MSC Eyes World’s Largest Cruise Ship to Beat Out Royal Caribbean

MSC Cruises is reportedly exploring shipyards beyond its usual partners to build new mega cruise ships that will rival some of the largest ships currently afloat.

MSC Discussing New Mega Cruise Ships

It is reportedly in talks with Meyer Turku, the Finland-based offshoot of Germany’s Meyer Werft Group. It would be a departure from established shipbuilders Fincantieri and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, likely due to a lack of shipyard slots for new ships of the size it requires, Shipping Italy says. Options are being “explored” with Meyer Turku. It cites “well-informed market sources.”

The publication reports that the new ship class could be well over 200,000 gross tons.

“There are at least two players who are talking with shipyards to build larger ships than Icon of the Seas,” an industry source said. “Within 12/18 months the first slots available in shipyards to build ships over 160,000 tonnes will have delivery dates of 2034/2035”.

It highlights the construction capacity constraints at European shipyards after major multi-ship orders by rival cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.

Supply chain issues have further impacted this, pushing deliveries back by weeks and several months. MSC Cruises hasn’t responded to the report yet.

MSC World America will be completed next year at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and a third World-class ship will launch in 2027. Fincantieri has construction orders for Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises.

MSC will have a Record Number of Ships in US for Winter 2025-26

MSC Cruises is expanding fast in the US market, and MSC World America is set to become its newest flagship US vessel.

The cruise line will have a record seven ships homeported in the US for winter 2025-26 based at four US ports.