I am a longtime Carnival cruiser. Here’s what I thought about my first MSC trip
I just cheated on my favorite cruise.
I traveled with Festival cruise line since 1998, starting with the inaugural Carnival Paradise cruise. Most of my family’s cruises over the years have been on a Carnival ship. We often choose this route because of its budget-friendly fares and the convenience of driving to many home ports in the United States. Plus, we love the variety of food options as well as the celebratory atmosphere and can never seem to get enough Alchemy bar.
But recently, I’m thinking about another shipping company. MSC Cruises is often compared to Carnival because it offers a reasonably priced cruise vacation and offers a variety of onboard activities that appeal to families and cruise-goers looking for a fun atmosphere. Ever since this Europe-based cruise line started flying from the US, it’s been on my radar.
I finally had the chance to taste MSC for myself on the above seven-night Caribbean cruise MSC seascape. My cabin is inside MSC Yacht ClubThe line’s premium accommodations are found on MSC Cruises’ larger ships. However, my week-long trip provided plenty of time to explore the ship outside of my Yacht Club cocoon.
Will MSC become my new favorite line or will Carnival forever be my first choice cruise line? Read on to discover what I love about MSC and what I miss about being on a Festival cruise.
MSC Yacht Club is at its current location
I am completely enamored with the MSC Yacht Club. Of the nearly 30 cruises I’ve taken on multiple lines, this is my favorite overall cabin experience. As a guest of the Yacht Club, I enjoyed the private pool and sundeck area, exclusive dining at the Top Sail restaurant (top notch restaurant), and bar and lounge areas Dedicated guests with free drinks. I also have access to 24-hour concierge and butler services (dining and spa reservations, unpacking and repacking, morning coffee delivery, etc.), as well as a guest services desk and concierge. special help.
Related: Everything you need to know about MSC Cruises cabins and suites
The Yacht Club cabins and suites also come with bathrobes and slippers, which I wear every day. I also made good use of the in-cabin Nespresso coffee machine and a complimentary minibar stocked with juice, beer, soda and bottled water (still and sparkling), as well as mixed nuts, chocolate la Pringles and Toblerone. Other Yacht Club perks I appreciated were free Wi-Fi, premium wine packages, and complimentary use of the Aurea Spa’s thermal suite.
Carnival has nothing like the MSC Yacht Club. Passengers booking Excel Suites on select Carnival ships will have access to Loft 19, a retreat-style on-deck space featuring an infinity whirlpool tub. However, the space lacks free food and free drinks. Additionally, those not staying in the Excel Suites can purchase tickets to Loft 19, which helps minimize the exclusivity factor.
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My week at the MSC Yacht Club made me rethink my cabin needs, and I might actually book one on my next Carnival cruise.
Related: Everything you wanted to know about the cabins and suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships
The festival’s free food takes the cake
I believe that Carnival brings the highest value to customers through food offerings. The line’s free dining venues are extensive and offer an impressive variety of dishes – all included in the ticket price. I’ve eaten many meals on eight Carnival ships over the years and they’ve always been good, if not great.
In addition to the great main dishes and buffets, we always find delicious complimentary options at Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina (burritos, tacos and bowls). In fact, these two outposts were our traditional first shipboard lunch spot on embarkation day.
The only included meals on the MSC Seascape are at the main dining locations and in the Marketplace Buffet area. The remaining five restaurants are options for an additional fee – Hola! Tacos & Cantina (Mexican), Kaito Sushi Bar and Kaito Teppanyaki (Asian), Butcher’s Cut (steakhouse) and Ocean Cay (seafood).
I sampled the free beach day brunches at both Carnival and MSC. I find Carnival offers a better experience – better food and more efficient service.
I also managed to try MSC’s version of the chocolate lava cake offered on the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse menu. Although the desserts are delicious, I prefer Carnival’s desserts – a famous product line melted chocolate cake. The “lava” ingredient in MSC’s dessert is more liquid than Carnival’s version. So when I combined the vanilla ice cream with the cake, it quickly became a soup-like mixture. Carnival’s cake-to-lava ratio – a slightly heavier cake with just the right amount of lava – soaks up the ice cream a bit better.
One menu item that MSC has drawn attention to since Carnival is the made-to-order plant-based burgers offered at the Marketplace Buffet on MSC Seascape. Soy burgers are great and taste similar to beef burgers. Every veggie burger this pescatarian ordered on a Carnival cruise was a disappointment — dry and flavorless.
The pool and splash area are almost even
It’s easy to have a blast on the water slide and splash areas of both routes. Our children are grown, but I believe you are never too old to water ski. That’s why I like it when the water features on the high deck are close to the main pool area, as is common on Carnival ships. When the sun is high, you can zip down the water slide just a few steps away.
I love MSC Seascape’s main pool, especially the circular fountain island at one end. I also like that the pool has a shallow water edge that extends around it to cool off without having to jump in. However, the ship’s main waterslides are located in the Pirates Cove pool area, separate from the main pool. Pirates Cove’s ambiance feels more like an indoor water park than a sunny cruise ship pool, which makes it less appealing to me.
Carnival is still my favorite when it comes to top-deck, water-based entertainment…with one exception.
In my book, MSC Seascape’s adults-only infinity pool area wins the happiness award ahead of Carnival’s Serenity Retreat. The rear infinity pool has half-submerged loungers and has a spacious deck area with multiple spots to enjoy stunning views of the skyline.
Carnival’s Serenity Retreat area primarily features a hot tub as well as plenty of lounge chairs, daybeds, hammocks, and clamshells. Only select ships have an adults-only on-deck swimming pool. While the Serenity Retreat area offers a relaxing, kid-free experience, the Seascape’s infinity pool offers a more upscale and exclusive feel.
I’ll be happy with either line
The festival may be the Fun Ship line, but I had a fun experience on the MSC Seascape. Both lines feature a variety of themed parties, theater productions, and crew-led activities, and I’ve tried my best to host as many celebrations and gatherings as possible. Good.
I’m well versed in Carnival’s ’80s parties, which are some of the liveliest parties I’ve ever attended. However, Seascape’s white party certainly matches the energy of Carnival. The operations staff on both lines did an incredible job, getting everyone excited and encouraging us all to let loose and have a good time.
For nightlife in general, I prefer Carnival. Seascape’s bars and lounges are constantly crowded, but none of them offer a “theme,” which is what I was going for.
For example, the ship’s Champagne & Wine Bar on Deck 7 resembles a standard lounge bar. Except for two high-top tables nearby with stationary bottles of Champagne for decoration, nothing seemed to give it that extra “excitement” to make you feel like you were in a special place. I remember having a “go to” place like Carnival’s Alchemy Bar or the lively sing-along Piano Bar. While I enjoyed Seascape’s attractions (especially the sports bar, which is unusual for me), I was a little more enthusiastic about Carnival’s bar scene.
Bottom line
If I’m being honest, Carnival will probably always be my true love. Food service on the train has never disappointed me, especially the free food. Our relationship has stood the test of time and I feel like Carnival “gets” me.
That said, my new relationship with MSC has not faded. Seascape came on strong and attracted me with its Yacht Club exclusivity. I feel special. Viewed. I’m really looking forward to the second date – to explore the possibilities beyond the Yacht Club and see what happens. Can I put a ring on it? Stay tuned.
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