Review: Colossal MSC World America cruise ship seems familiar, but has unique offerings

It s hard to not compare MSC Cruises World Class ships and its largest-ever offering the MSC World America to similarly massive ships sailed by Royal Caribbean But while World America may look like its competitor s ships it has touches that set it apart The Jaw Drop dry twisting slide takes riders on an -deck trip on board MSC Cruises new ship the MSC World America in PortMiami on Wednesday April Richard Tribou Orlando Sentinel The MSC World America docks at MSC Cruises private Bahamas island Ocean Cay on Thursday April Richard Tribou Orlando Sentinel The main pool along with several whirlpools and bars can be ascertained in the Aqua Deck district on board the MSC World America Richard Tribou Orlando Sentinel The Cliffhanger is a swing ride that juts out over the side of the ship feet above the water on board the MSC World America Richard Tribou Orlando Sentinel The MSC World America docks at MSC Cruises private Bahamas island Ocean Cay on Thursday April Richard Tribou Orlando Sentinel Show Caption of The Jaw Drop dry twisting slide takes riders on an -deck trip on board MSC Cruises new ship the MSC World America in PortMiami on Wednesday April Richard Tribou Orlando Sentinel Expand The -deck -passenger -gross-ton ship arrived in April in PortMiami and has settled into year-round seven-night Caribbean itineraries Just like Royal s Icon and Oasis-class ships World America is so big that the line carves its space up into neighborhoods although MSC calls them districts They re filled with nearly restaurants bars and lounges so it feels like a little city at sea In fact from behind people would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between an Oasis-class ship from World America with both featuring a multi-deck twisting dry slide as a centerpiece of an open-air deck One thing the brand does successfully though is lean into its European identity especially the Italian flair of its founders We re not trying to be an American cruise line only for Americans declared new MSC Cruises USA president Lynn Torrent We do have this European DNA and that s real and we need to own it and lean into it But we need to have our American guests feel relaxed So it really is a balance So in the hallways for instance are historical black-and-white photos of space shuttle launches but they were labeled as Kennedy Space Centre Pool depths are in both meters and feet Elevators are called lifts A family area on the top decks is called The Harbour But at least restrooms are no longer labeled WC for water closet something one would find on earlier MSC ships Perhaps the greater part European thing is the bumper cars with the steering wheel on the right And while the ship may have a multitude of similarities the interior leans into a modern design that has been a hallmark of the MSC ships before it Mirrors are everywhere And a lot of the ships sparkle At the same time a digital ceiling that stretches down the entire World Galleria entertainment district occasionally quite often displays a massive American flag Taking a closer look travelers will find World America isn t a clone It has its own identity Here are various of the best features on board The Cliffhanger is a swing ride that juts out over the side of the ship feet above the water on board the MSC World America Richard Tribou Orlando Sentinel The Cliffhanger Who knew a simple little swing could be such a thrill A pair of two-seater swings juts out over the edge of the ship feet above the water with just a simple T-bar keeping riders safe from sliding out That s it exclaimed Lindsay Bonfanti before holding on for the less-than-minute-long ride that drew a meager more exclamations questioning her decision-making For those who love heights and a hit of adrenaline without putting in any work this ride fits the bill More thrills to be discovered The Family Aventura district has other fast-paced options including a ropes lesson with two small zip lines built in One swings riders out over the chasm of the open-air aft section of the ship more than decks below The small water park has five slides including a speedy drop slide that shoots riders down as if being dropped out bomb-bay doors There s also a pair of timed side-by-side slides that allow for healthy competition and a tube ride with an option virtual reality headset that makes for a trippy wet trip through the jungle Just remember to not be cackling out loud with your mouth open when you hit the bottom Over in the sports court the line breaks out bumper cars for specific healthy head-on collisions But for those who don t mind climbing into an open shark mouth the Jaw Drop twisting slide is a welcome free offering the tube of which is transparent for much of the ride offering great views on the way down Dirty Dancing in Concert is the main theatrical production on board MSC World America Performers put on a sneak peek at the ship s naming ceremony at PortMiami on April Courtesy Ivan Sarfatti for MSC Cruises Dirty Dancing It s music and dancing that preponderance people know Baby gets put in a corner momentarily The choreography is spot on The dancers nail the lift They had the time of their lives and fans of the film will likely walk away from the short production in the main theater with a hit of nostalgia The line also doubles down on the partnership by airing the film and putting on its own dance party themed to the s hit film that itself used music from the summer of Dialing into other nostalgic but popular music the line has a show playing the hits of Queen marrying a live rock band with orchestral and aerialist accompaniment in the Panorama Lounge Another main stage show Hall of Fame pulls from a variety of pop legends such as Beyonce and Justin Timberlake Jean-Philippe Chocolat amp Caf has a large selection of gelato flavors on board the MSC World America Richard Tribou Orlando Sentinel So multiple flavors MSC goes beyond simple vanilla chocolate and swirl Think gelato Think multiple venues around the ship Think massive selection One of the best tempts travelers walking down the main World Galleria section of the ship within the Jean-Philippe Chocolat Caf venue which also features hand-crafted chocolates flavors of macarons and a tidy little coffee bar tucked in the back But gelato and sorbet flavors from pistachio to hazelnut to mango to stracciatella There s specific pretty rich vanilla and chocolate too When in doubt Pizza The ship has plenty of dining options including the first Eataly-branded Italian specialty restaurant and a Greek venue with fresh seafood called Paxos But perhaps the majority satisfying dish on board is free Freshly made pizza made in authentic stone ovens is a must-have from Luna Park Pizza Burger plus it s open beyond normal dining hours so a great place to wander into after a limited drinks Or before dinner Or between lunch and dinner The Gin Project makes custom gin drinks on board the MSC World America Richard Tribou Orlando Sentinel Pour another one Champagne bar Check Mixed drinks Check Hand-crafted beer Check The line has bars and lounges but one of the majority of intriguing is The Gin Project venue taking up the upper level of a space shared with the Masters of the Sea pub both of which share a view of a live music stage The level of detail on the history of gin with old photos and antiques filling the walls amid the nooks and alcoves of the bar is similar to the feeling you get the first time you walk into a TGI Fridays and marvel at all the crazy stuff on the wall Plus coming up with your own libation from among types of gins is a fun battle of choose your own adventure Start with an earthy or fruity or grassy gin for instance Then choose a tonic style from among several options and then definitively the d cor and flavor enhancements And it s worth mentioning that coffee fans won t find a Starbucks but can get that caffeine high in a new one would dare say more adventurous way at the Coffee Emporium pulling from Mediterranean beans and styles including French Italian Turkish and Moroccan Cheers to that