MSC Cruises announced the naming ceremony plans for its newest flagship, MSC World America, which is currently still under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France. The naming ceremony will take place on the evening of April 9, 2025 at the company’s state-of-the-art PortMiami terminal. The ceremony will solidify MSC Cruises commitment to Miami and the North American market.
Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said, “There is no better place to welcome MSC World America than the cruise capital of the world. 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 offering 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 on board to experience the world of choice that our new flagship has to offer.”
MSC Cruises has not confirmed many details of the ceremony, but we do know there will be a traditional breaking of a champagne bottle over the ship’s hull as well as a variety of immersive onboard events highlighting everything the ship has to offer.
Following the naming ceremony, invited guests will embark on a celebratory sailing that includes an overnight call to the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas–Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve–which features the island’s signature evening lighthouse show and beach party.
MSC World America will be MSC Cruises’ largest ship and the first in the region to be powered by LNG. The vessel is the second in the cruise line’s World Class ships and designed specifically for the North American market. Her 20 bars and lounges and 13 restaurants are designed to blend European design with American comfort. MSC World America is sure to be the focal point of the Miami skyline with her 22 decks and 2.614 staterooms.
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County, said, “We are thrilled to welcome MSC World America to PortMiami. I also want to commend MSC Cruises for their investments in our community. Their new terminal has created many jobs for our residents and positively impacted our local economy. We look forward to a successful partnership and continued growth at the Cruise Capital of the World.”
After all the festivities, MSC World America will begin its inaugural season on April 12, 2025. She will alternate 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries that include ports of call in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Isla de Roatan, Honduras; and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas.