MSC Cruises Orders Two New World Class Ships
MSC Cruises has confirmed the order of two additional World Class ships, scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031, during a special ceremony at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
The announcement coincided with the technical float-out of MSC World Asia and the traditional coin ceremony of MSC World Atlantic, two events that celebrated important industrial milestones and symbolically marked the fleet’s growth. With these new orders, MSC Cruises’ total investment in France in 2025 reaches nearly €7 billion, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainable development and shipbuilding excellence.
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The World Class series represents a true evolution in the concept of luxury cruising. Each ship combines visionary design, spacious and light-filled areas, and cutting-edge technologies, with particular attention to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, thanks to the use of LNG and preparation for future renewable fuels.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the MSC Cruises Division, emphasized that the World Class platform symbolizes the company’s vision for a new standard in the future of cruising, adding that these ships are among the most efficient in the world and reflect the group’s sustainable innovation strategy.
Each World Class ship is designed to be a true destination, with themed districts intended to offer guests personalized experiences, moments of relaxation, and entertainment. Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, highlighted that the World Class series, now reaching eight units, represents a testament to the shipyard teams’ expertise and MSC’s vision, emphasizing how these ships reflect a shared commitment to exceptional onboard experiences and cutting-edge environmental performance.
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MSC World Asia is scheduled for delivery in November 2026 and will offer seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises, calling at Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Messina, and Valletta. MSC World Atlantic will enter service in 2027 with Caribbean itineraries departing from Port Canaveral. During the ship’s coin ceremony, the godmothers placed commemorative coins inside the hull as a symbol of good luck. Lynn Torrent, godmother of MSC Cruises and President of MSC Cruises North America, said it was a true honor to participate in the birth of MSC World Atlantic, adding that the ship will strengthen the company’s offering by combining European style with American comfort and will introduce new spaces and experiences designed to delight guests.
With the order of World Class ships 7 and 8, MSC Cruises reinforces its leadership in the global market, confirming a long-term collaboration with Chantiers de l’Atlantique that has already led to the construction of four ships of the same class. The company’s total investment in France exceeds €10 billion, a figure that demonstrates not only confidence in the future of the cruise industry but also the determination to redefine industry standards. Each new ship represents a chapter of MSC’s vision: more sustainable, elegant, and innovative ships capable of delivering memorable experiences at sea, consolidating the company’s role as a benchmark in global luxury cruising.
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