For someone who has lived in as many big cities as I have for as long as I have, I’m surprised at how easily I can feel overwhelmed by the sheer size and population of the world’s largest cruise ships. But when I was invited to try out MSC’s newest cruise ship, MSC World America, I was intrigued.
This new cruise ship can accommodate almost 7,000 passengers across its 22 decks. This is a ship that looks, and feels, like a floating city with a whole water park on top. And in many ways, that’s exactly what it is.
Before I stepped onto the MSC World America in Miami, the largest cruise ship I’d sailed on had a maximum capacity of about 4,000 passengers. Even that felt crowded and overwhelming at times, but I wanted to know what I was missing on larger cruise ships.
So I hopped on board the MSC World America for its inaugural sailing from Miami to Ocean Cay and back. The special three-day itinerary was meant to give travel agents, journalists, content creators, and MSC staff and suppliers a chance to experience the ship first.
Ship Details
This ship is larger and better equipped than some cities. There’s space for 6,672 passengers and another 2,138 crew members. The MSC World America has 22 decks, 19 dining venues, 18 bars and lounges, six pools, and 14—yes 14—hot tubs. There’s a gym, spa, waterpark, adventure ropes course, bumper cars, and a speakeasy I haven’t yet figured out how to access.
The ship sails from Miami on roundtrip Caribbean itineraries of between seven and 14 days. One itinerary stops in Cozumel, Roatan, and Ocean Cay, the cruise lines’s private island in the Bahamas. Another visits San Juan, Puerto Rico; Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic, and Ocean Cay.
Food & Drinks
We started our day with the breakfast buffets, which include staples like bacon, eggs, sausages, pancakes, and waffles. For dinner, guests are assigned a dining times and restaurant. My most memorable of these dinners began with a lasagna starter that might be the best thing I ate on board.
There are several specialty restaurants onboard for an additional charge, including the world’s only Eataly at sea. I didn’t make it to Eataly, but I did try a limited menu at Paxos, the ship’s Mediterranean restaurant.
As a vegetarian, I was surprised at how limited my meal options were, especially at Ocean Cay where the buffet options were essentially sides like veggie salads, french fries, and fruit. There were a couple of visits to the late night pizzeria which serves up near-perfect New York slices. If you are a vegetarian, check the menus of any specialty restaurants you plan to try before you sail.
For drinks, I tried both the champagne bar and the Elixir cocktail bar. Elixir’s cocktails are absolutely gorgeous, and the presentation is hard to top. Think thinly sliced cucumber frozen in single ice cubes. I found the drinks to be a bit sweet, but that’s something you could talk to the bartender about. The bar itself feels very swanky and is exactly my kind of place.
I hear there’s a secret speakeasy on board hidden behind a phone booth on Deck 6. I haven’t cracked the code on getting in there yet, but when I do, I’ll let you know. If you beat me to it, return the favor!
If you decide to book, use my partner link to support my work at no extra cost to you.
Things to do on MSC World America
In some ways, MSC World America is like New York City. There’s always something going on. Catch a Dirty Dancing inspired musical review. Relax with a sound bath on the promenade deck. Keep your gym routine, pick a different pool to swim in every day of the week, and look for hidden hot tubs.
You’ll need to spend at least week on board to experience everything there is to do on this ship. My three nights onboard MSC World America weren’t nearly enough to try everything I wanted to on the ship.
I missed the spa, usually my first stop, but took myself out of my comfort zone by ziplining on the ship’s top deck Adventure Ropes course. I also stepped into the mouth of a shark for an 11-story twisty slide to the ship’s promenade. I skipped the waterpark, but I had a great time playing arcade games and checking out shows.
I checked out Cliffhanger—a giant swing that sends visitors on a scenic ride off the edge of the ship. It was a chill swing with a view at first. It got a bite more exciting for a few seconds, and then it was over. I’ve experienced the inspiration for this ride, the swing on top of a tower in Amsterdam. The original is pleasant, but I wouldn’t call it a thrill ride by any means.
The entertainment
I tend to prefer smaller ships, but the one thing I’ll say about larger cruise ships is the entertainment is consistently excellent. I caught a Dirty Dancing-inspired show where every single performer was absolutely phenomenal, and they even incorporated the iconic lift from the movie.
There’s a Queen cover band performing the bands greatest hits, an acrobatic show, and a live concert called “Hall of Fame” that celebrates legends of pop music. There’s also a comedy club and a magic show.
You Get What You Pay For
When you sail on MSC, your cruise fare includes the buffets and access to a main dining room. You can buy dining and drinks packages for access to specialty restaurants, cocktails, beer, and wine. Packages are available at a discount ahead of time or on the ship at full price.
Cruise purchases are a little complicated because you have to select both cabin type and a service level.
The cheapest staterooms are interior studio cabins. Space can be tight, but they’re perfect for solo travelers on a budget. Expect to pay more for an ocean view stateroom, balcony cabin or a suite in the Yacht Club, a exclusive premium area of the ship.
Once you’ve selected your cabin type, you’ll need to choose an experience level. Bella is the entry-level option and offers access to the buffets, main restaurant, and public areas. If you book Bella, you’ll be assigned a stateroom that could have an obstructed view, and you won’t find bathrobes, slippers, body lotion, or tissues in your room.
Fantastica adds the option for guests to choose their stateroom and includes free room service. For a You’ll need to book an Aurea suite or in the Yacht Club, an exclusive premium area of the ship, for slippers and a bathrobe.
Aurea includes priority boarding and luggage drop-off, which can mean a lot on a ship with over 6,000 people, and the flexibility to dine whenever you’d like instead of at an assigned time. Aurea guests also don’t have to wait in line to board tenders to ports when ships are anchored.
If you sail with the MSC Yacht Club, the cruise ship’s premium section, then you’ll get butler and concierge service, premium liquors, internet access, and the option to dine at restaurants reserved only for Yacht Club guests. I didn’t get to try and of these restaurants, but I hear they’re a significant step up from the ship’s main dining options.
If you decide to book, use my partner link to support my work at no extra cost to you.
A Private Island Paradise
All of MSC’s Caribbean itineraries stop at Ocean Cay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas. At first I was skeptical. I love a day at the beach, but I tend to travel for authentic experiences in places rich with history and culture. A cruise-line-designed island paradise is not that, but I still loved it.
There was something peaceful about being able to step away from reality to a tiny island surrounded by beautiful turquoise water. It was an opportunity to let down my guard a little bit more than I might in a normal beach town, and that’s something I can appreciate.
Ocean Cay is a human-made island in the district of Bimini in the Bahamas. It was created in the 1960s to mine sand for industrial use, but today it’s occupied by colorful staff housing, a few beach bars and eateries, and a cute lighthouse that’s purely decorative. It’s got the feel of a tropical island paradise.
I skipped the gift shops but came out for an evening white party which turned out to be a blast. I was going to head back to my room, but I followed the sounds of my youth outside and had a great time dancing on the beach with friends. Pro-tip: choose your footwear wisely for this party. There’s also an evening light show that also turned out to be surprisingly cool.
If you’re looking for something more adventurous, you can try snorkeling, jet skiing, or diving on the island. Me, I just wanted to relax on the beach.
If you decide to book, use my partner link to support my work at no extra cost to you. Either way, see if you can spot me in this collab with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
