Photo: Henri Doyer, Lynn Torrent, Agnes Sahores and Pierfrancesco Vago

MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique announced a major extension of their long-standing relationship with orders for two additional World Class ships—numbers 7 and 8—due to be delivered in 2030 and 2031.

The announcement was made at a double celebration event to mark important maritime milestones for two other World Class ships currently under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France—the float out of MSC World Asia and coin ceremony of MSC World Atlantic.

Valued at €3.5 billion, the orders announced raise MSC Cruises’ total investment in France this year to nearly €7 billion for the construction of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth World Class ships. Together with the World Class vessels already under construction, this brings the company’s total direct investment currently committed in France to €10.5 billion. This major industrial plan reflects the shipowner’s confidence in the future of cruise tourism and its ongoing commitment to shipbuilding excellence in France and across Europe.

Construction of World Class 7 and 8 will begin in 2029, joining a legacy of ships delivered by Chantiers de L’Atlantique as part of its longstanding partnership with MSC Cruises.

MSC Cruises’ World Class redefines the art of cruising, delivering an extraordinary guest experience shaped by visionary design and boundless imagination. Each ship is a destination in its own right—where innovation meets elegance, and every detail is crafted to elevate every moment on board.

With distinct districts designed to suit every mood and moment, guests are able discover, connect and unwind in ways that feel uniquely personal. Every new addition to the World Class fleet brings something bold and original. This spirit of constant evolution is demonstrated in MSC World Asia, MSC World Atlantic, and the remarkable ships yet to come—each one a new chapter in a journey to deliver the most memorable experiences at sea.

MSC Cruises’ World Class consists of MSC World Europa (2022), MSC World America (2025), MSC World Asia (2026), and MSC World Atlantic (2027), with the yet-to-be-named World Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 ships to follow by 2031.  

The two new orders will be subject to access to financing, as per industry practice.

MSC World Asia float out

The float out is a major milestone in ship building process as it is the first time a new vessel touches water and sees the ship enter the next phase of construction. MSC World Asia will be delivered in November 2026, with Mediterranean sailings following from December onward. The ship will offer seven-night sailings to the most popular destinations in the Western Mediterranean—Barcelona (Spain); Marseille (France); Genoa, Civitavecchia for Rome, and Messina (Italy); and Valletta (Malta).

MSC World Atlantic coin ceremony

A traditional coin ceremony for MSC World Atlantic also took place, during which the vessel’s godmothers from both the cruise line and the shipyard placed commemorative coins inside the ship as a sign of blessing during construction and to bring good fortune to the vessel. MSC World Atlantic will enter service in 2027 and will offer Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral starting with the winter 2027-28 season.

MSC Cruises’ godmother was Lynn Torrent, President of MSC Cruises North America. Torrent oversees all commercial and operational functions across the region. A seasoned cruise industry executive, she is instrumental in advancing MSC Cruises’ strategic growth across the North American market.

From Chantiers de L’Atlantique, the Godmother was Agnès Sahores, Smart Yard Improvement Manager, who has been working at the shipyard for 25 years. She oversees implementing the company’s improvement plan, which focuses on industrial performance, innovation, environmental efficiency, and collective success.