MSC Cruises takes another bold step in its ambitious growth plan
MSC Cruises' answer to Royal Caribbean's Icon Class is only getting started.
After the Switzerland-based global cruise line launched its newest megaship, MSC World America, from Miami last month, some might have thought the cruise line would take a breather before moving on to another mega-sized announcement.
Related: Royal Caribbean unveils its biggest and boldest innovation yet
Like Royal Caribbean's giant Icon of the Seas, MSC World America is a huge ship, accommodating more than 6,700 passengers, and it's making a big impression on cruisers as it joins Icon of the Seas in sailing seven-night Caribbean cruises from Miami.
A market leader in Europe, MSC Cruises designed MSC World America to sail with its own unique style that blends European sophistication with American comfort. And the cruise line has big plans to introduce more Americans to its signature style of cruising as it continues to grow its presence in North America and throughout the globe.
MSC Cruises already has another World Class ship in development for the North American market, along with one for Europe. And now, the cruise line is making plans for even more World Class ships to come.
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MSC is ordering two more World Class ships to complement the four already delivered or under construction. With the addition of two more ships to its pipeline, the MSC Cruises fleet will expand to 27 ships by 2030.
The two new ships, the fifth and sixth in the World Class, are expected to be delivered in 2029 and 2030. Each will be designed to build upon the innovation of the World Class, which combines advanced environmental technology with the latest advancements in passenger experiences.
MSC Cruises has not yet revealed where these two ships will sail, or whether either of them will sail in North America.
Related: A way too early review of MSC World America
They will follow the existing World Class ships, MSC World Europa and MSC World America, as well as two more already under construction at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire in France - MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic.
Although many cruisers may assume MSC World Asia is being built to sail in Asia like MSC World America was built for the American market, that's actually not the case.
MSC Cruises' World Class ships are named for the continents and oceans of the world, and their names don't necessarily indicate where they will be deployed. The naming convention is meant to showcase that the global cruise line sails in all parts of the world.
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MSC World Asia will offer Mediterranean cruises upon its launch in late 2026, and MSC World Atlantic will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida beginning in 2027.
As the cruise line accelerates its global expansion, North America continues to be a key growth market. In addition to adding MSC World America and MSC World Atlantic to sail from Florida, the cruise line is also preparing to launch its first cruises from Texas.
Related: MSC's Ocean Cay is different from what other cruise lines offer
Beginning in November, MSC Seascape will move from Miami to its highly anticipated new homeport of Galveston. Sailing from a brand-new terminal that's currently under construction at the Port of Galveston, MSC Seascape will offer cruises to the Western Caribbean.
For its Galveston debut, MSC Seascape will sail with some new Texas-inspired touches featured alongside the cruise line's signature blend of European style and American comfort.
Further emphasizing its focus on North America, MSC Cruises will also launch its first Alaska cruises in 2026. MSC Poesia will homeport in Seattle for the summer 2026 Alaska cruise season.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
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