MSC Cruises Unveils the Majestic MSC World America

MSC Cruises marked a significant milestone with the grand debut of the MSC World America, a magnificent addition to its fleet and one of the largest cruise ships globally. The lavish event took place in Miami, Florida on April 9, showcasing the cruise line’s continued expansion into the North American market, with its most extensive deployment planned for 2026-2027.

The MSC World America was recently delivered by Chantiers de l’Atlantique on March 27, representing the second vessel in a series of four planned ships. Construction has also commenced on the third ship, MSC World Asia, scheduled for a late 2026 debut in the Mediterranean. Additionally, steel cutting has begun for the MSC World Atlantic, set to be delivered in 2027 and operate from Port Canaveral, Florida. The series commenced with the launch of MSC World Europa in 2022.

With a staggering 216,638 gross tons, the MSC World America joins the ranks of a select few cruise ships exceeding the 200,000 gross ton threshold. MSC becomes the second cruise line, following Royal Caribbean International, to achieve this feat with its new class of ships. Disney Cruise Line is also set to unveil the 208,000 gross ton Disney Adventure later this year, while Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line have commissioned Fincantieri to build even larger vessels.

Arrival in PortMiami on Monday, April 7 (courtesy PortMiami)

Boasting a length of 1,094 feet (333 meters) and 2,614 passenger cabins, the MSC World America can accommodate 6,762 passengers and houses a crew of 2,138. The ship offers a plethora of amenities, including 19 dining venues, 18 bars and lounges, an outdoor water park with thrilling features like an over-water swing and ropes course, as well as indoor and outdoor promenades with various entertainment options. Noteworthy additions tailored to the American market include a sports bar, comedy club, and a dedicated outdoor family entertainment area.

The naming ceremony was a star-studded affair, with appearances by music icons Mark Anthony, Gloria Estefan, and Kimberly Davis. Hollywood celebrities Drew Barrymore and Orlando Bloom, featured in MSC’s new “Lets Holiday” campaign, graced the event, with Barrymore serving as the ship’s godmother. The evening culminated in a dazzling drone show above the MSC World America before embarking on a preview cruise to the Bahamas. Commercial operations will commence on April 12, with the ship embarking on year-round sailings from Miami.

During Miami drone show (Allan Jordan)

MSC’s expansion in North America includes utilizing four homeports—Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, and New York—along with introducing its inaugural Alaska cruises departing from Seattle. The upcoming 2026-2027 season will see a total of seven MSC ships operating in the region.

As part of its North American expansion, MSC inaugurated what is touted as the world’s largest cruise terminal at PortMiami. Spanning nearly 500,000 square feet and capable of processing 36,000 passengers daily, this state-of-the-art terminal—designed by Arquitectonia and constructed by Fincantieri Infrastructure at a reported cost of $400 to $500 million—can accommodate three large cruise ships simultaneously. Equipped with cutting-edge biometric technology, the terminal aims to streamline passenger processing.

(courtesy MSC Cruises)

Emphasizing the MSC World America as its 23rd cruise ship, MSC Cruises, under the leadership of CEO Gianni Onorato, reaffirmed its commitment to further fleet expansion. Over the past two decades, the company has constructed 19 ships at Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Fincantieri, utilizing five distinct prototypes. Additionally, MSC’s luxury brand, Explora Journeys, has four new vessels currently under construction in Italy, underscoring the group’s enduring dedication to growth and innovation.