MSC vs Royal Caribbean: Which Cruise Line Is Right for You?
MSC and Royal Caribbean present distinct choices for cruisers. MSC offers more overall options with 7,326 cruises on sale compared to Royal Caribbean's 3,251, featuring longer average trips of 7.6 nights versus 5.8 nights. MSC is slightly cheaper on average at $155 per night compared to Royal Caribbean's $164 per night, though Royal Caribbean has a lower typical inside cabin starting price of $935 compared to MSC's $1,166. MSC maintains a newer fleet averaging a 2014 build year, while Royal Caribbean operates larger ships carrying up to 5,734 guests and holds a higher guest rating of 4.3 out of 5.
🏁 At a Glance
📊 Head to Head
| MSC | Royal Caribbean | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruises on saleHow many upcoming sailings CruiseSheet is tracking | 7,312 | 3,254 |
| Lowest priceCheapest inside cabin on any sailing | $70 | $199 |
| Typical priceAverage inside-cabin starting price | $1,166 | $936 |
| Price per nightAverage nightly cost — the fairest value yardstick | $155 | $164 |
| Average trip lengthLonger voyages vs. shorter getaways | 7.6 nights | 5.8 nights |
| Ships in fleetActive ships currently sailing | 25 | 33 |
| Typical ship sizeBig-ship amenities vs. a more intimate feel | 3,743 guests | 3,885 guests |
| Largest shipGuest capacity of the biggest vessel | 5,240 guests | 5,734 guests |
| Guest ratingCruiseSheet guest rating | 3.8 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
Figures are drawn from live CruiseSheet pricing and fleet data and update as new sailings are loaded.
🤔 Which Should You Choose?
Both cruise lines offer compelling options depending on your travel preferences. Choose MSC if you prefer longer itineraries averaging 7.6 nights, a slightly lower average daily rate of $155 per night, a newer fleet built on average in 2014, or European departure regions like Barcelona. Choose Royal Caribbean if higher guest satisfaction is your priority, as reflected in its 4.3 out of 5 rating compared to MSC's 3.8 rating. Royal Caribbean is also the better fit if you want shorter trips averaging 5.8 nights, lower typical inside cabin starting prices at $935, or larger adventure-focused ships accommodating up to 5,734 guests.
💰 MSC vs Royal Caribbean: Current Deals
MSC
Royal Caribbean
❓ MSC vs Royal Caribbean: Common Questions
❓ Which cruise line is cheaper?
MSC has a lower average price per night at $155 compared to Royal Caribbean's $164, as well as the lowest price for an inside cabin at $70. However, Royal Caribbean's typical inside cabin starting price of $935 is lower than MSC's $1,166.
❓ Which line has larger ships and a bigger fleet?
Royal Caribbean operates a larger fleet with 33 active ships compared to MSC's 25 vessels. Royal Caribbean also builds larger ships, with its largest vessel holding 5,734 guests compared to MSC's maximum capacity of 5,240 guests.
❓ How do guest ratings and trip lengths compare between the two lines?
Royal Caribbean achieves a higher CruiseSheet guest rating of 4.3 out of 5 compared to MSC's 3.8 rating. However, MSC offers longer sailings on average at 7.6 nights compared to Royal Caribbean's average trip length of 5.8 nights.
