I’m not going to lie—I was completely star-struck standing in the same space as Drew Barrymore and Orlando Bloom at the April 9 naming ceremony of MSC World America, the newest addition to MSC Cruises’ expanding fleet. The event was held on the ship while docked at the cruise line’s gleaming new terminal at PortMiami.
Barrymore officially christened the ship with the traditional ribbon-cutting and champagne bottle break, joined on stage by MSC executives, the ship’s captain and crew and Orlando Bloom—her co-star in MSC Cruises’ Let’s Holiday campaign, which first aired on television in February during the Super Bowl.
“It is a true honor to be working with a company of global integrity and philanthropy,” Barrymore told the audience in the ship’s World Theatre. “Orlando and I feel so lucky to be part of not only this party but this family.”
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, emphasized the cruise line’s global momentum. “Our growth is a testament to our commitment to excellence, innovation and collaboration,” Vago said. “We continue to build ships for the future, like MSC World America, one of the most energy-efficient ships in the world.”
And the celebration didn’t stop there. Guests were treated to a special preview of Dirty Dancing in Concert—a stage adaptation of the classic film that will be performed exclusively on board MSC World America.
A Mega Ship with a Sense of Place
With 22 decks and capacity for up to 6,764 passengers across 2,614 staterooms, MSC World America is one of the most impressive new cruise ships to debut in 2025. But despite its size, the ship has character.
One standout feature is the World Galleria, where an LED ceiling projects images that shift from a waving American flag by day to an underwater ocean world by night. The three-level Galleria is an impressive part of the ship, lined with shops, bars and restaurants. A beyond-impressive space is the World Promenade with its towering dry slide, eateries and the All-Stars Sports Bar.
There are seven “Districts” on board, each with its own vibe and activities, and a whopping 19 dining venues, including six specialty restaurants like Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse, Hola! Tacos & Cantina and Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki. Travel advisors and media on board had the chance to sample delicious bites from each restaurant.
Family Fun and Luxe Escapes
The Family Aventura District is an outdoor space designed for families, complete with a water park, basketball, bumper cars, the Cliffhanger over-water swing ride, a ropes course and the intimidating Jaw Drop slide. Other Districts include the adults-only Zen Area, the Aqua Deck for sunbathers and pool lovers and the Terrances, both indoor and outdoor spaces.
For guests seeking elevated experiences, the MSC Yacht Club is the brand’s exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept. It features private keycard access, luxury suites (pillow menu, anyone?), a dedicated restaurant with a daily changing menu, a sun deck with 333 lounge chairs and round-the-clock butler service.
We’re currently staying in a Deluxe Balcony Cabin on Deck 12, which includes a king-sized bed and sofa that can be turned into bunk beds—perfect for families. We also toured the cozy Studio Ocean View Room (129 square feet for solo travelers) and the spacious Premium Suite Aurea, which sleeps up to six guests. Additional rooms on Deck 16 were opened for guests to explore today.
PortMiami’s Newest Crown Jewel
Even before boarding the ship, guests are wowed by the brand-new MSC Cruise Terminal at PortMiami. At nearly 500,000 square feet, it’s the largest in the world capable of processing up to 36,000 passengers per day. High-tech biometric facepods help expedite check-in, making the embarkation process seamless and the terminal can accommodate up to three cruise ships.
Caribbean Itineraries
MSC World America will offer Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings ranging from 7 to 14 nights. Eastern itineraries include stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and San Juan, Puerto Rico, while Western routes visit Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras. All itineraries include a stop at MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Check out Instagram to see more on the new MSC World America ship, @dezzyd_onthego
For more information, visit msccruisesusa.com.
