Both Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises offer diverse cruise experiences, with Carnival focusing on budget-friendly travel and a wide array of entertainment, while MSC Cruises emphasizes a modern fleet and a variety of international destinations. The best choice depends on individual priorities, such as budget, desired destinations, and ship age.
| Attribute | Carnival Cruise Line | MSC Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | Starting from $164 for a 4-night sailing from Miami, varies by itinerary, cabin, and time of year. | Deals starting around $97 per day. Interior Stateroom: $500 - $1,200. Ocean View Stateroom: $800 - $1,500. Balcony Stateroom: $1,200 - $2,500. Suite: $2,500 - $5,000. |
| Cabin size and amenities | Interior staterooms (around 17 sqm) with twin/king beds, TV, telephone, AC, desk, bathroom with shower. Oceanview cabins (185-230 sq ft). Balcony cabins (approx. 20 sqm) with private balcony. Suites with more space and amenities. All include hair dryer, makeup mirror, safe, mini-bar fridge. | Details on specific cabin sizes weren't found in the search results. |
| Dining options and quality | Complimentary options: Main Dining Room, Lido Marketplace (buffet), Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina. Specialty restaurants (extra fee): steakhouses, seafood shacks, Italian venues. Accommodates special dietary needs. | Main dining rooms offer a wide choice of high-quality cuisine. Buffet open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks, including pizza, grill, wellness section, rotisserie, pasta, family dining, and an ethnic corner. Specialty restaurants offer themed cuisine. |
| Onboard activities and entertainment | Water parks (WaterWorks), sports courts (SportSquare), mini-golf, arcades, ropes courses, live music, comedy clubs, production shows (Playlist Productions), Dive-In Movies, casinos. Some ships: SkyRide, BOLT roller coaster, IMAX theaters. | Broadway-style shows, live music, casinos, cinemas, tournaments, game shows, water parks, zip lines, Himalayan bridges, arcades, mini-golf, 4D theaters, waterslides, bumper cars, and F1 simulators. |
| Itinerary and destinations | Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Europe, Alaska, Hawaii. Leader in cruises from U.S. ports to the Caribbean and Bahamas. 3- to 5-night cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas, as well as longer voyages. | Mediterranean, Caribbean and Bahamas, Northern Europe, South America, South Africa, The Middle East, Asia. |
| Ship size and passenger capacity | Varies from smaller vessels to large ships. Largest ships (Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Celebration): 183,521 gross tonnage, 5,374+ passengers. Smallest ships (Carnival Elation, Carnival Paradise): 71,900 gross tonnage, approx. 2,190 passengers. | MSC World Europa: 205,700 tons, 6,774 guests. MSC Euribia: 181,541 tons, 6,334 guests. MSC Grandiosa: 177,000 tons, 6,334 guests. MSC Splendida: 137,936 tons, 4,363 passengers. |
| Family-friendliness and kids' programs | Camp Ocean (ages 2-11), Circle "C" (tweens), Club O2 (teens). Some ships offer Family Harbor staterooms with private lounge access. | Dedicated Kids Clubs for different age groups, from babies to teens. Kids clubs include Baby Club Chicco (6 months - 2 years), Mini Club Lego (3-6 years), Juniors Club Lego (7-11 years), Young Club (12-14 years), and Teens Club (15-17 years). |
| Service quality and staff attentiveness | Gratuities automatically added to onboard account. | Some reviews mention courteous and helpful staff. |
| Inclusions (drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities) | Base fares do not include alcoholic beverages, sodas, specialty coffees, or bottled water. Drink packages available ("Cheers!"). Wi-Fi for an additional charge. Gratuities added to onboard account daily. | Information on specific inclusions was not found in the search results. |
| Shore excursions and costs | Available for an additional cost. | Kids 2 and under can often join for free, and children 3-13 may get discounts. |
| Age and condition of the ship | Fleet includes older and newer ships. Newer ships offer more amenities. Older ships have been refurbished. | MSC Cruises operates a modern fleet of ships. |
| COVID-19 safety protocols | Vaccines and testing not required for most U.S. and European departures. Encourages vaccinations and pre-cruise testing. Masks recommended in indoor spaces. | Universal COVID-19 testing for guests and crew prior to embarkation, health screenings, temperature checks, and enhanced sanitation measures. |