My First Impressions from Aboard MSC World America
MSC World America made a splash in Miami, arriving at MSC Cruises’ brand-new cruise terminal on April 7, 2025, and then welcoming an invited group of industry insiders, travel advisors, and journalists to be the first to experience the ship on a 3-night preview cruise.
The special voyage launched on April 9, 2025, was a star-studded event featuring appearances by Gloria Estefan and Marc Anthony, to name a few, and took passengers to MSC Cruises’ private destination, Ocean Cay in the Bahamas.
From the moment guests arrived at the expansive new terminal filled with light pouring through floor-to-vaulted-ceiling glass walls, it was made clear the occasion was going to be special.
Passengers eager to board the ship first went through state-of-the-art biometrics to board the ship using facial recognition, speeding up the boarding process so that it took mere minutes from drop off to embarkation.
And once onboard, the fun began. Arriving at Deck 6, there was bound to be a little confusion at the get-go, especially on a ship that can accommodate more than 6,700 passengers when it’s full.
The elevators, meant to move guests easily and quickly, were tucked to the left, while to the right, the ship’s bustling World Galleria began, so it wasn’t quite evident which way to turn.
But once passengers figured out how to call an elevator by first indicating a floor and entering a specific elevator, they were taken to quieter decks to gather their bearings.
First stop? Staterooms, of course. Meant to convey a contemporary European vibe, although designed for an American audience, the rooms are set in brown tones that lend the space some darkness, especially if not equipped with sliding glass doors.
Chocolate-colored carpet and chocolate striped curtains and pillows are set against a rather beige background, with beige beach towels and chocolate-colored couches and chairs.
Even the hallways leading to staterooms are awash with brown. However, away from the guest areas, MSC World America has begun to show its flair and unique aspects.
Each restaurant – and there are 19 onboard – has its own special look and feel. The casual eatery Hola! Tacos & Cantina, for example, certainly gives off a cantina vibe and is filled with color and premade frozen margaritas at the ready.
Sushi and teppanyaki are found in a hue of warm golds and oranges at Kaito, and Paxos’ World Promenade location works well for providing both an indoor and outdoor experience that feels as if dining in Greece.
The white-washed exterior and splashes of cobalt blue feel like stepping into a Santorini restaurant.
Of course, more color can be found at MSC World America’s attractions. From Cliffhanger’s bright red swings that take guests 160 feet above the ocean to the multi-colored waterslides for solo or double riders, the top-deck Harbor screams that it is the official fun zone.
Here, passengers can also literally enter the jaws of a giant shark as they climb in one by one to drop 250 feet in a twisting, turning slide that deposits the shaken in the World Promenade on Deck 8.
And kids and families will be drawn into spaces just for them with family and kid-only LEGO zones, and an expansive kid’s club that separates children by age into various play areas.
While most are filled with video game options during the adult-only preview, these spaces will also offer crafts, games, and other amenities for those 3 to 17.
Even babies have a space and can get some quality tummy time and stimulation as well as a quieter zone for catching their Zzz’s.
From Day to Night on MSC World America
The real treats come in the evenings, when MSC America’s lively bars and lounges come alive, including Bubbles, dedicated to, what else? Champagne; Master of the Sea, a true British-inspired pub, and the American All-Stars Sports Bar, complete with an array of beers of draft, TVs for catching the latest games, and pub games like darts and shuffleboard.
At the Panorama Stage, aptly named for featuring a wall of windows in the aft of the ship and accessible after walking through the MSC Signature Casino, screens can be lowered to create a backdrop.
This was the case during the Queen tribute performance, accompanied by a symphony, prerecorded and displayed on the backdrop as the singers danced, rocked, and performed acrobatics.
It was in this setting where MSC World America’s godmother, Drew Barrymore, and Orlando Bloom, celebrating their “Let’s Holiday” campaign, welcomed guests before Drew joined the captain and crew to cut the ribbon and officially christen the ship.
Passengers were quick to make their way to the top decks for two special celebrations taking place.
One was a poolside concert by Miami’s own Gloria Stefan and the Miami Sound Machine, while the other was a fantastic drone display that turned a pink flamingo into the ship of MSC World America in front of the Miami skyline.