MSC to Expand its World Class to Eight Megaships
MSC’s World Class ships have been incredibly popular with the line. Often compared to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class, these mega ships are among the largest in the world. MSC already has two ships sailing and four more on order, but this week, they announced two additional ships are coming.
Eight World Class Ships by 2032
The World Class is MSC’s newest generation of mega ships, designed to rival the world’s biggest cruise ships. At over 215,000 gross tons and capable of carrying more than 6,700 guests, they’re nearly the same size as Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships. Each ship stretches over 1,000 feet long and features a unique Y-shaped aft design that opens the promenade to the sea.
Currently, MSC has World Europa and World America sailing in Europe and North America, respectively. In 2026, they’ll debut World Asia, and in 2027, World Atlantic will launch.
Now, as part of an announcement with shipbuilder Chantiers de L’Atlantique, MSC confirmed it has placed an order for two more ships. The seventh ship is scheduled to debut in 2031, and the eighth in 2032.
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.” – Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group
One of the Most Ambitious Build Schedules Ever Seen
This build schedule is one of the most aggressive in the cruise industry. No cruise line has built out so many mega ships so quickly. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class debuted in 2008 and will have its seventh ship debut in 2028, meaning twenty years for seven ships.
MSC’s World Europa, the first World Class ship, launched in 2021, meaning they’ll have eight ships within just eleven years. It’s an incredibly aggressive expansion plan which will see huge capacity increases for the cruise line which has been expanding its footprint in recent years.
Why More World Class Ships for MSC?
It’s been rumored in recent months that MSC would launch a new class of cruise ship, the Constellation Class, which would be the largest in the world, surpassing Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class. This new announcement is likely to delay the debut by several years. But why continue expanding the World Class fleet?
Most likely because these ships have proven extremely popular. They’re divided into seven themed zones to help reduce crowding and appeal to every type of cruiser. Guests with children can enjoy the Family Adventure area, featuring ropes courses and water slides, or relax by one of the pools on the Aqua Deck. Those looking for a more intimate and luxurious experience can book the ship-within-a-ship concept of the Yacht Club. All guests can enjoy the wide variety of food, beverages, and shopping options on board.
With eight mega ships on the horizon, MSC isn’t just catching up to the world’s biggest cruise brands; it’s aiming to surpass them.
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