Explora Journeys has officially entered the river cruise market. The MSC Group’s luxury ocean brand confirmed today that it has signed a letter of intent with Dutch shipbuilder Den Breejen Shipyard for the construction of its first luxury river ships.
Captain Paolo Benini has arrived at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, where he is preparing to take command of MSC Cruises’ newest flagship, MSC World Asia.
The ship is now receiving its final touches ahead of delivery on November 25, followed by its naming ceremony in Le Havre, France, on November 28.
Nearly a year after 21-year-old South African waiter Laeeq Adams died aboard MSC Euribia, his family says their grief has been made even more painful by unanswered questions about his final hours.
Laeeq died on October 18, 2025, after reportedly becoming ill while working on the cruise ship. His family says it is still waiting for his complete medical records.
For those who loved him, Laeeq was much more than another name on a crew list.
MSC Cruises has introduced stricter rules for crew members who choose to resign and leave a ship before completing their contract, according to an internal policy document shared with Crew Center.
The rules set out how much of the repatriation expenses a crew member must cover depending on how quickly they leave the ship after submitting their resignation.
A Crew Center follower has shared an emotional letter about the uncertainty of waiting for another contract with MSC Cruises. The crew member says it has been a year and a half since their last contract, despite being ready to return to work and hoping to continue a career with a company they still consider home. We are sharing the letter in full below, as it reflects a difficult reality many seafarers can relate to: waiting for an assignment without knowing when, or if, the next opportunity will come.
Letter from the crew member:
MSC Cruises has completed the first phase of a major casino technology upgrade, introducing a new progressive jackpot system on blackjack tables across its North American fleet.
The Port of Lisbon teamed up with MSC Cruises and CLIA this summer to give a group of young people a closer look at what it takes to work aboard a cruise ship.
As part of the “All Aboard!” educational initiative, 11 participants aged 11 to 15 from the Beato Parish Council’s summer program took part in interactive activities exploring different shipboard careers, including navigation, engineering, medical services, environmental operations, guest services and entertainment.
Six passengers have been reported to Italian authorities after allegedly unauthorized access to MSC Divina onboard PA system and broadcasting false emergency announcements that caused concerns among passengers during the ship's voyage to Naples.
The race to expand into Europe's river cruise market could soon welcome another major player. After Celebrity Cruises officially launched Celebrity River Cruises, with inaugural sailings scheduled for 2027, a new report suggests MSC Group is also evaluating an entry into the river cruise sector through its Explora Journeys brand.
MSC Cruises has announced that Captain Paolo Benini will take command of the new MSC World Asia when the ship enters service later this year.
The announcement comes as MSC Cruises marks six months until the vessel's debut, while also sharing new details about the highly anticipated addition to its World Class fleet.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, confirmed the appointment, praising Captain Benini's leadership and experience.
