Hello guys and ladies, What’s MSC like compared to carnival?

[WhaleTailFlCruiser]

I have mostly sailed carnival with a couple Royal sailing in there. But I have noticed some seven day sailings out of Port Canavral for around $550 solo, and that’s just too good of a deal to pass up. Considering 5 nights on carnival for the same time frame is $150+ more. 
 

Just nervous to adventure away from a brand that I know and am comfortable with. 

[1kaper]

So I sailed Carnival in March and MSC in May.  The MSC trip was with a friend, no kids. 

 

I found the buffet food was way better on MSC. I am not a fussy eater but I found Carnival's was terrible.  Their desserts were awful.  MSC desserts were excellent.  The pizza on both is good but MSC was better. 

The dining room was pretty much the same, with MSC coming out slightly ahead. 

 

I liked the mixed drinks and beer options better on Carnival but it wasn't hard to find something to drink on MSC.  

 

I found the beds more comfortable on Carnival.  I found the beds on Divina were hard.  The room was pretty much the same. 

 

The casino is smaller on MSC.  I don't like the printing the ticket to cash out.  I like on Carnival that you have an account and it goes back in there. 

 

Tipping - I've read that tipping isn't as expected on MSC.  They do not give you your receipt to add a tip on like they do on Carnival.  I never had an issue with service.  I don't usually carry cash so I didn't end up tipping as often as I would on Carnival but I did make sure to go back and tip the ones who usually served me.

 

Room stewards on MSC aren't often seen.  It is not like on Carnival/RC/NCL where they always seem to be around and chatty.  I've read that it is because it is more European where they tend to be unseen.  I didn't mind it.  My roommate did.  She prefers the more in your face room steward. 

 

I didn't do specialty dining.  I don't do shows.  My friend loved the shows on MSC.  I don't do clubs or the deck parties so I can't comment on the difference there. 

The one thing that I didn't like the most on MSC is you can't sit in the pool with a drink, even if it is in a cup with a lid.   Even sitting at the edge with your feet in the pool. 

 

Overall, none of it was a deal breaker.  They are pretty comparable to me.  I have a Carnival cruise booked in November and we switched our March break family cruise from Carnival to go on MSC with a group of friends.  

[MsTabbyKats]

"Your fellow passengers" would be completly different.

 

MSC, for the most part, were sophisticated non-Americans...with a sense of style.  The entertainment is excellent....professional.  None of those "passenger game show" events.  And the ships are absolutely beautiful.   

 

Let's just say Carnival doesn't attract the same folks........

 

As for the food, I didn't starve on either line.  On MSC the pizza was excellent (I'm an old NYC pizza snob)...and that's about all that was excellent.  On Carnival, the food on my Sept Magic cruise was much better than prior (pre pandemic) Carnival cruises....but again, nothing to brag about.

 

The workers on MSC don't get in your face.  They're busy cleaning all the beautiful fixtures.  They don't try to become your best friend.

 

The way I put it is....sailing on MSC is like being in Italy without having to fly there.  

[RudiRatlos]

46 minutes ago, 1kaper said:

The one thing that I didn't like the most on MSC is you can't sit in the pool with a drink, even if it is in a cup with a lid.   Even sitting at the edge with your feet in the pool. 

This may vary from ship to ship with MSC.

[kwokpot]

The majority of the passengers are non Americans, so the vibe on the ship is completely different. As others have said the employees aren't there cheering you on to have fun, they're in the background taking care of the ship and serving the customers. The ships are beautiful and glitzy but in a tasteful way that Carnival could never match,even on their newest ships. Buffet is definitely much better than Carnival and MDR food is a small step up compared to Carnival. 

The pool decks do get busy with sun seekers and for some reason the buffet is always a madhouse, crazy busy. Because the buffet is pretty extensive there's way fewer complementary alternatives for meals.

You'll have an enjoyable experience but just remember less than 25% of the passengers will be American and many can't speak a word of English despite the ship leaving from the US. You can compare it with a Carnival ship leaving from Italy where the majority of passengers are American and everything about the cruise is geared towards Americans yet it's sailing in Europe. This is the reverse. 

[1kaper]

15 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

The majority of the passengers are non Americans, so the vibe on the ship is completely different. As others have said the employees aren't there cheering you on to have fun, they're in the background taking care of the ship and serving the customers. The ships are beautiful and glitzy but in a tasteful way that Carnival could never match,even on their newest ships. Buffet is definitely much better than Carnival and MDR food is a small step up compared to Carnival. 

The pool decks do get busy with sun seekers and for some reason the buffet is always a madhouse, crazy busy. Because the buffet is pretty extensive there's way fewer complementary alternatives for meals.

You'll have an enjoyable experience but just remember less than 25% of the passengers will be American and many can't speak a word of English despite the ship leaving from the US. You can compare it with a Carnival ship leaving from Italy where the majority of passengers are American and everything about the cruise is geared towards Americans yet it's sailing in Europe. This is the reverse. 

I should have added to my post that I sailed when ships were at like 40% so that made a difference.  It also may have been a factor in who else was on the boat.  I didn't get a different vibe at all and never met anyone who didn't speak English.  I am not even sure I met anyone who wasn't American (although we are Canadian). 

[MsTabbyKats]

4 minutes ago, 1kaper said:

I should have added to my post that I sailed when ships were at like 40% so that made a difference.  It also may have been a factor in who else was on the boat.  I didn't get a different vibe at all and never met anyone who didn't speak English.  I am not even sure I met anyone who wasn't American (although we are Canadian). 

Perhaps at that time non-Americans were having problems getting into the states due to covid/travel restrictions etc.

 

 

[1kaper]

Just now, MsTabbyKats said:

Perhaps at that time non-Americans were having problems getting into the states due to covid/travel restrictions etc.

 

 

Yes.  That is what I am assuming. 

As a Canadian I had to take a test to enter the US.  And COVID insurance was required. 

[Gatordad1967]

really two different demographic targets.  MSC is more refined, ships are nicer and no 15 drink limit.

 

[guxu]

So, does that mean MSC has more restricted dress code, e.g. in Main Dinning rooms?

[MsTabbyKats]

4 minutes ago, guxu said:

So, does that mean MSC has more restricted dress code, e.g. in Main Dinning rooms?

No....there was a thread about that recently.

 

The "MSC People" have a sense of style.  Even when casual (during the day) they are "put together well".  Not dressy....just know how to dress...and, in general, are much more appearance conscious.

[styles27]

I only read the first few responses to your question and my thought was “wow that’s opposite of what I would say about MSC US sailings” 

 

I guess what I’m trying to say is that food, ships, staterooms, crew, entertainment etc are all subjective.

What I like others don’t and vice versa which is why it’s great that we have so many choices when it comes to cruising.

One example, the pizza on Divina when we left from Rome was top notch and as good as we were eating in restaurants in Rome and Naples.

Pizza on Divina out of Port Canaveral last November was NOT the same quality and definitely nothing like the pizza in Italy. 
MSC out of the US is a different experience from their European cruises and I believe it is because they’re trying to cater to American’s pallets and that is not necessarily a good thing in my opinion. 
Also MSC from the US is mostly US guests unlike the European departures where most passengers are not Americans. 
It really is like two different cruise lines. 
 

For that price book it and see for yourself. It is very difficult to beat MSC’s US departure pricing.
 

We have cruised with all of the mass market cruise lines and we like different things about each. At this point in our lives we prefer MSC to Carnival and probably wouldn’t cruise Carnival again. 

 

Edited October 11, 2022 by styles27

[FireEater]

In the last 3 months I have been on 1 Carnival and 1 MSC cruise.  Both out of Port Canaveral.

 

MSC (Divina) was more let's say refined.  Nothing stuffy, but still more low key in the passageways and dining facilities and pool areas.  Both lines had a mixture of guests from different countries.

 

I had a good time on both.  It is what you make of it...at least it is for me.

 

Both ships gave me good food and pleasant workers that did not appear to hate their jobs.

 

Entertainment though was lacking on Carnival.  I went on a 4 day cruise.  There was no broadway type evening entertainment at the stage.  No singing or dancing group, etc.  They held the newlywed game one night though.

 

My next 2 cruises booked though are with Carnival with a 3rd booked on MSC (Meraviglia) in January.  All out of Port Canaveral.  The MSC one will be in the Yacht Club.  First time!

 

 

[asalligo]

7 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

The workers on MSC don't get in your face.  They're busy cleaning all the beautiful fixtures.  They don't try to become your best friend.

 

We are taking our first cruise on MSC in January and have cruised Carnival for 20 years. Carnival friends keep telling me that MSC staff is rude, and I suspected that your comment above is what they meant. I know some people think this sounds bad, but I personally do not want to start long conversations with the staff. I did not tell you all about my kids and home, why are you telling me about yours. Just not my thing. I think I may enjoy the staff a lot more on MSC. 

[MsTabbyKats]

4 minutes ago, asalligo said:

 

We are taking our first cruise on MSC in January and have cruised Carnival for 20 years. Carnival friends keep telling me that MSC staff is rude, and I suspected that your comment above is what they meant. I know some people think this sounds bad, but I personally do not want to start long conversations with the staff. I did not tell you all about my kids and home, why are you telling me about yours. Just not my thing. I think I may enjoy the staff a lot more on MSC. 

Yes, that's exactly it.  Being your friend is not in their job description.

 

I was on a Carnival cruise a few weeks ago....and I had a great time.  Although I enjoyed myself, I don't think I'll be going back to Carnival.  It's based on "the ambiance" and what/who I relate to.

 

I hope you enjoy your trip as much as I enjoyed mine!

 

 

 

 

[1kaper]

29 minutes ago, asalligo said:

 

We are taking our first cruise on MSC in January and have cruised Carnival for 20 years. Carnival friends keep telling me that MSC staff is rude, and I suspected that your comment above is what they meant. I know some people think this sounds bad, but I personally do not want to start long conversations with the staff. I did not tell you all about my kids and home, why are you telling me about yours. Just not my thing. I think I may enjoy the staff a lot more on MSC. 

 

Yes. I didn’t have any rude staff at all but I think that nails it. I also preferred it.

[RD64]

7 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

No....there was a thread about that recently.

 

The "MSC People" have a sense of style.  Even when casual (during the day) they are "put together well".  Not dressy....just know how to dress...and, in general, are much more appearance conscious.

Totally agree - Europeans just know how to put themselves together in a way that North Americans just can’t. I am Italian by background - when I go to Italy to visit my relatives - they shudder in fear / pity / disgust every time I get ready to go out dressed in my North American clothes. I keep a drawer of clothes at my grandmother’s house with European clothes that they find acceptable, but in Canada I would appear over dressed.

[kwokpot]

4 hours ago, styles27 said:

I only read the first few responses to your question and my thought was “wow that’s opposite of what I would say about MSC US sailings” 

 

I guess what I’m trying to say is that food, ships, staterooms, crew, entertainment etc are all subjective.

What I like others don’t and vice versa which is why it’s great that we have so many choices when it comes to cruising.

One example, the pizza on Divina when we left from Rome was top notch and as good as we were eating in restaurants in Rome and Naples.

Pizza on Divina out of Port Canaveral last November was NOT the same quality and definitely nothing like the pizza in Italy. 
MSC out of the US is a different experience from their European cruises and I believe it is because they’re trying to cater to American’s pallets and that is not necessarily a good thing in my opinion. 
Also MSC from the US is mostly US guests unlike the European departures where most passengers are not Americans. 
It really is like two different cruise lines. 
 

For that price book it and see for yourself. It is very difficult to beat MSC’s US departure pricing.
 

We have cruised with all of the mass market cruise lines and we like different things about each. At this point in our lives we prefer MSC to Carnival and probably wouldn’t cruise Carnival again. 

 

I sailed the Meraviglia five years ago from Genoa, Italy during Christmas and was just on the Seashore from Miami Sept.24-October 1st. For me the two cruises were indistinguishable from each other in terms of food, service, entertainment and general vibe. The only major difference besides the Ports was on the Meraviglia there were multiple embarkacation and disembarkation Ports, so the rhythm of the cruise is different since not all the passengers get on and off the ship at the same time. 

Edited October 12, 2022 by kwokpot

[CruizinSusan70]

What is the current dress code in the MDR on US based MSC ships?  Are men allowed to wear docker shorts and a collared shirt or are they forced to wear long pants because it's the European civilized thing to wear?

[1kaper]

4 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

What is the current dress code in the MDR on US based MSC ships?  Are men allowed to wear docker shorts and a collared shirt or are they forced to wear long pants because it's the European civilized thing to wear?

There was a recent thread on this. 

It depends.  I believe in the Yacht Club dining room they are required to wear pants.  How strictly it is enforce may vary. 

You are definitely allowed to wear shorts in the dining room on a med cruise. And I don't think they strictly enforce any dress code.  As I mentioned before, a man attended dinner on my cruise with a baseball shirt totally unbuttoned and open, nothing underneath. 

[shipgeeks]

Ugh, I hope he wasn't seated right across from you!

I can't really recall if I saw men in any type of shorts in the evening, MDR/theater/lounges.  I do remember seeing a couple of pre-teen girls in shorts in MDR; they stood out because that was unusual.

[kwokpot]

7 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

What is the current dress code in the MDR on US based MSC ships?  Are men allowed to wear docker shorts and a collared shirt or are they forced to wear long pants because it's the European civilized thing to wear?

Shorts are fine in the MDR on US based departures. On my Seashore cruise there were large percentages of men wearing shorts, Americans and non Americans alike. 

[cruizinisthebest]

I would like to thank the OP for this post and others as the replies are VERY helpful.

 

Dedicated Carnival cruiser here. We love it and complain about very little while on vacation. Matter of fact, I personally loathe people who travel and then complain about this or that the whole time. Vacation for us is a true sacrifice, and I refuse to spend it upset about petty things.  That said, Carnival is very familiar to us. We are wanting to try something new. As others have said, MSC stands out for us right now, because their pricing is pretty dang good. Even leaving from New York, which would be fantastic!

 

So long as the kids have food to eat (teenagers) and we can relax, we should be good. Be nice to try something different.

 

Can someone tell me about the easy drink package and if there are enough basic choices to choose from? And also, can you load your onboard account with cash? One more thing, do you think there's alot onboard to spend extra on or is the included food and treats sufficient? This will help with planning our budget. TIA!

[CruizinSusan70]

35 minutes ago, cruizinisthebest said:

I would like to thank the OP for this post and others as the replies are VERY helpful.

 

Dedicated Carnival cruiser here. We love it and complain about very little while on vacation. Matter of fact, I personally loathe people who travel and then complain about this or that the whole time. Vacation for us is a true sacrifice, and I refuse to spend it upset about petty things.  That said, Carnival is very familiar to us. We are wanting to try something new. As others have said, MSC stands out for us right now, because their pricing is pretty dang good. Even leaving from New York, which would be fantastic!

 

So long as the kids have food to eat (teenagers) and we can relax, we should be good. Be nice to try something different.

 

Can someone tell me about the easy drink package and if there are enough basic choices to choose from? And also, can you load your onboard account with cash? One more thing, do you think there's alot onboard to spend extra on or is the included food and treats sufficient? This will help with planning our budget. TIA!

The easy drink package is very basic so I would recommend the easy plus package, which is a happy medium and has enough choices for most drinkers.  We have a reservation on the Meraviglia next July out of Brooklyn in a Fantastica inside cabin with included easy plus package and wifi.  All in without gratuities is just under 800 pp.

[cruizinisthebest]

34 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

The easy drink package is very basic so I would recommend the easy plus package, which is a happy medium and has enough choices for most drinkers.  We have a reservation on the Meraviglia next July out of Brooklyn in a Fantastica inside cabin with included easy plus package and wifi.  All in without gratuities is just under 800 pp.

Thanks for the reply! Yes price not bad at all!