MSC Orders Four New Frontier Cruise Ships From Meyer Werft

MSC Cruises has ordered four next-generation cruise ships from German shipbuilder Meyer Werft, with options for two more, creating a new platform the cruise line is calling New Frontier.

The agreement was announced Dec. 15 in Berlin and sets up another major stream of capacity growth for the Switzerland-based cruise company as it expands its fleet through the early 2030s, alongside its ongoing World Class newbuild program.

New Frontier: the order, the shipyard, and the delivery cadence

MSC Cruises’ agreement with Meyer Werft was unveiled at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in Berlin. MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago and Meyer Werft CEO Bernd Eikens appeared alongside Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche and Lower Saxony’s Minister-President Olaf Lies.

The total order was described as valued at about $10 billion, with deliveries planned on an annual cadence starting in 2030. Under the contract, Meyer Werft is scheduled to deliver the first ship in 2030, followed by one ship per year through 2033, with options that could add two more ships if exercised.

• Firm deliveries: One New Frontier ship per year from 2030 through 2033, for four total ships.
• Options: MSC included options for two additional New Frontier ships beyond the initial four-vessel series.

In his remarks, Vago highlighted both the shipbuilder relationship and the goals for the new platform. “Meyer Werft’s track record, expertise and proud history make it a true beacon of European shipbuilding,” he said, adding that the partners aim to build ships that “redefine the cruise experience” while advancing MSC’s “net-zero 2050 commitment” through next-generation environmental technologies.

How New Frontier compares with MSC’s World Class ships

MSC has positioned New Frontier as a distinct platform from its newest World Class vessels. The New Frontier ships are designed at approximately 180,000 gross tons with a maximum passenger capacity of 5,400.

By comparison, MSC’s World Class ships exceed 215,000 gross tons and carry more than 6,700 passengers at maximum capacity. MSC has described the New Frontier platform as smaller than World Class, while still designed for high-capacity cruising and intended to open up different itinerary and operational possibilities.

World Class pipeline: near-term debuts before New Frontier arrives

The Meyer Werft order comes as MSC continues to build out its World Class series at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France. MSC World Europa entered service in late 2022, and MSC World America debuted in April 2025 from Miami.

Looking ahead, MSC’s next World Class ships include MSC World Asia, slated to debut in the Mediterranean in December 2026, and MSC World Atlantic, scheduled to launch from Port Canaveral, Florida, in November 2027. Beyond those named ships, MSC has said additional World Class deliveries are planned from 2029 into the early 2030s, growing the World Class series to eight ships in total.

What the combined orderbook means for fleet growth

With New Frontier added to the World Class program, MSC has 10 new cruise ships either under construction or on order across the two platforms, spanning deliveries from 2026 into 2033. MSC currently operates a 23-ship fleet.

Cruise Industry News estimates the company’s newbuild schedule will add more than 47,500 berths to MSC’s fleet by 2033 and increase overall capacity by roughly 60% once the new ships enter service. The outlet also calculates that MSC’s fleet averages about 3,600 guests per ship today, and that the average capacity would rise to just under 4,000 passengers per vessel when the ordered ships are delivered and operating.

MSC has also emphasized deployment flexibility as capacity grows. The company sails to more than 300 destinations across over 100 countries and five continents, and it has highlighted the potential for New Frontier to support “new and exclusive itineraries” compared with existing platforms.

Sustainability and onboard innovation highlighted in the newbuild plans

MSC has tied both ship platforms to its longer-term environmental targets. Vago said the New Frontier ships will incorporate next-generation environmental technologies intended to help advance the company’s net-zero 2050 commitment. MSC has also said the World Class and New Frontier ships will feature environmental technologies aimed at reducing methane emissions and improving energy efficiency, and that its newbuild plans include LNG-powered ships as part of its sustainability approach.

On the guest-experience side of its newest ships, MSC World America has been promoted by the line for features that include the largest MSC Yacht Club ever built, along with attractions such as the Jaw Drop dry slide and the Cliffhanger swings, which hover 160 feet above the ocean. MSC World America also received a Best Overall Cruise Ship award for 2025 from Cruise Hive, according to the company’s announcements.

Germany’s industrial impact: leaders point to jobs and shipyard stability

MSC and German officials framed the agreement as a long-term boost for the shipyard and its workforce, particularly in Papenburg, where Meyer Werft is based. MSC said the order will secure shipyard capacity well into the next decade, and the deal was described as supporting thousands of jobs.

Eikens called the contract a milestone for the shipbuilder. “This new order marks a significant milestone in the 230-year history of Meyer Werft,” he said, describing MSC Cruises as “a new customer and strategic partner” and adding that the partnership supports “sustainable growth and job security for many years to come.”

Reiche, appearing at the announcement, called the contract a “decisive breakthrough” for Meyer Werft, saying it stands for sustainability, innovation, international trust, and the continuation of German engineering. She also pointed to the timing of the agreement amid broader economic challenges, emphasizing the need for leadership and decisive execution.

MSC’s next major milestones include the debut of MSC World Asia in late 2026 and MSC World Atlantic in 2027, followed by the start of New Frontier deliveries in 2030, with the potential for further ships if the options with Meyer Werft are exercised.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is MSC Cruises’ New Frontier platform?

New Frontier is a new ship platform MSC Cruises has ordered from Meyer Werft. MSC has said the ships are designed at about 180,000 gross tons with a maximum passenger capacity of 5,400, and will incorporate next-generation environmental technologies tied to the company’s net-zero 2050 commitment.

When will the New Frontier ships be delivered?

MSC’s contract calls for annual deliveries starting in 2030, continuing through 2033 for the first four ships.

Does the Meyer Werft agreement include ships beyond the first four?

Yes. In addition to four firm orders, MSC included options for two additional New Frontier ships.

How is New Frontier different from MSC’s World Class ships?

MSC has positioned New Frontier as smaller than its newest World Class ships. New Frontier is planned around 180,000 gross tons with a maximum capacity of 5,400 passengers, while MSC’s World Class ships exceed 215,000 gross tons and carry more than 6,700 passengers at maximum capacity.

Which World Class ships are already sailing, and what is next?

MSC World Europa entered service in late 2022, and MSC World America debuted in April 2025 from Miami. MSC World Asia is slated to debut in the Mediterranean in December 2026, followed by MSC World Atlantic, which is scheduled to launch from Port Canaveral, Florida, in November 2027.