Day 3 on MSC World America brought us to our first port of call on this 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise, Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. And before getting into what there is to do here, let’s clear up one thing that cruise websites and ship tracking sites love to screw up. Puerto Plata and Amber Cove are not the same thing.
Not even close.
Yes, both are in the Puerto Plata area.
Yes, both are cruise ports.
But the experience is completely different.
Amber Cove is Carnival Corporation’s manufactured playground. It is a purpose-built destination where you get off the ship, stay inside their carefully controlled little world, use their amenities, eat at their spots, shop at their stores, and spend your money exactly where they want you to spend it. Outside Amber Cove there is nothing there but a highway, so unless you booked an excursion or arranged transportation, you are pretty much stuck in the compound.
Taino Bay is a totally different animal. This port drops you right in Puerto Plata, and while it has all the cruise port bells and whistles you’d expect, you can also walk right out the gate and into the actual city. That alone makes it a much better stop for people who like to explore on their own and not spend the day trapped in cruise company Disneyland.
Taino Bay is a modern facility that can handle up to three ships at once and around 14,000 passengers in the terminal area. It’s been built to be more than just a place to process people in and out. It’s basically a mini resort with a lazy river, large pools, lounge chairs everywhere, bars, restaurants, shops, and enough places to sit and cool off that you could easily spend your whole day right there.
MSC World America docked at 8:00 a.m. and shortly after that guests were allowed to head ashore. The walk from the ship to the cruise terminal only takes a few minutes, and if you don’t feel like making that walk, there are tuk tuks that will run you back and forth for a tip. Once you get into the terminal, you first pass through the shopping area before getting to the pool and water feature side of the port.
And honestly, Taino Bay is one of the nicer cruise terminals in the Caribbean.
Inside the port you’ll find a large pool area, the lazy river, lots of loungers, shaded spots, bars, restaurants, shops, and plenty of places to just plant yourself for a few hours. The big plus here is that the water amenities are included, so if you want to hang by the pool or float around the lazy river, you can do that without paying anything extra.
Now, once you leave the port, be prepared, because the second you step outside the gates the harassment begins.
Taxi drivers and tour operators are everywhere, and I do mean everywhere. They are relentless. If you don’t want their service, you better be prepared to say no thank you in a firm enough tone that there is no room for negotiation, because a weak little smile and polite shrug is not going to get the job done. They will keep coming at you, offering rides, tours, beaches, waterfalls, city tours, and whatever else they think might separate you from your cash. If that kind of thing annoys you, brace yourself.
That said, if you can get past the transportation gauntlet outside the gate, Puerto Plata is actually one of the better ports to explore on your own.
Just outside the terminal you’ve got access to the historic district, which is where most people wandering around on their own are going to want to head. This is home to the colorful Umbrella Street, Pink Street, the central square, San Felipe Cathedral, small shops, cafés, restaurants, and Fortaleza San Felipe, the old fort that sits near the water and gives you a great view back toward the ocean and the ships in port.
Top Things to do in Puerto Plata on Foot
First is Umbrella Street. This is probably the most photographed spot in town and is about a 10 to 15 minute walk from the Taino Bay exit depending on your pace and how often you get stopped by someone trying to sell you something. It’s colorful, touristy, and exactly the kind of place people want to hit for photos.
Right near that is Pink Street, also known as Paseo Doña Blanca. This is basically another photo stop and is close enough to Umbrella Street that it makes sense to do both in the same walk. Figure about the same 10 to 15 minute walk from the port to get into that whole historic zone.
Next is Parque Independencia and the area around San Felipe Cathedral. This is more of the actual heart of the historic district and gives you a better feel for the city than just taking a few photos under umbrellas and heading back to the ship. Again, it’s in that same general 10 to 15 minute walking range from Taino Bay.
Fortaleza San Felipe is another easy one to do on your own. It’s a bit farther than Umbrella Street but still very walkable, generally around 15 to 20 minutes from the port depending on where exactly you start and how fast you move. The fort is worth seeing for the views alone, especially if you want a good look back toward the water and the ships docked nearby. Plus, there’s a children’s park, plenty of green space, benches along the waterfront, and a local market where the merchants are very pushy.
Side note, they do charge to go inside the fort. As of this writing it was $2 Dominican Pesos per person to enter which is less than $1 USD.
And finally, just wandering the historic district itself is worth doing. You can spend an hour or two walking around, stopping into shops, grabbing a drink or a bite to eat, and just soaking in the place without ever needing an organized tour.
Puerto Plata by Taxi from Taino Bay
If you’d rather use a taxi than walk, the rates posted at Taino Bay shown in the photo below, are current as of April 20, 2026. As you can see, taxis are not cheap here and using one of these for a city tour will easily set you back close to $100 after tip. So plan accordingly, and if you’re sticking around the town itself, you really don’t need a taxi if you’re able to hoof it.
Top Puerto Plata Shore Excursions
Now, when it comes to the top shore excursions from Puerto Plata, there are five that tend to be the big draws.
The first is the 27 Charcos de Damajagua, better known as the Damajagua waterfalls. This is one of the most popular excursions. You’re looking at about a 30 to 40 minute ride each way depending on traffic and which transportation setup your tour uses. Once there, this is an active excursion involving hiking, climbing, sliding, jumping, and swimming through the falls, so it’s not for the mobility challenged or anyone who just wanted a calm beach chair kind of day.
Second is the Puerto Plata city tour, which usually includes the historic district, Umbrella Street, Pink Street, the fort, maybe a rum or cigar stop, and sometimes the cable car if it’s included in the particular version of the tour. Since you’re already in Puerto Plata, the transit times are usually short, often 10 to 20 minutes between stops once you’re out of the port. I don’t really recommend this, to be honest. The tour guides are going to take you to shops they get kick backs from, the spots you’re going to visit you can easily get to yourself just by walking a short distance from the port, and you’re not going to see anything you couldn’t get to see on your own.
Third is the cable car, or Teleférico, which takes you up Mount Isabel de Torres. The taxis at the port will take you there for $60 round trip, and it’s one of the most talked-about things to do here. Transit time is roughly 15 to 20 minutes from the port area. If the cable car is operating and weather cooperates, this is one of the best ways to get views of the city and coastline.
Fourth is a beach excursion to Playa Dorada or a nearby resort area. If your idea of a port day includes sand, water, and an actual beach setup rather than the pools and the lazy river in the port, this is your only option. Now, here’s the important thing you need to know: while there is coastline nearby, there is not some easy, ready-to-go beach right outside Taino Bay where you can just plop your stuff down and take a swim. Playa Dorada is about a 15 to 20 minute drive from the port and is one of the most common choices.
Fifth is a catamaran or snorkel trip, which is another popular option for people who want to actually get out on the water instead of just looking at it from the ship. These usually involve a transfer to wherever the boat departs from, often somewhere in the 15 to 30 minute range depending on the specific excursion.
When it comes to security, Puerto Plata is one of those ports where you should use the same common sense you’d use anywhere else. Stay aware of your surroundings, don’t flash cash or valuables around, and don’t wander way off into random areas with no clue where you’re going. Sticking to the historic district and main tourist zones is what most cruise passengers do when exploring independently.
When it comes to money, the Dominican Peso is what’s used here, but U.S. dollars are accepted in the port area and by many taxis and tourist-friendly businesses, so you don’t need to go running around looking for Dominican pesos just to get off the ship for a few hours. That said, smaller bills are your friend because trying to get change for larger bills can turn into a whole event. Credit cards are also accepted in plenty of places, especially in the port, but cash is still king if you’re grabbing a taxi, tipping, or buying from smaller vendors.
So the bottom line on Puerto Plata is this: if you dock at Taino Bay, you’ve got options.
You can stay inside the port and enjoy a really solid terminal with pools, lazy river, bars, and shops, or you can walk out and actually explore the city on your own. That’s what makes this stop so much better than Amber Cove for people who want flexibility. Amber Cove is fine if you just want a controlled cruise-port day. But Taino Bay gives you a taste of the city along with a very nice terminal, and that combination is hard to beat.
Video Tour of the Taino Bay Cruise Port in the Dominican Republic
How about that.. everyone was back onboard on time for the 4:30 p.m. all-aboard, and miracle of miracles, nobody had their name blasted over the ship’s PA system while sprinting down the pier with a shopping bag full of junk they probably didn’t need. In fact, we were scheduled to leave at 5:00 p.m. and actually pulled away a few minutes early.
Sharing port with us today was Norwegian Luna, NCL’s brand-new ship, which left before we did. The picture below shows how she stacks up next to World America, because from the angle I saw, it looked like she could fit inside our mega ship!
Family-Friendly Activities on MSC World America
Now, yesterday I spent some time going over the different pools on MSC World America and which ones are geared more toward families versus adults-only. I said I’d circle back today and talk about what there is for kids to do onboard, and the majority of that action is centered up on Deck 20 and nearby areas.
The main outdoor family zone is called The Harbour, and this is where a lot of the action happens. It’s basically MSC’s answer to the question, “how many ways can we keep kids occupied so their parents can maybe sit down for five minutes?” This area includes the ropes course, the big dry slide, a playground area for little kids, and that over-water swing called the Cliffhanger!
The Adventure Trail is the ropes course up there, and if your kid likes climbing, balancing, and doing things that would have terrified your grandparents, this is their spot. It’s free, there’s no age restriction, but there are height and weight requirements, and closed-toe shoes are required.
Also up in The Harbour is Jaw Drop, the big dry slide that runs from Deck 20 all the way down to Deck 8 through the heart of the World Promenade. This is the slide you see twisting its way down through the back of the ship and through that shark mouth entrance up top. It’s free, there’s no age restriction, and it can be reserved in the app, though they do also take walk-ups. It’s honestly one of the cooler features on the ship and also one of the fastest ways to get from up top down to the promenade without standing around waiting for an elevator with 14 other people and a stroller.
For little kids, there’s the Lighthouse Play Area, which is basically a themed playground modeled after the lighthouse at Ocean Cay. This one is very much for the younger set, with slides and play features instead of anything too thrilling. This is a good place to let the little ones burn off some energy.
Then there’s The Cliffhanger, which is that giant over-water swing hanging off the side of the ship. This one is not free. You have to book and pay at the kiosk, and it swings riders about 50 meters above the ocean. If you’ve ever looked at a giant swing hanging off the side of a cruise ship and thought, “yes, that seems like a wonderful idea,” this one’s for you.
The Harbour area also ties in with the family water attractions up on Deck 22. There are multiple water slides up there, and they cover a few different thrill levels. The Twin Racer Slide is exactly what it sounds like, a side-by-side race where kids and adults can see who gets to the bottom first. That one is for ages 7 and up. The VR Slide adds the gimmick of virtual reality goggles, because apparently just going down a waterslide is no longer enough for modern society. That one is also for ages 7 and up. Then there’s the U Drop Slide, which is the more intense one with the near-vertical drop and is for ages 12 and up. So depending on the age of your kids and how much they enjoy screaming in controlled environments, there’s probably something up there for them.
Beyond the outdoor stuff, MSC also has plenty for older kids, teens, and adults who refuse to grow up.
The bumper cars are part of the MSC Sportplex on Deck 20, and yes, they are exactly what they sound like. You get in, you drive around, and you ram into people. They’re only offered during certain hours, so this isn’t an all-day thing, but it’s one of the cooler attractions onboard and definitely something you don’t see on every ship.
The Sportplex itself is a multi-use indoor court space where they hold basketball, tennis, football, volleyball, bumper cars, and roller skating depending on the time of day.
There’s also MSC Luna Park down on Deck 6, which is a big flexible entertainment venue used for family events, shows, contests, and parties. During the day and evening it shifts between different uses, which is smart because it gives MSC another place to absorb crowds and keep families from all trying to pile into the same part of the ship.
If your kids are into arcade games, there are two places to drain your cruise card balance. There’s the Games Arcade on Deck 6 with 11 games inside Pizza & Burger and another 12 near Luna Park, and then there’s the Hall of Games on Deck 19 with 19 more arcade games.
And then for the wannabe Formula 1 crowd, there’s the MSC Formula Racer simulator on Deck 19.
So the short version here is that MSC World America does a very good job when it comes to family attractions. There’s a lot onboard for kids to do whether they want to climb, slide, swing, race, bump into each other, play arcade games, or just run around like tiny lunatics while their parents knock back beers at the Masters of the Sea pub. And the good thing is it’s spread across a few areas instead of being dumped into one giant kids zone that becomes a total madhouse.
For families, that’s a big plus. For those of us without kids traveling with us, it also means there are plenty of places to avoid if we value peace and quiet.
Phew, that was a lot, so let’s move right into dinner, but first a look at the menus for the main dining room restaurants and the Yacht Club Restaurant.
MSC World America Main Dining Room Dinner Menu B
Available in Bubbles Restaurant, Esagano Restaurant, Hexagon Restaurant, La Foglia Restaurant, Les Dunes Restaurant
Available on: MSC World America
MSC World America Yacht Club Restaurant Dinner Menu B
Available on: MSC World America
Tonight I picked one of MSC World America’s specialty restaurants, Eataly. As I mentioned in my full review back in April 2025, MSC bills this as the “first Eataly at sea,” which is not actually true. MSC had an Eataly and an Eataly Steakhouse on MSC Divina years ago, but neither one lasted very long. So really, what we have here is Eataly 2.0 at sea, which is a lot more accurate.
On land, Eataly seems to be expanding everywhere. Back home, there’s one at Aventura Mall and another in downtown West Palm Beach, and of course most people are probably familiar with the big one in New York City. Here on MSC World America, the idea is the same: Italian food done properly, just served in the middle of the ocean.
Dinner here is $55 per person for a three-course prix fixe menu where you pick an appetizer, a pasta or main course, and dessert. There are also upcharge items on the menu, and if you want an extra pasta or main, that’ll run you another $20.
I didn’t have a reservation, but I wandered over around 8:30 and was seated right away. The restaurant only had a few occupied tables, though it was on the later side.
My server recommended a wine, walked me through the menu, and we were off and running.
Dinner starts with a bread basket full of assorted carbs, along with olive oil and balsamic.
To start, I went with La Burrata, which came with burrata, Tuscan tomato bread compote, Taggiasca olive crumbles, and basil. Delicious, cool, and refreshing are the best ways to describe it. A very solid opener.
Next up, I added on one of the $20 upcharge items, Le Stagionature. For those who prefer English – prosciutto and Parmigiano. You get thinly sliced 24-month Prosciutto di Parma PDO along with three different ages of Parmigiano Reggiano. It’s a great choice if you like this kind of thing, and I do. That said, there was one failure here. One of the cheeses was as hard as a rock. It couldn’t be cut with a knife, and if I had just gone for it and bit down, I probably would have chipped a tooth. Other than that, though, if you’re a prosciutto fan, it’s a very good pick.
For my main, I went the pasta route with the Tagliatelle al Ragù, which is tagliatelle ribbons served with a rich Bolognese made with pork, beef, and more Parmigiano Reggiano. This was the star of the meal. The pasta was fantastic, cooked al dente the way it should be, and the sauce was loaded with meat.
When it came time for dessert, I was originally going to skip it, but pistachio allergy be damned, I went with the Gelato al Pistacchio Salato, which is three scoops of pistachio gelato topped with toasted pistachios and Maldon salt. It was a great way to end the meal.
Overall, I think a lot of people may have a hard time justifying $55 for pasta, and I get it. Eataly on land isn’t exactly cheap either. You’ll have to sell a few things on eBay to take a family of four there for dinner. But the quality of the food, the authentic flavors, and the fact that it doesn’t feel dumbed down for a cruise ship menu make it worth it. If your idea of a great Italian dinner is spaghetti and meatballs at Olive Garden, you may want to hold out for Italian night in the main dining room instead.
After dinner, I stopped by the casino to try my luck. That didn’t last long at all. So after that brief donation, I made a stop at the Jean-Philippe chocolate shop, where that earlier-mentioned gelato came from, grabbed a little chocolate snack because apparently I needed even more calories, and then headed to The Gin Project for one final nightcap to wrap up the evening.
We’re now on our way to our next port of call, San Juan, Puerto Rico, where World America is set to arrive at 9:00 a.m. And a little teaser for tomorrow: since I’ve written so much about San Juan over the years, I’m going to put together my Ultimate San Juan Walking Tour that you can use to plan out your day ashore in Old San Juan without spending a dime on a shore excursion.
As always, thanks for following along.
MSC World America Day 3 Daily Program
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 06:00am – 11:30pm | MSC Today | TV Channel 8 |
| 07:00am | Sunrise Stretch | Mar Azul (Deck 18 Mid) |
| 08:30am – 10:00am | Sports: Pickleball Game (16+) | MSC Sportplex (Deck 20 Mid) |
| 09:00am | Bootcamp (Charges Apply) | MSC Gym (Deck 20 Mid) |
| 09:00am – 03:00pm | Free Spa Tours & Massage Tester | MSC Aurea Spa (Deck 8 Fwd) |
| 09:00am – 09:00pm | Free Body Composition Analysis | MSC Gym (Deck 20 Mid) |
| 09:00am – 09:00pm | Free Skin & Hair Consultation | MSC Aurea Spa (Deck 8 Fwd) |
| 09:15am | Puerto Plata VIP Shopping Party Meetup with Mick | Port Shopping Desk (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 09:30am – 11:30am | Arts & Crafts: Wildlife Drawing | MSC Luna Park (Deck 6 Fwd) |
| 09:45am – 06:45pm | Free Foot and Posture Analysis | MSC Gym (Deck 20 Mid) |
| 10:00am | Free Ladies Spa Party | MSC Aurea Spa (Deck 8 Fwd) |
| 11:00am – 03:00pm | Acupuncture: Free Tongue & Pulse Analysis | MSC Aurea Spa (Deck 8 Fwd) |
| 01:00pm | DJ Poolside Vibes | Mar Azul (Deck 18 Mid) |
| 01:30pm | Sudoku Challenge 2 | Dolce Vita Bar (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 02:00pm | Guess the Song: 2000's Hits | Dolce Vita Bar (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 02:30pm | Game: Charades | Dolce Vita Bar (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 03:00pm | Guinness World Record Games | Dolce Vita Bar (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 03:30pm | Quiz O' Clock | Dolce Vita Bar (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 04:00pm | Guess the Song: Country | Dolce Vita Bar (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 04:00pm | Ping Pong Tournament (16+) | Botanic Garden (Deck 18 Mid) |
| 04:00pm | Sports: Family Soccer Game | MSC Sportplex (Deck 20 Mid) |
| 04:00pm | Live music with Trio Sunset | Mar Azul (Deck 18 Mid) |
| 04:00pm | Friends of Bill W (unhosted) | Business Center 2 (Deck 6 Fwd) |
| 04:00pm – 06:00pm | Tech: VR Experience 1 (13+) (Charges Apply) | MSC Luna Park (Deck 6 Fwd) |
| 04:30pm – 05:30pm | Collect your EFFY Charm of the Day! | Fine Jewellery (Deck 8 Mid) |
| 04:45pm | DJ Poolside Vibes | Mar Azul (Deck 18 Mid) |
| 05:00pm | #MSCKids: Super Coral Quiz | The Studio (Deck 19 Mid) |
| 05:00pm | Sports: Soccer Game (16+) | MSC Sportplex (Deck 20 Mid) |
| 05:00pm | Charm of the Day: Palm Tree | Shopping Gallery (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 05:30pm | San Juan Highlights Talk with Mick | Dolce Vita Bar (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 05:30pm – 06:00pm | Slot Tournament | Signature Casino (Deck 7 Aft) |
| 06:00pm – 06:30pm | Guess the Carat Weight | Fine Jewellery (Deck 8 Mid) |
| 06:00pm | Sunset Stretch | MSC Gym (Deck 20 Mid) |
| 06:00pm | Solo Travellers Get Together | Champagne Bar (Deck 8 Mid) |
| 06:00pm | Live music with Valentina, Trio Sunset & Duo Express | Dolce Vita Bar (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 07:00pm – 08:00pm | Hospitality Desk - ITA, FRA, ESP | World Galleria (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 07:00pm | Sparkling by MESSIKA | World of Jewels (Deck 8 Aft) |
| 07:00pm | Win a Cruise | Port Shopping Desk (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 07:00pm | Live music with Mark Steel Pan | World Promenade (Deck 8 Aft) |
| 07:00pm | Live music with Joshua Rust & Diego | Masters of The Sea (Deck 7 Mid) |
| 07:30pm | Dance Class: Cha Cha Cha | Dolce Vita Bar (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 07:30pm | Theater Show: Dirty Dancing - The Celebration | World Theatre (Deck 7 Fwd) |
| 08:00pm | #MSCKids: Doremix Family Disco | Mar Azul (Deck 18 Mid) |
| 08:00pm | EFFY Collector Reception | Fine Jewellery (Deck 8 Mid) |
| 08:00pm | Queen Symphonic: A Rock & Orchestra Revolution! | Panorama Lounge (Deck 7 Aft) |
| 08:00pm – 09:00pm | Bingo Ticket Sales | MSC Luna Park (Deck 6 Fwd) |
| 08:00pm – 09:30pm | Afro Beats with DJ | Champagne Bar (Deck 8 Mid) |
| 08:00pm – 09:30pm | MSC Foundation VR Experience | MSC Foundation (Deck 7 Mid) |
| 08:15pm | Palm Tree Show | World Promenade (Deck 8 Aft) |
| 08:15pm – 08:45pm | Shuffle Board Tournament | All-Stars Sports Bar (Deck 8 Aft) |
| 08:15pm | Comedy Show (18+) | The Loft (Deck 8 Mid) |
| 08:15pm | MasterChef@Sea | MSC Luna Park (Deck 6 Fwd) |
| 08:15pm – 09:15pm | Ariana Grande Swarovski Collection | Shopping Gallery (Deck 6 Mid) |
| 08:30pm | EFFY's Splash of Color - Colored Diamond Showcase | Fine Jewellery (Deck 8 Mid) |
| 09:00pm | LGBTQIA+ Get Together | Elixir - Mixology Bar (Deck 8 Mid) |
| 09:00pm | Mega Bingo | MSC Luna Park (Deck 6 Fwd) |
| 09:00pm | Omega's Iconic Watches | Omega (Deck 8 Aft) |
| 09:15pm | Palm Tree Show | World Promenade (Deck 8 Aft) |
| 09:30pm | Dance Class: Bachata | Mar Azul (Deck 18 Mid) |
| 09:30pm | Theater Show: Dirty Dancing - The Celebration | World Theatre (Deck 7 Fwd) |
| 09:45pm | Comedy Show (18+) | The Loft (Deck 8 Mid) |
| 10:00pm | Palm Tree Show | World Promenade (Deck 8 Aft) |
| 10:00pm | Pre Party Vibes with DJ | Mar Azul (Deck 18 Mid) |
| 10:00pm | Queen Symphonic: A Rock & Orchestra Revolution! | Panorama Lounge (Deck 7 Aft) |
| 10:00pm – 11:00pm | Hot Seat Surprise | Signature Casino (Deck 7 Aft) |
| 10:15pm | #MSCKids: Doremi Family Numbers Game | The Studio (Deck 19 Mid) |
| 10:30pm | Tropical Party | Mar Azul (Deck 18 Mid) |
| 10:45pm | Night Club After Dark with DJ (18+) | Panorama Lounge (Deck 7 Aft) |
| 10:45pm – 12:00am | Be a Karaoke Superstar! (18+) | The Loft (Deck 8 Mid) |
| 11:15pm | #MSCTeens Live: Music Game | The Studio (Deck 19 Mid) |
| 11:30pm | Paradise Lotto | Signature Casino (Deck 7 Aft) |