MIAMI -- As the ship's godmother, a giddy Drew Barrymore cut the ribbon sending a bottle of Champagne crashing into the MSC World America's hull on Wednesday, christening the ship at MSC Cruises' new terminal, which MSC boasts as the world's largest.
It was an evening where "Let's Holiday," catchphrase for MSC's Super Bowl commercial and its U.S. marketing campaign, was a bookend for speeches at the naming ceremony. Madonna's "Holiday," the song played in the Super Bowl ad, was heard throughout the evening. Kimberly Davis -- vocalist in the current lineup for disco band Chic -- sang "Holiday" live.
Though April 9 is no holiday, it felt like one aboard MSC World America.
"Being here tonight in such an important city for the cruise industry aboard the ship that we built specifically for this market is really special," said MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato.
It was a star-studded evening, as British actor Orlando Bloom joined Super Bowl ad co-star Barrymore for the occasion. Gloria Estefan performed just hours later on one of the top decks, adorned in glitter and infusing Miami flavor into the evening.
In quick procession at the naming ceremony, MSC executives celebrated dual missions accomplished: the debut of their largest U.S.-based ship (6,762 passengers at max capacity) and their new terminal.
"It really is the perfect location to celebrate this incredible ship in its new homeport," said Ruben Rodriguez, the CEO of MSC's North America cruise division.
An aerial view of the new MSC World America in Miami. Photo Credit: MSC Cruises
In addition to performances by Davis and Estefan, the audience enjoyed a preview of the ship's exclusive "Dirty Dancing in Concert." Dancers grooved into the aisles to "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" before one couple performed the movie's iconic lift.
Barrymore had told reporters earlier in the evening how excited she was to be a ship godmother, something she had never envisioned.
"I'm so into it," she said. "Now, I'm very prideful about it."
At the naming ceremony, she cheerfully bantered with executives on stage while off mic.
Upon her return to the stage for the ribbon-cutting, she was surrounded by ship officers, MSC executives and commercial co-star Orlando Bloom.
After the ceremonial bottle of champagne crashed across the bow, a drone show filled the sky. The two most popular words of the evening lit up the sky: Let's Holiday.