MSC vs Carnival 

Bars - We have had drastically varying experiences on Carnival with their Bars. Some of their Alchemy Bars are awesome while a few were absolutely horrible. MSC Bars, we have always had amazing times in the bars on MSC. But like you say, they have no discernable names, what is with their horrible naming of venues??? LoL Boarding - First time we boarded a MSC was in Miami for the Inaugural Season of Seaside and we had to wait FOOOOREEEEVER (Sandlot callback). Since we have figured out the "hack" for Carnival check in 90 days out we have not had to wait more than 40 minutes from arriving at the terminal to being on board. This last cruise out of NOLA in January we had Faster to the Fun and we were on board in less than 15 Minutes. We can't WAIT to experience the YC boarding on the America. The Private Island / Experience - We love Ocean Cay, and it is really hard to beat. It reminds me of what Coco Cay --used-- to be before they turned it into a giant water park.. Now we haven't been to any of Carnival's Private Islands, but we did get to Mahogany Bay, and we really enjoyed that too. Not a true private Island but it was pretty cool. Food - Carnival has everyone beat with the included food venues. Best Burgers at Sea with Guy's. Best Tacos at sea with Blue Iguana (Blue Iguana for Breakfast is amazing), and Shaq's Big Chicken. Not to mention the Deli.. I HAVE to get a Meatball Sammie every time I sail. Usually more than once as I like them even better than Burgers. MSC has nothing like this. We also prefer MSC Buffet over Carnival. We get to try more new things with MSC, than on Carnival Buffet. MSC also has a MUCH better MDR. Carnival's has really gone down hill. Itinerary - MSC's Itineraries are hugely lacking for variety so far. We also account for the lack of ships on this. But they could at least do a varying itinerary per ship, for example the Western Caribbean is always the same ports, even if you try to go more than a year out. I want to go to some new ports. Carnival seems better at this only because you can choose so many different ships to cruise on to get to places you want to go. Melana and I love cruising both cruise lines, and we like to say that we cruise Carnival for our Fun times, Carnival is non-stop fun. MSC is our Adult time cruises. Relaxing, intimate, an romantic. We have fun on MSC but it not our "PAAARTAAAAY" cruises. Pricing - During Covid we got a couple of free cruises from Carnival, and we also got some amazing deals on ones we actually paid for. I had never been on a Carnival Cruise until Covid, and now I have been on three and have three more booked. However, we have found that since the cruise lines have recovered from the Covid shutdown MSC's prices blows Carnival out of the water for Base Pricing. This does not account for getting to the Cruise terminal however. WE can cruise out of Galveston, Alabama, NOLA, etc. with Carnival for "quick and dirty" get-aways. And right now MSC is only out of NY and Florida. Much more difficult since we moved from SW Florida to Mid-Mo.LoL

No one asked, but here are my two cents. Coffee - MSC Drink Package - MSC Drinks - Carnival Bars - Carnival Ships - MSC Included Food (Not MDR) - Carnival MDR - MSC Pizza - MSC Specialty Restaurants - Carnival Staff - Carnival Entertainment (Variety) - Carnival Overall Value - MSC Website - Carnival Cleanliness - MSC Embarkation - MSC Muster Drill - Carnival Casino - MSC Private Island - MSC 🚢⛱️🛳️🌊⛴️🏝️

Carnival has popcorn, blankets and movies under the stars

We are going on the MSC Meraviglia YC in June. This has me more psyched then ever. Thank you for your perspective.

I STARTING DYING WHEN CHRIS DID. 😂😂😂😂 his laugh is so contagious. But it was funny tho 😂 I love this cruise cast. I am a carnival loyallyeeee. However change my mind next year T.T.T

I'm looking forward to trying MSC pizza! You are setting expectations high! And Beth, how did you sail on Mardi Gras and not remember their pizza??? It was so good!! So far Carnival Mardi Gras has been the best pizza I've had on a cruise ship. Royal (Wonder) was second, & Disney (Fantasy & Dream) was third.

Variety is still the spice of life ! May - Freedom of the seas July - MSC Seashore 😎😎 ( week after you guys ) September - Carnival Magic November- MAS Paradise ( 3 day ) January is still open March - MSC Divina

Going on our first MSC cruise this summer. From Rome. Have you noticed the prices online vary greatly day to day?

And can vouch that Celebrity does do Movies Under the Stars 😀

Hey Guys Thanks as usual. Cheers 🍺😜🍺

Good job as always. Haven't gone on MSC yet I think we're going to give it a try. Haven't gone on Carnival in several years because we are an older couple but we are booked on the Jubilee.