MSC World America 7-Day Eastern Caribbean Cruise Review – Day 5: April 22, 2026

Day 5 on MSC World America is the first of two back-to-back sea days as we make our way to our final port of call on this cruise, MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in The Bahamas, where we’ll be spending the day on Friday.

One thing about MSC’s 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary on World America is that it is not port-intensive at all. You get embarkation day, one sea day, Puerto Plata, San Juan, two more sea days, and then Ocean Cay. That’s the pattern MSC follows for Eastern runs as and that matches exactly what we’re doing on this sailing.

Eastern Caribbean: MSC World America

Dates: Apr 18, 2026 – Apr 25, 2026

Homeport: Miami, FL

Ship Facts: 2025 build • 205,700 • 6,774 passengers (double occupancy)

Date	Port	Country	Start	End
Apr 18	Miami, FL	United States		6:00 PM
Apr 19	At Sea	–	–	–
Apr 20	Puerto Plata	Dominican Republic	8:00 AM	5:00 PM
Apr 21	San Juan	Puerto Rico	9:00 AM	11:00 PM
Apr 22	At Sea	–	–	–
Apr 23	At Sea	–	–	–
Apr 24	Ocean Cay Marine Reserve	Bahamas	8:00 AM	8:00 PM
Apr 25	Miami, FL	United States	7:00 AM

Now, that’s a little different from what a lot of cruisers think of when they hear “Eastern Caribbean.” On plenty of other lines, San Juan is often paired with St. Thomas, giving you a more port-heavy week. Carnival, for example, is currently selling a 7-day Eastern Caribbean on Carnival Celebration that does Miami, two sea days, St. Thomas, San Juan, a sea day, Celebration Key, and back to Miami. So yes, MSC’s version is definitely lighter on ports than some competing itineraries out there.

There are pros and cons to that.

Personally, I’ll take the longer day in San Juan. MSC gives you a generous amount of time there, and that’s something I appreciate a lot more than doing a quick in-and-out stop just so the line can say they squeezed one more island onto the itinerary. If you’ve been following along, you saw exactly why yesterday. Having all day and well into the evening in San Juan is a lot more useful than pulling out at 3, 4, or 5 in the afternoon just when the city is still very much alive.

Could MSC squeeze in St. Thomas if they shortened San Juan? Probably, at least on paper. But then you start getting into the tradeoffs. Bigger ships don’t always get the most convenient setup there, and St. Thomas has two main cruise docks, Havensight and Crown Bay.  However, Havensight cannot handle both MSC’s World Class and Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, which would have to dock at Crown Bay which is farther from the main downtown/Havensight area which means taxis and a little more hassle getting around. So yes, adding St. Thomas might sound great, but it would almost certainly come with compromises.

So I can see both sides of it.

If you’re the kind of cruiser who wants to rack up as many ports as possible in a week, MSC’s Eastern Caribbean run may feel a little light. But if you like having real time in San Juan and then wrapping up with a long day at Ocean Cay instead of constantly being on the go, this itinerary makes a lot more sense.

With it being a sea day on a ship the size of World America, the daily schedule, which you can see at the end of this post, was loaded up with things to do to keep everyone busy and occupied. And that matters on a ship this big. The good news is that, as I mentioned back in my Day 2 report, World America does a fairly good job of spreading people around. Outside of the buffet, which remains its own special circle of hell, most of the ship never feels as overwhelmingly packed as you might expect for a vessel that can carry nearly 7,000 guests at full capacity.

I’ve also been told this sailing is not running full, with the passenger count somewhere in the 5,000s, which would explain why things have felt a little more manageable than they did on the inaugural sailing last April when the ship was packed.

So far in these daily reports, I’ve covered embarkation, my stateroom, the first sea day stress test, the ship’s different pools, and the activities for kids and families like Cliffhanger and the Adventure Trail up in the Harbour area.

Today, since it’s a sea day and food is never far from anyone’s mind on a cruise, I’m going to tackle the different places you can grab a bite to eat onboard MSC World America. Then tomorrow I’ll move on to the ship’s watering holes, because that topic obviously deserves its own report!

So let’s get our knives and forks out and talk about restaurants.

Complimentary Restaurants on MSC World America

So let’s talk about the main dining setup on MSC World America, because unlike some cruise lines where you have one or two big dining rooms, MSC likes to spread things around and give everything a different name so you can be confused for at least the first 24 hours.

For guests in Bella and Fantastica class fares, dinner in the main dining room is done by fixed seating. That means on embarkation day you’ll be assigned both a dining room and a dining time, and that information will be printed right on your cruise card. If you’re not thrilled with what you were given, and chances are a lot of people aren’t, you can head to Hexagon on Deck 6 on embarkation day and ask about changing it.

There are four main dining rooms handling fixed seating.

1. Bubbles offers traditional early and late seating with times of 5:30, 5:45, 8:00, and 8:15.
2. Esagano also does traditional early and late seating, but with slightly later options of 6:15, 6:30, 8:30, and 8:45.
3. Hexagon has fixed seating at 6:00, 6:15, 8:15, and 8:30, and it also serves sit-down breakfast starting at 8:30 in the morning.
4. Then there’s La Foglia, which has the earliest and latest spread of the bunch, offering fixed dining times at 5:00, 5:15, 7:15, 7:30, 9:30, and 9:45.

Now, if you booked Aurea class or you’re staying in a Grand Suite, you get the better setup, which is anytime dining. That means you’re not stuck with one specific dinner time and can instead show up when you want during dinner hours. The restaurant for that is Les Dunes, which is open from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. and lets you arrive whenever works for you.

No matter which of these main dining rooms you wind up in, the important thing to know is that they are all serving the exact same menu each evening. There is not one secret dining room with better food or bigger portions. MSC rotates through a 7-night menu cycle, and over the course of the cruise you’ll get themed evenings mixed in, including a Caribbean-themed dinner and an Italian night, which is typically held on the last sea day.

The only people getting something different are those staying in Yacht Club.

Yacht Club guests get anytime dining in the Yacht Club Restaurant, which is exclusive to them, and they also have access in the evening to La Brasserie, which during the day is open to everyone as a secondary buffet for breakfast and lunch, but at night switches over to family-style dining just for Yacht Club guests in case they want a change from the Yacht Club Restaurant.

Now for the buffet crowd, and there are always plenty of you, the main buffet up on Deck 18 is where the action is. This is the big one, and it offers a very wide selection for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast runs from 6:30 to 11:30, lunch from 12:30 to 3:30, and dinner from 6:00 to 9:30.

And here’s a tip if you’d like to preserve both your sanity and your blood pressure: if you want to avoid the madness of the main buffet on Deck 18, go up one level to La Brasserie for breakfast or lunch. The selection is smaller, yes, but so is the crowd, and that alone can make it the better choice.

La Brasserie

Exclusive to Yacht Club guests for family style dinning at dinner. A secondary public buffet for breakfast and lunch during the day. (Menu updated April 2026)

Available on: MSC World Europa, MSC World America

Appetizers to Share

Ahi Tuna Tartar Jar

Avocado coriander salad / spring onions / ginger-soy dressing / sesame crackers

Traditional Peruvian Ceviche

White fish / lime juice / tomato / hominy / avocado / coriander

Cazuela Baked Shrimp

Saffron sauce / chickpeas / cherry tomato / garlic / herbs

Farmed Chilean Salmon Tiradito

Passion fruit truffle emulsion / jalapeño / red onion / avocado / lime zest

Spicy Raw Salmon & Tuna Tacushi

Fried gyoza / avocado / salmon roe / spiced orange mayonnaise

Fried Lobster Polenta Croquettes

Saffron aioli / tomato sauce / shaved Parmesan

Warm Cumin-Spiced Octopus Salad

Garlic-chickpeas / Kalamata olives / spring onions / tomato gazpacho

Crispy Ponzu-Glazed Pork Belly

Chilli honey coleslaw / roasted peanuts / pickled ginger / spring onions

Flaky Chicken Empanadas

Salsa verde / sofrito coleslaw (3 pcs)

Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Wings

Chermoula sauce / Moorish carrot raisin slaw / pickles

Korean Grilled Beef Ribs

Gochujang chilli dressing / cilantro onion lime salad / fried garlic

Signature Beef and Cheddar Cheese Sliders

Matchstick potatoes / condiments (4 pcs)

Favorite Kid's Platter

Beef sliders / pigs in a blanket / potato chips / pizza rolls / popcorn chicken

Greek-Style Beef and Lamb Keftedes

Olive tomato sauce / oregano / feta cheese / fried onion / olive oil

Loaded Hummus Plate Crunch

Cherry tomato / avocado / hominy / olives / cucumbers / spring onions / crisps

Parmigiana di Melanzane

Aubergine au gratin with mozzarella / Parmesan / basil tomato sauce

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Bake

Sharp aged cheddar cheese / brioche crunch topping / gratinated

Fried Curried Vegetable Samosa

Peas / carrots / potatoes / spices / mango chutney / cucumber slaw

Goat Cheese-Stuffed Portobello Mushroom

Roasted peppers / parsley / fried onions / balsamic emulsion

Caramelised Goat Cheese Gratin

Cherry tomatoes / young garlic / olive oil / grilled focaccia

Tabbouleh Salad Our Way

Kale / parsley / mint / quinoa / red onion / tomato / lemon / olive oil

Truffled Mushroom and Gruyère Flatbread

Wild mushrooms / caramelised onions / herbs / truffle aioli

Family-Style Entrées to Share

Hot Stone Lobster Bowl

Delicate chunks of lobster cooked in coconut curry sauce with lemongrass / ginger / coriander / wood ear mushrooms / spring onions / served with fried rice and condiments

Juicy Lamb Chops - The Greek Way

Marinated in garlic, oregano, lemon juice, olive oil, grilled to perfection on a bed of fried potatoes / tomatoes / kalamata olives / capers / red onion / fresh mint / cucumbers / feta cheese / tobacco onions

Grilled Aged Angus Ribeye Steak

100% farm-raised Angus, seasoned and grilled / sides: fried spiced potatoes / creamy Boursin mushrooms / coleslaw / grilled vegetables / cognac peppercorn sauce / fried onions

Oven-Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Select sauce: tomato / creamy tomato / mushroom. Select protein: chicken / beef bolognese / shrimp / veggies. Select cheese: mozzarella / Parmesan / ricotta

Tandoori Split-Roasted Chicken

Marinated in tandoori spices, garlic, yogurt and olive oil with fragrant basmati rice / yogurt cucumber sauce / fresh lime, coriander, onion and boondi salad / mango chutney / fried pappadum

Whole Fried Crispy Sea Bass

Sweet & spicy chilli vinaigrette / coriander, onion and ginger salad / fried rice / fresh limes / crispy plantains

Family-Style Dessert

Hot Cookie

Soft chocolate chip cookie topped with vanilla ice cream, chocolate shavings

Banana Split Casserole

Caramelised bananas, chocolate shavings, cream filling, cherries, toasted peanuts

Zesty Lemon Cream Pot

Creamy lemon zest filling, Graham cracker crunch, whipped cream, raspberry coulis

Grand Marnier Orange Crepes

Buttery crepes, filled with ricotta, baked in Grand Marnier orange sauce

Fancy Caramel Apple Crunch

Apples sautéed in butter, sugar, cinnamon, layered with oatmeal crunch, pastry and candied ginger

Argentinian "Tiramisù"

Sponge finger biscuits dipped in coffee and Tia Maria, layered with dulce de leche, mascarpone, cocoa dust

House Specials

Aperol, The Original

Aperol, prosecco, splash of soda, dehydrated grapefruit

Hugo

St-Germain elderflower liqueur, prosecco, soda, mint

Mojito

Bacardi Superior White rum, mint, sugar syrup, lime juice, club soda

Negroni

Engine gin, Campari Bitter, red vermouth

Classic Old Fashioned

Woodford Reserve, simple syrup, Angostura bitters

Sapphire Martini

Bombay Sapphire gin, Martini dry, olive or lemon peel

Mangorita

Mezcal, Cointreau, mango purée, lime juice

Elderflower

BUSS N°509 Elderflower gin, Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light, Granny Smith apple, cinnamon stick

Zero Alcohol

Mojito Zero

Mojito mix, mint leaves, simple syrup, club soda, mint sprig

Vibrante Martini Spritz

Martini Vibrante Zero, dehydrated orange wheel, non-alcoholic sparkling wine

Spirits

Absolut

Tito's

Patrón Silver

Bombay Sapphire

Engine

Johnnie Walker Red Label

Woodford Reserve

Bacardi Superior White

Ron Zacapa 23Y

To Finish Off

Limoncello

Grappa La Branda

Sambuca

Amaro Montenegro

Jägermeister

Wines - Bubbles

Nicolas Feuillatte Brut

Cruasé Rosé Metodo Classico DOCG, Torti

Prosecco DOC, Valdo

Wines - White

Chardonnay Borgo Tesis DOC, Fantinel

Côtes des Roses Chardonnay, Gérard Bertrand

Pinot Grigio Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC, Bastianich

Riesling Mosel, Dr. Loosen

Sauvignon Isonzo del Friuli DOC, Tenuta Villanova

Wines - Rosé

Bardolino Chiaretto Classico DOC, Casetto

Côte des Roses Rosé, Gérard Bertrand

Wines - Red

Barón de Pardo Crianza DOCa, Bodegas Nava Rioja

Bordeaux Rouge, Château Bel Air

Cabernet Sauvignon, 770 Miles

Côte des Roses Pinot Noir, Gérard Bertrand

Merlot Borgo Tesis DOC, Fantinel

Santa Cristina Toscana IGT, Antinori

Beers - Draught

Heineken Draught Beer

40 cl / 20 cl

Beers - Bottled

Budweiser

USA, Pale lager, 33 cl

Heineken

Netherlands, Pale lager, 33 cl

San Miguel

Spain, Pale lager, 33 cl

Stella Artois

Belgium, Pale lager, 33 cl

Beck's

Germany, Pilsner, 33 cl

Nastro Azzurro

Italy, Pilsner, 33 cl

Paulaner

Germany, Light wheat beer, 50 cl

Strongbow

England, Cider, 33 cl

Heineken 0.0

Netherlands, Alcohol-free lager, 33 cl

Soft Drinks & Juices

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola Zero

Fanta

Sprite

Ice Tea

Fruit Juices by the Glass

⬇ Download PDF

🖼️ Menu Images

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Then of course there are the quick grab-and-go spots scattered around the ship for when you don’t want a full sit-down meal or don’t feel like battling the buffet. On Deck 6 there’s Pizza & Burger, and around the main pool on Deck 18 you’ll also find spots serving pizza and other quick bites during the day. So if all you need is a slice, a burger, or something fast between activities, the ship makes that easy enough.

Now when it comes to specialty dining, MSC World America has several spots worth talking about, so let’s move on to those next.

Speciality Dining on MSC World America

When it comes to specialty dining on MSC World America, there are a handful of spots worth checking out and honestly, I’d recommend budgeting to try as many of them as you can.

If you want to save a few bucks, you can buy a specialty dining package before the cruise that includes either 2, 3, or 4 restaurants. If you don’t buy one in advance, don’t worry, because you will absolutely be reminded they exist about 47 times on embarkation day by crew members trying to sell them. You can also just pay for each restaurant on its own without a package, which is what plenty of people do. The savings with a package are there, but they’re not so massive that you should feel pressured into locking yourself into one if you don’t want to. Pay as you go is perfectly fine.

With that out of the way, here’s a look at the specialty restaurants onboard.

First up is Hola! Tacos & Cantina. This is the ship’s Mexican restaurant, and it serves tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and the usual lineup of Mexican favorites along with margaritas, tequila, and mezcal-based drinks. The best part is that they offer a $25 per person all-you-can-eat option, which is one of the best values in specialty dining on the ship. Since it’s only $25 for all you can eat, do not, and I repeat, do not waste one of your dining package credits here if you bought a package. The other specialty restaurants cost a lot more, so using a package credit at Hola! is like using a sledgehammer to hang a picture frame. Hola! is always one of my go-to spots on the ships that have it because the food is good and the value is absolutely there.

Next up is Butcher’s Cut, which is MSC’s signature steakhouse. At $60 per person, you get a three-course dinner that includes an appetizer, entrée with a side, and dessert. The menu is what you’d expect from a steakhouse, with steaks, seafood, lobster tail, and a few upcharge items if you want to really go for it, including a $65 tomahawk for two. If you’re a meat lover, this is the obvious choice.

Then there’s Eataly. Yes, that Eataly. I wrote about my dinner there in yesterday’s report, and if the name sounds familiar, it should. It’s the famous Italian food marketplace brand, and here on MSC World America they’ve got a branded restaurant serving up a three-course dinner for $55 per person. That includes an appetizer or salad, a pasta or entrée course, and dessert. There are also a few upcharge items on the menu if you want to add to the damage. If you like authentic Italian food and don’t mind paying for quality, this is a very strong choice.

For sushi and teppanyaki fans, there’s Kaito, and this one is split into two different experiences.

The sushi side offers à la carte items as well as a $40 tasting menu that includes soup or salad, a selection of sushi and sashimi, an entrée, and dessert. Individual sushi items generally run from about $5 to $10 each, so if you just want to stop in for a few rolls and not commit to a full dinner, you can do that too.

Then there’s the teppanyaki side, and this is one you’ll want to reserve early because it fills up fast. It’s the usual dinner-and-a-show setup where you sit at a shared table while the chef cooks, flips, chops, tosses, and keeps everybody entertained. Pricing starts at $49 and goes up to $75 per person depending on which protein package you choose. Each option comes with sushi and sashimi, miso soup, salad, fried rice, and dessert. The $49 Katana package includes branzino and chicken. The $55 Sencho package includes salmon, sirloin, and shrimp. And the $75 Shogun package includes lobster, black cod, scallops, and Ozaki wagyu beef. There are also vegetarian and kids options available.

Next up is Paxos, which I consider the sleeper hit on MSC World America. This restaurant is located outside on the World Promenade and serves a Greek and Mediterranean menu. Dinner here is $45 per person and starts with an assortment of hot and cold mezes, followed by an entrée and dessert. I won’t have time to make it back there on this trip, but I did eat there on my last cruise and went in with pretty low expectations since Greek food is not usually my thing. I ended up being seriously impressed. Everything I had was delicious, and it wound up being one of the bigger surprises on the ship.

And finally, while it’s not technically considered specialty dining, it is another restaurant option worth mentioning: the All Stars Sports Bar, also located outside on the World Promenade. This is mainly a bar where people go to watch games, but if you want some food while you’re there, they serve burgers, wings, and other bar-type items priced à la carte. So if you’re looking for something casual and don’t want to commit to a full specialty restaurant experience, this is an easy option.

And in the interest of saving some space here, if you want to check out the menus for these restaurants and even download them as PDFs, head over to my MSC Specialty Restaurants Menu page where I’ve got every menu posted along with photos.

MSC Cruises Restaurant Menus 2026: Specialty Dining & Prices

Dinner at Butcher’s Cut on MSC World America

Speaking of specialty restaurants, tonight I made an early stop at one because I had a special little secret event to get to at 9:00 p.m.

But before I get into that, here’s a look at what was being served tonight in the main dining room restaurants and in the Yacht Club restaurant.

MSC World America Main Dining Room Dinner Menu - Night 5

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

Available on: MSC World America

Starters - Daily Specials

Escargots à la Bourguignonne

Snails in wine butter sauce with garlic and parsley

Seafood Newburg

Shrimp, scallops, and mussels in rich creamy sauce

Beetroot Salad

Goat cheese cream, black truffle emulsion

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Garlic croutons

Starters

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 - Daily Specials

Fettuccine Alfredo

Blackened chicken, fresh garlic, grated Parmesan

Jumbo Shrimp Frà Diavolo

Spicy tomato sauce, creamy herb risotto

Fish and Chips

Batter-fried fish filet, fries, tartar sauce

Roasted Beef Tenderloin

Dauphinoise potatoes, seasonal vegetables, cognac mushroom sauce

Tofu Vegetable Teriyaki

Wok-fried with rice noodles

Entrées

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 roasted potatoes

Desserts

Dulce de Leche Cream Cake

Dark chocolate sauce

Vanilla Cream

Wild berry coulis

Grandma's Chocolate Cake

With layers of dulce de leche and chocolate fudge

New York Cheesecake

Strawberry compote

Layered Apple Cake

Apple compote, cinnamon 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 - Champagne

Veuve Clicquot, Yellow Label Brut

$110.00

France

Sommelier's Recommendations - White Wines

Santa Margherita, Pinot Grigio

$74.00

Italy

Caymus, Conundrum

$19.00 | $74.00

California

Sommelier's Recommendations - Rosé Wine

Château d'Esclans, Whispering Angel

$17.00 | $69.00

France

Sommelier's Recommendations - Red Wines

Pasquier Desvignes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

$80.00

France

La Crema, Pinot Noir

$18.00 | $72.00

California

⬇ Download PDF

🖼️ Menu Images

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MSC World America Yacht Club Restaurant Dinner Menu - Night 5

Available on: MSC World America

Starters

Foie Gras Terrine

Pain brioche, apricot preserve, sea salt

Seafood Newburg

Shrimp, scallops, and mussels in rich creamy sauce

Asiago Cheese Fritters

Semi-aged Italian cheese, spicy pear compote, toasted hazelnuts

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Garlic croutons

Entrées

Potato Gnocchi

Fire-roasted eggplant, red onion, plum tomato sauce, ricotta cheese

Truffle-Flavored Risotto, Parmesan Cheese, Double Cream

Herb-Scented Steamed Black Cod

Saffron potato cream sauce, garden vegetables

Surf & Turf

Beef filet mignon and jumbo shrimp, béarnaise sauce, asparagus, carrots, sautéed new potatoes

Pistachio-Crusted Rack of Lamb

Cherrywood-smoked bacon morsels, mashed potatoes, light sour cherry pan gravy

Tofu Vegetable Teriyaki

Wok-fried with rice noodles

Classic Favorites

Grilled or Steamed Fillet of Salmon

Garden vegetables, hollandaise sauce

Broiled Beef Filet Mignon

Thyme-roasted vegetables, natural jus

Sauces for your Steak

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

Baked Just for You

Baked Just for You

Every day a different selection of fresh-baked bread: Farmer sourdough rye bread rolls - Country white rolls - Rosemary focaccia - Sesame seed grissini

Desserts

International Cheese Selection from the Trolley

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

Ice Cream Pyramid

Caramelized meringue

Vanilla Cream

Wild berry coulis

Tiramisù

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

Cherries Jubilee

Cooked with kirsch liqueur

Ice Cream

Ask your waiter for our daily selection

Petits Fours

Fresh Fruit Plate

Deliciously Healthy

Traditional Caesar Salad

Romaine lettuce, anchovies, crunchy croutons, Caesar dressing

Grilled Chicken Breast

Lemon oil, roasted vegetables, green asparagus

Layered Apple Cake

Apple compote, cinnamon sauce

⬇ Download PDF

🖼️ Menu Images

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I didn’t have a reservation for Butcher’s Cut, but I wandered over around 7:30 to see what my chances were. I wasn’t able to get a table inside the actual restaurant, but they were able to seat me just outside of it. And when I say outside, I don’t mean outside-outside like open-air deck seating. They don’t have that. This was outside the restaurant itself, but still indoors, in the area overlooking the World Galleria, which is basically the ship’s three-story central hub, or the atrium if I’m using that term a little loosely.

Now, was it the ideal place to enjoy a $60-per-person steakhouse dinner? Not exactly. But it worked, and it did offer some excellent people-watching, which on this ship is always part of the entertainment anyway.

That said, it was also a high-traffic area, and despite the walkway being roped off with signs that clearly said specialty dining seating, the rude and oblivious masses who seem to make up about 85% of this ship walked straight through it the second the nearby show let out. Whether they genuinely didn’t realize they were marching through a restaurant or just didn’t care, I couldn’t tell you. My guess is the latter, because that same 85% also seems firmly convinced they are far more important than the other 15% onboard who know how to act in public.

Butcher's Cut Steakhouse

This American-style steakhouse goes big with premium Linz Heritage Angus beef, expertly cut and aged for serious flavor. Pair it with bold New World wines and swagger-filled cocktails, and it’s a no-nonsense, meat-forward dinner that delivers. (Menu updated April 2026)

Available on: MSC Bellissima, MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Seashore, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Seascape, MSC Splendida, MSC Virtuosa, MSC World America, MSC World Europa

Appetizers

Burrata & Beets

Arugula, pine nuts, aged balsamic

Oysters Rockefeller

1/2 dozen oysters, creamy spinach, bacon

Smoked Tomato Soup

Crispy basil

Shrimp Cocktail

Classic cocktail sauce

Beef Carpaccio

Parmesan shavings, capers, truffle oil, arugula

Lobster Bisque

Cognac, dry sherry cream

Wagyu Tartare

$20.00

Sturgeon caviar

Crab Cake

Jumbo lump crab, cajun remoulade, apple slaw, baby greens

Classic Caesar Salad

Garlic croutons

Bone Marrow

Caramelized onions, salsa verde, ciabatta crostini

Seafood Tower

$49.00

Lobster, snow crab, blue crab, languoustine, jumbo shrimp, scallops, oysters

Wagyu Sliders

Aged cheddar, brioche, caramelized onion

Wedge Salad

Vine-ripened tomatoes, chilled iceberg, ranch or classic blue cheese dressing

Entrées

Broiled Lobster Tail

Drawn lemon butter

Chilean Sea Bass

Fresh spinach, cherry tomato, brown butter

Roasted Corn-Fed Chicken Breast

Corn and lima sauce, pan drippings

New York Strip Steak

Flavorful 14-oz NY strip

Grilled Double Lamb Chops

Herb-marinated, mint jelly

Broiled Filet Mignon

8-oz of our most tender cut of loin beef

Rib-Eye Steak - Classic Cut

A 16-oz rib-eye, richly marbled and flame-grilled for bold flavor and natural juiciness

Dry-Aged Porterhouse

$40.00

Classic 24-oz cut, robust flavor

Wagyu Sirloin

$30.00

6-oz of premium Ozaki Wagyu beef, exceptional marbling

Dry-Aged Tomahawk

$65.00

Rich and bold, 36-oz steak to share

Rib-Eye Steak - Large Cut

$30.00

Our Butcher's Cut signature 22-oz, well marbled for peak flavor, deliciously juicy

All Steaks Can Surf

$16.00

Butter lobster or garlic jumbo shrimp

Sauces

Forest Mushroom

Forest mushroom

Peppercorn

Peppercorn

Chimichurri

Chimichurri

BÉARNAISE

Béarnaise

Sides

CRISPY FRIES / YUKON GOLD MASH

Crispy fries or Yukon gold mash

CREAMED SPINACH / LOADED BAKED POTATO

Creamed spinach or loaded baked potato

ONION RINGS / SAUTÉED WILD MUSHROOMS

Onion rings or sautéed wild mushrooms

BROCCOLINI / ASPARAGUS

Broccolini or asparagus

Desserts

Lava Cake

Molten bittersweet chocolate and vanilla ice cream

Banana Date Cake

Toffee sauce, banana ice cream and candied orange zest

Cheesecake

Fresh strawberries, toasted Graham crust, mint

Fresh Fruit

Seasonal tropical fruit

Ice Cream & Sorbet

Please ask your waiter for the daily selection

Cocktails

The Red House

$18.00

Titol vodka, Campari bitter, Fever-Tree soda water

My Darling

$18.00

Tanqueray N°TEN gin, fresh orange and lemon juice, tarragon, simple syrup

The Derby

$18.00

Woodford Reserve bourbon, Campari bitters, Martini Dry vermouth

Sazerac

$18.00

Absinthe, Hennessy VS cognac, sugar cube, Fee Brothers Old Fashioned bitters, Angostura bitters

Vile Mule

$18.00

Grey Goose vodka, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, ginger beer

The Last Word

$18.00

Hendrick's gin, maraschino liqueur, green Chartreuse, holly squeezed lime juice

Rose French

$75.00

Bombay Sapphire gin, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, Angostura orange bitters, rosé sparkling wine

The Bee'S Knees

$18.00

Bloom gin, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup

Ginger Cucumber Gimlet

$18.00

Belvedere vodka, cucumber, simple syrup, fresh lime juice, ginger syrup

Aviation Fizz

$18.00

Tanqueray N°TEN gin, Martini Bianco vermouth, crème de violette, Fever-Tree tonic

Non-Alcoholic

Virgin Cucumber Mojito

$11.00

Fresh lime juice, mint leaves, brown sugar, cucumber syrup, club soda, cucumber and lime slices

Paloma Fizz

$11.00

Fresh grapefruit and lemon juice, Fever-Tree tonic, rosemary

Elderflower & Ginger

$11.00

Elderflower cordial, fresh lemon juice, ginger, mint syrup ginger beer

Craft Beer

Yuengling Lager

$9.00

USA

Budweiser

$9.00

USA

Miller Lite

$9.00

USA

Blue Moon

$9.00

USA

Guinness Pub Draught

$9.00

Ireland

Angry Orchard Apple Cider

$9.00

USA

Tanqueray N'Ten

$16.00

Premium cider

Wines by the Glass

Laurent Perrier, Brut

$25.00

Reims-France

Domaine Chandon, Brut Classic

$15.00

Napa Valley-California

Caymus, Conundrum White Blend

$19.00

Napa Valley-California

Santa Margherita, Pinot Grigio

$19.00

South Tyrol-Italy

Robert Mondavi, Private Selection Chardonnay

$14.00

Central Coast-California

Belle Glos, Pinot Noir

$23.00

Monterey County-California

Robert Mondavi, Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

$14.00

Central Coast-California

Terrazas De Los Andes, Malbec

$17.00

Mendoza-Argentina

Champagne

DOM PÉRIGNON VINTAGE

$330.00

Epernay-France

Laurent Perrier, Brut

$100.00

Reims-France

LAURENT PERRIER, CUVÉE ROSÉ

$125.00

Reims-France

Veuve Clicquot, Yellow Label Brut

$110.00

Reims-France

Sparkling Wines

Domaine Chandon, Brut Classic

$60.00

Napa Valley-California

CA' DEL BOSCO, FRANCIACORTA CUVÉE PRESTIGE

$83.00

Lombardy-Italy

White Wines

BARON DE LADOUCETTE, GRANDE CUVÉE SANCERRE BLANC

$98.00

Loire Valley-France

Caymus, Conundrum White Blend

$74.00

Napa Valley-California

Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen, Eroica Riesling

$68.00

Columbia Valley-Washington

Francis Coppola, Director'S Cut Chardonnay

$85.00

Sonoma County-California

Markus Molitor, Mosel Riesling

$60.00

Mosel-Germany

Mer Soleil, Chardonnay

$86.00

Napa Valley-California

Pascal Bouchard, Montmains Les Vieilles Vignes Ier Cru Chablis

$75.00

Burgundy-France

Robert Mondavi, Private Selection Chardonnay

$56.00

Central Coast-California

Santa Margherita, Pinot Grigio

$74.00

South Tyrol-Italy

Schlumberger, Riesling D'Alsace

$78.00

Alsace-France 2016

Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc

$58.00

Marlborough-New Zealand

Meerlust Estate, Chardonnay

$90.00

Stellenbosch-South Africa

Red Wines

Allegrini, Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico

$135.00

Veneto-Italy

Belle Glos, Pinot Noir

$92.00

Monterey County-California

Caymus, California Cabernet Sauvignon

$80.00

Napa Valley-California

CHÂTEAU LAGUINE, GRAND CRU CLASSÉ HAUT MEDOC

$175.00

Bordeaux-France

Col D'Orcia, Brunello Di Montalcino

$80.00

Tuscany-Italy

Decoy By Duckhorn, Cabernet Sauvignon

$60.00

Sonoma County-California

DELAS FRÈRES, HAUTE PIERRE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE

$110.00

Rhone Valley-France

Duckhorn Vineyards, Merlot

$110.00

Napa Valley-California

Fontanafredda, Barbaresco

$65.00

Piedmont-Italy

Franciscan Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon

$58.00

Napa Valley-California

Marques De Riscal Reserva

$65.00

Rioja-Spain

Robert Mondavi, Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

$56.00

Central Coast-California

Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove Dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Rosso

$180.00

Tuscany-Italy

Terrazas De Los Andes, Malbec

$68.00

Mendoza-Argentina

TORRES, ALTOS IBÉRICOS RIOJA RESERVA

$55.00

Rioja-Spain

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🖼️ Menu Images

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To start, I went with the $20 upcharge wagyu beef tartare topped with caviar, and this was absolutely sinful in the best possible way. It had a thick grind, a great balance of beef and fat, and just melted in your mouth. A very strong start.

For the main course, I ordered the double-cut lamb chops and added on the $16 shrimp. You can also do a lobster tail for that same add-on price, but tonight I went with the shrimp. The lamb chops were huge, cooked a perfect medium, and very well seasoned. The shrimp were good too, though shrimp are shrimp.

When it came time for dessert, I skipped it because I was running short on time and needed to get moving.

So despite not having the best table in the house, dinner at Butcher’s Cut was a win. The food was excellent, the service was good, and if they could somehow figure out how to keep the wandering herd from trampling through the dining area, it would be even better.

Speakeasy on MSC World America

Time for my secret event: MSC World America’s Speakeasy Bar.

This super-secret, not-talked-about-at-all, wink wink, nudge nudge bar first debuted on the first World Class ship, MSC World Europa, and it’s been a hit ever since. If you’ve ever taken a picture in front of, or inside, the British phone booth on Deck 6 forward, that innocent-looking prop is actually the entrance to a Prohibition-style, invite-only bar hidden down below.

I first got invited to experience the speakeasy on the inaugural voyage last April, and this year I got the invite again.

So how do you get in?

Well, that’s the tricky part.

If you’re staying in Yacht Club, you may find the little “tokens” that act as your invitation waiting for you in your room, or you can ask your butler about them. For everyone else, scoring a token usually comes down to getting one from a bar manager, supervisor, or officer. You can try asking, but because this is all supposed to be a secret, they’ll often play along with the theme and pretend they have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about.

Other times, you can kind of be “recommended” for an invite. Bartenders are clearly paying attention to which guests are spending above and beyond their drink package or ordering top-shelf stuff and are likely candidates to spend even more money in the speakeasy, where cocktails are $22 and are not included in any beverage package. So yes, while it’s a fun hidden-bar experience, it’s also very much a revenue-generating experience, and they want the right crowd in there ordering drinks.

One quick note about the tokens. Guests who get them and either have no clue what they are or just never wind up going have apparently been keeping them as souvenirs, and MSC is running low on them. So you may not actually get a physical token anymore. Instead, the person inviting you may just take your cabin number and tell you what day and time to show up. So if you don’t get a token to hand over at the door, don’t panic. If they’ve got your cabin number and you’re on the list, you’re good.

My time was 9:00 p.m., and I got there at 8:45 only to find a line already waiting to get in.

Yacht Club guests are usually let in first and get the good seats, while those arriving later wind up with what can be described as the cheap seats. Small groups are then led through the phone booth, where photos and video are no longer allowed. That’s a change from the inaugural sailing, when people were able to take pictures on the way in. Now you can only take photos once you’re actually inside the speakeasy itself.

From there, you’re led down two flights of fairly steep stairs through a crew-only area to Deck 4, where the speakeasy is tucked away. Once inside, you’re greeted by the hostess and then shown into the bar itself, which has a mishmash of chairs and tables that fit the whole hidden-Prohibition-bar vibe pretty well.

As guests file in, servers come around to take drink orders from the special cocktail menu. There is one non-alcoholic drink on the menu for those who don’t drink, but the rest of the cocktails are definitely on the pricey side and most are presented with a lot more flair than anything else you’ll find around the ship. Some come out smoked in little boxes, others are served in elaborate glassware, and the whole thing is clearly designed to make you feel like you’re somewhere a little more exclusive than the average cruise ship bar.

Once everyone is in and settled, the entertainment begins.

There are two main acts during the evening, a male and female vocal duo backed by a pianist and bassist. After their set wraps up, an Italian trio takes over with a mix of Italian party songs and some rock and roll. The whole event lasts about 90 minutes and is a fun mix of music, cocktails, and atmosphere.

Now, compared to the original version I saw last year, the show has changed.

Most noticeably, the wild interaction from the crew acting as the bar staff has been toned way down. On the inaugural sailing, the servers and staff were really part of the act. They were over the top, they were funny, they were a little chaotic, and it added a lot to the whole experience. It made the night feel more immersive and a whole lot more memorable. This time around, that side of it has definitely been dialed back. I’ve been told some of the original antics were considered “too flamboyant” for certain guests, so the crew interaction has been minimized and now the entertainment is much more focused on the singers and musicians.

Personally, I think that’s a bit of a shame.

The original version was a lot more fun because the crew really helped bring the whole thing to life. Now it feels a little more sanitized than it did before, and I do hope MSC rethinks that at some point. That said, it’s still a very enjoyable experience, and if you happen to get an invite, absolutely do not skip it. It will likely wind up being one of the more memorable things you do on the cruise.

Just make sure you get there early if you want the better seats.

After a long day at sea and a night at the speakeasy, it was time to call it a day. We’ve got another sea day tomorrow, and in tomorrow’s report I’m going to talk a bit about the different bars around the ship and two special beverage events I have reservations for.

Until then, thanks for following along.

MSC World America Day 5 Daily Program

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