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This major celebrity will grace the cruise industry's newest megaship in April

March 05, 2025
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3 min read
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This major celebrity will grace the cruise industry's newest megaship in April
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From Elliott’s annoying little sister in “E.T.” to Josie Grossie in “Never Been Kissed,” Drew Barrymore has played some iconic parts. Now, in her latest role, she’ll become a godmother to the cruise industry’s newest megaship, MSC World America.

The actress and TV host will officially name the ship at a ceremony on April 9, just prior to the vessel’s first sailing from its brand-new home port terminal — the largest in North America — at Port Miami.

“I absolutely love to travel – it fuels my soul – and being part of something that helps people set off on incredible adventures is just amazing,” Barrymore said in a statement issued by MSC Cruises. “There’s something so magical about cruises; they let you discover the world in this really fun, unexpected way. And to be able to name MSC World America and send the ship off with well wishes and good luck is such an honor.”

A rendering of a large cruise ship
An artist's rendering of MSC World America. MSC CRUISES

“Drew is the perfect Godmother for MSC World America, and we are thrilled to continue to partner with her for this campaign,” Suzanne Salas, MSC Cruises USA's executive vice president of marketing, e-commerce and sales, said in the statement. “She embodies our brand perfectly, with her exquisite style and grace, and her passion for the comfort and adventure we find through travel.”

Barrymore, who currently hosts “The Drew Barrymore Show,” will be joined at the ceremony by actor Orlando Bloom, who co-starred with her in a TV commercial for MSC that first aired during the Super Bowl.

World America, the second in MSC’s World Class of vessels, will be divided into seven districts, similar to the zones on Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel Class ships and neighborhoods on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class and Icon Class vessels.

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Within those districts, the ship will offer 19 restaurants and 18 bars and lounges; shops along both an outdoor promenade and in a three-deck indoor galleria; a dedicated outdoor family space with an overwater swing thrill ride, a water park, a ropes course and a playground; and the largest Yacht Club suite area in the Caribbean.

Following its debut, MSC World America will sail seven- and 14-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages from Miami year-round, visiting ports in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Honduras. Fares start from $629 per person ($90 per person, per night) for an inside cabin on a seven-night voyage in September 2025.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Featured image by MSC CRUISES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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