The event was attended by Captain Gianluigi Aponte, Founder and Group Chairman of MSC, Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, French Minister for Industry and Energy Marc Ferracci, and representatives from MSC Cruises’ new-build team and shipyard workers.

MSC WORLD AMERICA, the 23rd ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet, will be officially named on 9 April at the state-of-the-art MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, the world’s largest. Tailored for the U.S. market, it blends European style with American comfort, introducing new venues and concepts. Pierfrancesco Vago hailed the ship as a testament to a 20-year partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, which has produced five innovative prototypes and 19 ships, pushing boundaries in design, technology, and environmental performance. Laurent Castaing noted MSC WORLD AMERICA’s top Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) rating from the IMO, giving it the lowest carbon footprint in the cruise industry, with further improvements planned for its sister ships. Marc Ferracci praised the shipyard’s industrial excellence and its role in enhancing France and Europe’s global presence.

The coin ceremony for MSC WORLD ASIA involved placing commemorative coins in the ship as a blessing for its construction, performed by godmothers Marialuisa Iaccarino (MSC Cruises) and Flavie Biondo (Chantiers de l’Atlantique). Set to enter service in winter 2026-27, MSC WORLD ASIA will sail Mediterranean routes, visiting France, Italy, Spain, and Malta. The steel-cutting ceremony marked the start of construction for MSC WORLD ATLANTIC, the fourth World Class ship, due in 2027, which will operate in the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, U.S., starting in winter 2027-28.

Building on the World Class prototype introduced with MSC WORLD EUROPA in 2022, these ships evolve with innovations in design, technology, and guest experience. Named after continents and oceans, they reflect MSC Cruises’ global reach rather than specific deployment regions. MSC WORLD AMERICA excels in energy efficiency, surpassing IMO EEDI standards with LNG-powered engines that support bio and synthetic renewable fuels. It features shore power connectivity to eliminate emissions in ports like Miami, alongside advanced wastewater treatment and recycling systems to minimise waste. Bureau Veritas awarded it the Platinum Pearl Award for MSC Cruises’ commitment to health, safety, and environmental protection.

MSC WORLD AMERICA’s inaugural season begins 12 April from Miami, offering alternating 7-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries (Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Ocean Cay) and Western Caribbean voyages (Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Isla de Roatan, Honduras; Ocean Cay).

MSC WORLD AMERICA – Dimensions

The 22-deck and 216,638gt MSC WORLD AMERICA measures 333.3 metres in length and is 47 metres wide, with a capacity for 6,762 passengers and 2,138 crew, features 2,614 cabins and offers more than 38,400 sqm of public space.