🎨 Step Inside MSC World Asia Through Its Artwork
- Cruise Ship Crayz News Team
- Feb 6
- 4 min read
When MSC World Asia begins sailing in December 2026, the artwork onboard won’t be something you stumble across by accident — it will be part of the experience everywhere you go.
MSC Cruises has revealed details of the shipwide artwork collection created exclusively for its newest World-Class ship. From large statement installations to smaller, more intimate pieces, the artwork onboard MSC World Asia is designed to be seen, enjoyed, and lived with throughout the cruise.
This is not background decoration. It’s a curated collection created by real artists, each bringing their own perspective and cultural influence onboard.
Artwork You’ll Encounter Throughout the Ship
Rather than confining art to one gallery-style space, MSC has woven artwork into nearly every part of MSC World Asia. You’ll encounter it in public areas, walkways, lounges, dining venues, and even inside the cabins.
The collection reflects Asia’s landscapes, myths, movement, and cultural symbolism, interpreted through modern, approachable styles that feel natural onboard rather than formal or intimidating.
The Dragon Sculpture Above the World Promenade
One of the most striking pieces onboard will be the stainless-steel dragon sculpture suspended above the World Promenade.
Mounted 32 feet above the promenade, the sculpture measures 6.5 feet long and 30 feet wide and is adorned with nearly 700 mirrors and 3,000 LED lights. In the evening, the sculpture illuminates, becoming a dramatic focal point that changes the atmosphere of the space after dark.
It’s designed to be impossible to miss — a visual moment that instantly anchors the ship’s artistic identity.
A Water-Inspired Installation at the Indoor Pool
By Elisabetta Milan
Inside the indoor pool area, you’ll be welcomed by a large-scale art installation shaped like a water droplet, designed by artist Elisabetta Milan.
The piece widens toward the base and evokes lightness, movement, and fluidity — echoing the surrounding water. Measuring nearly 5 feet wide and 8 feet tall, it serves as a sculptural centerpiece for the space, blending naturally into the environment while still making a strong visual statement.
Japanese Koi Fish Sculptures Along the World Promenade
By David Harber
The World Promenade will also feature large-scale koi fish sculptures by renowned UK-based artist David Harber, known internationally for his sculptural work, sundials, and water features.
In Asian culture, koi fish symbolize perseverance, strength, and transformation. Their flowing, organic forms mirror the movement of the sea and reinforce the idea of travel as a journey rather than a destination. As you move through the promenade, the sculptures create a sense of motion and continuity — always changing depending on your viewpoint.
Artwork Inspired by Asia’s Cities — In the Corridors
Each deck on MSC World Asia is named after an iconic Asian city, and the corridor artwork reflects those names.
As you move through the ship, the corridor pieces pay tribute to the beauty, diversity, and cultural character of Asia, subtly reinforcing where you are onboard without feeling themed or repetitive. These works turn everyday walkways into visual moments that change from deck to deck.
Cabin Artwork That Completes the Experience
The artwork continues inside the cabins, where pieces are designed to complement the interior design rather than overpower it.
These works draw inspiration from:
Asian landscapes
Natural motifs
Color palettes associated with the region
The result is a cabin environment that feels calm, cohesive, and immersive — an extension of the experience rather than a break from it.
Bold, Story-Driven Artworks
By Hoan Phan
Vietnamese artist Hoan Phan brings a collection of bold, vibrant artworks to MSC World Asia, displayed in select areas around the ship.
Blending traditional inking techniques with digital rendering, Hoan Phan’s work uses expressive linework and color to tell stories rooted in mythology, folklore, and observation.
Highlighted pieces include:
Mount Fuji Inspiration — inspired by a quiet moment at Lake Kawaguchi, observing the contrast between nature and human influence
Hồ Nguyệt Cô — depicting a fox spirit from Vietnamese folklore who transforms through devotion and perseverance
Hạ Long Bay — illustrating the legend of the Mother Dragon and her children protecting Vietnam by turning pearls into islands
Southeast Asia — capturing details from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, blending history with modern spirit
Each piece invites a closer look while remaining approachable and visually striking.
Bespoke Artwork Throughout the Ship
By Atelier Le Castel
Longtime MSC collaborator Atelier Le Castel has created custom artworks for a wide range of venues onboard, including:
La Dolce Vita bar
Selected restaurants and cafés such as Bubbles
The theatre
Areas of the MSC Yacht Club
Suites and cabins
MSC World Asia marks nearly 30 years of collaboration between MSC Cruises and Atelier Le Castel, with artwork designed specifically for each space it inhabits.
Koi Fish Artwork at Kaito Sushi
By Raimondo Briata
The Kaito Sushi Restaurant will feature vibrant koi fish artwork by artist Raimondo Briata.
Using koi fish as symbols of resilience and transformation, the artwork explores travel as an ongoing journey rather than a fixed destination. The pieces reflect the ship itself — a moving environment where cultures, stories, and energy constantly meet and evolve.
Artwork Created by People — Not AI
One detail worth noting: the artwork onboard MSC World Asia is created by human artists, not generated by artificial intelligence.
Each piece reflects:
Individual creativity
Intentional artistic choices
Cultural perspective and storytelling
In a world where AI-generated visuals are becoming more common, there’s something meaningful about experiencing artwork that was imagined, created, and refined by people — especially in a setting meant for relaxation and escape.
Looking Ahead to December 2026
The artwork revealed so far offers a clear message: MSC World Asia is being shaped with creativity and intention at every level.
As more details about the ship are released, the artwork will serve as a visual thread tying everything together — from public spaces to quiet corners you return to again and again.
When MSC World Asia finally enters service, the artwork won’t feel like an afterthought. It will already feel like part of the journey.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF MSC CRUISES
