Our Family Adventure on MSC World America’s Maiden Voyage

We booked the MSC World America over two years ago, before she was even built. Honestly, we were a bit nervous would she be ready in time? Would she suit all four of us (two adults, a 9-year-old, and a 6-year-old)? Was the flight going to be too long? And would the girls cope with so many ports? As it turned out, we had absolutely nothing to worry about.

Getting There: London to Miami:

We flew with Virgin Atlantic direct from Heathrow to Miami, and it was such a great start. The girls loved having their own entertainment screens and thought plane food and snacks were the best thing ever (kids, right?).

We did a one-night pre-cruise stay at the Hilton Cabana Miami Beach right on South Beach. Thanks to the time difference, we were up at the crack of dawn, so we walked down to the beach for sunrise. What a treat that was! Gorgeous colours, calm waves, and even wild dolphins swimming past. It honestly felt magical.

First Look at the Ship:

Then came the moment we’d been waiting for seeing MSC World America for the first time. She was absolutely breath-taking. A huge ship, but everything just felt right.

Dining:

We tried it all!!!!

Buffet – our go-to most nights. Perfect with kids, no fixed times, loads of choice, and the food was excellent.

Main Dining Room – beautiful food and service, but with two young kids it wasn’t quite the best fit for us.

Speciality restaurants – we did four, and wow. Paxos (Greek) and Teppanyaki were our favourites, great food and really fun family nights.

Quick bites – ideal for grabbing something tasty on the go.

Family Fun Onboard:

This ship was built for families. Honestly, we never ran out of things to do.

Pools & Hot Tubs – plenty of choice, from the big outdoor pool to a peaceful indoor one. Loads of hot tubs (kids allowed too).

Adults-only area – a quiet spot at the back with two small pools, perfect for a little escape.

The Harbour – hands down the kids’ favourite. Waterslides, splash park, play areas, bumper cars, high ropes, the world’s first over-water swing, and the longest dry slide at sea (11 decks!). They would’ve spent the whole holiday here if we let them.

Shows:

We saw loads during our 14 nights. The singing, acting, and dancing were brilliant, even the girls loved them.

Kids’ Club – AMAZING. Lego, discos, rollerblading, quizzes, basketball… the list goes on. They begged to go, which says it all.

Ports of Call:

The itinerary was incredible. Here’s a little glimpse:

Ocean Cay (Bahamas) – we went twice! Climbed the lighthouse (lots of steps but worth it), hired a giant floating beach mat, and had the best chill days.

San Juan, Puerto Rico – loved wandering the old town and castle. Such a great vibe.

Dominican Republic – swimming with dolphins was just magical.

Honduras – we met sloths, toured a rum factory, and found one of the most stunning beaches we’ve ever seen.

Cozumel, Mexico – inflatable water park fun for the kids (less fun for me 😂).

Costa Maya, Mexico – 4x4 driving, an authentic tequila tasting (so different to what we get in the UK!), and tacos on the beach. Perfect day.

Life Onboard:

We had a deluxe balcony cabin, just right for the four of us. A double bed, bunks for the girls, a wardrobe, a decent bathroom, and of course, the balcony. Having that private space with daily sea views was everything.

We also went for the premium drinks package, and it was worth every penny. No worrying about costs, just order what you want and enjoy.

Final Thoughts.............

Booking a cruise on a ship that wasn’t even built yet felt like a gamble at the time, but it couldn’t have worked out better. MSC World America gave us the perfect balance of family fun, relaxation, amazing food, and new adventures every day.

The girls loved it just as much as we did, and we made memories that will stay with us forever. If you’re even slightly tempted by a cruise, this ship should be high on your list.

Contact Carly if you are tempted by her trip