ONBOARD THE MSC WORLD AMERICA -- In designing its first ship for the U.S. market, MSC Cruises made no secret of its efforts to appeal to American tastes.
From hamburgers to a sports bar to a show based on beloved American '80s film "Dirty Dancing," the ship was designed to ensure the U.S. market would feel at home on the 6,762-passenger MSC World America.
On the ship's inaugural voyage (an April 12 departure from Miami), it was clear that guests will still feel they are on MSC, whose DNA as an Italian family company gives it a distinction among cruise lines operating in the U.S. The brand sums that up in its first ad campaign for the U.S. market, which features the ship's godmother, Drew Barrymore, and Orlando Bloom: "American comfort meets European style."
While this ship touts amenities that will appeal to all nationalities, including the first Eataly at sea and kids' spaces inspired by MSC's partnership with Lego, major changes were made to the blueprint of its sister vessel, the first-in-class World Europa, to better entice Americans.
Here are some of the additions made to suit American tastes, along with the amenities that stay true to MSC's brand identity.
The MSC World America is home to the cruise line's first outdoor theme park at sea, The Harbour. Photo Credit: Brittany Chrusciel
The Harbour outdoor park
While the World Europa features ample deck space for sunbathing, the World America is home to the cruise line's first outdoor theme park at sea, collectively known as The Harbour. A jumble of top-deck attractions has become synonymous with family-focused megaships, and the World America offers such thrills across Decks 20 and 21.
The Cliffhanger has been a hit with thrill seekers and content creators. Photo Credit: Brittany Chrusciel
In addition to the Jaw Drop, a dry slide that winds down to Deck 8, cruisers will find an obstacle course called the Adventure Trail; a Lighthouse play area; three waterslides; a kids' pool and splash area; and, swinging 160 feet out over the edge of the ship, the Harbour's crown jewel: the Cliffhanger, which was inspired by a swing atop A'DAM Lookout, an observation deck in Amsterdam.
During a media panel, Lynn Torrent, the new president of MSC Cruises USA, said the Cliffhanger has been a huge hit across social media channels, with content creators and guests widely sharing the heart-stopping, cherry-red swing.
The bar inside of The Loft, MSC’s first comedy club. Photo Credit: Brittany Chrusciel
A sports bar and comedy club
Top of mind for those developing the World America's spaces was an American-style sports bar. Occupying a sizeable piece of real estate in the outdoor World Promenade District, the All-Stars Sports Bar offers indoor and outdoor seating, bar snacks, lots of TVs and plenty of beer, including an exclusive brew developed in partnership with Miami-based Cerveceria La Tropical.
Beer lovers will also enjoy the full-scale microbrewery inside of Masters of the Sea Brewery and Pub on Deck 8, with a range of signature beers developed in partnership with Italian brewmaster Teo Musso of Baladin Brewery.
A dedicated comedy club had been missing from MSC ships when it came to entertainment venues for an American audience. The Loft, on Deck 8, is a multipurpose, adults-only bar and club hosting comedy acts, dueling pianos and karaoke late into the night.
"Dirty Dancing in Concert" performers sing and dance on stage as well as on platforms surrounded by the audience. Photo Credit: Brittany Chrusciel
Diner-style eats and 'Dirty Dancing'
Luna Park Pizza & Burger: Named in conjunction with the Luna Park arcade and complex in the World Galleria District on Deck 6, this casual eatery feeds Americans' appetite for hamburgers and pizza.
Kids looking to grab lunch near the arcade or revelers looking for late-night bites can satisfy their fast-food cravings at this diner-style spot.
In "Dirty Dancing in Concert," boy meets girl and they dance their way through a very memorable soundtrack. The 1987 blockbuster film has been adapted into a song-and-dance production for the World Theatre.
While the cast talent was excellent and some of the music inspired sing-alongs, this is not the Broadway-style production some might expect after sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean ships.
A chocolate sculpture inside of onboard café and chocolate shop Jean-Philippe. Photo Credit: Brittany Chrusciel
MSC's classic style and quality coffee
Where some popular U.S.-based cruise lines might focus heavily on quirky artwork on their ships, cruisers on MSC will find reflective surfaces and sophisticated nods to global travel like stylized sepia photographs lining passenger hallways.
"The elegant design of the ship speaks for itself," said Suzanne Salas, MSC Cruises USA's senior vice president of marketing, e-commerce and sales. She added that the owners, the Aponte-Vago family, "puts so much thought and attention to the detail and the appointment of the ship -- which is a very strong reflection of the European style."
Regarding coffee, no European cruise line is going to skimp on the quality, and that is especially true on this ship, with espresso machines in every restaurant and the Coffee Emporium, which debuted on the World Europa. The location of this upscale coffeehouse along the World Promenade embodies the café culture of Europe, where one can sit, sip and linger. The menu features a variety of global coffees and styles as well as pastries and sandwiches.
Back along the World Galleria on Deck 6, the Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Cafe further caters to the European sweet tooth with chocolate delights and high-quality gelato, along with boozy coffees. My American palate was not complaining.
Multiple MSC execs said Greek restaurant Paxos is their favorite spot on the MSC World America. Photo Credit: Brittany Chrusciel
Greek food at Paxos
The team behind Greek restaurant Paxos really brought the space to life on the World America with a stunning, white-and-blue façade mimicking the famous skyline of Santorini, complete with bougainvillea framing the doorways.
Paxos Terrace, a seating area above the restaurant accessed by a flight of stairs, offers the perfect place to people-watch along the World Promenade.
Added for the always-on-the-go American guest is Paxos on the Go, a window where cruisers can order gyros and other fast-casual menu items for a takeaway lunch.
"Queen Symphonic" dancers and singers perform across a wide stage and along the stairs in the Panorama Lounge, while the guitarist takes flight. Photo Credit: Brittany Chrusciel
'Queen Symphonic' will rock you
If "Dirty Dancing" was brought onboard World America for Americans, then "Queen Symphonic" in the Panorama Lounge takes care of the rest of the world. This ode to global musical sensation Queen first debuted in the U.K. and blends a live rock band with a symphony orchestra (in this case recorded) for a lush take on hits like "Radio Ga Ga."
It takes four singers (two male, two female) to match the vocal prowess of Freddie Mercury, but they nail the assignment.
An acrobat performs outside of the All-Stars Sports Bar along the World Promenade during the ship's christening gala. Photo Credit: Brittany Chrusciel