MSC World Asia

The 2026-built MSC World Asia cruise ship (currently under construction) is the third in a 4-unit "MSC WORLD Class" passenger liners designed and built for MSC Cruises. The series' first vessel (World Europa) was launched in 2021 (Dec) and inaugurated in 2022 (Dec). From the same class are the sisterships World America (2025 Apr) and World tbn (2027 Feb).

The vessel (IMO number 9901556) will be Malta-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Valletta.

History - construction and ownership

MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Genoa and Naples. It was established in 1960. Today, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) - the world's 2nd largest containership company. MSC Crociere is the world's largest privately-owned cruise company.

By annual passenger shipping volumes, MSC is 3rd largest cruise shipowner - following only Carnival Corporation and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group.

As of 2021, MSC is ranked Europe's largest passenger shipping company. By the year 2026, MSC could become the world's 3rd largest cruise company (eventually surpassing NCLH by combined berth capacity) with a 29-vessel fleet that includes 15 newbuilds (2017-2027) and the unprecedented USD 13 billion budget for new shipbuilding projects.

MSC Cruises World-Class liners

On April 6, 2017, during MSC Meraviglia's delivery ceremony at STX France Shipyard (Saint-Nazaire), MSC signed a new shipbuilding MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with STX France for a new series of 2 vessels (World Class) at a total cost ~EUR 4,5 billion (~USD 4,8B). The ceremony was attended by Emmanuel Macron (France's President), Bruno Le Maire (France's Minister of Economy), Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC's Chairman) and Laurent Castaing (STX France's CEO). The first World-Class ship order was officially signed on May 31, 2017.

The order for the two optional ships was announced in January 2020, making MSC the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard's largest customer - with a total of 21 units constructed there.

World Class MSC ships are with max passenger capacity 6782 (5079 lower berths). Building cost per ship is EUR 1,125 billion (USD 1,255B). The shipbuilder is Chantiers de l'Atlantique (fka STX France). The shipbuilding order includes 2 initial units, plus 2 optional. Each vessel has Gross Tonnage/volume 215,863 (GT tons), LOA length 333 m (1093 ft), waterline beam/width 41 m/135 ft (max width 54 m/177 ft), height 75 m (245 ft), draft 9,2 m (31 ft).

When was first announced by MSC (in April 2016), this ship design was planned with GT 205,000 tons, 2760 passenger staterooms, max passenger capacity 6850 (world's biggest by capacity). By GT tonnage/volume, MSC's World Class represents one of the world's largest passenger ships.

Reviewing the boat's design concepts (renderings and videos) was suggested a similar to the OASIS-Class interior structure with a Promenade (ship-long wraparound complex) with numerous dining and drink venues (on the ground floor - Aurea Restaurant, Raj Polo Tea House, Gin Bar, Zest-Juice Bar, Elixir-Mixology Bar, Fizz-Champagne Bar, Malt Lounge & Smoker's Bar, Emporium Coffee House), Promenade Cabins (interior-facing balcony rooms) and aft-located swimming pool (family pool deck).

The Lido Deck is dome-covered (by a retractable glass roof with solar panels) and with a large resort-style swimming pool, 6x Jacuzzis (4 cantilevered whirlpool hot tubs / porside and starboard), kids' Aquapark with 1x swimming pool and 3x waterslides (aft-located outdoor playground adjacent to the funnels/smokestacks) and aft-located adults-only Sundeck (with 2x swimming pools). Forward is the MSC Yacht Club (exclusive Sundeck with its own swimming pool, Spa pool, bar lounge).

Districts/themed zones

MSC World Asia has seven districts/themed zones, each with its own unique ambiance, amenities, and facilties, for a diverse array of activities and experiences.

FAMILY AVENTURA

The FAMILY AVENTURA district is dedicated to families with kids. It offers a plethora of fun activities and attractions designed to create lasting memories.

Anchored by The Harbor (an outdoor park with a high ropes course) here families can enjoy quality time together amidst thrilling adventures and age-appropriate facilities.

The Family Aventura district also houses the Cliffhanger Swing - an innovative over-water swing ride positioned atop the district (starboard-aft on deck 20). The facility (introduced on World America) features 4 seats (two 2-seat swings) initially positioned close to the deck. The metal structure's powered arms then elevate the swings out over the ship's edge. Then riders are propelled back and forth, soaring 50 m/164 ft above the ocean's surface.

The unique Cliffhanger Swing is an attraction designed for thrill-seekers and offers a dynamic view of the surrounding seascape, providing an unforgettable sensation of wind and freedom.

AQUA DECK

The AQUA DECK district provides the classic Pool Deck cruising experience and serves as the ultimate space for a day of relaxation and leisure by the swimming pools.

With two main swimming pools surrounded by a versatile sunbathing area, guests can unwind amidst revitalizing wellness offerings during the day and partake in lively entertainment and parties by night.

ZEN AREA

Nestled at the stern, the ZEN AREA district is an exclusive adults-only retreat for tranquility and rejuvenation.

Offering breathtaking ocean views from the ship's wake, the adults sundeck has twin pools, and provides a serene atmosphere.

GALLERIA

The GALLERIA district is large midship area brimming with dining options, shops and boutiques, and live entertainment venues.

From live music at the Dolce Vita Bar to indulgent treats at Jean Philippe Chocolat & Cafe, tourists can immerse themselves in a vibrant atmosphere of culinary delights and excitement.

THE TERRACES

THE TERRACES district offers an adults-only exclusive space with various dining and entertainment options.

The area groups 9 restaurants and bars, plus retail shops, and a comedy club.

Guests can savor global cuisine, enjoy live performances, and cap off the night with high-energy DJ sets and karaoke sessions.

PROMENADE

The PROMENADE district is a lively outdoor space with unobstructed views.

The PROMENADE's highlight is the architectural marvel of an 11-story-high dry slide.

The experience also includes scheduled evening activities, international coffee brand selections at the Emporium Bar, and the relaxing ambiance of the open sea.

MSC YACHT CLUB

The MSC YACHT CLUB district embodies MSC's renowned ship-within-a-ship concept, providing a secluded haven of luxury and exclusivity to affluent guests.

Offering personalized service, including 24/7 butler assistance, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and exclusive lounge and dining areas, MSC Yacht Club ensures a refined and elegant retreat amidst the ship's bustling activities.

World Asia's MSC Yacht Club is enhanced, with key highlights being:

• The 2-deck sundeck is redesigned and provides 270-degree front views. The Lower Sundeck is fitted with dining and beverage venues (bar and grill). The Upper Sundeck has a large Jacuzzi/whirlpool and a swimming pool surrounded by a sunbathing area with padded loungers and private cabanas.
• Two new Owner Suites (cat YC4) feature a double bedroom (walk-in closet), bathroom (with a full-size bathtub), a separate living-dining area (with floor-ceiling windows), two spacious sundecks (terraces with alfresco dining areas and Jacuzzies).
• The 2-deck Duplex Suites have a lower level dedicated to the sundeck, lounge and dining areas, half bath. On the upper level is the master bedroom (with its own bathroom with bathtub). Duplex Suites have 2 sundecks, with the lower housing a jacuzzi/whirlpool bath and a lounge area, while the upper deck is for sunbathing (fitted with padded loungers).
• MSC Yacht Club's passengers can visit exclusive treatment rooms for massages (part of MSC Aurea Spa) and also enjoy unlimited use of the thermal area.

The Yacht Club complex houses a total of 152 suites, a sports bar, a comedy club, and 6 specialty restaurants.

The large ship has 40,000+ m2 (430,000+ ft2) of public spaces, 15,000 m2 (161,000 ft2) outdoor deck space, 3440 m2 (37000 ft2) main pool deck area, 7x swimming pools, 13x Jacuzzis (outdoor whirlpools/hot tubs), 760+ m2 (8200 ft2) of children's interior complex designed by Lego & Chicco (with 7x rooms dedicated to different age groups), multiple bars, lounges, retail shops, 13 dining venues (including 6x specialty restaurants), 21 bars and lounges, "Zen district" (adults-only complex with 2x swimming pools, solarium/sundeck, shaded outdoor bar lounge), "Family district" (with 10x kids facilities/pools, clubs, playgrounds), family sundeck (kids-friendly sunbathing area), Aquapark (fleet's largest, with playgrounds, splash pools, water cannons, waterslides with virtual reality experiences). A teens-exclusive Sundeck has its own swimming pool and Jacuzzi. There are also several family-themed "villages" (open-air districts arranged similarly to RCI's neighborhoods) with their own venues and specific amenities.

The list of restaurants features 3x buffet-style (Luna Park Pizza, Il Mercato, La Brasserie) and 6x specialty, including Kaito Teppanyaki Restaurant & Sushi Bar (Asian), HOLA! Tacos & Cantina (Latin American and Mexican food), Marketplace/Il Mercato Buffet (20-hours-a-day-open Lido Restaurant), Eataly Restaurant (Eataly Food Chain designed food store), La Piazzetta (self-service buffet and pizzeria/Afternoon tea service, midnight buffet, seafood), Butcher's Cut (American steakhouse with an open kitchen), Jean-Philippe Maury Chocolaterie (patisserie and creperie by pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury, also offers homemade gelato/gourmet ice creams).

MSC World Asia features a futuristic design with an arrow-shaped (90-degree/vertically positioned) G-bow and a Y-shaped stern that opens onto the World Asia Promenade. World Promenade spans 7 decks (total length 104 m / 341 ft) and continues indoors (to the World Galleria/sized 300 m2 / 3200 ft2) as it is partially covered by a kinetic dome ceiling with a LED screen on which are projected UHD images and videos throughout the day and night. World Galleria is lined with restaurants, bars, shops, and boutiques.

On the Promenade ends "The Spiral" (aka The Venom Drop) - a stainless-steel "dry slide". Spanning 11 decks (length 76 m / 250 ft), the slide is the quickest (and most fun) way to get from Deck 22 down to Promenade Deck (deck 8).

The liner's largest entertainment venue is The World Theatre (capacity 1153 seats) hosting original large-scale show productions in the evenings and daily activities like lectures, bingo, trivia games, dance classes. Other signature fun facilities and activities include bumper cars, roller disco, Cinema/Luna Park Arena (300-seat multifunctional complex housing game shows, movies, themed parties, kids' activities, game shows), botanic garden pool (with a retractable glass roof, lounge area, tropical bar).

The ship's interactive entertainment programming features newly designed shows presented at Luna Park Arena (3x concert-style), The World Theatre (5x grand-scale productions), and in Panorama Lounge (4x themed). Also new for the fleet are the surprise exhibits (popping up throughout the boat.

• During the day, Luna Park Arena also hosts VR Drone Academy (virtual reality experience), Digital Dance Academy (3x "Dance with Flavia" classes by Flavia Cacace-Mistry/1980-born professional dancer), "Wake Up Rave" (by MSC's Doremi kids program), 2x new interactive gameshow, also fun challenges (for breaking Guinness world records). In the evenings, the Arena hosts a large-scale show, followed by 3x interactive musical concerts.
• The World Theatre stages 5x new large-scale shows, custom-designed and featuring modern technologies (LED visuals, UHD media), unique scenery and props, talented actors, a total of 350 custom-made costumes. The shows are named "Eko" (sustainability-themed, all costumes are made from recycled materials), "Amelia Earhart" (sea-themed, with an E-Bike Stunt Wheel), "Cadmo The Landwalker" (exploration-themed), "Yellow Submarine" (circus show with elements based on The Beatles songs) and "A Night on Broadway" (classic theatrical production).
• The aft-located (on decks 6-7) Panorama Lounge features an interactive floor and LED screens reflecting the night's theme. On the floor are projected drawings made by the guests onto interactive screens. Nightly, Panorama Lounge hosts 4x 90-minute music-themed experiences themed on different dance styles (waltz, tango, samba, disco) with performances by aerialists, acrobats, singers and dancers, live bands.
• During the voyage, surprise pop-ups (throughout different parts of the ship) include 2x living exhibitions themed "Earth and Ocean". The surprise experiences are provided by professional actors, artists, and musicians.
• Every evening is hosted the high-tech "Sundowner DJ Party" (a poolside holographic experience).

Kids venues

World Asia has MSC's largest children's area (sized 766 m2 / 8245 ft2) that consists of 7 spaces dedicated to children of different ages - from a nursery for toddlers to teenagers (up to 17-year-olds).

All kids' facilities are complimentary and supervised by certified staff.

The venues include Baby Club (6- to 36-month babies), Mini Club and Junior Club (3- to 11-year-olds), Young Club and Teen Club (12- to 17-year-olds).

New children's facilities and activities (fleet-first) include:

• LEGO CELEBRATION ROOM (via partnership with LEGO Group/plastic brick-made toys)
• TEENS LAB (technology room for teenagers) for high-tech activities based on gaming (21x consoles), VR stations (7x Virtual Reality arcades), videogames (50+ titles).
• 3,2,1 KNOCK (family gameshow with Asian entertainment- K-pop/Korean popular music and Japanese fun games and tests)
• BEAT THE MUSIC (all-ages interactive game show/music-themed, based on playing through a mobile app) parents work together to identify their kids' music preferences, while the kids try to name their parents' favorite singers and bands.
• Z ACTIVE (new children's sports program for playing football, basketball, pickleball, zorb balls, hoverboards)
• DRONE ACADEMY 2.0 (relay race with glowing drones) using POV cameras (Point-of-View Shot) and VR (Virtual Reality) - the drone race is based on navigating 15 obstacles.
• CABIN 12006-THE EXPERIENCE (via partnership with Viacom Inc/Nickelodeon brand) - live kids entertainment (7x activities, including a family game and a casting session)
• MSC DANCE CREW (via partnership with FremantleMedia/producer of the TV series Idols, The X Factor, Got Talent) - a dancing competition for tens (10-17 year-olds)

New venues (fleet's firsts)

The Harbor (deck 20) is a new outdoor "family complex" designed for families with kids where they can play and relax together. The fun zone houses an aquapark (with various interactive dry and wet/water activities), a High Trail (Ropes Course), Zip-Line, sensory playgrounds, the Harbor Lighthouse (themed playground). The Harbor's relaxation areas (5x differently-themed spaces) provide plenty of shaded comfortable seating (for enjoying the top-deck views of the sea) and various food and beverage options. The Harbor's food trucks serve fast food and casual snacks and cool drinks and refreshments throughout the day.

World Asia also features a new Sports Bar (tbn) and a new Comedy Club (tbn, hosting stand-up comedian acts as well as sing-alongs and dueling pianos).

Next are listed all the new (MSC fleet's first) venues introduced with MSC World Europa.

"Chef's Garden Kitchen" is a food bar selling specialties based on microgreens/young vegetable greens with aromatic flavors and concentrated nutrient content. Chef's Garden Kitchen has its own hydroponic garden for growing herbs, greens and garnishes. The menu was developed by Michelin-starred chef Niklas Peter Ekstedt (Swedish restaurant manager, TV personality, author).

"La Pescaderia" is a market-style seafood grill (fresh fish display, takeaway options) with alfresco seating.

"Luna Park Pizza & Burger" is a buffet restaurant also offering interactive experiences (family games and a fun menu with favored American food - Coney dogs/Coney Island hot dogs, salted pretzels, classic burgers, funnel cakes, pancakes. The ship's other two buffet-type restaurants are named "Il Mercato Buffet" and "La Brasserie Buffet".

Perennial specialty restaurant favorites will also be found onboard, including the American-style steakhouse Butcher's Cut, fun and flavourful Asian-inspired Kaito Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar, and newly launched Latin American street food-inspired Hola! Tacos & Cantina.

"Masters of the Sea Pub" is a British pub restaurant with The Microbrewery and craft beer bar spanning 2 decks and offering live musical performances. The Microbrewery (on Deck 7) produces MSC's signature craft beers via an exclusive partnership with master brewer Teo Musso. He is the owner of Baladin Farm Brewery in Piozzo (Italy) supplying Birra Baladin (craft beer) for Selezione Baladin (brewpub in Piozzo), Baladin Bologna (gastropub in Bologna) and Open Baladin (beer hall in Rome).

Coffee Emporium is a specialty coffee house with an outdoor patio. It also serves and sells for home brewing the signature roast MSC Lavazza.

Raj Polo Tea House is an India-themed venue.

The Gin Project is a gin bar serving 70+ craft gins, as well as classic and botanical cocktails prepared by certified bartenders.

"Elixir - Mixology Bar" serves handcrafted and trendy cocktails prepared by expert mixologists and features an outdoor terrace with seating.

Also new for the MSC fleet are "Zest - Juice Bar" (selling fresh-squeezed juices), "Malt Lounge & Bar (smoker's bar also selling fine cigars and with an incredible selection of top-shelf whiskies and cognacs), "Sweet Temptations" (ice cream bar for premium gelato and frozen yogurt/build-your-own choices).

The cruise liner's main dining/complimentary options are 4x MDRs/main dining rooms (Bubbles, La Foglia, Esagono, Hexagon), and 3x buffets (Il Mercato, La Brasserie, Luna Park Pizza & Burger). Les Dunes Restaurant is exclusive, serving only Aurea-cabin passengers.

Introduced on the 2022-built MSC Seascape, MSC WORLD ships have the ROBOTRON. The developed by RWS Entertainment Group robotic arm is rotating a 3-seat gondola for 360-degree views. ROBOTRON's riders hang over the top deck's edge (53 m / 174 ft above sea level) as the robotic arm is twisting and turning the gondola upside down in all directions. Near the ROBOTRON there is a DJ Booth for a personalized "grooving" experience as the rhythm and bass are visualized as colorful patterns and pulsating lights, while the robotic arm is "dancing" in tempo. ROBOTRON has different thrill levels, making it a family-friendly experience as well.

Decks and cabins

MSC World Asia staterooms (2614 total, in 19 categories) include 159x Suites and ~65% of all cabins are with step-out balconies. For passengers with disabilities, the liner has a total of 65 handicapped/wheelchair-accessible ADA cabins (33x Inside, 24x Balcony, 8x Junior Suite).

Of all the 19 cabin grades, 7 are new for MSC types of cabins.

• There are staterooms with balconies that overlook the Lower Promenade deck.
• MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suites (2-deck accommodations) are fitted with large terraces with a Jacuzzi and an alfresco dining area.
• AUREA Suites are also with balcony Jacuzzies.
• Infinite Oceanview cabins have a French Balcony (down-sliding window/balustrade opening to a false balcony/glass balustrade).

The boat has 22 decks, of which 16 are passenger-accessible and 12 with cabins.

MSC World Asia decks will be probably named after Asian state capital cities.

Itineraries

MSC World Asia's itinerary program (homeports, regions, destinations, call ports) and the Maiden Voyage's date will be announced later/sometime in 2025.

All MSC Caribbean itineraries include the company's private Bahamian island Ocean Cay.

MSC plans to inaugurate World Asia in May 2026.