MSC Cruises’ New Ship Successfully Completes Sea Trials

MSC World Asia, the next new cruise ship from MSC Cruises, successfully completed sea trials this past week as the ship prepares to enter service later this year.

MSC World Asia is the third World class ship from MSC Cruises and will sail its maiden voyage on December 4, 2026, out of Barcelona, Spain. The ship will be christened in Le Havre, France on November 28, 2026.

The ship completed its final round of sea trials this past week that took place in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of France.

During the sea trials, everything was tested on the ship, including engines, maneuverability, fuel efficiency, safety systems, speed, and stopping distances, to make sure the ship was seaworthy.

MSC World Asia will be the 24th ship in MSC’s growing fleet and will also be powered by LNG.

The cruise ship will offer the ultimate cruise experience for guests with more than 40 bars, lounges and restaurants, international entertainment options, a range of family facilities and more.

The vessel will have the longest dry slide at sea, The Spiral @ Tree of Life, at 266.7 feet long that will take guests down 12 decks.

MSC World Asia will have subtle design elements reflecting Asia’s rich culture, art and landscapes, including a stunning 39-foot-long, 29-foot-wide dragon sculpture in the World Promenade, suspended 32 feet in the air.

MSC World Asia will sail seven-night cruises calling at some of the Mediterranean’s most popular destinations, including Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa and Civitavecchia for Rome, Messina and Valletta, with accessible embarkation available in every port.

The ship is 1,093 feet long and 154 feet wide. The 216,638 gross ton cruise ship will carry up to 6,764 guests and over 2,000 crew members. The class is currently the third largest class of cruise ships in the world.

MSC Cruises’ fourth World class ship, MSC World Atlantic, will homeport at Port Canaveral offering cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean starting in 2027.