As mega-ship enthusiasts, we have sailed on the largest cruise ships in the world from all the major cruise lines. But, in 2025, a new mega-ship is set to shake things up in the Caribbean. MSC Cruises’ World America will set sail from Miami in April 2025. Heidi and I recently had the opportunity to check out the line’s first World Class vessel, World Europa, on a 7-day Mediterranean cruise. After getting a taste of what MSC World America will offer the U.S. market, here’s how we think this new MSC ship will stack up to her competitors in the region.

Is MSC World America the Next Big Thing in Cruising?

Sailing on MSC World Europa

When embarking MSC World Europa in Marseille, France, the first public space we encountered was the World Galleria. This three-story indoor promenade is home to several bars and lounges, dining venues, and shops. A feature that we admire in modern cruise ships, this galleria was the heartbeat of the ship, especially at night, offering a variety of things to do, see, and eat.

For us, one of the biggest improvements on the World class compared to other MSC Cruises’ ships is the theming. Many of the restaurants, bars, and lounges have a distinct look and feel. 

For instance, Masters of the Sea has a warm and inviting atmosphere. Its dark woods and leather accents alongside a large bar and live guitar music make it feel like a true English pub. Not to mention, this onboard brewery also produces three unique beers.

There’s also the swanky Elixir Mixology bar. This signature cocktail bar serves up a signature martini list and DJ music in the evenings. There’s also the classy Fizz Champagne Bar, the Gin Project serving up proper gin cocktails, and Dolce Vita, the ship’s lively atrium bar.

Many of the specialty restaurants are also located here. MSC World America will feature many familiar favorites like the Butcher’s Cut, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, and Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki. The ship will also debut a brand-new dining venue, Eataly. Replacing Chef’s Garden Kitchen found on World Europa, this will make it the only Eataly at sea. We are looking forward to testing out this Italian restaurant as the other specialty restaurants we tried on World Europa were all great.

Overall, the lively World Galleria was exactly what we expected to find on a ship of this size. It was an open space that allowed guests to easily transition from the main theater to the complimentary dining rooms and everything in between. The dynamic LED ceiling further added to the ambiance.

And, the Galleria is just one of the seven districts on the World Class!

Family Experiences on World Europa

The district receiving the biggest upgrade on MSC World America when compared to World Europa is the outdoor family space. The aft of Deck 20 is being transformed into the new Family Aventura district.

Currently, World Europa boasts a waterpark, dry slide, and indoor Sportplex. These attractions are mostly complimentary (except for the bumper cars) and rival experiences found on competitor cruise lines. I was impressed with Venom Drop, the 11-story dry slide that plummets guests from Deck 20 to Deck 8.

Likewise, the Aurora Borealis aquapark offers three exhilarating waterslides, including a drop slide, tube slide, and two dual-racer body slides. Heidi and I couldn’t help laughing out loud several times as we drove around the Sportplex in electric bumper cars that had way more pick-up than I expected. The MSC Sportplex also offers other family-friendly activities, like indoor soccer and roller-skating.

World America will offer a similar waterpark, indoor Sportplex, and the Jaw Drop dry-slide, along with some brand-new attractions. The Harbour Trail Course will feature a ropes course and zipline on the starboard side of Deck 20. Next door, the Cliffhanger, the only over-water swing ride at sea, will replace the hot tub. As adrenaline junkies, we are both looking forward to this attraction, which dangles guests over the edge of the ship 160 feet above sea level.

Family Aventura will also have a playground intricately woven into an impressive lighthouse structure for families with little kids.

The Aqua Deck

However, those seeking sun, pools, and relaxation shouldn’t be concerned about eliminating part of the Deck 20 sundeck on World America. There is plenty of outdoor deck space, five pools, and over a dozen whirlpools.

The main pool is midship on Deck 18 and is one of the largest pools we have seen on a cruise ship. Two decks of tiered loungers surround this area as well.

Forward is the Botanic Garden Pool and Bar. This solarium has a retractable roof, so it is always a pool day, even on our cool Mediterranean cruise. The pool, four whirlpools, and bar were quite popular after a long day touring ashore.

Aft on the same deck is the Zen Area. This adults-only space offers wake views, two pools, whirlpools, and plenty of loungers. While we like the Infinity Pool on Seaside class ships, this area is much more spacious.

Further, guests booked into the Aurea Experience have the Top 20 Solarium to call their own. This exclusive pool deck has a bar, two whirlpools, and plenty of loungers.

Plus, many guests overlook the additional loungers and whirlpool on Deck 21 midship. So, in warmer climates, guests shouldn’t have any issues enjoying the outdoor spaces on a tropical sea day.

Of course, if you’re lucky enough to be staying in MSC Yacht Club, there’s an exclusive pool and sundeck just for you!

Updates to Dining on World Europa

Compared to other contemporary cruise lines, we’ve noticed that MSC ships offer fewer casual dining options, which makes their dining experience a bit more focused on specialty choices.

We are happy to see the addition of Pizza and Burger on World Europa. This complimentary dining venue is open most of the day and features the namesake items along with hot dogs, chicken wings, and fries.

The ship also has two buffets aft on Decks 18 and 19. Both were open for breakfast and lunch, and Il Mercato on Deck 18 was also open for dinner. While the breakfast selections were pretty standard each day, the lunch and dinner selections changed daily. Although, we would have liked to see more options at the buffet.

World Europa also has a poolside grill, delivering a similar lineup of casual fare found in Luna Pizza and Burger. Thus, guests never had to go far to grab a bite to eat.

Along with these options, World America will offer even more complimentary dining options. For instance, the Family Aventura district will be home to a new dining concept, The Harbour Bar & Bites. While the menu is still not 100% confirmed, the cruise line has suggested the venue will include snacks like empanadas, wraps, and cookies.

The World Promenade will also receive an additional quick-serve venue, Promenade Bites. Again, the cruise line has indicated that the venue will offer items such as hotdogs, street corn, and cotton candy.

With these new additions, MSC Cruises’ districts will allow guests to stay all day, without having to leave to grab something to eat.

Spending the Day on the World Promenade

Speaking of districts, we found ourselves spending a lot of time in the World Promenade. This outdoor space aft on Deck 8 offers a unique setup for an outdoor promenade. Instead of boasting exterior al fresco seating and amenities, the interior of Decks 8 through 19 aft is hallowed out, offering staterooms with an interior view. The Deck 8 space is lined with restaurants, shops, and bars.

Our favorite spot was the Coffee Emporium, but this is not a typical cruise ship cafe. Instead, the venue offers a wide selection of premium coffees. From nitro cold brews to a French Press, there are eight different brewing options to choose from. In the evenings, you won’t want to pass up a custom-made espresso martini either.

The best part is that most drinks at the Coffee Emporium are covered in the line’s Premium Extra drink package. From the unique menu to the intricate decor, cruisers feel less like they are on a cruise ship and more like they are at their local java house back home. 

If there is one thing Heidi loves more than coffee, it’s sweets. So, we couldn’t help but sample some of the unique creations at Sweet Temptations. With several options, like custom ice cream bars, waffles, crepes, and soft-serve yogurt, this upcharge venue is a perfect fit on the World Promenade.

Coming to World America, the new All-Star Sports Bar is replacing the current Lanai Bar found on World Europa. Along with plenty of televisions, the venue will feature distinct drinks and a la carte food items. One of the new features I am most excited about is the beer wall. These self-service tabs are expected to be included in some of the drink packages. So, I suspect we will be spending even more time in this district on World America.

The other big change coming to the World Promenade is the addition of Paxos Greek Restaurant. This specialty dining venue will replace La Pescaderia currently on World Europa. I grabbed a fritto misto for lunch one day and really enjoyed the freshly made seafood dish. While the menu will be different on World America, Paxos will offer a similar takeout window and terrace seating overlooking the World Promenade.

Entertainment and Nightlife on World Europa

Typically, cruise ships offer nightly entertainment in a main theater. Yet, as ships have gotten larger, many cruise lines have debuted new and innovative entertainment spaces.  

Keeping up with the competition, MSC Cruises’ World Class has three dedicated spaces offering signature entertainment. Of course, this is in addition to live music in venues like Masters of the Sea and Dolce Vita Bar, along with several parties.

These signature productions do require reservations, which can be reserved in the cruise line’s MSC for Me app only about 24-hours in advance. For over-planners like ourselves, it would’ve been nice if there was an entertainment schedule that listed the entire week’s showtimes so we could plan and schedule everything on embarkation day.

During our seven nights onboard World Europa, the main theater featured four signature productions. In the Panorama Lounge, guests could enjoy four immersive experiences. Likewise, the Luna Park Arena was home to three interactive disco concerts. While shows often played multiple days/times, it does take some planning if you want to see them all.

In the main theater, Amelia—A True Aviator Soul was our favorite. While there wasn’t much of a narrative, it was an exhilarating cirque-style show. Equally powerful was the Eko Recycled Rock Show. This production featured a mix of classic rock and pop along with high-energy choreography.   

Aft on Deck 7, the Panorama Lounge offers tiered seating, bar service, and lounge-style shows every night of the cruise. One lead singer was accompanied by a live band and a dedicated cast of dancers and aerialists. We were partial to Rock Revolution, which had an eclectic lineup that included bands as diverse as Green Day and Radio Head to Bruno Mars. Our second favorite was Let’s Get Loud, which is a Latin-inspired show with radio hits from artists like Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin.

The entertainment on World Europa was certainly an improvement from our previous MSC cruises, so we look forward to seeing what’s in store for entertainment on World America.

What we do know so far is that World America will have the Loft comedy club, a first for MSC Cruises. Replacing the Tea House on World Europa, this venue will also host dueling pianos and karaoke. This is sure to be a popular spot!

The World Class in the U.S.

Compared to other cruise ships carrying close to 6,000 guests, World Europa offers dynamic and customizable cruise experiences. The venues handled the crowds for the most part, and we were able to sample everything during our seven-night cruise.

The ship’s layout was easy to navigate. The attractions and amenities were similar to those found on other cruise lines sailing in the Caribbean, and we appreciated the variety of entertainment offerings.

With additional dining options and more onboard amusements, MSC World America is poised to take on the other mega-ships in the region. We personally can’t wait to check out the High Trail ropes course and Cliffhanger. Further, adding more casual dining options in strategic places, like the World Promenade and Family Aventura districts, guests will likely find themselves visiting these areas over and over again.

While we still don’t know much about the entertainment lineup on World America, the cruise line has come a long way in its production shows and nighttime events. In fact, MSC has some of the liveliest parties at sea!

Given our experiences cruising the Mediterranean on World Europa, we are excited to set sail on MSC World America and experience the first World Class ship in the Caribbean. With diverse offerings, MSC World America will appeal to families, multi-generational groups, and couples alike at a more affordable price than her competitors.

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