MSC Cruise
May 17, 2025 - May 24, 2025
So, a couple of years ago we went on the MSC Divinia and, because of that experience, swore we would never cruise MSC again! Desparate to get out of town and go on a cruise, though, helped us forget this little fact. So, on Friday evening (at about 6:30) we booked a balcony room on the MSC World America - departing the next day out of Miami.
We headed out in the morning on Saturday (with a quick stop at Disney Springs to renew our Disney AP's). Arrived at the Port of Miami around 2:30/3:00. Parking ramp was attached to the terminal so that was convenient. Dropped our bags with the porter (tipped $20 because we had a couple of heavy bags) and made our way into the terminal. Check in process was smooth, onboard the ship was smooth (gave us a false sense of 'hey, maybe this one won't be as bad as the last'). Went to our muster station and checked in (although, received a note later in the evening at our stateroom that we hadn't - add that to the 'MSC fail' list for the trip) and then found our stateroom. The cards at our room weren't ours (another on the 'MSC fail' list) so we trekked down to customer service. Gentleman there was accomodating and gave us the correct cards without issue. Next tried to go to the restaurant to change our dining time (say it with me now - another on the 'MSC fail' list) because the time we had requested (7:30) didn't match the time we were given (5:00). Line of about 10 people - and after it didn't move for a good 10 minutes at least we gave up, hoping to return at a later point on Saturday (which, when we tried, there wasn't anyone at the stand anymore - say it with me - 'MSC fail' list). We found the 'adults only' pool - top deck, rear of the ship, no cover. Didn't last long there (I mean, maybe full sun is good for some, but what a waste to not have at least some type of cover here - like every other cruise line). Made our way to the 'inside pool' - not an adults only location and most of the trip the roof was open so it wasn't very 'inside'. I don't remember what we did for dinner this night (although I know we weren't in the dining room since we only ate there once on the trip).
Sunday was a sea day. Another opportunity to explore the ship, swim in the pool, and drink. We had dinner at Eataly on Sunday evening. Food was 'okay', but truth be told I would expect more from a 'specialty restaurant'. Since we purchased the three meal package this was our first experience with specialty dining on the ship - and we were left hoping the others would be better.
On Monday we arrived in Costa Maya. We decided it was probably a good idea to get off of the boat, even if it was to just, well, get off of the boat. On past cruises we had decided to stay on the boat and ended up regretting it. This time around, we were very happy that we disembarked for a while. Right in the port, besides the usual shopping, there is a pool with - wait for it - a swim up bar! Sold! When we first arrived, we found a couple of lounges to sit on. Had to purchase a minimum amount so we bought a bucket of Dos Equis lager and we were good! Had some beer, went to the pool to float. We decided, once we got in the pool, to grab our stuff and just find a spot at the swim up bar to hang out at - which we did for a couple of hours! (this is where the 'lots of beer' slogan comes in over on our arenas and stadiums site). Back to the ship before it sailed away. Dinner this evening may have been at the Butchers Cut specialty steakhouse (it was either this night or the next so I'll just put the narrative here). This was worse than Eataly. Steak was overcooked (which is saying something because I usually like a more well done steak - but this was hammered), lobster was overcooked as well. Not really worth the upcharge.
Tuesday was Roatan, Honduras. Using the same logic as Costa Maya, we got off of the ship (after having breakfast in the buffet - insert barfing noise here). We went through the shops in the port and, after no more than a half hour as most, got back on the ship (there really wasn't anything there). Rest of the day was swimming and taking advantage of the drink package. Not sure what dinner was - but it wasn't the dining room.
Wednesday, ah...Wednesday. THE day we had been looking forward to! Our favorite port, and favorite beach club, is Nachi Cocom in Cozumel. Every trip we have ever been on that's gone to Cozumel - this is where we go. One of our top 'happy places'. MSC World America uses a different port in Cozumel so that was a little disorienting for us, but we managed. Grabbed a taxi in the port and we were off! Arrived at Nachi Cocom, greeted by the photog - had another 'welcome photo' taken (to add to the collection), checked in and were escorted to a couple of nice lounge chairs on the beach (in the shade). We put our water shoes on and headed to the water. Was a bit cold and murkier than we were used to. Stayed there for a bit and then decided to go to the pool. Found ourselves at the swim up bar for (quite) a while talking with the bartender and other cruisers there. The bartender actually remembered us!! Asked how many times we had been there, said he remembered us from past trips (hopefully that's a good thing!). Got out of the pool for a bit for some lunch (they really know how to do it there!), back in the pool before deciding it was time to head back to the port. We shopped a bit in the port before getting back on the ship.
Thursday was a sea day. Pool, whirlpool, drink package (you get the drift). Our final specialty dining was Thursday evening - and proved to be the best meal of the trip. We ate at Kaito Teppanyaki. Lots of food (inlcuding a sushi course!) - and I had wagyu for the first time! It was awesome!!
Friday was Ocean Cay, MSC's private island. We had been here on the last MSC cruise. We made our way to Bimini Beach - where all of the chairs and umbrellas were taken. Got into the water there for a bit; that is, until a sting ray decided to make a visit as well as a school of (what we think) lookdown fish. We moved to the lagoon side of the path at that point - found a couple chairs and an umbrella (read: paid for) and spent a good bit of time in the lagoon water - much better experience and no rays! For dinner - yeah finally went to the dining room. Pretty much had to throw down with the maitre' d to get a table (since it was 7:30ish and our 'reservation' was for 5:00). He accommodated us - had a mediocre meal at best.
Saturday we arrived back in port. Disembarkation was not as easy as embarkation - they just didn't queue all that well and the lines were long. Made the long drive back from Miami, arriving home around 1:00/2:00.
So, I didn't put a lot of specific details in each day because we did a lot and repeated a lot of what we did throughout the week. Here's some thoughts for future us if we ever think we want to go on MSC again.
The shows in the main showroom weren't good at all. The showroom is way to small for a cruise ship this size. There's no bar service. And - you have to make a 'reservation' for the shows.
Speaking of reservations, they held the comedy show in an area called 'The Loft'. Very small venue for a show that EVERYONE wanted to see - why not put it in the main showroom?? We weren't able to get to the comedy show at all since all of the reservations were gone on the first day of the cruise.
Speaking of 'The Loft' - outside of not being able to get into the comedy shows this was probably one of our favorite lounges on the ship. Almost every night we went to the dueling pianos show(s) they had (no reservations required) and also saw karaoke on a couple of occassions as well.
Three other bars/lounges we frequented were All-Star Sports Bar, Dolce Vita Lounge, and Masters of the Sea. All-Star Sports Bar was okay until it wasn't. Had okay service the first time, great service the next two times, and no service the last time (which is why we didn't go back). We had spin/art dip and wings once as well - better than most other food on the ship. The Dolce Vita Lounge had regular entertainment (and was also where the trivia games were held). Decent space, okay service (although, like most every where else on the boat, sloooow). Masters of the Sea fancied itself an English pub. They had live music there (which was okay) and made their own beer - which was pretty cool! Jill tried to order a couple of common drinks (a mojito and vodka collins) but they couldn't do them because they didn't know how/didn't have the ingredients. Kind of stupid.
We spent a bit of time in the 'indoor' pool. Although the roof was open most of the cruise so it wasn't really indoors. Crowded with lots of kids; no drinks in the pool; and, towards the end of the cruise the 'smell' of the pool/water went from cholorine and salt water to adding an almost petroleum smell. That was on Thursday - we didn't go back when that happened.
Buffet(s) - yuck. Just yuck. No variety at all - always the same foods at the different times of the day. Had one day where I got veal parm and a salad concoction. The veal was rare - like not even cooked beyond seared on the outside. The salad had a hair in it. Was NOT a banner day in the buffet (and we only ate there one other breakfast after that). There was another 'buffet' called Luna Park Pizza and Burger which had - yep, pizza and burgers! It also had chicken tenders (which were the size of our chicken patties) and fries and salads. Pizza was good, as was the other stuff, but you can only eat so much of that in a weeks time.
I'm not sure what else I can say or share. We knew (but maybe forgot) what we were getting into when we scheduled this (last minute) cruise. In the end it was great to float around with my bestest gal but we're not really sure if the 'value' was worth it. And, to close out, I said quite a few times during the trip that MSC was the 'Spirit Airlines' of the ocean - looks cheap up front but you get what you pay for and if you want more you're going to pay even more.