MSC World Asia Begins Sea Trials Ahead of 2026 Barcelona Debut
MSC says the ship will include more than forty bars, lounges, cafes and restaurants, including a Pan-Asian venue and a Venchi chocolate store in the Deck 6 Galleria.
MSC World Asia has begun its first sea trials after leaving Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire on July 15, starting the final technical phase before delivery to MSC Cruises scheduled for late November. The LNG-powered ship is being tested on engines, maneuverability, fuel efficiency and safety systems ahead of its planned Dec. 4, 2026, passenger debut from Barcelona.
MSC World Asia is the third World Class vessel. MSC plans to operate the ship year-round in the Western Mediterranean, with seven-night itineraries and embarkation available at multiple ports.
Deployment and ship scale
MSC Cruises said the vessel had “taken to open water for the very first time.” After handover, MSC World Asia is scheduled to begin regular service with calls at Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Messina and Valletta, covering destinations in Spain, France, Italy and Malta.
MSC World Asia is a 333.3-meter ship with maximum capacity of about 6,760 passengers and 2,142 crew. Its accommodation plan includes more than 2,580 cabins. The ship follows MSC World Europa, which debuted in 2022, and MSC World America, which entered service in 2025.
MSC’s World Class orderbook continues beyond World Asia, with five additional ships due through 2031. The next vessel in the series, MSC World Atlantic, is scheduled for 2027 and is planned to sail year-round from Port Canaveral alongside MSC World America in the Caribbean.
Onboard venues take shape
MSC has also been releasing product details for the new ship. MSC World Asia will feature more than 40 bars, lounges, cafes and restaurants, including 19 dining venues, six specialty restaurants, six main dining concepts, an MSC Yacht Club exclusive restaurant, fast-casual options and a new Pan-Asian venue that combines a specialty restaurant, bar and lounge, and complimentary on-the-go window.
Stéphane Franchini, senior director of food and beverage product at MSC Cruises, said the three-in-one concept invites guests “to explore one of the world’s most exciting food cultures.” MSC said the venue draws on Indonesia, Singapore, South China, Thailand and Vietnam, with menu items including Singapore-style prawns, shiitake mushroom fried rice, bao buns and Southeast Asian-inspired cocktails.
The ship will also carry what MSC calls the largest Venchi chocolate venue at sea: a 300-square-meter store in the Galleria district on Deck 6, with seating for more than 60 and a combined boutique, cafe and gelateria. The venue will offer live chocolate-making, custom bars, espresso, crepes, gelato and chocolate-infused cocktails; Venchi’s limited Crunchy Waves flavor is scheduled for selected Venchi stores from Aug. 1 to 31, for MSC Seaside Class ships with Venchi gelaterias from August, and for MSC World Asia once it enters service.
MSC has not yet disclosed full details of another planned new restaurant, beyond saying the venue will serve Mediterranean cuisine.
See current MSC World Asia fares and itineraries on Cruise Lookup.
