The cruise industry continues to pursue ambitious growth, as evidenced by MSC Cruises’ recent $4 billion investment in two new vessels to be constructed at Chantiers de l’Atlantique. This announcement was made during milestone events in Saint-Nazaire, where MSC also celebrated the float-out of the MSC World Asia and a coin ceremony for MSC World Atlantic, both part of the company’s World Class lineup.
The newly ordered ships, designated as World Class 7 and 8, are expected to be completed in 2030 and 2031, respectively. This latest investment brings MSC’s total commitment to $12 billion across eight World Class vessels, which are at various stages of planning and construction. Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, expressed gratitude for MSC’s trust, highlighting the exceptional achievement of ordering four new ships in 2025.
Pierfrancesco Vago, head of MSC’s cruise division, noted that this investment reflects confidence in the future of cruising, emphasizing the energy-efficient design and the use of liquefied natural gas as a transitional fuel towards greener alternatives. Each World Class ship will feature distinct themed districts, providing diverse experiences for passengers.
The MSC World Asia is set to begin Mediterranean service in December 2026, with itineraries including stops in Barcelona, Marseille, and Genoa. Meanwhile, the MSC World Atlantic will launch Caribbean routes from Port Canaveral in the 2027-28 season. The World Class series began with MSC World Europa in 2022, followed by MSC World America this year, with four additional unnamed vessels scheduled for completion between 2028 and 2031. Construction on the latest orders will commence in 2029.
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