My wild ride on MSC World America – what I really think of the new ship

Words by Harriet Mallinson

It turns out I’m capable of anything on a cruise ship.

Driving an F1 car, walking a tightrope, burning 600 calories just by lying down, I do it all – and don’t get me started on climbing into a shark’s jaw. I’m Queen of the world up here, and I say that because I’m currently dangling 50m above the ocean on a giant red swing.

So goes life on new MSC Cruises vessel, MSC World America; I’ve, ahem, fully got into the swing of things. This latest leviathan (and it is one, fitting 6,762 passengers) aims to have something for everyone – from families to couples, to switch-off types to let’s-pack-in-the-action characters – and boasts seven districts to help such guests navigate all that’s on offer (hint: a lot).

On my sailing out of Florida, my holiday personality quickly becomes over-grown child as I gravitate to new “crown jewel” The Harbour. It’s pretty – pink and yellow stucco buildings, turquoise chairs, a perky red and white lighthouse – and pretty fun.

There’s Cliffhanger, the only overwater swing ride at sea; Jaw Drop (remember the shark’s entryway gob?), one of the longest dry slides at sea; multiple water slides; and even a high ropes course with zip lining. If you like your cruise views with a spicy side of adrenaline, this mini theme park is where it’s at.

– READ MORE: MSC World America ship guide – what’s onboard? –

If you’d rather buzz your mind, elsewhere there’s the games arcade and an MSC Formula Racer car simulator for F1 fans. I channel my inner Lewis Hamilton and find it’s got all the vibrating, thumping and zooming a VR motorhead could wish for – although it’s wasted on me, this nervy driver can’t even manage high speeds in a virtual world.

Then it’s over to the cruise line’s new screen-packed sports bar for a game and a cold one – because what MSC really would like you to be on this freshly-minted ship… is American. Everything here is expressly tailored to the US market – as its very name suggests. Hence the bar and local beers, comedy club [below, right], karaoke, American comfort food, grab-and-go eateries, Dirty Dancing show, Las Vegas magic act, and even an expanded and more luxurious Yacht Club (MSC’s swanky “ship within a ship” area).

Heck, even all-American sweetheart Drew Barrymore is Godmother. The title follows the actress’ role in MSC’s Super Bowl commercial this year as part of the colossal push stateside. They’re keen to keep “authentic flavours” from the continent, though (English actor Orlando Bloom joined the ad, as, erm, the “epitome of European style”) so Old World influences come via a slew of novel inclusions.

– READ MORE: Inside Drew Barrymore’s major new role –

Greek restaurant Paxos [above, left], in the open-air promenade, has every blue-and-white, bougainvillaea-adorned, rattan-lampshaded stereotype going – but it does feel like you could be down an Aegean side street as you nibble on your calamari and people watch, the sun slicing through the ship from the exposed aft. There’s even an (un-shippy, very Waitrose) fresh fish counter displaying more than 20 different types of seafood.

There’s also the first Eataly at sea, moreish macarons from a French chocolatier, and new party night ‘Après,’ delivering European ski season vibes, complete with the fashion, Europop and snow machines. An acrobatic-infused, leather-jacketed Queen extravaganza brings British flair to the mix (as does a pub) while MSC has also gone big on its (Danish) LEGO partnership.

Alongside MSC’s largest kids club yet, the first LEGO parade at sea is debuting onboard. However, the costumed walkabout really is just for children. As an adult I get most of my enjoyment watching the oversized LEGO mascots – who appear to have only just landed the job – be manoeuvred into dance poses and squeezed cumbersomely through doors like spatially unaware, recalcitrant toddlers in a cartoon farce. I assume they’ve had more practice since.

The East gets a brief look in, too, by way of MSC’s stalwart sushi bar and teppanyaki grill as well as in the spa, where Japanese sauna device Iyashi Dome promises to detoxify and slim over-indulged passengers. Just one 30-minute, horizontal session is said to equate to a 20K run as it blasts away calories and busts a whopping 1,200ml of sweat. Throw in the enormous gym, and maybe this could be the cruise where I’m finally beach body ready?

– READ MORE: We tried MSC’s second newest ship – what’s it really like? –

Of course, the Caribbean is the biggest star of all. MSC World America is home-ported in Miami (at MSC’s gleaming new terminal – the world’s largest) and offers a range of seven-night itineraries including stops in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Honduras and the line’s Bahamian private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve [above, right].

It’s here I brave the Cliffhanger swing [above, left] and soar out over the ship’s edge, pinging with exhilaration. To the left there’s the island’s iconic lighthouse and an enticing swoop of palm tree-fringed, Milky Way nougat sand, and, in front, the multi-hued blues of the Caribbean Sea – turquoise, navy, green – Poseidon’s interior designers displaying their colour swatches.

I squeal as the ride rushes forward, the American couple next to me shouting and grinning along in a wonderful display of transatlantic camaraderie. It may be star-and-spangled-banner-skewed, but this floating hotel is a wild ride for everyone. We are, after all, in the same boat.