First look at MSC World America, the latest megaship to sail the Caribbean

Brand-new MSC World America, MSC Cruises’ twenty fourth cruise ship and latest flagship, arrived in its Miami house port final week. TPG bought a sneak peek earlier than the ship’s inaugural crusing, and one factor is indeniable: People cannot take their eyes off of her.

She is, certainly, a sight to behold. At 20 decks excessive, she’s the world’s eighth-largest cruise ship by tonnage (216,638 gross registered tons). A veritable metropolis at sea, the ship homes 8,900 individuals (passengers and crew). To put that in context, Vermont’s state capital of Montpelier is house to 8,024 individuals, in accordance to 2024 knowledge.

Yes, MSC World America is massive sufficient to be the seat of energy for a complete state. She’s a direct competitor to Royal Caribbean’s huge Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, which tops out at 248,663 gross registered tons.

With Italian roots in each cargo and cruising, MSC Cruises is a revered model throughout Europe. The firm expanded to the U.S. market 19 years in the past and has fastidiously and methodically constructed its fame right here. Over the final decade, the line has realized rather a lot about what Americans need (and do not) in a voyage and has adjusted its ships and their facilities to accommodate these crimson, white and blue wishes.

With this vessel designed and constructed particularly with U.S. cruisers in thoughts, MSC World America is actually the line’s boldest bid to seize the hearts of U.S.-based mass-market cruisers on a grand scale. Will it work? Here’s what TPG thinks about the new ship.

Related: What is the largest cruise ship in the world?

Will Americans fall in love with MSC World America?

Did you watch this 12 months’s Super Bowl? If so, you noticed an MSC Cruises business that includes actor Drew Barrymore. In it, she represents American fashion — larger-than-life, loud, irreverent and rambunctious — whereas her journey companion, English actor Orlando Bloom, personifies the Old World (refined, cultured, a bit reserved). Despite their variations, they each discover the areas and experiences aboard MSC World America to be an ideal match for them.

Americans generally is a jaded bunch, so for those who noticed that business, you could have thought, “There’s no way one ship is going to make both of those very different people happy.” I questioned about that, too … till I skilled my first day on board.

MSC World America is full of 19 eating venues, bars, theaters, a 4D cinema, arcade video games and even a Formula One simulator, children golf equipment, a large gymnasium (plus a salon and a barbershop), the Cliffhanger overwater swing trip, water and dry slides, a on line casino and a lot extra.

Theater lovers even have decisions aboard the ship, together with “Queen Symphonic,” “Dirty Dancing in Concert,” “Odyssey” (an “acrobatic spectacle,” in accordance to MSC), the “Momentous” magic present and the “Hall of Fame” live performance.

The ship’s huge footprint permits it to cater to all kinds of vacationers. If you need the power and buzz of a crowd, you may discover it. If you need to sit and hear to a complicated jazz band whereas sipping a Negroni, you may discover that, too.

Families will gravitate towards the Harbour and Doremiland zones on board. Friends touring collectively will seemingly have a blast visiting the line’s personal island, Ocean Cay, throughout the day and hitting the bars and comedy and karaoke golf equipment at evening. Couples hoping to unplug might begin their day people-watching from an alfresco desk fronting World Promenade’s Coffee Emporium earlier than heading to the spa for a {couples} remedy.

It’s all a part of the identical ship, however relying on the place you spend your time and what actions you benefit from, you may take pleasure in vastly totally different experiences — simply the means MSC Cruises supposed it when it dreamed up the idea behind MSC World America.

First impressions

Here are TPG’s first impressions of MSC World America.

The districts do their job

While it is not a brand new idea, MSC World America is split into districts. There are seven of them: Aqua Deck, Family Aventura, MSC Yacht Club, The Terraces, World Galleria, World Promenade and the Zen Area.

These neighborhoods guarantee vacationers discover their preferrred trip spots and pastimes whereas additionally interacting with like-minded people. It’s the good means to join with others searching for comparable pursuits as you.

Here are some highlights of some of MSC World America’s districts.

World Promenade

World Promenade at the ship’s aft is, by far, my favourite district. I discovered myself heading to The Lanai at daybreak to stake out a snug chair to watch the ship’s wake and put together for the day.

By 9 a.m., these searching for premium espresso and tea are lining up at Coffee Emporium.

By the afternoon, people are streaming by World Promenade to take pleasure in the sunshine and watch as adventurous people who hopped on the dry slide some 11 decks above come racing down the corkscrew funnel earlier than being deposited safely on the promenade.

Here’s the place you board the Jaw Drop dry slide on Deck 19.

And this is the place you may find yourself on Deck 8.

At evening, diners take pleasure in Paxos. I actually wished to dine right here, however there simply wasn’t time. The restaurant serves fish (there is a counter displaying recent choices in the lobby) and Greek specialties comparable to moussaka, slow-roasted lamb kleftiko, pita bread and dips, and cold and hot mezze. There’s a to-go window for individuals who do not desire a sit-down lunch or dinner. Paxos is a for-fee specialty restaurant.

Sweet Temptations is one other standout Promenade characteristic. It gives milkshakes, gelato, frozen yogurt and doughnuts, amongst different choices. You may even take a crepe-making class right here. Fees apply.

Across from Sweet Temptations, you may discover the All-Star Sports Bar.

It’s the place to go to to observe a recreation or to play one.

As for lodging, you may discover that some overlook this a part of the ship. Note, although, that cruisers have a tendency to have a love-hate relationship with staterooms like these, so suppose it by earlier than reserving. If you like people-watching and listening to nightly music out of your balcony, you’ll like it. If you like the final in quiet, possibly a stateroom elsewhere on the ship will higher serve your trip fashion.

Aqua Deck

Decks 18 and 19 comprise the Aqua Deck, the place you may discover two swimming pools, an unlimited variety of loungers, a bar and a quick-service restaurant with out of doors seating on each the port and starboard sides. Mar Azul is the major pool.

Just steps from Mar Azul, the Botanic Garden Pool is an open-air house on nice days with a magrodome roof that closes throughout inclement climate.

Zen Area
If you are not curious about the on line casino or Broadway-style exhibits, there’s nonetheless lots to preserve you amused. Cruisers can search out spots comparable to the Botanic Garden Pool, the adults-only Zen Pool, the World Promenade Lanai and Aurea Spa for quiet contemplation.

Related: The 7 greatest cruise ship spas

Family Aventura

MSC World America’s Family Aventura district hammers house precisely why this ship is so family-friendly. This multilevel leisure advanced has one thing for youths of all ages and their dad and mom.

This district is house to Aquapark, a watery play space with 4 waterslides: the U Drop, the Twin Racer dueling slides and VR Slide.

You’ll additionally discover the Splash Pad spray zone there.

The Lighthouse Playground has a slide, the High Trail Ropes Course, a rock-climbing wall and The Harbour Bar & Bites for fast eats.

The JawDrop @ The Spiral (which we mentioned above) can also be a part of Family Aventura, as is the Cliffhanger overwater swing trip. It’s not for the faint of coronary heart!

MSC Sportplex comes to the desk with 16 bumper vehicles.

There are additionally alternatives to problem others to a recreation of pickleball, take pleasure in a Rollerblade disco and play in a gaming house.

Doremiland rounds out the family-focused choices with seven totally different children rooms, stay leisure and the new Lego Family Zone.

MSC Yacht Club

Sixteen MSC Cruises ships, together with MSC World America, have a ship-within-a-ship idea referred to as the MSC Yacht Club. It’s a VIP part of the ship with cabins and suites, a personal pool, a whirlpool, a sundeck, a lounge and a restaurant. Only visitors paying to keep inside the Yacht Club get keycard entry to this particular space.

It’s an oasis on board a large, typically crowded ship.

Related: What is the MSC Yacht Club? Take a look at MSC Cruises’ luxurious suite space

This is what the Yacht Club’s personal eating appears like.

And listed below are the sundeck, pool, whirlpool and VIP lounge.

World Galleria

World Galleria is considered one of the most fun areas aboard MSC World America.

Spanning decks 6 by 8, you may discover a number of specialty eating places, in addition to stay music and comedy venues, enjoyable selfie spots and funky LED digital artwork that flows throughout the ceiling. If you like being surrounded by individuals, this artery of the ship will energize you.

Dining and ingesting on board MSC World America

There are so many eating places and bars aboard MSC World America that you simply seemingly will not give you the option to attempt all of them. The major eating rooms embrace Esagono, Hexagon, Bubbles and La Foglia. Aurea Class cabins and suites get their very own eating room: Les Dunes.

There are two buffets (Il Mercato Buffet and La Brasserie) for individuals who do not want to be waited on. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the standout gadgets embrace thin-crust pizza, the “Wholesome Treats” counter and desserts.

MSC World America additionally gives a wide range of specialty (for-fee) eating places, together with the first Eataly Italian restaurant at sea, Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Kaito Sushi and Kaito Teppanyaki, and Paxos and Paxos On the Go, the latter of which serve Greek fare.

Casual eats are additionally accessible at Lunar Park Pizza & Burger (Deck 6) and Promenade Bites (Deck 8).

Related: The final information to cruise ship meals and eating

There can also be a plethora of bars and lounges throughout the ship. There’s little question you may discover a handful you frequent day by day. We beforehand talked about the Coffee Emporium and All-Star Sports Bar on the World Promenade.

My favourite spot was Elixir Mixology Bar, whereas TPG’s Gene Sloan gravitated towards The Gin Project. Dolce Vita Bar is a improbable place to people-watch and luxuriate in stay music, whereas Fizz Champagne Bar is nice for celebrating life both earlier than or after dinner. And these aren’t the solely choices.

There’s even a secret speakeasy onboard! Butter up your favourite bartender, as they will invite particular visitors to this VIP venue that is hidden away on MSC World America.

If you are a chocophile, you have to seize a desk at Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Cafe for espresso, gelato and high-end chocolate treats.

Related: Cruise drink packages: A line-by-line information

‘Greatest hits’ Caribbean itineraries

MSC World America, crusing out of Miami, gives seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Depending in your chosen route, chances are you’ll go to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Roatan, Honduras.

All sailings embrace a name on stunning Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ personal island in the Bahamas. If you’ve got ever dreamed of visiting an unique personal island, like Richard Branson’s Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, Ocean Cay is the subsequent neatest thing.

Related: Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve: Everything you want to know

These are “greatest hits” itineraries. Each day, you possibly can discover a brand new port of name, or for those who’ve “been there, done that,” keep on board and spend your hard-earned trip time sampling all the things the ship has to supply — and there is a lot. There was no means for me to see and do all of it in three days. I’m not optimistic seven is sufficient both for those who’re the kind of one that desires to do all of it.

MSC World America is an efficient worth

Seven-night sailings begin at $674 per individual, together with taxes and charges. That’s lower than $100 per individual, per evening with many complimentary meals and drinks, plus entry to sundecks and swimming pools, slides, whirlpools, a day at a personal island and tons of leisure choices.

Of course, like every mass-market cruise line, you can even pay for many extras, together with beverage packages, specialty eating places, spa remedies, shore excursions and ship pastimes like bumper vehicles, arcade video games and the Cliffhanger swing expertise.

But, for those who’re the kind of one that enjoys the major eating rooms or buffet, lounging by the pool and going to the nightly exhibits or hanging out in the bars, an MSC World America cruise generally is a improbable worth.

Bottom line

At this value level, Americans owe it to themselves to take an in depth look at MSC World America. Its suite of family-friendly venues, thrill experiences and bevy of food-and-beverage choices is paired with European-style service that is been tweaked for American tastes. My three nights on board have been sufficient to promote me on the ship, and I look ahead to my subsequent MSC World America voyage.

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