Passengers will be able to plunge precisely 81.3 metres on a breathtaking dry slide on what promises to be the world’s most family-friendly new cruise ship launching next year.
The slide, named The Spiral@Tree of Life, will twist and turn and plummet downwards, covering the height of 12 decks in seconds.
It will become the longest dry slide at sea and has been inspired by the spectacular trees in Singapore’s famous Gardens by the Bay.
Bookings have opened for MSC Cruises’ latest flagship, named MSC World Asia, which will set sail in the Mediterranean on its inaugural voyage next December, with a capacity of 6,758 passengers and a crew of more than 2,100. The ship’s length is a massive 1,092ft.
The first week-long sailing will begin in Genoa, Italy on December 6, 2026, calling at Civitavecchia (Rome), Messina (Taormina), Valletta in Malta, Barcelona and Marseilles before returning to Genoa. Prices for a family of four in an interior cabin start at £1,766.
Other itineraries being offered include Barcelona, Valletta, Marseilles and Rome as the start/end port, with a combination of the stops mentioned above, along with Naples in southern Italy added on some voyages.
Aside from the thrilling slide, there will also be waterslides and zip lines, plus a Himalayan Bridge – a walkway suspended on cables above the deck, across which passengers can cross attached to safety harnesses.
A retro-inspired family zone called The Clubhouse is being designed to feature bumper cars, roller skating and basketball areas. One section of The Clubhouse will include a LEGO Family Zone. Classic table games will be available, too.
The slide, named The Spiral@Tree of Life, will twist and turn and plummet downwards, covering the height of 12 decks in seconds
Each evening, more than 3,000 LED lights will illuminate a striking stainless-steel dragon suspended from the ceiling of an atrium
Bookings have opened for MSC Cruises’ latest flagship, named MSC World Asia, which will set sail in the Mediterranean on its inaugural voyage next December
Meanwhile, The Cliffhanger will be an exhilarating over-water swing ride with four seats that sway out 50 metres above the sea with participants being rocked back and forth (not for the faint-hearted).
Another attraction likely to thrill is the MSC Formula Racer, an adrenaline-pumping virtual-reality game in which players can race each other while sitting in racing car seats.
Families will also be able to enjoy seven pools and 13 hot tubs. There will be child-friendly nightly entertainment shows. And each evening, more than 3,000 LED lights will illuminate a striking stainless-steel dragon suspended from the ceiling of an atrium.
It’s huge – 12 metres by 9 metres – and will include 700 mirrors, adding to the sparkle.
The name MSC World Asia has been chosen to add a point of difference to other cruises in the Med, as there will be Asian-inspired touches throughout – as with the dry slide modelled on trees from Singapore and the centrepiece dragon sculpture.
Other Asian influences will include a street food section focusing on cuisine from Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Indonesia. And there will also be a Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki restaurant.
Families seeking burgers and pizzas will not be short of options, however. There are to be more than 40 bars, lounges and cafes, alongside six speciality dining venues, two buffet restaurants, and five main dining restaurants.
Among these will be a classic British pub serving fish and chips and pints of ale. This will be connected to a full-scale microbrewery (producing MSC Signature beer).
The ship’s centerpiece will be a dragon sculpture, one of the Asian-inspired touches throughout
A retro-inspired family zone called The Clubhouse will feature bumper cars, roller skating and basketball areas
Parents – dads especially perhaps – will also be able to enjoy a drink at the All-Stars Sports Bar, an American-style bar featuring large screens playing live games, with an outdoor sea-facing terrace.
The cost of completing MSC World Asia is expected to top a massive £935million. It will have 18 decks and a gross tonnage of 215,863.
Accommodation options range from interior cabins to the Royal Duplex Suite, which boasts two bedrooms (sleeping six), with a hot tub and a butler. The price for a week in the latter is from £10,618.
Perfect for families – with deep pockets – that want to splash out in style on this super family friendly new way to sail around the Med.
