MSC Cruises Orders Additional World Class Ships

Image: MSC World Asia floats out (Photo Credit: Bernard Biger/Chantiers de l’Atlantique)
Image: MSC World Asia floats out (Photo Credit: Bernard Biger/Chantiers de l’Atlantique)
Sarah Kuta
by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 1:25 PM ET, Wed November 12, 2025

MSC Cruises has ordered two new ships.

Shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique has agreed to construct the additional World Class vessels, which are scheduled to be completed in 2030 and 2031. 

The order is valued at roughly $4 million (€3.5 billion) and raises MSC Cruises’ total investment this year to nearly $8.1 million (€7 billion) for the construction of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth World Class ships. 

“What our shipyard is achieving today is truly exceptional—four new ships ordered in 2025,” says Laurent Castaing, general manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “The World Class series, now totaling eight vessels, is a testament to our teams’ expertise and to MSC’s vision. It exemplifies our shared commitment to elevating the passenger experience while advancing environmental performance.”

MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, which have been working together for more than 20 years, announced the news at an event at the shipbuilder’s shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France. They were celebrating the float out of MSC World Asia and the coin ceremony for MSC World Atlantic.

MSC Cruises’ World Class now consists of MSC World Europa (2022), MSC World America (2025), MSC World Asia (2026) and MSC World Atlantic (2027). The unnamed World Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 ships will debut by 2031.  

“The World Class platform is a symbol of our vision to set new standards for the future of cruising,” says Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the cruise division for MSC Group. “These are some of the most energy-efficient ships in the world and we continue our commitment to [liquified natural gas], ensuring we are ready for future renewable fuels.”

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