MSC World Atlantic cruise ship floated out in Saint-Nazaire

French shipbuilder Chantiers de l'Atlantique floated out MSC Cruises' latest mega-ship, MSC World Atlantic, on 1 October 2026 in Saint-Nazaire, marking a key milestone before its scheduled November 2027 debut from Port Canaveral, Florida. The LNG-powered vessel will be the 25th ship in the MSC fleet and the fourth in its World Class series, measuring 333.3 metres long, 47 metres wide and about 68 metres high, with a gross tonnage of 215,863. It will offer 2,626 cabins for up to 6,762 passengers and will sail alternating seven- and 14-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries including stops at MSC's Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas. Executives highlighted LNG propulsion and shore-power capability as part of the industry's push to cut emissions. For cruise fans the float-out — when the dry dock is flooded and the ship touches water for the first time — was the day's visual moment, and the story was picked up widely across cruise and travel news sites.