7-Night Cruise on World America

Puerto Rico

This was an all-day stop. We spent time exploring Old San Juan, taking in the historic charm of the city. Any time we visit a destination with a beach, we make it a point to spend a couple of hours there. In Puerto Rico, we visited Condado Beach, also known as Isla Verde. After that, we returned to the ship, while my husband decided to stay out a bit longer and tour the Bacardi Distillery.

Dominican Republic

While in the Dominican Republic, we took a short taxi ride to Puerto Plata Beach. There were plenty of taxi drivers right at the port offering all-day rates, meaning they’ll take you to multiple locations for one price. We visited Umbrella Street and Rose Street, both fun and colorful spots for photos. After sightseeing, we walked back to the port and enjoyed the resort-style pool and lazy river before heading back to the ship. And of course, we made time for souvenir shopping!

Private island

This was the ultimate paradise—from multiple beaches to as many loungers as you could want. MSC’s private island is something I always look forward to. While the island offers a variety of activities and excursions, we preferred to simply relax on the beach. And don’t forget to stop by the gift shops for keepsakes!

The ship

With two to three sea days on a seven night cruise, we were never bored. The ship was full of daily activities, shows, and places to explore. We watched Broadway-style performances, magic shows, comedy acts, acrobatics, and more. Activities include dance classes, karaoke, Pilates, yoga, and more. There was also plenty of shopping on board—just be sure to leave some space in your luggage for all the souvenirs!

Food

• Dinner: We truly enjoyed every meal we had in the main dining room, which we chose for six out of our seven dinners. The menu changes daily, offering a great variety of different cuisines to try.

• Buffet: We loved the buffet for both lunch and breakfast. There was always a wide selection, so it never felt repetitive. On the private island, there are also two buffet locations that serve lunch—definitely a perk, since you don’t need to return to the ship to eat.

• On-the-go: Throughout the ship, you’ll find places to grab quick bites and snacks like popcorn, sliders, empanadas, wraps, cotton candy, and ice cream. On the private island, food trucks are scattered around offering small meals and some optional upcharge items.

• Specialty dining: We didn’t try any of the specialty dining restaurants this time (maybe on a future cruise!), but the ship offers a variety of options like a steakhouse, Greek, Mexican, Italian, and sushi/Japanese. Dining packages are available if you’re interested in sampling more than one.

Drinks

• Drink package: We like to treat ourselves with the drink package. While there are some limits on alcohol (like price caps and quantity), we mostly go for mocktails, and there are still plenty of included options without any extra cost. The drink package also works on the private island—which is a nice bonus, especially on hot days! The only places it’s not accepted are specialty restaurants.

• No drink package: If you don’t get the drink package, don’t worry—you still have lots of free options, including juices, milk, coffee, tea (hot and iced), lemonade, and water.