According to MSC Cruises, the two World Class ships, numbers 7 and 8, are scheduled for delivery in 2031 and 2032.
Construction of both vessels will begin in 2029 and will join a legacy of ships delivered by Chantiers de L’Atlantique as part of its longstanding partnership with MSC Cruises.
Valued at 3.5 billion euros ($4.06 billion), the new orders bring MSC Cruises’ total investment in the four ships ordered in France this year to nearly 7 billion euros.
Earlier this year, MSC Cruises ordered two newbuilds.
Together with the World Class vessels already under construction, this brings the company’s total direct investment currently committed in France to 10.5 billion euros.
“This major industrial plan reflects the shipowner’s confidence in the future of cruise tourism and its ongoing commitment to shipbuilding excellence in France and across Europe,” it said.
MSC noted that the announcement was made at a double celebration event to mark important maritime milestones for two other World Class ships currently under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France, the float out of MSC World Asia and coin ceremony of MSC World Atlantic.
MSC World Asia is expected to be delivered in 2026 and MSC World Atlantic is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique delivered MSC Cruises’ first LNG-powered vessel, MSC World Europa, in October 2022, while MSC World America joined the MSC Cruises fleet earlier this year.
