MSC Cruises and Venchi launch exclusive gelato flavour and largest at-sea store

MSC World Asia will debut the largest Venchi experience at sea – a 300m² destination combining 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 their partnership, MSC Cruises and Venchi will launch a limited-edition gelato flavour in selected Venchi stores and on board.

MSC Cruises has announced that MSC World Asia will feature the largest Venchi chocolate experience ever seen at sea, bringing the premium Italian chocolate brand and new exclusive offerings to guests.

The partnership with Venchi reflects MSC Cruises’ ongoing commitment to enriching its onboard offering through collaborations with leading experts.

The new flagship will cater to every taste and temptation when it begins sailing the Mediterranean from December 2026. It will offer more than 40 bars, lounges, cafés and restaurants with many concepts developed in collaboration with world-class, award-winning culinary partners, ensuring a diverse and authentic gastronomic journey.

The venue on MSC World Asia will be the first Venchi store to debut on a World Class ship and the largest across the fleet with seating for more than 60 guests. Designed as a multi-sensory destination, the Venchi store on MSC World Asia seamlessly blends retail, café and 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 bar and slabs, to indulging in the brand’s signature selection of ready-to-buy chocolates (from gifting selections to pralines), as well as artisanal Italian gelato and freshly crafted treats prepared daily.

At its heart is a live chocolate-making experience, where guests can watch skilled Venchi chocolate experts at work and step into the “chocolate lab” to create their own custom bars starting from premium ingredients, such as “Piedmont Hazelnut” and the iconic Venchi chocolate caviar. Digital tools allow for personalised designs, adding a playful and creative dimension to the experience.

Step inside a space where Italian artistry meets contemporary elegance: from striking floor-to-ceiling gelato-inspired sculptures to beautifully curated displays of Venchi’s signature creations.

The café and lounge offer a premium coffee experience, featuring Italian espresso and specialty beverages thoughtfully paired with Venchi chocolates. Guests can also enjoy a selection of freshly prepared croissants and crêpes, making it an ideal destination from breakfast through to an afternoon treat.

In the evening, the experience evolves with chocolate-infused cocktails, combining Venchi’s signature flavours with fine spirits for a sophisticated twist.

Complementing this, is indulgent Gelatoshakes, an irresistible treat any time of day, and a wide selection of artisanal gelato classic favourites such as extra dark chocolate and gianduja hazelnut as well as a brand new, exclusive to MSC Cruises flavour, Crunchy Waves, inspired by the colours, flavours and textures of the seaside.

An exclusive gelato flavour to celebrate the partnership

Venchi and MSC Cruises have come together to create an exclusive new gelato flavour – “Crunchy Waves”, set to launch in selected Venchi stores worldwide from August 1 to August 31.

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, and finished with a vibrant blue spirulina layer that evokes the shimmering tones of the Mediterranean.

Look out for this limited-edition flavour starting August aboard MSC Cruises’ Seaside Class ships that feature Venchi gelaterias, and selected Venchi stores including in the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Italy, plus MSC World Asia from December.

MSC World Asia will sail from December 4 and is already available to book with multiple embarkation ports including Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Naples, Genoa, Marseille, Messina, and Valletta.

For those looking for a cruise-only option, guests can sail aboard MSC World Asia this winter 2026/2027, departing from Genoa on 24 January 2027 for 7 nights from just €819 per person.

Alternatively, flights are available from Dublin next summer to Barcelona, where guests can embark MSC World Asia on 4 June 2027 for a 7-night cruise from just €1,589 per person.

To learn more about MSC World Asia, visit www.mscbook.com