MSC World Asia Dragon Sculpture. Photo: MSC Cruises The third largest cruise line in the world and Europe’s market leader, MSC Cruises, is leaning heavily into art and storytelling with its next flagship, MSC World Asia, and the company has now shared a closer look at what guests can expect when the ship enters service in the Mediterranean in December 2026.
Set to debut on December 4, MSC World Asia will become the newest addition to the line’s World Class fleet, sailing seven-night itineraries to popular ports including Barcelona, Marseille, Messina, Rome’s port of Civitavecchia, Naples, and Valletta. However, beyond the destinations, MSC clearly wants the ship itself to feel like part of the journey.
The company has announced that art will be at the center, cleverly woven in all spaces, including public spaces, corridors, cabins, and dining venues. The collection has been designed to reflect Asian culture, landscapes, and symbolism, while fitting naturally into the ship’s modern design.
One of the most magnetic pieces will be found on the World Promenade, where they will admire a stainless-steel dragon sculpture suspended 32 feet above the space, stretching 30 feet wide (9 meters) and 6.5 feet (2 meters) long. Covered in nearly 700 mirrors and illuminated by 3,000 LED lights, the dragon will glow at night, becoming a focal point for evening strolls onboard.
The indoor pool area will feature a large, eight-feet (2.5 meters) sculptural installation shaped like a water droplet, courtesy of artist Elisabetta Milan. The piece will evoke lightness and movement, echoing the feeling of water and flow in a space designed for relaxation.
Koi art by David Harber. Photo: MSC CruisesElsewhere on the World Promenade, guests will find oversized koi fish sculptures by British artist David Harber. Rich in symbolism, koi represent perseverance and transformation, themes MSC says align with the idea of travel itself. Their fluid forms are meant to mirror the motion of the sea just beyond the ship.
Atelier le Castel Artwork. Photo: MSC CruisesArt continues into quieter spaces as well. Each corridor on the decks will feature works inspired by Asian cities that lend their names to the decks, while cabin artwork draws from regional landscapes, colors, and natural motifs to extend the theme into private spaces.
Art by Hoan Phan. Photo: MSC CruisesVietnamese artist Hoan Phan will contribute several striking pieces shown in select areas of the ship. His work mixes traditional inking with digital techniques while finding inspiration in folklore and personal observation. Highlights include pieces inspired by Mount Fuji, the legend of Hồ Nguyệt Cô, the mythology of Hạ Long Bay, and scenes from across Southeast Asia.
MSC World Asia will also feature bespoke artworks from Atelier Le Castel, continuing a collaboration with MSC Cruises that now spans nearly 30 years. Additional custom pieces will appear in venues such as La Dolce Vita bar, Bubbles, the theater, and the MSC Yacht Club.
Even specialty dining gets its own artistic identity. The Kaito Sushi Restaurant will showcase koi-themed artwork by Raimondo Briata, using the fish as a symbol of ongoing journeys and cultural exchange.
Taken together, the artwork onboard MSC World Asia is designed to turn the ship into a floating gallery, where travel, culture, and design are meant to feel inseparable.