24-hour butlers and private hot tubs: Inside MSC Cruises' biggest Yacht Club yet
24-hour butlers and private hot tubs: Inside MSC Cruises' biggest Yacht Club yet
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MSC World America: The most American cruise ship yet
MSC World America, the newest ship from MSC Cruises, features 19 dining venues, 18 bars and lounges and many more.
MSC World America, MSC Cruises' new U.S. flagship, features the largest MSC Yacht Club in the fleet, a luxurious "ship-within-a-ship" experience.
The Yacht Club offers exclusive amenities including private lounges, restaurants, a pool deck, butler service, and premium beverages.
Guests enjoy the tranquility of private spaces while still having access to all the megaship's entertainment and dining options.
Yacht Club accommodations range from interior suites to spacious owner's suites with balconies and hot tubs.
MSC Cruises' newest megaship is so big it has another vessel inside it – sort of.
MSC Yacht Club, a luxe area only accessible by keycard with its own accommodations and amenities, spans seven decks on board MSC World America. The line's new U.S. flagship – designed with American guests in mind – is home to the largest Yacht Club in the line's fleet.
'I must say, U.S. guests love MSC Yacht Club,' Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America, said at a media briefing during a preview cruise ahead of the ship's maiden voyage that departed Saturday. 'They love that they have access to everything that the ship has to offer, all of the amenities … but they can also go back and unwind in their private spaces.'
How big is the MSC Yacht Club?
MSC World America's Yacht Club has 152 suites, ranging from Interior Suites measuring around 161 square feet to the Owner's Suite at roughly 840 to 1,119 square feet (in addition to a spacious balcony with a private hot tub).
MSC has Yacht Clubs on 15 out of 23 ships in its fleet.
I toured World America's Yacht Club starting in its Top Sail Lounge where, on a normal morning, passengers were chatting in plush, cream and brown-colored chairs. Sunlight poured in through floor-to-ceiling windows, with panoramic views of the ocean outside, and flowers adorned tables.
The space was large but quiet, a serene alternative to busier public parts of the ship from the moment I entered.
What does MSC Yacht Club include?
In addition to the Top Sail Lounge, guests receive access to other exclusive areas. From there, a shimmering staircase leads passengers to the MSC Yacht Club Restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can also eat at an outdoor bar and grill, or visit a pop-up fine dining experience inside the La Brasserie buffet.
Passengers don't have to go far to reach the pool either: at a private two-level sun deck, they can swim, soak in the whirlpool and relax in loungers.
Yacht Club guests can enjoy the kind of laid-back vacation they might find on smaller vessels, while taking advantage of the thrill rides, wide range of restaurants and bars and other activities on the massive 6,764-passenger ship whenever they like.
Other perks include the line's Premium Extra beverage package; Wi-Fi; priority access to entertainment venues; access to the onboard spa's thermal area; 24-hour butler and concierge service and more. Butlers can unpack luggage, deliver room service, escort guests to a reserved section of the theater and assist with disembarkation, among other services.
Those benefits also apply to the line's private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Yacht Club guests can walk or take a shuttle to Ocean House and Ocean House Beach, a private area fresh from a recent expansion with two bars, a restaurant, seaside cabanas and more.
Dueling pianos and 'Dirty Dancing': This is MSC's most American ship yet
How much does MSC Yacht Club cost?
Prices vary by sailing date and suite category, but an Interior Suite in World America's Yacht Club currently costs $3,253 per person based on double occupancy, including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Western Caribbean and Bahamas cruise departing July 12. By contrast, a regular interior stateroom on the same sailing – without Yacht Club's inclusions – starts at $949 per person.
The reporter on this story received access to this event from MSC Cruises. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
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