MSC Cruises’ expansion in the North American market will continue with the launch of the upcoming MSC World America — sister ship to the recently unveiled MSC World Europa — scheduled to be officially named on April 9, 2025, in Florida.
Editor's Note: This story was last updated on Mar. 31, 2025.
Overview
Specifications for the new Miami-based ship, which will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), include an overall width that exceeds 150 feet, a height of 22 decks and 2,614 staterooms. The ship will pair the brand’s unique European-style design with restaurants, bars and other onboard experiences located across seven “zones” and geared to the tastes of American travelers.
Besides LNG propulsion, the ship will utilize emission-reducing shore power connectivity and other smart technologies for greater energy and other resource efficiency onboard. This will be paired with a robust recycling program and noise-reducing propellers to ease any disturbance to marine life.
Zone 1: The MSC Yacht Club
MSC World America comprises seven distinct “zones,” starting with the line’s signature MSC Yacht Club ship-within-a-ship complex. Guests who select this accommodation will have exclusive, 24/7 access to a butler; priority embarkation and disembarkation; and private lounge and dining areas, in addition to all other public amenities.
In fact, World America’s Yacht Club will be the largest in MSC’s Caribbean fleet. Yacht Club guests will enjoy an expansive private sun deck, as well as category options like multi-room Owner Suites (exclusive to the line’s World-class ships, with a hot tub-equipped terrace and al fresco dining space) and double-balcony Duplex Suites (comprising two decks, making them ideal for families and traveling groups).
Zone 2: Family Aventura
Raising the quotient on all-ages fun will be Family Aventura, perched on the top deck of the ship and showcasing The Harbor, an outdoor park complete with a ropes course and The Harbour Aquapark. The latter will feature a 90-degree vertical free-fall drop slide, a virtual reality-augmented raft slide, dueling body slides and a splash area.
There will also be a family area, a playground resembling the lighthouse at Ocean Cay (the line’s private island) and access to beverages and snacks. The line’s characteristic Doremiland kids’ facility — plus bumper cars, a roller rink, a rock climbing wall and the Jaw Drop @ The Spiral 11-deck dry slide — will also be found here. One of the feature attractions to be found in this particular zone will be called Cliffhanger — a thrilling over-water swing. The four-seat ride will be cantilevered off the ship’s top deck, 160 feet over the ocean. The experience will begin near the deck before powered arms lift riders out over the edge of the vessel, where the propelled swinging begins.
Cliffhanger is billed as the only over-water swing ride at sea.
Credit: 2024 MSC CruisesAlso upping the family fun quotient will be an expansion of MSC's partnership with Lego. New to World America will be a Lego Parade marching from Family Adventura all the way to the World Promenade, and a Lego Game Show for budding master builders to compete. And an entire Lego Family Zone will further build on the club area dedicated to brick aficionados.
Speaking of which, the Doremiland children’s area will be the largest in the fleet, featuring further collaborations with baby brand Chicco. Suited for teens will be new high-tech virtual reality experiences, while all ages will enjoy a special Doremix Family Disco, an expansive Sportplex and The Harbour outdoor play zone, complete with ropes course. Rounding out youth opportunities will be a mystery “Boxes” game show, a Guinness World Record quiz and a MasterChef at Sea Juniors cooking competition.
Zone 3: Aqua Deck
Aqua Deck will be the ship’s double-pool district, with a deck that transforms from day to night from a tranquil oasis to a lively stage for entertainment and parties.
Zone 4: The Zen Area
The Zen Area will be a quieter, adults-only alternative for sunbathing and swimming in another two pools.
Zone 5: The Galleria
The Galleria, meanwhile, will be at the core of the ship, dotted by dining, shopping and theme parties and game shows at the MSC Luna Park Arena. Guests can listen to live music at the Dolce Vita Bar, taste coffee and sweet treats at Jean Philippe Chocolat & Cafe, and go for quick bites all day long at Luna Park Pizza & Burger.
Zone 6: The Terraces
A total of nine restaurants and bars will be found at The Terraces, as well as four retail stores and a comedy club that also converts for dueling pianos and late-night karaoke. The adult-focused zone will include a blend of indoor and outdoor venues encompassing everything from DJ sets to juice bar smoothies and international specialty cuisine.
Zone 7: The Promenade
Last, but not least, will be the Promenade alfresco district, punctuated by an exciting 11-deck dry slide, an Emporium coffee bar with worldwide selections, evening activities and bonus dining and beverage opportunities.
MSC World America will be introduced in Miami, where the line is preparing a brand-new cruise terminal to be opened in 2025. MSC says the new terminal will be the largest of its kind in the world, capable of processing up to 36,000 guests per day.
“There is no better place to welcome MSC World America than the cruise capital of the world,” said Ruben A. Rodriguez, president of MSC Cruises USA. “We look forward to seeing her sail out of our new, state-of-the-art cruise terminal, built in partnership with Miami-Dade County and PortMiami. As we build upon our offerings in the North American market and help attract more international guests to the Caribbean, we are excited to bring our newest and most remarkable ship yet to Miami. We eagerly await April 2025, when we can welcome guests onboard to experience the world of choice that our new flagship has to offer.”
From the new embarkation port, MSC World America will visit the line’s private island of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, alternating weeklong routes to the Eastern and Western Caribbean and additional ports of call such as Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Isla de Roatan, Honduras.
Onboard Dining
There will be 19 dining venues on World America, including four main restaurants, two buffets, two exclusive venues just for the MSC Yacht Club and more. Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Hola! Tacos & Cantina and Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki will be among returning MSC favorites.
Eataly and Paxos will be two new dining options onboard. Since MSC Divina's Eataly outpost is now closed, World America’s Eataly will be the only of its kind at sea, offering the brand's famed Italian cuisine, ship exclusives and even pastas crafted onboard. For traditional Greek fare, clients can head to Paxos, where the menu will feature pita bread and dips, meze dishes for mixing and sharing, classic moussaka and lamb kleftiko and a selection of fish and meat plates.
New quick-service options on the ship will be Paxos on the Go for souvlaki and fritto misto; Promenade Bites for hot dogs, chili dogs, street corn, corn on the cob and cotton candy; and The Harbour Bar & Bites for empanadas, burritos, corn dogs, wraps, cookies and brownies. Other on-the-go options will be the aforementioned Luna Park Pizza & Burger at the Galleria district and La Boca Grill’s own pizza at the Aqua Deck.
Bars and Lounges (and Sweet Treats)
In addition to main and specialty dining, World America will come with a full complement of bars, lounges and spots to satiate one's sweet tooth. Entirely new onboard will first be an All-Stars Sports Bar and The Loft. As its name implies, the sports bar will be the place to catch the big game with a drink and comfort food such as wings and sliders. Other features will be interactive darts, a digital shuffleboard and foosball, as well as an alfresco terrace. And The Loft will be the multipurpose adult-only venue for aforementioned live comedy sets, dueling piano tunes and karaoke.
Plus, the Elixir – Mixology Bar will be home to custom cocktails crafted from Fever Tree mixers and other ingredients, particularly bourbon, and Masters of the Sea will be a British-style pub for more live music and beers from its full-fledged onboard microbrewery: an American-style lite beer, IPA and Pilsner from brewmaster Teo Musso of Baladin Brewery. Pints from South Florida’s Cerveceria La Tropical will also be available. The Gin Project will similarly showcase 20 craft gins from American and Canadian distilleries, as well as other international varieties, and patrons can prep their own using a vintage Crawley’s shaker.
Masters of the Sea will be a double-decker microbrewery at sea.
Credit: 2024 MSC CruisesMeanwhile, other venues include Coffee Emporium, which offers French, Italian, Turkish and Moroccan brews, and Jean Philippe Chocolat & Cafe's candies and customizable chocolate bars from the French chocolatier and pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury. Sweet Temptations will be enhanced since World Europa with a new aesthetic and array of confections such as hand-crafted shakes, Venchi chocolates and gelato, self-serve frozen yogurt, bespoke ice cream bars, crepes and waffles, donuts and even more candy.
Entertainment and More Activities
Headlining the ship's shows in the World Theatre will be "Dirty Dancing in Concert," which will bring the classic Lionsgate film to life on stage with talented vocalists, dancers and instrumentalists. Other performances will include "Odyssey" as a dreamy acrobatic display taking inspiration from Homer's titular work; a "Momentous" magic show in collaboration with Twins FX behind the "Back to the Future" musical; and "Hall of Fame," a live concert event showcasing the timeless tunes of legendary pop stars.
In the secondary Panorama Lounge at the stern of the ship will be two other programs: "Queen Symphonic" as a live band remounting of the "Queen Rock Symphonic" concert and "Cinesonic" as a concert full of iconic movie soundtracks and film scores.
Plus, as part of its fleet-wide rollout of Guinness World Records programming, MSC will also feature the brand’s game show and quizzes aboard World America. Elsewhere, guests can expect to encounter impromptu Street Theatre performances.
Accommodations
MSC World America will also offer a variety of 19 staterooms and suites for private accommodations, including Duplex Suites. Infinite Ocean View Staterooms will feature a scenic sliding window that opens into a glass balcony railing, and Promenade View Balcony Staterooms will have traditional verandas overlooking the ship's outdoor promenade area. For multiple generations traveling together, there will be Connecting Family Staterooms.
Suites, as part of the MSC Yacht Club, will extend to duplex accommodations encompassing two decks with a dining area, a living room and a guest bathroom on the first level, and a main bedroom and bathroom on the second. Some will even sport a multi-level sundeck and a private hot tub. And measuring over 1,600 square feet will be Owner's Suites with a large bedroom and walk-in closet, imperial bathtub-outfitted bathroom, a separate living and dining section and an expansive private terrace for al fresco dining. There is also an exclusive hot tub.
Retail Opportunities
Filling more than 10,000 square feet of onboard space will be nine individual stores including the overall 4,000-square-foot Shopping Gallery and MSC Shop for logo items and World America-specific merchandise.
Entirely new on the ship will be a Bulova pop-up shop and one showcasing Sif Jakobs lab-grown diamonds, as well as Luxury at Sea for “pre-loved” accessories from high-end brands such as Hermes, Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton.
Also, TimeVallee will sell multiple watch brands (Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Chopard, Hublot, IWC, Panerai, Tag Heuer) while the Omega Shop will exclusively feature its namesake timepieces. Rounding out the stores will be an Effy Jewelry outpost and World of Jewels, offering pieces from Chopard, Messika and RF Jewels.
