MSC World America is officially in Florida—and based on its preview cruise and the social media buzz, this new flagship has already made a huge splash in Miami.
Constructed with the North American cruiser in mind, MSC World America combines the flashy design MSC is known for with American-style comfort.
The ship spans 22 decks, features 2,600+ cabins, and showcases one of the boldest layouts MSC Cruises has ever delivered.
Here are seven impressions based on firsthand experience of sailing for four days:
1. It Feels Familiar
Many people compare the look of MSC World America to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships—and they’re not wrong.
From the split aft design and wide promenade to the multi-deck entertainment zones, it’s a mega-ship that feels made to compete.
That said, it feels more like a refined selection of ideas than a carbon copy. After three days onboard, I found that it actually flows better in some areas.
Take The Lanai, for example. Instead of Royal’s high-energy Aqua Theater, MSC created an aft-facing chill space that connects guests with the ocean.
With bars, food, and shaded seating, it feels like a peaceful alternative rather than a show space. Connecting to the water on a mega-ship is a bonus.
2. Themed Districts Work
MSC World America is divided into seven themed “districts,” and it’s more than just a marketing label. Each one is laid out with purpose, and after three days onboard, I can say the design helps you find your flow.
Rather than dumping everything into one central promenade, MSC spread out the activity zones, giving each area its own feel.
Want nightlife? Head to The Terraces for comedy, dueling pianos, and late-night karaoke. Looking for open-air dining with a view? That’s the Promenade. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere? The Zen Area is your go-to.
This layout doesn’t just help you find your cruise style. It also improves how people move around the ship. By the end of day one, I wasn’t approaching digital signage every five minutes, which is more than I can say for most new mega-ships.
The Galleria, for example, serves as a central social hub with dining, shopping, and the Luna Park Arena. At the same time, Family Aventura at the back of the ship keeps the higher-energy action—like a giant waterpark, Cliffhanger and bumper cars—contained in one zone.
Whether you’re traveling with kids or avoiding them entirely, the district layout makes it easy to find your pace without feeling overwhelmed.
Visually, the separation of each space helps too. There’s a flow to how you move around the ship that reduces foot traffic congestion in key areas—a common problem on other mega-ships.
After the first day, I rarely found myself lost, which is saying something on a 22-deck ship.
3. Lots of Tech
MSC’s tech approach isn’t flashy—it’s functional. It doesn’t try reinventing the cruise experience; it makes things smoother. And honestly, that’s what most cruisers want.
Facial recognition in the cruise terminal speeds up embarkation, smart elevators assign you to a specific lift, and digital signage throughout the ship helps with orientation.
Once you’re seated at your favorite bar or coffee spot, you can scan a QR code to order drinks—great for bypassing lines. QR ordering isn’t new, but it’s a helpful feature when the bar is slammed.
The streaming Wi-Fi package was also a standout—it let me upload files back to my studio, something that usually takes hours on other ships.
4. Entertainment Is More Mainstream
Leading the entertainment is Dr. E, a cruise director many Carnival cruisers will recognize—and he might be one of the best in the business. His energy, stage presence, and constant visibility around the ship set the tone. He’s not just “on” during showtime—he’s everywhere.
He is leading a slew of new entertainment options, and honestly, I don’t know how he does it because every time something was happening, he was either bringing on the act or being in the crowd.
It’s refreshing to see a cruise director that engaged and not only showing their face when it’s time to be “on.”
Entertainment feels more Americanized. Think less opera and more rock shows, like Dirty Dancing in Concert, dueling pianos, and Queen Symphonic in the Panorama Lounge. I also saw pop-up performances along the promenade, including juggling acts, LEGO parades, acrobatics, and a live art show set to house music.
At The World Theater, sightlines were clear from every seat—no poles, no bad views. It made for a much better viewing experience than some other theaters at sea.
5. More Dining Options
With 6,700 guests onboard, you need dining variety. And MSC delivers 20+ food venues and lounges. These include Eataly (currently the only one at sea), Butcher’s Cut, Paxos Greek Restaurant, and grab-and-go favorites like Burgers and Pizza.
Despite the ship’s size, the dining flow felt manageable. Two buffets (Decks 18 and 19) and various quick-service counters (Decks 6 and 8) helped keep lines down.
I consistently had good meals in the main dining room. A food critic I spoke with in the terminal said her meals in Hexagon were “absolutely fabulous.”
One of my highlights from the main dining room was French onion soup, a perfectly cooked medium-rare filet, and Baked Alaska.
And for quick bites? MSC’s pizza game is strong. I’m slightly embarrassed by how many slices I had in 72 hours.
6. It’s Family-Friendly Without Being Overwhelming
Family Aventura is packed with things to do: a massive waterpark, ropes course, bumper cars, LEGO play zones, and the Cliffhanger swing ride—all tucked neatly into the aft portion of the ship.
I was blown away walking through the kids’ areas. Honestly, I wish kids programs were this cool when we were growing up.
7. It’s Clear This Is MSC’s Big U.S. Play
Three days weren’t enough to experience everything MSC World America offers, but they were enough to show that this ship is built to compete—and win—in the North American market.
From the new PortMiami terminal to Ocean Cay Marine Reserve and now a growing fleet of mega-ships, MSC is clearly positioning itself as a serious contender in the U.S. cruise space.
The line currently sails from New York City, Miami, and Port Canaveral, and will soon add Galveston (late 2025) and Seattle (2026). The MSC World Atlantic will also homeport in Port Canaveral in 2027.
Cruise Radio’s Take
Everything MSC is doing sets them up to be a huge player in the mass market cruise game. Between the new terminal, its private destination MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, and the new class of ships
MSC World America is going toe-to-toe with the biggest ships in South Florida and raising the line’s profile in the U.S. And based on early feedback, it’s working.
Cruise Radio was invited to experience a three-night MSC World America preview cruise. All thoughts shared here are my own.
