MSC Cruises vs. Royal Caribbean: Which big-ship line is best for you?

Italian-owned, Geneva, Switzerland-based MSC Cruises is a part of MSC Group, the world’s largest container delivery firm. This fast-growing cruise model has launched a dozen cruise ships since 2012.

The U.S. market was largely launched to MSC between 2017 and 2022 when it debuted 4 Seaside-class ships designed primarily to sail to the Caribbean from Miami. Certainly one of its gross sales methods? Youngsters below age 17 can incessantly sail free of charge when staying in the identical cabin with accompanying adults.

In 2025, the cruise line will christen MSC World America, a Miami-based megaship sibling of 2022’s MSC World Europa. Each use cleaner-burning liquified pure fuel (LNG) as gasoline.

Associated: The final word information to MSC Cruises | The final word information to Royal Caribbean

Dimension of ships

Neither Royal Caribbean nor MSC Cruises has a ship that carries fewer than 2,000 passengers at double occupancy — and their largest ships accommodate greater than thrice that at full capability.

Royal Caribbean’s older ships (Imaginative and prescient, Radiance, Voyager and Freedom courses) carry 2,000 to three,900 friends at double occupancy, whereas its latest (Oasis and Quantum class) accommodate 4,000 to nearly 6,000.

The 5 Oasis-class vessels, to be joined by Utopia of the Seas in 2024, are the most important cruise ships on the planet. They carry 5,700 friends at double occupancy and simply over 7,000 at full capability. They’re distinctive for his or her split-hull design, permitting for interior-facing cabins, and themed neighborhoods, which assist disperse foot site visitors and make it simpler for friends to navigate the ships’ 18 decks.

Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class vessels, launched between 2014 and 2021, accommodate 4,180 friends at double occupancy and 5,500 at capability. These 5 ships are distinguishable by the North Star sightseeing capsule that rises 300 toes above the ocean.

When Icon of the Seas units sail, it’s going to turn into the world’s largest, in addition to Royal Caribbean’s first LNG-powered ship. Capable of carry 5,600 friends at double occupancy and as much as 7,600 at capability, Icon of the Seas will characteristic eight neighborhoods and supply extra cabins and suites that may accommodate 4 or extra passengers than some other ship within the fleet.

Royal Caribbean’s Freedom-class ships, which carry about 3,900 passengers at double occupancy, and its Voyager-class ships, which accommodate 3,100, supply among the thrilling actions of its bigger ships. Its Imaginative and prescient-class ships, which date to the Nineties and accommodate 2,400 to 2,500 friends, characteristic notably fewer onboard sights. Radiance-class ships are the smallest within the fleet, carrying 2,100 friends at double occupancy.

Those that want a ship that is not mega-size would possibly need to take into account Royal Caribbean’s good-value Mediterranean, Caribbean and Alaska itineraries on its refreshed Radiance- and Voyager-class vessels.

MSC Cruises likes large ships, too. It has six vessels ranked among the many Prime 20 largest cruise ships on the planet, together with MSC World Europa, which is available in simply behind Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels. It accommodates 5,252 friends at double occupancy and 6,762 at capability. World Europa contains a Y-shaped design with a dramatic open-air atrium. Will probably be joined by sister MSC World America in 2025.

The subsequent largest ships in MSC’s fleet are its 5 Meraviglia-class ships, all launched starting in 2017. They carry 4,438 friends at double occupancy and as many as 6,327 at capability. Each MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina are crusing U.S. itineraries out of New York and Miami, respectively.

The ships that U.S.-based cruisers are in all probability most aware of are MSC’s 4 Seaside-class vessels, which accommodate 4,132 passengers at double occupancy and 5,119 at capability. They’re nearly equivalent (with close-to-identical names: Seaside, Seaview, Seashore and Seascape) and have a high-energy vibe and a blinding, multi-deck central atrium.

MSC’s 12 older ships are divided amongst three courses — Lirica, Musica and Fantasia — and accommodate 2,000 to three,500 friends at double occupancy. The Fantasia class’s MSC Divina, launched in 2012, is probably finest identified to U.S. cruisers as a result of it typically sails itineraries to the Caribbean from Miami. The opposite ships are primarily primarily based in Europe, South America and Asia.

Associated: The 6 varieties of MSC Cruises ships, defined

Passengers

MSC and Royal Caribbean primarily attraction to value-focused friends in search of reasonably priced cruise fares, however more-affluent cruisers may guide higher-priced suites that includes elevated facilities.

Whereas each cruise traces entice vacationers from across the globe, particularly on Mediterranean and Asian itineraries, MSC’s passenger base is extra worldwide, even on ships cruising to the Caribbean from Miami. MSC cruise ships make necessary security and disembarkation bulletins in a number of languages (English, Italian, Spanish, French and German), though all employees and crew communicate English.

Determining which vibe appeals most to you — extra North Individuals (Royal Caribbean) or a predominantly worldwide crowd (MSC Cruises) — may help you select between these two megaship cruise manufacturers.

Cabins and suites

Cabins on most mainstream cruise traces are designed extra with performance than flashy design in thoughts. Each traces characteristic windowless inside, ocean-view, balcony and suite lodging.

Royal Caribbean has an infinite number of room and suite classes — as many as 34 varieties on its newer ships — providing some fairly slick facilities. These vary from inside staterooms with “Digital Balcony” LED screens displaying views from exterior the ship to two-level Loft Suites and even an Final Household Suite that includes a gaming space and a slide from the sleeping space to the lounge.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships characteristic balcony cabins with out ocean views. That is as a result of they overlook the bustling Boardwalk, an open-air inside eating and leisure neighborhood, or the quieter Central Park.

Newer Royal Caribbean ships characteristic extra balcony cabins and fewer ocean-view cabins than older ships. If reserving an ocean-view, the aft- or rear-facing cabins on many ships are usually essentially the most spacious.

Six Royal Caribbean ships (Brilliance of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Concord of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas) supply cabins designed for solo vacationers. These vary from a 101-square-foot Inside Studio Stateroom to a 199-square-foot Studio Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony.

Prime-tier lodging are often known as Royal Suite Class and rank amongst among the most spectacular suites within the mainstream cruise line sector. They’re out there on Oasis- and Quantum-class ships and vary from comparatively modest 290-square-foot Junior Suites to two-level, 1,800-square-foot Royal Loft Suites that rival a up to date penthouse condo. Priced properly above different staterooms, these concierge-serviced suites attraction to rich vacationers, particularly these cruising with their households, preferring the vigorous atmosphere of a giant ship to a smaller luxurious vessel.

The 2-level Final Household Suite — a extra playful and colourful possibility for households with youthful children and a really beneficiant finances — is offered on Marvel of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas.

All Royal Suite Class friends take pleasure in entry to unique venues, such because the Coastal Kitchen restaurant and a personal lounge and/or solar deck. Extra facilities and VIP perks range by Royal Suite Class class booked.

When Icon of the Seas debuts in early 2024, it’s going to supply 28 completely different cabin and suite classes, together with 14 utterly new room varieties. This ship was designed with households in thoughts, and 80% of its staterooms will be capable of be linked or supply sufficient area to accommodate bigger households.

The closest MSC involves matching Royal Caribbean’s stateroom and suite choices is aboard MSC World Europa, which debuted in late 2022 and options 19 stateroom classes, together with seven new designs. Essentially the most spectacular non-MSC-Yacht-Membership lodging on World Europa is the 377-square-foot Grand Suite Aurea with Terrace and Whirlpool.

The most important suites on most MSC ships are within the MSC Yacht Membership, an unique enclave on newer MSC ships providing non-public areas and added facilities. This consists of the MSC Yacht Membership Proprietor’s Suite with Whirlpool Bathtub, providing 840 to 1,119 square-feet of inside area with an 840-square-foot balcony, and the 495-square-foot MSC Yacht Membership Duplex Suite with Whirlpool Bathtub, that includes a 301-to-334-square-foot balcony. MSC Yacht Membership perks embrace a personal lounge and restaurant, a personal sundeck and butler service.

Due to World Europa’s design, the ship additionally options 4 balcony cabin classes with a view of its inside promenade, much like Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships.

In contrast to World Europa, MSC’s different newcomer, Euribia, would not characteristic any suites bigger than 700 sq. toes, however its MSC Yacht Membership Duplex Suite with Whirlpool does supply 635 sq. toes of dwelling area with a 248-square-foot balcony. For extra outside area, select the 624-square-foot MSC Yacht Membership Royal Suite with a 753-square-foot balcony.

For family-friendly lodging, each ships supply a 269-square-foot Premium Balcony Aurea cabin, which options stationary bunk beds simply contained in the entry, a king-size mattress, a pull-out double couch and a bigger toilet with a tub and bathe combo. This makes it ultimate for a household of as much as six. Some additionally characteristic a personal whirlpool on the balcony.

Associated: All the pieces you want to learn about MSC Cruises cabins and suites

For solo vacationers, all 5 Meraviglia-class ships supply 129-square-foot Studio Balcony suites, which take pleasure in balcony entry with out a required single complement.

Seaside-class vessels characteristic 16 stateroom and suite classes. The most important possibility is the 1,055-square-foot MSC Yacht Membership Proprietor’s Suite.

Eating

MSC Cruises’ eating program is fairly primary. Passengers can anticipate to dine most nights in one of many complimentary most important eating rooms. Most ships have a number of, and friends are assigned to at least one with eating instances depending on the “expertise” friends buy once they guide. Bella and Fantastica passengers can request early or late seating, which is able to stay the identical all through the cruise, whereas Aurea friends can dine any time throughout open hours of their designated eating room with My Selection eating.

Company on World Europa and Seaside- and Meraviglia-class ships can anticipate eating room menus to vary every night time and supply a wide selection of worldwide impressed choices. MSC’s meals high quality, presentation and portion sizes have improved with every new ship because the cruise line has tailored to U.S. buyer suggestions. Nonetheless, friends ought to plan to spend extra time on the desk, since MSC’s service tends towards a slower European tempo.

Market, MSC’s bustling buffet possibility, which on its newer ships can accommodate greater than 1,300 friends at a time, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It contains a number of acquainted but typically uninspiring cold and hot dishes and international specialties, with among the finest choices being salads, pastas, pizza (mozzarella is made contemporary day by day) and desserts.

Sadly, these are the one complimentary eating choices onboard MSC ships. It is also value noting that whereas the meals high quality is notably higher within the eating places on its newer ships, the free meals choices on older vessels, most of which supply low cost cruise fares, might be inconsistent and never superb.

MSC Cruises’ specialty eating venues range by ship, however sometimes there are three to 5 choices. These can embrace Butcher’s Lower for steaks and seafood, Kaito Sushi Bar and Kaito Teppanyaki for Japanese specialties, Hola! Tacos & Cantina for Latin-American-inspired avenue meals, Ocean Cay for Mediterranean-style seafood and Indochine for Vietnamese traditional with a twist. On MSC’s latest ship, Euribia, French-bistro-inspired steakhouse Le Grill has changed Butcher’s Lower.

Company can pre-purchase eating packages starting from one specialty meal to limitless specialty eating, though some menu gadgets will incur a surcharge.

A word to chocoholics: MSC has partnered with each Italian chocolatier Venchi and U.S.-based French chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury to supply a wide array of freshly made candies, baked items, crepes and gelato. MSC World Europa and Seaside- and Fantasia-class ships characteristic Venchi whereas Meraviglia-class ships supply Jean-Philippe Maury. All these sweets, nevertheless, can be found at an additional price.

Royal Caribbean’s eating scene, in distinction, presents loads of selections. The cruise line has been a pioneer in onboard specialty eating places and a few of its ships, particularly its newer ones, characteristic as many as 12 extra-cost specialty eating choices. On a finances? Don’t fret. Royal Caribbean additionally presents terrific complimentary informal eating venues along with its most important eating room and Windjammer buffet.

Specialty eating places range from ship class to ship class, though just a few resembling Chops Grille (for steaks and seafood) are aboard most vessels. Different choices embrace Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen for family-style classics, Playmakers Sports activities Bar for informal snacks like burgers and rooster wings, Izumi for sushi and Japanese specialties, 150 Central Park for contemporary American high quality eating and the just lately launched The Mason Jar for southern delicacies.

Passengers can buy specialty eating packages at a reduced value previous to crusing.

In its most important eating room, Royal Caribbean just lately rolled out seven nights of latest themed menus (French, Italian, Caribbean, Mexican, Mediterranean, and many others.). The Classics part, providing choices resembling grilled rooster breast and herb-crusted salmon each night time, has been eliminated, though a few of these favorites do seem at instances on the brand new menus. This revamped format, with fewer selections, can restrict choices for choosy eaters.

When reserving, Royal Caribbean passengers should select between conventional eating (both early or late seating for your complete cruise) or extra versatile My Time Eating. With the latter, passengers can reserve a desk of any configuration or present up on the most important eating room and wait in line for a desk.

Households with children love Royal Caribbean’s free informal eateries. These range by ship, with Oasis- and Quantum-class vessels having essentially the most. Choices embrace Boardwalk Canine Home for grilled frankfurters, Sorrento’s for pizza, El Loco Contemporary for tacos and burritos, Park Café for grab-and-go sandwiches and Vitality Café for wholesome salads and wraps.

Onboard sights

Large ships supply large thrills, and within the case of Royal Caribbean, these embrace among the most memorable adrenaline rushes at sea.

On its Oasis-class ships, friends can scream their manner down 10 decks of corkscrew spirals on the Final Abyss slide, get soaked on The Good Storm waterslides or strive simulated browsing with the FlowRider. These with out a concern of heights can deal with the mountain climbing wall or zoom excessive above the Boardwalk neighborhood on a zipper line. Different actions embrace ice skating, escape rooms, mini-golf, a carousel and pickleball.

Quantum-class ships supply an nearly totally completely different roster of thrilling sights, though the FlowRider and the mountain climbing wall are constant throughout the fleet. On board Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, energetic thrills embrace the sky-dive simulator RipCord by iFly, a two-level Seaplex with a sports activities courtroom/bumper automotive rink and areas devoted to Xbox, digital actuality gaming and laser tag. Quantum-class ships even have the North Star, a pod-like sightseeing capsule. However in the event you’re on the lookout for thrills on a waterslide, you will not discover any on ships on this class.

Royal Escape Rooms (out there on seven ships) are enjoyable for your complete household (children, nevertheless, have to be 12 or older). Various ships additionally characteristic Battle for Planet Z, a laser-tag sport acceptable for teenagers ages 5 and older.

MSC’s largest thrills embrace Robotron, a high deck amusement park-style experience on Seascape that sends riders tumbling and swooping in seats connected to a shifting “arm,” and The Venom Drop @ The Spiral, a stainless-steel dry slide with a looping 11-deck drop on World Europa.

Most MSC ships have an arcade-style complicated with some cool video games and sights, together with System 1 race automotive simulators and an exhilarating XD Interactive Theatre the place viewers strapped into hydraulic seats battle zombies, clowns and different menaces. All video games price additional.

MSC’s ships are additionally identified for his or her top-deck sights, which embrace the longest zip line at sea (on Seaside and Seaview), elaborate Himalayan Bridge ropes programs (on Meraviglia-class ships) and an Aquapark with a number of waterslides (on each Seaside- and Meraviglia-class ships).

Associated: One of the best cruise ship waterslides and watery enjoyable zones

Each manufacturers’ megaships additionally characteristic all the same old issues designed for rest and health: vigorous casinos, spacious spas, totally geared up gyms and jogging tracks and a number of swimming pools. In addition they host vigorous themed events, such because the White Celebration on MSC and various decade-themed celebrations on Royal Caribbean.

As for bars and lounges, each supply a wide array, together with pool bars, piano and karaoke bars and complicated lounges. MSC’s World Europa and Euribia have greater than 20 locations to imbibe, whereas Royal Caribbean’s 10 largest ships every have a dozen or extra — and Icon of the Seas will characteristic 15, together with just a few new ideas.

Youngsters actions

Each MSC and Royal Caribbean are family-friendly cruise traces providing lots to maintain junior cruisers occupied. Their ships have colourful and alluring children golf equipment with devoted employees in addition to teen hangouts, gaming areas and arranged actions.

Royal Caribbean’s Journey Ocean youth program options expansive play areas for teenagers ages 3-12 (the larger the ship, the bigger the children’ amenities). They will take pleasure in actions resembling artwork and science initiatives, video games and themed events. This system is free in the course of the day and early night, however an hourly charge applies after 10 p.m.

The Royal Infants & Tots nursery accommodates little ones ages 6 to 36 months for drop-off (for an hourly charge).

Teenagers cruising with Royal Caribbean have loads of choices. They will hand around in The Residing Room, dance or chill with new associates on the Gas teen membership or compete for the best rating on the arcade (at an added price).

MSC’s children membership, known as Doremi, additionally focuses on video games and actions by age group — Mini Membership for ages 3 to six, Junior Membership for ages 7 to 11, Younger Membership for ages 12 to 14 and Teen Membership for ages 15 to 17 — however its Child Membership (for teenagers below age 3) is complimentary.

The cruise line has a partnership with Lego, so artistic children who like to construct will probably be thrilled. Mini Membership individuals may partake in enjoyable, family-inclusive occasions just like the Doremi Disco, whereas Junior Membership attendees can enter Masterchef at Sea Juniors or get in entrance of the digicam with the Kelly & Khloe Onboard Inexperienced Display Expertise. Actions for Younger Membership and Teen Membership attendees embrace sports activities tournaments, video gaming, dance competitions and karaoke.

Leisure

What do Broadway musicals resembling “Hairspray” and “Mamma Mia!”, cowl bands enjoying high hits of the ’70s and ’80s, excessive divers leaping into an onboard pool and multimedia spectacles in a dramatic 270-degree setting have in widespread? They’re all within the leisure line-up on Royal Caribbean’s latest ships.

Oasis-class ships supply two distinctive types of leisure: Thrilling high-dive performances of their aft AquaTheater {and professional} ice exhibits in Studio B. The latter area can also be aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom- and Voyager-class ships.

For one thing a bit edgier, the cruise line’s Quantum-class ships characteristic Two70, a multi-level efficiency area the place big-screen know-how and daring acrobatics mix to create a novel type of multi-sensory storytelling. These ships even have Music Corridor, the place cowl bands channel the music of legendary rock bands like Bon Jovi and Journey.

Icon of the Seas will supply many passenger favorites plus thrilling new venues like AquaDome, house to a next-level AquaTheater that includes state-of-the-art know-how.

Associated: Which cruise ship actions do you have to guide forward of time?

MSC actually would not shirk its dedication to onboard leisure. After darkish, its ships’ theaters and lounges buzz with vibrant musical productions and even fearless acrobatics. All of its Meraviglia-class ships characteristic The Carousel Lounge, which on the primary 4 ships is a theater-in-the-round setting initially designed for Cirque du Soleil performances. It now homes themed variations on that style, resembling an illusionist-themed present.

MSC’s latest ship, Euribia, nevertheless, has swapped high-flying theatrics for retro-inspired kicks with its reimagined Carousel Lounge. The area is now a complicated house for Large Band at Sea, a 19-piece orchestra with a genre-spanning playlist (though mid-20^th-century crooner classics finest match the room).

Seaside-class ships have each a theater and a glittering multi-deck atrium with a stage, the place reside musical performances happen all through the cruise.

And World Europa? This megaship contains a new 300-seat multifunctional leisure area name Luna Park Enviornment that hosts the whole lot from films and sport exhibits to breakfast raves and stroller disco.