Choosing between MSC Cruises and Disney Cruise Line depends on your priorities and budget. If you're looking for an affordable cruise with a wide variety of destinations and activities, MSC Cruises is a good option. However, if you're willing to pay more for a premium, immersive experience with excellent service, especially for families with children, Disney Cruise Line is the better choice.
| Attribute | MSC Cruises | Disney Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | Varies depending on itinerary, cabin type, and time of year. Known for offering some of the industry's lowest base fares. | The average cost can range from $700 to $3,000 per person for a 7-night cruise. Shorter cruises (1-3 nights) can start around $500-$1,500 per person. |
| Cabin size and amenities | Cabins range from inside cabins to suites with balconies. Amenities generally include a sitting area, spacious wardrobe, comfortable beds, interactive TV, telephone, safe, minibar, and a bathroom with a shower or bathtub and hairdryer. Suites often include larger balconies, separate living areas, and sometimes private whirlpools. The MSC Yacht Club offers luxurious suites with additional perks like butler service, Myform Memory mattresses, Egyptian cotton bedding, and marble bathrooms. Cabin dimensions vary depending on the ship and cabin category. | Inside cabins range from 169 to 184 sq ft and can accommodate 3-4 guests. Ocean-view cabins offer 204 to 241 sq ft of space. Verandah cabins (with a balcony) provide 243 to 304 sq ft. Deluxe family verandah cabins can be as large as 304 sq ft (including the balcony) and accommodate up to five people. Amenities include a split bath concept (in some categories), and "magical portholes" (on some inside cabins on Disney Fantasy and Dream). Newer ships like Disney Wish and Treasure offer king-size beds in some rooms, a step up from queen-size beds on older ships. |
| Dining options and quality | Main Restaurants: Offer a wide choice of high-quality cuisine with a different menu selection every day, from International to the best Mediterranean food. Buffet: Provides an astonishing variety of cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks. Specialty Restaurants: Offer a range of cuisines such as Asian, Latin American, and seafood. There is generally a surcharge for these. Quality in the main dining rooms can be variable, but specialty restaurants offer a notable improvement. Mediterranean cuisine is often highlighted as a strong point. | Disney Cruise Line offers rotational dining, where guests rotate through different main dining rooms each night, with their serving team accompanying them. Main dining options included in the cruise fare are Animator's Palate, Enchanted Garden, and Royal Palace. Options like Palo (Northern Italian cuisine) and Remy (French-inspired) are available for an extra charge and offer an elevated dining experience. Quick-service venues offer hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, sandwiches, and salads. Cabanas is a buffet-style restaurant. Room service is available 24 hours a day. |
| Onboard activities and entertainment | Tons of activities await you, Indulge in gourmet dining, relax at the luxurious spa, or bask in the sun by the pool. Daytime: Activities include dance classes, fitness classes, pool games, arts and crafts, team games, and sports activities. Nighttime: Entertainment includes Broadway-style shows, live music, casinos, cinemas, and themed parties. Other Activities: Depending on the ship, you might find 4D cinemas, bowling alleys, F1 simulators, arcades, water parks, and even zip lines and high ropes courses. Offers a wide range of entertainment and activities for all ages. | Live Broadway-style shows, deck parties, fireworks at sea, and first-run Disney movies. Character experiences, family venues, nightclubs & lounges for adults. Sports and recreation: basketball, shuffleboard, ping pong, and fitness centers. |
| Itinerary and destinations | Sails all around the globe. Destinations: Include the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, South America, South Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and more. Offers itineraries to a variety of destinations around the world, from tropical escapes to cultural explorations. | Destinations include the Caribbean, Bahamas, Europe, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, and the Panama Canal. Many itineraries include stops at Disney's private islands: Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. |
| Childcare and kids' programs | Offers kids' clubs for different age groups, from babies to teens. Age Groups: Baby Club: 0 to 3 years, Mini Club: 3 to 6 years, Junior Club: 7 to 11 years, Young Club: 12 to 14 years, Teens Club: 15 to 17 years. Activities: Include arts and crafts, group games, sports, pool games, tech games, and themed events. MSC is expanding its kids and family entertainment offerings this summer. Offers age-appropriate activities. | "it's a small world" nursery! for infants and toddlers (6 months to 3 years; fees apply). Disney's Oceaneer Club and Lab for kids ages 3-10. Edge (11-14 years) and Vibe (14-17 years) are dedicated spaces for tweens and teens. |
| Pools and recreational facilities | Ships offer a range of pools and activities to suit every age group. Facilities: Can include twisting slides, water parks, zip lines, Himalayan bridges, and more. Some ships have adult-only pools and heated pools. How crowded the pools and recreational areas get during peak times depends on the specific ship and itinerary. | Each ship has multiple pools, including family pools and adults-only pools. Examples: Mickey's Pool, Donald's Pool, Goofy's Pool (family pools), Quiet Cove Pool (adults). Water slides and interactive water play areas like AquaLab. |
| Service quality and staff friendliness | MSC's outstanding hospitality makes every day a pleasure on board. Service can be variable. | Disney Cruise Line is known for providing excellent service. Rotational dining ensures the same wait staff serves you each night. |
| Shore excursions offered | Offers a wide selection of shore excursions. Types: Include cultural and historical tours, scenic routes, active and adventure tours, and more. They also offer accessible shore excursions for guests with limited mobility. | Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of shore excursions (called "Port Adventures") at ports of call. Excursions range from beach activities to adventurous activities like snorkeling and zip-lining. Accessible Port Adventures are available in some locations. |
| 0.1- Disney is a leading provider of cruise experience, but it is generally more expensive than MSC. | MSC Cruises offers a budget-friendly, large-scale cruise experience with a wide array of destinations and activities, but it may lack the personalized service and polish found on smaller, more premium lines. | Disney Cruise Line delivers a magical and immersive experience, particularly for families with young children, but comes at a higher price point and may not appeal to those seeking a more adult-focused or intimate cruise. |