“She’s the most authentic, fun human you could imagine,” Bloom said of co-star Drew Barrymore.
Orlando Bloom enjoys an active vacation. “If I go somewhere where there’s a beach, I’m always swimming, and then I’m on the beach,” he told USA TODAY. “I work for my rest.”
When the actor, who stars in a new MSC Cruises campaign, sailed with the cruise line recently, it was no different: he visited the gym and relaxed at the spa. “It was just a vibe, you know, and everybody’s just there to have a good time and enjoy themselves, sort of switch off and just be pampered by people who know what they’re doing,” he said.
Bloom, who stars in the ad alongside Drew Barrymore – reuniting following their 2025 Super Bowl commercial – spoke to USA TODAY about his favorite ways to travel, working with Barrymore and what he always packs on vacation. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Question: You’ve been working with MSC for a while now, but what was it like working with them on this new campaign?
Bloom: You know, I love MSC. I think it’s a great company. I’ve worked with UNICEF for maybe 20-plus years, and they’re one of UNICEF’s (longtime) supporters, which I was to find out afterwards, but it speaks volumes to the character of the business and the company and the quality of service and way that they do things … They provide a quality service that has that European style with the American flair, you know? And I love that they’re ethical in their business practices in many ways, as well.
Do you have any favorite memories from the time that you spent on board?
I love the gym, and the gym’s awesome. I loved the spa. … They had this sauna room with a snow room … it was just, like, all of the best things that you can think of when you want to unwind in a sort of spa service. So, I could work out, I could sauna, amazing sauna, ice, you know, relax. I had two awesome massages.
I ate really well. The food was first-class, and so many different restaurants that I could choose from. I love Mediterranean food, and there was great Greek Mediterranean food.
What kinds of destinations do you like to visit on your own time when you’re planning a vacation?
I love to experience different cultures. You know, I love to kind of get away from it all.
I love the mountains. I love nature, so seasonally, I love to get into the mountains when I can, and I love to snowboard. And in the summertime, I love to experience different food and cultures and cycles and bike rides and get that kind of experience, so (traveling) through Europe and stuff is always wonderful.
What does an ideal vacation day look like to you?
Somewhere I can move my body, and then relax my body, and then feed my body. So, like, if I can wake up and swim or hike or bike and then relax, and then eat, and then relax some more, and then move my body some more, and then sleep really well. I mean, I’m pretty straightforward like that. But I love to be in nature, and I love to be able to do that.
We’re talking about cruises, but do you have a favorite mode of travel, like plane, train, road trip?
I mean, the great thing about a cruise is that you just get to completely switch off and travel places that you don’t have to think about. It’s like, you go, “OK, I want to hit these spots. Great, well I can cruise and hit all these spots,” and it’s gonna be awesome. Trains are fun, too … Traveling Europe by train is kind of awesome. I did it when I was younger. I traveled India and Mexico by train, too. …
But the thing about a cruise is it’s kind of all of those rolled into one, except you’re over the ocean, and you wake up in a new location. You’re like, “Wow, a new place to explore.” And with MSC, they have the island (Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve) that was just the perfect place to go and to chill, have a totally different kind of onboard, off-board experience if you know what I’m saying. … Drew’s so fun to work with, too.
I was going to ask what it’s been like working with her, as well?
She’s just so fun. She’s the best. She’s the most authentic, fun human you could imagine. She’s just a pleasure to be around. I mean, she’s grown up on set, she’s so comfortable. But she’s just great.
It definitely comes through in the footage, I think, too. It seems like you all are having a lot of fun.
We have a great time doing it. We have a great rapport. She just is so funny. She’s so naturally funny. Like, I think on this last commercial, we were there super early. I think it was like a 5 a.m. wake-up or something, and it’s like 6 a.m. on set, and we’re filming already. And she had to do this moment where she just burst into song in the restaurant, dancing around. … I mean, only a total pro could just do that, you know, at 6 a.m. I mean, just be like, “OK, I’m going to have to jump up, sing ‘Holiday’, dancing around the room, and rouse the crowd.” I was like, she’s a pro through and through – and fun and sweet and lovely to work with. I really enjoy it.
Is there anything that you always bring with you, any packing must-haves when you travel?
I always travel with sunglasses, a baseball cap, a great book to read. … That’s about it, those essentials.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].
