A Cruise Ship With a Slide 12 Decks Tall Is Almost Here

MSC Cruises is one month from welcoming the first guests aboard MSC World Asia, the third ship in its World class. The 205,700-ton vessel finished sea trials in July and September and is scheduled for delivery on November 25, with its first guest sailing set for December 4, 2026.

The ship will spend its first winter and summer seasons in the Mediterranean, then move to the Caribbean for winter 2027-28 with seven- and 14-night Southern Caribbean itineraries. That makes the Mediterranean the place to catch it first, and the delivery date leaves roughly a week and a half between handover and the maiden voyage.

The headline features lean on food and fun. The ship will carry the first Eataly at sea in Europe, offering Italian dining, live cooking experiences and a chef’s table. A 300-square-meter Venchi venue, billed as the largest at sea, combines a chocolate boutique, cafe and gelateria with 20 gelato flavors, 20 praline varieties and 11 chocolate bars. For thrill seekers, The Spiral @ Tree of Life is an 81.3-meter dry slide spanning 12 decks, which MSC calls the longest at sea.

Premium travelers get 144 MSC Yacht Club suites across seven categories, the widest choice in the fleet, including a new Royal Duplex Suite aimed at families and groups. Overall the ship offers more than 40 bars, lounges and dining venues, among them a new Pan-Asian street food concept. Anyone eyeing a December departure should check availability soon, since a debut season tends to draw early bookings.

Sources: Cruise Industry News