MSC World Asia completes final sea trials before November delivery
The LNG-powered World Class ship is scheduled to enter service with a seven-night Mediterranean sailing from Barcelona on 4 December 2026.
MSC World Asia has completed its final sea trials ahead of its planned delivery to MSC Cruises on 25 November 2026. Conducted in the Atlantic Ocean off France’s west coast, the trials assessed the ship’s engines, manoeuvrability, fuel efficiency, safety systems, speed and stopping distances.
The vessel is due to become the 24th ship in the MSC Cruises fleet and its third LNG-powered World Class vessel. Following final work at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, MSC World Asia is scheduled to be officially named in Le Havre on 28 November.
Its inaugural seven-night voyage is set to depart Barcelona on 4 December. The ship will operate seven-night Mediterranean itineraries calling at Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia for Rome, Messina and Valletta, with embarkation available at each port.
MSC World Asia is planned to feature more than 40 bars, lounges and restaurants, as well as entertainment and family facilities. One of its attractions, The Spiral @ Tree of Life, is an 81.3-metre dry slide extending across 12 decks.