MSC Cruises Adding Two More World Class Ships to Its Fleet
Just last month, MSC Cruises was delighting guests and the cruise industry with the big debut of MSC World America in Miami, Florida
Yet, the cruise line held onto a little secret, so as not to distract from the hoopla of bringing its biggest ship – 216,638 gross tons – to the world’s busiest port.
But today, May 19, 2025, the secret is out! MSC Cruises will be adding two more World Class ships to its fleet.
The announcement made in Paris revealed the cruise line has ordered two more ships with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique, bringing the total number of vessels in the World Class series to six.
The ships are currently referred to as World Class V and VI and are expected to be delivered in 2029 and 2030.
“The confirmation of the order for the two new World Class ships marks a new milestone in our remarkable shipbuilding trajectory in France and the continuation of our long-term industrial plan,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises.
“This milestone underlines our commitment to build some of the highest performing ships in the world, creating a legacy of excellence and innovation in collaboration with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, our long-term partners for more than 20 years,” he continued.
The new ships will join MSC World Europa, which debuted in 2022 during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar as a floating hotel, and MSC World America, which began offering Caribbean cruises from Miami following her April 9, 2025, christening at the cruise line’s new terminal in PortMiami.
MSC Cruises will bring an Asian flair to its third World Class ship, MSC World Asia, when it debuts in the Mediterranean in December 2026.
It will be followed by MSC World Atlantic, which will sail to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral in Florida beginning in February 2027.
Next-Gen Ships
While the new order is still contingent on financing agreements, MSC Cruises is showing it means business as it actively works to build new ships to compete with other mega cruise lines like Royal Caribbean.
MSC World America, for instance, has a look and feel similar to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis and Icon Class ships and is one of the largest cruise ships in the world. Spanning 22 passenger decks, the vessel can accommodate up to 6,762 passengers.
Each World-class ship has been and will continue to be constructed with liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology, along with advanced waste management systems, shore power connectivity, and a hull designed to minimize resistance to utilize less fuel.
Read Also: Here’s What I Thought After Three Days on MSC World America
Although more specifics on the new ships will be revealed in months to come, the World Class vessels are being designed to offer passengers an array of activities, amenities, dining, and entertainment tailored to all ages.
Each vessel offers more than 30 food and beverage destinations, multiple categories of stateroom options, and seven distinct districts to promote relaxation, entertainment, family activities, and more.
MSC World Europa is currently enjoying a summer season in the Mediterranean with homeports in Italy, Malta, France, and Spain, while MSC World America is sailing 7-night journeys to Eastern and Western Caribbean destinations from Miami.
MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic remain under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique.