MSC vs Celebrity...

[RonanandAlex]

Hey! 

 

Myself and a friend will be looking at cruising round the Carribean in May of this year, we are currently looking at wither the MSC Seascape from MIA or the Celebrity Beyond from FLL.

 

In 2023 I did my first cruise with MSC on the Euribia from Hamburg and did enjoy it, this though was with my Mother. 

 

I just have a few questions for those who have cruised both lines;

 

• What ships offers the best evening/late night entertainment? (DJ, Disco etc) 
• If looking at general atmosphere what is the crowd like on MSC vs Celebrity? 
• What ship offers the better cocktails and drinking atmosphere? 

 

If you had to pick either ship what would you prefer and why? 

 

ps. We will not be booking Yacht Club or the Celebrity Equviliant but will have the premium drinks package. 

 

Thanks in advance!

[Essiesmom]

I’m not really qualified to answer this,  it I’ll make a stab at it anyway.

i won’t address the drinks because i drink very little,  because I don’t enjoy it

If budget is a concern, you will get more for your buck on MSC.  I have not sailed Seascape, but I did spend ten days on Seashore in Dec., and did a Live from.  Yesterday, or maybe the day before I posted the daily programs for the Seashore cruise.  Someone was asking for the programs for Seashore.  Might still be on the first page so it should give you an idea of what will be available on Seascape.  
   I haven’t sailed an Edge class ship, our bargain cruise was cancelled by Covid 36 hours before sail away in 2020.   But I believe I have 14 other cruises on Celebrity.  MSC ships are definitely more glitzy, Celebrity more subdued.  My experience is there is more of a party atmosphere on MSC, especially on the short 3/4 day cruises.  But on longer cruises with a larger percentage of guests from outside North America, they are more refined.  I can’t tell where you are from, but since you sailed Euribia, I thought perhaps you are in Europe.  
  See if you can find the thread with the Seashore programs, check those out.  Go to the Celebrity board here and look for a thread reporting on a cruise on an Edge class ship and see if they posted programs.  EM

[PTC DAWG]

If not in Yacht Club, Celebrity all day long wins..I prefer the E Class ships myself. 

Edited January 15 by PTC DAWG

[morpheusofthesea]

Celebrity has the best Cafe Al Bacio all day and night long with COMPLIMENTARY 12-14 mouthwatering pastries. Nothing comes close on MSC. Celebrity has "Starlink" was able to upload and download, not able to upload on MSC even paying for streaming upgrade.  Now my list for Yacht Club vs Retreat has 16 pluses for Yacht Club that Retreat doesn't have. Echo @PTC DAWG recommendation.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

1 hour ago, RonanandAlex said:

the MSC Seascape from MIA

if you are not in YC, then you are in steerage class. It will be nothing like Celebrity's steerage class. Please read my review in my signature if you want a steerage class person's opinion about Seascape. 🙂 It wasn't all bad at all, but you need to prepare yourself for MSC not being anything like Celebrity when you are not in YC.

 

We are trying Celebrity next, and yes, it's a bit more expensive and an inside cabin instead of a balcony, and no drink package, but we do expect it to be different.

 

The Easy Plus drink package plus wifi if ordered during a booking on MSC is going to be much cheaper than the AI or drink package alone on Celebrity.

Edited January 15 by Itchy&Scratchy

[Tierun]

MSC is more family oriented and kid friendly. Celebrity is more adult centered. No waterslides and other amusement park style attractions on Celebrity ships. Usually the casino is the only thing going after midnight. Service and passenger head count will be better on Celebrity. Most people will be over 30 so a more mature experience. Drinks and specialty dining will be more expensive as well. Lastly, the infinite veranda is not a true balcony.

[perakcruiser]

21 hours ago, RonanandAlex said:

If you had to pick either ship what would you prefer and why? 

 

MSC and Celebrity are our main choices, both know how to do their business, but they don´t do it the same way. Certainly both have their strong points and their weak points, but overall both offer a great product. 

 

Which line and which ship to prefer? 

 

1. Sailing with or without kids? With kids Celebrity is not an option at all. Deal done for MSC.

 

So we are sailing without kids and have to make the decision. I don´t think general atmosphere, crowd and better cocktails and drinking atmosphere are really useful to make a decision. MSC is more lively for sure, Celebrity usually is overstaffed which obviously is not bad for customers at the bars. 

 

Conclusion: Apart from the route, it is in the end only the price that is decisive. I have no doubt that both will provide a great time. Both have sometimes good prices, sometimes bad, depending of the time, the ship, the market... Food on Celebrity deserves a higher price per pax per day, but not a so much higher price. How much higher? 10%, 20%, 50%? That is absolutely personal. 

 

 

[shipgeeks]

The passenger makeup is the main difference we've experienced.  X will have mostly Americans, MSC will probably have a big mix, with Americans possibly a minority.  We loved that, but some apparently do not.

[deliver42]

Not counting the passenger makeup, which I don't mind, MSC's ships are much more crowded than Celebrities. They also have much more children, and is louder.

[runner15km]

You will be able to cruise two times a year on MSC vs X. 

[jean87510]

You PROBABLY will be able to cruise in the YC inside for the same price as a veranda on Celebrity.  

Our ship the Divina was definitely more hopping at night with the crowds then my Celebrity sailings.

More Americans on our 3 day sailing then the 7 day.

I like both lines.  I would only do YC on MSC. I truthfully don't care where I am on Celebrity.  BUT we aren't big drinkers or night clubbers (we used to be...😁) nowadays.  

Buffet was better on Celebrity.

Staff was good on both.

The ports I have to give to Celebrity at this point for the North American sailings as there is definitely more of a variety.  JMO.  I hope this changes and some or more ABC visits and more of the Southern Caribbean itineraries.

[8420PR]

In my opinion, both food and service on Celebrity is significantly better than MSC and worth a 30% premium on the price, but I do note that wasn't your question:

 

Evening & Late Night Entertainment:  MSC is more lively in the evening, with a slightly younger crowd, multigenerational families etc, and better entertainment venues (in my opinion).   But there is still nightlife on celebrity, just a bit smaller.

 

The crowd:  Celebrity will be largely older American guests, whereas MSC is more international and younger.   MSC will be more crowded.

 

The cocktails:  Celebrity wins for the Martini Bar and World Class Bar - only if you have the premium drinks package or are willing to pay an upcharge.

 

I still think it comes down to how much you are willing to pay, and if you enjoyed your MSC Euribia cruise you will enjoy both MSC Seascape and Celebrity Beyond.  

[Itchy&Scratchy]

5 hours ago, perakcruiser said:

With kids Celebrity is not an option at all.

what, why? My kid loves Princess and is looking forward to trying Celebrity. Not every kid wants water slides, rock climbing, or even a kid's club. Mine doesn't.

 

What mine didn't like about MSC is the lack of the free soft serve and having to queue up for ping pong (long lines).

 

We also hope that the MDR food will be better on Celebrity and that we won't have to pay $5 for a second+ entree. Seascape was also crowded to no end, and don't even get me started on embarkation procedures in ports of call. That was an organizational disaster and clusterfudge.

 

3 hours ago, runner15km said:

You will be able to cruise two times a year on MSC vs X. 

I disagree. We are going on an 8 night ABC island itinerary in an inside cabin on Celebrity Reflection, no frills, not AI, for $2,600 for 3 of us for spring break 2024. Oh, and $300 OBC.

 

I have just priced a spring break 2025 Seascape cruise for us - 8 night Western Caribbean, Fantastica inside no frills, no package cabin,  $2,235.34 for 3 of us, no OBC. Yes, it's $400 cheaper, but steerage class experience on Celebrity and steerage class on MSC aren't the same, and the difference in price is definitely NOT 2 times.

Edited January 16 by Itchy&Scratchy

[BlueColonel]

 

I have just been on both MSC and Celebrity recently and they are drastically different. My wife and I used the analogy like this. MSC is Dave & Busters of the cruise lines and Celebrity is Ruth Chris of the cruise lines.

Evening / Late Nigh Entertainment – Let me preface this opinion as to one who enjoys an engaging production show and entertainer and attends at the request of my wife. Celebrity will offer vocalists to perform during the cruise in addition to their stage productions. Both provide music and venues throughout the evening that are fine. MSC’s production shows are colorful and sometimes have strange themes. However, I do say the Michael Jackson show was very entertaining. The theater shows production, music, and content appeal to me more on the Celebrity Cruises. For example, we walked out of an MSC show because it was so brutally bad. In comparison, I attended a performance by one of the vocalists in the theater on Celebrity that I did not have any interest in going. But, to make the spouse happy I went and was blown away with the lady’s singing and enjoyed the performance.  

Crowds - MSC is crowded, loud and challenging just like Dave and Busters. Maneuvering through an MSC ship is like dashing through the isles at Walmart. You will be standing in line for buffets, drinks, and the Main Dining Room. Also, you will experience that they run out of items like food, beer, liquors, and utensils.

Celebrity, as mentioned, is an older group that enjoys it because their offerings are not aimed at families. The decks have a relaxing atmosphere with a resort feel. Buffets are busy as well. However, you will be able to get around easily and they are well staffed and supplied.

Cocktails / Drinking- MSC bars are the worst that I have ever encountered on any cruise ship. Very few bar attendants are present. You must wait every time a minimum of 10-20 minutes to order and then our experience is that 50% of the time the order is incorrect. This even includes mistakes on beer orders. Celebrity is well staffed, polite, professional, and knowledgeable. I must add the Sunset Bar as a great place to have a cocktail.

 

In summary, you get what you pay for!!! Celebrity is the recommendation. 

[perakcruiser]

2 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

what, why? My kid loves Princess and is looking forward to trying Celebrity. Not every kid wants water slides, rock climbing, or even a kid's club. Mine doesn't.

If your are in the lucky situation that money is not a topic at all, then things are different. Celebrity keeps the prices for kids at such a ridiculous level that no further discussion is necessary. Even if kids don´t use any of the wonderful things MSC provides for them it is a no-brainer. I am not sure if MSC or Costa is the No. 1, but no others come close. 

 

For example, we last time cruises without the kids (that is why we considered Celebrity and finally took them), I told my brother about this cruise. He checked the price and his 1 year old would have paid more than his mom and dad. 

 

And I also can only emphasize that both companies have a excellent produce, but not the same produce. 

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, BlueColonel said:

Maneuvering through an MSC ship is like dashing through the isles at Walmart.

You're too kind.

 

2 hours ago, BlueColonel said:

In summary, you get what you pay for!!!

Celebrity does have the better 'steerage' class. MSC tops Celebrity with their Yacht Club over Celebrity's Retreat, in the "ship within a ship" suite concept at one half Celebrity prices. Theatre productions and over all entertainment, like the food, I found the same, except Celebrity has Cafe al Bacio with 12-14 complimentary pastries all day and night. You missed the Italian tenors on MSC. They garnered standing ovations every performance (we sat through both). Celebrity has "Starlink" which is better than MSC. So in conclusion, one gets more in steerage on Celebrity and one gets more in suite class on MSC. (Paid $18,493 for one week in a Royal Suite on Celebrity Beyond and got much, much more for $8,900 for one week in Royal Suite on MSC Seascape).

   

We can list now all the things to look out for when booking any cruise ship. MSC YC has all the below.

#1 E muster drill is better

#2 Two cabin cleanings per day

#3 No % charge for gambling if using credit card

#4 No extra charge for can sodas vs fountain drinks

#5 Reserved seating in the theatre for all shows

#6 Complimentary bottled water (not ship distilled with unsanitary reusable bottles)

#7 Reserved or ability to reserve pergola/cabanas on pool deck (avoiding chair hogs)

#8 'Cushioned' pool lounges

#9 Escorts on and off ship avoiding long lines

#10 First to use tenders off the ship at ports that tender

#11 Dedicated restaurant that is so good one need not book Specialty Restaurants

#12 Service that does not involve 2 hours to complete a meal

#13 An attentive butler not hard to find when needed

#14 Cabins ready upon embarkation/ key cards in hand at checkin

#15 Dedicated restaurant OPEN port days

#16 Dedicated buffet to only suite guests

#17 Dedicated pool and sun deck only for suite guests with ample lounges

# 18 All the advantages of a mega ship with the exclusivity of a gated community

#19 walk-in shower not low profile tub/shower combo

#20 No non-suite paying Pinnacle/Zenith/Diamond passengers taking up prime real estate in the Yacht Club

#21 Elevator over-ride key cards for suite guests

#22 Pristine out island with NO bugs crawling all over cabanas

#23 short distance between cabin and restaurant decks

#24 At least a 100 sq ft balcony accommodating a cushioned lounge chair

#25 A reserved table for 2 for all meals in a dedicated restaurant with the same waiters for 'most' every meal

Edited January 16 by morpheusofthesea
found video

[Itchy&Scratchy]

17 hours ago, perakcruiser said:

If you are in the lucky situation that money is not a topic at all, then things are different.

not at all in this situation. I am extremely frugal, and we are not rich. Why do you think we are in an inside cabin on Celebrity's older ship? Because that's all I can afford.

 

17 hours ago, perakcruiser said:

Celebrity keeps the prices for kids at such a ridiculous level that no further discussion is necessary.

I now look at the overall price. Look - I provided it above. Celebrity Reflection, 8 night, ABC island, inside, 2 parents, 1 kid, no frills fare - $2,600. MSC Seascape, 8 night, Western, inside, no frills fare, 2 parents, 1 kid - $2,334. The difference is not all that ridiculous.

 

If you are only looking at the breakdown, you'll be surprised to know that sometimes this breakdown is quite ridiculous for other cruise lines as well, like Carnival. When I was pricing it before the pandemic, the fare for person 1 and 2 was $549 each, and $949 for the kid as a 3rd person. Talk about a ridiculous breakdown.

Now I am looking at the bigger picture, and we are sailing on Carnival Horizon balcony, 3 of us, Thanksgiving, ABC islands, for $2,700, no frills fare. I did get a soda package for the kiddo for $6.95 a day.

 

 

17 hours ago, perakcruiser said:

Even if kids don´t use any of the wonderful things MSC provides for them it is a no-brainer.

what things? We had to pay extra for things other than kid's club, water slides and water park, which my kid doesn't use anyway. Even the soft serve was for a fee on MSC.

[RonanandAlex]

Thank You so much for all your feedback and it is appreciated. 

 

I think I will give an MSC USA departure cruise a go, if we do not enjoy it, for the cost we will be paying we will do Celebrity the next time! 

 

I will report back at the end of the trip! 

 

[awatt]

@RonanandAlex If its within your budget try the YC. Best experience I've had in over 30 cruises.

[mafig]

If you go on Beyond do your research on what cabin you select.  There are reports that Beyond is very noisy (creaks and bowling-ball sounds from within the walls).  Not all cabins, but bring ear plugs just in case.

 

 

[At Sea At Peace]

On 1/15/2024 at 10:39 AM, RonanandAlex said:

Hey! 

 

Myself and a friend will be looking at cruising round the Carribean in May of this year, we are currently looking at wither the MSC Seascape from MIA or the Celebrity Beyond from FLL.

 

In 2023 I did my first cruise with MSC on the Euribia from Hamburg and did enjoy it, this though was with my Mother. 

 

I just have a few questions for those who have cruised both lines;

 

• What ships offers the best evening/late night entertainment? (DJ, Disco etc) 
• If looking at general atmosphere what is the crowd like on MSC vs Celebrity? 
• What ship offers the better cocktails and drinking atmosphere? 

 

If you had to pick either ship what would you prefer and why? 

 

ps. We will not be booking Yacht Club or the Celebrity Equviliant but will have the premium drinks package. 

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Well, here's a perspective we believe after sailing both many times and trying to stay current and pay attention to the cruise industry.

 

MSC - Sea ships are 2-separately-pronged passenger demographic targets.

 

1.  MSC Yacht Club is targeting other cruise line upper tier staterooms that are not club-within-a-club levels (NCL Haven, Celebrity Retreat for example) as such can be had for the equivalent price per person when fairly factoring the drink, dining (possible internet) factors and adding the "our private club" multi-deck platform.  They are offering something (some believe superior) not in competition with Haven or Retreat (which many believe they still win) but with the stateroom classes just below such.

 

2.  MSC Non-Yacht Club is targeting Carnival Cruise line on a price challenge, desirous of market share with lower costs (i.e., interest) and aggressive marketing goals to expand North American footprint and passenger volume.

 

So, if you are not booking the Yacht Club and staying down in the veranda categories on MSC, you are really comparing 'as if you are choosing between MSC and Carnival' (not Celebrity).  It's like weighing Carnival versus Celebrity to an extent (not actually equally though).  

 

Now, if you can find a comparable level stateroom on Celebrity on any of the E-Class ships for a per person close to MSC (non-Yacht Club), IMO that would be the best choice.

 

If not, depending on MSC Class and Carnival Class of ships, you might find that you can almost do TWO MSC cruises for the equivalent length Celebrity cruise (or a 10N versus a 7N at the least).

 

Sorry if this is potentially confusing.  Just IMO.

 

[perakcruiser]

19 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I now look at the overall price. Look - I provided it above. Celebrity Reflection, 8 night, ABC island, inside, 2 parents, 1 kid, no frills fare - $2,600. MSC Seascape, 8 night, Western, inside, no frills fare, 2 parents, 1 kid - $2,334. The difference is not all that ridiculous.

OK, you will always find an example like this. Certainly I would never pay 2334 for a 1 week inside on a MSC ship. I never paid it (no matter if with 1 or 2 kids) and I am cruising with them regularly for more than a decade. Certainly I look at the overall "no frills" price. I think 1300 MSC and 2600 Celebrity inside no frills is pretty normal, certainly Celebrity has also cheaper sailings sometimes. 

[At Sea At Peace]

21 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

 

I now look at the overall price. Look - I provided it above. Celebrity Reflection, 8 night, ABC island, inside, 2 parents, 1 kid, no frills fare - $2,600. MSC Seascape, 8 night, Western, inside, no frills fare, 2 parents, 1 kid - $2,334. The difference is not all that ridiculous.

 

 

Just a comment about apples.  

 

Celebrity Reflection - Solstice Class (2007 - 2012 End of Class) Ship - 2012 Launch (11 years old) - Six Newer Ships in New Edge Class and XP. 🍎

 

MSC Seascape - Seaside Class (2017 - Current) - EVO (or Plus + Seaside) - July of 2022 Launch (1+ years old). 🍏

[Itchy&Scratchy]

1 hour ago, perakcruiser said:

Certainly I would never pay 2334 for a 1 week inside on a MSC ship.

I am paying it for 3 people, though, and we are limited to school breaks.

1 hour ago, perakcruiser said:

I think 1300 MSC inside no frills is pretty normal,

well, good luck to us all finding that price during the holidays. I haven't paid this kind of price in many years.... I wish, but the reality is quite different. I did find a solo fare for $1,200 on MSC on our cruise for my MIL, but she cancelled before final payment.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

1 minute ago, At Sea At Peace said:

 

Just a comment about apples.  

 

Celebrity Reflection - Solstice Class (2007 - 2012 End of Class) Ship - 2012 Launch (11 years old) - Six Newer Ships in New Edge Class and XP. 🍎

 

MSC Seascape - Seaside Class (2017 - Current) - EVO (or Plus + Seaside) - July of 2022 Launch (1+ years old). 🍏

I did say I could only afford an inside on an older X ship, didn't I?

 

However, I expect a steerage class X apple to be somewhat better even on an older ship than a steerage class MSC apple on a newer ship. Hence, the comparison. I am certainly not comparing an older X apple with a new Princess or RCI one.