When I boarded the MSC World America for its inaugural sailing this month, I was in awe of the multiple waterslides, the 11-story dry slide called the Jaw Drop and the Cliffhanger, an over-water swing ride. But while all that was amazing, it was still the drones that stole the show. As it turns out, MSC Cruises is doing some seriously innovative work with drone technology, and I saw it all firsthand as part of an exclusive media sailing that I was invited to be a part of.
From a drone light show to cinematic fly-throughs — and even hands-on drone education for kids — here are three ways MSC Cruises is setting a new standard for how the cruise industry embraces drones.
A dazzling drone show sends off the ship in style
MSC kicked off its inaugural sailing of the MSC World America with an epic drone show, lighting up the night with synchronized swarms of drones dancing across the sky. The luminous UAVs flew into shapes like a flamingo (fitting for the Miami sailing) and a cruise ship. The drones also spelled out the letters “MSC” to leave no doubt whose drone show it was.
It was more than just entertainment — it was an ongoing talking point. For the next few days of the three-night sailing, everyone was talking about the drone show and ensuring everyone saw the can’t miss entertainment in the sky. Gloria Estefan then performed the act immediately following the drone show, and — while she is a star — more people were buzzing about the drone’s performance than her performance.
Now this is not the first time drones have been used to send off a ship for its inaugural sailing. In fact, in October 2024 I sailed on the Sun Princess, which also kicked off its inaugural sailing with a drone show.
To now be two for two on drone shows ahead of sailings, it’s thrilling to see how big cruise lines are making drones the centerpiece of celebration.
Drones make epic aerial cinematics and FPV fly-throughs
MSC didn’t stop at the sky show. Throughout the sailing, the ship was constantly being filmed by drones — and not just the usual high-flying kind. MSC commissioned a series of drone operators to document the cruise in next-level style.
One of the highlights? An incredible FPV fly-through of MSC World America posted by Instagram creator @Jedeye_FPV.
The video takes viewers through nearly every nook and cranny of the ship — starting with the rooms (yes, it flies through multiple rooms) then cutting through the Promenade, which is an architectural feat featuring that multi-story slide cutting through the center. The drone then flies out giving a wide, exterior shot of the entire ship. The video is smooth, fast, and brilliantly choreographed — a true showcase of what cinematic FPV drones can do in the right hands.
In fact, @Jedeye_FPV put out a second, behind-the scenes video that’s honestly even more fun to watch.
As one commenter put it, “The amount of skill to pull this out is insane.”
Beyond FPV, MSC also used larger, cinematic drones to capture the scale and design of the ship from above, used in other marketing materials.
For example, MSC Cruises’ own Instagram post promoting their ship has an array of shots, including standard on-the-ground cameras, GoPros worn on the body or on selfie sticks and, yes, drones. Check out that video here, and look for the drone shots (it’s easy to pick them out).
3. Drone Academy in the MSC Sportplex
The drones aren’t just for show — they’re for learning, too. Inside the MSC Sportplex, a massive recreation area for families and teens, there’s something truly unique: the MSC Drone Academy.
Multiple MSC ships feature a drone academy. Experiences vary by ship, but generally it’s about letting kids learn the basics of drone flying in a safe, supervised environment. Kids get hands-on with mini drones and navigate indoor obstacle courses, building hand-eye coordination and STEM skills in the process.
For example, MSC Euribia has something called Drone Academy 2.0. It entails a lively drone relay race that’s better at night due to the lights on the drones. Racers use POV cameras and VR. From there, they compete in teams, navigating 15 obstacles for time.
You can see drones in action in this promotion video from MSC Cruises:
It’s refreshing to see a cruise line investing in educational, tech-forward programming for young guests. For many of these kids, this could be their first flight — and the start of a lifelong passion (and perhaps a future career being a cruise photographer or light show designer).
MSC Cruises lead the way in tech innovation
MSC Cruises and in particular the World America’s embrace of drones is no one-off gimmick. It’s all part of a larger commitment to technology-driven experiences.
MSC Cruises has positioned itself as a leader in cruise innovation, from sustainable LNG-powered ships to next-gen guest experiences. Case in point: its brand-new, state-of-the-art cruise terminal in PortMiami. The massive facility is now the largest in the world. Plus, it incorporates biometric screening technology to streamline embarkation and disembarkation. The result? Faster boarding, enhanced security, and a smoother start to your vacation.
Whether it’s in the terminal or the skies above the ship, MSC is using tech to make the cruise experience smarter, sleeker, and more futuristic. And as someone who’s been covering drones for years, it was exhilarating to see a mainstream travel brand using drones so creatively – and in such a diversity of ways.
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