MSC Cruises has confirmed a major shipbuilding agreement with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, placing orders for two additional World Class vessels worth €3.5 billion (£3 billion).
The ships, set for delivery in 2030 and 2031, will become the seventh and eighth in the line’s futuristic World Class series.
Expanding the World Class Fleet
The announcement was made during a double ceremony at Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, where MSC Cruises also marked the float out of MSC World Asia and the coin ceremony for MSC World Atlantic.
With this latest order, MSC Cruises’ total investment with the French shipbuilder in 2025 alone rises to nearly €7 billion, bringing the company’s total current commitment in France to around €10.5 billion.
“We mark a proud moment today as we celebrate the float out of MSC World Asia, the coin ceremony of MSC World Atlantic, and the order of two new ships,
“The World Class platform is a symbol of our vision to set new standards for the future of cruising. These are among the most energy-efficient ships in the world, and we continue our commitment to LNG while preparing for future renewable fuels.”
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division.
French Partnership Strengthened
Chantiers de l’Atlantique General Manager Laurent Castaing welcomed the order, noting that four new MSC ships have been commissioned this year alone – a remarkable achievement for both the shipyard and its longstanding partnership with the cruise line.
“The World Class series, now totalling eight vessels, exemplifies our shared commitment to elevating the passenger experience while advancing environmental performance,” said Castaing.
Construction of the newly ordered World Class 7 and 8 will begin in 2029.
The vessels will follow MSC World Europa (2022), MSC World America (2025), MSC World Asia (2026), and MSC World Atlantic (2027).
The next two unnamed ships – World Class 5 and 6 – are due before 2030.
Latest Ship Milestones
The float out of MSC World Asia marks a key stage in the ship’s construction, as she touches water for the first time before entering final outfitting.
Scheduled for delivery in November 2026, the ship will sail seven-night itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, visiting Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Rome (Civitavecchia), Messina, and Valletta.
Meanwhile, the coin ceremony for MSC World Atlantic took place the same day. The maritime tradition sees commemorative coins placed within the ship’s hull as a symbol of blessing and good fortune.
MSC Cruises’ godmother for the occasion was Lynn Torrent, President of MSC Cruises North America, while Agnès Sahores, Smart Yard Improvement Manager at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, represented the shipbuilder.
MSC World Atlantic will launch in 2027, homeporting in Port Canaveral, Florida, for her debut Caribbean season in winter 2027–28.
The Future of World Class
MSC’s World Class ships are designed as floating destinations, each featuring themed “districts” to suit different moods and experiences – from family zones to adults-only retreats.
The line describes them as “a blend of innovation, elegance and environmental efficiency.”
The two new ships are subject to financing approval, but their addition will solidify MSC Cruises’ position as Europe’s largest cruise brand and one of the fastest-growing operators worldwide.
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