Review: Colossal MSC World America cruise ship seems familiar, but has unique offerings ...Middle East

It’s hard to not compare MSC Cruises’ World Class ships and its largest-ever offering, the MSC World America, to similarly massive ships sailed by Royal Caribbean. But while World America may look like its competitor’s ships, it has touches that set it apart.

The 22-deck, 6,764-passenger, 216,638-gross-ton ship arrived in April in PortMiami and has settled into year-round, seven-night Caribbean itineraries.

Just like Royal’s Icon and Oasis-class ships, World America is so big, that the line carves its space up into neighborhoods, although MSC calls them districts. They’re filled with nearly 40 restaurants, bars and lounges, so it feels like a little city at sea.

In fact, from behind, people would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between an Oasis-class ship from World America with both featuring a multi-deck, twisting dry slide as a centerpiece of an open-air deck.

One thing the brand does successfully, though, is lean into its European identity, especially the Italian flair of its founders.

“We’re not trying to be an American cruise line only for Americans,” said new MSC Cruises USA president Lynn Torrent. “We do have this European DNA and that’s real, and we need to own it and lean into it. But we need to have our American guests feel comfortable. So it really is a balance.”

So in the hallways, for instance, are historical black-and-white photos of space shuttle launches, but they were labeled as “Kennedy Space Centre.” Pool depths are in both meters and feet. Elevators are called lifts. A family area on the top decks is called “The Harbour.” But at least restrooms are no longer labeled “WC” for “water closet,” something one would find on earlier MSC ships.

Perhaps the most European thing is the bumper cars with the steering wheel on the right.

And while the ship may have many similarities, the interior leans into a modern design that has been a hallmark of the MSC ships before it. Mirrors are everywhere. And a lot of the ships sparkle. At the same time, a digital ceiling that stretches down the entire World Galleria entertainment district occasionally quite often displays a massive American flag.

Taking a closer look, travelers will find World America isn’t a clone. It has its own identity.

Here are some of the best features on board:

The Cliffhanger: Who knew a simple little swing could be such a thrill? A pair of two-seater swings juts out over the edge of the ship 160 feet above the water with just a simple T-bar keeping riders safe from sliding out.

“That’s it?” exclaimed Lindsay Bonfanti before holding on for the less-than-minute-long ride that drew a few more exclamations questioning her decision-making.

For those who love heights and a hit of adrenaline without putting in any work, this ride fits the bill.

More thrills to be found: The Family Aventura district has other fast-paced options including a ropes course with two small zip lines built in. One swings riders out over the chasm of the open-air aft section of the ship more than 11 decks below.

The small water park has five slides including a speedy drop slide that shoots riders down as if being dropped out bomb-bay doors. There’s also a pair of timed, side-by-side slides that allow for healthy competition and a tube ride with an option virtual reality headset that makes for a trippy, wet trip through the jungle. Just remember to not be laughing out loud with your mouth open when you hit the bottom.

Over in the sports court, the line breaks out bumper cars for some healthy head-on collisions.

But for those who don’t mind climbing into an open shark mouth, the Jaw Drop twisting slide is a welcome, free offering, the tube of which is transparent for much of the ride offering great views on the way down.

Dirty Dancing: It’s music and dancing that most people know. Baby gets put in a corner momentarily. The choreography is spot on. The dancers nail the lift. They had the time of their lives, and fans of the film will likely walk away from the short production in the main theater with a hit of nostalgia. The line also doubles down on the partnership by airing the film and putting on its own dance party themed to the 1980s hit film that itself used music from the summer of 1963.

Dialing into other nostalgic, but popular music, the line has a show playing the hits of Queen, marrying a live rock band with orchestral and aerialist accompaniment in the Panorama Lounge. Another main stage show “Hall of Fame” pulls from a variety of pop legends such as Beyonce and Justin Timberlake.

So many flavors: MSC goes beyond simple vanilla, chocolate and swirl. Think gelato. Think multiple venues around the ship. Think massive selection. One of the best tempts travelers walking down the main World Galleria section of the ship within the Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café venue, which also features hand-crafted chocolates, 14 flavors of macarons and a tidy little coffee bar tucked in the back. But 16 gelato and sorbet flavors from pistachio to hazelnut to mango to stracciatella. There’s some pretty rich vanilla and chocolate too.

When in doubt: Pizza. The ship has plenty of dining options including the first Eataly-branded Italian specialty restaurant and a Greek venue with fresh seafood called Paxos.

But perhaps the most satisfying dish on board is free. Freshly made pizza made in authentic stone ovens is a must-have from Luna Park Pizza & Burger, plus it’s open beyond normal dining hours, so a great place to wander into after a few drinks.

Or before dinner. Or between lunch and dinner.

Pour another one: Champagne bar: Check. Mixed drinks: Check: Hand-crafted beer. Check.

The line has 18 bars and lounges, but one of the most interesting is The Gin Project venue, taking up the upper level of a space shared with the Masters of the Sea pub, both of which share a view of a live music stage. The level of detail on the history of gin with old photos and antiques filling the walls amid the nooks and alcoves of the bar is similar to the feeling you get the first time you walk into a TGI Fridays and marvel at all the crazy stuff on the wall.

Plus coming up with your own libation from among 70 types of gins is a fun game of choose your own adventure. Start with an “earthy” or “fruity” or “grassy” gin for instance. Then choose a tonic style from among several options, and then finally the décor and flavor enhancements.

And it’s worth mentioning that coffee fans won’t find a Starbucks, but can get that caffeine high in a new, one would dare say, more adventurous way at the Coffee Emporium, pulling from Mediterranean beans and styles including French, Italian, Turkish and Moroccan.

Cheers to that.

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