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Pirates may once have been forced to walk the plank, but I’m being mechanically swung right off the top deck.
Luckily, this postbox-red ride on the latest mega cruise ship also delivers me back again – once my stomach stops flipping like a cavorting dolphin.
Cliffhanger is the latest high-tech toy to join the MSC Cruises fleet, aboard the freshly-minted MSC World America.
It’s the only over-water swing ride at sea and launches passengers 50m above the open ocean – but so far I’ve been convinced it’s a gimmick designed to lure influencers and restock Ariel’s mermaid grotto with stray shoes.
When onboard for the ship’s naming ceremony voyage from Miami, I rush to the ‘adventure district’ to try Cliffhanger out for myself, but it quickly proves no mere playground jolly.
Securing riders with only a T-Bar, the oversized swing gains momentum and I’m soon hurled repeatedly overboard like shaken-out laundry.
Toothpaste-blue strips of Caribbean Sea swell up before me with each exhilarating surge over the ship’s edge.
‘I’m flying, Jack!’ I nearly cry as my adrenaline fizzes – now this is a king-of-the-world view.
Harriet Mallinson (pictured) climbs onboard the MSC World America
Harriet rides Cliffhanger, the only over-water swing ride at sea, which launches passengers 50m above the open ocean
Attracting youth is the goal of most cruise lines now, and this new 6,762-capacity ship offers plenty for younger guests
Swayed (literally), I concede: Cliffhanger is a brag-worthy way to take in the sea air, provided you don’t fear heights.
OK, it’s not wholly original – the inspiration was a similar attraction atop Amsterdam’s A’DAM Tower – but this is a red (light) zone high I can legally recommend.
The giant crimson seat isn’t the only novelty for MSC Cruises in 2025: in April MSC World America welcomed American actress Drew Barrymore as godmother, despite Italian star Sophia Loren playing leading lady to nearly 20 previous ships.
Why? Well, if the US flag fluttering on the LED ceiling didn’t give it away, this floating hotel is part of the brand’s latest drive to make MSC Cruises a household name in the US.
After all, that’s where the money is; the States is the largest and most influential cruise market globally, with 19 million Americans predicted to take ocean cruises in 2025.
World America then, aims to serve up both European style and American comfort as it plies the Caribbean; and so the new sports bar, adults-only comedy club, ‘Dirty Dancing in Concert’ theatre show, local beers and transatlantic food – all set to entice the Yanks.
As for home-grown Californian Barrymore: ‘She’s got lots of energy [and] enthusiasm; I think that’s exactly what we need now,’ grins Antonio Paradiso, MSC’s VP of International Sales.
I suspect the word he’s looking for is young(er): Loren is 90, Barrymore, a spry 50.
in April, MSC World America welcomed American actress Drew Barrymore as godmother (pictured)
The ship has a shuffleboard area onboard (pictured)
There are a range of eateries onboard, from a new Santorini-vibes Greek restaurant and an Eataly, to brunch, tacos and late-night pizza, plus high-quality coffee
This verve was evidenced at the christening ceremony when relatable, ever-perky Barrymore excitedly bopped along to the entertainment, presented a wide-mouthed hype face as she stepped on stage, and squealed: ‘This is so cool!’ ahead of the bottle smash.
Meanwhile, doddery Loren – who had to be guided by two men at the last MSC christening in 2023 – is someone newer generations barely recognise.
MSC’s shift is hardly surprising.
Attracting youth is the goal of most cruise lines now, and Paradiso is eager to share that the average age of an MSC cruiser is now 42 – actually quite impressive given the industry average is 55.
So, besides a godmother whose heyday post-dated colour TV and a Thorpe Park-worthy swing, what else does this new 6,762-capacity ship offer younger guests?
For this millennial cruiser it’s the range of eateries (from a new Santorini-vibes Greek restaurant and an Eataly, to brunch, tacos and late-night pizza) plus high-quality coffee.
It’s the gargantuan gleaming gym with Pilates, HIIT classes and more.
It’s the huge spa with a snazzy snow room and a machine that burns 600 calories by supping on your sweat, no injections required.
It’s flexible, freeing and all just… right there.
The deluxe cabin room that Harriet stayed in onboard the ship
The ship features a gargantuan gleaming gym with Pilates, HIIT classes and more, as well as a huge spa
The spa even has a snazzy snow room (pictured) and a machine that burns 600 calories by supping on your sweat, no injections required
The ship was even part of a Guinness World Record, as MSC Cruises celebrated the vessel’s launch by assembling the longest line of Lego ships along the World America’s decks – 1,391, to be exact.
After dark, the ship’s multipurpose venue transforms into a proper party-pumping nightclub (a rarity at sea).
‘Après’ whisks you to a European ski season with snow machines and Euro pop, while ‘Miami Nights’ is all Latin music and sultry salsa – and you won’t need an overpriced Uber home.
Daytime kicks come by way of myriad pools – adult-only, botanical, hot and bubbly – and water slides.
I find the vertical drop an infinitely scarier proposition than Cliffhanger: tanding on the trapdoor, arms crossed like a deceased Pharaoh, I listen to the ominous countdown.
The ground suddenly falls away beneath me and I plummet, handing my panicked corporal envelope over to gravity before water and plastic rise to meet it, and I swoosh southwards, my heart thumping like a Tribal House beat.
It’s a similar (tall) tale over at Jaw Drop, one of the longest dry slides at sea.
The spiralling behemoth corkscrews through the middle of the ship’s open-air promenade, affording a speedy commute down 11 decks and delivering you like a flushed Royal Mail parcel below, blinking in the sunlight before the al fresco aft’s enormous rectangle of blue sea and sky, MSC’s very own Rothko.
The ship is also home to Jaw Drop, one of the longest dry slides at sea (pictured). The spiralling behemoth corkscrews through the middle of the ship’s open-air promenade, affording a speedy commute down 11 decks
I’m granted more theme park energy on this ship in 24 hours than I have for weeks
I’m granted more theme park energy on this ship in 24 hours than I have for weeks, so it’s little wonder a day at MSC’s private Bahamian island, Ocean Cay – where there is little to do but float in the lagoon, sunbathe on honeycomb sands and swim in clear waters – is such a welcome relief.
All ex-Miami sailings stop here and it’s the ultimate beach day.
With zero holiday FOMO – no sightseeing, no history to swot up on, no local gems – you can just…switch off.
So yes, MSC has created an experience that makes younger travellers want to book; and while older, traditional cruisers haven’t been given the heave-ho just yet (there are still buffets, tribute bands, accessible shore excursions), I can’t help but feel this ship would be wasted on them.
Those swingers so stereotypically associated with cruising, though? Send them to Cliffhanger, they’ll fit right in.
