MSC World Asia to Feature Industry’s Longest Dry Slide

MSC World Asia to Feature Industry’s Longest Dry Slide

The new MSC World Asia will feature the largest dry slide onboard a cruise ship, MSC Cruises said in a press release.

According to the company, the Tree of Life @ The Spiral will serve as a signature architectural feature of the vessel, which will be the third in the company’s World class series.

In line with the ship’s Asian-inspired interiors, the slide was designed after the trees of Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay.

As the industry’s longest dry slide, the feature will be 81.3 meters long, offering a thrilling ride that lets guests glide between 12 decks in seconds.

The Tree of Life @ The Spiral will be part of the ship’s World Promenade, an open-air area that will also feature bars, restaurants and other entertainment spaces.

Other new features coming to the area include a new Pan-Asian specialty restaurant, as well as an expanded dessert shop.

As the third ship in MSC’s World Class series, the MSC World Asia is set to enter service in December 2026.

Following the MSC World Europa and the MSC World America, the LNG-powered vessel is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France.

As with the previous ships in the class, the new ship will pay homage to a region visited by MSC’s ships, featuring a series of subtle design elements that reflect Asia’s culture, art and landscapes.

For its maiden season, the MSC World America is scheduled to offer seven-night cruises around the Western Mediterranean.

Sailing from multiple homeports, the weeklong itineraries will be offered through the 2026-27 winter season and feature visits to destinations in Italy, Spain, France and Malta, such as Genoa, Barcelona and Valletta.

The 205,700-ton ship will continue to sail in the region during the 2027 summer, offering similar itineraries to countries in Southern Europe.

Magnifica to Take Over MSC’s 2027 World Cruise

Magnifica to Take Over MSC’s 2027 World Cruise

MSC Magnifica under the Forth Bridge, photo credit Spacejunkie2, Flickr Account

The MSC Magnifica will take over MSC Cruises’ 2027 World Cruise, which was initially set to take place onboard the MSC Musica.

According to a press release, the 2,550-guest ship will embark on the global voyage after undergoing a major refurbishment in late 2025.

Departing from ports in Italy, Spain and France in early January 2027, the 121-night cruise is set to visit 45 destinations in 25 countries.

According to MSC, the itinerary is highlighted by seven overnight stays in key ports of call, including Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Sydney in Australia and Tahiti in French Polynesia.

With the ship getting a new MSC Yacht Club during its refit, the 2027 World Cruise will also mark the first time that the global voyage offers the company’s upscale suite enclave.

Set to debut onboard the vessel in early 2026, the VIP area will include 63 new suites, as well as an exclusive solarium and a private lounge.

Guests staying in a Yacht Club suite will also be able to dine in a dedicated restaurant, which will serve a premium menu.

Built in 2010, the MSC Magnifica will be the first Musica-class ship to offer the suite enclave, which was first introduced by MSC’s Fantasia class in 2008.

During its refit, in addition to the MSC Yacht Club, the vessel is also getting an updated spa and a new fitness centre.

Then set to take place onboard the MSC Musica, MSC’s 2027 World Cruise was initially announced in late 2024.

As the first ship in the company’s namesake class, the 2006-built ship was scheduled to operate the global voyage for the first time.

The MSC Magnifica is also scheduled to offer MSC’s 2026 World Cruise, which departs from Europe next January.

Set to start operations ahead of the ship’s following summer season, the MSC Yacht Club won’t be available for guests sailing on the 119-night global voyage.

MSC to Add Yacht Club to Magnifica During Big Drydock

MSC Magnifica under the Forth Bridge, photo credit Spacejunkie2 Flickr account for MSC Magnifica Images

MSC Cruises has announced that the MSC Magnifica will get its Yacht Club concept later this year as part of significant onboard enhancements that will also see the introduction of a new spa and gym.

What the company calls a substantial drydock refurbishment will take place during October and November at the Palumbo shipyard in Valetta, Malta, to transform some of the vessel’s public spaces.

Sales opened today for the MSC Yacht Club on the MSC Magnifica starting from summer 2026 that for the first time includes the luxury product being available on itineraries from Warnemunde in Germany to Baltic and Scandinavian destinations, plus the MSC Magnifica’s 2027 world cruise.

Gianni Onorato, CEO, MSC Cruises, said: “The MSC Yacht Club is one of our most highly regarded products, loved by guests for its outstanding level of service, elegant spaces and exclusive facilities, so we are proud to be bringing this to MSC Magnifica. The extensive remodelling is the largest we’ve undertaken in the last ten years and underlines our commitment to offer our guests the best possible guest experience across our entire fleet.”

Guests booking the 63 new MSC Yacht Club suites spanning five upper decks can benefit from an exclusive, all-inclusive experience featuring 24-hour butler and concierge service, elegant and spacious cabins, and access to a range of private facilities including an exclusive restaurant and lounge, and a private sundeck with a pool as well as a grill restaurant and bar.

The refurbishment work will also see a new 270 square metre MSC Aurea spa and a new Techogym fitness centre.

The MSC Magnifica’s Itineraries that will feature the new onboard enhancements include:

  • Summer 2026 – From Warnemunde, Germany on May 16 2026, to destinations such as Ronne in Denmark, Riga in Latvia, Tallinn in Estonia, Stockholm in Sweden and Helsinki in Finland.
  • MSC World Cruise 2027 – The MSC Yacht Club will, for the first time, offer its personalised and luxury service and facilities on one of the line’s global voyages.  The ship departs Civitavecchia to Genoa, Italy, Marseille and Barcelona on Jan. 5, 6, 7 and 8, 2027, respectively, with a new 121-night worldwide sailing that will visit 45 destinations in 25 countries.