When I first experienced MSC World America — the latest vessel from MSC Cruises — it was during a whirlwind three-night preview voyage that left me eager to return. Namely, I’d missed the ship’s MSC Yacht Club, and its secretive speakeasy.
So, when I was invited to return for a seven-day Western Caribbean and Bahamas trip, and to experience the line’s signature ship-within-a-ship complex, my wife and I jumped at the chance. We’ve had the privilege of staying in the Yacht Club before, but only on the older (yet still worthwhile) MSC Meraviglia. I knew we were in for something special on the newest ship. Here’s what we discovered while onboard.
Deluxe Suites in the MSC Yacht Club
As we unpacked in our MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite, we were welcomed by our butler, who quickly jotted down our drink preferences (a fully stocked minibar and a bottle of chosen liquor are included in a Yacht Club stay). Indeed, 24/7 butler service is a valuable perk of being a Yacht Club guest, and one we certainly appreciated during our week onboard.
An accessible Deluxe Suite in the MSC Yacht Club
Credit: 2026 Jason Leppert
Our accessible suite featured a spacious balcony, as well as ample space around the bed and in the bathroom. There was no shortage of USB charging ports, electrical outlets and storage space at each nightstand, and the room also offered a vanity desk and a closet. It was in our suite that we enjoyed some of the best pizza at sea, as well as a plethora of nightly petit fours — clients who prefer to be pampered will love that room service is available around the clock for Yacht Club guests.
Notable Amenities for Yacht Club Guests
World America’s Yacht Club complex spans a total of five decks at the forward-most top of the ship, with options ranging from entry-level Interior Suites to Owner’s Suites. Yacht Club guests have exclusive access to a dedicated concierge desk, the Top Sail Lounge, the MSC Yacht Club Restaurant, a poolside grill and bar, and a sundeck with its own pool and lanai.
Butlers mix cocktails in the Top Sail Lounge.
Credit: 2026 Jason LeppertCompared to Meraviglia, World America’s indoor terrace dining venue and observation lounge is a brighter, double-decker space linked by expansive windows and a swirling staircase that sparkles with Swarovski crystals.
Sheltered from outdoor smoking and the heat and humidity of the Caribbean, we found an air-conditioned, scenic corner of the terrace in which to enjoy a robust selection of included daily canapes and beverages between meals. Myriad wines, beers, cocktails, top-shelf liquors and other non-alcoholic drinks freely await Yacht Club guests shipwide.
The Top Sail Lounge is accessible only to MSC Yacht Club guests.
Credit: 2026 Jason LeppertWhen my wife and I ventured out onto the sundeck, the compact pool and whirlpool proved big enough for swimmers and sunbathers alike (despite my initial impression that they were a bit diminutive), and the grill below served refreshing salads, burgers, burritos and more directly to Yacht Club patrons.
Yacht Club guests also have access to Aurea Spa’s thermal suite; as a bonus, clients can reserve one-hour blocks in the spa on sea days, or freely enter without needing to book on port days to cycle through a blissful circuit of saunas, steam and snow rooms. Showers, heated recliners and a hydrotherapy pool are here, too.
Yacht Club Dining and Beyond
There are many food options onboard World America, but it was the exclusive evening experience at La Brasserie that we most appreciated. The double-decker venue is usually the spot for the self-service buffet, but at night, the upper level is reserved just for Yacht Club guests as a full-service alternative.
The nighttime La Brasserie menu has a wide variety of dishes — to the point that we returned and still felt we had not made a dent in the offerings. I adored the Chilean salmon tiradito (or crudo) with passion fruit truffle emulsion, as well as the hot stone lobster bowl with coconut curry. On both visits, we also shared the exceptional Korean grilled beef ribs.
Other favorite specialty restaurants onboard included the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Eataly (the only installment of the famed Italian eatery at sea) and Paxos, which serves Greek and Mediterranean fare.
Our butler personally escorted us to the host stand of each venue, taking advantage of express elevator calls available via our wristbands, which acted as Yacht Club key cards.
Exceptional Entertainment
I had already sampled the bulk of the ship’s entertainment on my initial sailing, but I wanted to share my favorite venue — the Panorama Lounge — with my wife. This is where we saw the vibrant Queen Symphonic show; it features talented dancers backed by an exceptional live band and a pre-recorded orchestra, and my wife and I agreed it was top-notch. New to us both was Cinesonic, a celebration of film scores and soundtracks from “Pirates of the Caribbean” to “Top Gun: Maverick.” It also includes a tribute to Italian maestro Ennio Morricone.
MSC World America debuted last spring.
Credit: 2026 MSC CruisesBut it was the vintage-themed speakeasy that took the cake on our cruise. The mystery begins at the British phone booth, which is located at one end of the World Promenade; if guests are offered a special coin from a ship staffer, they can step through the phone booth. Then, visitors are escorted through a crew area, down service stairs and into a hidden pocket of the ship’s bow to the venue. Live music and drinks are great throughout the rest of the vessel, but it is only here that clients will find luscious libations, sultry singers and jazz music.
A few hours spent in this venue are sure to be a rollicking good time — if clients are fortunate enough to garner access. My wife and I were offered a coin while enjoying a marvelous wine and cheese tasting at Fizz Champagne Bar. We already felt lucky to be onboard World America — experiencing the speakeasy was an unexpected bonus.
