In a moment that fused maritime tradition with bold industrial ambition, MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique today announced a monumental expansion of their partnership — two new World Class ships valued at €3.5 billion, bringing their total 2025 investments with the French shipbuilder to nearly €7 billion.
The announcement unfolded during a rare double celebration at the iconic Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, marking not just the future, but the living heartbeat of shipbuilding excellence: the float out of MSC World Asia and the coin ceremony of MSC World Atlantic.
Together with earlier orders, MSC Cruises now has €10.5 billion in active, direct investment committed in France — a powerful signal of faith in cruising’s future and in Europe’s shipbuilding mastery.
A Partnership Reinforced by Vision, Confidence, and Scale
The two newly ordered ships — the 7th and 8th vessels in MSC’s celebrated World Class series — will be delivered in 2030 and 2031. Construction begins in 2029, extending a partnership that already spans more than two decades and has produced some of the most advanced cruise vessels ever to sail.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of the MSC Group, captured the significance of the moment:
“We mark a proud moment today for MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique… 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.”
His words echoed across the shipyard, where generations of artisans, engineers, and visionaries have built vessels that shape the future of global travel.
Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, mirrored the sentiment with rare emotion:
“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.”
This wasn’t just a business announcement.
It was a declaration of shared purpose — to advance innovation, elevate guest experience, and transform the environmental performance of cruising.
World Class: A New Era of Cruising, Crafted for the Future
MSC’s World Class ships have become synonymous with forward-thinking design and immersive guest experiences. These aren’t just cruise ships — they are floating destinations, engineered with visionary architecture, distinct districts, and personalised spaces that allow guests to discover, unwind, and connect on their own terms.
From MSC World Europa (2022) to the yet-unnamed World Class 8 (2031), each vessel tells a story of evolution, imagination, and world-leading naval innovation.
And today, two new chapters were officially written.
Milestone 1: MSC World Asia Touches Water for the First Time
The float out of MSC World Asia marked the moment the vessel first met the sea — a symbolic transition from engineering marvel to living ship.
Delivered in November 2026, she will begin sailing seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries in December, including:
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Barcelona (Spain)
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Marseille (France)
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Genoa, Civitavecchia for Rome, Messina (Italy)
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Valletta (Malta)
This is Mediterranean cruising reimagined — bold, modern, and infused with MSC’s unmistakable soul.
Milestone 2: MSC World Atlantic Receives Her Blessing
Alongside the float out came a moment steeped in maritime tradition — the coin ceremony for MSC World Atlantic.
Two godmothers stepped forward:
From MSC Cruises:
Lynn Torrent – President of MSC Cruises North America, a veteran industry leader guiding MSC’s strategic expansion across the region.
From Chantiers de l’Atlantique:
Agnès Sahores – Smart Yard Improvement Manager and 25-year shipyard visionary leading innovation, environmental efficiency, and industrial performance.
Together, they placed commemorative coins into the hull — a symbol of protection, prosperity, and safe passage.
The vessel will enter service in 2027, sailing from Port Canaveral in the Caribbean for the winter 2027–28 season.
A Future Shaped by Excellence, Innovation, and Shared Ambition
With eight World Class ships now confirmed, MSC Cruises continues to redefine luxury travel at sea. Each vessel promises a blend of sustainable power, imaginative design, and unforgettable guest experiences — a testament to the company’s relentless drive toward the future.
Today’s double celebration did more than announce ships.
It reaffirmed:
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MSC Cruises’ unwavering confidence in the global cruise market
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Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s world-leading capability
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A partnership built on innovation, trust, and decades of shared achievement
As the shipyard’s waters settled around MSC World Asia, and the ceremonial coins found their place within MSC World Atlantic, one thing became clear:
This moment wasn’t simply about new ships — it was about shaping the next generation of cruising itself.
