a spot for an onboard photo opp was actually a secret passageway.
That evening we met up, and after my friend provided the password, the door opened and we were escorted down a hallway where a compass rose sign on the wall said “Speakeasy Bar.” But we hadn’t arrived just yet. Adjacent was a steel-bolted door where the signage read “Danger: Keep Out, Authorized Personnel Only.” And what I saw next was almost as memorable as the bar itself.
Our host led down a few flights of narrow lattice stairs to the underbelly of the ship that houses the crew quarters. (No wonder another rule states that high heel shoes weren’t recommended.) Though we were ushered down this section rather quickly, I was able to take a quick glance around to see a few off-duty crew members relaxing and hanging out, and a poster advertising an upcoming crew party and dance. Very insider-y.
The Bar
Band playing in the bar photo credit Kelly Magyarics
We finally made it into the bar itself, a dimly-lit space awash in scarlet, with leather sofas and small round cabaret tables lit by bell shade lamps, and old nautical charts and other retro art hanging on the walls. The focal point was a small stage backed by a red curtain, where a quartet of ragtime musicians clad in bow ties, suspenders and newsboy caps were playing old-timey tunes. Friendly servers were similarly outfitted, with black satin string ties.
Now, as someone who’s familiar with the whole 1920s speakeasy throwback trend that was all the rage ten or 15 years ago, I wouldn’t exactly call this concept innovative. However, it’s still enjoyable, and there’s definitely a hushed air of exclusivity about it. My companions had never been inside a modern speakeasy, and it was great fun to watch their reactions—and those of the other guests—to this new-to-them experience. Plus, we went on the ship’s Gala Night, so strolling inside feeling fancy in a floor-length silk gown added to the swanky vibes.
Menu
Drinks and bar snacks at MSC Europa speakeasy photo credit Kelly Magyarics
Bar snacks arrived with the menu, which listed 14 cocktails (including an n/a French Zero75) and 7 “Prohibition Shots.” Classics included the Aviation and a variation on the Sidecar with blood orange liqueur, tangerine syrup, cinnamon sugar and marjoram. The Wingman was a Manhattan-Boulevardier love child, with Jack Daniels Rye, Carpano Antica and Campari, garnished with an orange chocolate cigar.
Open Dodo case photo credit Kelly Magyarics
I asked our server to suggest a gin-based cocktail with a photographable presentation. She recommended the Dodo, a Bee’s Knees riff that shakes Engine Gin from Italy—packaged in an oil can—with sage-infused honey syrup and lemon, garnished with sage. The drink arrived at the table in a locked case, for which I was given the key, and poured tableside into a tin mug.
In 2025, MSC will launch its next World-class ship, the World America, which is scheduled to set sail in April for Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages. Onboard will be 18 bars, including the gin bar and brewery on the World Europa, as well as a few new concepts like a sports bar and an adults-only venue for dancing, dueling pianos, comedy and karaoke. There’s also chatter online that this vessel will also house its own speakeasy. Perhaps it’s time to check your calendar, book your sailing and figure out how to get on the guest list.