MSC Cruises Floats Out LNG-Fuelled Cruise Ship ‘MSC World Atlantic’ Ahead Of 2027 Debut

MSC Cruises’ new LNG-fuelled ship MSC World Atlantic has been floated out at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The ship entered the water on Saturday, September 26. Work will continue at the shipyard, including fitting out the interiors, public areas and remaining technical systems.

MSC World Atlantic is due to be delivered to MSC Cruises in 2027. The company plans to put the ship into service from Port Canaveral, Florida, in November 2027.

Once delivered, MSC World Atlantic will become the 25th ship in the MSC Cruises fleet and the fourth LNG-fuelled ship.

MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique began construction of the ship with a steel-cutting ceremony on March 27, 2025.

At the time, MSC Cruises said Port Canaveral would be the ship’s planned deployment port.

The recent float-out means the ship has been moved from the construction dock into the water. It will stay at Chantiers de l’Atlantique while the remaining work is completed.

MSC Cruises plans to officially take delivery of MSC World Atlantic in 2027, before the ship starts its first Caribbean season in November.

The first scheduled cruise is on November 13, 2027. It will be a seven-night sailing from Port Canaveral, with calls at Nassau, Ocean Cay, Cozumel and Costa Maya.

The Port Canaveral deployment was initially announced for the winter 2027-28 season.

MSC World Atlantic has a gross tonnage of 215,863 GT. The ship is 333.3 metres long, 47 metres wide and about 68 metres high. Her stated maximum speed is about 22.7 knots.

The ship will have 2,626 cabins and can accommodate up to 6,762 passengers. There will be 2,138 crew members onboard.

MSC World Atlantic will have a dual-fuel propulsion system and will run mainly on LNG. Five engines will provide a combined output of about 80 MW.

The ship is part of MSC Cruises’ World Class series.

The first ship in the series was MSC World Europa, which was delivered in 2022. MSC World America was handed over in March 2025.

MSC World Asia is the next ship in the series. It completed its final sea trials in September 2026 and is scheduled to be delivered in November.

MSC World Atlantic will follow MSC World Asia into the MSC Cruises fleet.

MSC Cruises said MSC World Atlantic will have seven districts. Each will have its own facilities, entertainment and atmosphere.

The company said the ship will combine European and American influences, including different cultures, flavours and styles.

The ship will offer alternating seven- and 14-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

The itineraries will include a visit to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas. Grand Turk is also among the destinations planned for the ship.

References: bairdmaritime, ttgmedia