(NEWS) GENEVA, Switzerland, 2026-Aug-24 — /Travel PR News/ — MSC Cruises has completed the installation of a large dragon sculpture aboard MSC World Asia, marking a key design milestone as the line’s newest flagship moves closer to welcoming its first guests.
The ship is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and is scheduled to begin Mediterranean cruises on 4 December 2026.
Based on official press update shared by MSC Cruises, MSC World Asia will operate seven-night itineraries calling at some of the Mediterranean’s most popular ports, including Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia for Rome, Messina and Valletta.
The newly installed dragon sculpture measures 12 metres in length and 3.5 metres in width. It is suspended 10 metres above the ship’s Outdoor World Promenade, one of MSC World Asia’s main open-air spaces for ocean views, dining, entertainment and relaxation.
More than a decorative feature, the sculpture is intended to become one of the ship’s defining visual landmarks. Its placement above the promenade gives the outdoor area a strong focal point, creating a dramatic setting for guests moving through one of the vessel’s most distinctive social spaces.
The dragon was designed by Balich Wonder Studio, the international creative studio known for large-scale live entertainment productions. The design reflects MSC World Asia’s wider visual identity, which incorporates subtle references to Asian culture, art and landscapes.
Crafted from stainless steel and finished in pearlescent white, the sculpture includes nearly 700 mirrors, 400 metres of integrated strip lighting and more than 3,000 LED light points. The reflective and illuminated details are designed to create a sense of movement, giving the impression of a dragon flying above the ship.
At night, the sculpture will light up above the Outdoor World Promenade, adding to the atmosphere of the space after dark and turning the installation into part of the ship’s evening experience.
Marco Balich, Chairman of Balich Wonder Studio, described the dragon as a defining symbol of the ship, bringing together vision, craftsmanship and emotion. He said the installation was designed to inspire guests and remain with them beyond the journey itself.
MSC World Asia is the third ship in MSC Cruises’ World Class series, following the line’s broader approach of combining large-scale ship design with varied dining, entertainment, family attractions and outdoor spaces.
The ship’s name and design direction position it as a vessel shaped by global influences, while still carrying MSC Cruises’ European design approach. The dragon sculpture gives that concept a highly visible expression, especially in a public area where guests will gather throughout the day and evening.
For MSC Cruises, the installation also helps build anticipation ahead of the ship’s debut. Large cruise ships are increasingly defined not only by their size and itineraries, but also by the signature spaces and design features that passengers remember and share.
On MSC World Asia, the dragon is likely to become one of those features: a sculptural centrepiece suspended above the promenade, linking visual spectacle with the ship’s wider cultural theme.
As the vessel moves toward its December 2026 Mediterranean launch, the completed installation signals another step in the transformation of MSC World Asia from shipyard project to guest-ready flagship.
