American Cruise Lines, the largest river cruise and small-ship cruise line in the USA, has acquired four new cruise ships from the bankrupt rival American Queen Voyages.
American Queen Voyages was an expedition and river cruise line that operated from 2011 until February 2024, when it was forced to declare bankruptcy and cancel all future cruises.
It was famous for its fleet of four paddlewheelers, iconic boats that offered comfortable accommodation, including the American Queen – the largest paddlewheel steamboat ever built.
Those four ships – the others being American Countess, American Duchess and American Empress – went up for auction along with other assets, and American Cruise Lines won the bid for these four ships for a total of $5.55 million, with another $750,000 paid for business records, website domains and more.
This takes the total number of ships in the fleet for American Cruise Lines to 23 – the company has been rapidly expanding, with the fleet now almost triple what it was in 2019.
By the end of 2025, the fleet will have grown to 28 ships, with several new riverboats and Coastal Cats ships on order.
American Queen Voyages did have two coastal ships up for grabs in the auction, although no winner was announced for these.
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
MSC Cruises is sending their next new mega ship to Miami. MSC World America, a 200,000+ gross ton cruise ship, will debut in April 2025 offering seven night cruises to the Caribbean. It will be the largest cruise ship outside of Royal Caribbean sailing from a U.S. port.
MSC Cruises has announced new details about this ship that will have everything from bumper cars to an adults only Zen Area. The 22 deck ship will have 2,614 cabins and more than 420,000 square feet of public space.
Here is a look at the seven districts that will be on MSC World America.
The Family Aventura is a family dedicated zone that will have an outdoor park, a high ropes course, bumper cars, roller rink, water slides, and more. This area will also have a state-of-the-art attraction that will be a first of its kind at sea. What will it be? MSC Cruises has yet to give details on this new attraction.
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The Aqua Deck will contain the ship’s main two swimming pools. During the day, it will offer the ultimate cruise pool day and at night, it will transform into high-energy parties.
The adults only Zen Area will be a quiet spot of adults to sunbathe and swim. It will have twin pools and light music for ultimate relaxation.
The Galleria is the heartbeat of the ship with everything from a coffee shop to live music to the MSC Staple, Jean Philippe Chocolat & Café. There will be grab and go food here as well as MSC Luna Park Arena, a high-tech entertainment venue perfect for hosting themed parties and gameshows.
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The Terraces will have nine restaurants and bars, four retail shops, and the cruise line’s first dedicated Comedy Club.
The Promenade will be a lively space in the back of the ship with a 11 deck dry slide. There will be restaurants, drink options and lively evening activities here. The Promenade will have LED light shows with ocean views.
No MSC cruise ship is complete without the MSC Yacht Club. This ship within a ship concept will offer the ultimate in luxury. The Yacht Club includes 24/7 butler service, priority embarkation/debarkation, private dining, private lounge, and their own outdoor pool area.
MSC World America will have 13 total restaurants, six of which will be specialty dining options.
The cruise ship will have 20 bars and lounges including a new sports bar.
The vessel will have six swimming pools and 14 hot tubs. One of the pools will be inside with a retractable roof. The water park will have water slides with a VR experience.
Three entertainment venues will have all-new live shows.
Even though it will be one of the top 10 largest cruise ships in the world, MSC World America will be one of the most energy efficient ships. It will be powered by LNG and it will surpass all design requirements under the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).
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MSC World America will sail from the largest cruise terminal in North America. These seven night cruises from Miami will visit the Caribbean and the cruise line’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. View Prices on Cruises on MSC World America
Holidaymakers have been told how 24-hour exposure to sea air and bright natural light on a cruise ship improves sleep to cure jet lag sooner.
Travel experts at Panache Cruises have consulted sleep consultants and collated the latest research to reveal how to beat jet lag quickly and sleep better on holiday.
The research shows that exposure to sea air day and night can improve blood oxygen levels, boost vitamin D, and improve breathing leading to higher-quality sleep.
Correctly timed exposure to bright natural light has also been found to help reset our all-important circadian rhythms – the key to overcoming jet lag.
Being on board a ship at sea provides weary travellers with natural exposure to ionised sea air, whether taking a stroll around the deck during the day or asleep in the cabin at night.
While landlubbers staying in beachside hotels will get the benefits of an onshore sea wind during the day but not at night when the air will be blowing from the land out to sea.
Experts recommend 24-hour exposure to sea air for maximum benefit, particularly during the night-time hours while sleeping.
Studies have shown that sea air can help you gain dozens of minutes of sleep per night with a walk in sea air resulting in an average of 47 more minutes of sleep compared with just 12 minutes more for a walk inland.
Getting outside in the sea air can increase concentration, remind tired bodies to stay awake and give respiratory systems that much-needed boost of oxygen after a long flight.
Studies have shown that ion-charged salt air can increase the electrical functionality of the brain by 47 per cent with mood-boosting effects, offsetting bothersome symptoms of jet lag.
Jet lag is a temporary sleep problem caused by a sudden shift in daylight hours, with the distance travelled, arrival time, and age of the traveller all impacting normal daily rhythms.
A serious bout of jet lag can throw off your sleep patterns and cause other annoying symptoms that persist for days or even weeks after a flight.
Sleep experts also advocate bright light to help shift our circadian rhythm, with the deck of a cruise ship being a natural place to maximise exposure.
Morning light exposure can help you adjust to an earlier time zone after travelling east while evening light helps you adapt to a later time zone after travelling west.
Roughly 75% of people find jet lag to be worse when travelling east although a quarter of people prefer eastward travel.
An evening person will tend to feel stronger symptoms of jet lag travelling east while morning people have slightly quicker circadian clocks making it easier to travel eastward.
Dr Lindsay Browning, a sleep expert at Trouble Sleeping says that getting bright light exposure at the right time after a long-haul flight is one of the most powerful things we can do to boost and help shift our circadian rhythm.
She said: “As a general rule, you want to get lots of bright light exposure during the daytime and avoid light at night.
“When travelling on a cruise ship, you will naturally get a lot of bright light exposure during the day, helping your circadian rhythm.
“Further, when travelling by ship, you will have a bedroom cabin with proper bed and curtains, enabling you to sleep at night when you want to.”
Dr Browning says one of the best ways to beat jet lag is to not fly at all and take a ship from your home country meaning you won’t cross time zones as quickly and the effects of jet lag will be reduced.
She said: “When travelling long distances by boat or ship, you are unlikely to cross more than one timezone per day, naturally lessening the effect of jet lag as the time on board will shift gradually through the journey.
“In contrast, when flying you will experience the full-time change in a short space of time.”
Cruising offers holidaymakers other jet lag-busting benefits beyond exposure to sea air and natural light.
Flexible eating options on board and access to fresh melatonin-rich foods such as melon or berries can help regulate sleep habits on arrival.
The proper timing of exposure to light and melatonin will further avoid desynchronising your internal clock.
Access to exercise on deck or in one of the on-board gyms can be beneficial in managing circadian rhythms.
Cruise ships at sea allow jet-lagged travellers to rest and recuperate, providing plenty of opportunity to catch up on sleep or be pampered in one of the onboard spas.
James Cole, Founder of Panache Cruises is no stranger to long-haul travel and recommends getting as much sea air as possible in the first few days to keep jet lag at bay.
He said: “Jet lag doesn’t have to ruin your holiday plans, leaving you feeling sleepy and unable to concentrate fully on the experiences you have been so looking forward to.
“Reduced cabin pressure and lower-than-normal oxygen levels on aeroplanes can leave passengers feeling sleepy and dehydrated, particularly during a long-haul flight.
“To counteract the sudden shift in time zones and reset the circadian rhythm, travellers should aim to give their bodies the oxygen, light and nutrients they need.
“Heading straight to a cruise ship from the airport will give holidaymakers the best chance to recover from jet lag quickly so they can get on with enjoying their holiday.
“The research suggests that breathing in as much of the ionised sea air during the first few nights will help holidaymakers beat jet lag quicker than land-based holidays.
“Cruises with a day or two at sea at the start of the holiday will also give travellers a chance to get some exercise in a gym, relax in a spa, and eat what they need when they need it.
“The time we have on holiday is precious, so if travelling long-haul, choosing a holiday that helps counteract jet lag will allow you to make the most of the time you have.”
Holland America Line has announced nearly 30 different cruises in 2025-2026 that will offer longer voyages to the Caribbean on their three newest ships. Each of these cruises will also visit the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas, Half Moon Cay.
The cruise line’s Pinnacle class ships, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Rotterdam, will all offer cruises to the Caribbean from Florida. The cruises will range from seven to 14 days in length and depart from Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.
The cruises can also be combined to create longer voyages that range from 14 to 21 days.
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“This will be the first time all three of our Pinnacle-Class ships are in the Caribbean together, allowing for even more opportunities for guests to experience all we have to offer,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line. “With demand for Caribbean cruises remaining strong, we’ve planned a robust season allowing guests to choose the islands they want to visit and the ideal length for their vacation.”
Five Holland America Line ships will visit the Eastern Caribbean. They are Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Volendam and Zuiderdam.
Eurodam, Nieuw Statendam and Zuiderdam will offer cruises to the Western Caribbean.
Longer cruises to the Southern Caribbean will sail on Koningsdam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam.
A few cruises from Florida in 2025-2026 will also feature a partial transit of the Panama Canal.
These cruises are now open for bookings with fares start at $579 per person, based on double occupancy.
Saga has officially launched its 2025 boutique ocean cruises programme, with 47 all-inclusive itineraries sailing aboard sister ships, Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery.
There are plenty of new experiences, itineraries and ports-of-call available – as well as a new nationwide chauffeur service – across Saga’s new 2025 season of all inclusive no-fly cruises. Highlights include more unforgettable experiences, such as tuk-tuk tours, which have been expanded to feature on 20 cruise itineraries and offer guests the option to explore the cities of Lisbon, Oporto, Split and Valencia by this unique mode of transport.
New ports-of-call for Saga ships in 2025 include the Croatian island of Korcula on the Dalmatian
Coast and also Helsingør in Denmark’s North Zealand, which offers the ideal opportunity to visit Kronborg Castle, immortalised by Shakespeare as the home of Hamlet.
Also new for 2025, Saga’s chauffeur service is now nationwide, so guests will be picked up from home across the UK mainland at no extra cost.
2024 was Saga’s fastest selling season ever, and some cruises sold out very quickly, so Saga is committed to offering early bookers for 2025 the very best deals, therefore, these cruises are available now with up to 35 per cent off the full price. Saga also offers a price promise, whereby if the price of the cruise is reduced, guests who have paid the higher price will get the value of the difference.
Some highlights from the 2025 Saga Ocean programme include:
– A 21-night all-inclusive Croatia and Gems of the Mediterranean cruise departing 22nd May 2025 from Dover. This cruise to the Adriatic offers guests a stop on Spain’s Costa Tropical to visit Motril, en route to Malta and its capital, Valletta, before exploring the historic coastal cities of Croatia, including the island of Korcula – a brand new port of call for Saga this year – then Split and the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace, as well as UNESCO-listed Dubrovnik with its ancient fortifications. It will also cruise along the scenic Bay of Kotor and the opportunity to stroll the medieval streets of the fortified town of Kotor, where Romanesque churches sit alongside Venetian mansions. And finally, the cruise visits the Greek ruins of Sicily and iconic Rock of Gibraltar on the return journey. Prices start from £7,069 per person for a standard balcony cabin (based on two sharing).
– A 49-night all inclusive Caribbean and Central America Discovery cruise departing Portsmouth on 6th January 2025. This cruise contrasts the Caribbean and Central America, cruising from one tropical island to the next, before visiting the ancient Mayan ruins and dense rainforests of Central America and then onto the USA. After the transatlantic crossing via Madeira, Spirit of Discovery visits the Caribbean islands of St Lucia, Barbados, Bequia and the Dutch Caribbean islands of Willemstad and Oranjestad. The voyage continues to Central America to visit UNESCO-listed Cartagena and Colón, before the chance to experience the rainforests and banana plantations of Puerto Limón, beaches of Honduras and archaeological treasures of Belize City. Progreso, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, offers a gateway to the iconic Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. The cruise will also visit the Gulf of Mexico to the Texan city of Galveston, from where guests can visit the world-renowned Houston Space Station with its NASA spacecraft, before following the Mississippi River for an overnight stay in New Orleans, birthplace of jazz and renowned for its Creole cuisine and French Quarter, as well as Miami and the opportunity to visit the famous Everglades National Park. There is an overnight stop in Bermuda, where UNESCO-listed St George’s became an English settlement in 1612, and call at the scenic Azores archipelago on the return journey. Prices start from £16,128 per person for a standard balcony cabin (based on two sharing).
There are also new itineraries that sail around the British Isles, from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to the Highlands of Scotland and Belfast in Northern Ireland. These itineraries are the ideal staycation with a difference and include:
– A 10-night all-inclusive Island Hopping in the British Isles cruise departing Portsmouth on 5th May 2025. This cruise showcases the heritage and dramatic scenery of the British Isles, calling first into Guernsey with its 18th-century towers and unique World War Two fortifications. The cruise then crosses the Irish Sea to visit Northern Ireland’s cultural capital of Belfast, where the RMS Titanic was built, before voyaging along the Welsh coast to visit Holyhead, gateway to exploring the Isle of Anglesey and Snowdonia National Park. From the Isle of Man, the cruise then heads to Ullapool, located on the shores of Loch Broom, and the remote Orkneys, home to the famous Neolithic site of Skara Brae. Prices start from £2,968 per person for a standard balcony cabin (based on two sharing).
Saga guests can also choose from a range of other popular cruises throughout the year to destinations such as the Mediterranean, Norway (and the Northern Lights), Africa, the Caribbean and the Canary Islands.
Saga’s boutique ocean cruises are all-inclusive with no hidden costs on-board and guests also have the benefit of the new complimentary nationwide chauffeur service between home and Dover or Portsmouth.
Saga Cruises come with all dining and house drinks including a selection of cocktails, draft beers and lagers, wines, spirits, mixers and soft drinks, including premium label spirits available at no additional cost. Wi-Fi, gratuities, fitness facilities, 24-hour room service, sightseeing tours in selected ports, entertainment (from lectures to recitals to shows), porterage of luggage, shuttle buses to nearest town centres and travel insurance are also included.
Seabourn, the ultra-luxury cruise line, has unveiled a special series of cruises for 2025 named ‘The Collection’, which will include some of the most exciting shore experiences ever.
These cruises, all taking place in the Mediterranean on the spectacular ship Seabourn Venture, will combine the stunning onboard experience with some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities shoreside.
Each cruise lasts for between 7 and 10 days, with the idea that the itineraries will deliver some special moments for guests to really treasure, beyond what you’d normally enjoy on a cruise.
There are two cruises in April aimed at tennis enthusiasts. These ‘Mediterranean Marvels & Matches’ itineraries include visits to either the Monte Carlo Masters or the Barcelona Open, depending on whether you choose the 5th April or 13th April itinerary.
There are also two ‘Andalusian Nights’ sailings which include a dive into the heritage of the region between Barcelona and Lisbon. Both cruises include an overnight in Seville, where guests will be whisked to Villa Luisa to enjoy a private Flamenco performance.
And Vineyard Vistas is a one-off cruise from Lisbon to Dublin that includes an overnight in Bordeaux. During this port visit, guests will be taken to Chateau Smith Haut-Lafitte for a special evening event, with local winemakers presenting their finest drinks to taste.
Each journey within ‘The Collection’ is a bespoke masterpiece, offering an immersive blend of luxury and special interests.
(The Collection) will deliver special ‘Seabourn Moments’ for our extraordinary guests who seek out-of-the-ordinary experiences.”
Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn
Guests interested in booking The Collection are able to take advantage of the Sale Beyond event available, being held at the same time as the sailings were announced.
This includes a two-category Veranda Suite upgrade along with up to $2,000 per suite to spend onboard the cruise.
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I recommend booking with luxury specialists Panache Cruises for the best service.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
If you’re looking for a fun-packed cruise on a mid-to-large ship, but you don’t want to pay top dollar, then you’re probably going to land on either Carnival or MSC Cruises as your cruise line of choice.
Both of these cruise giants offer exciting destinations, modern ships, and a wide range of dining options, and usually at a great value price.
But is there one which is cheaper? Which has better facilities? Which is the best option for your cruise?
That’s what we’re going to answer in this guide, where I compare both cruise lines side-by-side across all the factors that matter…
Ships
The Carnival and MSC fleets are very similar in size – both in number and the actual size of the ships.
Carnival’s fleet is marginally bigger – it has 26 ships, with one more to be added in 2024.
MSC has 22 ships currently sailing for the fleet, and another three being built, so it is closing the gap.
Carnival Ships
Carnival has nine different classes of cruise ships:
Excel Class – three ships that can carry around 5,300 guests
Venice Class – two ships accommodating 4,200 guests
Vista Class – three ships accommodating 4,000 guests
Dream Class – three ships accommodating 3,700 guests
Splendor Class – one ship accommodating 3,000 guests
Conquest Class – five ships accommodating 3,000 guests
Spirit Class – five ships accommodating around 2,200 guests
Sunshine Class – three ships accommodating 3,000 guests
Fantasy Class – two ships accommodating 2,100 guests
The oldest ship in the Carnival fleet is the Carnival Sunshine, which first launched in 1996 as the Carnival Destiny before a rebrand in 2013.
World Class – the biggest ships in the fleet, capable of accommodating almost 6,800 passengers
Meraviglia Plus Class – three ships accommodating 6,300 passengers
Seaside EVO Class – two ships accommodating 5,900 guests
Meraviglia Class – two ships accommodating 5,600 guests
Seaside Class – two ships accommodating 5,200 guests
Fantasia Class – four ships accommodating 3,900 guests
Musica Class – four ships accommodating 3,200 guests
Lirica Class – four ships accommodating 2,700 guests
The oldest ship in the MSC fleet is MSC Armonia, which first launched in 2001 – so not quite as old as the eldest in the Carnival fleet.
The newest ship is the MSC Euribia, which is part of the Meraviglia Plus Class. She launched in 2023 also, though a little earlier than Carnival Jubilee.
Honestly, there’s not a lot of difference between the ship sizes or ages when comparing the two cruise lines.
MSC does have the bigger ships with the World Class, but the difference between that and the Excel Class for Carnival isn’t going to be noticeable once you’re onboard – still expect loads of dining options and activities, and plenty of busy poolsides too.
Neither fleet has small cruise ships, but they do have smaller options if you want something more relaxing.
Destinations
Carnival and MSC are global cruise lines – rather than focusing on just one or two regions, you’ll find the ships sailing to destinations all over the world.
There are some differences between the destinations offered though, so this could have an impact when deciding which cruise line you prefer.
Carnival
MSC Cruises
Alaska
19
0
Africa
0
8
Australia & New Zealand
36
0
Bermuda
7
5
Canada & New England
1
5
Caribbean & Bahamas
254
122
East Asia
1
19
Europe
24
342
Hawaii
9
0
Mexico & Latin America
40
0
Middle East & South Asia
0
12
Panama Canal
24
0
South America
0
42
South Pacific
24
0
Transatlantic
9
0
Transpacific
5
0
World Cruise/Grand Voyages
0
77
Carnival Destinations
Carnival has a relatively small choice of embarkation ports, with 21 options, though that’s still plenty of variety. Most of these are situated in the United States, with the Florida ports proving popular, but there are also plenty of options in Texas, New Orleans, Washington and California.
Carnival doesn’t have a ship homeporting in the UK for extended periods. While some cruises depart from the UK, there aren’t many to pick from, so your options are limited.
Carnival’s private islands and resorts, Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay, offer plenty of fun experiences for guests to enjoy. You’ll typically visit one or the other on a Bahamas cruise.
MSC Destinations
MSC has more departure ports than Carnival, with a whopping 66 to choose from. Unlike Carnival, MSC’s cruises don’t stick to one starting and ending point. Instead, they run longer trips, and you can pick most ports from the route to begin and finish your cruise.
For example, a ship doing a 21-day tour of the Med might let you hop on for a 7-day stretch from Southampton to Barcelona, but someone else might join the ship halfway through that for a Lisbon to Rome cruise.
While this gives you lots of choices, it means the ship is always buzzing with people getting on and off.
MSC’s got a private island in the Caribbean too, called Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. They’re putting a bunch of money into it in 2024, making it a serious rival to the best spots offered by Carnival, and it has a conservation centre too if you want your trip to feel educational.
MSC also offers a wider selection of cruises from the UK than Carnival, though not all of them are round-trip sailings and you may need to fly home afterwards.
Which to Choose?
Destination choice is actually one of the areas where Carnival and MSC differ most. Carnival has much more of a presence in the Caribbean, while MSC is one of the best cruise lines if you want to explore European cities.
There are other regions that you may wish to cruise to that could limit your options as well. Carnival doesn’t offer cruises to Africa, the Middle East and South America, while MSC isn’t the cruise line for you if you want to try Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, Hawaii or Mexico.
MSC is a good choice if you want longer cruises, though. The vast majority of Carnival sailings are limited to 7 nights at most, whereas MSC has Grand Voyages that cover multiple regions of the world. If you’re looking for an extended cruise, MSC would be the better option.
Staterooms and Suites
For most guests, the accommodation options on each respective cruise line are unlikely to make you sway one way or another between them.
That’s because most guests will choose between a regular inside, ocean view or balcony stateroom, or perhaps splash out on a suite. And the differences between those on each cruise line are minimal – it’s not like one has significantly larger rooms than the other.
But each cruise line does have particular themed rooms, or quirks when it comes to choosing accommodation, that could influence your decision.
It’s worth pointing out that both cruise lines only offer limited solo cabins. If you’re travelling alone, you may end up paying for two people anyway, if you can’t get a single room. And be careful with MSC, as some solo cabins don’t even have a proper bed!
There are several themed cabin options available across the Carnival fleet.
Cloud 9 Spa Rooms
Most Carnival ships have Cloud 9 Spa staterooms. These rooms are all situated close to the spa itself and have a spa theme, extra relaxation perks, and a calming decor style.
Booking one comes with other useful benefits too, like exclusive spa packages and free access to the Thermal Suite.
Designed for families, Family Harbor staterooms have classic nautical decor that makes the room feel just a bit more fun. They’re conveniently located near the Family Harbor Lounge, perfect for breakfast or snacks, and offer board games for family enjoyment.
Havana Rooms
Choosing a Havana stateroom or suite gives you access to the peaceful Havana area with its own pool and bar. Consider Havana Cabana rooms for an extra private cabana space in the Havana area, if you want to really splash out.
MSC Staterooms
With MSC Cruises, there aren’t as many ‘specialist’ options, but you do have to make a key decision when booking your cruise.
Bella, Fantastica, or Aurea
When booking an MSC cruise, you can choose from three fare options: Bella, Fantastica, or Aurea.
These fares determine your cabin class. Opt for the budget-friendly Bella fares, and you might end up with a cabin in less prime areas, including balconies with metal railings that limit your view unless you’re standing. You also won’t get to choose your cabin yourself.
If you go for Fantastica, you’ll have more choices, but the top-notch cabins and suites are reserved for Aurea fares. Keep this in mind as you decide on your cruise.
At the pinnacle of MSC accommodations is the MSC Yacht Club, which is called a “ship-within-a-ship” concept. Exclusive areas, such as private lounges and restaurants, are accessible only to MSC Yacht Club guests.
With the Yacht Club, you enjoy a host of perks, including butler service and complimentary drinks in both your suite and the Yacht Club venues. However, you’ll need to consider whether these extras are worth the added cost because these rooms are not cheap.
Which to Choose?
If you’re planning on booking a regular inside, ocean view or balcony cabin, then there really isn’t much to choose between the two cruise lines – there are more differences within their own respective fleets than there are comparing Carnival to MSC.
But Carnival does have some nice options for themed rooms if that interests you. MSC’s Yacht Club is also special, and while Carnival offers many similar perks with its own suites, it doesn’t quite have the luxury feel of that ship-within-a-ship region. Of course, you’ll need a hefty budget to enjoy it.
Food
Food will undoubtedly play a big part in your cruise holiday, and both cruise lines have plenty of options for you to enjoy.
Carnival Food
Carnival has a lot of choices when it comes to picking your venue for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
As with pretty much any major cruise line, you can dine in the main dining room or opt for a trip to the free buffet, while there are several speciality restaurants such as a steakhouse, an Italian restaurant, and Asian cuisine venues too.
Carnival really stands out with its more casual options though, although several of them are not included in your fare. The burgers at Guy’s, and the fried chicken options at Shaq’s, are particularly popular.
MSC Food
MSC doesn’t have quite the same range of options as Carnival, but you still won’t feel limited, especially on the bigger ships – you can still enjoy plenty of casual and formal dining venues, including the main dining rooms and buffet.
There is definitely more of a Mediterranean vibe running through the restaurants, though you’ll still find American-style burgers, Japanese cuisine and more too.
One great dining feature is the option for kids to enjoy their own buffet as part of the kids’ club, with the crew taking them there while you go and enjoy your own dinner. This lets them have a bit of independence with their new friends, while you can try restaurants that their picky tastes may not enjoy.
Which to Choose?
Both Carnival and MSC have a great range of free and paid-for restaurants that you can enjoy.
Carnival’s casual venues are more American in style, and have better theming, but MSC offers some delicious Mediterranean cuisine too. Carnival has the edge in variety overall, but in terms of quality, I’d say both cruise lines are similar.
One thing to note is the vegan menus on both ships. I’ve cruised with MSC a few times previously and sometimes had issues getting vegan options that were particularly good, but my most recent cruise on MSC Euribia was a completely different experience – the food was varied and delicious.
And while Carnival hasn’t always been the best for vegans, it did introduce a new vegan menu across the fleet in the latter half of 2023 – so options are getting better.
Onboard Activities
Both MSC and Carnival have some really fun onboard activities for guests to enjoy, including features unique to each cruise line.
Carnival Activities
On a Carnival ship, you’ll find all the typical cruise activities you’d find on many big cruise lines – bingo, quizzes, video game arcades, a casino, art auctions and more. But there are plenty of other exciting activities to try too.
Some of these are only available on the bigger Carnival ships, but they’re very exciting. The SkyRide is a pedal-powered ride that gives you amazing views out to sea, while Carnival also has the only roller coaster at sea with Bolt.
MSC Activities
MSC doesn’t have full roller coasters, but it has a roller coaster simulator on a couple of ships with Robotron – a robotic arm that moves your seats in a similar thrilling ride, whilst still giving you fantastic sea views (if your stomach is up for the challenge!)
There are other activities that you’ll find on MSC that aren’t on Carnival ships too, including:
Formula One simulators (with full-size car to sit in)
Flight simulators
MasterChef competitions (for adults and kids)
The longest dry-slide at sea on MSC World Europa
Which to Choose?
MSC and Carnival have a similar style of fun onboard, so the activities will likely only be a deciding factor if you have something specific you want to try.
If you really want to experience Bolt, or you love the idea of sitting in a real Formula One car for a simulator drive, then choose Carnival or MSC respectively. Otherwise, you’ll likely have a great time regardless of which cruise line you pick.
Entertainment
Let’s look at the entertainment on board both fleets and what you can expect to be filling your evenings with.
Carnival Entertainment
Carnival’s entertainment is excellent, with a lot of big shows in the theatre that incorporate many well-known songs as well as thrilling dance acts and incredible staging. Throughout the ships, you’ll find lots of entertainers too in the many bars where you can unwind.
Carnival also has great comedians offering family-friendly shows (as well as some just for the grown-ups), and there are licensed game shows you can take part in such as Family Feud and Deal or No Deal – yes, you can get up on stage and potentially win some big prizes!
MSC Entertainment
MSC’s entertainment options include a lot of great singers and dancers, with slick and professional shows that will wow you. There are a lot of circus-style performers too, which are a great fit for the cruise line since it’s often filled with guests who don’t all speak the same language.
On that – don’t expect to find many comedy performances on an MSC ship due to the language differences. As much of the entertainment as possible is visual, so that all guests can enjoy it.
Which to Choose?
I loved the entertainment on my most recent MSC cruise, while Carnival’s is big and bold, including those well-loved game shows. If you like familiarity then Carnival could be preferred, but MSC really won’t disappoint if you are happy to try new experiences.
Kids Facilities
Carnival and MSC are great cruise lines for families, and both have partnered with established brands to enhance the facilities they can offer.
Carnival Kids’ Facilities
Carnival has a working partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, which means guests at the kids’ clubs onboard can enjoy meet and greets with renowned characters like The Cat in the Hat. There are also Green Eggs and Ham character breakfasts that you can book for the family.
There’s plenty for teens to enjoy too – Circle C offers a fun space for 12 to 14-year-olds, while Club O2 is a relaxed space for older teens with karaoke parties, video games and even a Carnival Prom on selected sailings.
MSC Kids’ Facilities
MSC has several different clubs for kids too, with teens getting VR gaming, karaoke and other fun activities to enjoy. Younger children will love the partnership with Lego, and the various toys and games that can be enjoyed alongside crafts and educational activities.
MSC excels when it comes to young babies, with a dedicated club just for those under 3. The cruise line has a partnership with Chicco, so babies can enjoy lots of sensory toys and activities, and babysitting services are available.
Which to Choose?
A lot of the differences in the kids’ facilities between Carnival and MSC will come down to the demographics. MSC’s kids’ clubs are multilingual, especially on European cruises, so your children will be mingling with others that may not speak their language – my kids enjoyed it, but it may vary depending on how confident your children are.
Both cruise lines have plenty of exciting activities though, so boredom will never be a factor.
Cruiser Demographics
The passenger demographics can play a part in your cruise experience, so let’s look at the guests you will likely find onboard.
Carnival Demographics
The makeup of passengers on a Carnival ship can shift based on factors like the season, specific ship, and chosen itinerary.
While it typically exudes a family-friendly vibe, particularly during the peak summer periods, some younger adults and single travellers see it as a go-to for a lively party experience, especially during Spring Break.
Be prepared for a lively ambience either way – it’s unlikely to be quiet on a Carnival ship.
MSC Cruises Demographics
MSC tends to have similar age groups to Carnival, though the young adults who are cruising are typically less party-minded – mainly because MSC doesn’t offer as many short weekend cruises to tropical destinations.
You’ll find lots of families onboard, as well as groups of friends and couples, including some older guests.
Cruises in the Caribbean will have mainly English-speaking guests, but in Europe expect a real mix of cultures onboard, which can make for a fun atmosphere as everyone mingles.
Price
Most people will base their decision for a cruise booking on the price, so is there one cruise line that’s always cheaper?
Carnival Prices
Carnival has a reputation for being a cheap cruise line, and that’s definitely true with older ships.
Newer, bigger ships aren’t extremely cheap, but they do offer good value. Just make sure you don’t base your decision on the advertised prices on the Carnival website, since they won’t include port fees and taxes until you’ve started filling in your details and you see the final price.
On a typical 7-night Caribbean cruise on one of the newer ships like Carnival Celebration, you should expect to pay between £85/$105 and £105/$135 per person, per night for an inside stateroom. You can find cruises on smaller ships that are cheaper than this.
MSC Prices
MSC’s prices are similar to Carnival’s, with the newer ships costing a little more than the older, smaller ships for a cruise.
As a guide, a 7-night cruise on one of the Seaside EVO Class ships in the Caribbean will cost somewhere between £80/$100 and £120/$153 per person, per night for an inside cabin – so marginally cheaper than Carnival, but not by much. Again, you can often find cruises much cheaper, sometimes as low as £30/$40 per night.
One other thing to consider is that MSC’s European cruises don’t have additional gratuities to pay – the daily gratuity only applies on cruises from US ports of embarkation. That’s not true of Carnival, where every cruise requires guests to pay daily tips.
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The Verdict
Carnival and MSC are great choices for a value cruise, but there are some clear differences between them.
Choose Carnival if you want more of a party cruise vibe as a young adult, since you’ll find a lot of shorter itineraries and plenty of others onboard looking for the same kind of experience. They’re also a good choice if you want themed accommodations, more American-style themed casual dining options, or you like game shows, comedians or big theatre productions.
MSC is better if you want to cruise around Europe or enjoy longer itineraries, and it’s great if you prefer a slightly more relaxed vibe. With passengers from all over the continent, the ships have a pleasant multicultural atmosphere, and the prices can be really cheap too, with more options for a cruise from the UK than you’d get with Carnival.
Both are great choices – but hopefully, now you’ve narrowed down your preferences a little.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Royal Caribbean is kicking off April by offering back to back 48 hour cruise deals that offer different perks for two days.
Royal Caribbean, the world’s largest cruise line, is offering 60% off the second guest in a cabin plus kids sail free. They are also offering two extra perks with each one lasting for 48 hours.
For cruises booked on April 2-3, 2024, you will also receive up to $600 in instant savings on Royal Caribbean cruises.
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For Royal Caribbean cruises booked on April 4-5, 2024, you will receive up to $600 in onboard credit to spend on the ship.
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This deal is good on cruises that are three nights or longer and sail from April 1, 2024 through April 25, 2026.
To view the best prices currently offered on Royal Caribbean cruises, you can see those through our widget here.
These two extra perks are in addition to the 60% off second guest and kids cruise for free.
Kids cruise free does have blackout dates with most occurring during holidays and summer months.
For complete terms and details of these two 48 hour sales from Royal Caribbean, contact your preferred trave agent or visit RoyalCaribbean.com.
Oceania Cruise is one of the world’s leading destination focused cruise lines and they have added free pre-cruise hotel stays to select cruises in 2024 and 2025. This free hotel night will allow cruisers to spend more time exploring their embarkation port before the start of their cruise.
This offer from Oceania Cruises is available on 33 cruises to Bali, Singapore, New Zealand, Brazil, Japan, and the Canary Islands. The cruises range from 11 to 35 days in length on reservations made between April 1, 2024 and May 31, 2024.
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“This exclusive free pre-cruise hotel stay gives our guests the opportunity to start their journey even more relaxed and experience some of the world’s great cities in a deeper and more authentic way,” commented Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. “We know that our guests revel in immersing themselves in the local lifestyle, and our destination-focused approach makes spending more time in enriching cultures, experiencing mouthwatering cuisines, and embracing iconic cities even easier for our valued guests.”
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A few of the cruises that are included in this offer are:
November 14, 2024 – Astounding Australasia, Singapore to Auckland
January 27, 2025 – Exotic Atlantic Shores, Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town
February 14, 2025 – Tropics of the Far East, Tokyo to Singapore
May 22, 2025 – Africa Navigator, Cape Town to Barcelona
June 23, 2025 – Outback & Island Pearls, Bali to Papeete
Oceania Cruises operates a fleet of small cruise ships with a culinary and destination focus. They have eight ships in their fleet with the largest carrying 1,250 guests.
April Fool’s Day is a fun day to spend time online. Your social media feeds come up with all kinds of crazy news stories, and sifting through to sort the fact from fools’ fiction can sometimes be tricky!
Cruise lines like to get it on the fun too, so here’s a rundown of the best April Fool’s jokes by cruise lines for 2024.
The Best Pranks From The Cruise Lines
Ambassador Cruise Line
British cruise line Ambassador was one of the first out of the gate with its April Fool’s offering, claiming to have spotted purple turtles on a British Isles cruise.
The pun comes from the Purple Turtle pub you can enjoy on your cruise – no actual purple turtles, but plenty of great drinks to enjoy!
Carnival Cruise Line Australia
Ready to board Air Force Fun?
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen is a British cruise line that’s aimed at the more mature crowd – so it’s a little surprising to see that plans are afoot to add slides from the suites down to the Lido Bar!
This is somehow one of the most-possible, but least-believable jokes on this list!
MSC Cruises
MSC has invested in some exciting new technology for its cabins – Zero G! Now you can really relax as you float around – just be careful to keep the balcony door closed else you might float away.
Royal Caribbean
Introducing the Ship n Slide – because the slides can never be big enough on a Royal Caribbean cruise!
The Best Cruise-Themed Pranks From Elsewhere
Porthole Cruise and Travel
This one looks a little far-fetched, but I like it…
Cobh2024
A social media agency that is responsible for promoting the Irish city of Cobh claimed that a new cruise ship would be visiting for the first time, from McCruise!
Crew Center
I’m more of a dog person, but maybe this is perfect for you?
Is P&O Cruises about to lose its title of owning the biggest British cruise ships? According to Sail Away Magazine, yes!
The Best Of Prior Years
There have been some great (and some not-so-great) attempts in previous years – here’s a look at the best and worst efforts!
Royal Caribbean’s ‘Most Aussie Holiday’
Carnival Unveils New Fastest Ship Ever
Virgin To Launch Direct Jet Transfers
One from 2019 – Virgin Voyages announced they were to offer direct-to-ship air transfers, with planes that could land on the ship itself.
AIDA Hires ‘Chief Officer Towels’
How’s your German? Don’t worry if you can’t understand it, as you’ll get the gist – the cruise line was supposedly hiring a new officer for towels. Dream job much?
Have I missed any? Let me know in the comments below, and tell me which is your favourite.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
