This past week, a brand new mega cruise ship, MSC World America, began sailing from Miami, Florida.
Just before the ship’s maiden voyage, MSC Cruises held a three-day preview sailing for members of the media and travel agents. The cruise line invited me on the preview cruise to experience everything that this new ship has to offer.
After a couple days on board MSC World America, I walked around with one main thought. This just might be the ultimate cruise ship for families. I kept thinking how much my son would love to cruise on this ship.
You can take a photo tour of the ship here:
So why is MSC World America the ultimate ship for families? Let’s take a look at everything this new 215,000 gross ton ship has to offer.
- Indoor basketball court (MSC Sportplex)
- Bumper cars
- Family Adventura District
- MSC Luna Park Arena
- Water park
- Ropes course
- LEGO parade
- Two LEGO building rooms
- Awesome kids clubs (Doremiland)
- Several arcades
- Food options in World Galleria
- Indoor pool
Embarkation
MSC World America uses the world’s largest cruise terminal that just opened in Miami. It was one of the smoothest embarkation experiences I’ve ever had and I’ve been on nearly 100 cruises.
If you’ve ever boarded a cruise ship with kids, you know that easier and faster is best. Terminal AA in Miami is just that, it’s massive and can move guests quickly through the terminal.
You can see photos of the new terminal here.
World Galleria
When it comes to the main promenade on cruise ships, they are usually geared towards adults. While most of the features in the World Galleria (main promenade on MSC World America) are geared towards adults (restaurants, comedy clubs, bars and lounges etc.), there are several just for families.
One of them is Pizza & Burger, a great place for families to have a casual meal together. It has MSC’s famous pizza to go along with burgers and fries. They also have mac & cheese, hot dogs, chicken fingers, fries etc. It’s perfect for kids and when families want a quick, casual meal.
Right across from Pizza & Burger is an arcade and MSC Luna Park Arena, a new area just for kids.
LEGO Partnership
MSC Cruises has new LEGO activities on MSC World America that families will love.
There are two LEGO building rooms, one is in the kid’s club and the second is the second floor off to the side of the indoor basketball court. The one in the kid’s club is massive.
The LEGO parade also debuted on this ship and kids are going to love it.
Family Adventura District
The Family Adventura District is located on deck 20 (Ocean Cay) and has waterslides for all ages, a ropes course and Cliffhanger. Cliffhanger is the world’s first swing on a cruise ship that takes you over the water.
There are waterslides for older kids and a waterpark with two wading pools for younger children. This is going to be a really popular area on sea days.
MSC Sportplex is also here and Jaw Drop, an 11-story dry slide that takes you down to the World Promenade.
World Promenade
The World Promenade is the split aft section of the ship, similar to Royal Caribbean’s Boardwalk on their Oasis class ships.
After spending a couple days on board, I liked this area better than what Royal Caribbean offers.
For one, the area seems more open and has a lot more deck space. The slide isn’t all the way in the back of the ship blocking the best view when you are at sea.
The Lanai was my favorite spot here and offers a wide open area in the back, perfect for sailaway. It was also a great spot at night to hang out and watch the palm tree light show in the World Promenade.
As an added bonus, the main coffee shop is here and has outdoor seating. It’s the perfect location for it.
Smoke Free Casino
MSC Cruises did something different on MSC World America that every single cruise line should do. The main casino is no smoking while the side casino (with doors) allows it. It is usually the opposite way around.
Since you have to go through the casino to get to the Panorama Lounge where shows take place, families will really appreciate this design.
You also don’t have smoke pouring out into the World Galleria, an added bonus.
Price
If families want to cruise on a brand new cruise ship with tons of features for kids, it can often be quite expensive.
Prices for cruises on MSC World America start at less than $100 per person, per day. And that includes all taxes and port fees.
MSC Cruises also often runs specials where kids can cruise for free, making it an even better deal for families that want to take a cruise but are on tighter budgets.
MSC World America is sailing seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami.
All cruises visit the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. You can see prices on the ship here.
