Cruise Frog guide
AIDA Cruises vs MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises rates higher than AIDA Cruises on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.4 to 3.0 out of 5 across their rated ships. MSC Cruises leads on cabins, entertainment, pools & decks and value, with the rest level. Pick AIDA Cruises for couples; MSC Cruises for value seekers and multigenerational groups.
Comparison updated
| Fact | AIDA Cruises | MSC Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Mainstream | Mainstream |
| Best for | Couples, Families, First-time cruisers | Families, First-time cruisers, Value seekers, Multigenerational groups, Friends and groups |
| Fleet rating | 3.0 / 5 | 3.4 / 5 |
| Cabins | 3.1 | 3.3 |
| Dining | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Entertainment | 3.5 | 4.3 |
| Service | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Pools & decks | 2.6 | 2.7 |
| Value | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Ships in service | 11 | 23 |
| Ships on the way | — | 2 |
| Largest ship | AIDAcosma (183,858 GT) | MSC World America (216,638 GT) |
| Newest ship | AIDAcosma (2022) | MSC World America (2025) |
| Guests per ship, average | 2,909 | 3,896 |
| Usually sails | Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords, Caribbean, Mediterranean | Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, South America |
| Solo cabins | Some ships | — |
| Single supplement | A solo guest in a cabin designed for two pays a surcharge of 70 percent of the regular per-person fare, cut to 10 to 50 percent on… | — |
| Loyalty program | AIDA Club | MSC Voyagers Club |
| Owner | Carnival Corporation & plc | MSC Group |
| Headquarters | Rostock, Germany | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Founded | 1960 | 1988 |
Ratings are Cruise Frog's editorial scores of each line's ships in service, 1 to 5, averaged; the higher figure is highlighted. How we rate.
Quick answers
Which is better, AIDA Cruises or MSC Cruises?
MSC Cruises rates higher than AIDA Cruises on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.4 to 3.0 out of 5 across their rated ships. MSC Cruises leads on cabins, entertainment, pools & decks and value, with the rest level.
Is AIDA Cruises or MSC Cruises better value?
MSC Cruises scores higher for value, 4.0 to 3.0 out of 5 (what you get for the fare, extras included).
Is AIDA Cruises or MSC Cruises better for dining?
They score the same for dining, 3.0 out of 5.
Is AIDA Cruises or MSC Cruises better for entertainment?
MSC Cruises scores higher for entertainment, 4.3 to 3.5 out of 5 (shows, music, and things to do at sea).
Is AIDA Cruises or MSC Cruises better for cabins?
MSC Cruises scores higher for cabins, 3.3 to 3.1 out of 5 (comfortable, quiet, well kept).
Which has bigger ships, AIDA Cruises or MSC Cruises?
MSC Cruises's largest ship, MSC World America, measures 216,638 gross tons, against 183,858 for AIDAcosma, AIDA Cruises's largest. An average AIDA Cruises ship carries 2,909 guests, a MSC Cruises ship 3,896.
How many ships do AIDA Cruises and MSC Cruises have?
AIDA Cruises has 11 ships in service; MSC Cruises has 23 ships in service and 2 on the way.
Are AIDA Cruises and MSC Cruises owned by the same company?
No. AIDA Cruises is part of Carnival Corporation & plc; MSC Cruises is part of MSC Group.