MSC World America has arrived in Florida to attract North American cruisers to its brand. This ship significantly differs from other MSC cruise ships that have previously operated in North America.
Sailing into the ring as a strong competitor, MSC wants to make waves. Taking on the brands well-known to most North American cruisers is no easy quest.
With so many similarities to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, MSC mega-ship, a newcomer in this size class, could give Royal Caribbean a run for its money.
MSC didn’t simply build a new ship. They also invested in several other components to enhance the cruising experience for their guests. Their new terminal at the Port of Miami is the largest in the world.
With technology and an improved design layout, embarkation is quick and easy, whether arriving by bus or car. Best of all, the drop-off and pick-up points are covered, protecting guests from the weather.
Like most other mainstream cruise lines that visit the Caribbean, MSC developed its own private island, Ocean Cay, and will develop a neighboring island as a luxury alternative for guests.
Optimistic about its success in North America, MSC will continue building new ships of the World Class.
Are you ready to see if MSC is a true competitor in the market? Since the Oasis Class ships compare well with MSC’s World Class, let’s investigate the similarities and differences in the onboard experience, ship design, itineraries and value.
Ship Design and Atmosphere
Both ships adopted similar layouts. Royal Caribbean initiated the Neighborhood concept, while MSC has a similar District layout. This type of layout designates certain areas dedicated to specific attractions or entertainment. It helps guests get their bearings or know where to head for certain activities.
Consider the Royal Promenade(RCCL) vs. the World Promenade (MSC). The names define the space, and guests instantly realize that this social hub sets the tone for the cruise.
The Royal Promenade may be more glitzy than the World Promenade, which has a subdued yet elegant European style.
In fact, MSC considers its ships a combination of European flair and American comfort.
Bars, complimentary restaurants, and shops line the expansive thoroughfare. World America scatters a few seating options throughout the Promenade giving guests a chance for rest or a place to wait for companions.
Royal Promenade features Rising Tide, a place to sit and drink while moving between decks.
One big difference in the ship design and layout is that World America opens to the sea at the stern, where Royal Caribbean has the ever-popular AquaTheater, perfectly located for the high diving and aerobatic shows.
Shows on World America take place in the World Theater. Dirty Dancing in Concert is the current headliner. The Panorama Theater has one wall of windows and a horseshoe-shaped theater designed so that any seat is a good seat, as there are no obstructions to the stage. At the top level there are plenty of comfortable upholstered sofas and chairs.
Accommodations and Suite Experiences
Cruisers will find a variety of stateroom options on both ships, from inside cabins to expansive upper-level suites complete with a variety of perks and privileges.
Both cruise lines offer the ship-within-a-ship option. World America offers the Yacht Club, and RCCL has its separate Suite Neighborhood. Note that all Royal Caribbean or World America suites are in these exclusive enclaves.
Royal Caribbean Oasis Class ships offer several tiers of suites in their Royal Suite Class:
Sea, Sky and Star Class Suites. As guests progress up the ladder of suites, they receive more benefits. All suite guests have access to Coastal Kitchen, robes, luxury bedding and bath amenities and coffee machines.
Moving up to the Sky Class, guests have internet access and priority dining reservations along with reserved seating at shows.
Every evening there is suite lounge access with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Concierge service and gratuities are also included.
At the top tier, Star Class guests also receive complimentary or discounted specialty dining, mini-bar, complimentary laundry and pressing service, and The Royal Genie.
MSC offers guests many of the same amenities in the Aurea Suites as Royal does. The concierge and butler are offered in the Yacht Club.
Dining Experience
World America dining includes a variety of both complimentary and surcharge options.
There are 20 dining options in total, from pizza and burgers to new specialty restaurants like Paxos(Greek) and Eataly(Italian).
The Main Dining room menus include a variety of fare, including vegetarian options. Compared to the MDR offerings on other MSC ships, the dinner menu exceeded expectations in terms of tastiness.
The burgers at the complimentary Pizza & Burgers are pre-made and packaged. Although the fries and burgers are served under a warmer, they might appeal to those looking for cool to lukewarm burgers.
The buffet takes over two floors and offers inviting options. The area is spacious and comfortable, with subtle décor. La Brasserie is a bit smaller than the lower buffet, Il Mercato. There are plenty of stations with choices that should suit any dietary preferences.
World America has four main dining rooms: Bubbles, Foglia, Hexagon, and Esagono (the Italian translation of Hexagon). Aurea Suite guests dine in Les Dunes, which offers the same menu.
Specialty restaurants come with a fee, and reservations are recommended.
Highly touted Paxos serves Greek specialties in a large dining room with an exterior seating area and take-out options.
Hola! Tacos & Cantina also offers take-out, but requires a fee. Eataly is the first of its brand on a ship. Other restaurants, all with an additional fee, include: Kaito Teppanyaki, Butcher’s Cut, Kaito Sushi Bar, All-Stars Sports Bar, and Masters of the Sea, a pub-style spot.
On Oasis Class Ships, several free dining options are available, including the Main Dining Room, Cafe Promenade, Sorrento’s Pizza, and the buffet—Windjammer Marketplace.
Specialty restaurants offer something for everyone: 150 Central Park, Izumi, Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Johnny Rockets, Playmaker’s Sports Bar, The Mason Jar, and Hooked. Wonder of the Seas, the closest competitor to World America boasts 20 restaurants.
Specialty restaurants on Oasis Class ships seem larger with perhaps more variety. On Royal, the more elegant restaurants surround the greenery of Central Park. With World America, there is a good mix of quick food and more formal dining.
The Main Dining Rooms on both ships offer plenty of menu choices. Service varies in each and may not happen as quickly as expected.
On World America, the tables are pushed together to accommodate a larger number of guests, where the closeness of the two toppers doesn’t allow for an intimate dining experience. However, it’s a great way to meet fellow passengers.
Entertainment & Activities
Royal Caribbean is known for its popular Broadway-style shows, high-dive shows in the Aqua theater, and creative shows in Two70. World America continues to offer visual shows with European flair.
Dirty Dancing in Concert takes place in the World Theater, Queen Symphonic in the comfortable and attractive Panorama Lounge, remotely comparable to Two70.
Royal has the Stowaway Piano Player while MSC has pop-up promenade acts.
Royal’s ice skating shows always draw crowds. Magicians, comedians and smaller musical acts also perform around the ship.
World America includes comedians and a dueling pianos act in The Terraces.
Family Fun
Both cruise lines cater to families. Each has a different vibe, with kids clubs, adventure choices and water activities.
World America has partnered with the Lego brand—plenty of activities involving Legos, including character parades, especially for younger cruisers.
As children age, the clubs offer more independence and more varied activities. Thanks to a partnership with F1, teens have access to an arcade with a Formula 1 simulator.
Royal offers kids clubs also divided by age group. Kids can engage in rock climbing, mini golf, water slides and dry slides. Older kids might enjoy the zip line, ice skating, wave runner or skydive simulator.
One of the unique attractions on World America is the Cliffhanger, a swing that extends over the edge of the ship. Other options include water parks, a ropes course, and bumper cars.
Royal takes entertainment to the top with chills and thrills. World America is more elegant and adult-forward yet still family-friendly.
Tech and Onboard Experiences
Boarding a cruise ship has changed so much, as more and more technology becomes available. Check-in is an easy process now. No longer do guests head to a long counter, but now find a person with a tablet who can check you in quickly with the use of facial recognition.
The process is so quick that most of the seats in the new terminals are empty when everything runs smoothly.
Royal has more elevator banks on their ships, but MSC World America has smart elevators.
Simply choose your floor and then wait for the elevator to assign you one. There are no local elevators that stop on each floor only to find no passengers.
Like Royal Caribbean, MSC doesn’t have a Deck 13 or a Deck 17 due to superstitions about unlucky numbers.
The apps for both cruise lines could be improved. What a tease to get a message from Royal to check in to a cruise you haven’t booked. While the apps save paper, they can also cause confusion when information isn’t comprehensive, and worse, when it’s inaccurate.
Electronic boards, often found near the elevators are helpful for navigation and for reviewing the daily schedule.
Voom Wi-Fi on Royal (Starlink) is usually fast, but it could be slower depending on whether it’s a sea day with most of the ship using the bandwidth.
The same is true of World America. Wi-Fi has improved across the board. Remember that connectivity usually comes at an extra cost unless you have booked higher categories of staterooms or a special package.
Bars and other restaurants on World America offer QR ordering. It’s a good way to order when a server is not within viewing distance.
Caribbean Itineraries and Private Islands
Both cruise lines sail to the Caribbean. While older MSC ships, along with World America, sail this itinerary, Royal Caribbean, due to the number of ships in its fleet, offers more options for Caribbean sailings from more ports.
Most MSC cruises sail longer itineraries in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
MSC cruises depart from various home ports, including Miami, Galveston, Baltimore, Port Canaveral, and New York City.
Wonder of the Seas sails short itineraries from Miami. This is an advantage for those who need a quick getaway on a newer ship, something quite unusual, as usually older ships sail shorter itineraries.
Perfect Day at Coco Cay vs. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
Most Caribbean itineraries will include stops at the private islands. The name “Reserve” in MSC’s island might give a hint to what to expect on that island.
This island is very laid back with water sports activities, a lighthouse climb and plenty of loungers with umbrellas. Yacht Club guests have special areas for a more upscale experience.
The MSC Foundation concentrates on many projects, but at Ocean Cay, they focus on the coral and its preservation. Several buildings near the pier display information and share the story of this environmental project.
Perfect Day at Coco Cay is high-energy, with food, drinks, private cabanas for rent, and other activities, like the air balloon. There are places for adults and children’s activities, like a pirate ship. This island is more developed than Ocean Cay. There are exclusive adult areas.
Pricing and Value
MSC has four pricing tiers. The lowest tier, Bella, is the guarantee class. You agree to take the cabin that they offer, with your choice of inside, window, or balcony. You may choose to get a beverage package at a discount.
Moving up to Fantastica Class, you may choose your own cabin. One of the nice benefits of MSC in Fantastica and higher categories is the ability to change the following: your cabin in the same class, your cruise date, and/or destination. This must be done at least 30 days prior to your cruise.
The higher your category, the more dining times are available. The first choice goes to the higher tiers. Guests at this tier and above also get a discount on their pre-paid beverage and specialty restaurant packages.
Aurea class offers more perks like My Choice dining. The perks for the lower classes are also included.
Your stateroom balcony or higher will have extra amenities like robes and slippers. You will also find prosecco and chocolates in your room on embarkation day. Oddly enough, one of the perks of Aurea Class on World America is facial tissue in the stateroom!
Other perks in Aurea include access to the spa and discounts on treatments. Priority boarding is also one of the benefits as well as first choice of dining room seating. Private access to the adults-only sundeck is another perk to avoid competing with chair hogs.
Royal Caribbean offers a multitude of stateroom levels. For example, in the suite class, there are a variety of sizes and capacities. Aqua Suites overlook the Aqua Theater. On both World America and Oasis Class ships, some cabins give views over the Promenade areas.
It’s not easy to compare Oasis Class ships’ costs and itineraries with World America’s. Royal Caribbean has drifted to shorter cruises on its largest ships.
A Feb 22 voyage on Allure of the Seas in a Balcony stateroom sails for six days at a cost for a family of four of $3460, while a 7-night cruise on World America is $4325.
Comparing Royal’s next ship, Star of the Seas, with World America shows different results. Both ships sailing Western Caribbean itineraries include stops at their private islands, The Star of the Seas departs from Orlando on February 15. The cost is a whopping $6021, while World America comes in at $4385 for a similar balcony for a family of four.
More Bang for your Buck
It’s possible to save more money with Royal if you let them choose your cabin.
If you want a Cabin in Royal’s Suite Neighborhood or MSC’s Yacht Club, you need to carefully compare apples to apples to see which cruise lines best suit your preferences.
Personal definitions of value often come into play.
Final Thoughts
So which cruise line is right for you? Honestly to make a fair evaluation, you would need to sail the same itinerary with the same fellow passengers. That is unrealistic. If you enjoy a bit more European style, MSC might be your logical choice. But it depends on how you will travel and with whom.
Both cruise lines offer great programs for the kids. Perfect Day at CocoCay definitely has more activities geared toward kids.
Ocean Cay allows for a relaxing day, without the temptation to try everything offered on the island.
Royal Caribbean offers familiar, high-energy entertainment, while MSC combines both high-energy and low-energy entertainment. Before booking, consider what you like.
Do you prefer big production shows or heart-stopping shows? Or do you like glitzy shows with much visual appeal?
MSC just introduced World America to appeal to the North American market.
Royal has been successfully offering what North Americans like and have become familiar with.
The best way to find out is to see for yourself if MSC has successfully created a ship that will appeal to North Americans. You might be pleasantly surprised.
