MSC World America Embarks on First Sea Trials: A Milestone at Sea

Bild: © MSC Cruises
The MSC World America, a cruise ship currently under construction for Swiss cruise line MSC Cruises, has left the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire today to embark on its first sea trials in the Atlantic. Built by the French shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique, the vessel is expected to return to the shipyard on December 14, 2024, according to the latest tracking data. Captain Dino Sagani has been on board since November 2024, but command of the ship remains with the shipyard as the MSC World America has not yet been officially handed over to the cruise line.

During these sea trials, the ship undergoes more demanding tests than those conducted during regular cruise operations. These include pushing the vessel to its maximum speed and performing abrupt stops. Such maneuvers ensure the ship complies with international safety and quality standards. Experts from the shipyard, the cruise line, and the classification society oversee the trials to record any irregularities and implement adjustments if necessary.

The MSC World America is being developed as a near-identical sister ship to the MSC World Europa, which has been successfully operating in the Mediterranean and the Middle East since 2022. However, the World America is specifically designed for the U.S. market, which MSC Cruises aims to further expand.

If construction and subsequent testing proceed as scheduled, MSC World America will enter service in April 2025. Its itineraries will operate out of Miami, and the ship's christening ceremony is planned for April 9, 2025.

The World Class series will continue to grow in the coming years. Following the MSC World America, MSC World Asia is scheduled for delivery in 2026, with an unnamed sister ship set to debut in 2027.