If air fares occasionally seem a bit complicated, you’re probably not ready to start making choices for a cruise on one of the increasing numbers of mega-size cruise ships that sail with the population of a small town being catered to by the population of a smaller town’s worth of crew.
Take MSC World America, the newest but not the largest of the giants. It has room for 6,762 passengers and a crew of 2,138 (the largest, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, carries 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew).
But it’s not just the size that may be daunting; passengers for World America must start with choosing from one of 19 different cabin categories, each with its own level of space, amenities and access to other features on the ship. The most luxe staterooms include walk-in closets, living rooms and private hot tubs; the least luxe are small balcony cabins. The fanciest are separated from the rest of the ship in what MSC calls its Yacht Club area.
As with other mega-ships, it’s 22 decks are divided into themed ‘districts,’ each with its own mix of restaurants, pools and other attractions. Among the features are a lighthouse, waterslides and an over-the-side-of-the-ship swing. And if all that hasn’t made your jaw drop, there’s the Jaw Drop, a dry slide that starts in a shark’s mouth and ends up 11 floors below.
World America is a near twin, physically, of MSC’s World Europa, but amenities and attractions have been modified for the North American market, while World Europa is aimed at European cruisers. For example, Europa’s Tea Room has been replaced by America’s Loft, a comedy club. Dozens of bars cater to different tastes in beers and cocktails.
Sailings begin next spring, mostly on 7-day itineraries—is that long enough to find your way around a new city?
