MSC Cruises just picked up a major win in the American travel market. The publication Good Housekeeping has named the upcoming MSC World America a 2025 Family Travel Award Winner, recognizing the ship as one of the best new cruise options for families. For MSC, this is a big moment. The brand has been working hard to strengthen its presence in the United States, and an award from one of the most trusted family focused publications puts a spotlight on what MSC is trying to build: a fun, modern, more affordable mega ship experience for American cruisers.
What Good Housekeeping Looks for in a Winner
Good Housekeeping’s Family Travel Awards are an annual program where their editors, testers, and consumer analysts evaluate hotels, resorts, cruise ships, tours, and travel products. The team looks at value, kid friendliness, innovation, family activities, food quality, entertainment, sustainability, and overall trip experience. MSC World America scored high in each of these, but especially in three categories: family friendly design, entertainment variety, and overall value. Good Housekeeping testers noted that the ship delivers a full scale mega ship experience at a noticeably lower price than competing new vessels from Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Carnival.
Why MSC World America Stood Out
MSC World America is the second ship in the new World Class series and arrives in Miami in spring 2025. The ship was designed with the North American market in mind, blending MSC’s European style with the entertainment heavy, activity packed approach Americans enjoy. Good Housekeeping highlighted several features that set the ship apart.
A massive kids and teens program. Doremiland, MSC’s signature children’s space, has expanded again with new themed rooms, gaming lounges, a tech area, and programming split by narrower age ranges. For parents, this makes it easier to find the right environment for kids who want independence but still need supervision.
The Cliffhanger ride. This new top deck attraction swings riders outward over the ocean at the edge of the ship. Testers called it one of the most unique new cruise features of 2025 and praised MSC for adding a thrill ride without a heavy upcharge.
The World Promenade nighttime experience. Good Housekeeping highlighted the LED displays, drone show, and live entertainment that fills the Promenade in the evening. The publication called it a strong alternative to Royal Caribbean’s Central Park and Boardwalk entertainment areas.
Dining variety for all ages. Good Housekeeping’s team noted the wide selection of specialty restaurants, casual grab and go spots, and family friendly menus. Options include Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Hola Tacos, the new Greek inspired restaurant, and several casual venues designed to keep food lines short.
Sustainability focus. MSC World America runs on LNG and uses advanced waste and water treatment technology. Good Housekeeping has added sustainability scoring to their review process and praised MSC for investing heavily in cleaner ship operations.
What This Award Means for MSC
For MSC Cruises, this recognition is significant. Good Housekeeping’s audience is almost a perfect match to MSC’s target demographic in the United States: families, adult couples, and women ages 34 to 65 planning multi generational trips. That means this award carries more weight than many industry focused recognitions. It also helps MSC stand out in a year when the competition is fierce. Royal Caribbean is rolling out major new sailings for Icon and Utopia, and Disney continues expanding its Wish class. With those brands commanding some of the highest prices in the market, MSC’s more affordable pricing on a brand new mega ship becomes an even stronger selling point.
What Families Can Expect on MSC World America
MSC World America is shaping up to be one of the most family friendly ships the line has launched. Travelers can expect seven unique districts across the ship, multiple pools and water play areas, a large indoor sports complex for basketball, dodgeball, and games, family sized staterooms and connecting cabin options, a redesigned buffet flow to reduce congestion, and an outdoor promenade designed for evening events and shows. The ship sails from Miami with itineraries to Ocean Cay, the Bahamas, Mexico, and the Western Caribbean.
Bottom Line
MSC World America earning a 2025 Good Housekeeping Family Travel Award is a meaningful validation for a cruise line still building its reputation in the United States. Between the family focused design, strong entertainment lineup, and competitive pricing, MSC is positioning World America as one of the best new ship options for families who want a high energy vacation without the premium prices charged by its competitors. If you are planning a 2026 family cruise, this award firmly puts MSC World America on the must consider list.
Looking for more info on dining options on World America and other ships? Check out our MSC Specialty Dining Guide.
