MSC World Asia completes sea trials ahead of Mediterranean debut

MSC Cruises has announced that its newest flagship, MSC World Asia, has successfully completed final sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of France. The trials evaluated the vessel's engines, maneuverability, fuel efficiency, safety systems, speed, and stopping distances.

As the 24th ship in the MSC Cruises fleet and the third LNG-powered vessel in the World Class series, the ship is scheduled for official delivery on November 25, 2026. A naming ceremony will follow on November 28 in Le Havre, France. The ship is currently undergoing final finishing touches at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire.

MSC World Asia will debut in the Mediterranean on December 4, 2026, departing from Barcelona for seven-night itineraries. Scheduled stops include Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Messina, and Valletta. The 22-deck vessel features over 40 dining and entertainment venues, including the 'The Spiral @ Tree of Life' dry slide and a large dragon sculpture. The ship is designed for environmental efficiency, utilizing LNG and featuring shore power connectivity to reduce emissions while in port.