
MSC has conquered Europe and America with their new ships, so it only makes sense that they try their luck in Asia next.
MSC World Asia is their third-ever mega-ship, and the third “World”-class ship in their fleet. This is a ship with more than 30 dining venues, multiple entertainment zones, a roller-skating arena, and botanical gardens, making it one of the largest ships in the world. MSC World Asia will set sail in December 2026, and we’re here to find out if it’s time for you to pack your kimono and head East.

Hola Tacos - MSC Cruises©
Good question! This is MSC’s third ship in the World-class series, built with the same massive floating-resort concept as Europa and America. We're talking over 6,700 guests, 2,600 cabins, and all the water parks, arcades, cool rides, specialty dining, and pool decks you could dream of. But this time, there’s a twist - MSC World Asia adds some Asian soul to the layout, decor, and dining options.
We’re not talking about a full cultural overhaul here. It’s still very much a global cruise experience that everyone can enjoy. But World Asia brings subtle design elements and flavor profiles you won’t find on her sister ships. You will find more Asian-inspired art and aesthetics around the ship, more gardens, curated menus with a Far East touch, and little nods to Eastern hospitality and style.

Barcelona - MSC Cruises©
Here’s one big surprise: MSC World Asia will explore Europe first, not Asia. It’s not the itinerary everyone expected, and many guests assumed that MSC World Asia would be based in Singapore. That’s not the case, at least not in the beginning.
MSC World Asia’s inaugural cruise will be a 7-night Mediterranean itinerary starting from Barcelona. From there, she will visit ports like Rome, Genoa, and Marseille.
Early sailings are already available to book, and if you are excited about being one of the first to try out a brand-new ship with upgraded restaurants, cool rides, and luxurious staterooms (yes, MSC Yacht Club is also here), this is your chance. The inaugural sailing starts at around $1,400 per guest, but you can also find cruises in January 2027 for as low as $800 per guest.

MSC Cruises©
MSC World Asia belongs to the same class as its two older sisters, so the design is mostly the same. It is safe to say that MSC is not reinventing the wheel here. Many details will be repeated, including the Y-shaped aft for better ocean views, the massive indoor World Promenade with its LED sky screen, and the eco-friendly LNG-powered engines.
But there are a few cool things that set this ship apart:
MSC World Asia is shaping up to be one of the most interesting cruise debuts of 2026. It sticks to what MSC already does well - good prices and lots of stuff to do - but adds just enough new flavor to keep things exciting. We’re especially curious to see how those new specialty restaurants turn out. And yes, we totally want to ride the Cliffhanger swing over the ocean at least once.
Ready to sail or just want help comparing World Asia to her siblings? Let us know and send us a message. We’ll help you pick the perfect ship, the best itinerary, and maybe even score a deal while we’re at it.
If you recently booked a trip and are feeling a bit overwhelmed with all of the planning or not sure what to do next... we still may be able to help! If you booked within the last 30 days and have not paid off the trip, we should be able to transfer your trip over to one of our amazing travel advisors.
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Send an email to transfer@famvia.com with your name, confirmation # and the date you originally booked. Someone from our team will reply within an hour.
Everything you want to know about MSC World Asia, here we have the answers.