Sailing out of the Magic City of Miami, we stepped aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC World America to see exactly what your clients can expect from the line’s latest World class ship

In April 2025, the USA said its first ‘ciao’ to MSC World America, a ship that has been designed to marry American comforts with the European design that speaks to the line’s Italian heritage.

With capacity for 6,764 passengers across 2,614 cabins and 38,400 square metres of public space, it’s one of the largest ships at sea. Plus, it’s brimming with ocean cruising firsts, from the only over-water swing at sea to a novel new Dirty Dancing in Concert show.

“World America is the natural evolution of MSC,” said Antonio Paradiso, vice president of international sales at MSC Cruises. “Every new ship gives us the opportunity to do something bigger and better and to keep up to speed with everything that’s going on out there in the world.

“The cruise market is booming and MSC is doing particularly well. This ship is all about balancing the traditional with the modern, engaging the next generation and ensuring our repeaters always have new choices.”

Around the world in 80 dishes

While MSC World America itineraries take passengers around the Caribbean, the food onboard transports them across the world, with 19 different dining venues serving everything from sushi to snails in garlic butter.

New to this ship are the speciality restaurants Paxos and Eataly at Sea. The former, situated behind a façade of whitewashed walls and blue shuttered windows on Deck 8, has been styled to resemble a traditional taverna and its menu pairs classic Greek dishes like gyros with 20 different types of seafood.

Eataly, meanwhile, serves regional Italian antipasti and pasta dishes as well as secondi options such as roast suckling pig and seared seabass with capers and olives. The buffet restaurants on MSC World America are above par.

Metre after metre of stations deliver a plate-buckling amount of choice. Days begin with the likes of daily changing bagels, made-to-order omelettes and full American breakfasts, and end with anything from loaded tacos to acai bowls.

Elsewhere, the foodie highlights continue with Promenade Bites, where passengers can pick up clouds of candy floss in imaginative flavours like watermelon and red apple, and Jean‑Phillipe Maury Chocolate Café, where silky gelato is available in 16 different flavours.

The new All Stars Sports Bar is another crowd-pleaser. Against a backdrop of live sports, this place serves supersized burgers and American game day classics like chicken wings and loaded tater tots.

West End on water

Six new shows debut on MSC World America. Dirty Dancing in Concert is a particular highlight. With the ship’s show team singing, acting and dancing live as footage from the movie is screened in the background, it’s full of all the mashed potato moves, full circle skirt swishing and air-lift moments that made the original movie into a cult classic.

Queen Symphonic is another must-see. For this, a full symphonic orchestra was pre-recorded playing the score to some of Queen’s greatest hits. This footage is blazoned across the back wall of the 462-seat Panorama Lounge as the ship’s musicians perform live and acrobats contort their way around the theatre.

Away from the two big theatres, The Loft is most noteworthy. A new concept for MSC, this adults-only space is all wood-panelled walls, low lighting, chesterfield sofas and chequerboard floors. In the evenings, cocktails flow as comedians and Dueling Piano artists take to its Manhattan comedy club‑sized stage.

Thrill and chills

MSC World America is honeycombed with rides, amusement and play spaces. The Harbour area of Deck 20 is the epicentre of the action. It’s here that passengers will find the ship’s headline ride, Cliffhanger – a mechanical swing that flings riders over the edge of the ship with what feels like only a small lap bar to prevent them from plummeting into the ocean 50 metres below.

There are high ropes and waterslides here, too, as well as the launch pad for Jaw Drop which, at 11 decks tall, is one of the longest dry slides at sea. A sportsplex with games courts, bumper cars and a multi-gen Lego building room, a cavernous free kids’ space with dedicated areas for babies, tots, early teens and late teens, and Luna Park Arena with its e-gaming and virtual reality options complete the offering.

For clients who choose cruises to loosen up rather than let loose, relaxation spaces abound onboard, too. The ship tallies up seven pools, 13 hot tubs (the two in the Botanical Garden area are party-sized) and a spa which, at 1,260 square metres, is one of the largest at sea.

Heaven is a place on earth

20 miles south of Bimini in the Bahamas, in an area of the west Atlantic Ocean where Earnest Hemingway used to deep‑sea fish, MSC has taken an abandoned, twisted metal strewn, aragonite mining site and reincarnated it into Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.

The project was 10 years in the making. All MSC World America cruises call at this 42-hectare private island, where a siren-blue lagoon is hemmed in by nine palm-pronged beaches and coves and just the right dusting of sandside bars and snack shacks.

Swimming, paddleboarding, snorkelling and sunbathing are the main orders of the day on Ocean Cay, although it’s well worth climbing the 100 foot lighthouse for pan-island views and dropping by the newly opened conservation centre to learn more about MSC’s restoration of the island and the delicate corals that surround it.

Clients who book an itinerary that includes an overnight stop at the island can also take in the firepit-lit beach party and lighthouse strobe show that takes place on the island’s Lighthouse Bay.

Sleep talk

The cabin type count on MSC World America tops 20. Nifty for solo travellers, the studio interiors and studio ocean views come with single beds, but at 10 and 12 square metres respectively they don’t feel pokey.

For families, options like the Deluxe Interior and Infinite Ocean View Aurea can be configured to sleep up to four guests. Broods who want a little more room should look at the Premium Suite Aureas, which have curtained-off bunk bed areas as well as a sizeable double bed and lounge space.

More than 65 per cent of cabins on the ship have balconies – guests can choose from a promenade or ocean view depending on whether they prefer to watch people or waves. Clients in the market for a touch of lush should consider a Grand Suite Aurea, where the wrap-around balcony is crowned by a whirlpool bath.

MSC World America’s VIP Yacht Club area is the line’s largest yet. Cabins in this keycard-only access space come with 24-hour butler service and access to an exclusive pool, sundeck, grill eatery and bar, and a chandelier-lit gourmet restaurant. Its two Owner’s Suites top the cabin pecking order, offering more than 150 square metres of space and yawning private terraces topped with whirlpool baths.

Expert verdict

Antonio Paradiso, vice president of international sales at MSC Cruises, on MSC World America

How would you describe MSC World America?

“This ship is perfect because it has two souls. Throughout the day people’s moods change. They may start the day seeking thrills, but then run low on energy and need some downtime. The ship has spaces that cater to both moods.”

What’s your favourite thing about the ship?

“There are so many features across all decks. MSC World America is 333 metres long, which is longer than the Eiffel Tower laid down. We’ve never given customers so much choice. For example, there are 19 dining venues and 20 bars and lounges. I truly feel there is something for everyone.”

What sort of customers would this ship suit?

“MSC World America is a truly multigenerational ship. There’s something for families, couples and repeat customers who love the brand but also want to try something new.”