It's here! The giant, new MSC Cruises ship taking on Icon of the Seas has arrived in Florida
The latest contender for the title of North America's greatest cruise ship — MSC World America — has arrived in Florida.
The massive 20-deck-high vessel from MSC Cruises — one of the largest ever built by any cruise line — sailed into the Port of Miami on Monday after a multiday voyage from the shipyard in France where it had been under construction for nearly two years.
Custom-built for the North American market, the new megaship will sail weeklong Caribbean voyages out of Miami every Saturday, setting up an epic matchup between three of the world's biggest cruise vessels.
Miami already is home to Royal Caribbean's much-ballyhooed, 2-year-old Icon of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship and, until now, the undisputed queen bee of the megacruising universe.
Additionally, Miami is the base for Carnival Cruise Line's biggest ship ever, 2-year-old Carnival Celebration.
Icon of the Seas sails weeklong Caribbean voyages out of Miami every Saturday, just as MSC World America will. Carnival Celebration sails weeklong Caribbean voyages out of Miami every Sunday.
Royal Caribbean, Carnival and MSC Cruises are the world's three biggest cruise lines and operate many of the world's largest and most amenity-filled ships.
As TPG saw during a sneak peek of MSC World America in November when it was still under construction, the ship has been built on a scale rarely seen in the cruise world.
Enormous waterslides, giant pool zones and an impressive indoor promenade full of restaurants and bars that rivals anything found on any other ship are all among the standout features of the vessel.
Both MSC World America and Royal Caribbean's record-setting Icon of the Seas soar to 20 decks.
That said, MSC World America is a tad shorter than Icon of the Seas, resulting in a slightly smaller overall size when measured by gross tons — a measurement of interior space used by shipbuilders.
At nearly 216,000 gross tons, MSC World America is the world's eighth-largest cruise ship, behind only Icon of the Seas and the six giant vessels in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class series.
MSC World America's passenger capacity of 6,762 passengers is a near record for any cruise ship.
Related: The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises ships and itineraries
By comparison, Icon of the Seas measures 248,663 gross tons and can hold up to 7,600 passengers with every berth filled. Carnival Celebration measures 183,521 gross tons and can hold up to 6,619 passengers.
Like both of the other ships, MSC World America has a sprawling family fun zone on its top deck that includes everything from a giant water park with four waterslides to a ropes course.
Dubbed The Harbour, the complex is designed to target families in a way MSC Cruises never has before, with a mix of watery and nonwatery attractions, grab-and-go food options and a lounging area.
Related: Epic fun! New MSC Cruises ship will target families with massive top-deck play zone
Among the most impressive elements of the complex is the two-level ropes course spanning 6,210 square feet that includes two "sky rails" that are similar to a zip line. The area also has a first-of-its-kind-on-a-ship overwater swing ride called Cliffhanger and a shark-themed, 11-deck-high dry slide called Jaw Drop @ The Spiral.
The Harbour is one of three family-friendly areas in close proximity to one another on the ship that together are known as the Family Aventura district. The two other areas are the Doremiland kids zone, which has playrooms for kids, and the MSC Sportsplex, a multiuse pavilion for bumper cars, rollerblading and other family-friendly activities.
MSC World America also has a whopping six pools and 14 hot tubs, including an unusually long main pool that sits at the center of what is one of the largest pool areas at sea.
Like Icon of the Seas, MSC World America's interior features a massive indoor promenade with restaurants, bars and entertainment areas, as well as a back-of-the-ship outdoor restaurant and bar zone.
MSC World America is the second vessel in MSC Cruises' new World Class series of ships. The first vessel in the series, MSC World Europa, debuted in late 2022 and was designed specifically to sail in Europe.
Related: MSC World Europe cruise ship review: A top pick for megaresort lovers
While MSC World America has similarities to MSC World Europa, about 30% of its public areas are different from those found on the latter vessel.
The changes, which include the addition of an American-style sports bar along the outdoor promenade area and an Eataly-branded Italian restaurant, were made to appeal to the specific tastes of the North American market.
The World Class vessels are nearly 20% bigger than any MSC Cruises ship that has come before and on a similar scale to Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class vessels, which have dominated the list of the world's biggest, most venue-packed ships for years.
Related: The 6 types of MSC Cruises ships, explained
Other than the six ships in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class series and Icon of the Seas, which is in a class of its own (the Icon Class), MSC's World Class vessels are the only cruise ships in the world to exceed 200,000 gross tons.
The two World Class ships are bigger and more venue-rich than any vessel operated by Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises or any other major cruise brand other than Royal Caribbean.
As previously announced, MSC World America will sail both Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean voyages out of Miami.
The ship's Eastern Caribbean voyages will include stops at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Ocean Cay, MSC Cruises' private island in the Bahamas. Western Caribbean sailings will include stops at Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Ocean Cay.
Fares for the sailings start at $689 per person, based on double occupancy.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.