You know us. We always find something to love about every cruise we go on; we’re blessed to have this cruise life of ours! That’s why we’re so disappointed that MSC let us down with MSC World America. I’ll share some of the disappointments here, but be sure to Subscribe to our YouTube channel so that you know when the full review is posted. We’ll talk about everything we loved, didn’t love, and hated about our experience on board.

Boarding

In April 2025, MSC launched the largest cruise terminal in the world in Miami, Florida. This terminal makes use of new technology to help expedite the boarding process which we love. What’s odd, though, is that it doesn’t feel like MSC put any thought into the terminal itself. It’s just a big building.

Sure, it’s nice and new, and there’s plenty of seating. But short of the LED screen when you first walk in, there’s nothing that gives that “wow” moment like Norwegian or Royal give you with their terminals. In fact, it kind of feels like a new airport. We think it’s a HUGE missed opportunity that MSC didn’t bother to tell more of their story in the terminal to really introduce themselves to America.

All Call for Boarding

While the boring terminal design didn’t impact our trip, the fact that they called “all call” for boarding at noon was bizarre. Ironically, up to that point, we said, that it was the “smoothest boarding process ever!” Our boarding group was the very next one to be called when someone decided it made sense to call all remaining guests in the terminal to board – and it was a madhouse!

We’re not sure why they even bothered handing out numbered boarding groups based on how quickly they made the general boarding announcement. There were hundreds (if not over a thousand!) people that all rushed the single boarding doors to get to the ship. This created a backup that ran down the entire terminal.

To try to fix things, they split groups into two lanes: one that utilized the new automated technology, and one that required the old-school boarding pass. We got assigned to the latter line. But, unfortunately, everyone had been told to put their documents away because of the facial scanning to board. As a result, countless people in our line had to scramble to find their documents as they got up to the podium. No announcements. Just a bit of chaos. Meanwhile, the line with facial scanning moved flawlessly.

This was the inaugural sailing, so I’m certain there will be learnings applied to future cruises. I hope that the next time someone boards, it literally is the “smoothest boarding process ever!”

“Inaugural” Sailing

When MSC announced the launch of MSC World America on April 12, 2025, we knew we had to be there. Booking over a year in advance, we’ve been excitedly counting down the days until the cruise.

Fun fact about Rocky and me: We LOVE inaugural sailings. We love the celebration and party when you first walk onto the ship along with the various events and celebrations that are hosted throughout the cruise. We love the inaugural merch we pick up in the gift shop. And we love the souvenirs and trinkets the cruise line gives to commemorate the inaugural sailing. It’s why cruisers pay more to book an inaugural – to be the first on board and the inaugural experience.

Inaugural Trinkets from other Cruise Lines

Take a look at some of the trinkets we’ve received over the years. Now do I need a Carnival Jubilee cowboy hat? Absolutely not, but we hold onto these mementos and smile as they bring back amazing memories of the first sailing.

Well, this was the biggest disappointment of all. MSC did NONE of this. There was no warm welcome when we boarded the ship. Instead, we just entered the World Galleria along with the throngs of other guests. Additionally, there were no inaugural celebrations or events. There were no trinkets left in our stateroom to commemorate the sailing.

And worst of all? When we went to the gift shop to purchase merch, there were 2-3 items that actually had MSC World America on them. I chose to purchase the polo shirt and the crew member shared, “Sorry, we sold out of regular sizes on the Preview cruise and they didn’t restock us. I have XS and 3XL left if you want to buy one?”

WHAT?! I’ll get to the preview cruise in a minute, but first, what in the literal *#%^ MSC? Not only did the cruise line not bother to do anything for the inaugural voyage, they couldn’t even be bothered to replenish merch that we were willing to purchase to commemorate it. I can’t emphasize enough what a disappointment this was for me.

It turns out the mannequin was wearing my size. By the end of the cruise, that mannequin was wearing a different outfit and I *finally* got some MSC merch!! 😉

MSC Offers Preview Cruise

MSC announced that they would be offering a free Preview Cruise for select travel agents and social media influencers. This isn’t anything new in the industry. In fact, we were slated to be on Norwegian Aqua’s Boston Preview around the same time that MSC hosted the MSC World America preview. The previews are designed to create buzz, test out some of the systems and processes, and give creators the chance to capture lots of footage without getting in the way of other paying guests.

MSC went all out for the Preview Cruise – as they should! This is their chance to get folks really excited for the sailings that are ahead. There were fireworks, live performances, various celebrations and parties. In fact, the Facebook group for the Inaugural Sailing went wild when someone shared that some of the Preview Cruise merch was accidentally left behind in their cabin. Several apparently went to Guest Services who informed them that the Preview Cruise was, in fact, the inaugural sailing and this was just a standard cruise. That caused a whole bunch more consternation for cruisers excited to be the first on board.

We had friends on the Preview Cruise and I’m soooo happy they got this opportunity (go give them a follow). Being disappointed that MSC dropped the ball for actual paying guests on the inaugural shouldn’t take away anything from that Preview Cruise. In fact, I hope that *all* cruise lines do more previews as it helps both paying guests and the cruise lines themselves. This was a failure on MSC and one that we won’t soon forget.

MSC World America Stateroom Issues

While Guest Services may have told cruisers we weren’t on the inaugural, it was clear to us that we were. There were multiple inaugural-type issues we ran into during our sailing. Our sink leaked and soaked all of my toiletries the first night. Despite FOUR calls to Guest Services with promises to fix, when we debarked the vessel, the sink still drained water into the cabinets (pictured). I feel bad for the next guests in 14515. In fact, I left a paper box in there as a warning that the sink leaks.

In addition to the sink problems, our AC didn’t work. This seemed to be a common issue, however, as Guest Services shared they were aware and would send maintenance. Despite three attempts to fix the AC, we went a week in a warm room. The Guest Services agent actually told us that this is an “Eco ship” and as a result, the cabins can only get so cool. If an uncomfortably warm cabin is the norm on this ship, I wouldn’t book again.

The last thing I’ll mention about the cabin is that it wasn’t clean! There were hairs in the drain and all sorts of crumbs on the carpeting. What an odd experience being the “first” cruisers in the cabin. While our steward replenished supplies throughout the week, they were LOUD. Instead of using doorstops, they just slammed doors as they went in and out to service the stateroom. I’m really hoping this is chalked up to inaugural learnings, but we did not ever get a good night of sleep on board. Maybe that’s why I’m cranky as I type this? 😉

MSC World America Inconsistencies

The first inconsistency we ran into was our discontinued drinks package. We had the Easy Plus package and no one seemed to know what was or wasn’t included. I got charged for soda the first couple of days. “Oh, that’s a known issue. Just call each time you get charged and we’ll reverse the charge,” Guest Services told me.

The first several days, the bartender would make our Lattes at Dolce Vida Bar. The third day? A different bartender said, “No, that’s not included on your drinks package. If you want that, you need to go to Coffee Emporium and purchase it.” What?! That’s not what the drinks package says at all!

When we were at Guest Services about the AC, we brought this up. “That’s a change that was just rolled out today,” we were told as the representative backed up the bartender. The next day we went back to Dolce Vita to try again. Without issue, the bartender working made our lattes instantly (and did the rest of the cruise because they are *included* in the drinks package).

Our dinners in the Bubbles Restaurant averaged about 2 hours. And the food was just ok at best. The servers were phenomenal and we absolutely loved the team that we were assigned. But the speed and quality of food suffered. Check out our MSC World America First Night Dinner to see for yourself. Lunch? Phenomenal! Our last meal on board? Fantastic. But the experience was inconsistent.

Now, all of these we hope are chalked up to it being the “inaugural” sailing along with MSC sunsetting the old drinks package. These are all things that can be easily addressed and fixed – and hopefully, won’t be an issue at all on your sailing.

MSC World America: Consistently Inconsistent

In our full review, we’ll share everything that we absolutely LOVED about MSC World America. And there’s a lot to love. We think cruisers will be excited at the new offerings, features, and amenities included on the newest ship to MSC’s fleet.

However, as we’ve previously experienced with the brand, their execution is consistently inconsistent. An absolute amazing Preview Cruise and a letdown inaugural. Phenomenal food one night, lackluster the next. You can order your drink under the package, you can’t order your drink under the package. And the list goes on.

Designed for the American Market

MSC celebrates that MSC World America features European styling but is designed for the American market. Trust me, you will be inundated with Drew Barrymore and Orlando Bloom sharing that message on any LED screen that’s available. 😉 But what Americans truly want in a cruise line is consistency of experience. You can have the prettiest ships with the most fun attractions, but if you don’t know what you’re going to get from ship to ship – or worse, from night to night – American cruisers aren’t going to be excited about the ship. It’s something the brand HAS to figure out as they continue to expand their US presence. If they don’t, sadly, they’ll only continue to build upon their lackluster reputation.

Disclaimer: These thoughts are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of other cruisers. We spoke to many people who had an absolute amazing time and loved the ship. And we did, too! With that said, we were ready to debark MSC World America and our experience will lead us to canceling our MSC World Asia inaugural sailing at the end of 2026. If there’s nothing special about the first sailing, we don’t see a need to pay a premium for the experience. The cruise, activities, transportation, and all other expenses were paid out of pocket.