Carnival Cruise Line touts itself as “America’s Cruise Line,” whereas MSC Cruises is a European line that’s aggressively rising its presence in North America. They’re totally different in some ways — however very comparable in others. As you look into taking a cruise, chances are you’ll be contemplating these two traces, evaluating and contrasting issues like worth, ship choices, itineraries, and onboard facilities. So, which must you in the end guide?
After crusing on each traces a number of occasions, we have now a reasonably good deal with on what makes Carnival, effectively, Carnival, and what makes an MSC cruise an MSC cruise. When evaluating cruise manufacturers, the time period “higher” usually comes down to non-public desire, and there can be individuals on each side saying that one is healthier than the opposite. However that can assist you resolve which is correct for you, right here’s a breakdown on how these two traces stack up — class by class.
Carnival and MSC Fleets: A Breakdown
There are a selection of similarities between Carnival and MSC ships. Each fleets span the spectrum of a mainstream cruise line, with older, smaller vessels all the way in which as much as a number of the latest and largest ships at sea.
MSC and Carnival each have what the business calls mega-ships, which carry 1000’s of passengers every. The most important lessons in every fleet, Carnival’s Excel class and MSC’s World class, are so massive that public areas on board are divided up into “zones” and “districts,” respectively.
Out of all of the mainstream cruise traces, particularly people who sail from america, Carnival and MSC are likely to have one of the best cruise offers. After all, this doesn’t imply that ALL sailings you discover on these two traces can be cheaper than all voyages on comparable manufacturers like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. As all the time, cruise pricing is dynamic and varies relying on a variety of components just like the age and dimension of the ship, the itinerary, and the time of 12 months.
Should you’re questioning what precisely is included within the fare on every of those traces, try these articles:
- What’s included on Carnival Cruise Line?
- What’s included on MSC Cruises?
What number of ships does Carnival Cruise Line have?
On the time of publication, there are 29 ships within the Carnival fleet, with 5 extra on the way in which by 2033. The road has two additional Excel class ships – Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale – on order, set to start crusing in 2027 and 2028. There’s additionally a brand new class of ships, the Ace class, that can be delivered in 2029, 2031, and 2033. The primary ship in that class can be known as Carnival Future, in honor of the unique Carnival Future (now known as Carnival Sunshine), that debuted in 1996 and was the world’s largest cruise ship at the moment.
What are the smallest and largest Carnival cruise ships?
The smallest ship within the Carnival Cruise Line fleet is Carnival Paradise. Inbuilt 1998, Carnival Paradise is available in at 71,925 gross tons and holds 2,124 visitors. The most important Carnival cruise ship is a tie between its two latest ships: Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee. They each are available at a whopping 183,521 gross tons and might maintain 5,374 visitors at double capability.
What number of ships does MSC Cruises have?
There are at present 23 ships within the MSC Cruises fleet, with 10 extra on order with deliveries scheduled by 2033. Six of the extra ships are a part of the huge World class, with two already named: MSC World Asia (set to debut in December 2026) and MSC World Atlantic (set to start crusing in 2027). There are additionally 4 ships in a brand new class, known as the Frontier class, set for supply from 2030 by 2033.
What are the smallest and largest MSC cruise ships?
The smallest ship within the MSC Cruises fleet is MSC Armonia, which is available in at 65,542 gross tons and might maintain 2,679 passengers. The most important ship can also be the most recent: MSC World America. This mega ship is available in at 216,638 gross tons and holds 5,240 visitors at double occupancy.
Who sails Carnival vs. MSC cruise ships?
Each cruise traces’ ships are pretty informal and nice for households, good friend teams, and {couples}. Carnival tends to have extra of a come-as-you-are vibe, whereas MSC Cruises has a various passenger combine that stems from its European roots and recognition within the Mediterranean. You’ll additionally see this mirrored within the precise design of the ships themselves, as Carnival interiors are likely to lean extra playful and American whereas MSC Cruises values extra magnificence and glamour.
Age demographics are comparable throughout each traces, the place you’ll discover everybody from infants to great-grandparents crusing on Carnival and MSC ships. Cabins run the gamut from cheap inside staterooms to elegant suites throughout each manufacturers, so that you’ll discover individuals from plenty of totally different walks of life onboard.
Who has higher meals: Carnival or MSC?
Each Carnival and MSC embrace informal buffets and sit-down major eating rooms of their cruise fares. Past which might be quite a lot of included informal quick-service venues (totally on Carnival), in addition to a lineup of extra-fee specialty eating places, usually specializing in particular cuisines. Right here’s how these venues stack up side-by-side. Notice: The precise venues discovered on every ship varies; not all ships within the fleet could have each considered one of these eating places.
Steakhouses
- Carnival: Fahrenheit 555
- MSC: Butcher’s Minimize
Asian Eating places
- Carnival: JiJi Asian Kitchen, Mongolian Wok, Bonsai Sushi, and Chibang
- MSC: Kaito Sushi and Kaito Teppanyaki
Mexican Spots
- Carnival: BlueIguana Cantina and Chibang
- MSC: Hola! Tacos & Cantina
Seafood Venues
- Carnival: Rudi’s Seagrill, Emeril’s Bistro, and Seafood Shack
- MSC: Ocean Cay Restaurant and La Pescaderia
Barbecue Joints
- Carnival: Man’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que and Man’s Smokehouse | Brewhouse
- MSC: Crimson Cactus BBQ & Ribs (solely discovered on MSC Seashore)
Rooster Fingers and Sandwiches
- Carnival: Shaq’s Huge Rooster
- MSC: The Rooster Man (solely discovered on MSC Seashore)
Cafes
- Carnival: JavaBlue Café (and different names relying on the ship)
- MSC: Most MSC ships characteristic a café with varied names, choose ships additionally characteristic the Venchi chocolate store and cafe
Carnival Cruise Line additionally options the Italian restaurant Cucina del Capitano, in addition to the favored poolside Man’s Burger Joint with quite a lot of burger choices on the menu. MSC Cruises options an Eataly at Sea and a Greek seafood restaurant known as Paxos aboard MSC World America, whereas MSC World Europa has a contemporary Nordic restaurant known as Chef’s Backyard Kitchen. Each ships serve pizza that’s out there from morning ‘until late at evening, with MSC Cruises simply beating Carnival within the pizza division.
However general, Carnival has fairly a variety of included eating choices on its ships, particularly on the subject of informal quick-service venues which might be open throughout the day. We perceive that cruise eating is considerably subjective, however we expect Carnival wins on this class. With a big number of each included and specialty venues and persistently nice high quality, there’s actually one thing for everybody to eat and luxuriate in on a Carnival ship — whether or not you’ve paid additional on your meal or not.
Bars on Carnival vs. MSC Cruises
For a lot of cruisers, drinks are virtually as essential as meals. Each traces have nice bar applications, however the general character of every is kind of totally different. MSC tends to lean extra in the direction of European glamour on the subject of bars, with fewer distinctly “themed” areas than you’ll discover on Carnival.
Carnival presents a variety of totally different bars and lounges throughout its fleet for passengers to make good use of their drink bundle — together with favorites just like the classic pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, the poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bars, the Heroes Tribute Lounge sports activities bar, and the basic piano bar. Choose ships have extra distinctive bars, too, just like the practice station-themed Latitudes Bar on Carnival Celebration, the underwater/octopus themed Dr. Inks, Ph.D. bar on Carnival Jubilee, the RedFrog Pub & Brewery that brews its personal beer on Carnival Vista, and the bubbles bar Frizzante on Carnival Venezia and Firenze.
MSC Cruises brings a European aptitude to lots of its bars and lounges, with extra of a concentrate on fashionable type relatively than theming. MSC additionally doesn’t carry as lots of its bars throughout a lot of the fleet like Carnival does, that means you’ll discover otherwise named and styled bars relying on what ship you’re crusing. On many vessels, you’ll discover issues like a devoted champagne bar, a major pool bar, a sports activities bar, and a on line casino bar. Many ships embrace a Venchi outpost serving up chocolate cocktails and specialty coffees. MSC’s latest and largest class of ships, the World class, leans extra into themed bars, with choices together with a pub with brewery, the Gin Mission, and Elixir – Mixology Bar for extra experimental cocktails.
Each Carnival and MSC supply drink packages, with non-alcoholic and alcoholic choices out there. Each traces embrace issues like bottled water, smoothies, and specialty espresso of their packages, with Carnival’s pricing coming in barely cheaper than MSC’s. It’s essential to notice that each cruise traces impose a 15-drink restrict for alcoholic drinks per 24-hour interval.
Winner: Carnival. With bars and lounges which have extra enjoyable and distinctive themes together with a barely higher worth on the subject of drink packages, Carnival edges out MSC on this class.
Leisure: Carnival vs. MSC Cruises
Prime-Deck Points of interest and Sports activities
The highest-deck points of interest you’ll discover on MSC and Carnival can fluctuate wildly relying on the ship you’re crusing. With that being mentioned, there are some staples you may count on on all or virtually all Carnival and MSC ships: waterslides (with many that includes a whole water park space), sports activities courts, a small putt-putt course, and an journey path or ropes course. Each traces additionally embrace, after all, swimming swimming pools (almost all ships have at the very least two or extra) and a variety of scorching tubs.
Some Carnival ships add distinctive options like a curler coaster (the Excel-class ships) or a sky biking attraction known as the SkyRide (Vista-class ships). Some MSC ships characteristic further thrills just like the Robotron experience (MSC Seascape) or the World-class ships’ Cliffhanger overwater swing experience and Jaw Drop @ The Spiral, an 11-deck-high dry slide.
Indoors, you’ll discover arcades on each traces, in addition to a on line casino. Many MSC ships additionally characteristic a posh with digital actuality video games, an F1 simulator, and even a bowling alley. On Carnival, choose vessels characteristic an IMAX theater, and Carnival Panorama even features a SkyZone trampoline park.
Manufacturing Reveals
Carnival’s theater manufacturing reveals, that are known as Playlist Productions, are authentic reveals created only for the road. They’re enjoyable and attention-grabbing, usually with extra of a concentrate on music relatively than a story storyline. Once they do have a storyline, the plots could be a bit tough to observe. In style Playlist Manufacturing reveals embrace the 70s and 80s rock celebration Epic Rock, the film soundtrack-centric Flick, and the high-tempo Broadway Beats present tunes manufacturing.
MSC Cruises reveals emphasize visible spectacle over storytelling, which is essential for a line that carries passengers who converse many various languages. Performances might need unfastened storylines, however rely extra on spectacular expertise and stunts from expertise together with illusionists, contortionists, jugglers, acrobats, and aerialists, mixed with immersive soundtracks and putting video, lighting, and sound results.
Theater reveals on each traces are typically carried out twice in the identical evening, giving visitors the chance to attend regardless of after they eat dinner. As effectively, reveals are of comparable lengths for each Carnival and MSC, normally coming in underneath 40 minutes. This leaves loads of time to get pleasure from different nighttime leisure and enjoyable across the ship.
Actions and Nightlife
Each Carnival and MSC supply an analogous number of onboard actions — trivia, sport reveals, themed events, dwell music, and past. Each are high-energy, too. Carnival is understood for extra of a “social gathering” ambiance, which stretches from daytime across the pool into nighttime events and leisure. Daytime on MSC tends to be a bit extra subdued, however the night events and nightlife are usually very energetic and well-attended.
Winner: It’s a tie. Whereas the traces’ approaches to actions and leisure are barely totally different, they each supply a superb number of each indoor and outside points of interest, with Carnival holding an edge for a greater variety of top-deck points of interest. MSC tends to beat Carnival on the subject of manufacturing present high quality, however Carnival holds its personal on the subject of themed events and a enjoyable high-energy ambiance.
MSC vs. Carnival: Which is healthier for teenagers’ golf equipment and actions?
In relation to organized youngsters membership choices, Carnival’s Camp Ocean and MSC’s Youngsters Golf equipment are alike in some ways. Each divide youngsters into a number of age teams:
Carnival’s Camp Ocean
- Turtles: 6-23 months
- Penguins: 2-5 years
- Stingrays: 6-8 years
- Sharks: September 11 years
- Circle C: 12-14 years
- Membership O2: 15-17 years
MSC’s Youngsters Membership
- Child Membership: 6 months to three years
- Mini Membership: 3-6 years
- Junior Membership: 7-11 years
- Younger Membership: 12-14 years
- Teen Membership: 15-17 years
Each traces have particular devoted areas for tweens and teenagers which might be separate from the youthful youngsters. Youngsters in these older age teams can come and go as they please with fewer scheduled actions and extra emphasis on simply hanging out with video video games, sports activities tournaments, competitions, and events.
Each additionally permit for-fee drop-off babysitting providers for kids from 6 months previous. There are additionally late-night actions for teenagers that permit dad and mom a little bit of alone time for a per-child hourly value.
So far as the precise programming, each traces schedule comparable age-appropriate actions. They may vary from storytime and humanities and crafts for the youngest youngsters to bop events, sports activities competitions, and online game tournaments for older ones.
Each cruise traces have their very own branded youngsters’ programming, too. Carnival has a partnership with Dr. Seuss known as Seuss at Sea, which suggests youngsters can get pleasure from a personality parade, interactive storytime, and particular Dr. Seuss-themed films and actions. Some ships even characteristic a devoted youngsters’ library known as Dr. Seuss Bookville, crammed with Dr. Seuss books, board video games, puzzles, and toys.
MSC has a partnership with LEGO, with LEGO-themed play areas together with — after all — loads of LEGO bricks to play with, a particular parent-and-kids LEGO problem as soon as per cruise, and a LEGO household parade that includes LEGO characters and MSC’s mascot Doremi.
Winner: It’s a tie. With all issues thought of, the traces are matched fairly evenly for kid-centric issues to do.
Cabins and Lodging
On each Carnival and MSC, the older ships’ cabins are likely to have decor and colour schemes that may look a bit dated, regardless of common refurbishments which have changed carpeting and gentle furnishings. New ships have been designed with a extra fashionable look with up to date colours, wooden tones, and carpeting that assist carry a shiny really feel to the rooms.
Stateroom classes run the gamut, with small inside rooms with no home windows out there, oceanview staterooms with a window, balcony cabins with non-public outside area, and quite a lot of suite classes that may vary from mini-suites which might be principally like bigger balcony cabins all the way in which as much as multi-room lodging which have separate residing, eating, and sleeping areas — usually with very massive balconies.
Even the fundamental lodging from each manufacturers embrace at the very least a queen mattress that may be break up into two beds upon request. Staterooms additionally embrace a closet, a conceit/desk area with a mirror, and lots of staterooms embrace a small sofa or chair — typically a sofa that converts right into a mattress. Moreover, all staterooms have their very own non-public loos. Most characteristic only a stand-up bathe, however some stateroom classes — notably varied suites — have full tubs or tub/bathe combos.
Particular stateroom classes that embrace additional perks on Carnival embrace the Havana cabins with entry to the Havana pool space, Cloud 9 Spa staterooms with entry to the spa’s thermal suite, the Household Harbor lodging with unique entry to the Household Harbor Lounge. Notice that these particular stateroom classes are solely out there on choose ships.
Once you guide an MSC cruise, you decide an “expertise,” the extent of which determines varied perks you would possibly obtain. For instance, in the event you guide an Aurea suite, you obtain included entry to the spa’s thermal suite and the solarium. MSC Cruises’ ships additionally characteristic a luxurious ship-within-a-ship advanced known as the MSC Yacht Membership. Should you guide a Yacht Membership suite, you obtain entry to an unique sundeck, lounge, and restaurant, in addition to quite a lot of different premium perks.
Winner: MSC Cruises. Whereas Carnival has a whole lot of selection, particularly on the subject of particular cabins with further perks, MSC has a good bigger selection to select from and good points main factors for its luxurious MSC Yacht Membership advanced — which might be discovered on almost each ship within the fleet.
Carnival vs. MSC: Pricing and Worth
Each Carnival and MSC are on the decrease finish of the mainstream pricing tier, with plenty of offers available throughout each traces. As well as, each traces embrace just about the identical issues of their fares: lodging, leisure, most actions, and customary eating together with the buffet, major eating room, and choose different (principally quick-casual) eating places. Specialty and alcoholic drinks, wifi, specialty eating, gratuities, and shore excursions are all add-ons.
Nevertheless, chances are you’ll be questioning whether or not MSC is cheaper than Carnival. The traces are literally very comparable of their pricing construction while you have a look at comparable ships (dimension, age, and so forth.), itineraries, and time of 12 months. Irrespective of which line you go together with — and this goes for many cruise manufacturers — you’ll typically pay extra for cabins on newer ships and on extra sought-after or unique itineraries than you’ll on older ships or on a extra customary itinerary that yow will discover throughout plenty of ships and cruise traces.
To provide you an instance, listed here are some comparable sailings on each traces:
7-night Japanese Caribbean roundtrip from Miami in January 2027
- Carnival Celebration: Beginning at $544 per individual, visiting St. Thomas, San Juan, and Celebration Key
- MSC World America: Beginning at $619 per individual, visiting Puerto Plata, San Juan, and Ocean Cay
7-night Alaska roundtrip from Seattle in July 2027
- Carnival Spirit: Beginning at $1,134 per individual, visiting Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria with scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
- MSC Poesia: Beginning at $1,068 per individual, visiting Ketchikan, Icy Strait Level, Juneau, Victoria, and scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
4-night Bahamas roundtrip from Port Canaveral in November 2026
- Carnival Freedom: Beginning at $331 per individual, visiting Celebration Key and Half Moon Cay
- MSC Seashore: Beginning at $262 per individual, visiting Nassau and Ocean Cay
If funds is an enormous issue when deciding between Carnival vs. MSC, it actually will come right down to the precise itinerary and ship age/dimension that you simply’re trying to guide, as a result of each traces worth their sailings very equally, and there are nice offers available with each manufacturers.
Winner: In relation to worth for cash, we have now to go together with Carnival. Although the bottom fares throughout each traces are a superb worth, Carnival pulls forward simply barely as a result of it contains extra meals within the fare, and tends to have extra included top-deck points of interest.
Carnival vs. MSC: Itineraries and Personal Locations
Carnival Cruise Line is an all-American cruise model, with nearly all of its sailings departing from homeports throughout the U.S. MSC Cruises, whereas it does sail from the U.S., is an Italian cruise model that’s headquartered in Switzerland. With that mentioned, it doesn’t come as a shock that almost all MSC cruise itineraries are in and round Europe.
Nevertheless, whether or not you’re in search of a cruise within the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and even Alaska, you’ll have the ability to discover cruise choices from each traces. Carnival primarily sails within the Caribbean and Bahamas, but in addition has a presence on the West Coast in Mexico and Alaska, the Mediterranean and northern Europe, Australia and the South Pacific, Canada and New England, and the Panama Canal.
About half of MSC Cruises’ fleet primarily sails within the Mediterranean all through the busy spring and summer season seasons. The second hottest area for MSC has truly develop into the Caribbean, as the road continues to develop its presence in North America. Following that, different areas the place yow will discover MSC cruises embrace northern Europe, South America, the Center East, and — for the primary time in 2026 — Alaska.
Each Carnival and MSC Cruises have plenty of cruise choices out of Florida, with further sailings from Galveston, Texas and Seattle, Washington. Whereas MSC has plenty of departure factors to select from in Europe, Carnival has a notable presence in different U.S. cities together with Lengthy Seashore, CA; Norfolk, VA; Baltimore, MD; and New York Metropolis.
Weeklong seven-night cruises are hottest with each cruise manufacturers. Each manufacturers additionally supply shorter three to four-night voyages, however you’ll discover a a lot bigger number of these fast getaway journeys on Carnival vs. MSC. Should you’re in search of an extended 10+ evening cruise, you’ll have extra to select from on MSC — particularly in Europe.
Carnival Personal Locations
Carnival has two non-public locations, although each are (or can be) shared with different manufacturers inside the Carnival Company fleet.
- RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay: a non-public island within the Bahamas (unique to each Carnival and Holland America)
- Celebration Key: a non-public seashore vacation spot on Grand Bahama Island (may even be visited by Princess and AIDA ships)
MSC Cruises Personal Locations
- Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve: a non-public island within the Bahamas (additionally visited by MSC’s luxurious cruise model, Explora Journeys)
- A personal beachfront on Sir Bani Yas Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi, UAE
Winner: By way of U.S.-based vacationers, it’s a tie. MSC Cruises has a wider vary of itineraries it sails in areas all over the world, however Carnival has a bigger number of voyages out of the U.S. and two easily-accessible locations within the Bahamas vs. MSC’s one.
Loyalty Packages
Carnival’s Carnival Rewards program and MSC’s Voyagers Membership are each tiered loyalty applications that reward repeat cruisers with quite a lot of perks. Each applications embrace perks corresponding to free specialty eating or drink vouchers, commemorative pins, precedence check-in and boarding, and extra.
MSC’s loyalty program awards factors primarily based on each the size of the cruise and the “expertise” degree you guide into. Carnival’s former loyalty program, the VIFP Membership, allowed visitors to earn factors primarily based on the variety of days cruised. Nevertheless, the brand new Carnival Rewards program rewards factors primarily based on spend, very like an airline loyalty program. Which means MSC’s Voyagers Membership and the Carnival Rewards program are fairly totally different by way of the best way to attain standing.
As well as, you may lose standing in each applications. That you must cruise at the very least as soon as each 5 years with MSC to stay energetic in this system. That you must cruise or have one other “eligible qualifying exercise” at the very least as soon as each three years with the intention to hold your factors in Carnival’s program.
In relation to standing matching, MSC Cruises earns main factors. Should you’re a loyalty member of one other cruise line, lodge model, or tour operator, you may submit a standing match request with MSC Cruises. If authorised, you’re positioned into an equal tier within the Voyagers Membership. Carnival doesn’t do standing matching in any respect.
Winner: MSC Cruises, primarily for its (extra) easy points-earning construction that rewards primarily based on time on board and never spend — and standing matching. The perks are additionally actually good within the greater tiers on MSC, together with issues like precedence for a free cabin improve when out there, candy treats within the cabin, a free one-hour spa thermal space session, a specialty dinner, a free behind-the-scenes tour, a free web bundle, and extra.
Carnival vs. MSC Cruises: Which is best for you?
There’s no single cruise line that can be proper for everybody. Your demographic, wants, and preferences all come into play on the subject of selecting a cruise line. Nevertheless, if we’re wanting on the “greatest” cruise line primarily based on which received probably the most classes above, Carnival edges out MSC…however solely barely.
Carnival excels on the subject of included eating choices, top-deck points of interest, and enjoyable themed areas on board — particularly with bars and lounges. However MSC has strong youngsters’ and household programming proper alongside Carnival, in addition to a robust loyalty program and strong worth for the cash — to not point out the upscale (and fleetwide) MSC Yacht Membership advanced — one thing Carnival doesn’t supply.
Each traces are strong selections, particularly on their newer ships. All of it comes down to non-public desire.
Select Carnival Cruise Line if…
- You need probably the most included eating choices, particularly informal spots open all day lengthy
- You like enjoyable, themed bars and an off-the-cuff, high-energy ambiance
- You’re after the widest number of top-deck thrills, from curler coasters to the SkyRide
- You’re planning a fast 3- or 4-night getaway or wish to sail from a U.S. homeport near dwelling
- You need one of the best bang on your buck within the base fare
Select MSC Cruises if…
- You need a true ship-within-a-ship expertise with the MSC Yacht Membership
- You favor elegant, glamorous ship design over loud and shiny decor
- You need a less complicated loyalty program or standing matching from one other model
- You’re dreaming of the Mediterranean or an extended 10+ evening voyage at reasonably priced pricing
- You’re crusing as a multi-generational group and need one thing for everybody
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