On November 12, MSC Cruises, a subsidiary of the Swiss shipping giant MSC Group, announced that it has placed an order for two more World Class cruise ships with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to be delivered in 2030 and 2031, respectively.
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.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group, said: “We mark a proud moment today for MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique as we celebrate important milestones for our future – the float out of MSC World Asia, the coin ceremony of MSC World Atlantic and the order of two new ships. 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. We look forward to continuing with our innovative and successful collaboration with Chantiers de L’Atlantique – our long-term partner for more than 20 years.”
Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, said: “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 totaling eight vessels, is a testament to our teams’ expertise and to MSC’s vision. It exemplifies our shared commitment to elevating the passenger experience while advancing environmental performance.”
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.