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Cruise line comparison

MSC Cruises vs Royal Caribbean International

Side-by-side comparison of MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean International cruise lines.

Overview

Quick summary

MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean International are both contemporary cruise lines. MSC Cruises runs 23 ships and was founded in 1987, carrying 101,709 passengers in total. Royal Caribbean International runs 30 ships and was founded in 1968, with 131,817 total passenger capacity.

Side by side

How the two lines compare

Attribute

MSC

Royal Caribbean

Market SegmentContemporaryContemporary
Founded19871968
Fleet Size2330
Total Passenger Capacity101,709131,817
HeadquartersSwitzerlandUnited States
Parent CompanyMSC GroupRoyal Caribbean Group
Biggest ShipMSC World Europa (215,863 GT)Icon of the Seas (250,800 GT)
Newest ShipMSC World America (2025)Legend of the Seas (2026)

Good to know

MSC Cruises vs Royal Caribbean International FAQ

Which is better, MSC Cruises or Royal Caribbean International?

MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean International are both contemporary cruise lines. MSC Cruises runs 23 ships and Royal Caribbean International runs 30, so the choice comes down to ship size, itineraries, and onboard style rather than price tier.

Which has bigger ships, MSC Cruises or Royal Caribbean International?

MSC Cruises's largest ship is MSC World Europa at 215,863 GT, while Royal Caribbean International's largest is Icon of the Seas at 250,800 GT. Royal Caribbean International has the bigger flagship.

Which is more expensive, MSC Cruises or Royal Caribbean International?

Both MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean International are contemporary cruise lines, so pricing is generally similar. Actual fares vary by ship, itinerary, cabin type, and season.

How many ships does MSC Cruises have compared to Royal Caribbean International?

MSC Cruises operates 23 ships with a total capacity of 101,709 passengers. Royal Caribbean International has 30 ships with a total capacity of 131,817 passengers.

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