Actress Drew Barrymore loves cruising with her family – and that’s why she was the perfect Godmother for the brand new MSC World America, a 6,762-passenger ship sailing from MSC’s brand new Terminal AA in Miami, the largest cruise terminal in the world.
Barrymore christened the MSC World America ship on April 9th during a star-studded evening attended by superstar Orlando Bloom, singer Marc Anthony, and other local leaders.
“There is no wrong way to travel,” said Barrymore. “With cruising,” she added, “it’s so nice to unpack a bag, settle in, and go on your adventures.”
As a mom of two, a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old, Barrymore likes giving her kids a little more independence during a cruise.
“It’s nice to know the kids are contained,” she said. “You can give them a little more independence than you might be able to provide them in the city. You can scaffold more as a parent.” (Scaffolding means providing temporary support to a child as they become more independent.)
MSC World America
I got to sail on MSC World America’s inauguration cruise and understand what Barrymore meant. The sparkling new ship is a great fit for families, both from a budget perspective and for the activities and amenities the ship offers.
The ship was designed specifically for the American market. MSC Cruises is well-known in Europe, but many Americans heard about the cruise line for the first time during a recent Super Bowl commercial featuring Drew Barrymore and Orlando Bloom.
In the TV ad, Bloom and Barrymore showed viewers how MSC World America is full of European style but also has many of the fun things that Americans love about cruising. It is a unique mix of European and American cultural points and styles.
Who is MSC Cruises?
With headquarters in Geneva, MSC Cruises is the world’s third-largest cruise line. Privately owned by the Aponte family, whose maritime history dates back to 1675, the company began as a cargo shipping business in 1970 when Gianluigi Aponte purchased his first vessel. Today, it is a leader in container shipping.
MSC, which stands for Mediterranean Shipping Company, entered the cruise market in 1988. With over 30,000 employees and 22 ships, MSC continues to grow and remains a family-operated business.
MSC World America showcases the company’s new focus in the US. The ship sails year-round from Miami, Florida, and offers 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
Cruising with Kids on MSC World America
When MSC Cruises announced that the MSN World America would cater specifically to families, many parents were skeptical. After all, haven’t other cruise lines made similar claims? But a closer look at MSC World America reveals thoughtful details that suggest they might deliver on this promise.
A Ship Designed with Kids in Mind
MSC has created seven distinct rooms with dedicated spaces for varying age groups, with trained staff members, amenities and activities targeted for each of them.
Parents of babies and toddlers will appreciate the Baby Club Chicco (6 months to 3 years), staffed by certified staff in the Baby Club.
Meanwhile, school-age children have their own spaces in the Mini Club (ages 3-6) and Juniors Club (ages 7-11), while tweens and teens can maintain their independence in the Young Club (ages 12-14) and Teens Club (ages 15-17).
LEGO® Family Zone
The ship’s LEGO® partnership brings something genuinely new to cruising.
The LEGO® Family Zone isn’t just for kids; it’s designed specifically for parents and children to build together. The LEGO® Family Game Show introduces competition in a way that puts parents and kids on the same team, rather than against each other.
For parents hoping to enjoy adult dining experiences, MSC offers a practical solution: children can tag along with the youth club staff and other kids for dinner at the buffet. The extended kids’ club hours (9 am to midnight) throughout the voyage provide rare flexibility in the cruise industry.
Water attractions often make or break a family cruise, and MSC seems to understand this. The Harbour Aquapark includes a 90-degree vertical drop slide that should satisfy thrill-seeking teens, while parents with toddlers will find relief in the colorful splash pad area for little ones to cool off.
Five out of seven total swimming pools throughout MSC World America are open to kids, reducing the common cruise frustration of limited family pool space.
Just for Teens
Teen-specific offerings include Star Shooters, an adventure course in the Sportplex, and advanced VR experiences at Luna Park. These aren’t just token additions but seem designed with teen interests in mind.
The Doremix Family Disco, upgraded with new technology, avoids the cringe factor often associated with cruise ship family dance parties.
Perhaps most telling is MSC’s approach to accommodation. Rather than treating families as an afterthought, they offer connecting staterooms and Super Family cabins that sleep up to six.
For teens and adults, there are other fun activities to choose from, from bumper cars to the over-water Cliffhanger swing ride, the only overwater swing ride at sea, which suspends guests 160 feet above the ocean.
Book a Cruise on MSC World America Here
Harbour Aquapark
The Harbour Aquapark is a centerpiece for thrill-seeking adults, too. The park’s headline attraction is its 90-degree vertical drop slide, where you enter a departure pod before the floor suddenly gives way, dropping riders into a high-speed journey of twists and turns.
The aquapark has diverse water features, including the U Drop and the Twin Racer dueling slides.
Entertainment Onboard
There is no shortage of entertainment options onboard, from the MSC fleet’s first comedy club, The Loft, to unique shows like “Dirty Dancing in Concert”—the first live-to-film concert experience at sea.
Dining on the MSC World America
MSC World America has 19 dining venues, offering something for everyone. The ship’s centerpiece restaurant is the only Eataly restaurant at sea, celebrating Italian cuisine with signature dishes and freshly made pasta prepared on-site.
Four main dining restaurants (La Foglia, Esagono, Hexagon, and Bubbles) and two buffets offer international cuisine. Specialty restaurants feature popular favorites like Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, which serves premium Angus beef, Kaito Sushi Bar, which offers fresh sushi and teppanyaki options, and Hola! Tacos & Cantina, which offers Mexican cuisine.
New additions to World America include Paxos Greek Restaurant. Located in the Promenade district, Paxos offers a taste of the Mediterranean with its fresh, seafood-forward menu.
The ship has five fast-casual concepts for casual dining, grabbing quick bites while exploring. The main restaurants serve Mediterranean cuisine at their core while incorporating various international options daily.
All venues have children’s menus, flexible dining times, and diverse dietary accommodations.
One personal note: Our group had a vegan family member, and we found inconsistent availability of vegan options in the main dining rooms. Hopefully, that will improve as the ship’s cruise season gets underway.
Private Island Stop at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
The highlight of our cruise was our time at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas. Every MSC World America sailing includes a day at Ocean Cay. With no tender boats needed, we walked on and off the ship throughout the day.
The island has eight different beaches. The Family Lagoon provides shallow, protected waters ideal for younger swimmers, while other beaches offer more space for active play. A convenient tram helps transport tired little legs between locations.
Kids can join supervised activities at the island’s Kids Club, allowing parents some downtime. The recently opened Marine Conservation Center provides educational opportunities about ocean ecosystems that engage children without feeling like a science lesson.
The extended stay sets Ocean Cay apart from other cruise line islands. MSC ships typically remain until evening or overnight, allowing you to experience sunset activities and the lighthouse light shows. There was an evening beach party during our cruise.
Food is available at Ocean Cay’s main buffet, which has plenty of options, and there are numerous beach bars throughout the island.
For families seeking more active experiences, the island offers water sports and snorkeling excursions that should be booked in advance to guarantee availability.
Where Does MSC World America Sail?
MSC World America sails year-round from Miami, Florida. For its inaugural season 2025, the ship will offer two 7-day round-trip itineraries in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
As of this writing, cruise cabins start at $775 per person, depending on dates.
Book a Cruise on MSC World America Here
Inspire your next adventure with our articles below:
Want to discover more hidden gems and helpful travel tips? Join our free newsletter for the latest travel secrets and travel articles.
We are reader-supported and may earn a commission on purchases made through links in this article.
