Cruise Frog guide
Carnival Cruise Line vs MSC Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line rates higher than MSC Cruises on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.7 to 3.4 out of 5 across their rated ships. Carnival Cruise Line leads on service, pools & decks and value; MSC Cruises on cabins and entertainment. Pick MSC Cruises for multigenerational groups.
Comparison updated
| Fact | Carnival Cruise Line | MSC Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Mainstream | Mainstream |
| Best for | Families, First-time cruisers, Friends and groups, Value seekers | Families, First-time cruisers, Value seekers, Multigenerational groups, Friends and groups |
| Fleet rating | 3.7 / 5 | 3.4 / 5 |
| Cabins | 3.1 | 3.3 |
| Dining | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Entertainment | 4.0 | 4.3 |
| Service | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Pools & decks | 2.9 | 2.7 |
| Value | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Ships in service | 29 | 23 |
| Ships on the way | 3 | 2 |
| Largest ship | Carnival Celebration (183,521 GT) | MSC World America (216,638 GT) |
| Newest ship | Carnival Jubilee (2023) | MSC World America (2025) |
| Guests per ship, average | 3,253 | 3,896 |
| Usually sails | Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexican Riviera, Bermuda | Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, South America |
| Solo cabins | None | — |
| Single supplement | Fares are quoted per person based on double occupancy, and a solo guest pays a single supplement that varies by sailing and cabin. In a… | — |
| Loyalty program | Carnival Rewards | MSC Voyagers Club |
| Owner | Carnival Corporation & plc | MSC Group |
| Headquarters | Doral, Florida, United States | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Founded | 1972 | 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, Carnival Cruise Line or MSC Cruises?
Carnival Cruise Line rates higher than MSC Cruises on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.7 to 3.4 out of 5 across their rated ships. Carnival Cruise Line leads on service, pools & decks and value; MSC Cruises on cabins and entertainment.
Is Carnival Cruise Line or MSC Cruises better value?
Carnival Cruise Line scores higher for value, 5.0 to 4.0 out of 5 (what you get for the fare, extras included).
Is Carnival Cruise Line or MSC Cruises better for dining?
They score the same for dining, 3.0 out of 5.
Is Carnival Cruise Line or MSC Cruises better for entertainment?
MSC Cruises scores higher for entertainment, 4.3 to 4.0 out of 5 (shows, music, and things to do at sea).
Is Carnival Cruise Line 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, Carnival Cruise Line or MSC Cruises?
MSC Cruises's largest ship, MSC World America, measures 216,638 gross tons, against 183,521 for Carnival Celebration, Carnival Cruise Line's largest. An average Carnival Cruise Line ship carries 3,253 guests, a MSC Cruises ship 3,896.
How many ships do Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises have?
Carnival Cruise Line has 29 ships in service and 3 on the way; MSC Cruises has 23 ships in service and 2 on the way.
Are Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises owned by the same company?
No. Carnival Cruise Line is part of Carnival Corporation & plc; MSC Cruises is part of MSC Group.