Carnival vs MSC
Both are contemporary lines, so the choice comes down to atmosphere, ships and where you want to sail from.
| Feature | Carnival Cruise Line | MSC Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Contemporary | Contemporary |
| The vibe | Laid-back, loud in the best way and unpretentious; flip-flops, burgers by the pool and a comedy show after dinner. | Modern, stylish and international, with a Mediterranean flair and an upscale enclave for those who want it. |
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| Fleet size | 29 (as of March 2025) | 23 (as of October 2026) |
| Founded | 1972 | 1988 |
| Parent company | Carnival Corporation & plc | MSC Group (Mediterranean Shipping Company) |
| Gratuities | Carnival adds recommended gratuities of $17 per person per day for standard cabins and $19 per person per day for suites. Children under 2 are exempt. You can prepay gratuities before sailing or have them charged to your Sail & Sign account. (as of 2026-10-13) | MSC adds a daily service charge of $17 per adult per day on voyages to and from the US. Sailings priced in euros carry a charge of 12 euros per day, and children aged 2 to 11 pay half the adult rate on most cruises. (as of 2026-10-13) |
| Dress code | Most evenings are cruise casual: shorts are fine at the buffet and casual spots, with nice shorts, jeans or slacks preferred in the main dining room at night. Most sailings have one or two cruise elegant nights where guests dress up a bit, though a suit or gown is never required. | Casual by day and smart casual at dinner. Most weeklong cruises include one or two gala or elegant nights when many guests wear cocktail attire or a jacket, though it is not strictly enforced outside the main dining room. |
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| Loyalty program | Carnival Rewards (replaced the VIFP Club) | MSC Voyagers Club |
| US/Canada homeports in our guides | 13 | 4 |
Both sail to: Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Canada & New England.
Both depart from: Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, Seattle. Pricing the same week on both is the fastest way to decide.
Questions people ask
Is Carnival or MSC better for families?
Carnival: Camp Ocean (roughly ages 2 to 11) is the included kids' club, with Circle C for ages 12 to 14 and Club O2 for 15 to 17. MSC: Kids' clubs are included and split by age, and teens get their own spaces.
Which has higher gratuities, Carnival or MSC?
As of the dates we last checked, Carnival: Carnival adds recommended gratuities of $17 per person per day for standard cabins and $19 per person per day for suites. Children under 2 are exempt. You can prepay gratuities before sailing or have them charged to your Sail & Sign account. MSC: MSC adds a daily service charge of $17 per adult per day on voyages to and from the US. Sailings priced in euros carry a charge of 12 euros per day, and children aged 2 to 11 pay half the adult rate on most cruises. Lines change these, so we confirm current amounts in every quote.
Do Carnival and MSC sail from the same ports?
Yes. Both sail from Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, Seattle, which makes it easy to compare the same week on both lines.
Price Carnival and MSC side by side
Tell us your dates and who's going. We'll quote the same trip on both lines with the full price, taxes and fees included.