MSC Cruises is embarking on one of the most aggressive expansion programs in contemporary cruising, confirming orders for four additional large-scale vessels that will lift its forward orderbook to 10 new ships scheduled for delivery over the next eight years.

By 2033, those ships are projected to increase the company’s passenger capacity by more than 60 percent, underscoring both the strength of global demand and MSC’s ambition to challenge the sector’s largest players.

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A Landmark Order That Reshapes MSC’s Growth Trajectory

The latest contract, signed with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft, covers four next-generation New Frontier class cruise ships with options for two more.

Announced in mid-December and highlighted again in industry updates on December 30, 2025, the deal secures work for the Papenburg yard well into the next decade and deepens a strategic partnership between one of Europe’s major shipbuilders and the privately owned cruise giant.

These four ships join an already substantial MSC orderbook that includes six World-class vessels under construction or on order at French yard Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

Together, the 10 newbuilds will add an estimated 47,500 lower berths to MSC’s existing capacity by 2033, according to figures drawn from sector analysts and orderbook data.

That scale of expansion positions MSC Cruises among the fastest-growing brands in the global cruise industry.

For the Geneva-based line, the new orders are more than a simple fleet refresh.

They represent a long-term bet on cruising’s continued post-pandemic momentum, with MSC aiming to consolidate its standing as the world’s third-largest cruise brand and further close the gap on the market’s two biggest players in terms of capacity and global reach.

Ten New Ships and a Sixty-Percent Jump in Capacity

MSC Cruises currently operates a fleet of 23 ships, with an average capacity of about 3,600 guests per vessel. With the 10 additional ships entering service between now and 2033, the line’s capacity is forecast to increase by roughly 60 percent, a jump that would give MSC one of the most modern and high-volume fleets at sea.

Once all newbuilds are in service, the average capacity per ship in the MSC fleet is expected to move closer to 4,000 guests, reflecting the company’s pivot toward larger, more efficient ships that can spread operating costs across more passengers while packing in a wider variety of onboard features.

This shift mirrors a wider industry trend in which major cruise lines are turning to high-tonnage, high-capacity vessels equipped with advanced technology and broad amenity packages.

Sector analysts note that few global cruise brands are pursuing a build-out on quite the same scale. While competitors such as Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line also have substantial orderbooks, MSC’s new commitments underscore its intention to grow market share in key regions, from the Mediterranean and Northern Europe to the Caribbean, North America and Asia.

World-Class Ships: MSC’s Supersized Flagships

At the heart of MSC’s expansion lies its World-class platform, a series of ultra-large cruise ships being constructed at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France. The first in the series, MSC World Europa, debuted earlier in the decade, setting the tone for what MSC describes as its next generation of flagship vessels.

The next two World-class ships, MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic, are scheduled to join the fleet in late 2026 and 2027 respectively. Each of the 205,700-gross-ton ships will carry around 5,400 passengers at double occupancy and significantly more at maximum capacity, placing them among the largest cruise ships in operation worldwide.

They will feature expansive outdoor promenades, multi-level entertainment districts, family-focused facilities, and a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and emissions reduction.

Beyond those near-term deliveries, MSC has committed to four additional World-class vessels for delivery between 2029 and 2032.

Taken together, the six-ship series will form a backbone of high-capacity tonnage for MSC into the 2030s, enabling the company to build out year-round deployment in key markets and introduce new itineraries that require larger ships and advanced port facilities.

The New Frontier Class: Meyer Werft’s Next-Generation Platform

The latest orders from Meyer Werft introduce an entirely new MSC platform, provisionally dubbed the New Frontier class. Each ship will weigh in at around 180,000 gross tons and will be designed to accommodate up to about 5,400 guests at double occupancy, placing them just below the World-class ships in size but firmly in the megaship category.

While detailed design elements have yet to be fully disclosed, the New Frontier series is expected to incorporate the latest in hydrodynamic hull design, energy-efficient propulsion, and hotel operations technology.

The focus will be on reducing fuel consumption per passenger while also providing a broad mix of restaurants, entertainment venues, wellness spaces and family facilities, aligning with evolving consumer expectations for large-scale resort-style ships.

The four-ship contract includes options for two additional vessels, giving MSC flexible room to grow further if demand remains robust into the next decade. For Meyer Werft, the agreement not only fills orderbooks but also confirms its status as a cornerstone of European passenger-ship construction at a time when shipyards are competing intensely for a limited number of high-value cruise contracts.

Sustainability at the Core of MSC’s Newbuild Strategy

Environmental performance is central to both the World-class and New Frontier designs, reflecting regulatory and consumer pressures on cruise operators to curb emissions and invest in cleaner technologies. The new ships are expected to feature dual-fuel engines capable of running on liquefied natural gas, selective catalytic reduction systems to cut nitrogen oxides, shore power connectivity to enable zero-emissions operations in port, and advanced wastewater treatment systems.

These moves follow similar technology investments in MSC’s luxury offshoot Explora Journeys, whose six-ship portfolio under construction at Italian yard Fincantieri includes vessels prepared for future fuels and fuel-cell applications. Across both brands, MSC has publicly committed to aligning with the cruise sector’s long-term decarbonization goals, including net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

While LNG is widely viewed as a transitional fuel, MSC and its shipbuilding partners are also designing new vessels to be compatible with future low- and zero-carbon alternatives. This includes the potential to integrate bio-LNG, synthetic LNG, or other advanced fuels, as well as carbon-capture technologies as they become commercially viable. For travelers, these investments are likely to translate into quieter, more efficient ships with a smaller environmental footprint per passenger.

What the Expansion Means for Travelers and Global Itineraries

The 10 new ships on order will give MSC Cruises more flexibility in how it deploys its fleet across the globe, enabling the company to strengthen capacity on core routes and enter or deepen its presence in emerging markets. Additional tonnage is expected to support expanded year-round operations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, while also bolstering seasonal programs in Northern Europe, South America, the Persian Gulf and Asia.

For passengers, the new tonnage should bring a wider array of itineraries as well as updated onboard experiences. MSC has long positioned itself as a brand combining European style with international appeal, and its next generation of ships is expected to extend that formula with more specialty dining, multi-lingual entertainment, expanded family zones and technology-enabled services such as frictionless embarkation and digital concierge platforms.

The scale of the new ships is also likely to influence port development. In recent years, MSC has invested in dedicated cruise terminals in Barcelona, Miami and Galveston, reflecting a broader strategy to control key aspects of the guest journey on land as well as at sea. As the World-class and New Frontier ships enter service, similar partnerships and infrastructure projects are anticipated in other high-volume ports.

Competitive Landscape in a Booming Cruise Market

MSC’s latest orders land amid a broader wave of cruise newbuilds, as major brands respond to post-pandemic demand with larger and more efficient ships. Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line have all announced additional megaship orders for delivery over the next decade, intensifying competition in both established and emerging cruising regions.

Industry observers point out that the growth in capacity is underpinned by record booking trends, higher pricing power and a strong rebound in demand from North American and European source markets. However, expanding fleets to this extent also involves risk, tying capital to long-term assumptions about consumer behavior, fuel prices and regulatory frameworks.

MSC, with its deep roots in global shipping and logistics through the wider MSC Group, is viewed as comparatively well positioned to navigate these uncertainties. Its integrated marine expertise, multi-brand strategy and control over some key port facilities provide levers that could help optimize deployment and control costs as new capacity enters the market.

FAQ

Q1. How many new ships has MSC Cruises ordered for the next eight years?
MSC Cruises now has 10 new cruise ships scheduled to join its fleet between the late 2020s and early 2030s, including four newly ordered New Frontier class vessels and six World-class ships already in its orderbook.

Q2. By how much will MSC’s fleet capacity grow with these new ships?
Industry estimates suggest that MSC Cruises’ overall passenger capacity will increase by more than 60 percent once all 10 new ships are delivered and in service by around 2033.

Q3. Which shipyards are building the new MSC vessels?
The World-class ships are being built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France, while the newly announced New Frontier class vessels are being constructed by Meyer Werft in Germany.

Q4. How big will the new ships be?
The World-class ships are projected at about 205,700 gross tons with capacity for roughly 5,400 guests at double occupancy, while the New Frontier class will be around 180,000 gross tons, also designed to carry up to approximately 5,400 passengers.

Q5. When will the next MSC ships enter service?
Among the upcoming deliveries, MSC World Asia is expected to join the fleet in late 2026 and MSC World Atlantic in 2027, with further World-class and New Frontier ships following in stages through the early 2030s.

Q6. What sustainability features will the new MSC ships include?
The new ships are expected to feature dual-fuel engines capable of running on liquefied natural gas, advanced exhaust treatment systems, shore power connectivity, highly efficient energy management and wastewater treatment technologies, and readiness for future alternative fuels.

Q7. How will this expansion affect the itineraries available to travelers?
With significantly more capacity, MSC will be able to increase frequencies on popular routes, add new homeports, and develop additional itineraries in regions such as the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, South America, the Gulf and Asia.

Q8. Will the new ships focus on families or luxury travelers?
The World-class and New Frontier ships are being designed as large, resort-style vessels with broad appeal, combining extensive family facilities and entertainment with upgraded accommodation, specialty dining and wellness offerings aimed at guests seeking a more premium experience.

Q9. Are these new orders connected to MSC’s luxury brand Explora Journeys?
The 10 ships highlighted in this expansion belong to the core MSC Cruises brand, but they are part of a wider investment program that also includes six luxury ships for Explora Journeys, all contributing to the MSC Group’s overall growth strategy.

Q10. What does this mean for MSC’s position in the global cruise market?
By adding 10 large new ships and boosting capacity by more than 60 percent, MSC Cruises is reinforcing its status as the world’s third-largest cruise brand and signaling its intention to compete more aggressively with the biggest players in contemporary cruising.