MSC Cruises Orders Two More World Class Ships for €3.5bn

MSC Cruises has ordered two additional World Class cruise ships from Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, expanding the series to eight vessels. The contract for the seventh and eighth ships is valued at EUR 3.5 billion, with deliveries scheduled for 2030 and 2031.

The order was announced during a shipyard event that also marked two milestones for other World Class newbuilds: the float-out of MSC World Asia and a traditional coin ceremony for MSC World Atlantic. Both ships are being built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique and will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

New orders extend MSC’s World Class build program into 2031

The newly ordered vessels are currently being referred to as World Class 7 and World Class 8. Construction for both ships is set to begin in 2029, and the orders are subject to access to financing, in line with common practice for large newbuild contracts.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group, tied the announcement to the same-day shipyard ceremonies. “We mark a proud moment today for MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique,” Vago said, citing the float-out, the coin ceremony, and the new orders as key steps for the company’s future fleet.

Vago also pointed to the role of the platform in MSC’s efficiency and fuel plans. “These are some of the most energy efficient ships in the world,” he said, adding that MSC is continuing its commitment to LNG while preparing for renewable fuel options as they become available.

Investment in France and a long-running shipyard partnership

MSC said the latest contract takes its total investment in the four World Class ships ordered in France during 2025 to nearly EUR 7 billion. With World Class vessels already under construction at the yard, MSC’s total direct investment currently committed in France for World Class ship construction stands at EUR 10.5 billion.

Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, described the year’s volume of work as unusual for a major cruise ship program. “What our shipyard is achieving today is truly exceptional,” Castaing said, pointing to four new ships ordered in 2025 and the World Class series reaching eight ships in total.

MSC and Chantiers de l’Atlantique have worked together for more than 20 years, and the latest expansion extends that relationship into the next decade as build slots open for 2029 and beyond.

Shipyard ceremonies for MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic

At Saint-Nazaire, MSC World Asia completed its float-out, the point at which the hull touches water for the first time after initial structural work in dry dock.

MSC World Atlantic held its coin ceremony, a maritime tradition associated with good fortune for the ship and those who sail on it. Godmothers for the MSC World Atlantic ceremony included Lynn Torrent, President of MSC Cruises North America, representing the cruise line, and Agnès Sahores, Smart Yard Improvement Manager at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, representing the shipbuilder.

Ship size, onboard concepts, and LNG propulsion

MSC’s World Class ships are among the largest cruise vessels in the industry, with a gross tonnage of approximately 216,000 GT and capacity for up to 6,700 passengers and 2,100 crew members. The ships are LNG-powered and use dual-fuel LNG engines, with designs intended to support the use of bio and synthetic fuels as they become commercially available.

On the guest experience side, MSC World Asia is set to introduce distinct onboard districts, a new pan-Asian dining venue, and an attraction MSC calls the world’s tallest dry slide at sea, The Spiral. MSC has also highlighted market-specific tailoring on recent ships such as MSC World America, which integrates features aimed at North American audiences, including U.S.-themed entertainment and food options, alongside the line’s signature European styling.

Deployment: Mediterranean for MSC World Asia, Caribbean for MSC World Atlantic

MSC World Asia is scheduled to be delivered in November 2026, with seven-night Mediterranean service planned to begin in December 2026. The itinerary is set to include Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Messina, and Valletta.

MSC World Atlantic is scheduled to enter service in 2027 and is set to sail Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral starting with the winter 2027-28 season.

World Class fleet timeline

With the new orders, MSC’s World Class lineup stretches from ships already in service to vessels scheduled for delivery into the early 2030s.

• 2022: MSC World Europa was delivered.
• 2025: MSC World America entered service.
• November 2026: MSC World Asia is scheduled for delivery, with revenue service planned to start in December 2026.
• 2027: MSC World Atlantic is scheduled to enter service, with Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral starting in the winter 2027-28 season.
• 2030–2031: World Class 7 and World Class 8 are scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031.

Across the class, MSC has positioned LNG propulsion and future fuel compatibility as core design features, tying that approach to its stated goal of reaching net-zero maritime emissions by 2050.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will MSC’s newest World Class ships be delivered?

World Class 7 is scheduled for delivery in 2030 and World Class 8 is scheduled for delivery in 2031. Construction for both ships is set to begin in 2029, and the orders are subject to access to financing.

How much is the new two-ship order worth?

The contract for the two ships is valued at EUR 3.5 billion.

When will MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic enter service?

MSC World Asia is scheduled for delivery in November 2026, with seven-night Mediterranean sailings planned to begin in December 2026. MSC World Atlantic is scheduled to enter service in 2027.

Where will MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic sail?

MSC World Asia is planned to operate seven-night Mediterranean itineraries calling at Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Messina, and Valletta. MSC World Atlantic is scheduled to offer Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral starting in the winter 2027-28 season.

What are the key features of MSC’s World Class ships?

The class is built around LNG propulsion and energy-efficiency, using dual-fuel LNG engines and designs intended to support bio and synthetic fuels as they become commercially available. MSC has said the ships are about 216,000 GT, can accommodate up to 6,700 passengers and 2,100 crew, and include onboard concepts such as distinct districts, expanded dining options including a pan-Asian venue on MSC World Asia, and The Spiral, which MSC describes as the world’s tallest dry slide at sea.

MSC said work at Saint-Nazaire will continue on MSC World Asia ahead of its November 2026 delivery, followed by MSC World Atlantic’s planned 2027 entry into service, while the two newly ordered ships move toward a 2029 construction start and deliveries in 2030 and 2031.