Day 7 brings us to the final full day of this seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard MSC World America, and we’re ending it at one of my favorite cruise line private destinations, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas. World America arrived right around 8:00 a.m., and with departure scheduled for 8:00 p.m. and all aboard at 7:30, we had an entire day to spend on the island without constantly looking at the clock.

I’ve been coming to Ocean Cay since not long after it first opened in 2019, and I’ve probably written more about this place than any other cruise line private destination. I’ve watched it grow, change, get new food venues, open new beaches, add crew housing, expand its conservation efforts, and now prepare for yet another major round of construction. Through all those changes, though, Ocean Cay has managed to hang onto the thing that has always made it different from places like Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay or the recently redeveloped Great Stirrup Cay.

Ocean Cay isn’t Walt Disney World Bahamas.

There are no giant water slides, no zip line, and no massive amusement-park-style pool complex. If that’s what you’re looking for, there are plenty of other cruise line private destinations that will happily give it to you. Ocean Cay is for people who want a beach, clear water, a drink, some food, and a few hours where doing absolutely nothing is considered perfectly acceptable.

Ocean Cay Remains a Work in Progress

One thing you learn after visiting Ocean Cay over and over is that MSC never really seems to consider the island finished. There has almost always been some type of construction happening somewhere, and this visit was no exception.

MSC has already announced a significant round of enhancements scheduled to be completed by late 2027, with the biggest being an extension of the existing pier so two ships can dock here simultaneously. Right now, Ocean Cay is essentially a one-ship destination, and that keeps it from feeling overwhelmed even when that one ship happens to be MSC World America carrying 6,ooo+ people. Once two ships can call at the same time, the entire equation changes.

MSC appears to understand that because the pier isn’t the only thing being expanded. Seakers Family Cove is finally getting a redesign with more activities geared toward families, including a splash area, playground, and ropes-course-style elements, while an adults-only beach experience is also planned. More cabanas and additional dining venues are coming as well, all of which will be needed if the number of passengers on the island suddenly doubles on certain days.

Walking around this time, one of the most noticeable construction projects was more employee housing.

MSC has already expanded the employee townhomes in the past, and even more housing units are now going up. That makes perfect sense when you think about what’s coming because more restaurants, more bars, more activities, more cabanas, and potentially two ships in port means a lot more people are going to be needed to run all of it. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes changes that probably doesn’t mean much to the average passenger, but if you’ve watched Ocean Cay develop over the years, it gives you a pretty good idea of just how much MSC expects this place to grow.

Then there’s the biggest project of all, and it isn’t even technically part of Ocean Cay.

MSC is building another island right next door.

The project was originally referred to internally as Little Cay, but it now has an official name – Sandy Cay. MSC says it’s going to be a more intimate and upscale expeience designed for guests of both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, with a focus on beaches, nature, water, and a more premium experience rather than turning it into another theme park. It’s currently scheduled to open in 2028.

Exactly how Sandy Cay will work for MSC passengers, what access will cost, what will be included, and how much of it will be reserved for premium guests remains a secret.

Beaches at Ocean Cay

Ocean Cay has more than two miles of beachfront, and one mistake first-time visitors make is getting off the ship, seeing the first patch of sand, and deciding that must be where they’re spending the day.

You can absolutely do that, but you don’t have to.

Lighthouse Beach is the obvious choice because it’s right near the arrival area, has fantastic views of the lighthouse and ship, and puts you close to drinks, food, and everything else around the main entrance. It also fills up quickly because a lot of passengers walk off the gangway, see water, and immediately stop walking.

South Beach and North Beach sit around the large lagoon and calm water, which makes them great if your main plan is swimming. South Beach tends to be busier because of its proximity to Seakers Food Court, bars, restrooms, and many of the cabanas, while North Beach can be a little quieter depending on how busy the island is.

Bimini Beach takes more effort to reach, which is precisely why I like it. The farther you get from the ship, the fewer people seem interested in continuing, and Ocean Cay gets considerably more peaceful once you escape the first couple of high-traffic areas.

That’s really the trick here. Keep walking.

Beach Chairs and Umbrellas Aren’t Free

Here’s one change I’m not particularly thrilled about.

Traditional beach loungers and umbrellas are no longer simply something you walk up and use. MSC now rents the chair-and-umbrella setups in the main beach areas, joining the growing list of things cruise lines have figured out they can charge extra for.

I hate it.

One of the things I always liked about Ocean Cay was how easy it was to get off the ship, find somewhere to settle in, and have a simple beach day without immediately opening your wallet. Now, if your definition of a beach day specifically requires a lounger and umbrella, plan on paying for them.

The important thing to know, though, is that you do not have to rent a chair to enjoy Ocean Cay.

There is still a tremendous amount of open beach space around the island. Bring a towel from the ship and throw it down on the sand, find a hammock, wander farther away from the main areas, grab a drink, and make your own little spot for the day. If you’re willing to give up the idea that you need a reserved lounger directly in front of the water, Ocean Cay can still be a very inexpensive port day.

That’s exactly what I did.

Cabanas at Ocean Cay

I’ve rented cabanas at Ocean Cay many times over the years.

Cabanas can be a great option if you’re traveling with several people, want guaranteed shade, or simply want a home base where everyone can leave their stuff while wandering around. They accommodate up to six guests and usually include seating, loungers, floating mats, towels, and bottled or canned water, depending on the specific cabana package.

I didn’t rent one today, but you can read by Guide to Renting a Cabana at Ocean Cay if you’re considering one.

Instead, I walked until I found a quiet beach with an available hammock and decided that was good enough.

Later in the afternoon, I headed over to the lagoon for a swim.

The lagoon is one of the better swimming spots on Ocean Cay because the water is generally calm and protected compared with the beaches that face the open ocean. If you’re someone who just wants to float around without dealing with much surf, this is where I’d go.

One thing worth remembering is that the beaches here aren’t covered in soft sand people imagine when they picture The Bahamas. Depending on where you enter the ocean, you can run into shells, coral fragments, and some rocky patches, so water shoes aren’t a terrible thing to throw in your beach bag.  The lagoon, however, is much smoother.

Food and Drinks on Ocean Cay

Seakers Food Court and Boho are the main dining spots, serving a BBQ-style buffet with burgers, chicken, salads, sides, fruit, and the usual assortment of things.

There are also food trucks around the island serving quick bites, which can save you from making a long walk back toward the main food court just because you want something small. Bars are scattered around the various beach areas as well, so unless you’ve managed to intentionally walk to the most remote corner of the island, you’re usually not terribly far from a drink.

If you have a beverage package, it is accepted at Ocean Cay!

What Happened to the Marine Conservation Center?

On my way back toward the ship later in the afternoon, I stopped at the MSC Foundation Marine Conservation Center.

The Conservation Center opened with plenty of fanfare and was promoted as a place where guests could learn more about coral restoration, marine ecosystems, scientific research, and the conservation work tied to Ocean Cay.

Unfortunately, what I saw today made almost no sense at all.

There were no activities scheduled there during our visit. The tanks were either empty or covered up, there wasn’t any obvious signage explaining what was going on, and nothing inside gave me the impression that guests were actually supposed to be there learning about anything.

So I wandered around to see if I was missing something.

That apparently made me suspicious.

A worker carrying a radio started following me, and at one point I heard him call over it, “He’s just walking around and making his way out.”

Ummm… okay.

To be very clear, I have no idea what conservation or research work may currently be taking place behind the scenes. I’m not suggesting MSC has abandoned that work because I have absolutely no evidence to support that. I’m talking specifically about the guest-facing Conservation Center, which during this visit seemed like a complete waste of space and didn’t come anywhere close to living up to the press releases that accompanied its opening.

Back to the Ship, Then Right Back Out

By late afternoon, I had enough sun for a while and headed back onboard to cool off and freshen up.

This is one of the huge advantages of Ocean Cay having an actual pier.

Since all aboard wasn’t until 7:30 p.m., I had no intention of staying onboard.

After cooling off and changing, I headed right back onto the island around sunset.

By then, a lot of passengers were already back aboard, and Ocean Cay had an entirely different feel. The heat of the day had backed off, the beach areas had emptied out considerably, and the whole place became incredibly quiet.

This was probably my favorite part of the entire day.

Main Dining Room Dinner Menus

MSC World America Main Dining Room Dinner Menu - Night 7

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

Available on: MSC World America

Starters - Daily Specials

Marinated Octopus

stewed with roasted vegetables

Stuffed Baked Mushrooms

stuffed with sautéed spinach, grated Parmesan

Vegetable Spring Rolls

sweet chili sauce, lemongrass, cilantro

Beef and Barley Soup

pearled barley, braised beef, root vegetables

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

Penne all’Amatriciana

San Marzano tomatoes, pancetta, pecorino romano

Wild Barramundi Fillet

pan-fried, lemon beurre blanc

Chicken Coq au Vin

classic French recipe with bacon

Slow-Braised Lamb Shank

onion mashed potatoes, buttered green beans

Chef’s Indian Vegetarian

today’s curated lentil and vegetable selection

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 whipped potatoes

Desserts

Chocolate Duo Cake

dark and white Bavarian cream, Sacher biscuit

Coconut Cake

biscuit, coconut cream, raspberry sauce

Grandma’s Chocolate Cake

with layers of dulce de leche and chocolate fudge

New York Cheesecake

strawberry compote

Chocolate Fudge Cake

strawberry compote

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

Valdo Prosecco DOC

$14.00 / $49.00

Italy

Sommelier's Recommendations - White Wines

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

$58.00

New Zealand

Castello di Poggio Moscato

$14.00 / $49.00

Italy

Sommelier's Recommendations - Rosé Wine

Gérard Bertrand Côtes des Roses Rosé

$15.00 / $54.00

France

Sommelier's Recommendations - Red Wines

Borgogno Nebbiolo No Name

$76.00

Italy

Errazuriz Carménère

$14.00 / $49.00

Chile

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🖼️ Menu Images

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MSC World America Yacht Club Restaurant Dinner Menu - Night 7

Available on: MSC World America

Starters

Assorted Chinese Dumplings

sweet chili sauce, fresh cilantro

Potato Mascarpone Flan

aromatic herbs, shallots, coarse pepper, cheese fondue

Watermelon Tofu Salad

fresh mint, pumpkin seeds and oil

Beef and Barley Soup

pearled barley, braised beef, root vegetables

Entrées

Pappardelle with Duck Ragout

roasted duck, juniper berries, white wine, sage

Shrimp Risotto

carnaroli rice, Mediterranean shrimp, white fish reduction, cherry tomatoes, shrimp bisque

Seared Diver Scallops with Ginger Lime Butter Sauce

diced tomatoes, chervil, broccoli florets, vegetable jasmine pilaf rice

Slow-cooked Lamb Shank, Chianti Wine Sauce

garlic chive mashed potatoes, minted parsnips and carrots

Chef's Indian Vegetarian

today’s curated lentil and vegetable selection

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

Every day a different selection of fresh-baked bread

Six-grain rolls topped with assorted seeds - Country white rolls - Green olive focaccia - Grissini

Desserts

International Cheese Selection from the Trolley

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

Chocolate Duo Cake

dark and white Bavarian cream, Sacher biscuit

Tarte Tatin

confit apple, butter caramel, mascarpone crème fleurette

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

Chocolate Fudge Cake

strawberry compote

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

Deliciously Healthy

Herbed Gravlax Salmon

three-day cured salmon, potato patty, sour cream, salmon roe, honey mustard dressing

Indian Butter Chicken

cumin basmati rice pilaf, crispy pappadum bread, raita sauce

Fresh Fruit Plate

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🖼️ Menu Images

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Dinner at Paxos

For the final night, I headed to Paxos, the Greek and Mediterranean specialty restaurant on World America.

Paxos has always been something of a sleeper restaurant for me. Butcher’s Cut is always busy because who doesn’t love steak?  Eataly has a huge brand name behind it. Kaito has sushi and the whole teppanyaki show. Hola! has tacos and margaritas.

Then there’s Paxos.

Earlier in the cruise, my server at Butcher’s Cut told me, “Don’t order the lamb chops here. Save them for Paxos.”

When the steakhouse tells you to go somewhere else for the lamb, you listen.

Paxos

Paxos brings laid-back Greek taverna vibes to the ship, with shareable meze, grilled meats, and fresh seafood that lean fully into bold Mediterranean flavors. It’s lively, family-friendly, and just as good for a sit-down meal as it is for grabbing a quick bite to enjoy out on the Promenade. (Menu updated April 2026)

Available on: MSC World America

Warm Bread & Dips

Warm Bread & Dips

Tzatziki / homemade Tarama

Mezes - Cold

Greek Salad

Vine-ripened tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, onions, peppers, barrel-aged feta, extra virgin olive oil

Hummus

Large capers & mixed olives

Melitzanosalata

Smoky eggplant caviar, fresh pita

Grilled Vegetables

Peppers, carrots, seasonal vegetables, yogurt mint sauce, Mastelo cheese

Orange Salad

Baby arugula, ruby grapefruit, avocado, pomegranate seeds, acacia honey drizzle

Watermelon & Barrel-Aged Feta Cheese Salad

Crunchy Persian cucumber, shallots, mint spears, extra virgin olive oil

Mezes - Hot

Moussaka

Baked eggplant, minced beef and lamb, tomato, béchamel

Tiganita Thalassina

Lightly fried calamari, shrimp, & whitefish

Falafel

Yogurt sauce

Fried Feta Rolls

Crisp phyllo, acacia honey

Kolokithokeftedes

Zucchini fritters, herbed Greek yogurt

Grilled Octopus

Potato stew, smoked Paprika

Entrées - The Sea

The Sea

Check out our vast selection of fish and seafood on ice to handpick your favorite catch, cooked to perfection. A limited selection of our premium offering is available for a small supplement based on selection and weight. Perfectly portioned for individual enjoyment or sharing.

Entrées - The Land

Grilled Lamb Chops

Served with tzatziki

Giaourtlou Kebab

Grilled pita bread, lamb & beef skewers, tzatziki

Kota Riganati

Roasted chicken thighs marinated with Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic, herbs

Lamb Kleftiko

Parchment-wrapped baked lamb shank, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, Kefalotyri cheese

Desserts

Karydopita

Spiced walnut cake, vanilla ice cream

Portokalopita

Zesty phyllo cake, orange drizzle

Baklava

Greek yogurt, honey, pistachio

Fresh Fruit

Seasonal selection

Ouzo Cocktails

Anise & Cherry Splash

$18.00

Ouzo, lime, cherry juice, Maraschino cherries

Greek Garden Fizz

$18.00

Ouzo, lime juice, thyme syrup, Angostura bitters, cucumber, basil, soda water

Greek Bloody Mary

$18.00

Ouzo, tomato juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, celery salt, paprika, black pepper, cumin

Raspberry Slush

$18.00

Ouzo, raspberries, lemon juice, simple syrup

The Bold Greek Martini

$18.00

Ouzo, orange and pineapple juice, vodka, lemon juice

Non-Alcoholic

Soumada

$11.00

Traditional almond milk and almond syrup, on ice

Greek Frappe Coffee

$11.00

Frothed instant coffee, milk, sugar

Zamboukos Mojito

$11.00

Elderflower syrup, lime, mint, sugar, soda water

The Greek Lantern

$11.00

Parsley, lime zest, sugar, lemon juice, soda water

Greek Sour Cherry "Sangria"

$11.00

Non-alcoholic wine, sour cherry juice, orange juice, Maraschino cherries, orange

Ouzo

Mitilini

$9.00 | $62.00

Tirnavou Kardasi

$10.00 | $72.00

Plomari

$8.00 | $52.00

Champagne & Sparkling Wines

Laurent Perrier, Brut

$100.00

Reims-France

Laurent Perrier, Cuvée Rosé

$125.00

Reims-France

Ktima Tselepos Amalia Brut

$15.00 | $60.00

Arcadia-Greece

Ktima Tselepos Amalia Brut Rosé

$15.00 | $60.00

Arcadia-Greece

Ca' del Bosco, Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige

$21.00 | $83.00

Lombardy-Italy

Marchese Antinori, Franciacorta Rosé

$70.00

Lombardy-Italy

Rosé Wines

Driopi, Agiorgitico

$14.00 | $56.00

Nemea-Greece

Parparoussis, Sideritis Petit Fleur

$65.00

Patras-Greece

Domaine Ott, BY.OTT Côtes de Provence Rosé

$65.00

Côtes de Provence-France

Château d'Esclans, Whispering Angel

$69.00

Côtes de Provence-France

Gérard Bertrand, Côte des Roses

$40.00

Languedoc-France

White Wines

Biblia Chora, Pangeon Assyrtiko Areti

$72.00

Kavala-Greece

Biblia Chora, Sauvignon-Assyrtiko

$70.00

Kavala-Greece

Gerovassilion, Chardonnay

$75.00

Epanomi-Greece

Geovassilion, Malagousia

$72.00

Epanomi-Greece

Parparoussis, Sideritis

$65.00

Patras-Greece

Tselepos, Moschofilero Mantinia

$14.00 | $56.00

Arcadia-Greece

Caymus, Conundrum White Blend

$74.00

Napa Valley-California

Pascal Bouchard, Montmains les Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru Chablis

$75.00

Matua, Sauvignon Blanc

$14.00 | $56.00

Marlborough-New Zealand

Schlumberger, Riesling d'Alsace

$78.00

Alsace-France (2016)

Red Wines

Driopi, Nemea Reserve Agiorgitico

$72.00

Nemea-Greece

Vouni Panayia, Maratheftiko-Mavro-Placota

$15.00 | $58.00

Paphos-Cyprus

Belle Glos, Pinot Noir

$92.00

Monterey County-California

Château Brown le Colombier Red Blend

$65.00

Bordeaux-France

Col d'Orcia, Brunello di Montalcino

$80.00

Tuscany-Italy

Delas Frères, Haute Pierre Châteauneuf-du-Pape

$110.00

Rhône Valley-France

Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva

$65.00

Rioja-Spain

Torres, Altos Ibéricos Rioja Reserva

$14.00 | $55.00

Rioja-Spain

Dessert Wine

Parparoussis, Mavrodaphne

$9.00 | $72.00

Patras-Greece

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🖼️ Menu Images

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Dinner starts with warm pita bread served for dipping.

For starters, I ordered the fried feta rolls along with Tiganita Thalassina, a plate of lightly fried calamari, shrimp, and whitefish. Both were excellent, but the feta rolls took the top spot for me.

Next came the reason I was here: the lamb chops.

I ordered them medium, and they arrived cooked perfectly. They were tender, flavorful, and proved that my Butcher’s Cut server knew exactly what he was talking about when he told me to save the lamb for Paxos.

Dessert was baklava, and it was dense, sticky, sweet, loaded with flavor, and exactly what I wanted after the lamb chops.

Paxos is a sleeper, but don’t sleep on it.

With that out of the way, it’s time to look back at the entire week.

Overall Review of MSC World America

This was my third cruise aboard MSC World America, starting with her inaugural sailing from Miami in April 2025. By this point, the novelty of simply being onboard a brand-new ship is long gone, which actually makes it much easier to judge the experience.

Embarkation at PortMiami

Embarkation was almost two completely separate experiences.

Getting to PortMiami was the usual mess. I took Brightline from Boca Raton to Miami, which remains my preferred way to get there, but then had one Uber driver sit motionless for about 20 minutes before I finally canceled and requested another. Once the replacement arrived, the normally short ride from downtown Miami to the port took about 25 minutes because we had seven ships in port and traffic was doing what PortMiami traffic does best: making everyone miserable.

Once I reached MSC’s terminal, everything changed.

I’m Diamond with MSC, which gave me some priority, but the technology inside that terminal deserves a lot of the credit. Passport scan, facial recognition, security, and I was through the process and heading toward the ship in less than five minutes.

Fantastica Deluxe Balcony Stateroom 11283

For this cruise, I stayed in Fantastica Deluxe Balcony stateroom 11283 on Deck 11 aft.

The room itself was pretty standard for a modern balcony cabin, with twin beds that convert into one larger bed, a sofa, television, closet, and enough storage for two people without much trouble. Put three or four people in there along with all their luggage and everyone’s crap, and things are going to get tight very quickly.

The balcony was comfortable with two chairs and a small table.  The bathroom had a proper glass shower door, which automatically earns points in my book, and there were enough outlets and USB connections around the cabin that I never had to play the nightly game of deciding which device deserved to be charged.

Most importantly, the cabin was quiet.

Itinerary

The itinerary was fairly light on ports, with Puerto Plata, San Juan, and Ocean Cay separated by three sea days.

Eastern Caribbean: MSC World America

Dates: Sep 5, 2026 – Sep 12, 2026

Homeport: Miami, FL

Ship Facts: 2025 build • 205,700 GT • 6,774 passengers

7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise sailing from PortMiami to the Dominican Republic, San Juan, and MSC's private island in The Bahamas, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.

Date	Port	Country	Start	End
Sep 5	Miami, FL	United States		5:00 PM
Sep 6	At Sea	–	–	–
Sep 7	Puerto Plata	Dominican Republic	9:00 AM	5:00 PM
Sep 8	San Juan	Puerto Rico	9:00 AM	11:00 PM
Sep 9	At Sea	–	–	–
Sep 10	At Sea	–	–	–
Sep 11	Ocean Cay Marine Reserve	Bahamas	8:00 AM	8:00 PM
Sep 12	Miami, FL		7:00 AM

Normally, I’d say three sea days on a seven-night Caribbean cruise might be a bit much, but World America there’s so much to explore onboard that you can fill the day without trying particularly hard.

Puerto Plata was the weakest port day for me, not because I dislike the city but because the tour guides and drivers were relentless once I left Taino Bay. I understand people are trying to make money from tourism, but when someone politely says no and you continue following them down the street, it stops being a sales pitch and starts becoming harassment.

San Juan was the complete opposite.

We had a fantastic long stay from morning until 11:00 p.m., giving me plenty of time to explore Old San Juan and  head back out for dinner in town and still not feel rushed.

MSC World America Restaurants and Food

I didn’t have the opportunity to dine in the main dining room this cruise, as I concentrated on the specialty dining restaurants and after three cruises on this ship, my specialty dining rankings have changed.

Butcher’s Cut ($): ★★★★★

Butcher’s Cut takes the top spot.

I ate there twice this week, and both meals were excellent.  The thing that moves Butcher’s Cut to number one isn’t that one dish blew me away. It’s consistency.

Both dinners were great, the steaks were cooked properly, the service was excellent, and there wasn’t much of anything to complain about. After three trips on World America, that matters.

Paxos ($): ★★★★☆

Paxos is number two and probably the most underrated specialty restaurant onboard.

Having someone at Butcher’s Cut tell me not to order their lamb chops and save them for Paxos was a pretty good endorsement, and he was absolutely right.

Greek and Mediterranean food may not be the first thing some passengers think about when booking specialty dining, which is probably why Paxos flies under the radar compared with steak, Italian, or sushi.

Kaito Teppanyaki ($): ★★★★☆

Kaito is harder to rank because the food was very good but the actual teppanyaki experience was disappointing, so it’s going to sit tied in the number 2 spot with Paxos.

The wagyu, lobster, seafood, fried rice, and vegetables were all good. From a food standpoint, there was very little to complain about.

The problem was that the show had basically disappeared.

No onion volcano, no utensil banging, no egg tricks, hardly any jokes, no singing, and none of the theatrical stuff that makes teppanyaki something more than watching somebody cook dinner on a flat-top grill.

Add in being seated with part of a 15-person Spanish family where none of us could communicate with one another, and it turned into one of the more awkward dinners I’ve had on a ship.

Hola! Tacos & Cantina ($) ★★★☆☆

Hola! lands in the third position, but that’s more because of what it is than because there’s anything wrong with it.

At around $25 for all-you-can-eat, this remains one of the best specialty dining bargains on the ship. The small street tacos were flavorful, the chips and queso were good, the dulce de leche was a solid dessert, and I liked being able to try several different things without committing to one giant plate.

My main complaint was that everything showed up almost simultaneously, so dinner felt rushed and food started getting cold before I could get to it.

Still, for $25? Book it.

Eataly ($): ★★☆☆☆

Eataly used to be my clear number-one restaurant aboard World America.  It’s now at the bottom of the speciality dining list.

The tuna tartare I had this week was fresh and flavorful, but the short ribs and broccoli rabe were simply okay, portions are small, and being asked to pay another $8 for a basic salad didn’t exactly help the value equation.

Nothing was bad. That’s important.

But for a restaurant carrying the Eataly name and charging $55 for three courses, “nothing was bad” isn’t exactly a glowing recommendation. I’ll eat there again because I’ve had several excellent meals there in the past, but after this cruise it slides to number four.

The Buffet and Pizza

MSC still makes fantastic pizza.

That remains true whether you’re grabbing it at Pizza & Burger or finding it at one of the buffets. Pizza is one of those things MSC consistently does better than many of its competitors, and I’m not sure I’ve ever had a bad slice on one of their ships.

The buffet, however, remains an absolute hot mess during peak times.

Sea-day lunch was the worst. The place was wall-to-wall people, every station had a line, passengers were moving in every possible direction, people were cutting into queues wherever they felt like it, and once you actually managed to get food, finding a table became the next adventure.

World America has a smaller buffet upstairs on Deck 19 during breakfast and lunch, and that’s worth remembering when Deck 18 looks like humanity has decided to fight over the last plate of French fries.

The food itself wasn’t really the problem.

Surviving the buffet was the problem.

Fellow Passengers

And now we get to one of the biggest negatives.

MSC attracts a very international passenger base, which is something I generally like. You meet people from all over the world, hear a dozen different languages while walking around the ship, and the onboard experience feels the complete opposite of a brand line Carnival or Royal Caribbean.

With that international mix, though, come some very different ideas about personal space and queuing.

Elevators were the biggest offender.

The doors open, people are trying to get out, and suddenly there are passengers forcing their way inside before anyone has had a chance to exit.

I will never understand this.

Where exactly do you think the people currently inside are going to go if you don’t let them out first?

Line cutting was another constant annoyance, especially in the buffet. You could have a clearly defined queue of people waiting their turn, and someone would simply walk up and insert themselves wherever they felt like it.

Then there was smoking.

World America has designated smoking areas, and smoking is prohibited in staterooms and on balconies. That didn’t stop me from smelling cigarette smoke on my balcony or encountering people lighting up where they weren’t supposed to.

I understand smoking remains much more common in many parts of Europe than it is in the United States, but designated smoking areas only work if people actually use them and the rules are enforced.

This has been a recurring MSC annoyance for me, and nothing about this cruise changed that.

Ship Condition

World America is still a very new ship, and overall she looks it.

Public areas were clean, crew members were constantly working, and there was nothing I saw that made me think MSC was allowing its flagship to start looking worn or neglected.  Except carpet.  MSC does not use the multi-colored, vomit and stain hiding carpets you’ll find on ships and hotels.  They use a solid color.  Spilled drinks, bleach from cleaning, traffic, makes even the smallest stain look horrible.  Carpet NEEDS to be replaced in many areas already.

Besides the carpet, their ships generally look sharp.

You don’t typically pull up next to an MSC vessel and see huge rust streaks running down the side or obvious signs that basic maintenance has been ignored.

World America still looks like a flagship and is being treated like one.

Disembarkation at PortMiami

Disembarkation had one annoying delay followed by another example of how good MSC’s Miami terminal is once things start moving.

I went with standard luggage service and put my bag outside the cabin the night before rather than doing self-assist. As a Diamond member, I was scheduled to be among the first groups off at around 6:45 a.m., but disembarkation didn’t actually begin until closer to 7:15.

By then, there was a long line of people waiting.

Once the line finally began moving, though, it moved.

I got off the ship, found my luggage, walked through the terminal, hit the facial recognition checkpoint, and that was basically it.

Just like embarkation, MSC has built a terminal operation in Miami that other cruise lines should be studying.

Getting into and out of PortMiami itself remains a pain in the ass.

Getting through MSC’s terminal does not.

Final Thoughts on MSC World America

After my inaugural cruise aboard MSC World America in April 2025, I came away impressed with the ship.

After my second cruise, some of that enthusiasm had cooled and I found myself thinking more about how much I prefer MSC’s smaller Seaside-class ships.

Now, after cruise number three, I think I’ve settled somewhere in the middle.

World America is a very good ship, but is one I leave saying, “I don’t think I’ll book this one again,” yet I do.

The specialty dining is strong, there are some genuinely excellent bars, the entertainment is far better than I expected, there’s always something happening, the ship generally does a good job spreading passengers around, and MSC’s new Miami terminal makes embarkation and disembarkation ridiculously easy.

But she’s still a mega ship.

When everybody decides they want lunch at the same time, you know it.

When the elevators are busy, you know it.

When thousands of passengers are trying to move through the same part of the ship, there’s no amount of clever design that can make 6,000-plus people disappear.

I still prefer smaller ships.

That hasn’t changed.

But knowing World America as well as I do after three cruises makes sailing her much easier because I know how to avoid some of the things that annoy me. I know when not to go anywhere near the buffet. I know which bars I like. I know where to go when I want something quiet. I know which restaurants I’m booking.

At this point, World America doesn’t need to impress me anymore.

It just needs to deliver.

And for the most part, this cruise did.

MSC World America Daily Planner – Day 7

Also available as a PDF by clicking here.

MSC Ocean Cay Daily Planner

MSC World America Day-by-Day Review