I was graciously invited to attend the naming ceremony for the launch of MSC World America, the company’s largest ship.
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MSC World America Naming Ceremony
As a travel agency owner, I was invited to the naming ceremony of the largest cruise ship for MSC cruises. MSC is the largest cruise line in Europe (50 ports), is privately held by the Aponte-Vago family, and has ben a new entrant to the US market in the last few years. The new “World” class ships are on par with Royal Caribbean’s Icon class, holding up to 6,762 passengers and 2,138 crew members. These are venerable cities on water, but these ships fall somewhere between a floating theme park with shopping, hotels, attractions, and premium sections of the ship. MSC falls within the “Contemporary” category of cruising or main line in the same vein as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and Holland America. The MSC World America is the second of four in the world class, following MSC World Europe, and preceding MSC World Asia, and MSC World Atlantic (due in 2027). It will homeport in PortMiami.
The naming ceremony, a maritime tradition, was a star-studded event Dan Marino and other former Dolphins onboard signing autographs, Marc Anthony hosting an event for his sunglass line, Gloria Estefan hosting a concert, and Orlando Bloom hosting with Drew Barrymore, the ship’s godmother.
Orlando Bloom personally shook the hands of each of the officers of the ship (on stage, below) before the ribbon cutting.
Estefan’s concert followed a drone show over the water, and the Miami native played all of her hits on the pool deck.
Besides its size and amenities, MSC World America is a modern engineering marvel and utilizes both natural gas for supplemental power and shoreside power to reduce emissions rather than running engines when in port. Ships spend about half their time in port cities, so ports like Miami-Dade where such power sources are possible dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of ships. MSC intends to be carbon neutral across their business (largest shippers in the world, among other interests) by 2050 in compliance with the global challenge to achieve net zero emissions by then.
It’s worth noting that as this was a special event, not everything was open at the time I visited. I was working while onboard so I also didn’t have time to collect everything, and this post contains around 90 photos, I’m not sure how many more would add to the understanding of the event, ship, and service.
Yacht Club Suite
I have stayed in Yacht Club before on a different MSC vessel. For our readers it’s best to think of Yacht Club as a class distinction akin to business class on an airline. Access to the Yacht Club rooms are key card-restricted from the rest of the ship. It includes a junior butler and primary butler who will walk you to events around the ship, secure reservations, press and wash clothes, and customize a guest’s stay.
There’s also access to a Yacht Club-only lounge, bar, dining room, pool, sun deck, and priority service throughout the ship.
Room
My room for this stay was just a few doors away from the impressive two-floor duplex suites and shared a balcony (behind a partition) with one such suite. I was a few doors down from one of the aforementioned stars while they prepared for their participation in the event.
My room was similar (though smaller) to Explora Journeys layout. I commend them on the use of USB-C for the bedside chargers, but plugs would have been a helpful addition. At the desk there are plenty of European and international outlets (as well as USB-A) but they are a considerable distance from the bed. The TV offered a mix of about 20 MSC-centric content from safety videos on loop, to a camera from the bridge, etc. There were another ten or so channels with live TV including international CNN. Movies, on a contemporary line like this, are on-demand at a cost.
There were many wardrobes and drawers, plenty to support a week long stay for a couple requiring both formal and casual attire.
Nespresso coffee machines were available along with a mini bar containing Toblerone, soft drinks, beer, and liquor. Butlers will stock your fridge to your preferences.
The balcony had a table with a pair of chairs.
Bathroom
My yacht club bathroom had a full size shower (uncommon on contemporary cruise ships), a single vanity, and plenty of space for toiletries.
MSC’s Med toiletry line is lovely.
Yacht Club
The Yacht Club’s dining room doesn’t require a seating time and is an elevated dining experience.
Due to the limited sailing and my other commitments, I ate just one lunch in the Yacht Club (though I was permitted to have every meal in the space if I preferred.) I ordered a Yellowtail Tartare, and Rockfish stew.
Below the Yacht Club dining room on Deck 20, is the Yacht Club lounge with indoor and outdoor seating, a private bar, and champagne on ice throughout.
Duplex Suite
I toured a Duplex suite which spans decks 16 and 17. The ground floor is a lounging area with balcony, full bathroom, and storage for additional guests. The loft floor features the primary bedroom and a second full bathroom. A beautiful window provides ocean views and floods the both floors with light.
Main Floor
Loft
The bathrooms were identical to mine above.
Food And Beverage
To feed more than 6,700 guests, there have to be an incredible amount of food venues. Some of them were restricted to meetings during this special event meaning I didn’t get a chance to try them, however, in the past, MSC restaurants have been to an on-land premium restaurant standard. Many argue that the MSC’s Butcher’s Cut is the best at sea.
Main Dining Room
I attended a dinner in one of the many main dining rooms which is a banquet experience with limited menu. I selected a crab cake and burrata to start, then a surf and turf (lobster and filet) entree, and a stuffed chocolate cake dessert.
Around The Ship
I never ate in the buffet during my sailing, but in a departure from prior models, the ship has a couple of burger and pizza restaurants throughout the ship, included in every fare. MSC is well known for their pizza, a New York-style and it really is everything you’d hope it could be.
Zest Juice Bar
In my experience I never saw the Zest Juice Bar open during my sailing but it offers fresh squeezed and custom juices for an additional charge.
Eataly
The world’s only Eataly at sea, this serves as the vessel’s Italian cuisine option.
Les Dunes
Below Yacht Club is an Aurea Spa class (think premium economy) with access to the Les Dunes restaurant (elevated but not to the same level as Yacht Club) for main dining options.
Coffee Emporium
For a cost, Coffee Emporium on the back of the ship in the Promenade section is a premium coffee shop option that also offers fine chocolates and macrons.
All-Star Sports Bar
At an additional cost, the All-Star sports bar is focused on recreating the American sports bar experience. It unquestionably achieves that goal.
Kaito Sushi And Teppanyaki
Kaito is split between a sushi bar on the eighth floor in Luna Park and a hibachi experience. These are at an additional cost.
Hola! Tacos and Cantina
Hola! offers a Tex-Mex approach to Mexican in Luna Park, also at an additional cost.
Masters Of The Sea
Masters of the Sea is a two-story (deck 7 & 8) bar with the top level focused on gin, and the main floor on beer and traditional cocktails.
Gelato And Chocolate
Replacing Venchi, Jean Phillippe is the chocolatier onboard (deck 6, Luna Park) with gelato options for an additional cost.
Fizz Champagne Bar
The champagne bar, Fizz, offers a wide range of bubbly at an additional cost (though some may be included in a drink plan if purchased.)
Paxos
On the promenade, Paxos is a Greek establishment (for an additional cost) with both sit-down and to-go options with seating indoors and on the promenade. It offers a wide selection of fish which can be selected and cooked for the guest to order.
Facilities, Amenities, Pools
There are a number of pools around the ship, many had few actually in the water, a contradiction to other similar vessels. There’s also an indoor basketball course, the Cliffhanger swing over the edge of the ship, a lego room, child care, and a ropes course along with a water park and water slides.
Fitness Center and Aurea Spa
The fitness center is massive and features treadmills over the pool. The Aurea spa was not open during my available times to view it but is typically a strong suit of the brand.
Luna Park
The middle third of the ship is a three-story enclosed space with an LCD ceiling called Luna Park. Along with the aforementioned restaurants, shopping, and Duty free, there’s a casino at the end (no photos) and an arcade.
There’s also this auspicious British red phone booth that passengers seem to disappear into. Ask an officer if you see one onboard.
Promenade
The promenade is an open-air shopping district along the back third of the ship. It offers both promenade balconies (some with views of the ocean off the back of the ship) and features an 11-story dry slide for which guests can ride from the pool decks above to the Promenade below.
A sweets shop and some shopping along with the Coffee Emporium, Paxos, and All-Star sports bar make up the promenade. Smoking is permitted off the back of the ship at the end of this area.
The Loft
The Loft offers comedy shows and live music. It was well-attended on my visit.
Ocean Cay
Ocean Cay is MSC’s private island in the Bahamas. The dock is behind expanded to accommodate more vessels, at the moment MSC World America is the largest and can be the only one in port. Ocean Cay was an industrial dumping ground for the Bahamas and has been converted into one of the best experiences at sea. There are now ten bars, several restaurants, seven beaches, and plenty of activities. Unlike Royal Caribbean which charges guests to use the facilities on its Perfect Day at Coco Cay, most of the experiences at Ocean Cay are included in the fare.
Additional charges may include premium beverages, jetskis, catamarans, and other such activities.
MSC opened its new marine care center where it showcases how the MSC Foundation is working to heal the oceans and at this site, rebuild coral. Bahamian staff lives on the island year round in colorful buildings on the center of the island.
The Yacht Club has its own restaurant (Ocean House) and private beach serviced by the ship’s butler staff.
MSC hosts a White Party (think captain shirts and hats) onboard most sailings, but on this occasion, it was held on the beach at Ocean Cay. Below you can see the start, before the end there were more than 1,000 in attendance. Each departure ends in an LCD Lighthouse show.
Royal Caribbean Icon Challenger
Royal Caribbean has a market-leading product in this space, the Icon. However, MSC World America has a very competitive product in the space in terms of amenities and options. With Yacht Club, some could say it’s an elevated alternative. That said, MSC is far more competitive on price and value than Royal Caribbean. On some sailings, the price is half the base fare. Specialty restaurants on MSC have traditionally been offered at up to (5) dinners including spots like Butcher’s Cut, for $150 – the price of just one meal in a steakhouse onboard Royal Caribbean.
I’d stop short of calling it a Royal Caribbean Icon killer, but those who try MSC World America may find that they are able to take twice the amount of vacations they would on Royal without deteriorating their experience. That may bring Icon prices down, or open up more options for families and cruisers on MSC.
Conclusion
MSC World America was impressive as was their presentation of the naming ceremony. The largest entrant into the fleet with a home in Miami, MSC stands to become a true competitor in the contemporary cruising space.
What do you think?
“ As a travel agency owner, I was invited to the naming ceremony of the largest cruise ship for MSC cruises”
Which makes anything you say pure BS as a grifter.
Any legitimate “journalist” would see this for what it is and run far away. But you will take anything and everything offered.
By the way, you don’t really own a travel agency, you just try to hustle others with a website.
I seriously doubt you ever worked a real job a day in your life, but I’m sure you are proud of F’ing others over for years. Yea, I get it, they deserve it for being lazy themselves and you just exploited it. Touché.
Dave please stop. I respect you much.
@Dave – You seem upset, but I’m not exactly sure why. Is it your suggestion that I shouldn’t have gone to the naming ceremony? Part of running an agency is evaluating new products, networking with staff and industry leaders. I’m sure you’re familiar with that in your line of work. So we’ve established that it’s part of my duties to attend, is it your assertion that I not share it with our readers? Is that better somehow?
To your “legitimate ‘journalist'” comment, I’m flattered. Flattered that you’ve confused a travel blog with a publication. Flattered that, until this point, you’d considered me to be one. But tragically, you’re mistaken. I am proudly a travel blogger and don’t claim to be more. However, would you consider Peter Greenberg of CBS to be a journalist? He was onboard too. The Miami Herald, and dozens more – all grifters or just me?
If you’d like to submit your inane comments about me, that’s fine. But without doing any research at all, you’ve decided that my agency isn’t real and I “just own a website.” I really don’t like to toot my own horn, but you’ve begged it out of me. Scott & Thomas has doubled sales each of the last three years and is pacing for the same this year – unheard of in the business. In our consortium of 25,000 agents, we have won greatest growth three years straight. We have been mentioned in the Wall Street Journal, Travel + Leisure, US News and World Report, TIME, Forbes, and many others. We serve members of the entertainment community both behind and in front of the camera, US Senators, Congressmen, and a US governor among other notable clients. Our advisors would laugh at your baseless assertion as would our vendors.
And to your final claim, sir, sit down and be quiet. I have worked a “real job” since the day I turned 16, often working multiple jobs to get ahead and I now proudly run two successful companies. I write for our faithful readers and other publications (and even for you) as well as my other commitments both in the workplace and with my family. You can call me an unskilled writer, you can decide my content isn’t for you, and you can make whatever statements you like about me personally. It doesn’t make them true.
If my content isn’t for you, no one is forcing you to read and certainly not to comment. But it’s provided to you for free, tirelessly, week in and week out. You’re welcome.
Now ask for forgiveness, Dave.
Nah, that’s not me. And it got the most comments on one of Kyle’s Sunday stories in months, maybe longer.
You can thank me later.
And you are 100% correct, I believe the things I post and it’s a viewpoint that should be shared at times in a still too PC World. Even if others don’t agree that some places in SE Asia should be punished for allowing open Ped activities. Or they disagree with my opinions on grifting and how certain “businessmen” act when traveling. The political stuff is just the world we live in.
And for allowing that, as always, I thank you.
As for Aaron I’m not sure he disappeared, but if he did, it just proved how weak he and his type are. But most of us already knew they are pansies wanting special treatment for their life choices. My guess is he is now posting under another name showing his displeasure with your decisions toward free speech.
This style of vacation is not for me but I have people in my life that love cruises.
I have seen lots of ads and press for MSC. Are people who cruise very loyal to “their” cruise lines? The ones I know are and it would take a lot for them to try a new line.
@Heather – Many are, but there have been so many new products that it’s enough to turn heads. On the day we returned to port, Norwegian was also running their inaugural of the new Aqua. That said, Ritz-Carlton and Explora (soon, maybe the Four Seasons, Orient Express, and Aman) are focused on a cruise option for resort guests and not for cruisers.
Thank you for the preview. I am unfamiliar with this line, and unlikely to do this myself it’s nice to discuss this with friends that are into the cruise life. The terminal looks fantastic.
please rate MSC Yacht Club vs Regent.
Also, MSC Top Tier Yacht Club vs Regent.
IOW, why would a Regent cruiser status match to MSC top tier. thanks.
@cr – I don’t think the two are valid comparisons, Regent is all an five-star service, Yacht Club is a business class equivalent on a contemporary ship. It does offer butler service but you might prefer Explora Journeys. It’s a five-star product but where Regent is white glove, Explora is more relaxed. Where Regent still utilizes a general dining room, Explora is all restaurants.
Good old Douchebag Dave Edwards, right on que. Every word you write is completely misguided and undoubtedly simple projection (look “projection” up because you’re obviously way too stupid to know what it means). Anything YOU write is pure BS, YOU’RE the grifter, YOU probably try to hustle others every minute of YOUR worthless life, doubtful you ever worked a real job a day in your life, and YOU’RE obviously pathologically proud of F’ing others over for years. But by all means, keep on accusing other people of all of your horrible personality traits and qualities.
Please crawl back under whatever rock you crawled out from under. Don’t think you’re fooling anyone by posting under another pseudonym and writing that you have respect for yourself, no intelligent civil human being could possibly ever have even an iota of respect for a douchebag like you.
Matthew: Sure doesn’t seem that Douchebag Dave Edwards is getting better, he certainly doesn’t seem to need any emboldening, and if this is a toned down comment, no one would want to see read his comments before they’re toned down. It’s insulting to me, and anyone else who confronts and stands up to a nasty racist bigoted bully like Douchebag Dave Edwards, that you chose to chastise me publicly. At the very least you could’ve sent me a (private) email. That’s among the first lessons in almost any management training, military or otherwise. Always compliment and award in public, always criticize and discipline in private.
Yes, the comment for which you chastised me was preemptive. But it didn’t take very long at all for that preemption to be proven prescient.
When I see “Dave Edwards” I just scroll right past. It’s not worth the waste of electrons, and neither is Tim Dunn, nor Cairns.
Pete GETS IT!
When I see Douchebag Dave Edwards, who’s obviously afraid and ashamed to write his/her/they’s typical BS under his/her/they’s real name, I roll my eyes and spend 10 seconds to see the unacceptable words. Then I copy and paste the same comments I’ve posted here several times in direct reply to him/her/they.
Silence is complicity. The blog owner has a moral and ethical obligation to delete comments which are obviously nasty and/or trolling and/or racist and/or lies. Even for a few more clicks it’s not worth it. The blog owner also has a business obligation to delete unacceptable comments, undoubtedly more people no longer click on this blog in order to not see unacceptable comments than people who click on it just to see those comments (including clicks of the trolling authors). By all means if you know of a way to confront a blog troll/bully other than commenting, please let us know.
It’s clear that Douchebag Dave Edwards is an attention seeking nasty racist stupid troll without any redeeming traits or qualities. Fortunately one only need to spend a few seconds viewing select words in his/her/they’s comments. The fact that he/she/they admits and is gleeful about it is strongly indication of major psychiatric disease, like sociopathic personality disorder (Charles Manson).
Why all the enmity? I would never, ever in my life get on one of those poop palaces but it’s nice to read about them once in a while.
BTW Pete I don’t know who you are but I’m glad I’ve affected your well being in some way.
I wouldn’t lump Holland America in with the mass-market lines MSC, RCL, Carnival and NCL. It is a “premium” line such as Celebrity and Princess.
I was onboard as well- it was a great time! The bumper cars were my highlight, however.
The spa was a bit disappointing.. while it has a larger soaking pool, the overall spa is smaller than on Seascape.
Didnt get YC -but an Aurea Infinite Oceanview and enjoyed it more than a balcony.
Dave- there were 700 of us agents and 450 social media influencers onboard. Kyle got to double dip because of the site & his agency affiliation.
Hey Kyle glad to know you had a great time! I just shared this with a few members of our team here at MSC! Hope to see you onboard again soon1