After getting a taste of the suite life on MSC Cruises' newest ship, I'm not sure I can go back to staying in standard cruise cabins.
The spacious stateroom, exclusive amenities, and elevated service made my sailing on MSC World America one of the most memorable yet.
Despite cruising on one of the largest ships in the world, my partner and I found ourselves spending more time than usual in our cabin because it was so comfortable.
Coming in at just over $7,000 for two people, MSC Yacht Club isn't cheap. However, the price becomes easier to justify when you consider it includes three private restaurants, a lounge and pool deck, a premium drink package, Wi-Fi, priority embarkation, thermal spa access, butler service, exclusive cocktail hours, and more.
Before my sailing on MSC World America, I had stayed in three cruise ship suites. My first was aboard Carnival Vista, followed by Sun Princess and Margaritaville at Sea's Islander.
Although each suite offered its own perks, none came close to the level of service and exclusivity that I experienced in the MSC Yacht Club.
On MSC World America, there are six different Yacht Club suite categories, ranging from a basic interior suite to the luxurious Owner's Suite.
We chose the Yacht Club Deluxe Suite, which was a good balance of comfort, space, and value. It wasn't as large (or expensive) as the Royal or Duplex Suite, but it had a spacious balcony and an upgraded bathroom. The location was also convenient to the Yacht Club amenities. We did not have to walk far to the restaurant, Topsail Lounge, or pool deck.
The Yacht Club Deluxe Suite measures nearly 270 square feet, whereas a standard balcony comes in at around 182 square feet.
My partner and I were immediately taken aback by the spaciousness of our Yacht Club suite. It felt more like a standard hotel room than a tiny cruise cabin. Of course, some suites (like Royal Caribbean's Ultimate Family Suite) are far, far bigger, but we were nonetheless impressed.
The two closets, sofa, larger-than-usual vanity, and sleek bathroom made it easy to unpack and settle into our new home for 7 nights.
Although we could have asked our butler to help us unpack, we wanted to become familiar with the space. We also didn't want to waste time waiting for our clothes to be put away, as we were eager to freshen up and explore the ship.
One closet was more for organization, with built-in shelves and drawers. The other had more hanging space for dresses and shirts.
Together, there was more than enough storage for our clothing. I utilized most of the cubbies for my packing cubes, while my partner took the drawers.
There were more drawers built into the vanity underneath the safe.
Speaking of the safe, I had never seen one take up an entire drawer. It was surprisingly spacious with enough room to fit more than our passports and wallets.
Moving on, I was impressed by the suite's amenities, all focused on comfort and convenience.
For example, we arrived to find a fully stocked (and complimentary) mini-bar. When we met our butler, Bullah, he asked if we wanted anything swapped out. I asked for Diet Coke, while my partner requested Sprite Zero. Yacht Club cruisers get a free bottle of wine, champagne, or liquor of their choosing, too.
There was also an espresso machine and a drawer with mugs, champagne flutes, a small ice bucket, tongs, water glasses, and a beer opener.
It was nice to know we had everything we needed for a drink before dinner or an afternoon pick-me-up without leaving the suite. We'd often have a glass of wine while getting ready, with the glasses replaced hours later when our stateroom was serviced at night.
MSC World America is one of the newest ships at sea, having entered service in April 2025. As such, I wasn't surprised by the abundance of charging options.
The vanity had two 110V American outlets, as well as two standard European outlets, a USB port, and a USB-C port.
There was also a wireless charger near the espresso machine and two additional USB-C ports above each nightstand.
Unfortunately, the outlet on my side of the bed didn't work. It wasn't the biggest deal, though. While the convenience would have been nice, I used my MagSafe charger, which let me keep my phone on the nightstand.
Another disappointing part of our Yacht Club suite was the temperature control.
Although the digital thermostat, which also had pre-set lighting options and a button to request housekeeping, was fancy, the room was never as cool as we would have liked. This was frustrating, as we were sailing during an exceptionally hot week to the Eastern Caribbean.
However, beyond the broken outlet and finicky temperature control, everything else about the suite exceeded our expectations, including the bathroom.
We loved the large walk-in shower with good water pressure. The bathroom had ample counter space, and the toothbrush holder was a nice touch.
MSC provided high-quality toiletries, too.
Normally, cruise ships stock standard bathrooms with mediocre bar soap, which often leaves my hands dry. However, MSC's liquid soap was gentler on my skin. Plus, there was body lotion. I loved the fig scent!
The most luxurious part of the bathroom was the large shower.
I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a tub, but the rainfall showerhead made up for it. Additionally, it was nice to shower without worrying about hitting my elbows on the door or having a clingy shower curtain stick to my thighs.
In the spirit of transparency, the one thing I didn't like about the bathroom was the trash can's location.
The trash can was mounted on the back of a cabinet door. The location wasn't ideal, but it would have been better if the cabinet had a soft-close feature. Instead, it always slammed shut. I had to be careful not to jam my fingers!
We loved the extra-large balcony.
One of my favorite afternoons was spent on the balcony as we sailed through the Atlantic, mesmerized by the Royal Blue ocean. It was especially nice because the top decks were too warm for us. The balcony let us take in the scenery without overheating or being around large crowds.
That said, the service is what really made our Yacht Club experience stand out compared to a standard cruise cabin.
Each night, for example, we returned to different treats, in addition to the chocolate left on our nightstand. We received an impressive fruit basket, small jelly squares, and more.
The treats weren't my favorite part about the nightly turndown service, though.
Every night, a fresh water glass and a bottle of Acqua Panna were placed on both our nightstands. Although a small detail, it was nice to end the night with a sip of premium water without worrying about stopping by a bar before returning to the stateroom.
MSC's Yacht Club spoiled me, and I'm not sure how I can go back to normal cruise experiences.
From the moment we arrived at the terminal in Miami, we were treated like first-class passengers. We had a dedicated check-in area, where we waited mere seconds for our suitcases to be tagged and taken. Then, we were whisked to a private security lane before being escorted to a waiting area with champagne and snacks.
Embracing the exclusivity of MSC's Yacht Club is the best way to get the most out of the pricey experience.
Don't skip the private Topsail Lounge or Yacht Club Restaurant, which have better service and food compared to other spots around the ship. The pool deck was another great amenity. It was never overly crowded, even on sea days.
Also, don't be afraid to ask for what you want.
Initally, I did not want to bother our butler. For example, when we opened the mini-bar, we realized there were a few things we wanted to swap (i.e., Coke for Diet Coke and Sprite for Sprite Zero).
With our drink package, we figured we could we could grab what we wanted to avoid making a fuss.
It was only when Bullah asked if everything was okay that I spoke up and discovered how much easier and more convenient the butler and concierge team make the cruise experience. From then on, we didn't hesitate to call for late-night room service, request an extra bottle of water, or ask for help with reservations — it was a service that we had paid for!
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
