First sea voyage: MSC World Asia begins sea trials!

New flagship MSC World Asia begins sea trials in open water

The vessel MSC World Asia is currently undergoing its first series of sea trials ahead of delivery, which is scheduled for late November.

According to AIS data, the LNG-powered cruise ship departed the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard for the first time on July 15, 2026.
The purpose of the trials is to test the vessel's technical and operational performance, including engine operation, maneuverability, fuel efficiency, and safety systems.

The company MSC Cruises celebrated the milestone with a social media post highlighting the design and construction process of the ship:

«A milestone worth marking. Our new World-class flagship has left the shipyard and taken to open water for the very first time, beginning the final phase of her journey towards her December debut», — the company stated.

       
Consultation on any questions

MSC also added that the ship was designed to offer the highest standards in every element onboard — from advanced engineering solutions to thoughtfully designed spaces.

After delivery from Chantiers de l'Atlantique, MSC World Asia will begin operating cruises in the Western Mediterranean late this year.
Kicking off a year-round program in the region, the 205,700-ton vessel will welcome its first guests in Barcelona on December 4, 2026.

For its inaugural season, the ship will offer a series of 7-night cruises to ports in Spain, Italy, Malta, and France. With guests able to board in multiple ports, the ship's regular itinerary features visits to Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Messina, and Valletta.

As the third World Class vessel in the MSC fleet, MSC World Asia follows MSC World Europa (debuted in 2022) and MSC World America (entered service in 2025).

In total, the company will add five more ships to this series through 2031, starting with MSC World Atlantic in 2027. Expected to accommodate 5,400 passengers, it will join MSC World America in the Caribbean and sail year-round from Port Canaveral.

>>>Cruises on MSC Cruises ships

       
Consultation on any questions

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