MSC Cruises launches its biggest-ever ship – MSC World America – next spring and we’ve been given a sneak peek at how the giant 6,762-passenger vessel is shaping up.
Spanning 22 decks, each named after a city or port in the Americas, the ship has been three years in the making at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France.
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World America is MSC’s second world-class ship, following on from MSC World Europa launched two years ago.
It will become the line’s American flagship when christened at its Miami homeport on April 9, 2025 before setting sail on week-long Caribbean cruises.
While geared for the American market — with a redesign of 30 per cent of public areas compared with World Europa — the cruise line is also looking to attract Brits who can book fly-cruises from the UK or tack on a sailing with a land-based Florida holiday.
MSC says World America, which has 2,614 cabins, combines European style with American comfort and taste.
Also, it’s the first MSC vessel divided up into seven distinct zones, to help guests find their way around and cater to different interests, including a huge family area and adult-only chill-out pool deck.
The Promenade district is home to an all-new American sports bar with giant TV screens, American comfort food not available anywhere else on the ship, and a games area including darts, digital shuffleboard and foosball.
Other new venues include The Loft, a comedy club hosting stand-up, karaoke and late-night DJ sets, replacing World Europa’s demure Raj Polo Tea House.
The popular Masters Of The Sea pub remains, and the adjoining microbrewery will offer new thirst-quenching lighter lagers and IPAs.
Similarly, the Gin Project bar will showcase American and Canadian craft brands.
In a nod to MSC’s Mediterranean heritage there will also be the first Italian Eataly restaurant at sea.
Outside, there are big changes on the sun deck which is being transformed into Family Aventura, with fun for all generations from tots to thrill-seekers.
It’s based around a replica of the lighthouse at Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, MSC’s paradise island in the Bahamas which will be visited on all sailings.
The zone includes waterslides, a rope course and the heart-pumping Cliffhanger, the first-ever over-water swing propelling riders more than 160-feet above the sea.
Elsewhere, there will be more shaded areas with loungers than World Europa, and cabanas, so guests can bask in the Caribbean heat without getting sunburnt.
However, the glitzy ship will retain familiar Brit-friendly touches such as the Butcher’s Cut steak house and, if you look closely, a red telephone box leading to a secret speakeasy bar.
GO: CARIBBEAN CRUISE
SAILING THERE: A seven-night full-board Bahamas and Caribbean cruise on MSC World America is from £629pp.
Departing Miami, it will call at the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico as well as MSC’s Ocean Cay marine reserve.
Price based on April and May 2025. Flights extra.
See msccruises.co.uk.
