MSC Cruises Takes Delivery of World America

MSC Cruises has taken delivery of its newest ship, the highly anticipated MSC World America, the 23rd ship in the cruise line’s fleet.

Today (March 27) MSC joined Chantiers de l’Atlantique in celebrating three milestones in Saint-Nazaire, France: the delivery of MSC World America, the coin ceremony for MSC World Asia, and the steel-cutting for the newly dubbed MSC World Atlantic.

MSC World America features enhanced features for guests, such as The Harbour, an all-new outdoor venue for families that combines recreational activities and grab-and-go dining, all-new venues like The Loft Comedy Club, one of the longest dry slides at sea, the largest MSC Yacht Club in the Caribbean, and more.

The 22-deck MSC World America is set to be named on April 9 for the opening of MSC’s new cruise terminal in Miami—which will be the largest in the world. The ship is currently scheduled to welcome guests on April 12 with Caribbean sailings from Miami.

The ceremony was attended by Captain Gianluigi Aponte, MSC founder and group chairman; Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s cruise division; Laurent Castaing, Chantiers de l’Atlantique general manager; the French Minister for Industry and Energy, Marc Ferracci; and representatives of MSC Cruises’ new build team and shipyard workers.

“Today is a proud moment for all of us at MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique as we mark these major milestones in the development of our fleet. Our new flagship is a testament to our long-standing, innovative partnership spanning over 20 years, resulting in five groundbreaking prototypes and 19 ships,” said Vago.

MSC World Asia, scheduled to enter service in the Mediterranean for the winter 2026-2027 season, celebrated its coin ceremony. The ship’s godmothers, Marialuisa Iaccarino, vice president shore excursions for MSC Cruises and Flavie Biondo, chargé d’affaires for Chantiers de l’Atlantique, placed commemorative coins in the ship’s hull as a “blessing” to bring good luck during the ship’s construction.

Finally, MSC revealed the name of its fourth World Class ship, MSC World Atlantic, and celebrated the steel-cutting ceremony to mark the beginning of construction. This ship will also offer Caribbean cruises, but from Port Canaveral in winter 2027-2028.

“It is with great emotion that we are marking today not one, but three MSC World Class ships,” said Castaing. “To date, MSC World America has the best energy efficiency design index (EEDI) from the IMO, and therefore the lowest carbon footprint of the entire cruise industry… and we will go even further with the two sisterships we are celebrating today!”