MSC Cruises is delivering on its promise to cater to the North American market, with a new World Class ship coming in early 2025, the MSC World America—open for bookings today—and the largest cruise terminal in North America readying for its debut at PortMiami. In fact, the U.S. market, we learned this morning during an MSC Cruises press conference at Seatrade, is now the first market for MSC, beating the Italian market.
The LNG-powered MSC World America, Kris Endreson, v.p. of strategic sales for the U.S. market, told Recommend during a one-on-one interview, “is going to deliver a new era of cruising for MSC. This ship is going to be a sustainable ship [including using underwater noise-reducing technology] where we offer our guests a unique and immersive experience while at sea. She’s going to deliver something for everyone today as well as something for everyone in the future and really for people of all ages.”
MSC World America will sail from the new LEED-certified terminal at PortMiami, which is set to open early next year. At 500,000 sq. ft., the terminal will offer four embarkation decks and accommodate up to three of the cruise line’s largest vessels, turning 36,000 passengers daily. “It will offer,” says Endreson, “a seamless experience from curbside to ship, and it’s another example of our commitment to the North American market.”
A New Era of Cruising for MSC
Debuting on April 12, 2025, MSC World America will be sailing the Eastern and Western Caribbean with all itineraries visiting Ocean Cay MAS Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private destination in The Bahamas. She’ll span 22 decks, measure more than 150 feet wide, feature 2,626 cabins and contain more than 420,000 sq. ft. of public space.
“The onboard experience is going to be a gamechanger for MSC in a lot of ways,” says Endreson. There will be 13 restaurants (including two new concepts, including a Greek restaurant), 20 bars and lounges, including a new Sports Bar and The Gin Project, with about 70 gins, and a Comedy Club (a new concept for MSC). One of the most exciting additions, says Endreson, is the new family outdoor area, The Harbor, featuring a water park, a High Trail course and zipline, sensory play areas for littlest ones, the Harbor Lighthouse—a thematic playground—food trucks at sea and a shaded seating area. Says Endreson, “This is where families can play and relax together.”
Other onboard goodies include VR experiences, a bumper cars play area, six pools and 14 hot tubs, including a spacious indoor pool with retractable roof and twin adults-only Zen pools at the aft of the ship, a coffee emporium, an 11-deck-high dry slide made of stainless steel, and a reimagined outdoor World Promenade experience. As Endreson notes, here, “guests can enjoy dining alfresco while having those stunning views of the sea.”
Among the accommodations the MSC World America will feature The MSC Yacht Club, with 152 Yacht Club suites, a dedicated lounge and restaurant, a private pool and sun deck facilities, and 24-hour concierge and butler service. “For families,” says Endreson, “the Yacht Club offers interior staterooms, so mom and dad can enjoy the suite with their balcony and the kids have their own space.”
For clients who want to hop on a new MSC ship prior to 2025, look to MSC’s fifth ship in the Meraviglia Class, the MSC Euribia, set to debut this June. In fact, says Endreson, “By 2025, we’ll have 23 ships and by 2030 we’ll have 29 ships, so the growth is just amazing. We’ve doubled the size of our fleet in the past decade.”
For more information, visit msccruisesusa.com.
