Key Aspects:
- MSC World Atlantic has floated out at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, touching water for the first time.
- The fourth World Class ship will remain at the shipyard for interior, public-space, and technical work before delivery in 2027.
- It will debut from Port Canaveral in November 2027 with 7- and 14-night Caribbean cruises.
MSC Cruises’ next US flagship is officially in the water as it reached a major construction milestone. This past week, MSC World Atlantic floated out at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, touching water for the first time.
The 215,863-gross-ton vessel was moved from the construction dock to the water. This marks a turning point in the ship’s construction that began a year and a half ago.
The fourth World Class ship’s build kicked off in March 2025 with a steel-cutting ceremony at the French shipyard. This coincided with the delivery of the second World Class ship, MSC World America, and also marked the official reveal of MSC World Atlantic’s name.
In November 2025, Cruise Hive reported on the traditional keel-laying coin ceremony held for the ship. This milestone coincided with the cruise line’s order for the seventh and eighth World Class ships.
Following the float-out, MSC World Atlantic will remain at Chantiers de l’Atlantique as work on the ship’s interior, public spaces, and final technical elements continues. It is slated for delivery to MSC Cruises sometime in 2027 ahead of its inaugural sailing that November.
New Flagship Headed for Port Canaveral
MSC World Atlantic will become the 25th ship in MSC’s fleet when it enters service in November 2027. The cruise line refers to it as its “next U.S. flagship” as the vessel will homeport in Port Canaveral, Florida.
“We’re proudly anticipating the arrival of MSC World Atlantic and already at work preparing for her arrival,” Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray said in December 2025.
The cruise line has not yet announced any information about a traditional christening ceremony. However, the inaugural sailing and subsequent itineraries have already been available to book since December 2025.
The 7-night maiden voyage will depart from the Florida port on November 13, 2027, visiting Nassau, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel, and Costa Maya, Mexico. MSC World Atlantic will then sail year-round 7- and 14-night Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral through at least summer 2028.
What Guests Can Expect
While MSC World Atlantic will share the same overall World Class platform with its three predecessors, MSC has previously revealed several new venues and attractions planned for the ship. Highlights include Viva La Musica and The Clubhouse family entertainment space.
Viva La Musica is a lounge venue featuring Latin-style music and dancing. The Clubhouse, meanwhile, will feature the line’s LEGO Family Zone, along with bumper cars, sports courts, and roller skating.
The 6,758-guest ship will also feature 144 MSC Yacht Club suites and returning World Class favorites like the Cliffhanger and The Harbour. The ship will offer six specialty restaurant concepts including popular spots like Butcher’s Cut steakhouse and Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki as well as some yet-to-be announced concepts.
When it enters service, MSC World Atlantic will join MSC World Europa, MSC World America, and MSC World Asia in MSC Cruises’ rapidly growing World Class. Four additional World Class vessels are currently on order with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, with deliveries slated between 2029 and 2031.
