• MSC Cruises’ third LNG-powered ship enters final phase of preparation for inaugural season in Caribbean
• Ship to homeport at MSC Cruises’ new PortMiami terminal – the world’s largest

MSC Cruises’ latest flagship, MSC World America has successfully completed her deep-water intensive systems tests during a final sea trial in the Atlantic Ocean.

MSC World America will become MSC Cruises’ 23rd ship and represents an evolution for the cruise line’s successful World Class platform with re-imagined venues and concepts tailored specifically to the U.S. market, combining European style with American comfort. The new ship will also be the first in the fleet to feature seven onboard districts that bring together a range of tailored experiences. Combining bars, restaurants, entertainment and leisure facilities, each district will meet the needs, moods and desires of different types of traveller.

The sea trials checked the performance of the ship’s engines, maneuverability, fuel consumption, safety systems, speed and stopping distances.

The ship will now receive her final finishing touches at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France before being officially delivered to the cruise line on 27 March.

MSC World America will then be officially named on 9 April at the new MSC Cruise Terminal in PortMiami, the largest cruise terminal in the world.

The ship’s maiden voyage will be a celebratory sailing to the company’s private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas ahead of the vessel’s deployment in the Caribbean Sea.

The 22-deck Gross Tonnage 216,638 vessel measures 333.3metres in length and is 47 metres wide, with a capacity for 6,762 passengers and 2,138 crew, features 2,614 cabins and offers more than 38,400m of public space.

MSC World America will have 18 bars and lounges and 19 dining venues, including four main restaurants, two buffets, two venues in the MSC Yacht Club exclusively for its guests, plus six separate speciality restaurants.

Guests can expect new dining concepts including Greek restaurant Paxos and the only Eataly restaurant at sea, along with new complimentary fast casual options to cater to every taste and temptation.

The new flagship will also debut two brand-new lounge concepts – All-Stars Sports Bar, offering an authentic game-day atmosphere with all-American fare and bar games, and The Loft, a multi-purpose venue for comedy, karaoke and more.

The ship’s inaugural season from Miami starts on 12 April. She will sail alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries with stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Isla de Roatan, Honduras; and Ocean Cay.

MSC World America’s use of LNG enables a direct transition towards drop-in bio and synthetic renewable LNG fuels. The ship is fitted with shore power connectivity, which allows the ship’s engines to be switched off while in port, eliminating local emissions and improving local air quality and the new MSC Cruise Terminal is equipped with shore power capability.

The ship also has an advanced wastewater treatment plant and a comprehensive on-board recycling management plant to minimise waste.

MSC Cruises’ current orderbook includes MSC World Asia to be delivered in 2026 and a yet unnamed fourth World Class vessel in 2027.