Ship review: MSC World America

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Overview: MSC World America is the second ship in MSC Cruises’ World Class, following MSC World Europa’s launch in 2022, and like its predecessor, it is powered by liquefied natural gas. The ship has capacity for 6,764 passengers across 22 decks, making it the biggest in MSC Cruises’ 23-strong fleet. It will sail seven-day eastern and western Caribbean cruises departing from MSC’s new terminal at PortMiami.

 

Cabins: The ship has 2,614 cabins across 25 categories, 65% of which feature a balcony. They range from inside cabins to luxury suites with walk-in wardrobes.

It also has the largest Yacht Club – MSC Cruises’ exclusive area – of any in the fleet, where guests get butler service and access to an exclusive bar, lounge and pool. Decor, regardless of category, is modern and sleek with dark-coloured furniture and minimalist artwork, plus the bonus of UK three-pin plug sockets.

 

Food and drink: World America has 19 dining venues and 18 bars and lounges, including four main restaurants, two buffets and six speciality restaurants. Additions include Greek cuisine at Paxos, the first Eataly restaurant at sea and adult-only comedy club The Loft, which has the feel of a New York stand-up venue.

 

The four main dining rooms – La Foglia, Esagono, Hexagon and Bubbles – are all open for dinner, while popular buffet restaurant Il Mercato includes a coffee bar staffed by baristas serving speciality brews to order. As a bit of a coffee snob, I was very impressed with the quality from the Italian-owned line. The culinary highlight was Paxos, where the food was as good as the dishes I enjoyed in Kefalonia last summer – the standout dish being a generous slab of beautifully tender grilled tuna.

 

Facilities: The ship is MSC Cruises’ first to feature seven districts, including Family Aventura; the Aqua Deck water park where the two main pools are found; and Zen Area, an adult-only outdoor space where parents can relax while kids enjoy attractions such as the Lego Family Zone. 

 

The Harbour is home to thrilling waterslides and the new Cliffhanger, a hair-raising swing 50 metres above the sea.

 

USP: All voyages call at the line’s private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas (pictured below), which reopened in June 2024 after a six-week renovation. It has plenty to keep all ages entertained and is home to the MSC Foundation’s Marine Conservation Center, a base for biologists, scientists and students focused on ocean restoration. 

 

The island was an industrial wasteland before being taken on by MSC Cruises, which has planted 5,000 trees and 75,000 indigenous flowers and shrubs. You won’t find garish shops or soulless restaurants here – it’s more like a relaxing retreat with a focus on nature.

 

Book it: A seven-night Caribbean sailing from Miami, calling at Honduras, Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, and Ocean Cay in the Bahamas, costs from £699 cruise-only, departing November 22, based on an interior cabin.
msccruises.co.uk