MSC’s Next Giant Ship Brings a Second Eataly to the Sea

MSC Cruises has announced that MSC World Asia will carry Eataly, the Italian specialty food and restaurant brand, as one of its onboard restaurants. It will be the second ship to feature the concept, after sister ship MSC World America.

The ship’s maiden voyage is scheduled for December 4, 2026. That first sailing is a seven-day round trip from Barcelona with calls in Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia for Rome, Messina and Valletta. MSC World Asia will then sail the Western Mediterranean year-round on seven-day itineraries.

The numbers are large even by modern cruise standards. The ship can carry 6,758 passengers and has more than 40 food and beverage venues, with Eataly sitting among them. That variety is central to MSC’s pitch for a Mediterranean winter, when Western Med itineraries give travelers a way to combine a short flight with a week of ports.

For cruisers who care about dining, it is worth checking which venues carry an extra charge and whether specialty restaurants need reservations before sailing. Itineraries in this region also tend to include long port days, so building in time for independent meals ashore can balance a trip packed with onboard options.

Sources: Cruise Critic