MSC Cruises Celebrates Float-Out of MSC World Asia and Coin Ceremony for MSC World Atlantic
In a monumental signal of confidence for the global cruise industry, MSC Cruises has confirmed a major expansion of its fleet, placing orders for two additional World Class vessels with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The agreement, valued at €3.5 billion, was announced today during a dual ceremony that also celebrated significant construction milestones for MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic.
The two newly ordered vessels—currently designated as World Class 7 and 8—are scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031. This latest agreement brings MSC Cruises’ total investment in France for the year to nearly €7 billion, with the company’s total committed direct investment in the country now standing at an impressive €10.5 billion.
A Historic Day at Chantiers de l’Atlantique
The announcement coincided with a double celebration at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard, marking key phases in the construction of the line’s upcoming vessels. The day saw the float out of MSC World Asia, marking the first time the vessel touched water, alongside the traditional steel-cutting and coin ceremony for MSC World Atlantic.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, highlighted the significance of the extended partnership:
“We mark a proud moment today for MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique as we celebrate important milestones for our future – 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 some of the most energy efficient ships in the world and we continue our commitment to LNG, ensuring we are ready for future renewable fuels. We look forward to continuing with our innovative and successful collaboration with Chantiers de L’Atlantique – our long-term partner for more than 20 years.”
Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, expressed his gratitude for the continued collaboration:
“We are deeply grateful to MSC Cruises for their renewed confidence. What our shipyard is achieving today is truly exceptional — four new ships ordered in 2025! The World Class series, now totalling 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.”
Fleet Expansion and Deployment Updates
With these new orders, the World Class fleet is set to grow to eight vessels by 2031, following the launches of MSC World Europa (2022) and MSC World America (2025).
The event also provided fresh details on the deployment of the ships currently under construction:
- MSC World Asia: Following its float out today, the ship moves into the final phase of construction. It is scheduled for delivery in November 2026. Starting in December 2026, it will sail the Western Mediterranean, offering seven-night itineraries to marquee ports including Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia (Rome), Messina, and Valletta.
- MSC World Atlantic: Today’s coin ceremony featured godmothers Lynn Torrent (President, MSC Cruises North America) and Agnès Sahores (Smart Yard Improvement Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique) placing commemorative coins within the keel for good fortune. The ship is slated to enter service in 2027, with a winter 2027-28 deployment scheduled for the Caribbean, sailing out of Port Canaveral, U.S.
Construction on the newly ordered World Class 7 and 8 is expected to commence in 2029. These future vessels promise to continue the line’s evolution of “visionary design and boundless imagination,” featuring distinct districts and advanced energy efficiency technologies.
