For MSC Cruises, 2025 was not about promises or previews. It was about delivery.
Over the course of the year, MSC launched a headline-making new flagship, opened record-breaking cruise infrastructure, expanded into new U.S. markets, doubled down on sustainability, and locked in fleet growth well into the next decade. It was a year where strategy, scale, and execution finally aligned.
Here’s a look back at the biggest MSC Cruises stories of 2025 – and why they matter.
The Launch of the Year: MSC World America
The defining moment of 2025 came in April with the debut of MSC World America, the cruise line’s first World Class ship designed specifically for the U.S. market.
The ship was officially named on April 9, 2025, during a ceremony at MSC’s brand-new PortMiami terminal, with actress Drew Barrymore serving as godmother. It was a highly visible moment that signaled MSC’s confidence not just in the ship, but in its long-term U.S. strategy.
What made World America different was intention. From the ground up, the ship was built to feel intuitive for American cruisers while still retaining MSC’s European design DNA.
Key highlights included:
- Seven distinct onboard “districts” that organize the ship by experience rather than deck number
- The Family Aventura district, anchored by The Harbour, an outdoor family park
- Cliffhanger, the only over-water swing ride at sea
- New entertainment offerings like Dirty Dancing in Concert and the first-ever LEGO parade at sea
- LNG propulsion, making World America MSC’s newest liquefied natural gas-powered flagship
Once World America entered service, the conversation quickly shifted from speculation to real-world experiences. That alone made it the most important MSC story of the year.
Infrastructure & Port Milestones
2025 was also the year MSC dramatically upgraded its presence on land to match its growing fleet at sea.
Miami’s Mega-Terminal
Early in the year, MSC opened the world’s largest cruise terminal at Miami’s PortMiami. Designed to handle up to 36,000 passenger movements per day, the terminal was built specifically around MSC’s operational scale.
For cruisers, this meant smoother embarkation and debarkation. For the industry, it was a clear signal that MSC sees Miami as a permanent home, not just a convenient port.
Expansion to Galveston
In November 2025, MSC reached another major U.S. milestone when MSC Seascape began homeporting in Galveston.
This move marked MSC’s official entry into the Texas cruise market, opening the brand to a massive drive-to audience. While it did not generate the same buzz as Miami, Galveston quietly became one of MSC’s most strategically important expansions of the year.
European Infrastructure Investments
MSC’s infrastructure push was not limited to North America. In 2025, the company also inaugurated a new state-of-the-art cruise terminal in Barcelona and celebrated the first-ever shore power connection in Valletta.
Together, these projects reinforced MSC’s global footprint and long-term commitment to modern port operations.
Sustainability & Environmental Innovation
MSC continued advancing its Net-Zero 2050 roadmap in 2025 with tangible, measurable progress.
One of the most notable achievements was the first-time use of shore power connections in New York City and Valletta. By plugging ships directly into local electrical grids while docked, MSC reduced emissions in port and improved air quality for surrounding communities.
The line also achieved fleet-wide ISO 21070:2017 certification for marine environmental protection, an operational milestone that underscored its focus on water management and environmental standards across the entire fleet.
At Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, MSC opened a new Marine Conservation Center in 2025. The facility supports research, education, and hands-on conservation efforts, including “super coral” restoration projects and marine wildlife protection. Ocean Cay continued to evolve from a private island stop into a living environmental initiative.
Major Fleet Expansion Orders
If 2025 proved anything, it is that MSC is planning far beyond the next few years.
In May and again in November, MSC confirmed orders for World Class 7 and 8, bringing the total number of ships in the class to eight. The move reinforced MSC’s confidence in the World Class platform and its scalability.
Then, in December, MSC announced a landmark agreement with Meyer Werft for up to six next-generation vessels in an entirely new ship class. Often referred to as the “New Frontier” class, these ships are expected to push efficiency, sustainability, and onboard design even further.
Adding momentum to the pipeline, MSC also celebrated the float-out of MSC World Asia, which remains on track to debut in late 2026.
Itinerary Highlights & Global Reach
While ships and infrastructure dominated headlines, 2025 also delivered notable itinerary and brand expansion news.
Throughout the year, excitement built for MSC’s first-ever Alaska season, scheduled for 2026 aboard MSC Poesia. Entering the Alaska market represented a significant step for MSC as it broadened beyond its traditional warm-weather strongholds.
MSC also completed a successful 2025 World Cruise and opened bookings for the 2028 World Cruise, reinforcing the line’s global scale and long-horizon planning.
Beyond cruising itself, MSC extended its global partnership with Formula 1 through 2030. In 2025, the partnership included title sponsorships at multiple Grand Prix events, further positioning MSC as a global lifestyle brand with reach beyond the cruise industry.
Awards & Recognition
The year’s achievements did not go unnoticed.
In 2025, MSC earned multiple honors from Cruise Critic, including Best for Families and Best Suite Complex for the MSC Yacht Club.
Porthole Cruise & Travel readers named MSC World America Best New Ship, while Good Housekeeping selected the ship as a 2026 Travel Award winner, announced late in 2025.
These accolades served as third-party validation of a year defined by execution rather than hype.
Looking Ahead
By the end of 2025, MSC Cruises looked very different than it did at the start of the year.
World America was sailing. Mega-terminals were open. New markets were active. Sustainability initiatives were operational. And future ships were firmly on the books.
If 2025 was the year MSC turned ambition into reality, 2026 is shaping up to be the year those investments start paying off in a much bigger way.
