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19th Feb 2027 | 8 nights | MSC Cruises | MSC World America
Why do we love this cruise holiday? Winter Blues to Ocean Views is the perfect February escape, combining sunshine, style and ease in one seamless, drinks-inclusive cruise. Sailing through the heart of the Caribbean, the journey takes in the golden beaches of the Dominican Republic, the colourful culture of Puerto Rico and the laid-back charm of the Bahamas. Days are shaped by warm seas, relaxed island exploring and indulgent onboard dining, with entertainment and drinks included throughout. To make the experience effortless from start to finish, return flights are included, along with an overnight hotel stay in Miami before embarkation. It is a beautifully balanced holiday, designed for unwinding, discovering and swapping beanies for bikinis.
What's included?
Cruise Circle Collection packages adhere to our 7 point charter:
As the oldest city on the north coast of the country, Puerto Plata has a lot to offer visitors. Stroll through the Parque Central, admire the technicolour homes built by tobacco merchants, then pause at a local restaurant or bar before taking the cable car ride for stunning views on clear days. Alternatively, head to one of the nearby beach resorts to enjoy lively surf and endless golden beaches.
As an anchor on Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries -- not to mention a turnaround port for many ships -- San Juan is a place where just about all cruisers, at some point or another, are going to wind up. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, and San Juan is its urban hub. The city, by and large, is divided into new and old. The new includes a business district and outlying neighbourhoods, concentrated with hotel chains like Isla Verde. The old is, of course, the historic city within ancient walls. Both offer many Americanisms. (Senor Frog's has a prime outpost, and you'll never want for a McDonald's Big Mac.)
Get beyond that, though, because of all America's Caribbean islands, Puerto Rico offers the most exotic aura. The melange of indigenous Taino culture, combined with European and African influences in San Juan (and all of Puerto Rico, for that matter), is one major factor. Add to that its own unique influences in areas ranging from cuisine and music to history and art. And there's more: folks who have travelled to Cuba say that Old San Juan reminds them more of Cuba, at times, than Cuba itself! It's also very Spanish (think Seville) and even a bit Italian (reminiscent of Naples). Finally, the city evokes just a wee taste of South America (like Buenos Aires).
For those who visit San Juan as a day-stop on a Caribbean itinerary or embark or disembark there, the island's biggest appeal is the old city. Most cruise ships dock right in the heart of Old San Juan, which dates back to the 16th century. The old, walled city has been exquisitely preserved, and its sprawling forts, cobblestone streets, antique shops and art galleries make it an ideal first stop. Its mainstream attractions include the imposing El Morro fort, which dates back to 1539; the Cathedral of San Juan, where the island's first governor, Ponce de Leon, is buried; La Fortaleza, the oldest governor's mansion on U.S. soil; several colonial plazas; and the triumvirate of Calle del Cristo, Calle San Jose and Calle Fortaleza for shopping. Calle del Cristo, in particular, is chock-full of art galleries, artisan studios and distinctive boutiques.
But, if you're a "been there, done that" visitor to Old San Juan, there's much more to explore.
And there's one more thing to keep in mind: many cruises stay in port until late at night. That makes it possible to sample some of the city's vibrant restaurants and nightlife (as long as you keep an eye on the clock).
MSC Cruises' Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, opened in December 2019, is part of the Bimini chain of islands in the western Bahamas, 20 miles south of Bimini and just 65 miles east of Miami. The former sand-mining site is home to eight beaches and a coral reef, across the 64 square miles of marine reserve. The island's Bahamian-style village offers a wide range of places to shop, eat, drink and relax, with island-infused cuisine, cocktails and a Bahamian straw market. Ships dock directly at a pier, with an easy walk onto the island. MSC Cruises is the only line to call at Ocean Cay and will offer late nights in the port, with special evening activities, due to its close proximity to Miami.
When it debuts in 2025, the 6,762-passenger MSC World America will become MSC Cruises' second World Class ship to join the fleet and the first in the class dedicated to the U.S. market. Sailing in the Caribbean, it will also be the line's largest cruise ship in the U.S., measuring 22 decks tall and more than 150 feet wide, with more than 2,600 cabins and 420,000 square feet of public space.
Full details of the vessel have not been revealed by MSC, but the line says aspects of the ship's design and onboard experience will be specifically tailored to appeal to passengers from North America. It will become the fourth new flagship to be deployed in the region.
Many elements of the ship are expected to replicate the line's first World Class vessel, MSC World Europa. These include a Y-shaped aft structure that leads to a nearly 350-foot long promenade, which is half open and half covered.
MSC World Europa introduced a microbrewery, gin bar, healthy juice bar, coffee emporium and teahouse, and it is likely these will be featured on its sibling.
Similarly, the 19 different cabin categories -- 65% with balconies -- saw seven new room types unveiled on MSC World Europa. These include new duplex suites with large balconies and private hot tubs in the exclusive MSC Yacht Club ship-within-a-ship area, and passengers can expect to see these on MSC World Europa.
"MSC World America is a testament to our ambitious growth plans in the U.S. and the Caribbean and further solidifies MSC Cruises as a major player in the North American market with another of our largest, most glamorous ships coming to the region," MSC Cruises USA President Ruben A. Rodriguez said. "In addition to delivering a state-of-the-art cruise experience, MSC World America exemplifies our commitment to sustainability with its advanced environmental technology. The ship will continue to elevate our guest experience in the Caribbean, and we look forward to raising the bar on what travellers can expect, whether they're loyal cruisers or enjoying their first vacation at sea."
Under construction at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in France, the vessel will be equipped with similar fuel-cell technology powered by liquefied natural gas, which was first featured on sister World Class ship MSC World Europa. In partnership with the shipyard, MSC World America has been designed with an innovative hull shape to minimize resistance through the water.
It also will incorporate a wide range of equipment to optimize energy use throughout the ship, including "smart" ventilation and advanced air conditioning systems coupled with automated energy recovery loops, allowing effective distribution of heat and cold across the ship. The ship uses LED lighting throughout, also controlled by "smart" management systems to further enhance the energy-saving profile.
The vessel is slated to come into service in the summer of 2025; the exact date hasn't been announced.
MSC World America will be deployed in the Caribbean; MSC has yet to announce details of the inaugural voyage and maiden season itineraries.
The ship is 215,863 gross tons and carries 6,762 passengers at full occupancy, with 2,126 crew.
Travellers looking for an action-packed, around-the-clock party, plus families with kids on a budget
Recluses looking for a small ship feel with plenty of quiet spaces, penny pinchers looking to avoid extra expenses
MSC Cruises is one of the most diverse cruise lines you can sail on with a multicultural mix of Italians, Brits, Spanish, Germans and French in the Mediterranean, with more North Americans in the Caribbean (but still lots of Italians and Spanish-speaking passengers), and a big local market in South Africa and South America. You'll also come across all ages. The lively night scene means these ships work well for teens and younger cruisers, while the decent kids' clubs (particularly on the newer ships) and the clever arrangements of clustered family cabins mean a lot of families travel during school holidays.
Yes, a little. The usual dress code is informal during the day and smart-casual at night -- think nice trousers and shirt for men and nice pants/skirts with blouse or cocktail dress for women. There's usually one gala night per cruise, when black tie or dark suit and tie are encouraged for men, as is a formal dress for women. This is not enforced, but people do make an effort.
No, unless you're in one of the Yacht Club suites, and even then, not everything is included. MSC sells its cruises through a somewhat bewildering array of packages: Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and Yacht Club. All include your accommodation, meals in specified restaurants and big-stage entertainment, along with basic coffee and tea, and select juices at breakfast and lunch. Beyond that, perks and inclusions vary by which package you've purchased, with Bella having no additional inclusions and Aurea featuring unlimited beverages. The Yacht Club has the most inclusions, with extra dining venues for eating, spa thermal suite passes and most beverages (plus access to a personal butler and a dedicated Yacht Club lounge and pool).
The action onboard an MSC ship is nonstop, with cruisers flocking to participate in pool games, sports contests, shopping promotions, trivia, karaoke and filling the nightclubs until late. On newer ships, high-tech arcade games are all the rage, including a 4D cinema, laser maze, F1 simulator and bowling. Many MSC cruisers are also just as happy to park themselves by a pool and stay there all day, and when the ship is in port, you'll find the vast majority of cruisers off the ship on ship-sponsored or independent tours.
