10 Things You NEED to Know Before Sailing MSC Cruises (2026 Guide)

Adventures Away

Adventures Away

👁️ 529 views📅 1 months ago⏱️ 8:42

MSC Cruises USA

Royal Caribbean Group

What This Creator Said

2½ Happy Bacon

Creator RecommendsTips & Advice✨Casual Creator

Veteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

Once I stopped comparing every little detail to Royal Caribbean and simply enjoyed MSE for what it is, I had a much better appreciation for the cruise.

In my opinion, MSE serves some of the best pizza at sea, and I actually preferred it over Royal Caribbean Sarrento's pizza.

MSC includes countless lounges, bars, outdoor seating areas, and quiet spaces where you can escape the crowds.

If you're looking to unwind on a peaceful island with gorgeous water, Ocean K is absolutely fantastic.

Creator's Tips & Advice

✓Don't board expecting MSC to be an exact copy of Royal Caribbean; embrace its unique European identity.

✓Compare drink packages, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and specialty dining before booking to ensure true value.

✓Expect a more international atmosphere with multiple languages spoken throughout the ship.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

International atmosphere/language barriers — Expect to hear multiple languages and see announcements in different languages; it makes the cruise feel unique.

Food quality/style — Expect Mediterranean-inspired dishes; the pizza is excellent, but dining consistency may differ from North American lines.

Entertainment style — Expect more traditional cruise entertainment like singing and dancing rather than Broadway-style productions.

Questions This Creator Answers

QHow does MSC Cruises compare to Royal Caribbean?

QWhat should first-time MSC cruisers expect regarding food, entertainment, and service?

QIs MSC Cruises a good value for the money?

QHow does Ocean Cay compare to Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay?

Topics Covered

Entertainment Shows3½ Happy BaconService Crew3 Happy BaconDining Main2 Happy BaconPort Destination1½ Happy BaconShip Condition4½ Happy BaconCrowd Capacity4 Happy BaconValue Pricing4 Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Ocean Cay Marine Reserve4½ Happy Bacon

How to read the Trip Bacon Score

Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect

Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this

Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology

YouTube Video Description↓

Thinking about booking your first MSC Cruise? In this video, I share 10 important things you should know before sailing with MSC Cruises, including how it compares to Royal Caribbean. From food and entertainment to service, pricing, Ocean Cay, and onboard atmosphere, these tips will help you know exactly what to expect before you set sail. Whether you’re a first-time MSC cruiser or a loyal Royal Caribbean fan looking to try something new, this guide will help you decide if MSC is the right cruise line for your next vacation. #MSCCruises #CruiseTips #RoyalCaribbean #CruiseVacation #CruiseLife #OceanCay #TravelTips #Cruising #FirstTimeCruiser #AdventuresAway