MSC Cruises' latest World class cruise ship, MSC World Asia, has completed its final sea trials. The trials, conducted off the west coast of France, tested the ship's engines, manoeuvrability, fuel efficiency, safety systems, speed, and stopping distances.
The vessel will now receive its finishing touches at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire and is scheduled for delivery on 25 November 2026. A christening and naming ceremony is planned for Le Havre at the end of November.
MSC World Asia is the 24th ship for MSC Cruises and the third in its class to be powered by liquefied natural gas. It has a capacity of 6,782 guests and will feature design elements such as a 12-metre-long dragon sculpture in the World Promenade and the 81.3-metre-high dry slide, The Spiral @ Tree of Life.
Upon its launch in December, the ship is set to sail seven-night Mediterranean itineraries, including calls at Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Messina, and Valletta. Fares for these voyages will start from £630 per person.