MSC Cruises has signed an agreement with MEYER WERFT covering the construction of four next-generation cruise vessels, with options for two additional ships, marking the launch of a new class that will underpin the company’s future fleet development into the 2030s.

The agreement represents the first collaboration between MSC Cruises and the German shipbuilder, with the new vessels forming part of MSC Cruises’ New Frontier platform, a newly developed ship class that will sit alongside the company’s existing World Class and other fleet programmes.

Deliveries are scheduled to take place annually starting in 2030.

“MEYER WERFT’s track record, expertise and proud history make it a true beacon of European shipbuilding,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises. “Together, we will create vessels that redefine the cruise experience while preserving the craftsmanship that keeps Germany at the forefront of maritime engineering.”

“The New Frontier class will enable us to design new and exclusive itineraries, offer exceptional guest experience and will feature next-generation environmental technologies that will advance our net-zero 2050 commitment,” he added.

The New Frontier vessels are expected to have a maximum passenger capacity of approximately 5,400 guests and a gross tonnage of around 180,000, putting them in a similar class to the Meraviglia Plus-platform.

While detailed technical specifications have not yet been released, MSC Cruises confirmed that the ships will incorporate next-generation environmental technologies as part of the group’s longer-term commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Beyond fleet expansion, the agreement is expected to have a substantial economic impact at both regional and national levels. MEYER WERFT directly employs more than 3,200 people, with a further 20,000 jobs across the wider region linked to its operations through suppliers and associated industries.

With delivery schedules extending into the 2030s, the agreement reinforces Papenburg’s position as a strategic centre for global cruise shipbuilding and ensures long-term utilisation of one of Europe’s most advanced maritime manufacturing facilities.

For MSC Cruises, the New Frontier programme signals a further phase in its fleet strategy, as the company continues to invest in new capacity, technology and ship design to support its future deployment plans across global cruise markets.