Icon of the Seas is about to get some tough competition.
Fast-growing MSC Cruises on Friday gave TPG an eye on the largest ship it’s building to take on troubled Royal Caribbean in the Caribbean, and it was a sight to behold.
Giant water slides, large pool areas and an indoor entertainment area full of restaurants and bars were among the things TPG saw on the superyacht, which is still under construction at a shipyard in France.
To be called MSC World America, MSC Cruises’ largest ship is scheduled to enter service in April 2025. She will sail a week-long Caribbean cruise from Miami every Saturday, making the biggest match between three of the world’s largest cruise lines.
In addition to Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, Miami is home to Carnival Cruise Line’s flagship, the two-year-old Carnival Celebration.
Icon of the Seas also sails a weeklong Caribbean cruise out of Miami every Saturday. Carnival Celebration sails a weeklong Caribbean cruise out of Miami every Sunday.
As TPG saw when watching MSC World America, which took place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. In Nazaire, France, the ship was built on a scale that is most unusual in the world of sailing.
Soaring a staggering 20 decks, MSC World America is as tall as the Icon of the Seas. The latest ship also rises 20 decks higher.
That said, it is slightly longer than the Icon of the Seas, which results in a smaller size when measured in gross tons – a measure of interior space used by shipbuilders.
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Measuring approximately 216,000 tons, MSC World America will be the eighth largest cruise ship in the world when she launches in April. It will be able to hold 6,762 passengers which is close to a record-for-a-cruise with all berths filled.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to MSC Cruises
At 248,863 gross tons, Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. At 183,521 tons, Carnival Celebration is the 16th largest cruise ship in the world. The two ships can carry 7,600 passengers and 6,631 passengers, respectively.
Like both other ships, MSC World America will have a family-friendly space on its upper deck that includes everything from a large water park to a ropes course.
Called The Harbour, the complex will cater to families like never before for MSC Cruises, with a mix of water and non-water attractions, dining and travel options and a lounge.
Related: Epic Fun! MSC Cruises’ new ship will have a large playground
Among the most impressive features of the site seen by TPG under construction on Friday were three large waterslides that descended from the highest point of the ship to the landing area below. There will also be a fourth, smaller water slide for small children not far from the three big slides.
Also on display during the sneak peek, which appears to be nearing completion, was a two-level ropes course that spanned 6,210 square feet and included two “sky rails” similar to a zip line.
Touring the site with MSC Cruises executives and representatives from several other media outlets, TPG also saw the first-of-its-kind cruise ship under construction, which will be called Cliffhanger.
A themed children’s playground modeled after the lighthouse on MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, was also in the works for the resort.
In addition, The Harbor area was home to a shark-themed entrance to a 10-deck dry slide called the Jaw Drop. Although it’s not quite complete yet, the attraction will drop from Deck 20 to Deck 8. While that may seem like a 12-deck drop, it will only be a 10-deck drop because MSC World America will not have Deck 13 or -Deck. 17. These two numbers are considered unlucky in some cultures.
The port will be one of three family-friendly areas around the ship that will be known as the Aventura Family district. The other two areas are the Doremiland children’s program area, which will have seven different children’s rooms, and the Sportsplex, a multi-use arena with supercars, rollerblading and other family-friendly activities.
MSC World America will also have six pools and 14 hot tubs — all of which were under construction Friday.
The lagoons include a large, unusually long lake that sits in the middle of what will be one of the largest lagoons in the ocean.
Like Icon of the Seas, MSC World America will also feature a large indoor restaurant, bar and retail area as well as an outdoor aft dining and bar area.
The interior of MSC World America will be called the Galleria, while the exterior will be known as the Promenade.
MSC World America is the second ship in MSC Cruises’ new World Class ship series. The first ship in the series, MSC World Europa, was launched in late 2022 and was designed to sail in Europe.
While MSC World America will have similarities to MSC World Europa, executives in Friday’s preview said about 30% of MSC World America’s public spaces will be different than what is currently available on MSC World Europa.
Related: 6 types of MSC Cruises ships, explained
The changes, which include the addition of a sports bar along the Promenade and an Eataly-branded Italian restaurant, were made to appeal to the special tastes of the North American market.
The World Class ships are nearly 20% larger than any previous MSC Cruises ship and the same size for Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, which have dominated the list of world’s largest, most cosmopolitan ships for years.
With the exception of six ships in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class series and Icon of the Seas, which is its own class (Icon Class), the World Class ships are the only cruise ships in the world to exceed 200,000 gross tons.
The two World Class ships are larger and more spacious than any ship operated by Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises or any other cruise brand other than Royal Caribbean.
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