"There, I go out, imagine, I miss the boat?": "Libé" sets sail on the cruise

While the number of passengers on cruises broke a new record in 2024, with 34.6 million people, this sector is the focus of many criticisms: environmental, social, overtourism... On the other hand, its defenders highlight the hundreds of thousands of jobs created in the sector , particularly in the industrial sector in Saint-Nazaire. Libération spent a week on the MSC World Europa, the largest to sail on European waters, to report on this type of vacation, which may seem anachronistic or even harmful to some, and to others like the alpha and omega of relaxation.

At the port of Marseille, suitcases of every color lie dormant in the center of the terminal's gigantic hall, waiting to be dropped off aboard the MSC World Europa, in front of the cruise ship cabins. To avoid being spotted as a journalist, and since no single cabin seemed available, we booked a two-person cabin for the same price, 1,538 euros.