Sometimes work dictates which cruises I go on and at others, I’m picking based on family, friends, or other factors. As a casino gambler, I can generally get on most sailings offered by all the mainstream cruise lines.
Most of the time, if I’m sailing alone, I opt for Royal Caribbean’s Celebrity Cruises brand. I have Sapphire status in the casino, which gives me free internet, a free basic drink package, and $500 in freeplay on every cruise that’s longer than 3 nights.
Related: After 42 Royal Caribbean cruises, I still make 1 huge mistake
When I travel with most of my friends, at least the ones who also earn free cruises gambling, we tend to book on Royal Caribbean’s bigger ships. Oasis-class ships just offer so many things to do, restaurants, and unique areas like The Boardwalk and Central Park outdoor area.
My casino status on Royal Caribbean offers me free drinks in the casino and my loyalty status with the cruise line gets me five drink vouchers each day. There’s also an internet discount, but overall my Celebrity perks are better at least partially because I’m one level higher on the line compared to Royal Caribbean (and casino status is not matched across the line the way non-casino loyalty levels are).
It’s worth noting that I’d also happily sail the new Margaritaville at Sea Islander, which has a casino program as well, but it sails out of Tampa, which is much farther from our house. At times, however, I also sail MSC Cruises, and there’s a strong reason for that.
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MSC Cruises offers a similar experience to Royal Caribbean but with some notable downgrades.
Image source: Daniel Kline/Come Cruise With Me
MSC Cruises offers strong value
MSC has been increasing its presence in the United States. It has been sailing out of New York, Port Canaveral, and Miami. The cruise line will add Galveston in 2027.
“The company’s Winter 2025/2026 season includes seven ships with sailings from Miami, Port Canaveral, New York City, and Galveston, all of which are available for immediate booking,” it shared on its website.
MSC Cruises will also have a new flagship, MSC World America, which will sail out of Miami beginning in April 2025, will offer comparable amenities to Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Celebrity Cruises newest and largest ship.
The cruise line’s biggest edge, however, is its pricing. MSC Cruises offers two different pricing plans. First, you can opt to just book a “cruise only” sailing or you can pick one that includes a drink package and WiFi.
There are some caveats with the all-included package. It’s the cruise line’s mid-tier package which comes with drinks made from well liquor, and a limited wine and beer selection. In addition, MSC Cruises does not allow you to move your WiFi between devices.
That’s a negative for someone like me who works from the ship and needs to have his phone and laptop connected.
But, the prices for the drinks and WiFi offer are usually much lower than booking a cruise and adding those items on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Celebrity. It’s a big enough difference that it’s hard for me to convince the friends I made on an MSC sailing — a group I have sailed with a few times since — to ever consider another cruise line.
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What’s wrong with MSC Cruises?
Price is a strong driver for MSC, but it’s not the cruise line’s only appeal. It offers some lovely ships with cabins that are similar to what its rivals offer.
It’s lacking, however, in certain areas. Food is generally a clear step below Royal Caribbean, and maybe two steps below Celebrity Cruises. Food, of course, is subjective, but main dining room meals are basic, and cruise line, which has Italian roots (although it’s based in Geneva now) has mixed success with pasta and pizza.
Specialty restaurants are generally equal to its rivals, but the cruise line nickles and dimes passengers by offering Prix Fixe meals for a set price. On Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity, you pay a set price to eat at most restaurants and that includes every dish on the menu.
MSC ships, especially the newer ones, have challenging layouts. Pools and hot tubs on MSC Seashore and MSC Seaside, seem to be randomly placed, making it hard to decide which ones are the least crowded.
In some cases, the entertainment is also weaker than its rivals, with no standard venue that equals the piano bar on Carnival, or the Schooner Bar (piano) and pub (acoustic guitar) on Royal Caribbean.
MSC does have a beautiful private island for those who love a beach day with plenty of space for passengers to spread out. It’s not my favorite cruise line, but the staff is warm and friendly, and while some of the onboard technology (like how you add a credit card on the cruise line’s older ships), the overall experience is strong.
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