By
Laura Hyde |
MSC Cruises’ latest ship, MSC World America, has successfully completed its sea trials following a final test in the Atlantic Ocean.
During the sea trial, engineering teams assessed the performance of MSC World America’s engines, safety systems, fuel consumption and manoeuvrability, as well as speed and stopping distances. The trial also included deep-water intensive systems tests on the ship, which is being built by French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique at the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
MSC World America is scheduled to be delivered to MSC Cruises on 27 March 2025 and will be christened at the cruise line’s new terminal in Miami, Florida, on 9 April. The ship’s maiden voyage will be a celebratory sailing to the cruise line’s private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas.
The ship’s inaugural season from the PortMiami begins on 12 April. It will sail alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries with stops in Puerto Plata in Dominican Republic, San Juan in Puerto Rico, Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, Isla de Roatan in Honduras, and Ocean Cay.
The ship will offer 19 different cabins options for its 6,762 passengers and will be the first MSC Cruises ship to feature seven ‘districts’ onboard. It will also include eight bars and lounges, 19 dining venues, including four main restaurants, two buffets, two venues in the MSC Yacht Club exclusively for guests, plus six separate speciality restaurants.
MSC World America is the 23rd ship in the MSC Cruises fleet and, according to the cruise line, represents an “evolution” of the line’s World-class vessels, with concepts tailored specifically to the US market, combining European style with American comfort.
MSC Cruises also expects to add newbuild ship MSC World Asia to its fleet in 2026, as well as an as-yet-unnamed World-class vessel in 2027.