MSC WORLD ASIA TO DEBUT LARGEST VENCHI CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE AT SEA, FEATURING NEW LIMITED-EDITION GELATO FLAVOR

• MSC World Asia will debut the largest Venchi experience at sea – the 3,200 square-foot venue will be home to a chocolate boutique, café and artisanal gelateria
• Guests can create bespoke chocolates, enjoy premium Italian gelato and discover a range of exclusive Venchi experiences
• To celebrate the partnership, MSC Cruises and Venchi will launch a limited-edition gelato flavor in select Venchi stores and on board

GENEVA – July 15, 2026 – MSC Cruises has announced that MSC World Asia will debut the largest Venchi chocolate experience at sea, including selections from the premium Italian chocolate brand and new exclusive offerings for guests. This reflects MSC Cruises’ and Venchi's ongoing commitment to enriching its onboard offering through collaborations with leading experts. 

To celebrate the partnership, Venchi and MSC Cruises have come together to create an exclusive gelato flavor – "Crunchy Waves" – launching in select Venchi stores between August 1 and August 31, 2026. The flavor will also be available indefinitely on board existing MSC Cruises' ships with Venchi gelaterias, along with MSC World Asia when the ship enters service in December 2026.

Combining three distinctive layers, “Crunchy Waves” creates a playful "sand and sea" effect that is as visually striking as it is delicious, bringing the two brands together in one cone. A creamy vanilla gelato base is topped with crunchy hazelnut biscuit and salted toffee pieces inspired by the traditional Italian Bacio di Dama biscuit, finished with a vibrant blue spirulina layer that evokes the shimmering tones of the Mediterranean.

When MSC World Asia begins sailing the mediterranean this December, the new flagship will cater to every taste and temptation—offering more than 40 bars, lounges, cafés and restaurants with many concepts developed in collaboration with award-winning culinary partners, ensuring a diverse and authentic gastronomic journey.

The Venchi store aboard MSC World Asia will be the first to debut on a World Class ship and the largest in the fleet, offering seating for more than 60 guests. Designed as a multi-sensory destination, it will seamlessly blend retail, a café and a gelateria into one elegant space located in the ship’s Galleria district on Deck 6.

Guests can look forward to a range of new experiences, from creating their own bespoke chocolate bars, to indulging in the brand’s signature selection of ready-to-buy chocolates, as well as artisanal Italian gelato and freshly crafted treats prepared daily.

At the heart of the experience is a live chocolate-making station, where guests can watch Venchi's skilled chocolatiers at work before stepping into the "chocolate lab" to craft their own custom chocolate bars using premium ingredients, including Piedmont hazelnuts and Venchi's iconic chocolate caviar. Digital personalization tools will allow guests to create custom designs, adding a fun and interactive element to the experience.

Blending Italian craftsmanship with contemporary design, the venue features striking floor-to-ceiling gelato-inspired sculptures and curated displays of Venchi's signature creations. 

Guests can enjoy authentic Italian espresso, specialty coffee drinks, freshly made croissants and crêpes, indulgent Gelatoshakes, and a selection of artisanal gelato, including classics like extra dark chocolate and gianduja hazelnut, as well as “Crunchy Waves.” 

In the evening, the experience shifts with chocolate-infused cocktails that pair Venchi's signature flavors with premium spirits.

MSC World Asia will enter service on December 4, 2026, and is available to book from embarkation ports including Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Messina.

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About MSC Cruises

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the privately-owned MSC Cruises is the world’s third largest cruise line and the market leader in Europe with a strong and growing presence in North America. 

A global cruise brand with 23 modern ships offering cruises across five continents, guests can visit more than 100 countries worldwide with more than 300 destinations, making unforgettable memories and enjoying the finest hospitality.  

For more information visit MSC Cruises.

About Venchi

Founded in 1878, Venchi has grown into a global leader in the world of chocolate, exploring it in all its forms – including gelato. With over 145 years of history, Venchi now offers more than 350 chocolate recipes and 90 gelato flavors, always expressing its Italian soul. For Venchi, it’s the ingredients that make the difference. With taste, chocolate and gelato are the result of a constant commitment to quality: an irreversible journey made of dedication and ingenuity, designed to deliver intense sensory experiences. Selecting only the finest fruits of nature, Venchi crafts clean, authentic recipes, interpreted with great creativity, always pushing the boundaries of taste and well-being a little further.