Day 5 & 6: MSC World America what to do on Sea Days
THE GEN X WANDERER / 7 Days Aboard the MSC World America Eastern Caribbean
Day 1: Embarkation
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Puerto Plata | Dominican Republic
Day 4: San Juan | Puerto Rico
Day 5 + 6: At Sea
Day 7: Ocean Cay Marine Reserve
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- MSC World America: What to do on Sea Days
- The Best Thing to do on an MSC World America Sea Day (at least for me): Deck 18 Solarium
- The Towel Situation: A Cautionary Sea Day Tale
- Things to do on Deck 18 of the MSC World America
- Things to do on Deck 19 of the MSC World America
- Things to do on Deck 20 of the MSC World America
- The Honest MSC World America Sea Day Verdict
MSC World America: What to do on Sea Days
If you’ve been following along on this cruise diary, you already know that by Day 5, you’ve settled into a rhythm. You’ve figured out which elevator bank is fastest, you’ve stopped being surprised by how much food exists on this ship, and you’ve developed strong opinions about deck chairs. Strong. Opinions.
So what do you actually do on an MSC World America sea day? Here’s everything that went down on our 5th and 6th days aboard, including the one tip that might just save your sanity (and your spot by the pool).
The Best Thing to do on an MSC World America Sea Day (at least for me): Deck 18 Solarium
If you need a break from the noise, then the Solarium is for you. If you are more into the party vibe and the salsa dance lessons, then head outside of the Solarium where the party is at.
Let me paint you a picture. It’s a sea day. The sun is absolutely merciless starting from 7 am. Down on the outdoor pool decks, it’s shoulder-to-shoulder sunbathers baking like happy little croissants in the open Caribbean heat. Meanwhile, up on Deck 18, tucked inside the Solarium, we were living an entirely different life.
If you’re wondering what to do on an MSC World America sea day and haven’t heard about the Solarium, here’s your sign. It’s one of those features that sounds like a nice bonus until you’re actually on the ship, and then it becomes your entire personality. Named the Botanical Garden, it’s a stunning indoor pool space enclosed by a retractable glass roof, creating a warm, tropical vibe no matter the weather. It includes multiple hot tubs, lounge seating, and its own bar. It’s enclosed, shaded, and noticeably cooler than the outdoor areas. There’s still plenty of natural light streaming through, so you’re not sitting in a cave. You get the full ambiance of a pool day without the full-sun assault that has you reapplying sunscreen every forty-five minutes.
Bonus: the side seats also face the water. Bring a book or pop on your headphones and think about nothing else.
Fun Fact: All of the main pools are saltwater. Many of the Solarium loungers are padded and comfortable, and the whole vibe is significantly more relaxed than the outdoor chaos. It’s just generally all around… quieter.
Day 5 – Sea Day
Day 5 – Sea Day
The Towel Situation: A Cautionary Sea Day Tale
Which brings us to the part of this post I feel a civic duty to include…
Sea days only: Set your alarm. I’m not joking. By 7:00 a.m. seven in the morning, before most reasonable humans have considered consciousness, the entire 18th and 19th deck will soon be hoarded by towels. On top of those towels, a simple book, a hat, even a pair of sunglasses and a bottle of sunscreen for claiming.
I witnessed this myself as I wanted to see what I was up against. I placed my towel down, sat on it and didn’t leave though, I sat there long enough to watch an Officer, yes, an officer with stripes, not a deck crew member, come and take pictures to document and time stamp the unattended lounges. If you are not there for 30 minutes, you are not guaranteed your items are still there. 🙌🏼
Towel hogging on cruise ships is as old as cruising itself, but there’s something particularly audacious about doing it in the Solarium, where the limited number of chairs makes every single one feel precious. I mean, it’s just not cruise ships, it’s every resort under the sun itself. But what can you do?
Day 6, we adjusted our strategy. We were up and in position by 7:30 am. Did it feel slightly unhinged to be speed-walking to a pool chair before breakfast? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely. We got the best seats in the Solarium facing the water. And we didn’t leave, we actually used them.
Things to do on Deck 18 of the MSC World America
Deck 18 (Lido Deck) on MSC World America is where the ship truly comes alive.
- La Plage Pool & Grill
This expansive main pool area is the heart of daytime activity—think live music, games, and family fun. It’s also the go-to spot for casual eats, with La Boca Grill serving up burgers, pizza, hot dogs, gelato, and drinks right by the pool. - Adults-Only Zen District
Located at the aft, this peaceful, child-free retreat features two pools, a shaded bar, and sweeping 180-degree ocean views, perfect for unwinding in a quieter setting. - Botanic Garden Pool Solarium
A stunning indoor pool space enclosed by a retractable glass roof, creating a warm, tropical vibe no matter the weather. It includes multiple hot tubs, tiered lounge seating, and its own bar. - Hot Tubs Throughout
You’ll find several hot tubs scattered across the deck—ideal for relaxing between activities. - Il Mercato Buffet
The main buffet is also located here, offering a wide variety of dining options available for nearly 20 hours a day. - Lounge & Casual Seating
For laid-back fun, the deck features rentable daybeds, along with ping-pong and foosball for easy daytime entertainment.
Things to do on Deck 19 of the MSC World America
Deck 19 on MSC World America, often called the “New York” deck, is a busy area focused on family fun and casual dining. It’s home to Doremiland kids’ clubs, racing simulators, and a buffet that opens earlier than most.
- Family & Entertainment
Doremiland: A dedicated space for kids and teens, organized by age group. - Baby Club & Mini Club
Bright, playful areas designed for younger children, with LEGO rooms, TVs, and soft seating. - Junior, Young & Teen Clubs
Separate hangout spaces for older kids and teens with air hockey, foosball, dance floors, VR stations, and gaming consoles. - Arcade & Racing Simulators
Located near the kids’ clubs, this area includes classic arcade games, a prize section, and Formula 1 simulators.
Dining & Relaxation
- La Braserie Buffet
A convenient secondary buffet that opens early and offers a wide range of food and drinks, along with outdoor seating. - Botanical Garden Bar
A relaxed bar surrounded by greenery, ideal for a quiet drink. - Stadium Seating & Cabanas
Tiered seating areas for relaxing, plus private cabanas available to rent for a more comfortable space with ocean views.
Things to do on Deck 20 of the MSC World America
Deck 20 on MSC World America is all about high-energy activities and outdoor fun, with a mix of adventure attractions and places to relax with ocean views.
- Jaw Drop Slide
A steep, multi-deck dry slide that drops you down to the Deck 8 in lower promenade. (Free) - Cliffhanger
An over-water swing ride that lifts you out beyond the edge of the ship. ($10 US pp) - MSC Sportplex
A large indoor arena where you can ride bumper cars, play sports like basketball, and join in on activities such as family discos. (Free) - High Trail & Zipline
A ropes course with multiple levels, plus a zipline that runs across part of the ship. (Free) - The Harbor Bar & Bites
A casual spot for quick snacks like corn dogs, empanadas, and wraps, along with drinks nearby. - Top 20 Solarium
An adults-only space with comfortable seating and open views. Access may depend on your cabin category or package. - Outdoor Gym
An open-air fitness area equipped with Technogym equipment for workouts with a view.
The Honest MSC World America Sea Day Verdict
Sea days on a cruise can go one of two ways: either they feel like wasted days where you’re just floating between ports, or they become the days you remember most fondly because you actually slowed down. Days 5 and 6 on the MSC World America landed firmly in the second category.
The Solarium was our anchor, literally and figuratively. Having a cool, shaded, peaceful home base made the whole day feel intentional rather than aimless. And finishing Day 6 with a long, indulgent Italian dinner at Bubbles was about as good a sea day ending as you can design.
If you’re trying to figure out what to do on an MSC World America sea day, here’s the short answer: get to the Solarium on Deck 18 early, claim your lounger before the towel crowd mobilizes, stay as long as you want, until your body needs some movement, then head to Deck 20 for fun activities.
The MSC World America is a big ship, and big ships can feel overwhelming if you don’t find your corners. The Solarium is one of the best corners on board for me. Find it early, set your alarm, and make it yours.
Just maybe don’t tell everyone.
