It was like they were pumping ‘new ship smell’ through the ventilators at the Arcadian Loft in downtown Toronto on 06NOV. MSC Canada threw a multi-sensory, multi-media pre-welcome-aboard party designed to give guests a virtual- but real-life - interactive tour of MSC World America, even before the ship launches in APR, 2025 in Miami.
It will be the cruise line’s biggest in the American market, with 22 decks, home to more than 6,700 guests, and a symbol of the Europe-based MSC’s focus on growth and competing head-to-head with the other mega-ship cruise lines in North America. It’s right there in the name!
According to MSC Canada staff, this pre-inaugural event is the only one of its kind. Stations around the room simulated a tour of MSC World America and highlighted new partnerships, features, and the seven districts of the ship.
Each station was interactive, with sips and snacks and activities that brought the ship’s onboard experience to life for about 150 invited travel advisors, media and content creators. With a nightclub atmosphere, complete with a DJ spinning club music, the exclusive party ambiance was complete.
A white-gloved server, evoking butler service in MSC’s ‘ship-within-a-ship’ MSC Yacht Club, offered guests glasses of Italian Prosecco. The MSC Yacht Club aboad MSC World America will be the largest ever. Guests have access by keycard to private venues including indoor and outdoor lounges and pools. And those 24-hour butlers!
Pasta done right - celebrating the world’s only Eataly at sea, debuting aboard MSC World America. It will be located with eight other restaurants in the Terraces district.
Scented hot towel and even somewhere to put up your feet, courtesy of the adults-only Zen Area, which, onboard the ship, will include two exclusive pools in an oasis of serenity among nearly 7,000 multi-generational guests.
Advisors at the event experienced the Family Aventura district through Virtual Reality, guided by MSC staff. The top deck district of MSC World America offers a high ropes course, bumper cars, water slides, dry slide, and MSC’s Lego partnership activities.
A gelato station reminded advisors about MSC’s Italian roots and European flavour – even as they emphasized how MSC World America was designed for and focuses on the North American market. Gelato, chocolate and other temptations will be found on the ship in the Galleria.
Additional cocktail stations showcased the offering of the Terraces district, with Canadian and U.S. craft gins featured in The Gin Project, a mixology bar and a British-style pub complete with MSC’s own craft beers.
Other stations provided information about the main, double-pool Aqua Deck, the architectural marvel of the indoor/ outdoor Promenade, and other features of the ship.
For her inaugural season, MSC World America will homeport in Miami, beginning APR, 2025. MSC’s new terminal in PortMiami – expected to acquire LEEDS sustainability accreditation – will open in time to welcome the new ship.
MSC World America will sail with seven-night Caribbean itineraries with calls at the cruise line’s private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
