MSC World America is making waves as the newest ship from MSC Cruises, which debuted on April 12, 2025! Onboard, you'll find endless dining options, themed bars and lounges, high-energy entertainment and non-stop activities. MSC World America will sail out of Miami for 7-night itineraries through the Caribbean with stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC's own private island. Oh — and fun fact — Drew Barrymore is the ship's Godmother! Today, we're giving you the grand tour of this gorgeous ship so you'll know what to expect before you head onboard.
Overview of MSC World America
If you're anything like us, you've been following the progress of MSC World America — she’s been all over social media, and it’s easy to see why! This ship is a beaut. It's the second ship in MSC's World Class and brings a new spin to Caribbean cruising.
Not familiar with MSC Cruises yet? MSC is a European cruise line (Mediterranean Shipping Company) that's been hugely popular overseas. Here in the U.S., they've been growing fast. MSC is known for its modern ship design, international cuisine, tons of onboard activities and affordable pricing.
MSC World America is one of the largest ships in the MSC fleet, joining her sister ship, MSC World Europa, in the World Class category. At 215,863 gross tons and with 22 decks, she's a mega-ship where you'll find bold architecture with smart design, complete with an open-air promenade, immersive entertainment and a balance of family-friendly zones and adults-only spaces.
What sets her apart from other MSC ships? More variety in staterooms, seven unique onboard districts (including a full adults-only Zen Area), brand-new restaurants and entertainment and some seriously exciting firsts — such as the Cliffhanger that swings seated guests over the edge of the ship! Who's going first?
MSC World America is also designed with the environment in mind. She runs on cleaner liquefied natural gas (LNG), and her hull is shaped to glide through the water more efficiently. Around the ship, you'll find smart systems that help save energy such as LED lighting with sensors, advanced air conditioning and tech that reuses heat and cold where it's needed. This is part of MSC's efforts to make cruising a little greener. You know we frogs love that!
MSC is also going all-in on Miami as its North American home base. In fact, they just opened the largest cruise terminal in North America — the brand-new Terminal in PortMiami, built specifically to support these giant new ships.
As we mentioned above, MSC World America will sail 7-night Caribbean itineraries year-round from Miami, with stops including Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve — MSC's private island in the Bahamas.
(Of course, we couldn't resist! We just returned from a cruise on MSC World America and we can't stop talking about it! Be sure to follow along on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok for an insider look.)
Psst! When you book your MSC cruise with Undercover Tourist, you can save by earning up to a $1,000 onboard credit.
MSC World America Accommodations
You'll find that MSC World America has a wide range of staterooms. There are budget-friendly interior rooms to luxurious suites with extra perks and 24-hour butler services. The ship includes some new layouts and updated options you won’t find on older MSC ships, especially when it comes to families and larger groups.
Let's start with the Interior Staterooms — these are the most affordable and come with the basics: a queen bed (or a single bed for the Studio Interior staterooms), a TV, a mini fridge and a bathroom with a shower. There's no window, but they're great if you're not planning to spend much time in the room.
Ocean View Staterooms include a window that lets in natural light and gives you a view of the ocean (though it doesn't open). It's a nice step up from the interior category if you want a view without splurging on a balcony.
Now, for the newer options, MSC World America introduces Infinite Ocean View Staterooms. These rooms feature a floor-to-ceiling window that opens partway to give you a hybrid between an ocean view and a balcony experience. It's more enclosed than a traditional balcony but gives you extra space in the room and that fresh ocean breeze.
The most popular room type is the Balcony Stateroom. These rooms include everything from the ocean view option, but they also have a small private balcony with chairs. Mommy Frog loves drinking her morning coffee out on the balcony while enjoying some quiet time looking out at the ocean.
There are also the Balcony With Promenade View staterooms, which overlook the outdoor promenade.
If you're cruising with kids or a group, there are family suites that combine multiple rooms into one connected space. These are designed to sleep up to six guests comfortably and are a nice solution instead of trying to book two separate rooms.
For those who want to level up their stay, Suite accommodations range from deluxe suites with extended balconies to MSC's Yacht Club suites. The Yacht Club is a "ship-within-a-ship" concept that includes a private lounge, pool and dining, along with butler service and priority access across the ship.
MSC World America Districts
The ship is designed around seven themed districts, each with its own design, eateries and activities. Let's take a closer look:
Family Aventura
Located high on Deck 20, Family Aventura is the ultimate zone for families and kids. This area is referred to as The Harbour, an outdoor adventure park filled with thrills. Here you can take on the High Trail Ropes Course or brave the Cliffhanger that literally swings over the side of the ship (GULP!).
When you're ready to cool off, head to The Harbour Aquapark, where there are three epic waterslides: a dueling race slide, a vertical drop slide and a raft slide enhanced with virtual reality. Younger cruisers will love the colorful water play area made just for them.
This space also connects to The Harbour Outdoor Play Area, where you’ll find the entrance to the Jaw Drop — an 11-deck high dry slide. Just next door is the MSC Sportplex, a recreation area for all ages with bumper cars, Zorb Ball and the Drone Academy (This is where you'll learn how to pilot a drone and then navigate it through an obstacle course!).
When you’re ready to refuel, swing by The Harbour Bar & Bites for a refreshing drink or complimentary snacks such as empanadas, burritos and corn dogs.
And the fun continues just one deck below. On Deck 19, you’ll find Doremiland, MSC’s kids clubs, along with an arcade and the Formula 1 racing simulators.
Kids Clubs on MSC World America
MSC World America is set up really well for families, and the youth programs are a big part of that. There are five separate kids' areas onboard, all organized by age group.
Baby Club (0-3 years): MSC World America has a dedicated Baby Club designed in partnership with Chicco. There are two types of care options onboard:
- MSC Baby Time lets parents stay and play with their baby during specific time slots each day.
- MSC Baby Care is a drop-off option, where babies from 6 months to 3 years old can be left in the care of trained youth staff while parents take a break or enjoy onboard activities. This service is available during scheduled times and is free of charge. Space is limited.
Mini Club (3-6 years) and Junior Club (7-11 years): These clubs are filled with games, crafts and hands-on activities, including themed days, character visits and even a Green Screen Experience! MSC has a partnership with LEGO, so the tadpoles will find plenty of colorful bricks, building challenges and themed activities throughout the week. Staffed by trained crew, these clubs are drop-off and included in your cruise fare.
Young Club (12-14 years) and Teen Club (15-17 years): Tweens and teens get their own spaces too, with video games, music and even organized tournaments and parties. It's designed to give older kids some independence in a safe and supervised space.
The clubs are open most of the day and into the evening. You can register for the kids club once you're onboard or by filling out this form before your sailing.
Aqua Deck
Pools and whirlpools? Check. Outdoor bars and lounges? Yep. The Aqua Deck is located on Deck 18 and is the place for relaxation and fun in the sun. Midship is the Mar Azul main pool, surrounded by whirlpools, oceanview daybeds and plenty of loungers facing either the pool or the ocean.
Right next door, you’ll find the lush and tranquil Botanic Garden Pool. This indoor oasis features a large pool, multiple whirlpools and a bar area — all set beneath a retractable solarium roof, so you can enjoy a swim no matter the weather.
Head to La Perla Bar for a drink or grab a quick bite at La Boca Grill, serving up poolside favorites like pizza, burgers and hot dogs.
World Promenade
This open-air space is breathtaking. Stroll along the Promenade with ocean views, grab a beer at All-Stars Sports Bar, try a sweet treat at Sweet Temptations or share a snack from Promenade Bites. There's shopping, dining and entertainment around every corner, including nightly music, the Palm Tree lighting show and events.
World Galleria
World Galleria is the ship's interior promenade. With a colorful LED ceiling (don't froget to look up!) and three decks of shops, eateries, arcades and entertainment, there's always something going on. It's also where you'll find the Dolce Vita Bar, Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Cafe, Pizza & Burger eatery, World Reception Guest Services, MSC Shore Excursions desk and the Luna Park event space.
The Terraces
This open-air space is located midship and is one of our favorite places to unwind with a view. Lounge seating, live music and cocktails make it a fun area to hang out after a day of adventure or to meet up before dinner. An all-new comedy club, The Loft, features late-night comedy shows, dueling pianos and karaoke.
The Zen Area
Adults, this one's for you. The Zen Area is an adults-only retreat located at the aft of Deck 18. There are plenty of tables and loungers, two separate pools overlooking the ocean with a full bar in between.
MSC Yacht Club
Located at the front of Deck 20, the Yacht Club is MSC's "ship within a ship." It's a VIP experience with private suites, an exclusive sun deck and pool, its own restaurant and lounge, plus 24-hour butler service and concierge services.
Dining Onboard MSC World America
One of the best things about cruising? The food. And MSC World America brings a ton of dining options to the table — literally.
Let's start with what's included in your cruise fare:
Main Dining Rooms
There are four main dining rooms onboard that are included in your cruise fare and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner:
- La Foglia Restaurant (Deck 5)
- Hexagon Restaurant (Deck 6)
- Bubbles Restaurant (Deck 6)
- Esagano Restaurant (Deck 6)
- Les Dunes (Deck 8 – for Aurea-level guests only)
These restaurants serve a rotating three-course menu of delicious cuisine each night, including steak, seafood, vegetarian and pasta options. The menu also includes Mediterranean-style flair, classic American dishes and desserts.
MSC uses set dining times (early and late seating) and you will be assigned a specific dining room for the length of your cruise. Aurea-level guests can also choose My Choice Dining for more flexibility.
Buffets
There are two buffets onboard, and both are included in your fare:
- Il Mercato Buffet (Deck 18): This is a buffet with indoor and outdoor seating. It has everything from international cuisine to meat carving stations, fresh salads, pasta stations and more.
- La Brasserie Buffet (Deck 19): The second buffet with areas that feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the World Promenade. Perfect for breakfast with a view!
Both buffets serve identical menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks.
Snacks & Desserts
Outside of the buffets and main dining rooms, you'll also find complimentary grab-and-go options such as:
- Pizza & Burger — serves up pizza, fries, burgers and sodas
- The Harbour Bar & Bites — corn dogs, wraps, burritos, empanadas and select desserts
- La Boca Grill — poolside snacks such as pizza, hot dogs or burgers
- Promenade Bites – grab-and-go hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy
Specialty Restaurants (extra charge)
MSC World America has several specialty dining options, all of which come at an extra cost:
- Eataly at Sea – upscale Italian dining with an outdoor terrace
- Kaito Sushi – fresh sushi and sashimi
- Kaito Teppanyaki – hibachi-style grilled meats and veggies
- The Butcher's Cut Steakhouse – American-style steakhouse with premium cuts and seafood
- Hola! Tacos & Cantina – Mexican street food, tequila tastings, tacos and churros
- Paxos — Mediterranean cuisine with seafood, grilled meats and fresh mezze
- Paxos on the Go — Greek bites and cocktails
- Sweet Temptations – gelato, ice cream and milkshakes
- Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Café – chocolate desserts, candies and gelato
- Coffee Emporium – global coffee blends and pastries
These specialty restaurants are typically open for lunch and dinner, and you’ll want to make reservations in advance. You can book ahead in the MSC app or onboard at the restaurant.
What Is "My Choice Dining"?
MSC World America gives you two options for dinner in the main dining rooms:
- Traditional Set Dining: You're assigned a dining room and a set time (early or late seating).
- My Choice Dining (for Aurea-level guests): You eat when you want during the main dining room's open hours, at any available table. It's a more flexible option for those who don't want to be locked into a schedule.
When you book your cruise, you’ll be asked which dining time you prefer. Some stateroom categories (like Aurea-level) automatically come with flexible dining.
Bars & Lounges
MSC World America has a long list of themed bars and lounges across the ship. Whether you're in the mood for a morning coffee, pre-dinner cocktails or a cold draft beer, we promise you won't be thirsty on this ship.
Some of the highlights include Masters of the Sea, an English-style pub and the Gin Project, which spans Decks 7 and 8. Fizz Champagne Bar (Deck 8) is your go-to for champagne and Elixir Mixology Bar (Deck 8) is where you'll find cocktails and mixology. There's also the All-Stars Sports Bar, where you can watch the game on 35 big screens or play a game of darts or shuffleboard.
MSC offers three different drink packages: the Premium Extra Package, the Alcohol-Free Package and the Minors Package. You can purchase online before your cruise to save up to 40% or once you're onboard.
MSC World America Entertainment & Recreation
There's a lot to sea and do on MSC World America, whether you want to catch a Broadway-style show, shoot hoops or just relax by the pool deck with a fresh juice in hand. Ahhh!
In the evenings, you'll want to head over to the World Theatre on Deck 7 for Broadway-style productions. "Dirty Dancing in Concert" is the new headliner, along with other rotating performances, which are all included with your cruise.
The Panorama Lounge in the aft of Deck 7 has ocean wake views by day and transforms into an entertainment venue at night. Don’t miss the live Queen Symphonic show — one of our absolute favorites! To get to the Panorama Lounge, you'll pass through the MSC Casino with slot machines, poker, blackjack and other game tables.
The Loft on Deck 8 is where you'll find comedy shows, karaoke and dueling pianos.
If you need some R&R, the MSC Aurea Spa on Deck 8 has everything from a salt room and saunas to a ganbanyoku (a Japanese-style heated stone room). Right outside the spa is the Zest Juice Bar, serving up fresh juices and smoothies after your massage or sauna session.
As we mentioned above, the Sportplex on Deck 20 has sports courts, The Box Bar and even bumper cars (yes, real bumper cars at sea!). Next to it, you’ll find the gym, which has ocean views and all the equipment you'd expect at no extra charge.
During the day, the Luna Park Arena is buzzing with activities. Come evening, it hosts themed events like "Miami Nights" and "Après," plus late-night fun for adults.
If you're planning to hit the arcades or bumper cars, you'll want to look into the MSC Fun Pass. This is MSC's all-in-one package for extra-charge attractions such as the Cliffhanger, Formula 1 racing simulators and arcade-style games. You can pay as you go or buy the Fun Pass in advance for a 20% discount.
Things to Know Before You Sail MSC World America
Before you go, we've put together some information you'll want to know before booking and heading out on your trip:
- MSC has Different Tiers of Experience — The tiered experiences (Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and Yacht Club) are selected at the time of booking, and they help determine what perks and stateroom types you're eligible for. Each tier is tied to certain cabins. Bella is usually only available with interior or basic oceanview rooms. Fantastica includes more room categories and slightly better perks (such as free room service). Aurea is tied to select balcony rooms and suites and includes spa and dining perks. Yacht Club rooms are all suite-level and have exclusive access to Yacht Club areas.
- Gratuities and Extras —Daily service charges are automatically added to your bill ($16 per person, per day for Caribbean sailings and $20 per person, per day for MSC Yacht Club), and drinks outside of your plan, spa services and specialty dining costs are extra. You can add additional gratuities at Guest Services if you'd like.
- Download the MSC for Me App Before Your Cruise — This is where you'll find the daily activity scheduling, reservations, ship maps and the messaging feature so you can communicate with your group onboard.
- Bring a Credit Card for Onboard Charges — MSC operates cash-free on board. You’ll link a card to your cruise account at check-in or when you board, and everything gets charged to your room.
- Visit the Family Zones Early — Areas like The Harbour, Botanic Garden Pool, MSC Sportplex and Aquapark can get busy — check them out early or during port days for fewer crowds.
- Don’t Forget Your Pool Towels — MSC doesn’t provide towels at the pool decks or on the island. You’ll need to grab towels from your stateroom and bring them with you. This includes beach days at Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island. Just remember to return them after or you might get charged a fee!
So, are you ready to cruise bigger and bolder on the brand-new MSC World America? Don’t froget, you can save on your next MSC cruise (and other cruise lines too!) with your favorite frogs at Undercover Tourist. Now tell us, what are you most excited to check out onboard? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: How to Choose a Cruise Line — Which One Is Right for You?
Hoppy planning!
