MSC Cruises vs Royal Caribbean: which big-ship line should you book?

MSC vs Royal Caribbean scorecard

Strengths

MSC: new ships for less. MSC’s World-class ships, including MSC World America, built for American guests and sailing from Miami, are in the same size bracket as Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships, and fares usually undercut them. The MSC Yacht Club, a ship-within-a-ship of suites with its own restaurant, lounge, pool and butler service, is the main reason some premium-line cruisers book MSC. In the Mediterranean, MSC sails seven-night loops from many ports, including Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Genoa and Marseille.

Royal Caribbean: the most to do at sea, done consistently. Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas are the largest cruise ships in the world, with water parks, surf simulators, climbing walls and ice shows included. Perfect Day at CocoCay makes its Bahamas trips a strong family pick.

Weaknesses

MSC: more extras to pay for, food and service that are less consistent than on the premium lines, and an international feel, with announcements in several languages, that not every American cruiser enjoys. Its U.S. program is almost all Florida and Galveston: MSC made its last New York cruise in April 2026, and no return has been announced.

Royal Caribbean: higher fares for the same length of trip, busy ships and paid extras: drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, gratuities and some attractions.

Who should pick which

• Families with teens: Royal Caribbean, for the water parks, surf simulators and teen areas.
• Families on a budget: MSC. Its “kids sail free” offers can make it the cheapest big modern ship for a family. They apply to selected sailings and to children sharing a cabin with two adults, age limits vary by offer, and taxes and fees usually still apply for each child.
• First-time cruisers from the Northeast or West Coast: Royal Caribbean, because it sails from New York, Baltimore and Los Angeles; MSC doesn’t.
• Mediterranean cruises: MSC for the lowest fares and a European crowd; Royal Caribbean for a more American onboard style.
• Couples who want a quiet space on a big ship: MSC Yacht Club, or Royal Caribbean’s suite perks.
• Alaska: Royal Caribbean, with several ships from Seattle and Vancouver against MSC’s one.

Price and what’s included

MSC is usually the cheaper of the two for a similar ship and length of trip. Both include the main dining room, a buffet, most shows and kids’ clubs, and both charge extra for specialty restaurants, the daily service charge and excursions.

The difference is in how the fare is sold. MSC sells tiered fares, which it calls experiences: the cheapest covers the cabin and food, and higher tiers add perks such as choosing your own cabin, dining flexibility or more flexible changes. What each tier includes changes over time, so read the list for your sailing and don’t assume a higher tier comes with a drinks package. Royal Caribbean’s fare includes more of the ship itself, from slides to ice shows, but not drinks or Wi-Fi. Compare MSC fare types, not headline prices, before you decide. Our all-inclusive cruise guide explains what each kind of bundle covers.

Ships

MSC has 23 ships, from about 2,000 to more than 6,000 guests. For U.S. sailings you’ll usually be choosing between the World, Meraviglia and Seaside classes. MSC World Asia joins in late 2026, and MSC World Atlantic starts sailing year-round from Port Canaveral in November 2027.

Royal Caribbean has 30 ships in seven classes, from about 2,000 to 5,700 guests at double occupancy. The Icon class, including Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, is the headline act; the Oasis class, such as Wonder of the Seas, is close behind. Both lines’ biggest ships get crowded on school-holiday sailings.

Food

Neither is a food line. Royal Caribbean’s main dining room and Windjammer buffet are more consistent; MSC’s quality varies more, and its most interesting venues cost extra. On both, the best meals are in specialty restaurants. For tips on eating well at sea, see our guide to eating healthy on a cruise.

Itineraries and private islands

In the U.S., Royal Caribbean has far more choice. It sails Bahamas trips from Cape Liberty near New York and from Baltimore, Mexico from Los Angeles, and Alaska from Seattle and Vancouver, plus Florida and Galveston. MSC’s U.S. ships sail from Miami, Port Canaveral and Galveston, and MSC Poesia sails seven-night Alaska cruises from Seattle each summer.

Both have a private island in the Bahamas: Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, with paid extras such as Thrill Waterpark, and MSC’s Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which most MSC Caribbean itineraries include.

In Europe, MSC is the stronger choice, with one of the broadest Mediterranean programs of any line. See our European cruise guide and Caribbean cruise guide.

Families

Royal Caribbean leads our best family cruises for tweens and teens. MSC is our pick for families chasing kids-sail-free offers: it has kids’ clubs and big ships with plenty to do, and the fare can be much lower. If your kids are teenagers who want the biggest slides and the most freedom, Royal Caribbean is worth the difference.

Adults

Neither line is built for a quiet adult trip. MSC’s Yacht Club is the most private space on either line’s ships, and Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships have an adults-only neighborhood, The Hideaway. For a calmer ship without luxury fares, see Celebrity vs Royal Caribbean.

MSC Cruises vs Royal Caribbean FAQ

Is MSC or Royal Caribbean better?

Royal Caribbean, for most American cruisers: more polish, more included activities and more U.S. home ports. MSC is better value, especially in the Mediterranean. Our MSC Cruises review and cruise line rankings explain where each lands.

Is MSC cheaper than Royal Caribbean?

Usually, yes, for a similar ship and length of trip. Check which MSC fare type you’re buying: the cheapest doesn’t include drinks or Wi-Fi, a higher tier may not either, and the service charge is extra on both lines.

Is MSC as good as Royal Caribbean for families?

For teens, no: Royal Caribbean has more for them to do. For budget families, MSC can be the better deal, especially when it runs kids-sail-free offers.

Are MSC ships as big as Royal Caribbean's?

Close. MSC’s World-class ships carry up to about 6,760 guests with every berth filled, and Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships can carry about 7,600. Both lines’ mid-size ships are around 2,000 guests.

Does MSC sail from New York like Royal Caribbean?

Not any more. MSC made its last New York cruise in April 2026 and hasn’t announced a return. Royal Caribbean sails from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, all year.