MSC Cruises officially christened its newest flagship, MSC World America, last night at the brand new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal AA, the largest cruise terminal in the world.

The christening ceremony was headlined by Drew Barrymore, who assumed the role of godmother in keeping with maritime tradition. Barrymore activated the ceremonial mechanism that smashed a champagne bottle against the ship’s bow, a symbol of good fortune for the vessel and its future sailings. The event was attended by Orlando Bloom, who co-starred with Barrymore in MSC’s U.S.-focused TV campaign, “Let’s Holiday.”

“It is a great honor to be the godmother of MSC World America,” Barrymore said during the event. “My passion for travel has been with me my entire life – it inspires me and has given me unforgettable memories. Millions of people will create their own wonderful memories aboard this ship.”

The celebration featured a gala dinner, live performances, and a high-impact drone and fireworks display that illuminated the Miami skyline signaling the brand’s ambitions in the competitive North American cruise market.

MSC World America is the second World Class vessel, a next-generation class that merges scale with sustainable innovation. Designed specifically for the U.S. market, the ship offers a distinct American cruising experience, while maintaining MSC’s European hallmark. Some of the features include reimagined entertainment venues, expanded culinary concepts, and a layout optimized for North American guests.

Set to enter service on April 12, 2025, MSC World America will homeport in Miami, sailing a 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Each sailing will also include a stop at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC’s exclusive private island in the Bahamas, which continues to be a cornerstone of the line’s Caribbean offerings.