MSC World Asia Is Getting the Largest Venchi Chocolate Experience at Sea

MSC World Asia will debut the largest Venchi chocolate experience at sea, including the exclusive Crunchy Waves gelato flavor.

MSC World Asia will debut the largest Venchi chocolate experience at sea when the new MSC Cruises flagship enters service in December 2026. Located inside the ship’s Galleria district on Deck 6, the new venue will combine a Venchi retail store, café, gelateria, live chocolate-making station and interactive chocolate lab within one space. The venue will be the first Venchi location aboard an MSC Cruises World Class ship and the largest Venchi experience currently planned across the cruise line’s fleet. With seating for more than 60 people, the venue will offer Italian chocolate, artisanal gelato, espresso drinks, pastries, crêpes, Gelatoshakes, and chocolate-infused cocktails. Guests will also be able to create personalized chocolate bars using premium ingredients and digital customization tools.

The Venchi venue aboard MSC World Asia will combine a chocolate shop, café, gelateria, and interactive chocolate lab in the Galleria district on Deck 6.

A New Venchi Experience Designed for MSC World Asia

The Venchi venue has been designed as more than a traditional chocolate shop.

MSC Cruises says the space will bring together retail, dining and interactive experiences in a multi-sensory setting inspired by Italian chocolate and gelato. Floor-to-ceiling gelato-inspired sculptures and curated displays will surround the venue, while a live production station will allow passengers to watch Venchi chocolatiers preparing treats onboard. Inside the venue’s chocolate lab, guests will be able to build customized chocolate bars using ingredients including Piedmont hazelnuts and Venchi’s chocolate caviar. Digital tools will allow each bar to receive a personalized design, adding an interactive element to the chocolate-making experience.

MSC World Asia Will Serve a New Crunchy Waves Gelato

Crunchy Waves combines vanilla gelato, crunchy hazelnut biscuit, salted toffee pieces, and a blue spirulina layer inspired by the Mediterranean.

MSC Cruises and Venchi are also introducing a new gelato flavor called Crunchy Waves. The exclusive flavor combines three layers intended to create a visual “sand and sea” effect. A vanilla gelato base is topped with crunchy hazelnut biscuit and salted toffee pieces inspired by the Italian Bacio di Dama biscuit. A vivid blue layer of spirulina completes the flavor and evokes the colors of the Mediterranean Sea. Crunchy Waves will initially launch at select Venchi stores (on land) from August 1 through August 31, 2026. Following its limited land-based debut, the flavor will remain available on MSC Cruises ships with Venchi gelaterias. It will also be served aboard MSC World Asia when the ship begins sailing in December.

Chocolate, Gelato, Coffee, and Cocktails

The MSC World Asia Venchi menu will include a combination of familiar Venchi favorites and new onboard experiences. Guests will be able to order authentic Italian espresso, specialty coffee drinks, freshly prepared croissants, crêpes, and Gelatoshakes. The gelato menu will feature flavors including extra dark chocolate, gianduja hazelnut, and Crunchy Waves. Ready-to-purchase chocolates and freshly prepared treats will also be available throughout the day. During the evening, the venue will introduce chocolate-infused cocktails pairing Venchi flavors with premium spirits.

More Than 40 Dining and Drinking Venues

The new Venchi experience will join a substantial collection of restaurants, cafés, bars and lounges aboard MSC World Asia.

MSC Cruises says the ship will offer more than 40 food and beverage venues, with several concepts developed alongside culinary partners.

The World Class ship is being designed with a combination of specialty restaurants, casual dining, cafés, lounges, and entertainment-focused venues distributed across its public areas.

The Venchi location will become one of the main attractions inside the Galleria, the ship’s indoor promenade and social hub.

MSC World Asia will feature more than 40 restaurants, bars, lounges and cafés when it enters service in December 2026.

When Will MSC World Asia Begin Sailing?

MSC World Asia is scheduled to enter service on December 4, 2026. The ship will operate seven-night Mediterranean cruises with embarkation available from Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia for Rome, and Messina. Its itineraries will visit several major Mediterranean destinations while offering passengers the opportunity to board from multiple regional ports. MSC World Asia will become the next ship in MSC Cruises’ World Class following MSC World Europa and MSC World America. The ship will feature more than 40 dining and drinking venues, new family attractions, redesigned outdoor spaces, and experiences inspired by destinations throughout Asia.