Once I boarded the MSC World America for its inaugural crusing this month, I used to be in awe of the a number of waterslides, the 11-story dry slide known as the Jaw Drop and the Cliffhanger, an over-water swing trip. However whereas all that was superb, it was nonetheless the drones that stole the present. Because it seems, MSC Cruises is doing a little severely progressive work with drone expertise, and I noticed all of it firsthand as a part of an unique media crusing that I used to be invited to be part of.
From a drone mild present to cinematic fly-throughs — and even hands-on drone training for teenagers — listed below are 3 ways MSC Cruises is setting a brand new customary for a way the cruise trade embraces drones.
A blinding drone present sends off the ship in fashion
MSC kicked off its inaugural crusing of the MSC World America with an epic drone present, lighting up the evening with synchronized swarms of drones dancing throughout the sky. The luminous UAVs flew into shapes like a flamingo (becoming for the Miami crusing) and a cruise ship. The drones additionally spelled out the letters “MSC” to go away little doubt whose drone present it was.
It was extra than simply leisure — it was an ongoing speaking level. For the following few days of the three-night crusing, everybody was speaking in regards to the drone present and guaranteeing everybody noticed the can’t miss leisure within the sky. Gloria Estefan then carried out the act instantly following the drone present, and — whereas she is a star — extra folks had been buzzing in regards to the drone’s efficiency than her efficiency.
Now this isn’t the primary time drones have been used to ship off a ship for its inaugural crusing. In truth, in October 2024 I sailed on the Solar Princess, which additionally kicked off its inaugural crusing with a drone present.
To now be two for 2 on drone reveals forward of sailings, it’s thrilling to see how huge cruise traces are making drones the centerpiece of celebration.
Drones make epic aerial cinematics and FPV fly-throughs
MSC didn’t cease on the sky present. All through the crusing, the ship was continuously being filmed by drones — and never simply the standard high-flying type. MSC commissioned a collection of drone operators to doc the cruise in next-level fashion.
One of many highlights? An unimaginable FPV fly-through of MSC World America posted by Instagram creator @Jedeye_FPV.
The video takes viewers by way of almost each nook and cranny of the ship — beginning with the rooms (sure, it flies by way of a number of rooms) then reducing by way of the Promenade, which is an architectural feat that includes that multi-story slide reducing by way of the middle. The drone then flies out giving a large, exterior shot of your complete ship. The video is clean, quick, and brilliantly choreographed — a real showcase of what cinematic FPV drones can do in the precise arms.
In truth, @Jedeye_FPV put out a second, behind-the scenes video that’s actually much more enjoyable to look at.
As one commenter put it, “The quantity of talent to tug this out is insane.”
Past FPV, MSC additionally used bigger, cinematic drones to seize the size and design of the ship from above, utilized in different advertising and marketing supplies.
For instance, MSC Cruises’ personal Instagram publish selling their ship has an array of photographs, together with customary on-the-ground cameras, GoPros worn on the physique or on selfie sticks and, sure, drones. Try that video right here, and search for the drone photographs (it’s straightforward to select them out).
3. Drone Academy within the MSC Sportplex
The drones aren’t only for present — they’re for studying, too. Contained in the MSC Sportplex, an enormous recreation space for households and teenagers, there’s one thing actually distinctive: the MSC Drone Academy.
A number of MSC ships function a drone academy. Experiences range by ship, however typically it’s about letting children be taught the fundamentals of drone flying in a secure, supervised atmosphere. Youngsters get hands-on with mini drones and navigate indoor impediment programs, constructing hand-eye coordination and STEM abilities within the course of.
For instance, MSC Euribia has one thing known as Drone Academy 2.0. It entails a energetic drone relay race that’s higher at evening as a result of lights on the drones. Racers use POV cameras and VR. From there, they compete in groups, navigating 15 obstacles for time.
You possibly can see drones in motion on this promotion video from MSC Cruises:
It’s refreshing to see a cruise line investing in academic, tech-forward programming for younger visitors. For a lot of of those children, this might be their first flight — and the beginning of a lifelong ardour (and maybe a future profession being a cruise photographer or mild present designer).
MSC Cruises paved the way in tech innovation
MSC Cruises and specifically the World America’s embrace of drones is not any one-off gimmick. It’s all half of a bigger dedication to technology-driven experiences.
MSC Cruises has positioned itself as a frontrunner in cruise innovation, from sustainable LNG-powered ships to next-gen visitor experiences. Living proof: its brand-new, state-of-the-art cruise terminal in PortMiami. The large facility is now the biggest on the planet. Plus, it incorporates biometric screening expertise to streamline embarkation and disembarkation. The end result? Sooner boarding, enhanced safety, and a smoother begin to your trip.
Whether or not it’s within the terminal or the skies above the ship, MSC is utilizing tech to make the cruise expertise smarter, sleeker, and extra futuristic. And as somebody who’s been protecting drones for years, it was exhilarating to see a mainstream journey model utilizing drones so creatively – and in such a range of the way.
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