Compare Cruise Lines Side by Side
Pick any two cruise lines below — see their ratings, fleet size, pricing tier, target audience, strengths, and a final verdict for which is the better fit for your trip.
Cruise Line A
MSC Cruises
VS
Cruise Line B
Norwegian Cruise Line
🚢
MSC Cruises
★★★★☆ 4.00
vs
🏆 MSC Cruises wins
5
:
2
🚢
Norwegian Cruise Line
★★★★☆ 4.20
| Feature | MSC Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1970 | 1966 |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Fleet Size | 22 ships Winner | 19 ships |
| Passengers Per Year | 4,500,000+ | 2,800,000+ |
| Starting Price | $199 Winner | $399 |
| Our Rating | ★★★★☆ 4.00 | ★★★★☆ 4.20 Winner |
| Feature | MSC Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Style | Traditional fixed seating (early/late) + buffet | Freestyle — no fixed dining times or tables |
| Specialty Restaurants | 4-6 per ship (Butcher's Cut, Hola! Tacos, Kaito Teppanyaki) | 10-15 per ship (Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Teppanyaki, Onda by Scarpetta) |
| Drinks Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Dress Code | Smart casual; 1-2 formal nights | Smart casual; no formal nights |
| Entertainment | Cirque du Soleil at Sea, theatre shows, Aqua Park | Broadway shows (Six, Jersey Boys), Cirque-style productions, casino |
| Kids Club | ❌ | ❌ |
| Adult-Only Areas | ❌ | ❌ |
| Casino | ✅ | ✅ |
| Spa & Wellness | ❌ | ❌ |
| Fitness Center | ✅ | ✅ |
| WiFi (included) | ❌ | ❌ |
| WiFi Cost | From €15/day | From $14.99/day for unlimited streaming |
| Feature | MSC Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Regions Served | Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, South America, South Africa, UAE, Asia, Antarctica (Explora) | Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mediterranean, Alaska, Hawaii, Northern Europe, Asia, Australia/NZ, South America |
| Countries Visited | 70+ | 60+ |
| Home Ports | Genoa, Civitavecchia, Barcelona, Miami, Port Canaveral, Durban, Cape Town, Buenos Aires, Dubai, Hamburg, Southampton, Kiel | Miami, New York, Port Canaveral, Tampa, New Orleans, Seattle, Honolulu, Boston, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Southampton, Reykjavik |
| Shortest Cruise | 3 nights | 3 nights |
| Longest Cruise | 116 nights (World Cruise) | 24 nights |
| World Cruise | ❌ | ❌ |
| Feature | MSC Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Cabin From | $199 Winner | $399 |
| Balcony Cabin From | $599 Winner | $799 |
| Suite From | $1,999 Winner | $2,199 |
| All-Inclusive? | ❌ | ❌ |
| Gratuities Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Flights Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Cancellation Policy | Full refund 91+ days | Full refund 121+ days |
| Loyalty Program | MSC Voyagers Club | Latitudes Rewards |
| Feature | MSC Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | European travelers, Mediterranean, value-seekers, families | Freestyle dining lovers, solo travelers, flexible schedules |
| Solo Traveler Cabins | ❌ | ❌ |
| Family Friendly | ||
| Luxury Level | ||
| Adventure Level | Winner | |
| Average Age | 35-55 | 40-60 |
| Accessible Cabins | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pet Policy | Service animals only | Service animals only |
| Smoking Policy | Designated outdoor areas | Designated outdoor areas + casino |
🏆 Our Verdict
5 – 2MSC Cruises takes the win, scoring 5 against 2 across 41 compared features. Especially strong for: European travelers, Mediterranean, value-seekers, families.
What we compare across
- Price ranges — Lead-in fares and what they actually include
- Ships — Size, age, capacity, recent refurbishments
- Target audience — Who each line is genuinely built for
- Destinations — Where each line sails strongest
- Dining — Main dining, specialty venues, buffet quality, included vs. paid
- Entertainment — Production shows, lounges, onboard activities
- Inclusions — What’s in the fare, what’s extra
- Suites & cabins — Premium category quality and value
- Family-friendliness — Kids’ clubs, family programming, multi-gen options
- Solo travelers — Solo cabins, single supplement policy, social events
- Loyalty program — Worth chasing or not
- Verdict — Which line wins, for which type of cruiser
How the comparison works
We score each line across the same 12 categories using the same yardstick. Built from passenger sentiment data, ship-by-ship reviews, our own sailings, and verifiable industry information. Updated quarterly. Spot something out of date? Email editorial@allcruisestravel.com.
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