Royal Caribbean vs MSC
Both are contemporary lines, so the choice comes down to atmosphere, ships and where you want to sail from.
Royal Caribbean in a sentence
Energetic, family-friendly and packed with headline attractions; think floating theme park with a good Broadway show at night.
MSC in a sentence
Modern, stylish and international, with a Mediterranean flair and an upscale enclave for those who want it.
| Feature | Royal Caribbean International | MSC Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Contemporary | Contemporary |
| The vibe | Energetic, family-friendly and packed with headline attractions; think floating theme park with a good Broadway show at night. | Modern, stylish and international, with a Mediterranean flair and an upscale enclave for those who want it. |
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| Fleet size | 30 (as of October 2026) | 23 (as of October 2026) |
| Founded | 1968 | 1988 |
| Parent company | Royal Caribbean Group | MSC Group (Mediterranean Shipping Company) |
| Gratuities | Royal Caribbean adds an automatic gratuity of $18.50 per person per day for most cabins (including junior suites) and $21 per person per day for higher suite categories. An 18% gratuity is added to bar and specialty dining purchases, and 20% to spa and salon services. You can prepay gratuities when you book or let them post to your onboard 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 | Daytime and most evenings are casual. Most sailings include one or more optional dress-up nights (Royal Caribbean calls them formal or dress-your-best nights) where many guests wear cocktail dresses or a jacket, but it is not enforced in the buffet or casual venues. Shorts and tank tops are fine around the pool; the main dining room asks for a bit more polish at dinner. | 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 | Crown & Anchor Society | MSC Voyagers Club |
| US/Canada homeports in our guides | 15 | 4 |
Both sail to: Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Canada & New England, Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Northern Europe & Baltic, Norwegian Fjords, Transatlantic.
Both depart from: Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, Seattle. Pricing the same week on both is the fastest way to decide.
Questions people ask
Is Royal Caribbean or MSC better for families?
Royal Caribbean: Adventure Ocean, the included kids' club, is split by age group and runs on most days, with nursery care on many ships for an added fee. MSC: Kids' clubs are included and split by age, and teens get their own spaces.
Which has higher gratuities, Royal Caribbean or MSC?
As of the dates we last checked, Royal Caribbean: Royal Caribbean adds an automatic gratuity of $18.50 per person per day for most cabins (including junior suites) and $21 per person per day for higher suite categories. An 18% gratuity is added to bar and specialty dining purchases, and 20% to spa and salon services. You can prepay gratuities when you book or let them post to your onboard 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 Royal Caribbean 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 Royal Caribbean 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.