I am a long time Carnival cruiser. Here’s what I thought about my first MSC trip

I just cheated on my favorite cruise line.

I have been sailing with Carnival Cruise Line since 1998, starting with the first Carnival Paradise cruise. Most of my family’s many cruises over the years have been on Carnival cruises. We often chose the line because of its budget-friendly fares and ease of driving to most US home ports. Plus, we love the variety of food options and the festive vibe, and we can’t get enough of Alchemy Bar.

But lately, I’ve been thinking about another cruise line. MSC Cruises is often compared to Carnival because it offers a cruise vacation that is reasonably priced and offers many onboard activities that appeal to families and cruisers looking for a fun atmosphere. Ever since this European-based cruise started sailing from the US, it has been on my radar.

I finally had the opportunity to experience MSC for a seven-night Caribbean cruise on MSC Seascape. My cabin was located within the MSC Yacht Club, a top-of-the-line lounge found on MSC Cruises’ largest ships. However, my week long cruise gave me ample time to explore the ship beyond my Yacht Club cocoon.

Could MSC be my new favorite line, or will Carnival forever remain my first-choice cruise line? Read on to find out what I loved about MSC and what made me miss being on a Carnival cruise.

MSC Yacht Club is where it’s at

I was very happy with MSC Yacht Club. Of the nearly 30 trips I’ve taken across several lines, this was my favorite cabin experience. As a Yacht Club guest, I enjoyed the private pool and sundeck area, specialty dining at the Top Sail restaurant (which was top notch), and dedicated lounges and bars with complimentary drinks. I also had access to 24-hour concierge and butler services (spa reservations, unpacking and repacking, morning coffee delivery, and more), as well as a dedicated concierge desk and guest services.

Related: Everything you need to know about MSC Cruise cabins and suites

The Yacht Club cabs and suites also have bathrobes and slippers, which I wore every day. I also made good use of the in-cabin Nespresso machine and the cozy minibar stocked with juice, beer, soda and bottled water (flat and sparkling), as well as mixed nuts, Pringles and Toblerone chocolates. Some of the Yacht Club perks I mentioned were free Wi-Fi, premium alcohol packages and complimentary access to the Aurea Spa thermal suite.

Carnival does not have a product that comes close to MSC Yacht Club. Passengers booking an Excel Suite on select Carnival ships will have access to Loft 19, a retreat-style deck area with an infinity whirlpool. However, the place does not have luxury food and free drinks. Also, people not staying in the Excel Suites can buy passes to Loft 19, which is kind of a reduction of the exclusivity factor.

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My week at the MSC Yacht Club made me rethink my cabin needs, and I may actually book a suite on my next Carnival cruise.

Related: Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Carnival’s free food takes the cake

I am confident that Carnival provides great value to its customers with its food offerings. The row’s restaurants are extensive and offer an amazing variety of food – all included in the fare. I’ve eaten many meals on eight of Carnival’s ships over the past few years, and they’ve been consistently good, if not great.

Beyond the fine dining and buffet offerings, we always find delicious free options at Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina (burritos, tacos and dishes). In fact, these two outdoor areas are our usual first lunch spots on the first day.

The only dining included in the fare on MSC Seascape is in the main restaurants and in the Marketplace Buffet area. The remaining five restaurants had additional payment options – Hola! Tacos & Cantina (Mexican), Kaito Sushi Bar and Kaito Teppanyaki (Asian), Butcher’s Cut (steakhouse), and Ocean Cay (seafood).

I’ve sampled a delicious seafood lunch on both Carnival and MSC. I found Carnival to offer a better experience – the food was delicious, and the service was very efficient.

I also made a point to try MSC’s version of the chocolate lava cake offered on the Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse menu. While dessert was delicious, I preferred Carnival’s take on the line’s famous melting chocolate cake. The “lava” portion of the MSC dessert was runnier than the Carnival version. So, when I mixed the vanilla ice cream with the cake, it quickly became a mess in the soup. Carnival’s cake-to-lava ratio — a little heavier on the cake with the right amount of lava — wets the ice cream a little better.

One menu item where MSC has stolen the spotlight from Carnival is the made-to-order plant-based burger served at the Marketplace Buffet on MSC Seascape. The soy-based burger was delicious and tasted like a beef burger. Every veggie burger the pescatarian ordered on the Carnival cruise was a disappointment – dry and tasteless.

Pools and splash zones were nearby

It’s easy to have a blast on both linear waterslides and splash pads. Our kids are all grown up, but I believe you are never too old to hit the waterslides. That’s why I like it when the quality waters are near the main lake area, as they often are on Carnival ships. When the sun gets too much, a quick zip on the waterslide is just a few steps away.

I loved the large MSC Seascape pool, especially the circular fountain island at the end. I also liked that the pool had a ledge around it with shallow water to cool off without jumping in. However, the main waterslides of the ship were located in the Pirates Cove lake area, which is separate from the main lake. The Pirates Cove area felt more like an indoor water park than a tropical marina, which made it less appealing to me.

Carnival is still my favorite when it comes to water, top deck entertainment… except for one.

In my book, MSC Seascape’s adults-only pool wins the prize for excitement over Carnival’s Serenity Retreat. The aft infinity pool features underwater living rooms and offers an expansive deck with multiple horizon views.

Carnival’s Serenity Retreat area mainly features hot tubs, as well as plenty of lounges, day beds, hammocks and shells. Only select ships have pools on their decks for adults only. While the Serenity Retreat offers a luxurious, child-free experience, the Seascape infinity pool feels more elevated and exclusive.

I would be happy with any line

Carnival may be the Fun Ship line, but I had a blast on MSC Seascape. Both lines show a lot of theme parties, theater performances and group-led activities, and I do my best to hit as many celebrations and gatherings as possible.

I know Carnival’s ’80s parties well, which are some of the liveliest soirees I’ve ever attended. However, Seascape’s white party really matched the energy of Carnival. The crews with both lines did an amazing job encouraging everyone and encouraging us all to let loose and have a good time.

In terms of nightlife in general, I prefer Carnival. Seascape’s bars and lounges are always full of tourists, but none of them offer a “theme,” which is what I’m drawn to.

For example, the ship’s Champagne & Wine Bar on Deck 7 was very similar to a regular atrium bar. Apart from two nearby high tables with eternal bottles of Champagne as decoration, nothing seems to give you that extra “oomph” to make you feel like you are in a special place. I miss having a “go-to” place like Carnival’s Alchemy Bar or the accompanying Piano Bar. While I enjoy Seascape’s watering holes (especially the sports bar, which is unusual for me), I’m a bit of a fan of Carnival’s bar scene.

Bottom line

To be honest, Carnival will probably always be my one true love. Food in line has never disappointed me, especially when it comes to free food. Our relationship has been stagnant for a long time, and I feel like Carnival “gets me”.

That being said, the freshness of my relationship with MSC has not worn off. Seascape just got stronger, I was lured by that Yacht Club special. I felt special. It has been seen. I’m looking forward to my second day — exploring the possibilities beyond the Yacht Club and seeing what happens. Will it be enough for me to wear a ring? Stay tuned.

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