MSC Lists 5 Reasons to Choose its Winter 2026-27 Sailings

Posted on 7 September, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Lists 5 Reasons to Choose its Winter 2026-27 Sailings

MSC Cruises has spotlighted its 2026-27 winter season, featuring 168 destinations across 72 countries.

In a press release, the company highlighted five reasons to pick its itineraries this winter:

MSC World Asia’s Inaugural Season

MSC Cruises’ newest ship, which recently embarked on sea trials, will set sail for her inaugural season from December 4, 2026, offering seven-night Mediterranean itineraries to Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia for Rome, Messina and Valletta.

Guests can look forward to more than 40 bars, lounges and restaurants, a new Pan-Asian street food concept, the longest dry slide at sea at 81.3 meters and The Harbour outdoor destination, among other things.

Iconic Mediterranean Destinations at a Slower Pace

Six ships will sail in the Mediterranean during winter, allowing guests to explore the region without crowds. These are the MSC World Asia, MSC Euribia, MSC Magnifica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Lirica and MSC Orchestra

Seven-night sailings will be offered to Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Tunisia, Greece and Turkey, with highlights including Barcelona, Civitavecchia for Rome, Istanbul, Valletta and Piraeus for Athens.

Longer options include 10- to 12-night sailings on the MSC Lirica to Cyprus, Egypt, Croatia and Greece and 10-night sailings on the MSC Magnifica to Morocco and Spain, visiting destinations such as Pyramids of Giza, Dasoudi Beach and Krka National Park.

Holidays in Northern Europe

The MSC Preziosa will offer seven-night sailings to Northern Europe, calling at Hamburg, Rotterdam for Amsterdam, Cherbourg, Zeebrugge for Bruges and Brussels, Le Havre for Paris and Southampton for London.

The ship recently kicked off a new year-round deployment in the region, allowing guests to discover landmarks in London and Paris, Amsterdam’s canals, Bruges’ medieval streets and the festive atmosphere of Brussels and Hamburg’s Christmas markets.

Sunny Caribbean Winter

Guests looking to escape the cold can choose mini-getaways, seven-night adventures and extended sailings to the Caribbean and Antilles and visit destinations including Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Saint Lucia, Grand Turk Island and The Bahamas.

This season will mark the line’s first departures from La Romana in the Dominican Republic, and many itineraries also feature Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private island in The Bahamas.

Operating the itineraries will be nine ships: the MSC World America, MSC World Europa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Opera, MSC Poesia, MSC Seascape, MSC Seaside and MSC Seashore.

Winter Sun in the Canary Islands

The MSC Fantasia will offer seven-night itineraries to the Canary Islands and Madeira, calling at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto del Rosario, Funchal, Arrecife and Las Palmas.

Guests can discover Lanzarote and La Palma’s volcanic landscapes, relax on Gran Canaria’s Maspalomas Beach, or explore Funchal, Madeira.

MSC Installs Dragon Sculpture Aboard World Asia

Posted on 25 August, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Installs Dragon Sculpture Aboard World Asia

MSC Cruises has announced that the installation of the dragon sculpture aboard the World Asia is now complete, marking a milestone as the ship readies to welcome its first guests.

Marco Balich, chairman of Balich Wonder Studio, said: “For the first time, an icon becomes the defining symbol of a ship: a powerful expression of identity, created to inspire dreams and enrich every journey.”

“The dragon brings together vision, craftsmanship and emotion, creating an experience that will remain with guests long after their journey,” added Balich.

The company said in a press release that the dragon sculpture measures 12 meters in length and 3.5 meters in width. The stainless-steel sculpture is suspended 10 meters above the Outdoor World Promenade, the ship’s outdoor destination.

Finished in pearlescent white, the dragon sculpture features nearly 700 mirrors, 400 meters of integrated strip lighting and more than 3,000 LED light points.

According to the press release, Balich Wonder Studio designed the installation, which is set to become one of the ship’s most recognizable visual landmarks.

The centerpiece complements the World Asia’s design elements that reflect Asia’s rich culture, art and landscapes. The detailing aims to capture movement and reflection, creating the impression of a powerful figure flying above the ship.

The company added that when night falls, the sculpture illuminates, enhancing the atmosphere of the Outdoor World Promenade.

Currently under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, the World Asia will begin Mediterranean cruises from December 4, 2026, offering seven-night itineraries to Mediterranean destinations including Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia (Rome), Messina and Valletta.

The World Asia is the third ship in MSC Cruises’ World Class series.

MSC World America Completes First Year of Service

Posted on 24 May, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

MSC World America Completes First Year of Service

The MSC World America recently completed its first year of service after entering service for MSC Cruises on April 12, 2025.

As part of the company’s World-class series, the vessel was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

Along with its sister ship, the MSC World Europa, the 5,400-passenger ship debuted as the largest ship in MSC’s fleet.

With a series of tweaks aimed at the U.S. market, the MSC World America was designed for year-round service in the Caribbean.

After crossing the Atlantic with no guests onboard, the vessel made its official debut in Florida, following a christening ceremony at MSC’s new cruise terminal in PortMiami.

Actress Drew Barrymore served as the vessel’s godmother, cutting the ribbon that broke a celebratory bottle on the bow of the ship.

The MSC World America then kicked off a series of seven-night cruises to destinations in the Eastern Caribbean and the Bahamas.

For its maiden voyage, the LNG-powered ship sailed to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and San Juan in Puerto Rico, as well as MSC’s private island destination of Ocean Cay.

As it enters its second year of service, the MSC World America will continue to offer weeklong cruises from its homeport of Miami.

In 2026, the vessel’s schedule includes itineraries to both the Western and Eastern Caribbean, visiting a range of destinations, such as Cozumel in Mexico and Roatán in Honduras.

MSC is now getting ready to add two additional World Class ships to its fleet in the near future, including the MSC World Asia.

While its name pays homage to Asia, the 208,500-ton vessel is set to offer year-round cruises in the Western Mediterranean starting in December 2026.

In late 2027, the company is welcoming the MSC World Atlantic, which will sail from Port Canaveral to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.