by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 12:05 PM ET, Mon April 14, 2025
MSC Cruises’ newest—and largest—ship, MSC World America, made a grand debut from Miami with a star-studded
naming ceremony and inaugural sailing.
TravelPulse Canada was aboard the brand-new ship. With 22 decks and room for 6,800 guests, the buzz was palpable.
But beyond the spectacle, MSC World America marks something much bigger: a glimpse into the future of cruising.
We caught up with Ian Patterson, Country Manager of MSC Cruises Canada, onboard to talk about what this new ship means for both the company and Canadian travellers.
“MSC World America is the future of cruising,” said Patterson. “We’ve taken the best of our Seaside and Meraviglia classes and created a hybrid that delivers something for everyone.”
MSC World America celebration (Photo Credit: MSC)
Built for the Canadian Market
With a firm eye on the Canadian market, MSC Cruises has tailored World America to suit northern travellers. That includes all-inclusive Canadian pricing, prepaid packages, and onboard experiences.
“Everything is in Canadian dollars—Wi-Fi, drink packages, gratuities," Patterson told TravelPulse Canada.
“We’ve seen significant growth from the Canadian market, and that’s because we’ve made it easy and accessible."
Over 200 Canadian travel partners and media joined the ship’s maiden voyage, a testament to the brand’s relationship with the Canadian travel trade.
“We’ve taken the best of our Seaside and Meraviglia classes and created a hybrid that delivers something for everyone.”
Quebec remains MSC’s top Canadian market—unsurprising given the brand’s European roots and Italian heritage—but interest from Ontario, Western, and Atlantic Canada is growing fast.
MSC World America in Miami (Photo Credit: MSC)
Experiences at Sea: Thrills, Flavours, and Multi-Gen Family Fun
The ship's seven districts are designed to offer atmospheres and experiences for all travellers:
- 19 dining venues, including the only Eataly restaurant at sea
- 18 bars and lounges, including All-Stars Sports Bar and The Loft comedy club
- The largest MSC Yacht Club in the Caribbean—the luxury ship-within-a-ship experience that features enhanced suites, butler service and private bar, restaurant and pool facilities
Adventure enthusiasts will enjoy Cliffhanger, the first over-water swing ride at sea. A dry slide that transports guests from deck 20 to deck 8 is an exhilarating alternative to the elevator.
"We're known for our experience. We're known for our
level of service, which is, perhaps different from other brands," Patterson said.
"The staff are incredibly friendly. This is one thing that the the trade partners have pointed out to me - how friendly the staff are. They're the ones that
will make or break the vacation experience for guests."
MSC World America, Ocean Cay (Photo Credit: TravelPulse Canada/Jason Summers)
“Everything is in Canadian dollars—Wi-Fi, drink packages, gratuities," Patterson told TravelPulse Canada.
Ocean Cay: From "Barren Wasteland" to a Thriving Marine Reserve
MSC’s commitment to sustainability is front and centre with Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas.
The MSC Foundation celebrated the official opening of its new Marine Conservation Center at Ocean Cay on April 10, 2025.
Once an industrial site, the island has been completely transformed through a multi-million dollar investment to restore marine life, coral reefs, and natural beauty.
The Foundation played a critical role in the island’s transformation and continues to support over 60 global initiatives related to education, the environment, and humanitarian relief.
“We took what was really a barren wasteland and invested a significant number of dollars in revitalizing the ecosystem and creating a peaceful retreat for guests,” Patterson said. “The foundation is at the heart of everything MSC does—it’s the bedrock
of our values.”
Ocean Cay Marine Reserve (Photo Credit: TravelPulse Canada/Jason Summers)
Star-Powered Naming Ceremony
The launch event drew international attention thanks to Drew Barrymore, the ship’s godmother, and brand ambassador Orlando Bloom, who are part of MSC’s latest campaign, which debuted
during the Super Bowl.
While Barrymore and Bloom were onboard, guests enjoyed a glimpse of celebrity status on top of the world-class entertainment MSC is known for.
“It’s a holiday, not just a vacation,” Patterson said, referencing the campaign tagline. “The mix of European elegance and American spirit captures what MSC World America is all about.”
MSC World America Naming Ceremony Dirty Dancing performance (Photo Credit: MSC)
“The foundation is at the heart of everything MSC does—it’s the bedrock of our values.”
A Next-Level Cruise Terminal
MSC Miami Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: MSC)
MSC officially took delivery of World America in March. She departed
on her first cruise from MSC’s terminal in PortMiami, the world’s largest cruise terminal, with capacity for over 36,000 passenger movements per day, on April 12, 2025.
MSC World America, PortMiami (Photo Credit: MSC)
MSC World America will offer classic Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, with stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Isla de Roatan, and Honduras; including calls at Ocean Cay.
Canadians also have access to a growing list of sailings with MSC Cruises:
- The Mediterranean, on ships like MSC World Europa
- MSC Virtuosa sailings out of Martinique and Guadeloupe—hugely popular with Quebec travellers and gaining ground with English Canada, especially now that Air Canada offers direct flights from Toronto
MSC World Asia is on track to begin sailing during the winter of 2026-27 in the Mediterranean Sea. MSC World Atlantic,
meanwhile, is scheduled to debut in 2027. The ship will be based at Port Canaveral and will sail to the Caribbean during the 2027-28 winter season.
“We are a European brand with a global vision, and MSC World America is a ship designed with Canadians in mind,” concluded Patterson.
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