MSC World America Launches: A New Flagship for North American Cruises

MSC Cruises has marked a major moment in its history with the delivery of its newest flagship, MSC World America, at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Weighing in at 216,638 gross tons, the vessel is the largest ever built for the cruise line and is tailored specifically for the North American market. Set to debut in April 2025 from PortMiami, the ship’s handover was accompanied by two additional milestones: the coin ceremony for MSC World Asia and the steel-cutting launch of MSC World Atlantic—the third and fourth vessels in the World Class fleet.

Introducing MSC World America: A Record-Breaking Flagship

MSC World America becomes the 23rd ship in the cruise line’s fleet and boasts a passenger capacity of 6,762. Designed with seven distinct districts, the vessel offers 19 dining venues, 18 lounges and bars, plus a suite of family-friendly attractions, including a water park, ropes course, and the overwater Cliffhanger swing. The largest-ever MSC Yacht Club also makes its debut onboard, catering to luxury travelers seeking personalized service and exclusive amenities.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC’s Cruise Division, described MSC World America as “a beacon of sustainability and innovation” at the delivery ceremony, underscoring the ship’s advanced LNG engines and shore power capabilities as key pillars of its eco-conscious design.

Sustainability at the Forefront

Equipped with state-of-the-art wastewater treatment systems, MSC World America meets—and even exceeds—the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Design Index requirements. The ship is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and is designed to accommodate renewable fuels, minimizing environmental impact. Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, highlighted the shipyard’s collaborative partnership with MSC Cruises to enhance energy performance and onboard experiences.

Upcoming Events: Naming Ceremony and Maiden Voyage

On April 9, 2025, MSC World America will be officially named at PortMiami, with actress Drew Barrymore serving as godmother during the star-studded ceremony at MSC’s state-of-the-art cruise terminal—the largest in the world. Immediately following the naming festivities, the ship will embark on a three-night preview sailing before launching its inaugural seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on April 12.

Subsequent itineraries will alternate between Eastern Caribbean routes—stopping in Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas—and Western Caribbean journeys to Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), Roatán (Honduras), and Ocean Cay.

Expansion of the World Class Fleet

As MSC World America enters service, the cruise line is also celebrating milestones for its other World Class ships. The coin ceremony for MSC World Asia—a maritime tradition to bring good fortune—saw two godmothers place commemorative coins into the ship’s keel, with the vessel scheduled to begin sailing in winter 2026-27. Meanwhile, construction officially began on MSC World Atlantic with a steel-cutting event; this fourth World Class ship is expected to join the fleet in 2027 and eventually offer Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral.

Economic and Industry Impacts

MSC World America’s North American focus is designed to merge the line’s European heritage with preferences typical of U.S.-based travelers, potentially drawing a broader customer base and boosting PortMiami’s status as a premier cruise hub. The ship’s advanced sustainability measures also reflect wider industry efforts to meet environmental targets while still providing high levels of entertainment and comfort.

By expanding its fleet in this manner, MSC underscores its commitment to delivering customized experiences for travelers and shaping the future of maritime leisure through ongoing innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is unique about MSC World America compared to other MSC ships?

MSC World America is designed with North American guests in mind, featuring expanded dining options, enhanced family attractions, and the largest-ever MSC Yacht Club. Its advanced LNG engines and shore power capabilities set it apart on the sustainability front.

What makes MSC World America environmentally efficient?

The ship runs on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and is equipped with shore power connectivity and advanced wastewater treatment systems, exceeding the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Design Index standards and reducing overall emissions.

What are the key destinations included in MSC World America’s itineraries?

The Eastern Caribbean sailings include stops at Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas, while Western Caribbean routes visit Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), Roatán (Honduras), and Ocean Cay.

What are the notable milestones for MSC’s World Class fleet?

Beyond MSC World America’s delivery, MSC hosted the coin ceremony for MSC World Asia, slated for winter 2026-27, and began construction on MSC World Atlantic, expected to join the fleet in 2027 with itineraries from Port Canaveral.

As MSC continues to evolve its World Class fleet, the debut of MSC World America marks a significant step toward combining sustainable technology, tailored experiences, and global destination offerings in modern cruise travel.