Both MSC Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line offer compelling cruise experiences with a focus on value and family-friendly activities. MSC Cruises stands out for its budget-friendly pricing and diverse itineraries, while Carnival is praised for its onboard entertainment and generally positive reviews. Potential travelers should carefully consider their budget, desired destinations, and tolerance for potential additional costs and service inconsistencies when making their choice.
| Attribute | MSC Cruises | Carnival Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | Varies depending on itinerary, cabin type, and time of year. Known for being a budget-friendly cruise line. | Cruises start from $200-$250. Interior room: ~$50/night. Balcony room: ~$150-$200/person/night. 7-day cruise: ~$120-$170/person/day. |
| Cabin size and amenities | Cabins offer comfortable beds, a sitting area, spacious closet, and bathroom with shower/bathtub and hairdryer. Each has interactive TV, telephone, safe, and minibar. Suites may include balconies with whirlpools, separate living areas, and walk-in closets. Interior suites in Yacht Club start at 226 sq ft. Balcony cabins range from 172 to 183 sq ft (excluding balcony). Royal Suites can be as large as 667 sq ft with a 355 sq ft balcony. | Interior staterooms: ~17 sqm (twin/king-size bed, TV, telephone, AC, climate control, desk, bathroom with shower). Balcony staterooms: ~20 sqm (private balcony + interior amenities). Suites: More spacious with living areas and larger balconies. |
| Dining options and quality | Main restaurants offer a wide variety of high-quality cuisine with rotating menus that include international and Mediterranean dishes. Buffets are available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks. Specialty restaurants offer Asian, Latin American, and steakhouse options. Food quality in main dining rooms can be inconsistent. Some praise variety and freshness, especially pizza, pasta, and bread. | Guy's Burger Joint, Big Chicken, Seafood Shack, steakhouse, main dining rooms (rotating menus), buffets (Lido Marketplace), specialty restaurants (extra cost). Food quality is good, especially in the main dining room. Vegetarian options may be limited. |
| Onboard activities and entertainment | Offers a wide range of activities, including Broadway-level shows, arcades, mini-golf, 4D theaters, and waterparks. Specific activities vary by ship but may include zip lines, F1 simulators, bowling alleys, sports tournaments, and casinos. Family-friendly activities such as LEGO Family Game Show and DOREMIX Family Disco are available. | Pools, water slides, comedy clubs, live music, casinos, kids' programs. Unique attractions: BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster and SkyRide. |
| Itinerary and destinations | Sails to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America, South Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. In North America, sails to the Caribbean and the Bahamas from Miami, Port Canaveral, and New York City. Mediterranean cruises often depart from Ancona, Venice, Genoa, Naples, and Barcelona. | Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Alaska, Europe. Sails from various U.S. ports. Short 3- to 5-night trips to longer voyages. |
| Ship size and passenger capacity | Operates a range of ship sizes. Largest ships, like MSC World Europa, can carry over 6,700 guests. Smaller ships, like MSC Lirica, hold around 2,700 passengers. | Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Celebration: 183,521 gross tons, 5,374 passengers. Smaller ships: 2,100-3,000 passengers. |
| Family-friendliness (kids' programs, activities) | Known for being family-friendly, with dedicated kids' clubs for various age groups. Kids' clubs offer supervised activities, sports tournaments, games, and parties. Family-friendly activities include LEGO-themed events, waterparks, and family discos. | Camp Ocean (ages 2-11), Circle "C" (ages 12-14), Club O2 (teens). Water parks, sports facilities, themed dining events. |
| Service quality and staff attentiveness | Reviews vary. Some praise attentive and courteous service, while others report issues with unhelpful or dismissive staff. | Service quality varies; some praise friendly staff, others report overworked staff. |
| Inclusions (drinks, Wi-Fi, excursions) | Inclusions vary depending on the fare and package selected. Basic fares typically include meals in the main dining rooms and buffet, as well as access to most entertainment. Additional packages can be purchased to include drinks, Wi-Fi, and excursions. | Base fare includes accommodations, main dining room/buffet food, and some entertainment. Drinks (sodas, alcohol), Wi-Fi, and excursions cost extra. Packages: "Bottomless Bubbles" (unlimited soda/juice) and "Cheers!" (alcoholic beverages). |
| Age and condition of the ship | Fleet includes ships of varying ages. The oldest ships have been renovated, while newer ships offer the latest amenities and technologies. | Fleet includes ships of varying ages; newer ships offer more amenities and updated features. |
| Reviews and ratings | Receives mixed reviews. Some guests praise the ships, entertainment, and value for money, while others express concerns about overcrowding, service, and food quality. | Generally positive reviews, average ratings of 4.0 or higher for service, cabins, destinations, ship quality, and onboard activities. Concerns about the buffet, hidden costs, and older ships. |
| Loyalty program benefits | MSC Voyagers Club offers various benefits, including discounts on cruises, onboard discounts, priority embarkation, and exclusive events. The program has different tiers (Classic, Silver, Gold, and Diamond), with increasing benefits at higher levels. Allows status matching from other cruise lines. | Carnival Rewards: Multi-tiered program with points and stars for eligible purchases. Higher tiers offer priority check-in, complimentary beverages, free laundry service, and special event invitations. |
| Additional costs | Many onboard activities and specialty dining options incur an additional charge. It is recommended to review the details of your booking and any additional packages before boarding to avoid surprises. | Not available |
| Cabin comfort | Cabins are generally described as comfortable, with adequate space and amenities. However, some reviewers note that standard cabins can be small. | Not available |
| Shore excursions | Shore excursions vary by destination, with options for cultural exploration, adventure activities, and relaxation. | Not available |