MSC World America 7-Day Eastern Caribbean Cruise Review – Day 3: April 20, 2026

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 - Night 3

Available in Bubbles Restaurant, Esagano Restaurant, Hexagon Restaurant, La Foglia Restaurant, Les Dunes Restaurant

Available on: MSC World America

Starters

Moules Marinières

Mussels in a creamy white wine sauce

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Spiced chicken, chilled iceberg, pickled radish slaw

Spinach Salad

Caramelized walnuts, crispy bacon

Italian Wedding Soup

Meatballs, tender green leaves, grated Parmesan

Caesar Salad

Crispy romaine lettuce, garlic croutons, Parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing

Shrimp Cocktail

Classic horseradish cocktail sauce, fresh lemon

French Onion Soup

Gruyère crostini

Entrées

Tagliatelle with Seafood

Garlic San Marzano tomato sauce, clams, mussels and shrimp

Blackened Red Snapper with Lime and Creole Spices

Pineapple mint relish, coconut rice, braised okra

Thai Chicken Red Curry

Mildly spiced, bell peppers, jasmine rice

Cabernet-Braised Short Ribs

Gorgonzola polenta, assorted vegetables, herb gremolata

Stuffed Portobello

Sautéed spinach, goat cheese

Pennette Pasta

Choice of Bolognese, Alfredo, or fresh tomato basil sauce

Grilled Chicken Breast

Mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables

Grilled Atlantic Salmon

Rice pilaf, seasonal vegetables

New York Strip Steak

Choice of herb butter, chimichurri, or green peppercorn sauce

Steakhouse Selection

Broiled Cold Water Lobster Tail

$19.99

Hot drawn butter

Linz Heritage Angus

$19.99

8-oz grilled filet mignon or 14-oz bone-in New York strip steak with your choice of sauce

Side Dishes

Steak fries or loaded baked potato, sautéed mushrooms, grilled asparagus, sautéed vegetables, steamed rice, or whipped potatoes

Desserts

Gâteau Opéra

Almond biscuit, chocolate and coffee cream

Warm Apple Strudel

Vanilla sauce

Grandma's Chocolate Cake

With layers of dulce de leche and chocolate fudge

New York Cheesecake

Strawberry compote

Carrot Cake

Orange sauce

Ice Cream and Sorbet

Please ask your waiter about our daily selection of ice cream and sorbets

No Sugar Added Ice Cream

Please ask your waiter about our daily selection

Sommelier's Recommendations

Sparkling Wine - Domaine Chandon, Brut Classic, California

$60.00

Domaine Chandon, Brut Classic, California

White Wine - La Crema, Chardonnay, California

$16.00 / $63.00

La Crema, Chardonnay, California

White Wine - Matua, Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand

$14.00 / $49.00

Matua, Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand

Rosé Wine - Gerard Bertrand, Côtes des Roses Rosé, France

$15.00 / $54.00

Gerard Bertrand, Côtes des Roses Rosé, France

Red Wine - Franciscan Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, California

$14.00 / $77.00

Franciscan Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, California

Red Wine - Errazuris, Carmenère, Chile

$14.00 / $49.00

Errazuris, Carmenère, Chile

⬇ Download PDF

🖼️ Menu Images

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MSC World America Yacht Club Restaurant Dinner Menu - Night 3

Available on: MSC World America

Starters

Maryland Crab Cake

Panko coated king crab meat, green apple and fennel salad, dill

Beef Tartare

Minced beef tenderloin with gherkins, capers, quail egg, sour cream, mustard, shallots

Crispy Hand-Rolled Vegetable Spring Rolls

Hoisin-peanut dip, lemongrass, cilantro

Spring Salad

Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, sweet corn, radishes, sunflower seeds, creamy avocado dressing

Entrées

Lobster Bauletti

Ravioli filled with lobster, Roma tomato, fiordilatte cheese, marjoram

Pumpkin Risotto

Flavored with truffle, crispy sausage

Cabernet-Braised Short Ribs

Gorgonzola polenta, assorted vegetables, herb gremolata

Mignonette of Pork Tenderloin

Balsamic demi-glace, market vegetables, truffle mash

Stuffed Portobello

Sautéed spinach, mozzarella cheese

Classic Favorites

Grilled or Steamed Fillet of Salmon

Garden vegetables, hollandaise sauce

Broiled Beef Filet Mignon

Thyme-roasted vegetables, natural jus

Grilled Chicken Breast

Lemon oil, roasted vegetables, green asparagus

Sauces for your Steak

Madeira sauce, green peppercorn sauce, creamy mushroom-mustard sauce

Baked Just for You

Six-grain rolls topped with assorted seeds

Six-grain rolls topped with assorted seeds

Country white rolls

Country white rolls

Tomato focaccia

Tomato focaccia

Oregano grissini

Oregano grissini

Desserts

International Cheese Selection from the Trolley

Fruit and vegetable preserves, jellies, honey, dried and fresh fruit

Opera Cake

Almond biscuit layered with chocolate and coffee cream

Warm Apple Strudel

Vanilla sauce

Tiramisu

Mascarpone cream, ladyfinger biscuits dipped in coffee and bitter cocoa powder

Grandma's Chocolate Cake

With layers of dulce de leche and chocolate fudge

New York Cheesecake

Strawberry compote

Carrot Cake

Orange sauce

Selection of Ice Cream and Fruit Sorbets

Ask your waiter about our daily selection

Ice Cream

Ask your waiter for our daily selection

Petits Fours

Petits fours

Deliciously Healthy

Italian Wedding Soup

Meatballs, tender green leaves, grated Parmesan

Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass Fillet

Fennel coulis, Parisienne potatoes, Taggiasca olives

Fresh Fruit Plate

Fresh fruit plate

⬇ Download PDF

🖼️ Menu Images

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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.

Eataly

Eataly at Sea brings the famous Italian food hall experience onboard, with fresh pasta made daily, top-tier ingredients, and even basil grown right on the ship. It’s equal parts restaurant and celebration of Italian food culture, where every dish feels authentic, fresh, and made to be enjoyed slowly. (Menu updated April 2026)

Available on: MSC World America

Gli Antipasti

LA BURRATA

Burrata, Tuscan tomato bread compote, Taggiasche olives crumble, basil

IL FRITTO ALLA MEDITERRANEA

Crispy seasonal seafood, vegetables, lemon basil mayo

IL TONNO

Bigeye tuna tartare, lemon vinaigrette, avocado

IL MISTO DI MARE

Chilled poached shrimp, marinated mussels, calamari, crushed potatoes, tomato, lemon zest

LE STAGIONATURE

$20.00

Prosciutto and Parmigiano: 24-month Prosciutto di Parma PDO, three consistencies of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO

IL CARPACCIO DI WAGYU

$16.00

Ozaki Wagyu beef, arugula, lightly spiced roasted capsicum puree, rosemary, Cervìa salt

GLI SCAMPI

Scampi, roasted artichoke salad, stracciatella, caviar, sea asparagus

Le Insalate

IL CESARE

Little gem lettuce, Pecorino Romano PDO dressing, anchovy, breadcrumbs

IL CAVOLFIORE

Roasted cauliflower, green apple, black pepper, raisin vinaigrette

L'INSALATA

Radicchio, endive, Lollo Rosso, Villa Manodori balsamic vinegar

La Pasta

I MANDILLI AL PESTO

Liguria - Homemade basil pesto, toasted pine nuts, green beans, potato, Taggiasce extra virgin olive oil, Pecorino Romano PDO

LE TAGLIATELLE AL RAGÙ

Emilia Romagna - Ragù alla bolognese: pork and beef ragù, tomato, Parmigiano Reggiano PDO

LE TAGLIATELLE AL TARTUFO NERO

$16.00

Toscana - Butter, Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, black truffle

I TONNARELLI CACIO E PEPE

Lazio - Pecorino Romano PDO, toasted black pepper

I RIGATONI ALL'AMATRICIANA

Lazio - Guanciale, tomatoes, Pecorino Romano PDO

GLI SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA

Lazio - Guanciale, Pecorino Romano PDO, egg, black pepper

IL RISOTTO ALLA MARINARA

Sardegna - Carnaroli rice, Manila clams, wild Gulf shrimp, oysters, sea asparagus, cherry tomato, parsley, lemon zest

GLI GNOCCHI ALLA SORRENTINA

Campania - Homemade potato gnocchi, tomatoes, fiordilatte mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, basil

FRESH BLACK TRUFFLE

$16.00

Fresh black truffles shaved tableside onto your dish of choice

I Secondi

I CALAMARI

Tuscan-style filled calamari, whipped potatoes, spinach, fresh sprouts

LE CAPESANTE

Gratinated scallops, lightly spiced tomato-olive compote, herbed bread crumbs

IL BRANZINO

$20.00

Seared whole Mediterranean branzino, Taggiasce olives, Sicilian capers, tomatoes, fresh herbs

LA GRAN COTOLETTA ALLA MILANESE for two

$55.00

Fried breaded bone-in veal chop, Italian chicories, lemon, Olitalia extra virgin olive oil

IL BRASATO AL BAROLO

Braised boneless short rib, black truffle potato purée

LA PORCHETTA ALLA TOSCANA

Roasted suckling pig, fresh herbs 'misticanze' salad, sage butter jus

IL CARCIOFO

Roman-style fried artichokes, sun-dried tomato mayo

I Contorni

LE PATATE

Parmigiano Reggiano PDO mashed potatoes

LE VERDURE

Grilled vegetables, Taggiasce olive dressing, bread crumbs

LE CIME DI RAPA

Broccoli rabe, lemon zest, peperoncino

I Dolci

IL TIRAMISU

Mascarpone cream, espresso soaked sponge cake, cocoa powder

IL TORTINO DI EATALY

Chocolate hazelnut mousse cake

LIMONCELLO

Soaked sponge cake, lemon cream, lemon whip

IL GELATO

Discover the daily selection

IL GELATO AL PISTACCHIO SALATO

Toasted pistachio, Maldon salt

LA NOSTRA FRUTTA

Seasonal fresh fruit salad, basil sorbet

Le Bollicine

PROSECCO DOC

$14.00 / $56.00

Ronco Belvedere, Veneto

PROSECCO ROSATO

$16.00 / $64.00

Villa Sandi, Veneto

BRUT METODO CLASSICO TRENTO DOC

$60.00

Cantine Ferrari, Trentino Alto Adige

LAMBRUSCO QUERCIOLI SECCO

$45.00

Medici Ermete, Emilia Romagna

I Bianchi - Northern regions

GAVI DI GAVI DOCG

$14.00 / $56.00

Fontanafredda, Piemonte

PINOT GRIGIO

$19.00 / $74.00

Santa Margherita, Trentino Alto Adige

I Bianchi - Central regions

VISTAMARE CA'MARCANDA

$90.00

Gaja, Toscana

BRAMITO DEL CERVO

$84.00

Castello della Sala, Umbria

CERVARO DELLA SALA

$110.00

Castello della Sala, Umbria

I Bianchi - Southern regions and islands

GRECO DI TUFO DOCG

$72.00

Feudi di San Gregorio, Campania

LA SEGRETA BIANCO SICILIA DOC

$60.00

Planeta, Sicilia

I Rosé

BERTAROSA

$15.00 / $60.00

Bertani, Veneto

ALIÉ ROSATO

$68.00

Tenuta Ammiraglia, Toscana

I Rossi - Northern regions

BARBERA D'ALBA ROCCHE DEL SANTO

$17.00 / $66.00

Brandini, Piemonte

BARBARESCO COSTE RUBIN

$85.00

Fontanafredda, Piemonte

LANGHE NEBBIOLO DOC

$80.00

Mirafiore, Piemonte

BAROLO SERRALUNGA

$160.00

Fontanafredda, Piemonte

SFURSAT DI VALTELLINA

$80.00

Nino Negri, Lombardia

CAMPOFIORIN

$64.00

Masi, Veneto

AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO

$135.00

Allegrini, Veneto

I Rossi - Central regions

CONT'UGO MERLOT BOLGHERI

$115.00

Tenuta Guado al Tasso, Toscana

PEPPOLI CHIANTI CLASSICO

$15.00 / $60.00

Antinori, Toscana

50&50

$265.00

Avignonesi Capannelle, Toscana

BULIZIO

$72.00

Le Palaie, Toscana

TOSCANA IGT "GUIDALBERTO"

$140.00

Tenuta San Guido, Toscana

I Grandi Rossi

TIGNANELLO

$240.00

Antinori, Toscana

SASSICAIA

$690.00

Tenuta San Guido, Toscana

I Rossi - Southern regions and islands

CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA RISERVA SILENO DOC

$60.00

Ferruccio Deiana, Sardegna

NERO D'AVOLA

$14.00 / $56.00

Baglio di Grisi, Sicilia

RADICI TAURASI

$95.00

Mastroberardino, Campania

TORCICODA PRIMITIVO

$80.00

Tormaresca, Puglia

Il Caffè e il Tè

ESPRESSO

$2.50

Espresso

MACCHIATO

$2.75

Macchiato

ESPRESSO DOUBLE

$4.00

Espresso double

CAPPUCCINO

$4.25

Cappuccino

LATTE

$4.25

Latte

AMERICANO

$2.50

Americano

HOT TEA

$3.50

Hot tea

Gli Amari

AMARO ARGALÀ ALPINO

$11.00

Piemonte

AMARO CAMATTI

$9.00

Liguria

AMARO NONINO QUINTESSENTIA

$10.00

Friuli Venezia Giulia

Le Grappe

GRAPPA DI MOSCATO TRUSSONI

$12.00

Piemonte

GRAPPA DI MOSCATO MORBIDA JACOPO POLI

$14.00

Friuli Venezia Giulia

I Liquori

SAMBUCA MOLINARI

$9.00

Lombardia

LIMONCELLO LINA MARESCA

$9.00

Campania

LIQUORE DI CAMOMILLA JACOPO POLI

$12.00

Friuli Venezia Giulia

NARDINI ACQUA DI CEDRO

$11.00

Friuli Venezia Giulia

FERNET BRANCA

$10.00

Lombardia

I Cocktail - I Classici

GIN BASIL SMASH

$18.00

Gin, lemon juice, basil leaves, simple syrup

BELLINI

$16.00

Peach, prosecco

EAST SIDE

$18.00

Vodka or gin, cucumber mint syrup, lime

(NOT A PIZZA) MARGARITA

$18.00

Tequila or mezcal, lime, Cointreau, salt

COSMO ITALIANA

$18.00

Blood orange, vodka, Cointreau, lime, cranberry

ESPRESSO MARTINI

$16.00

Coffee liqueur, vodka, espresso

BASIL VODKA MARTINI

$18.00

Basil infused vodka, dry vermouth, basil oil

I Cocktail - I Negroni

NEGRONI

$16.00

Campari bitter, gin, sweet vermouth, orange - Substitute gin for mezcal or whiskey!

ESPRESSO NEGRONI

$18.00

Gin, Borghetti coffee liqueur, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Cocchi Rosa

AMERICANO

$14.00

Campari bitter, sweet vermouth, soda water, orange

I Cocktail - Gli Spritz

APEROL SPRITZ

$14.00

Aperol, prosecco, soda water, orange

ROSA SPRITZ

$16.00

Cocchi Rosa, spumante rosato, soda water, lemon

HUGO SPRITZ

$14.00

St. Germain, prosecco, soda water, mint

CYNAR SPRITZ

$16.00

Amaro Cynar, prosecco, soda water, rosemary

Zero Proof Cocktail

IL BOSCO

$15.00

Tanqueray 0.0, butterfly pea syrup, lemon, soda water

IL BOSCO - Spike it! Add vodka

$21.00

Tanqueray 0.0, butterfly pea syrup, lemon, soda water with vodka

IL GIARDINO

$15.00

Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla 0.0, lemon, mint, cucumber, gazzosa

IL GIARDINO - Spike it! Add gin

$21.00

Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla 0.0, lemon, mint, cucumber, gazzosa with gin

L'Acqua e le Bibite

SPARKLING WATER - San Pellegrino

$6.50

San Pellegrino sparkling water, 25 fl oz

STILL WATER - Lurisia

$6.50

Lurisia still water, 33.8 fl oz

ITALIAN LIMONATA

$5.00

Sparkling lemon, 9.3 fl oz

ITALIAN COLA

$5.00

Classic or sugar-free, 11.2 fl oz

ITALIAN ARANCIATA

$5.00

Sparkling orange, 9.3 fl oz

Le Birre e il Sidro in Bottiglia

BALADIN NORA

$10.00

Spiced ale, 6.8% ABV

BALADIN NAZIONALE

$10.00

White ale, 6.5% ABV

BALADIN SIDRO

$10.00

Baladin apple cider

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🖼️ Menu Images

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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

Personal Day-By-Day MSC World America Cruise Review: