Marella Cruises vs MSC Cruises

If you’ve been browsing cruise deals and dreaming of sailing somewhere sunny without spending a fortune, you’ve almost certainly come across Marella Cruises and MSC Cruises.

They’re both popular in the Med and the Caribbean and both often have very tempting prices. But below the surface, they offer two very different styles of holiday.

Marella is very much an all-inclusive, British-style package where you book once and most things are covered. MSC, meanwhile, is a global cruise brand with big, modern ships and low cruise-only fares, but more to think about when it comes to add-ons.

Here’s a detailed, side-by-side look at what separates the two – from what’s included to the ships, destinations, cabins, dining, entertainment and price – so you can work out which cruise line fits the way you like to travel.

The Biggest Difference – All Inclusive vs Pay-As-You-Go

Marella’s All-Inclusive Approach

Marella keeps things wonderfully simple. Every cruise is all-inclusive as standard, and that includes your flights, airport transfers, tips, meals in the included restaurants and a generous selection of alcoholic and soft drinks.

The drinks list isn’t a slim pickings sort of menu either. You’ll find draught lager and cider, bottled beers, house wines, a good choice of spirits and liqueurs… plenty to keep you happy!

Because so much is bundled into the fare, you never really have to second-guess what’s included. Whether you’re ordering a cappuccino mid-afternoon or a gin and tonic before dinner, it’s all part of the package.

For those who want more branded spirits or a broader choice of wine and cocktails, the Premium All Inclusive upgrade is a modest daily supplement.

Marella’s biggest appeal is the ease of budgeting. Once you’ve paid your holiday balance, there’s very little left to think about until you get home.

Read more: What’s Included with Marella Cruises?

MSC’s Pick-and-Mix Extras

MSC takes a more modular approach. The standard cruise fare includes your cabin, meals in the main dining room and buffet, and most entertainment, but drinks outside the buffet usually come at an extra cost unless you buy a package.

This is where the price can creep up. The Easy drinks package covers basic beers, wines and simple spirits, while Premium opens up a much wider choice of cocktails, branded spirits, premium coffees and even energy drinks. Prices vary by sailing, but they’re a significant addition to the holiday cost.

It’s a little less clear on the gratuities front because it depends where you’re sailing from – for European cruises they’re included, but sailing the Caribbean from a US port you’ll need to pay them extra. Flights are also not automatically included unless you book a package, so that may be something you arrange yourself.

MSC can still work out excellent value, especially if you’re happy with basic drinks or don’t drink very much at all. But it does require a little more maths and decision-making upfront.

Read more: MSC Cruises: What’s Included (and What Costs Extra)

How to Choose

If you love the idea of paying once and forgetting about it, Marella’s all-inclusive model is unbeatable.

But if you prefer to build your holiday your own way – especially if you’re a light drinker or enjoy shopping for flights separately – MSC may suit you just as well.

Ships

One of the biggest differences between Marella Cruises and MSC Cruises is within their fleet of ships.

Marella Cruises Ships

Marella’s five ships are all mid-sized by modern standards. They carry roughly 1,800–2,000 guests, which creates a lovely balance between having plenty to do and still feeling intimate enough that you can learn the layout quickly and bump into familiar faces.

The ships began life with other lines (including Royal Caribbean and Celebrity), so they follow a traditional cruise ship design: a welcoming atrium, a theatre, a main dining room, a lively buffet, a couple of speciality restaurants and a main pool deck with quieter corners.

Read more: Marella Cruise Ships Compared By Size, Age & Facilities

The décor has been updated fleetwide with a contemporary, laid-back feel aimed squarely at UK holidaymakers. You’ll find a mix of bars and lounges, some great casual dining spots, and often a separate adult area or quieter pool. They’re easy to navigate and never feel overwhelmingly large.

Ship	Gross Tonnage	Decks	Length (Metres)	Guests
Marella Voyager	77,302	13	264	1,912
Marella Explorer	76,988	14	262.5	1,924
Marella Explorer 2	71,545	13	246	1,814
Marella Discovery	70,000	11	264	1,830
Marella Discovery 2	69,472	11	264	1,836

MSC Cruises Ships

MSC has one of the most varied fleets in the world, ranging from older, leaner ships to modern floating resorts carrying more than 6,000 guests.

The latest ships – including MSC World Europa, MSC Seashore and MSC World America – are vast, high-tech and packed with features. Expect long indoor promenades with LED ceilings, multi-deck atriums, sprawling pool decks, big water slides, entertainment zones, large spas and a huge choice of restaurants and bars.

Even the mid-sized ships in the Meraviglia and Seaside classes feel like modern resorts rather than traditional cruise ships. They’re full of energy and offer more facilities than many land-based hotels.

Read more: MSC Cruises Ships by Size, Age and Class

At the other end of the spectrum, the older Lirica and Musica class ships are quieter and simpler. They feel closer to Marella in scale, though still with MSC’s distinctly European styling.

Ship	Gross Tonnage	Decks	Length (Metres)	Guests
MSC World America	216,638	22	333	6,764
MSC World Europa	215,863	21	333	6,762
MSC Euribia	184,011	19	331	6,334
MSC Virtuosa	181,541	19	331	6,334
MSC Grandiosa	181,541	19	331	6,334
MSC Bellissima	171,598	19	316	5,686
MSC Meraviglia	171,598	19	316	5,655
MSC Seascape	170,412	19	312	5,877
MSC Seashore	169,400	19	339	5,632
MSC Seaside	153,516	19	323	5,336
MSC Seaview	153,516	19	323	5,119
MSC Preziosa	139,072	18	333	4,345
MSC Divina	139,072	18	333	4,345
MSC Splendida	137,936	18	333	4,363
MSC Fantasia	137,936	18	333	4,363
MSC Magnifica	95,128	16	294	3,013
MSC Poesia	92,627	16	294	3,013
MSC Orchestra	92,409	16	294	3,013
MSC Musica	92,409	16	294	3,013
MSC Opera	65,591	13	275	2,579
MSC Lirica	65,591	13	275	2,548
MSC Sinfonia	65,542	13	248	2,546
MSC Armonia	65,542	13	275	2,520

How to Choose

If you want something friendly and easy to get around, Marella’s mid-sized ships hit the sweet spot.

For those who like their ships to have all the bells and whistles – those who love the idea of a floating city with endless entertainment and places to explore – MSC’s newer ships will feel like an adventure in themselves.

Destinations

One of the cruise lines is a little more limited with its choice of destinations, but it has an ethos that may really appeal to you…

Marella Cruises Destinations

Marella focuses on fly-cruises aimed at UK travellers wanting a straightforward sunshine escape. Ships spend the year in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Caribbean, and the itineraries tend to be port-heavy with very few sea days – by flying you into the heart of each region, you get more time to explore ashore.

With flights from up to 16 UK airports available, it’s an extremely convenient way to reach warmer weather without a long transit.

A big bonus is Marella’s Cruise & Stay programme, where you can add a TUI hotel stay before or after your sailing.

Options include Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Majorca, Corfu and more – ideal if you want to extend your holiday without arranging everything separately.

MSC Cruises Destinations

MSC is truly global, with ships sailing everywhere from the Med and Northern Europe to the Middle East, South America, South Africa and the Caribbean. They also offer repositioning voyages and the occasional Asian itinerary.

Many Mediterranean routes operate with rolling embarkation, meaning guests join and leave the cruise at different ports along a longer route. It’s flexible and efficient, though the atmosphere can change a little from day to day.

Flights aren’t automatically included for UK travellers, so you’ll often need to book them separately or choose an MSC fly-cruise package.

MSC does also sail from the UK, so if you want to avoid flying altogether then it will be the better option.

How to Choose

If you want the simplest route to the sun directly from your nearest UK airport, Marella keeps everything nicely streamlined.

However, if you’d like more unusual or longer itineraries – or enjoy exploring beyond Europe and the Caribbean – MSC offers far more variety. And it’s the better of the two for anyone who just doesn’t want to fly, with a selection of cruises from Southampton available.

Staterooms and Suites

The kind of cabin you book for a cruise can really make the difference. Marella keeps things simple and easy-to-understand, but MSC may sway those with a bigger budget…

Marella Cabins

Marella’s cabins feel homely and practical rather than flashy. They come in the familiar categories, from insides to suites, and many have sofa beds or fold-down beds ideal for families. Their larger family cabins can sleep up to seven guests, depending on the ship.

Suites add some thoughtful perks under the “Suite Service” umbrella, including one breakfast in bed per week, a coffee machine, upgraded toiletries, bathrobes, slippers and a pillow menu.

It feels like a comfortable upgrade without separating you from the overall ship experience. It’s not the long list of perks that some cruise lines might offer for suites, but those touches are nice to have.

Read more: The Best Cabins on Marella Cruises Ships

MSC Cabins and the Yacht Club

MSC’s cabins vary more noticeably depending on the ship and the fare you choose.

On the newer vessels, cabins tend to look bright and contemporary with sleek lines, glossy finishes, large wardrobes and modern bathrooms, giving them more of a stylish European-hotel feel compared with Marella’s cosier décor.

Older ships still feel comfortable, but the design is simpler and the bathrooms smaller.

A key difference with MSC is its tiered fare structure. When you book, you’ll choose between Bella, Fantastica or Aurea, and this choice affects not just your perks but also the exact cabin you’ll be allocated.

Bella is the entry-level option and often limits you to less desirable locations. Fantastica gives you more freedom to choose your cabin and offers a few handy perks such as room service breakfast.

Aurea steps things up with welcome extras like priority embarkation, access to private sundecks on some ships and more premium cabin positions.

Read more: MSC Bella Vs Fantastica Vs Aurea: Which To Choose?

And then there’s the MSC Yacht Club, which is in a league of its own and very much a “ship within a ship”.

Yacht Club guests stay in a private enclave with its own lounge, restaurant and sun deck, along with butler service, a dedicated concierge, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and inclusive drinks within the Yacht Club spaces. It creates a quiet, luxurious bubble while still giving you access to the full range of facilities on the larger ship.

MSC also offers a handful of single cabins on selected ships, though some use sofa beds rather than a standard mattress, so it’s worth checking the details.

Families are well catered for too, with interconnecting rooms and larger family cabins that can accommodate up to six guests.

Read more: MSC Cruises Cabins to Avoid (Some Don’t Even Have Real Beds!)

How to Choose

If you mainly want a comfortable, traditional cabin to relax in – with predictable layouts and no surprises – Marella keeps things simple.

If you’re drawn to modern décor, like having more control over cabin type and perks, or you’re tempted by the quiet exclusivity of the Yacht Club, MSC provides more flexibility.

Just make sure to pay attention to the fare type you book with MSC, as it can make a meaningful difference to where your cabin ends up and what little extras you receive.

Dining

For a lot of people, the quality of the food onboard is what really makes or breaks a cruise. And there are plenty of differences between these two cruise lines.

Marella Cruises Dining

Marella’s dining experience leans towards British tastes, although it’s a lot more than just a mix of roasts and grills. Expect a wide range of curries, fish dishes and international favourites (along with good vegetarian options) in the main dining rooms.

The buffet feels familiar and comforting, often adding destination-inspired dishes depending on the itinerary. Because drinks are included, dinners feel relaxed and straightforward – you can order what you fancy without doing mental maths.

Speciality dining is available for a small supplement on each ship. Venues such as Surf & Turf, Kora La or The Dining Club offer something a little fancier, but the overall style remains unpretentious and easy-going.

Read more: Marella Cruises Dining Options Explained

MSC Cruises Dining

MSC’s food has a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Expect plenty of pasta and risotto, fresh breads, salads, grilled meats and flavours drawn from around Europe.

The buffet can get busy at peak times, but it usually offers a very wide range of options, including the line’s famously good pizza.

Where MSC really shines is in its speciality restaurants. Depending on the ship, you’ll find American-style steakhouses, teppanyaki and sushi counters, seafood venues and sometimes branded concepts like Eataly.

These restaurants have a standalone feel and can be a highlight of the cruise, though they all come at an additional cost.

Reviews of the general dining can vary a little, particularly on very cheap or very crowded sailings, but that’s often a reflection of the price point rather than the ambition of the food.

How to Choose

For those who like familiar food but with a good range of new options to try – and the joy of not paying extra for wine or cocktails – Marella will feel spot on. If you want something completely different every day in a wider range of venues, and don’t mind paying extra for the best meals on board, MSC offers more variety overall.

Entertainment and Onboard Activities

The entertainment options and general vibe of Marella’s and MSC’s ships is very different.

Marella Cruises Entertainment

Days onboard Marella ships tend to be laid-back, with a mix of quizzes, craft sessions, fitness classes, dance lessons, spa treatments and the odd bit of poolside fun.

Evenings focus on theatre productions performed by the in-house entertainment team, visiting singers or comedians, and live music in various lounges. Deck parties, silent discos and themed nights pop up now and again depending on the sailing.

The smaller size of the ships makes it easy to move between venues without feeling overwhelmed, and the whole atmosphere tends to be friendly and sociable.

MSC Cruises Entertainment

MSC brings a much livelier, more visual style of entertainment, especially on the newer ships. You’ll find large-scale shows with acrobatics and elaborate staging, late-night pool parties, and amusement zones offering VR rides, F1 simulators and arcades.

Many ships also have water parks, multi-deck slides and big open-air spaces for parties and family fun.

Because MSC attracts guests from all over the world, the entertainment is designed to be understood without a lot of spoken language – lots of music, showmanship and spectacle rather than dialogue-heavy comedy.

How to Choose

People who prefer a more traditional style of cruise ship entertainment with a warm, cosy feel will likely find that Marella has everything they need.

But for those who need something a little more contemporary, with that late-night energy and resort-style fun, MSC’s bigger ships deliver plenty of “wow”.

Kids’ Facilities

Both cruise lines are welcoming to families, although Marella Cruises does have some ships that are for adults only. Here’s how they compare.

Marella Cruises for Families

Marella’s family offering feels very much like an extension of a TUI family holiday. The kids’ clubs are friendly and familiar, with games, crafts, treasure hunts, movie nights and character visits from the M Crew mascots.

My kids are 8 and 11 and honestly, they didn’t love the kids’ club. That’s because kids of all different ages are together, and the activities were more geared towards the younger ones. After a couple of sessions they didn’t go back and instead spent their time playing football on the sports courts, playing in thr Xbox room or swimming.

Under-3s have their own stay-and-play sessions, and teens get a separate hangout space where they can socialise, play games or watch films.

Because the ships aren’t huge, it’s easy for families to get around and for kids to join in activities without feeling lost in the crowd.

Read more: 15 Reasons Marella Cruises Are Great For Kids

MSC Cruises for Families

MSC offers a much more branded, high-energy experience thanks to its partnerships with LEGO and Chicco.

The kids’ clubs are split into tight age groups and offer themed play areas, building challenges, family game shows, parades and plenty of late-night fun for teens. On the newest ships, features like The Harbour outdoor family area and expanded splash zones add even more excitement.

The international atmosphere can be a plus or a minus depending on your children. Some absolutely love the mix of languages and the buzz; others prefer something more familiar.

Read more: MSC Changes Popular Infant Policy At Short Notice & Cancels Impacted Guests’ Bookings

How to Choose

If you want a simple, comforting holiday that feels very familiar to British families, Marella is the safer bet. If your kids thrive in a busy, high-energy environment – especially if they adore LEGO (and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t?)  – MSC has more to offer.

Price

I’ve said there are several areas where Marella Cruises and MSC differ, but ultimately I think it’s in the pricing – or at least how cruise line packages are put together – where you might see the biggest variance between the two.

Marella Pricing

Marella Cruises’ fares look higher at first glance because you’re seeing something close to the true cost of your holiday.

Flights, transfers, drinks, meals, tips and entertainment are all wrapped in. You might add WiFi or a speciality meal, but you could easily spend the entire cruise without taking your wallet out again.

So while a Marella Cruise might look a little higher than you want to spend, that’s only if you haven’t actually thought about everything included. Value-wise, they’re excellent.

MSC Pricing

MSC often advertises incredibly low fares, especially in Europe outside school holidays.

But those prices rarely include flights or drinks packages, and WiFi and speciality dining are extra. Once you start adding the things you consider essential, the overall cost can rise quickly.

Some of the very cheapest MSC sailings can feel a bit more “budget” onboard – perhaps repeated menus or longer queues at busy times – but that’s understandable given how low the base fare can be.

You can definitely book cheaper MSC cruises than you can Marella, if you pick the right sailings and dates (especially if sailing from the UK and flights aren’t needed). However you might need to compromise on your experience, in terms of quality and the drinks you have, if you want to keep that fare down.

How to Choose

The fairest comparison is to build the trip you actually want on both lines and compare those totals.

For Marella, that’s the cruise fare, WiFi (if needed) and excursions.

For MSC, it’s the cruise, flights, transfers, your chosen drinks package, WiFi and any speciality dining you plan to try.

Once you do that, the price gap often shrinks dramatically – and sometimes Marella comes out the better-value choice.

Final Word

Both cruise lines offer brilliant ways to see the world without spending a fortune, but they cater to different holiday styles.

Marella excels if you want an easy, all-inclusive package with British-style food and entertainment, mid-sized ships and lots of port days.

MSC suits travellers who enjoy big, modern ships, a more international atmosphere, a wider choice of itineraries and the option to splash out on the Yacht Club.

Whichever way you lean, you’ll find a cruise line capable of giving you a fantastic holiday – it’s just a case of matching the experience to your personality.

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