MSC Cruises, the world’s fastest-growing cruise line, has announced a significant investment of $4 billion for two new World Class cruise ships to be built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France. This bold move extends MSC’s commitment to sustainable growth and innovation in the cruise industry.

Project Overview

• Order Value: $4 billion (approx. €3.5 billion)
• Shipyard: Chantiers de l’Atlantique, France
• Ships Ordered: World Class 7 and World Class 8
• Delivery Dates:
  • World Class 7: 2030
  • World Class 8: 2031
• Construction Start: 2029
• Total World Class Investment: $12 billion across eight vessels.

This announcement was made during milestone ceremonies for two other World Class ships: MSC World Asia (floated out) and MSC World Atlantic, highlighting MSC’s aggressive expansion strategy.

Dimensions and Specifications

The new ships will follow the design of existing World Class vessels, making them among the largest cruise ships in the world:

• Gross Tonnage: ~216,000 GT
• Length: 333 meters (1,093 ft)
• Beam: 47 meters (154 ft)
• Height: 68 meters (223 ft)
• Decks: 22
• Passenger Capacity: Up to 6,762 guests
• Crew: ~2,138 members
• Propulsion: LNG-powered dual-fuel engines
• Service Speed: 22.7 knots.

These ships will feature distinct themed districts, advanced entertainment zones, and cutting-edge environmental technologies, including LNG propulsion and readiness for future renewable fuels. The vessels will be classed by Bureau Veritas (BV), a leading global classification society. BV ensures compliance with international safety and environmental standards and awards specialized notations such as:

• Cleanship (air and water pollution prevention)
• Noise Management (mitigating underwater noise impact)
• Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) compliance.

BV’s involvement ensures these ships meet stringent sustainability and safety benchmarks, reinforcing MSC’s commitment to eco-friendly cruising.

Environmental Innovations

• LNG Propulsion: Reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 25% compared to conventional fuels.
• Shore Power Connectivity: Enables zero emissions in port.
• Advanced Wastewater Treatment: Exceeds IMO standards.
• Energy Efficiency: Surpasses IMO’s EEDI requirements.

Strategic Impact

With these additions, MSC Cruises will operate eight World Class ships by 2031, positioning itself as a global leader alongside Royal Caribbean and Carnival. This expansion reflects confidence in the cruise industry’s long-term growth and MSC’s vision for sustainable luxury travel.

MSC Cruises

• Founded: 1988 in Naples, Italy, by Gianluigi Aponte as part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Status: Largest privately-owned cruise line in Europe and the third-largest globally, after Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
• Scale: Operates in over 100 countries, visiting more than 300 destinations across five continents.
• Fleet: Currently 23 ships, projected to reach 29 by 2031.
• Employees: Around 23,500 worldwide.
• Parent Company: MSC Group, a major player in global shipping and logistics with over 300 years of maritime heritage. [

Fleet and Destinations

• Fleet Classes: Includes Armonia, Musica, Fantasia, Meraviglia, Seaside, and the newest World Class ships.
• World Class Ships:
  • MSC World Europa (2022)
  • MSC World America (2025)
  • MSC World Asia (2026)
  • MSC World Atlantic (2027)
  • Four more ships are scheduled through 2031.
    Each World Class ship is LNG-powered, about 216,000 GT, and accommodates up to 6,700 passengers.
• Destinations:
  • Year-round: Mediterranean, Caribbean (including Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas).
  • Seasonal: Northern Europe, South America, the Emirates, Alaska, the Panama Canal, Southern Africa, and Asia.
  • Special: MSC World Cruises for global itineraries.

Sustainability Initiatives

• Goal: Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
• Key Actions:
  • LNG-powered ships and readiness for renewable fuels.
  • Shore power capability on all new ships; 142 connections achieved in 2024.
  • Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) for emissions control.
  • ISO 21070:2017 certification for responsible waste management.
  • Coral restoration and marine conservation at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
  • Energy Transition Plan published with interim targets and real-time optimization tools (OptiCruise).