Carnival Cruise Line touts itself as “America’s Cruise Line,” while MSC Cruises is a European line that’s aggressively growing its presence in North America. They’re different in many ways — but very similar in others. As you look into taking a cruise, you may be considering these two lines, comparing and contrasting things like price, ship options, itineraries, and onboard amenities. So, which should you ultimately book?
After sailing on both lines multiple times, we have a pretty good handle on what makes Carnival, well, Carnival, and what makes an MSC cruise an MSC cruise. When comparing cruise brands, the term “better” often comes down to personal preference, and there will be people on both sides saying that one is better than the other. But to help you decide which is right for you, here’s a breakdown on how these two lines stack up — category by category.
Carnival and MSC Fleets: A Breakdown
There are a number of similarities between Carnival and MSC ships. Both fleets span the spectrum of a mainstream cruise line, with older, smaller vessels all the way up to some of the newest and largest ships at sea.
MSC and Carnival both have what the industry calls mega-ships, which carry thousands of passengers each. The largest classes in each fleet, Carnival’s Excel class and MSC’s World class, are so big that public spaces on board are divided up into “zones” and “districts,” respectively.
Out of all the mainstream cruise lines, especially those that sail from the United States, Carnival and MSC tend to have the best cruise deals. Of course, this doesn’t mean that ALL sailings you find on these two lines will be cheaper than all voyages on similar brands like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. As always, cruise pricing is dynamic and varies depending on a number of factors like the age and size of the ship, the itinerary, and the time of year.
If you’re wondering what exactly is included in the fare on each of these lines, check out these articles:
- What’s included on Carnival Cruise Line?
- What’s included on MSC Cruises?
How many ships does Carnival Cruise Line have?
At the time of publication, there are 29 ships in the Carnival fleet, with five more on the way through 2033. The line has two further Excel class ships – Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale – on order, set to begin sailing in 2027 and 2028. There’s also a new class of ships, the Ace class, that will be delivered in 2029, 2031, and 2033. The first ship in that class will be called Carnival Destiny, in honor of the original Carnival Destiny (now called Carnival Sunshine), that debuted in 1996 and was the world’s largest cruise ship at that time.
What are the smallest and largest Carnival cruise ships?
The smallest ship in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet is Carnival Paradise. Built in 1998, Carnival Paradise comes in at 71,925 gross tons and holds 2,124 guests. The largest Carnival cruise ship is a tie between its two newest ships: Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee. They both come in at a whopping 183,521 gross tons and can hold 5,374 guests at double capacity.
How many ships does MSC Cruises have?
There are currently 23 ships in the MSC Cruises fleet, with 10 more on order with deliveries scheduled through 2033. Six of the additional ships are part of the massive World class, with two already named: MSC World Asia (set to debut in December 2026) and MSC World Atlantic (set to begin sailing in 2027). There are also four ships in a new class, called the Frontier class, set for delivery from 2030 through 2033.
What are the smallest and largest MSC cruise ships?
The smallest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet is MSC Armonia, which comes in at 65,542 gross tons and can hold 2,679 passengers. The largest ship is also the newest: MSC World America. This mega ship comes in at 216,638 gross tons and holds 5,240 guests at double occupancy.
Who sails Carnival vs. MSC cruise ships?
Both cruise lines’ ships are fairly casual and great for families, friend groups, and couples. Carnival tends to have more of a come-as-you-are vibe, while MSC Cruises has a diverse passenger mix that stems from its European roots and popularity in the Mediterranean. You’ll also see this reflected in the actual design of the ships themselves, as Carnival interiors tend to lean more playful and American while MSC Cruises values more elegance and glamour.
Age demographics are similar across both lines, where you’ll find everyone from babies to great-grandparents sailing on Carnival and MSC ships. Cabins run the gamut from inexpensive interior staterooms to elegant suites across both brands, so you’ll find people from lots of different walks of life onboard.
Who has better food: Carnival or MSC?
Both Carnival and MSC include casual buffets and sit-down main dining rooms in their cruise fares. Beyond that are a variety of included casual quick-service venues (mostly on Carnival), as well as a lineup of extra-fee specialty restaurants, often focusing on specific cuisines. Here’s how these venues stack up side-by-side. Note: The specific venues found on each ship varies; not all ships in the fleet will have every one of these restaurants.
Steakhouses
- Carnival: Fahrenheit 555
- MSC: Butcher’s Cut
Asian Restaurants
- 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: Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que and Guy’s Smokehouse | Brewhouse
- MSC: Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs (only found on MSC Seashore)
Chicken Fingers and Sandwiches
- Carnival: Shaq’s Big Chicken
- MSC: The Chicken Man (only found on MSC Seashore)
Cafes
- Carnival: JavaBlue Café (and other names depending on the ship)
- MSC: Most MSC ships feature a café with various names, select ships also feature the Venchi chocolate shop and cafe
Carnival Cruise Line also features the Italian restaurant Cucina del Capitano, as well as the popular poolside Guy’s Burger Joint with a variety of burger options on the menu. MSC Cruises features an Eataly at Sea and a Greek seafood restaurant called Paxos aboard MSC World America, while MSC World Europa has a modern Nordic restaurant called Chef’s Garden Kitchen. Both ships serve pizza that’s available from morning ‘till late at night, with MSC Cruises easily beating Carnival in the pizza department.
But overall, Carnival has quite a number of included dining options on its ships, especially when it comes to casual quick-service venues that are open during the day. We understand that cruise dining is somewhat subjective, but we think Carnival wins in this category. With a large variety of both included and specialty venues and consistently great quality, there’s truly something for everyone to eat and enjoy on a Carnival ship — whether you’ve paid extra for your meal or not.
Bars on Carnival vs. MSC Cruises
For many cruisers, drinks are almost as important as food. Both lines have great bar programs, but the overall personality of each is quite different. MSC tends to lean more towards European glamour when it comes to bars, with fewer distinctly “themed” spaces than you’ll find on Carnival.
Carnival offers a number of different bars and lounges across its fleet for passengers to make good use of their drink package — including favorites like the vintage pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, the poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bars, the Heroes Tribute Lounge sports bar, and the classic piano bar. Select ships have more unique bars, too, like the train 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 own beer on Carnival Vista, and the bubbles bar Frizzante on Carnival Venezia and Firenze.
MSC Cruises brings a European flair to many of its bars and lounges, with more of a focus on modern style rather than theming. MSC also does not bring as many of its bars across much of the fleet like Carnival does, meaning you’ll find differently named and styled bars depending on what ship you’re sailing. On many vessels, you’ll find things like a dedicated champagne bar, a main pool bar, a sports bar, and a casino bar. Many ships include a Venchi outpost serving up chocolate cocktails and specialty coffees. MSC’s newest and largest class of ships, the World class, leans more into themed bars, with options including a pub with brewery, the Gin Project, and Elixir – Mixology Bar for more experimental cocktails.
Both Carnival and MSC offer drink packages, with non-alcoholic and alcoholic options available. Both lines include things like bottled water, smoothies, and specialty coffee in their packages, with Carnival’s pricing coming in slightly cheaper than MSC’s. It’s important to note that both cruise lines impose a 15-drink limit for alcoholic beverages per 24-hour period.
Winner: Carnival. With bars and lounges that have more fun and unique themes along with a slightly better value when it comes to drink packages, Carnival edges out MSC in this category.
Entertainment: Carnival vs. MSC Cruises
Top-Deck Attractions and Sports
The top-deck attractions you’ll find on MSC and Carnival can vary wildly depending on the ship you’re sailing. With that being said, there are some staples you can expect on all or almost all Carnival and MSC ships: waterslides (with many featuring an entire water park area), sports courts, a small putt-putt course, and an adventure trail or ropes course. Both lines also include, of course, swimming pools (nearly all ships have at least two or more) and a number of hot tubs.
Some Carnival ships add unique features like a roller coaster (the Excel-class ships) or a sky cycling attraction called the SkyRide (Vista-class ships). Some MSC ships feature additional thrills like the Robotron ride (MSC Seascape) or the World-class ships’ Cliffhanger overwater swing ride and Jaw Drop @ The Spiral, an 11-deck-high dry slide.
Indoors, you’ll find arcades on both lines, as well as a casino. Many MSC ships also feature a complex with virtual reality games, an F1 simulator, and even a bowling alley. On Carnival, select vessels feature an IMAX theater, and Carnival Panorama even includes a SkyZone trampoline park.
Production Shows
Carnival’s theater production shows, which are called Playlist Productions, are original shows created just for the line. They’re fun and attention-grabbing, often with more of a focus on music rather than a narrative storyline. When they do have a storyline, the plots can be a bit difficult to follow. Popular Playlist Production shows include the 70s and 80s rock celebration Epic Rock, the movie soundtrack-centric Flick, and the high-tempo Broadway Beats show tunes production.
MSC Cruises shows emphasize visual spectacle over storytelling, which is important for a line that carries passengers who speak many different languages. Performances might have loose storylines, but rely more on impressive skills and stunts from talent including illusionists, contortionists, jugglers, acrobats, and aerialists, combined with immersive soundtracks and striking video, lighting, and sound effects.
Theater shows on both lines are generally performed twice in the same night, giving guests the opportunity to attend no matter when they eat dinner. As well, shows are of similar lengths for both Carnival and MSC, usually coming in under 40 minutes. This leaves plenty of time to enjoy other nighttime entertainment and fun around the ship.
Activities and Nightlife
Both Carnival and MSC offer a similar variety of onboard activities — trivia, game shows, themed parties, live music, and beyond. Both are high-energy, too. Carnival is known for more of a “party” atmosphere, which stretches from daytime around the pool into nighttime parties and entertainment. Daytime on MSC tends to be a bit more subdued, but the evening parties and nightlife tend to be very energetic and well-attended.
Winner: It’s a tie. While the lines’ approaches to activities and entertainment are slightly different, they both offer an excellent variety of both indoor and outdoor attractions, with Carnival holding an edge for a wider variety of top-deck attractions. MSC tends to beat Carnival when it comes to production show quality, but Carnival holds its own when it comes to themed parties and a fun high-energy atmosphere.
MSC vs. Carnival: Which is better for kids’ clubs and activities?
When it comes to organized kids club offerings, Carnival’s Camp Ocean and MSC’s Kids Clubs are alike in many ways. Both divide kids into several age groups:
Carnival’s Camp Ocean
- Turtles: 6-23 months
- Penguins: 2-5 years
- Stingrays: 6-8 years
- Sharks: 9-11 years
- Circle C: 12-14 years
- Club O2: 15-17 years
MSC’s Kids Club
- Baby Club: 6 months to 3 years
- Mini Club: 3-6 years
- Junior Club: 7-11 years
- Young Club: 12-14 years
- Teen Club: 15-17 years
Both lines have special dedicated areas for tweens and teens that are separate from the younger kids. Kids in these older age groups can come and go as they please with fewer scheduled activities and more emphasis on just hanging out with video games, sports tournaments, competitions, and parties.
Both also allow for-fee drop-off babysitting services for children from 6 months old. There are also late-night activities for kids that allow parents a bit of alone time for a per-child hourly cost.
As far as the actual programming, both lines schedule similar age-appropriate activities. They might range from storytime and arts and crafts for the youngest kids to dance parties, sports competitions, and video game tournaments for older ones.
Both cruise lines have their own branded kids’ programming, too. Carnival has a partnership with Dr. Seuss called Seuss at Sea, which means kids can enjoy a character parade, interactive storytime, and special Dr. Seuss-themed movies and activities. Some ships even feature a dedicated kids’ library called Dr. Seuss Bookville, filled with Dr. Seuss books, board games, puzzles, and toys.
MSC has a partnership with LEGO, with LEGO-themed play spaces including — of course — plenty of LEGO bricks to play with, a special parent-and-kids LEGO challenge once per cruise, and a LEGO family parade featuring LEGO characters and MSC’s mascot Doremi.
Winner: It’s a tie. With all things considered, the lines are matched pretty evenly for kid-centric things to do.
Cabins and Accommodations
On both Carnival and MSC, the older ships’ cabins tend to have decor and color schemes that can look a bit dated, despite regular refurbishments that have replaced carpeting and soft furnishings. New ships have been designed with a more modern look with updated colors, wood tones, and carpeting that help bring a bright feel to the rooms.
Stateroom categories run the gamut, with small interior rooms with no windows available, oceanview staterooms with a window, balcony cabins with private outdoor space, and a variety of suite categories that can range from mini-suites that are basically like larger balcony cabins all the way up to multi-room accommodations that have separate living, dining, and sleeping areas — often with very large balconies.
Even the basic accommodations from both brands include at least a queen bed that can be split into two beds upon request. Staterooms also include a closet, a vanity/desk space with a mirror, and many staterooms include a small couch or chair — sometimes a couch that converts into a bed. Additionally, all staterooms have their own private bathrooms. Most feature just a stand-up shower, but some stateroom categories — particularly various suites — have full tubs or tub/shower combos.
Special stateroom categories that include extra perks on Carnival include the Havana cabins with access to the Havana pool area, Cloud 9 Spa staterooms with access to the spa’s thermal suite, the Family Harbor accommodations with exclusive access to the Family Harbor Lounge. Note that these special stateroom categories are only available on select ships.
When you book an MSC cruise, you pick an “experience,” the level of which determines various perks you might receive. For example, if you book an Aurea suite, you receive included access to the spa’s thermal suite and the solarium. MSC Cruises’ ships also feature a luxury ship-within-a-ship complex called the MSC Yacht Club. If you book a Yacht Club suite, you receive access to an exclusive sundeck, lounge, and restaurant, as well as a variety of other premium perks.
Winner: MSC Cruises. While Carnival has a lot of variety, especially when it comes to special cabins with additional perks, MSC has an even larger variety to choose from and gains major points for its luxurious MSC Yacht Club complex — which can be found on nearly every ship in the fleet.
Carnival vs. MSC: Pricing and Value
Both Carnival and MSC are on the lower end of the mainstream pricing tier, with lots of deals to be had across both lines. In addition, both lines include pretty much the same things in their fares: accommodations, entertainment, most activities, and standard dining including the buffet, main dining room, and select other (mostly quick-casual) restaurants. Specialty and alcoholic beverages, wifi, specialty dining, gratuities, and shore excursions are all add-ons.
However, you may be wondering whether MSC is cheaper than Carnival. The lines are actually very similar in their pricing structure when you look at comparable ships (size, age, etc.), itineraries, and time of year. No matter which line you go with — and this goes for most cruise brands — you’ll generally pay more for cabins on newer ships and on more sought-after or exotic itineraries than you will on older ships or on a more standard itinerary that you can find across lots of ships and cruise lines.
To give you an example, here are some comparable sailings on both lines:
7-night Eastern Caribbean roundtrip from Miami in January 2027
- Carnival Celebration: Starting at $544 per person, visiting St. Thomas, San Juan, and Celebration Key
- MSC World America: Starting at $619 per person, visiting Puerto Plata, San Juan, and Ocean Cay
7-night Alaska roundtrip from Seattle in July 2027
- Carnival Spirit: Starting at $1,134 per person, visiting Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria with scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
- MSC Poesia: Starting at $1,068 per person, visiting Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Victoria, and scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
4-night Bahamas roundtrip from Port Canaveral in November 2026
- Carnival Freedom: Starting at $331 per person, visiting Celebration Key and Half Moon Cay
- MSC Seashore: Starting at $262 per person, visiting Nassau and Ocean Cay
If budget is a big factor when deciding between Carnival vs. MSC, it really will come down to the specific itinerary and ship age/size that you’re looking to book, because both lines price their sailings very similarly, and there are great deals to be had with both brands.
Winner: When it comes to value for money, we have to go with Carnival. Though the base fares across both lines are an excellent value, Carnival pulls ahead just slightly because it includes more food in the fare, and tends to have more included top-deck attractions.
Carnival vs. MSC: Itineraries and Private Destinations
Carnival Cruise Line is an all-American cruise brand, with the majority of its sailings departing from homeports across the U.S. MSC Cruises, while it does sail from the U.S., is an Italian cruise brand that’s headquartered in Switzerland. With that said, it doesn’t come as a surprise that most MSC cruise itineraries are in and around Europe.
However, whether you’re looking for a cruise in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, or even Alaska, you’ll be able to find cruise options from both lines. Carnival primarily sails in the Caribbean and Bahamas, but also 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 in the Mediterranean throughout the busy spring and summer seasons. The second most popular region for MSC has actually become the Caribbean, as the line continues to grow its presence in North America. Following that, other regions where you can find MSC cruises include northern Europe, South America, the Middle East, and — for the first time in 2026 — Alaska.
Both Carnival and MSC Cruises have lots of cruise options out of Florida, with additional sailings from Galveston, Texas and Seattle, Washington. While MSC has lots of departure points to choose from in Europe, Carnival has a notable presence in other U.S. cities including Long Beach, CA; Norfolk, VA; Baltimore, MD; and New York City.
Weeklong seven-night cruises are most popular with both cruise brands. Both brands also offer shorter three to four-night voyages, but you’ll find a much larger variety of these quick getaway trips on Carnival vs. MSC. If you’re looking for a longer 10+ night cruise, you’ll have more to choose from on MSC — especially in Europe.
Carnival Private Destinations
Carnival has two private destinations, though both are (or will be) shared with other brands within the Carnival Corporation fleet.
- RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay: a private island in the Bahamas (exclusive to both Carnival and Holland America)
- Celebration Key: a private beach destination on Grand Bahama Island (will also be visited by Princess and AIDA ships)
MSC Cruises Private Destinations
- Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve: a private island in the Bahamas (also visited by MSC’s luxury cruise brand, Explora Journeys)
- A private beachfront on Sir Bani Yas Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi, UAE
Winner: In terms of U.S.-based travelers, it’s a tie. MSC Cruises has a wider range of itineraries it sails in regions around the world, but Carnival has a larger variety of voyages out of the U.S. and two easily-accessible destinations in the Bahamas vs. MSC’s one.
Loyalty Programs
Carnival’s Carnival Rewards program and MSC’s Voyagers Club are both tiered loyalty programs that reward repeat cruisers with a variety of perks. Both programs include perks such as free specialty dining or drink vouchers, commemorative pins, priority check-in and boarding, and more.
MSC’s loyalty program awards points based on both the length of the cruise and the “experience” level you book into. Carnival’s former loyalty program, the VIFP Club, allowed guests to earn points based on the number of days cruised. However, the new Carnival Rewards program rewards points based on spend, much like an airline loyalty program. This means that MSC’s Voyagers Club and the Carnival Rewards program are quite different in terms of how to reach status.
In addition, you can lose status in both programs. You need to cruise at least once every five years with MSC to remain active in the program. You need to cruise or have another “eligible qualifying activity” at least once every three years in order to keep your points in Carnival’s program.
When it comes to status matching, MSC Cruises earns major points. If you’re a loyalty member of another cruise line, hotel brand, or tour operator, you can submit a status match request with MSC Cruises. If approved, you’re placed into an equivalent tier in the Voyagers Club. Carnival doesn’t do status matching at all.
Winner: MSC Cruises, primarily for its (more) simple points-earning structure that rewards based on time on board and not spend — and status matching. The perks are also really good in the higher tiers on MSC, including things like priority for a free cabin upgrade when available, sweet treats in the cabin, a free one-hour spa thermal area session, a specialty dinner, a free behind-the-scenes tour, a free internet package, and more.
Carnival vs. MSC Cruises: Which is right for you?
There’s no single cruise line that will be right for everyone. Your demographic, needs, and preferences all come into play when it comes to choosing a cruise line. However, if we’re looking at the “best” cruise line based on which won the most categories above, Carnival edges out MSC…but only slightly.
Carnival excels when it comes to included dining options, top-deck attractions, and fun themed spaces on board — especially with bars and lounges. But MSC has solid kids’ and family programming right alongside Carnival, as well as a strong loyalty program and solid value for the money — not to mention the upscale (and fleetwide) MSC Yacht Club complex — something Carnival doesn’t offer.
Both lines are solid choices, especially on their newer ships. It all comes down to personal preference.
Choose Carnival Cruise Line if…
- You want the most included dining options, especially casual spots open all day long
- You love fun, themed bars and a casual, high-energy atmosphere
- You’re after the widest variety of top-deck thrills, from roller coasters to the SkyRide
- You’re planning a quick 3- or 4-night getaway or want to sail from a U.S. homeport close to home
- You want the best bang for your buck in the base fare
Choose MSC Cruises if…
- You want a true ship-within-a-ship experience with the MSC Yacht Club
- You prefer elegant, glamorous ship design over loud and bright decor
- You want a simpler loyalty program or status matching from another brand
- You’re dreaming of the Mediterranean or a longer 10+ night voyage at affordable pricing
- You’re sailing as a multi-generational group and want something for everyone
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