MSC World America turned heads the moment she arrived in Miami. As the newest and snazziest ship in MSC Cruises' fleet, she's unlike any other vessel at sea.
Recently, I sailed aboard MSC World America on a 7-night Caribbean cruise. It didn't take long to see why she's generating so much buzz.
From the elegant World Galleria to the fast-casual dining, entertainment, activities, and more, MSC World America delivers a cruise experience that feels fresh yet familiar, particularly if you're used to sailing on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class.
My cruise on MSC World America was one I genuinely didn't want to end, and I'm already trying to convince my partner that we need to go onboard again.
Here are the 10 best things about MSC's newest cruise ship that I can't stop thinking about.
High-tech embarkation
Gone are the days when MSC cruisers are required to print and keep track of a paper boarding pass.
MSC's new terminal in PortMiami is sleek and designed to process over 30,000 passengers per day. With biometric facial recognition technology and digital passport verification, the entire embarkation experience was faster and more efficient than Royal Caribbean's neighboring Terminal A.
My partner and I breezed through security and made our way to the dedicated Yacht Club lounge, where we sipped champagne and were walked through our suite's benefits by a crew member on the concierge team.
That wasn't the best part, though. It might seem minor, but not having to keep up with a piece of paper felt freeing. The only things I kept in my hands were my phone (with the digital boarding pass saved to my Apple Wallet) and my passport.
Read more: I just sailed from the biggest cruise terminal in the world, and I boarded faster than ever before
No refillable soda cups
Don't get me wrong, Freestyle Machines are great. I love the different flavors that aren't kept stocked in bars. The convenience is nice, too. But on MSC World America, there are no refillable soda cups like you’ll find on Royal Caribbean.
Instead, all you have to do is tap your cruise card and grab a nearby plastic cup. If you don't have a drink package, it will tell you the maximum charge that will be billed to your onboard account. However, the final charge depends on the amount of liquid that's dispensed.
It was nice not to have to worry about carrying a bulky cup around the ship or make an extra trip to my stateroom to grab it.
On MSC World America, there are two Freestyle Machines in Pizza & Burger in the World Galleria on Deck 6. It's easy to grab a Cherry Coke or Vanilla Sprite while enjoying a slice of fresh pizza, nachos, or chicken tenders after a long day ashore without having to go back to your cabin first.
MSC Yacht Club
Before my cruise on MSC World America, I had never stayed in a "ship-within-a-ship" enclave. Honestly, these top-tier suites never felt worth the high price tag, especially if I didn't plan on spending a lot of time in my cabin.
However, after experiencing MSC's Yacht Club firsthand, I don't know how I'll ever sail in standard staterooms again.
Everything from the spacious cabin to the exclusive amenities and elevated service made my experience on MSC World America one of the most memorable cruises yet.
The Topsail Lounge quickly became one of my favorite spots onboard. It was the perfect spot to grab a pre-dinner drink or nightcap before retiring for the evening.
The not one, not two, but three exclusive restaurants were a huge perk, too. On the first night, we dined at Le Brasserie. By day, it's a buffet for all guests. However, it transforms into a sit-down restaurant for Yacht Club cruisers at night.
The Korean short ribs were to die for, and the warm chocolate chip cookie gives Royal Caribbean's campfire cookie a run for its money.
We also loved eating at al fresco at the Yacht Club Grill for lunch. The menu was basic, but it offered rotating daily pasta and fish specials, along with sandwiches, salads, lobster rolls, and burgers.
The Yacht Club Restaurant was the most formal of the three and was open for breakfast, lunch (on most days), and dinner. Our servers, Jeffery and Jennifer, were incredibly attentive. Jennifer would often top off my champagne without even asking (unlimited drinks are a perk of staying in the Yacht Club!).
Plus, the chef was able to be extra attentive to my partner's dietary restrictions. One night, he even made her a special chicken parmasean dish that wasn't on the menu!
Aside from the restaurants, the private sundeck made relaxing on sea days more enjoyable. We didn't have to battle the crowds for poolside lounge chairs or listen to loud music. Instead, we always found an available lounger on the Yacht Club deck. The vibe was more low-key, too.
MSC's Speakeasy Bar
My partner and I knew about MSC's Speakeasy Bar ahead of time, but we weren't sure how we could secure the special invite-only tokens. While I won't reveal where we got them, befriending crew members is an easy way to increase your chances.
When we were gifted the tokens, we didn't hesitate to scan the QR code and follow the instructions, which revealed how to make a reservation, appropriate attire, and more. At the designated time, we arrived at the telephone booth on Deck 6, dialed the secret number, and gave them the code word.
Then, we were guided down two flights of stairs through a crew-only hallway to the Speakeasy Bar, which instantly transported us back to the 1920s prohibition era with bartenders in flapper costumes, dim lighting, and live jazz performers.
One thing to note is that the speakeasy's drinks aren't included in any of MSC's drink packages, and they are not the cheapest on the ship. Most cost $22, while specialty shots can be purchased for $16.
Shockingly affordable
Earlier this year, my partner and I sailed on Icon of the Seas. In total, we paid around $7,000 for our interior-facing balcony, drink package, internet, specialty restaurants, and shore excursions. Comparatively, our Yacht Club suite aboard MSC World America came out to $7,010.32, including taxes, port fees, and gratuities.
Overall, we felt as though the fare on MSC was a better value. Not only were we in a spacious ocean-view suite, but the Yacht Club fare was more inclusive, so we didn't have to worry about as many add-ons as other lines. Included in our fare was an unlimited drink package, Wi-Fi, and access to dining venues that were specialty restaurant-quality. Don't get me wrong, $1,000 per night is still expensive, but standard cabins are much more affordable.
For example, the cheapest interior cabin on Royal Caribbean's brand-new Star of the Seas in June 2026 starts at $2,300 per person. However, a similar 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing on MSC World America starts at under $1,130 per person. You can also bundle your cruise fare with extras like Wi-Fi and a premium drink package for around $1,500 per person, which still comes out to be less than the base fare on Star of the Seas.
Read more: 4 cruise ships to book right now instead of Royal Caribbean's expensive Star of the Seas
Quality dining options
MSC's food doesn't always get the best reviews, especially on their older ships that were built for European customers. MSC World America, however, is very different.
On Deck 6 of the World Galleria, there's perhaps the best fast-casual joint at sea, Pizza & Burger, which dishes up options like chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, buffalo chicken wings, nachos, pizza, macaroni & cheese, and more at nearly all hours of the day — all at no extra cost.
Promenade Bites was another solid complimentary restaurant located at the aft of the ship on the World Promenade.
I tried the pulled pork sliders, but other options include hot dogs, Jamaican patties (chicken or beef), and cotton candy. There was also freshly popped popcorn with different flavored seasonings available, like ranch and cheddar.
Because we were staying in the Yacht Club, we didn't try the main dining rooms, but the Yacht Club Restaurant exceeded our expectations. A lot of the food was more adventurous and tailored to refined palates, rather than standard cruise fare.
I never struggled finding something I was willing to try, but my partner was more selective. Even when there wasn't anything on the menu she wanted, the servers and chef ensured she had a memorable dining experience.
Whether it was ordering the same freshly made penne pasta (that she had five times onboard!) or asking for chicken parmasean that wasn't on the menu, they were happy to accommodate her preferences.
When it comes to the specialty restaurants, I'd argue that they're well worth the extra cost. While on MSC World America, we paid $99 per person for the two-restaurant package. We chose Eataly and Kaito Teppanyaki, though we were tempted to forego hibachi and try the Greek restaurant Paxos.
Still, we were happy with our choices. Kaito was a lot of fun, and the food was even better than the entertainment. My filet was perfectly cooked, while my partner couldn't get over the juicy teriyaki chicken.
However, if you have to pick just one specialty restaurant, Eataly is the way to go. Not only is the only Eataly at sea found on MSC World America, but the food really lives up to the hype.
Everything from the burrata to the fried seafood, fresh rigatoni, and tiramisu rivaled our favorite Italian restaurants at home.
Enclosed Botanic Garden Pool
One thing that surprised us about MSC World America was the odd pool hours. For example, the main pools didn't open until close to 10:45am when docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and all but one closed by 8:00pm every night.
The Botanic Garden pool was the only one open for late-night swims. Thankfully, it was steps from our suite on Deck 18, so we didn't have to travel far to wind down in one of the open hot tubs. It is also the only pool on the ship that can be enclosed, thanks to a retractable roof.
Even during the day, it was a nice escape for those who didn't want to be on the loud pool deck. The greenery gave it a spa-like feel, too.
Entertainment
I'll admit that I did not expect much in terms of entertainment on MSC World America. When I sailed on MSC Seashore two years ago, I was disappointed by the quality of the theater shows. As an audience member, I could clearly see dancers looking at one another for cues, and they were always off-sync. The singing wasn't anything to write home about, either.
Although some of the shows on MSC World America fell flat, most were pretty solid. Dirty Dancing in Concert, for example, was a unique way to showcase a classic film while adding a live entertainment aspect. I thought the singers were talented, and the dancers brought a lot of energy to the performance.
Queen Symphonic was also great. The live musicians rocked to Queen's iconic hits like "We Are The Champions," "Bohemian Rhapsody," and "Don't Stop Me Now." The aerialists added another fun element to the show, too.
Thermal suite
MSC's thermal suite in the Aurea Spa offers a relaxing escape from the ship’s crowded public spaces and amenities.
With a thalassotherapy pool, heated lounge chairs, two saunas, a snow room, a steam room, a salt room, and more, there's the perfect treatment for just about every traveler.
Personally, I prefer to sweat out toxins in the warmer rooms, like saunas and steam rooms. However, that isn't everyone's vibe. My partner, for example, can't stand the heat and won't willingly sit in a sauna.
We visited the thermal suite a few times during our weeklong voyage and much preferred the peaceful nature on port days, rather than sea days when it was more crowded.
Read more: MSC Thermal Spa Review: What To Expect, What It Costs, And Is It Worth It
Endless activities
The sheer number of activities available on MSC World America rivals the largest cruise ships in the world (I'm talking about Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Icon Classes).
Many go beyond standard cruise attractions, too. For example, there's a massive swing that takes you over the water off the side of the ship on Deck 20 — I braved my fear of heights to conquer the Cliffhanger, but let's just say I should not have looked down.
There's also an F1 racing simulator, kids' aqua park, virtual reality water slide, bumper cars, a ropes course, Lego family zone, two arcades, and an 11-deck dry slide.
Unfortunately, some of the best activities aren't included. For example, the Cliffhanger costs $9 per person, while bumper cars run at $7 per car.
The Formula 1 racing simulator is $12 per person, but Gold Voyagers Club loyalty members can experience the attraction for free (a great example of why you should take advantage of MSC's status match!). Finally, darts and shuffleboard cost $15.
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!
