Cruise Hospitality Center – Cruise Ship Operations & Hospitality Management Training

When looking at the mega-ships currently sailing the high seas, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and MSC Cruises’ newly launched MSC World America are among the best. 

Both cruise ships offer cutting-edge technology, world-class amenities, and lead sustainability with LNG-powered engines. But which of these massive cruise ships is right for your next vacation?

I’ve been on over a dozen cruises and have sailed with Royal Caribbean and MSC, and was most recently onboard MSC World America. 

Using my experience, I looked beyond the size to examine everything that these cruise ships have to offer their passengers, so that you can book your next sailing with confidence.

Ship Overview: Size and Stats

Icon of the SeasMSC World AmericaGross Tonnage248,663216,638Length1,196 feet1,094 feetPassenger Decks1816Passenger Capacity7,6006,764Crew Capacity2,3502,138Entered Service20242025Built AtMeyer Turku,
FinlandChantiers de l’Atlantique,
FrancePowerLNGLNG

As of the time of publication, Icon of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship, while MSC World America is still quite large as the eighth-largest ship. 

The Icon-class flagship, of course, has the advantage in terms of size, boasting a maximum guest capacity of 7,600, offering 18 passenger decks, and coming in at 248,663 gross tons. 

But MSC Cruises’ new addition really isn’t all that far behind, with a capacity for a maximum of 6,764 guests that have access to 16 decks and a gross tonnage of 216,638. 

Both ships made history when they began their careers in Miami, Florida, just around a year apart from each other. 

The Royal Caribbean ship’s maiden voyage embarked on January 27, 2024, while MSC World America officially entered service on April 12, 2025. 

The Layout

If you’re worried about navigating these floating giants of the high seas, don’t be. The cruise lines planned for this by adding interactive maps to their apps and by making maps available around the ships (usually at the elevator bays). 

Both ships have also been divided into neighborhoods or distinct districts, with each zone featuring its own unique dining venues, amenities, entertainment, and atmosphere. 

Neighborhoods onboard Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas has eight different neighborhoods, which we’ll take a quick look at: 

One of the most popular neighborhoods, Thrill Island, is home to Category 6, the world’s largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking water slides.

Another example is Surfside, which was designed as an all-day hangout spot for family-friendly activities. 

It’s home to a tasty soft serve station, family-focused all-day dining, several kid-friendly pools, splash pads, an arcade, a carousel, and the teen social club (Social020). 

The AquaDome neighborhood is particularly exciting because it features the largest glass dome ever created for a cruise ship. 

Inside the dome, guests can enjoy the aquatic theming and adrenalin-inducing stunt shows in the sophisticated AquaTheater. 

Central Park is meant to feel like a natural oasis, with four living plant walls and more than 30,000 living plants in this area, which are tended to by an onboard horticulturist. 

Chill Island, as the name suggests, is all about relaxing. It features plenty of spots for sunbathing, a Swim and Tonic pool that includes a swim-up bar, and the Cloud 17 Infinity Pool that is located at the very end of the ship. 

The Hideaway is an adults-only area that is very private and tends to have a calmer atmosphere. Not only does it have its own hot tubs and bars, but the Hideaway features the first ever suspended infinity pool at sea.

As the center of the ship, the Royal Promenade is like the heart of the vessel. It is home to shopping, restaurants, and features the innovative Pearl, which is a huge orb-like staircase. 

Finally, the Suite Neighborhood is an exclusive area that can only be used by guests who, as the name suggests, booked suites. 

It also has its own pools, sundeck space, and even its own restaurants (Grove Restaurant and the Coastal Kitchen Restaurant) and bar (Grove Bar). 

Districts onboard MSC World America

The MSC Cruise ship also features seven districts, which is the cruise line’s unique take on the concept of neighborhoods.

The buzzing Promenade District is home to the World Promenade, which features shopping, specialty restaurants, parades, pop-up events, and light shows. 

The World Galleria, which is just below the World Promenade, is also a hot spot for shopping, nightlife, lounges, and live music. 

Meanwhile, the Terraces district that is just above the Promenade district is home to specialty dining – like the first Eataly at sea – as well as entertainment geared specifically at adults. 

As the name suggests, the Aqua Deck is where to go to soak up the sun and go for a swim. This deck features pools, Whirlpool Jacuzzis, and several outdoor bars and lounges.

Family Aventura is a multi-level deck that is designed for families. This is where The Harbour can be found, which is home to the Cliffhanger Swings and the Jaw Drop slide.  

On the other end of the spectrum, the Zen Area is an adults-only oasis toward the aft of the ship that is meant for relaxation. It has its own pool and plenty of lounge chairs for sunbathing. 

Meanwhile, the three-deck MSC Yacht Club is a exclusive “ship within a ship” that is just for cruisers who booked suites in the MSC Yacht Club. 

This area comes with extra luxurious amenities like a butler and a private pool deck, restaurant, and lounge. 

The Pools

It’s a given that both of these cruise ships have plenty of pools and Jacuzzis, and we even told you where onboard some of them can be found. 

Icon has seven main pools, as well as numerous hot tubs, splash pads, and even a lazy river. 

MSC World America, meanwhile, offers a combined 20 public pool and whirlpool options for guests, as well as a splashpad for kids.

I highly recommend the Botanic Garden pool on the MSC ship, which tends to be shadier and calmer than some of the other options. 

The Thrills

Between the two cruise ships, Icon likely has the edge as far as water-filled adrenalin rushes.

While both ships have water slides, MSC World America has two fewer slides (four vs. six) and Royal Caribbean’s ship has the actual waterpark at sea in Thrill Island.

Also in Thrill Island, guests can enjoy the Crown’s Edge zipline, which doubles as a thrill ride and ropes course.

This is also where fun activities like bumper cars, a rock climbing wall, and the famous FlowRider Surf Simulator are located.

However, the thrills in the Harbour onboard MSC World America shouldn’t be discounted either.

The Harbour on Deck 20 is where guests will find the waterslides and an onboard ropes course. It’s also home to the two arguably most exciting attractions onboard, Cliffhanger and the Jaw Drop dry slide.

Cliffhanger is a set of over-water swings that holds guests 160 feet above the open ocean, offering both unparalleled views and unparalleled adrenalin (especially if you have a fear of heights like me).

Jaw Drop is an 11-story slide that begins in the mouth of a shark sculpture (hence the name). It’s one of the longest dry slides at sea at 250 feet long.

And for guests looking to get out of the sun, the F1 simulator in the Hall of Games on Deck 19 will certainly still get your heart racing and make you feel like you’re actually on the race track.

The Entertainment

Both cruise ships feature the standard entertainment you would expect to find at sea, such as comedy shows, dueling pianos, trivia, karaoke, and game shows.

But it’s the big production shows that are really something special.

In the Royal Theater, Icon is currently presenting Broadway-caliber performances of “The Wizard of Oz” and concert-type productions like “Showband! Live. Music. Now.”

At the Absolute Zero ice rink, guests can take in the “Starburst: Elemental Beauty” figure skating show and then ice skate themselves during public sessions.

Additionally, the AquaTheater is home to stunt shows like Aqua Action! and “Pirates vs. Mermaids.”

MSC World America’s production shows are all about the experience and nostalgia, and from experience, they quickly have you dancing and singing along.

The first featured production in the World Theater include a film-to-concert “Dirty Dancing” experience, which features live dancers and singers to bring the classic film to life in a new way.

There is also a concert called “Hall of Fame,” which pays homage to pop legends like Justin Timberlake, Whitney Houston, and Elton John.

And over in the Panorama Lounge, guests can enjoy “Queen Symphonic,” which is an epic tribute to the Queen band with live singers, dancers, and aerial acrobats.

Dining Options

While you won’t go hungry on either cruise ship, Icon of the Seas is famous for having more dining venues than its predecessors in the Royal Caribbean fleet. 

Dining on Icon of the Seas

In fact, the massive vessel has around 40 different dining establishments between specialty restaurants, buffets, bars, and quick service options.

In order to try all the different venues during a one-week cruise, you would have to eat around six meals a day.

For cruisers on a budget, you’ll be happy to know that 15 of these restaurants are complimentary and already included in the price of your cruise fare.

These include buffet options like the Windjammer Buffet and the Surfside Eatery, which offer a variety of options, including good old American comfort food.

Quick bites can be found at popular venues like Cantina Fresca and El Loco Fresh, which offers Mexican-American cuisine (Definitely try the tacos!), and the Pearl Café, which offers light bites like sandwiches and ready-made salads.

More formal sit-down meals are hosted in the main dining room and long-time Royal Caribbean favorites like Sorrento’s, which is famous for its pizza.

There are, of course, no shortage of specialty restaurants onboard that fit a variety of budgets and range from casual dining to over-the-top VIP experiences.

For example, the Celebration Table in the AquaDome is the new and improved version of the Chef’s Table. It only seats 12 and offers a private tasting experience.

Chops Grille, on the other hand, is the signature Royal Caribbean steakhouse that offers decadent beef options like filets, ribeyes, New York strips, and even Maine Lobster.

Additional elevated dining experiences can be found at the highly popular Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, Hooked Seafood Restaurant, and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar.

For dessert, we recommend the included Sprinkles ice cream venue located in Chill Island and Thrill Island and the specialty milkshakes at Desserted.

It’s also worth noting that Icon of the Seas offers the standard drink packages used across the fleet, as well as dining packages.

The Unlimited Dining package gives guests access to all specialty restaurants on the ship and comes with discounted bottles of wine, while the 3-restaurant package allows guests to choose three specialty dining experiences.

Dining on MSC World America

MSC World America has a more manageable total of 19 dining venues onboard, including four main dining rooms, two big buffets (Il Mercato and La Brasserie), and a variety of specialty restaurants.

The two buffets and the main dining rooms – Bubbles, Esagono, Hexagon, and La Foglia – are all complimentary.

Additionally, Luna Park Pizza and Burger, La Boca Grill, and Promenade Bites are also included in the cruise fare and offer kid-friendly options.

If you’re looking for an elevated dining experience, it’s definitely worth making reservations at Hola! Tacos & Cantina, the Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse, Kaito Teppanyaki & Kaito Sushi Bar, or Eataly at Sea.

Read Also: How Not to Overeat on a Cruise – And Why It Matters

I was also particularly fond of Paxos Greek Restaurant because the food was tasty and the open air environment allowed me to people watch the other guests passing through in the World Promenade.

While soft serve and ice cream can be found onboard for free, we recommend the rich and tasty gelato from Jean Philippe Maury for dessert.

As is standard in the cruise world, MSC does offer a variety of inclusive drink packages, including premium extra options, alcohol-free packages, and packages just for kids.

Similar to Royal Caribbean, MSC does also offer three different dining packages that allow guests to reserve their spot at the specialty restaurants, usually at a discount.

The Accommodations

After enjoying all these delicious gourmet meals, you’ll likely want to head back to your cruise cabin for a siesta. But what do the accommodations look like on these mega ships?

Icon of the Seas sets the standards high by offering more than 30 different types of cabins and suites with a total of 2,805 staterooms onboard.

If you’re willing and able to splurge, Icon also offers some of the most unique suite options, including the already iconic Ultimate Family Suites, which feature multiple levels, in-suite slides, ping-pong tables, and even private movie theaters.

But even the cheapest interior cabins still offer the most modern amenities and design.

Read Also: What NOT to Do When Choosing Your Cruise Cabins

Meanwhile, MSC World America has 19 different stateroom categories and has a total of 2,626 cabins onboard.

The suites are also quite nice onboard this new ship, but offer a more elevated, adult experience. Some even feature their own private Whirlpool Jacuzzis.

And something that I’m a fan of for both cruise ships is that you can select an interior balcony. As someone who likes people watching, I really love having this option.

Although, when I was onboard MSC World America, I loved my ocean balcony stateroom, which I found to be clean, surprisingly spacious, and very modern.

The Itineraries

Of course, taking a cruise is not just about the ship. It’s also about the destinations.

Icon is currently alternating between 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries out of Miami, Florida.

The Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes Labadee, Haiti; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas.

The Western Caribbean itineraries also stop at CocoCay, but switch out the other ports of call with Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; and Roatan, Honduras.

MSC World America is also homeporting in Miami at MSC’s new state-of-the-art cruise terminal, but has a bit more variety to her itineraries.

She offers both Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises and sailings to the Bahamas that range in length from 7 to 14 nights.

Most itineraries also include a stop at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which is the cruise line’s private island.

The Cost

Cruise fare prices can fluctuate depending on the time of year and which itinerary you are booking. For example, booking during Wave Season, which is like an extended Black Friday sale for cruise ships, may result in better deals.

Similarly, booking a sailing during peak season when there is greater demand will likely be more expensive than embarking on a cruise during the off season.

But between the two cruise ships, Icon of the Seas tends to come with the higher price tag.

Read Also: Why Are MSC Cruises So Cheap?

For fun, I looked at 7-night cruises onboard both ships.

Using our Cruise Hive booking feature, I found itineraries for the MSC ship starting at $684.57 per person.

But on Icon of the Seas, the cheapest sailing I could find (even with our booking service’s discounts) averaged at $1,228 per person.

In addition to the cruise fare, you’ll also have to consider how onboard purchases fit into your budget, such as Wi-Fi packages, spa treatments, and dining or drink packages.

Which is Better – MSC World America or Icon of the Seas?

At the end of the day, it’s not so much about which cruise ship is better as far as which ship offers the experience you are looking for. 

If you’re craving a more sophisticated, adult-friendly experience on a budget, MSC World America is likely the ship for you. 

But if you’re looking for constant thrills and family-friendly fun, Icon of the Seas likely has more to offer. 

But no matter what you choose, your next cruise vacation will certainly be a trip to remember!

MSC World America vs Icon of the Seas: A Giant Comparison!

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