MSC Cruises has set its sights firmly on the next decade, confirming two additional World-class ships with French builder Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Announced during a triple celebration that also marked the float-out of MSC World Asia and the coin ceremony for MSC World Atlantic, the order cements MSC’s momentum in large-ship innovation, cleaner operations, and broader itinerary choice for guests worldwide.
MSC has ordered two new World-class ships valued at €3.5 billion (approx. A$6.2b) from Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Construction is slated to begin in 2029, with deliveries targeted for 2031 and 2032. The news coincided with milestones for MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic. The line highlights high energy efficiency, LNG capability, and readiness for future renewable fuels, supporting quieter, cleaner port days and extended routing potential for travellers.
Big ship orders are not just shipyard headlines; they ripple into how we plan holidays. More capacity often translates to a broader spread of sailing dates, greater choice of staterooms, and itinerary variety that puts sought-after ports within easier reach. For families, groups, and first-timers, the practical benefits show up as simpler decision-making and better odds of sailing when you actually want to travel.
With MSC World Europa and MSC World America already sailing, the arrival of two additional sisters in 2031 and 2032 will help MSC schedule marquee seasons in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and beyond. That means more chances to secure connecting cabins for families, a higher probability of your preferred dining times, and better availability of the most requested balcony categories during school holidays.
MSC’s focus on energy efficiency, LNG, and future-fuels readiness matters for the guest experience. Lower emissions and improved hotel-load management typically create softer ambient sound and fresher air while alongside, especially in city harbours. If you enjoy early coffee on the balcony or a slow promenade walk with sea breeze rather than exhaust, these design choices are felt in small but meaningful ways.
World-class platforms carry the range to stitch together longer loops with sensible pacing, from extended Med circuits to back-to-back Caribbean runs that include private-destination pairings. The result is more itineraries that balance sea time with long days ashore, ideal for travellers who value depth over box-ticking.
The announcement landed during a celebration in Saint-Nazaire that spotlighted the next ships off the blocks. For guests tracking timelines, these milestones are helpful markers that a concept is moving into its finishing stages.
A float-out shifts a ship from dry dock to water for the first time, then outfitting accelerates. Public spaces take shape, venues are fitted, and technical systems are commissioned. For early adopters who love inaugural seasons, this is the phase when we begin mapping likely maiden itineraries and the stateroom categories that typically sell first.
The coin ceremony is a traditional good-luck moment and a sign that the build is progressing on schedule. Structural blocks are joining, and the form of the ship is clear. It is also when we start to see deck plans firm up, which helps you decide between midship balconies for calmer rides, or forward observation lounges if sail-ins are your ritual.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique has partnered with MSC on all eight World-class ships to date. Long relationships reduce learning curves and improve consistency in fit and finish. For you, that usually means smoother starts to service, fewer teething issues, and a familiar, well-signposted onboard flow across sister ships.
Sustainability features can sound technical, yet many are felt in everyday comfort. Think steady temperatures in your stateroom, quieter evenings while in port, and reliable hot water after a long shore day, even at peak demand.
LNG is a practical transition fuel that lowers certain emissions compared to traditional options. Readiness for future renewable fuels is about building in space and systems that make upgrades feasible without major downtime. Over the lifespan of these ships, that translates to resilience in itineraries and fewer operational surprises.
Efficiency does not stop at the engines. Smarter HVAC, LED lighting, heat recovery, and kitchen technologies reduce waste and keep indoor spaces consistently comfortable. You may not see the sensors, but you feel the result as stable cabin temperatures, quieter ventilation, and public areas that avoid hot-and-cold pockets.
World-class design spreads crowds by offering multiple neighbourhoods, varied dining, and several show spaces. On sea days, that helps you find a favourite nook without the game of musical chairs. On port days, multiple gangways and thoughtful tender operations ease bottlenecks so you spend time on shore rather than in queues.
The build cadence is clear, construction of the two newly ordered ships from 2029, deliveries in 2031 and 2032. If you like to anchor travel around milestone birthdays, reunions, or long service leave, this is your window to start shaping a plan.
Spacing deliveries a year apart gives MSC time to train crew, incorporate guest feedback from earlier sisters, and refine venue mixes. Those marginal gains often appear as clearer signage, smarter bar placement, and more intuitive traffic flow.
Final deployments arrive closer to delivery, yet World-class ships have established patterns, strong Mediterranean summers, robust Caribbean programmes, and headline calls at private destinations. That creates attractive fly-cruise options from Australia, with straightforward routings through the Middle East or North Asia into Europe, and easy one-stop access to North America for Caribbean seasons.
On large platforms, location is comfort. Midship balconies reduce walking and feel steadier, while forward lounges reward early risers for sail-ins. If you are travelling in a group, place cabins in a cluster near a lift lobby you like; it makes meet-ups and kid wrangling simpler.
This order does not require a shipyard degree to benefit from it. A little foresight now will make it easier to secure the dates, ship, and staterooms you want once deployments open.
Demand for fresh hardware is lively. We recommend holding space as soon as deployment opens, then fine-tuning once port timings are confirmed. That protects connecting cabins for families and accessible layouts for anyone who needs them, before the wider market catches up.
If you gravitate to specialty dining and thermal suites, we will map packages that fit how you actually spend sea days, rather than duplicating inclusions. We also thread flights to match embarkation timing so you arrive rested, not rushed, with easy pre and post stays where they add value.
Not sure whether you want a Mediterranean or Caribbean season on a new ship, we can place no-obligation holds where permitted, then pivot as details land. When you are ready to lock in, we firm up the category and cabin numbers while the choice is widest.
Before you pencil dates, it helps to see what is sailing now and what is likely to release next, then sketch your ideal windows. Our Cruise Finder lets you filter by region, length, and ship, and compare options side by side so you can shortlist departures that fit your calendar. Explore.
If you are planning from Sydney, or connecting from Auckland, Singapore, London, or Toronto, the same tool helps you map flight paths and short city stays that complement your cruise window. Send through two or three favourites and your date flexibility, and we will secure space while availability is wide.
With two more ships ordered and milestones for MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic achieved, MSC World-class ships are set to shape the early 2030s with cleaner operations, broader itineraries a guest experience honed across a consistent platform. If you want first pick of dates, venues, and views, start your plan with our secure enquiry form by chatting with our cruise specialist, and we will tailor flights, timing, and staterooms to the way you like to travel.