Tag Archives: MSC

Cruise Orderbook Update: Two Ships Delivered in 40k Berth Year

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Two large cruise ships were recently delivered as the Norwegian Aqua and the MSC World America were handed over to Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises.

According to the latest edition of the cruise ship orderbook by Cruise Industry News, the vessels are part of a lineup of 15 ships that are scheduled to enter service for various brands this year.

The vessels will add roughly 40,000 berths to the cruise industry as part of a $12.1 billion investment.

After being built by Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard, the Aqua was delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line on Mar. 13, 2025.

According to CIN’s independent research, the 3,570-guest ship is one of 13 that will enter service for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings by 2036.

Set to be built by the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the vessels will add over 40,000 berths to the company’s three brands.

The MSC World America was delivered to MSC Cruises by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard on Mar. 27, 2025.

As the second ship in MSC’s World Class series, the 205,800-ton vessel will increase the company’s berth count by 5,400.

According to Cruise Industry News data, MSC is set to add roughly 20,000 berths to its fleet by 2028. The company’s orderbook includes two World Class vessels and a series of luxury vessels for Explora Journeys.

The Norwegian Aqua and the MSC World America follow the Mein Schiff Relax, which was delivered to TUI Cruises in February.

Other ships set to enter service in 2025 include the Asuka III, which is expected to be delivered to Japan-based Asuka Cruise in the coming weeks.

Royal Caribbean is also taking delivery of an additional Icon-class ship during the second quarter, as the Star of the Seas is being delivered by the Meyer Turku shipyard.

Additional vessels being delivered in the coming months include the new Star Princess, the Viking Vesta, the Celebrity Xcel, and the Disney Adventure.

NCLH and Royal Caribbean on Steepest Growth Curve to 2033

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Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has set an aggressive growth course to 2033, increasing its estimated annual passenger capacity from about 2.8 million at the start of 2025 to more than 4.2 million by 2033, a 50 percent increase or approximately 5.5 percent each year, according to the 2025 Cruise Industry News Annual Report.

Royal Caribbean Group will grow its capacity from an estimated 8.5 million to 10.8 million guests, for a 27 percent increase over the 2025-2033 time period, or 3 percent per year.

MSC Cruises, including Explora Journeys, is closely behind Royal Caribbean’s growth curve, going from a 4.2 million passenger capacity at the start of the year to 5.2 million in 2033, and a 25 percent increase, or less than 3 percent per year.

Carnival Corporation will have the most modest growth over the time period, based on its current orderbook, going from an annual passenger capacity of 12.6 million at the start of 2025 to 13.9 million in 2033, for a 10 percent increase, or about 1.1 percent per year.

And while Carnival Corporation remains the largest company with a market share of 31.8 percent, based on its existing brands and fleets, the single largest brand by 2033 will be Royal Caribbean International with a market share of 18 percent and 24.6 per cent for the group as a whole.

MSC will have a market share of 11.8 percent and NCLH 9.7 percent.

The 2025 Cruise Industry News Annual Report is available in digital and printed formats. Order today by clicking here.

13 New Cruise Ships to Enter Service in 2026

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According to the latest edition of the cruise ship orderbook by Cruise Industry News, 13 cruise ships will enter service in 2026.

As part of a strong year for the shipbuilding business, 13 vessels are set to be delivered to 12 cruise lines, including Viking, which is set to welcome two luxury vessels from Fincantieri.

[Download a PDF of the orderbook here]

The year will be particularly strong in the luxury segment, with seven upscale vessels set to enter service.

In addition to Viking, other brands taking delivery of high-end newbuilds include Emerald Cruises, Explora Journeys, Atlas Ocean Voyages and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Marking Orient Express’s official debut, the OE Corinthian is also set to enter service in 2026, kicking off the company’s first-ever cruise program.

The industry is welcoming several large ships next year as well, including the Legend of the Seas.

Currently being built for Royal Caribbean International at the Meyer Turku in Finland, the 250,000-ton vessel will be the second in the company’s Icon-class series.

Norwegian Cruise Line and TUI Cruises are also welcoming large vessels to their fleets with the debuts of the Norwegian Luna and the Mein Schiff Flow.

Continuing its record-breaking World class, MSC Cruises is set to take delivery of the MSC World Asia from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

Other ships entering service include the Adora Flora City, which will become the largest cruise ship ever built in China, and the Magellan Discovery, which was designed to offer expedition cruises in Antarctica.

According to CIN’s independent research, the new ships will add roughly 38,000 berths to the industry in 2026.

With an average size of 112,377 tons and an average cost of $805,066,667, the newbuilds will cost over $12 billion.