MSC World America Overview: A Household-Pleasant Ship

MSC Cruises, a serious European cruise line, is increasing its U.S. presence with a brand new ship. On April 9, 2025, the MSC World America set sail on its inaugural journey from Miami to the Caribbean. It’s one of many 10 largest cruise ships on the earth. Designed with households in thoughts, it options kid-friendly actions like waterslides, a ropes course and a trip that swings you over the ocean.

I previewed the ship on the invite-only inaugural crusing, a celebratory voyage that wasn’t open to most of the people however that included media and journey brokers. These preview sailings are completely different from an ordinary passenger voyage; some components of the cruise weren’t but operational. Nonetheless, I acquired a powerful sense of what passengers might anticipate. Though MSC coated the price of my journey, the opinions on this evaluate are my very own.

Though a lot of the meals served on the ship was simply so-so and repair was generally sluggish, the ship’s spectacular lineup of rides and leisure made it possibility for these in search of a household cruise.

Embarkation occurred at MSC Cruises’ brand-new PortMiami terminal, which opened in April and is now the most important cruise terminal on the earth. Regardless of the scale of each the terminal and the ship itself, check-in was the smoothest and quickest expertise I’ve had on any cruise. That’s largely as a result of terminal’s high-tech design.

I checked in forward of time on-line by way of the MSC for Me app (you possibly can additionally pre-check in by way of the MSC Cruises web site). Then, I uploaded my journey paperwork, like my passport info, and instantly obtained a boarding cross, which I loaded onto my Apple Pockets.

I had a rideshare drop me off in a coated drop-off zone on the terminal, which was only a fast stroll to the primary entrance. People who find themselves driving themselves can park within the six-level storage, which has greater than 2,400 areas that may be reserved prematurely by way of the MSC for Me app or web site.

I didn’t test any luggage myself; because the creator of the 10-$10 rule, I’m a fanatic about packing gentle. However when you have baggage, you’ll be able to scan your boarding cross and depart your luggage at one of many drop-off factors within the parking storage to have them delivered to your room.

The biometric check-in course of, which I opted into, was easy. I scanned my passport and had my picture taken by a digicam that used facial recognition to validate my id. I didn’t have to whip out my passport at any level after that. Even when occurring and off the ship throughout port days, I simply scanned a ship-issued cruise badge.

The cruise terminal, which overlooks Biscayne Bay, is large and crammed with pure gentle. It didn’t really feel cramped and stuffy like some terminals.

Friends of the MSC Yacht Membership, the cruise line’s luxurious “ship-within-a-ship” idea (extra on that later), have entry to a non-public lounge the place they will nosh on premium drinks and snacks whereas they wait.

MSC World America first impressions

MSC World America is a behemoth of a ship: 22 decks excessive, greater than 1,000 toes lengthy and sufficient area to carry practically 7,000 visitors and greater than 2,000 crew members. It has 19 eating venues, and a number of bars, lounges, outlets and swimming pools.

Onboard, you’ll be able to stroll alongside the World Promenade, an enormous out of doors area with eating places and bars. Massive pillars designed to resemble palm bushes gentle up at night time. Within the middle, there’s an unlimited spiral slide that drops 11 flooring, which riders can enter on Deck 20.

From the second you board, it’s clear this ship is supposed to impress. There are seven themed “districts,” every designed for numerous vacationers:

Exploring the ship appears like a choose-your-own-adventure expertise.

Getting misplaced is a part of the enjoyable. It’s additionally inevitable.

The cabins: Compact however bland

MSC World America’s cabins are uninspiring in comparison with the flashier components of the ship, however make good use of area. Cabinets and drawers are tucked in in every single place — alongside the toilet partitions, beneath the nightstand and surrounding the vainness. Normal rooms have a bland, brown shade palette. The sand I might need tracked into the room from the seaside blended proper into the ground (oops).

I stayed in an ordinary balcony room, however I had the prospect to tour a number of different cabin sorts, which vary from primary to downright luxurious.

MSC put me in a Deluxe Balcony stateroom with a king-sized mattress and 183 sq. toes of inside area, plus a non-public out of doors space. The balcony had sufficient area for 2 chairs and a small desk — excellent for sipping espresso whereas having fun with an ocean view.

Storage was plentiful: I had a break up closet with each hangers and cabinets, deep drawers, and built-in cubbies within the nightstands. I appreciated the considerate structure, though there weren’t many energy retailers close to the mattress. I plugged my cellphone into one of many many shops close to the vainness as an alternative.

MSC coated the price of my room, however usually, these cabins sometimes begin at about $2,000 for 2 adults within the room for a seven-night crusing out of Miami across the Caribbean. That’s a base fare that features most meals and actions, however there are add-on prices for sure experiences, specialty meals, Wi-Fi and alcohol. And naturally, costs fluctuate primarily based on demand.

For visitors cruising solo, the Studio Inside stateroom is an effective possibility. At simply 118 sq. toes, it’s compact and has no home windows. It’s perfect for those who’re planning to spend most of your time having fun with the ship and never a lot time in your room. These rooms begin at about $1,000 per individual for a seven-night crusing out of Miami.

Amongst all of the rooms I visited, the Grand Suite Aurea is perhaps the one I’d guide for myself subsequent time — however provided that I might discover a whole lot on it. It had a beginning worth of about $4,000 for 2 individuals for a seven-night crusing out of Miami.

The Grand Suite Aurea I visited had an expansive terrace and a non-public scorching tub overlooking the ocean. Soaking in a effervescent tub whereas staring on the open sea was a vibe I might get behind.

Whereas I didn’t personally keep within the MSC Yacht Membership, I used to be intrigued by this “ship-within-a-ship” idea. It is a characteristic additionally discovered on different cruise traces, together with Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.

To be clear, MSC Yacht Membership has nothing to do with yachts. That’s simply the identify given to this cabin class designed for visitors in search of an ultra-premium expertise. The Yacht Membership affords keycard-only entry to personal lounges, eating places, a devoted solar deck with a pool and scorching tubs, 24-hour butler service and a concierge.

Consider it as a resort room with Membership-level entry. Advantages of reserving an MSC Yacht Membership fare embrace nicer rooms with upgraded finishes and entry to some unique areas, like a non-public pool.

The MSC Yacht Membership Deluxe Suite accommodates as much as 4 visitors. There is a Nespresso machine contained in the room, plus day by day turndown candies from Venchi, a high-end Italian chocolatier.

For much more area and drama, the Yacht Membership Duplex Suite comfortably sleeps 4, measuring 495 sq. toes and spanning two decks. The decrease stage features a dwelling and eating space, plus a full lavatory. Upstairs, the master suite affords a second lavatory with a bath. The ground-to-ceiling home windows and balcony views give the entire area a grand, open really feel.

The value is steep although. Anticipate to pay costs beginning at about $7,000 for 2 adults on a seven-night crusing out of Miami.

With 19 eating choices, there’s no scarcity of selection aboard MSC World America. The road affords a mixture of American consolation meals and worldwide flavors (largely European).

For essentially the most half, meals high quality was good however not nice. The meals included with the cruise fare — such because the buffets — resembled school dorm meals, with out a lot spice or taste. It was all tasty, however hardly the foodie heaven that different rivals supply. The specialty eating places, which price further, had higher choices.

Among the many eating places included in your cruise fare, Luna Park Pizza & Burger was one of many higher choices. The meals wasn’t notable (suppose chili canine, rooster wings, burgers, fries and nachos) however I cherished the old-school diner vibes, with its retro neon-light wall artwork and comfortable cubicles.

The ship additionally has two buffets with the standard mixture of meals. There’s a salad bar, youngsters part, and tons of American fare like pizza and burgers. There was additionally quantity of European aptitude, with an in depth antipasti part.

I additionally appreciated lots of the health-conscious choices within the buffet, just like the kale and candy potato bowl I had for breakfast.

Even the dessert part provided wholesome choices. That, pictured above, is a wholesome donut. Sure, as an alternative of fried dough, that’s an apple slice underneath the frosting.

Don’t fear although. There are actual donuts, too.

Probably the most disappointing a part of the entire cruise was the primary eating room, the Hexagon, the place I had dinner every night time of my three-night crusing. I ought to have left after the primary night time, however I went again two extra nights to see if something would enhance.

On the primary night time, it took greater than an hour for our entrees to reach. We opted to skip the dessert we ordered simply to get out of there. Our neighboring desk, which had been seated earlier than us, nonetheless hadn’t obtained their meals by the point we left. It felt irritating relatively than leisurely.

On all three nights, it was so loud that I might barely hear my tablemates. And I’m the one that is all the time chilly, however this restaurant was stuffy and scorching.

The cruise’s specialty eating places — which price further — provided a lot greater high quality dishes in comparison with the choices included within the cruise fare. Eataly at Sea, an Italian market and restaurant, options made-from-scratch pasta, recent burrata and thoughtfully sourced components. It even has a wall of recent basil rising, a pleasant contact. Butcher’s Lower, a steakhouse, served probably the greatest steaks I’ve had on a cruise.

Candy Temptations, a gelato, crepe and milkshake store, provided a number of over-the-top, photo-worthy dessert creations.

Alcoholic drinks could be bought on the cruise with an add-on bundle or individually. For me, The Gin Mission was essentially the most memorable bar on the ship. It provided 20 craft gins, and you possibly can design your personal gin and tonic from a mixture of components.

The perfect boozy drink I had wasn’t at a bar, however relatively on the Espresso Emporium. It’s designed as a contemporary espresso home for espresso connoisseurs with French, Italian, Turkish and Moroccan-style espresso.

I ordered a Lavazza Colada, which mixed rum, pineapple juice, coconut syrup and espresso. The presentation wasn’t nice, nevertheless it was surprisingly refreshing.

Leisure: High-tier stay reveals

MSC World America’s leisure lineup is principally nonstop. My favourite present was Queen Symphonic, the place performers sang and danced to Queen’s best hits in a theater.

There’s additionally Soiled Dancing in Live performance, a high-energy efficiency with singers, dancers and a band performing hits from the film.

Though it wasn’t prepared for my preview crusing, I’m wanting to see Odyssey, which guarantees to be an “acrobatic spectacle set towards the dreamlike backdrop of an ethereal journey influenced by Homer’s ‘Odyssey.’”

The Comedy Membership in The Terraces district additionally affords an nearly fixed stream of leisure, together with dueling pianos, stand-up units and karaoke nights.

The Household Aventura district is full of actions. There is a Lego-building space the place adults and children can construct to their hearts’ content material. There’s additionally a Lego Parade, the place costumed characters march by way of the ship.

For an additional charge per sport, you’ll be able to play on the arcade.

The water park options a number of slides, together with ones for older youngsters and tweens. You can too attempt the Cliffhanger, an over-water swing trip. It’s thrilling, a bit terrifying and a must-try for adrenaline junkies (grown-ups included).

The ropes course can also be enjoyable — however needless to say it may not be a good selection for youthful youngsters. It’s surprisingly scary even for those who don’t sometimes have a concern of heights.

Situated within the adults-only Zen Space on the rear of the ship, the Botanic Backyard Pool is a peaceable, climate-controlled retreat. A retractable glass roof protects the world from wind and rain. With greenery, loungers and a spa-like environment, it felt like a secret backyard tucked away from the primary pool decks.

MSC knocked it out of the park with the health middle. Most cruise ship gyms are tremendous for some bicep curls, however this one is nice. It has two full squat racks, which is a unicorn discover in cruise or resort gyms. There are additionally a number of free weights, cable machines and cardio gear with ocean views.

Ocean Cay: MSC’s non-public island

This crusing included a cease at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC’s non-public island within the Bahamas. We arrived within the night and stayed in a single day, giving us an opportunity to take pleasure in a nighttime lighthouse present and seaside social gathering.

Ocean Cay isn’t enormous. It’s potential to stroll round the entire island in a single go (for those who’re a severe stepper like me, that’s). However there’s area for everybody to unfold out alongside the seaside. For teenagers or non-swimmers, there is a protected inlet with calmer waters.

From the family-friendly Lego zones to the adults-only Zen space, the MSC World America affords an unimaginable number of experiences — and for essentially the most half, delivers.

Is it excellent? Not fairly. Some service hiccups have to be ironed out. The meals wasn’t notable, nevertheless it felt well-suited for households with youngsters who would favor French fries and pizza over to different choices. General, the ship’s rides and different points of interest might simply add as much as a terrific trip.