The MSC World America recently completed its first year of service after entering service for MSC Cruises on April 12, 2025.
As part of the company’s World-class series, the vessel was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.
Along with its sister ship, the MSC World Europa, the 5,400-passenger ship debuted as the largest ship in MSC’s fleet.
With a series of tweaks aimed at the U.S. market, the MSC World America was designed for year-round service in the Caribbean.
After crossing the Atlantic with no guests onboard, the vessel made its official debut in Florida, following a christening ceremony at MSC’s new cruise terminal in PortMiami.
As it enters its second year of service, the MSC World America will continue to offer weeklong cruises from its homeport of Miami.
In 2026, the vessel’s schedule includes itineraries to both the Western and Eastern Caribbean, visiting a range of destinations, such as Cozumel in Mexico and Roatán in Honduras.
MSC is now getting ready to add two additional World Class ships to its fleet in the near future, including the MSC World Asia.
While its name pays homage to Asia, the 208,500-ton vessel is set to offer year-round cruises in the Western Mediterranean starting in December 2026.
In late 2027, the company is welcoming the MSC World Atlantic, which will sail from Port Canaveral to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
MSC Cruises is ready for the Poesia’s debut in Alaska, as the ship will spend the summer sailing Alaska cruises on Mondays from Seattle, marking the company’s entry to the region.
“We’re so excited for this moment,” said Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America.
“From the time we announced the program until now, we’ve been approaching Alaska with the understanding that this is a highly seasonal destination. A destination-driven market where the itinerary and the natural environment are such an important part of the experience for our guests.”
The Poesia emerged from drydock freshly refurbished and readied for the market.
“We’ve really thought very carefully about the refurbishment,” she said. “At the same time, we’re making sure that the destination is really reflected in the journey. We’re incorporating Alaska-inspired dining, wellness and enrichment programming. Even the small touches, we have cocktails that bring together the itinerary and the onboard experience, like ‘Unwind in Juneau.’”
Among the headline additions to Poesia is the Yacht Club, MSC’s exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept.
“We know we see not only strong demand for the Yacht Club, but very, very high guest satisfaction,” Torrent noted.
New dining venues including Butcher’s Cut steakhouse and Kyoto sushi bar have also come aboard, along with an enhanced spa.
“Butcher’s Cut rates very high in terms of guest appeal,” she added.
On the responsible tourism front, MSC has inked a partnership with Orca that Torrent called a key differentiator.
“We will have a dedicated Marine Mammal Observer onboard during peak whale season,” she explained. “That allows us to add a strong educational layer to the experience and really give guests something to be excited about.”
From Europe to North America
When MSC first opened Alaska for sale, early bookings skewed heavily toward the line’s established European loyalist base, something Torrent said was fully expected.
“As soon as we opened for sale, our very loyal and robust past guests from around the world came in,” she said.
But the North American mix has strengthened considerably since.
“We’re seeing a very healthy mix from North America,” Torrent said. “It gives us another opportunity to introduce MSC Cruises to new guests and new travel advisors in another part of the country, just like we’re seeing with Galveston. “
Sandy Cay: A Second Private Island
Beyond Alaska, Torrent pointed to Sandy Cay, MSC’s second private destination in the Bahamas, as more major news in the brand’s near-term growth story.
The island, set to open in 2028 within the same 64 square miles of protected waters surrounding Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, is being designed with both MSC Cruises guests and the line’s Explora Journeys ultra-luxury brand in mind.
“We think of Sandy Cay as a natural extension of what we’ve already built in Ocean Cay,” Torrent said. “It complements that experience and really stays true to the nature-rooted identity.”
The island will be a tender operation, with ships docking at Ocean Cay and guests ferried across. It will feature five beaches.
“The goal is really to create something that’s a bit more refined, while maintaining that very relaxed, genuine atmosphere,” she said.
Seashore Updates and Flexible Dining
Coming off an April drydock, the MSC Seashore has received a pair of new food and beverage concept.
Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs, offering breakfast burritos, pulled pork hash, brisket, and ribs from Deck 8 aft. In addition is The Chicken Man, a fried chicken and comfort food venue on Deck 18 aft.
“These venues are good examples of how we continue to evolve the onboard experience based on guest feedback and invest across the fleet,” Torrent said. “It’s not only about new ships, although we’re very focused on that, and new destinations, but it’s also about that constant evolution.”
MSC is also piloting a new flexible dining program called “Dine on Your Time,” currently available on Seashore and Seaside, allowing guests to forgo fixed dining times in favor of open seating. Traditional fixed dining times remain available for those who prefer them.
Eyes Forward
“We’re constantly innovating, expanding, and listening to travel advisors and guests as we really think about how to enhance our product,” she said.
“North America continues to be a key growth market for us, and you’re seeing that as we continue to expand our deployment in Galveston and Alaska, and strengthen our presence in our key U.S. homeports.”
In addition is the new World-Class ship, the MSC World Atlantic, which begins service from Port Canaveral in late 2027.
CIN data shows that more than 200 ships will sail in the region, with capacity up over 10 percent on a year-over-year basis.
Larger brands, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC and Norwegian, will account for 75 percent of the capacity in the Caribbean this year.
Pushing up the numbers are large new ships, which are set to enter service for some of these brands over the course of 2026.
Norwegian will add a new ship to its Caribbean lineup in the second quarter, with the debut of the new Norwegian Luna.
Currently under construction in Italy, the 3,571-passenger vessel is set to offer weeklong cruises departing from PortMiami.
In November, Royal Caribbean is also introducing the next largest ship in the world, the Legend of the Seas.
As the third vessel in the company’s Icon-class series, the 5,610-guest ship will offer a seasonal deployment out of Fort Lauderdale.
The Caribbean is also welcoming new ships from a series of upscale and niche brands, such as Explora Journeys.
After an inaugural season in Northern Europe, the 922-guest ship will spend the 2026-27 season offering a series of cruises between San Juan and Miami.
Other luxury ships arriving in the region this year include the Seven Seas Prestige, the Four Seasons I, and Orient Express’ Corinthian.
2026 will also mark the first full year of service for megaships that entered service in 2025.
The lineup includes MSC’s World America, which debuted last April, Norwegian’s Aqua, which also debuted in April, and Royal Caribbean’s Star, which entered service in August.
After kicking off its maiden season in November 2025, the Disney Destiny will also offer its first year-round schedule in Port Everglades
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