MSC Cruises and Drew Barrymore Christen New Ship MSC World America in Miami

MIAMI — In front of a packed onboard theater, actress Drew Barrymore christened MSC Cruises’ newest ship, MSC World America, in Miami on April 9. It all went down while docked at the brand-new PortMiami, now the world’s largest cruise terminal. 

“It is a true honor to be working with people of such global integrity, philanthropy, family, and honor, and wanting to take care of people and see the world. I’m very, very grateful,” the ship godmother told the hundreds in attendance.  

Actor Orlando Bloom, who appeared alongside Barrymore in MSC Cruises’ “Let’s Holiday” Super Bowl commercial and ongoing marketing campaign, also participated in the ceremony, helping to highlight how MSC World America blends European and American sensibilities. 

During a media briefing just before the ceremony, Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America, said MSC’s 23rd ship, the second in the World class after MSC World Europa, is helping the cruise line reach new audiences in the United States. On the horizon will be MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic.

“The arrival of MSC World America to the U.S. is a huge milestone in our journey to continue to expand in the U.S. and really make MSC Cruises a household name here in the U.S.” Torrent said. “And we have quite a few big milestones in 2025.” 

MSC World America has several features that, through years of research, the MSC team found are popular with American guests, such as a sports bar with local beer, dedicated family spaces, a comedy club, Dirty Dancing-themed entertainment, and MSC’s largest ship-within-a-ship concept, MSC Yacht Club. 

The ship is organized into seven districts (Family Aventura, Aqua Deck, The Terraces, Galeria, Promenade, Zen Area, and MSC Yacht Club), sports the largest Doremiland kid’s club in the MSC fleet, and has 19 food and beverage concepts – many of them brand new.  

“Multi-generational families are a huge market for us,” said William Monts de Oca Rivera, head of guest experience innovation at MSC Cruises. 

The christening celebration continued with a gala dinner, drone light show, and surprise performance by Miami’s own Gloria Estefan. Guests on the ship’s inaugural, including travel advisors, media, and other industry professionals, are now sailing from Miami to Ocean Cay Island, the cruise line’s private reserve in the Bahamas.  

After returning to Miami on April 12, MSC World America will embark on a series of 7- and 14-night Caribbean & Antilles itineraries throughout the year.