There's one secret bar on MSC's newest ship that you can't find on any deck plan. Let's just say there's more to the vintage rotary phone on Deck 6 than what meets the eye.
The speakeasy is arguably one of the best venues on MSC World America, yet it's only accessible to a select number of guests who the crew deems worthy enough for entry.
I knew about the exclusivity of the speakeasy before my sailing and made it my mission to track down the invite-only tokens.
These small tokens aren’t just handed out to anyone. Some guests receive them for striking up a conversation with the right crew member, while others have reported being surprised by the tokens in their staterooms or when dining at a specialty restaurant. One couple on our cruise was surprised by tokens at the bottom of a drink!
I won't reveal how we got our tokens (I made a promise!), but I will say that if you're staying in Yacht Club, it's easier to receive them, especially if you ask the right questions with a smile.
The tokens have a special QR code that reveals instructions on how to make reservations and specific guidelines about the dress code. You cannot, for instance, wear heels to the speakeasy.
We called the number and made a reservation for 9:00PM on the first gala night. The helpful receptionist also told us the special password needed for entry, and we were instructed to keep everything a secret from other passengers.
There was a line waiting to enter the phone booth for our designated time slot
It took a few minutes to cycle through the guests ahead of us, each one slipping into the phone booth, dialing the number, and vanishing behind the hidden door, before it was our turn.
Finally, we stepped into the phone booth, with my partner revealing she didn't know how to use a rotary phone (yes, we are that young!). I took the lead, dialing each number as instructed.
Then, we heard a mysterious voice that asked for our cabin number to ensure we were on the special list. The secret door opened up to a hallway, where we waited for everyone else to pass through the phone booth.
Instead of the speakeasy being directly behind the phone booth's wall, we were guided down two flights of stairs to a lower deck that's typically off-limits to passengers.
As we entered the speakeasy, another crew member collected our tokens (so don't leave them in your stateroom!), and we were instantly transported back to the 1920s prohibition era — think flapper costumes, dim lights, and live jazz music.
The drinks aren't included in MSC's drink package, but the craft cocktails are worth the extra cost
Unfortunately, MSC's drink package doesn't work in the speakeasy.
The drinks are pricier than elsewhere on the ship, which is important to keep in mind. We spent around $100 on four drinks during our visit, but the craft cocktails were tasty and uniquely presented.
On the special speakeasy menu, there are 14 special cocktails that cost $22 each. The two exceptions are the Aviation and The Last Word, which have a second, larger option available for $36. They are meant to be shared.
I tried the Aviation and The Last Word. Both were delicious, and the presentation was just as impressive as the cocktails themselves. One was served in an elegant beverage dispenser with a spout, while the other was assembled at the table.
My partner tried the classic French 75. Although the presentation was more basic than my drinks, the server spritzed the air with an aroma to complement the drink’s citrusy notes. She thought it was one of the best drinks she had while on the ship!
The menu also featured specialty prohibition shots. These cost $16 each. However, you can upgrade to a souvenir shot glass for $20. We couldn't bring ourselves to pay $16 for a single shot, so we didn't order any of them.
There is live entertainment
A live band made its way to the small stage about 10 minutes into our visit. Shortly after, a talented female singer dressed in a sparkling gown stepped up to the microphone.
The first act rotated between the female singer and a younger male. The two performers sang jazz numbers, both duets and solo sets, along with the occasional tap dance. There were also times they encouraged the crowd to get up and dance with their loved ones.
The first performers finished up around 10:00PM, when another band took the stage. We only stayed for their first song, "I Wan'na Be like You" from The Jungle Book, before we decided to leave to attend the silent disco in the open-air World Promenade.
Our visit to the speakeasy was one of the most memorable parts of the cruise
Having been on over 30 cruises on multiple different lines, I thought I had experienced just about everything at sea — until I was invited to MSC's speakeasy. The bar reminded me a bit of Spellbound on Sun Princess, another immersive bar that blends craft cocktails and live entertainment into a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience.
However, Spellbound isn't nearly as exclusive (or mysterious) as the Speakeasy Bar on MSC World America. Anyone can go, so long as you make reservations for the experience. Because of the secrecy behind the invitations and password-protected entry, MSC's Speakeasy Bar really felt like a hidden gem and a throwback to the 1920s Prohibition era.
The intimacy is really what sets it apart from other bars onboard. We didn't feel like we were on one of the largest cruise ships in the world with over 6,000 other passengers. Instead, we felt like we had stumbled into a little hole-in-the-wall at home.
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!
