MSC fleet expansion continues across Europe, Caribbean and luxury market
Fleet plans point to further growth through the early 2030s as newer LNG-powered ships take on prominent deployments.
MSC’s cruise investment and fleet-renewal campaign began in 2003, when the group committed billions of euros to new ships and upgrades, according to publicly available company history. Reports indicate MSC Cruises operated 22 vessels in 2023, with an average age slightly above 10 years.
Current fleet-planning information suggests MSC could operate about 25 cruise ships by 2027, with additional tonnage on order through the early 2030s. The group’s cruise division has also moved into the luxury segment through Explora Journeys, broadening its portfolio beyond the core MSC Cruises brand.
MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia entered service in 2022 and 2023, respectively, and are among the fleet’s first vessels powered by liquefied natural gas. Sustainability reports describe LNG adoption as central to MSC’s emissions-reduction strategy.
MSC World Europa operates seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries calling at ports in Italy, France, Spain and Malta. Industry schedules and deployment updates also indicate the ship is taking on a larger Caribbean role, including winter seasons sailing from homeports in the French Antilles.
In the Bahamas, publicly available information says MSC invested about $200 million to convert a former industrial site into Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. The private-island destination welcomed its first guests in late 2019.
