The 5 Reasons Behind MSC Cruises’ Low Prices

When you search for the best cruise deals, you’ll often find MSC Cruises leading the pack with some of the lowest prices around. MSC Cruises are generally about 25% cheaper than the average cruise. This leaves many wondering why MSC Cruises are so affordable. Are they cutting corners on quality, or are they just offering great value for money?

Recommended reading: My MSC Euribia Review: Bargain £99 Cruise!

In this article, you’ll discover the various reasons behind MSC Cruises’ lower prices. This will help you decide whether these cruises offer an experience that fits your expectations and budget.

1. Low space-to-passenger ratio

One key reason MSC Cruises can offer better prices is its lower space-to-passenger ratio. By accommodating more passengers in the available space, MSC can reduce costs.

Have a look at the space each guest gets on various popular cruise ships:

Ship	Cubic feet per passenger
MSC Virtuosa	29
Carnival Mardi Gras	29
P&O Cruises Iona	29
Sky Princess	32
Norwegian Encore	32
Disney Magic	34
Cunard Queen Elizabeth	36
Marella Discovery	36
Symphony of the Seas	36
Celebrity Edge	37
Scarlet Lady	39
Azamara Quest	39

The cubic feet per passenger is simply the ship’s gross tonnage divided by the maximum number of guests.

Ships with more space per passenger, like those listed towards the end, are typically more costly. For instance, Scarlet Lady and Azamara Quest are adult-only, so they naturally have more room per guest, as there are typically only two per cabin. Families of four would have less space comparatively.

During school holidays, MSC ships can feel especially crowded. But, if you book outside of these peak times and the ship isn’t fully booked, your experience will be more relaxed.

To get the best experience at the lowest price, it’s often smart to book at the last minute when the ship isn’t sold out yet. This way, you enjoy all the benefits of a less crowded cruise.

2. The food on MSC Cruises can be interesting…

MSC Cruises offers an array of cuisine options from Italy, the Mediterranean, and beyond. You can enjoy meals in the main dining room or the buffet at no extra cost or splash out for speciality restaurants. The quality of the food can be inconsistent. Some meals are delightful, while others might leave you feeling less than satisfied.

In the main dining room, portions can be on the smaller side, which can be beneficial as it reduces food waste. Just be sure to order additional side dishes like vegetables, potatoes, or fries if you need them since these are not automatically included. If you have a larger appetite, don’t hesitate to request more than one dish per course. The staff is happy to accommodate.

One of the highlights of MSC Cruises’ food is that it caters to the nationalities of its guests. For instance, if you’re on a cruise with many British passengers, you might find English bacon, sausages, baked beans, roast beef, and Yorkshire puddings in the buffet. 

There could even be a kettle in your room with Yorkshire Tea! On other cruises, the menu may adapt to feature more European or American favourites depending on the guests.

On certain ships, you might even see them making Mozzarella cheese right before your eyes!

Recommended reading: What’s Cooking in MSC’s Main Dining Room?

3. Most of the MSC Cruise offers are on older ships

MSC Cruises has a mix of ships in its fleet. It has 17 ships, ranging from the latest MSC World Europa, which accommodates over 6,000 passengers, to the older MSC Armonia, which is twenty years old and holds about 2,500 guests.

Older, smaller ships often have lower prices. For instance, MSC’s Lirica-class ships, such as MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Lirica, and MSC Opera, tend to offer more affordable deals.

The Differences between Old and New Ships

Newer ships are generally larger and feature more modern amenities. These include a variety of dining options, entertainment venues, and activity areas. In contrast, the older ships lack some of these modern features and may only have basic amenities like swimming pools, gyms, and a casino.

Older ships are often best for port-intensive itineraries where daily excursions take centre stage. You’ll spend more time exploring destinations rather than enjoying shipboard activities.

Refurbishments and Updates

While cruise ships typically undergo refurbishments every two to three years, MSC sometimes stretches this timeline. For example, MSC Armonia saw its last refurbishment in 2014, and the other Lirica-class ships followed in 2015. Regular updates help maintain the expected quality and safety standards.

Cost vs. Experience

While MSC Cruises are often compared to other cruise lines in terms of ship size and onboard facilities, certain amenities require an extra fee. Activities and specific packages might have additional charges not included in the base fare. This can add up and affect the overall cost of your trip.

When choosing MSC Cruises, consider what’s most important for your cruise experience. If you prefer a simpler, more port-focused journey, these older ships may be just the ticket.

4. The Service

When sailing with MSC Cruises, you might notice that the service does not always shine compared to more expensive cruise lines.

This is especially true if you have cruised with lines like Disney before, where service is part of the premium experience.

Guest-to-Crew Ratios

One key factor affecting service quality is the guest-to-crew ratio. MSC Cruises has a relatively high ratio compared to other lines.

For instance, the new MSC World Europa can accommodate up to 6,774 guests with a crew of 1,413. This makes the guest-to-crew ratio 4.8 to 1.

In contrast, ultra-luxury cruise ships may have more crew members than guests, which permits a higher service level.

Below is a table showing the guest-to-crew ratios on different ships:

Ship	Guest-to-Crew Ratio
MSC Virtuosa	3.70
Carnival Mardi Gras	3.63
P&O Cruises Iona	3.63
Sky Princess	3.26
Norwegian Encore	3.01
Cunard Queen Elizabeth	2.78
Marella Discovery	2.73
Symphony of the Seas	2.66
Disney Magic	2.59
Celebrity Edge	2.56
Scarlet Lady	2.47
Azamara Quest	1.91

Due to these numbers, the crew on MSC ships are incredibly busy. They are generally friendly and hardworking but don’t usually have the time for extended chats with guests. You might see them rushing to serve the next person in line.

You might also notice slow service in some areas. It might take a bit longer to get that meal at lunch or to have your room serviced.

Rule Enforcement

Enforcing cruise rules can also sometimes be inconsistent.

For example, you might see babies in nappies in the pools, even though hygiene rules prohibit it. Likewise, pool loungers might be ‘reserved’ with towels for hours, as the crew don’t have time to routinely enforce the 30-minute rule.

This lack of strict rule enforcement can sometimes inconvenience guests. Many people rush early in the morning to claim loungers, creating a cycle of unavailability throughout the day.

5. Gratuities

Whether gratuities are included with your MSC cruise fare can vary.

For passengers from the UK, gratuities are generally included in the overall cruise fare, as tipping isn’t a common practice there. This makes the pricing more straightforward and often more budget-friendly compared to American cruise lines, where gratuities are added later.

For other passengers, especially depending on the destination and booking terms, gratuities can be up to $14 per person per day. These charges are usually added automatically to your onboard account.

Age Group	Gratuity Cost Per Night (USD)
Adults (12+)	$14.50
Children (2-12)	$7.25
Infants (Under 2)	No Charge

Although MSC Cruises doesn’t push you to tip individual crew members, you can still do so if you feel the service is exceptional.

Comparing MSC Cruises’ Ships to Other Lines

MSC Cruises’ ships stand out with their glamorous features like Swarovski crystal staircases and elegant Italian decor. They offer a range of fun activities suitable for families, ensuring everyone has a good time.

MSC Cruises has incorporated popular attractions from leading cruise lines, especially Royal Caribbean. On some newer MSC ships, you’ll find robot bartenders, enormous slides, and large open areas similar to the ones on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels.

These features make MSC Cruises an excellent option for first-time cruisers who appreciate modern amenities and elegant touches that combine to create a memorable holiday experience.

So, are MSC Cruises worth it?

MSC Cruises offers great value for money. If you’re seeking top-notch service, food, and entertainment, you might consider spending a bit more on other lines like Royal Caribbean or NCL.

For those on a budget, MSC Cruises is an excellent choice.

While many activities on the ship come with an extra cost, they are all optional. This means you don’t need to spend more than the initial ticket price if you choose not to.

Many passengers leave with a zero balance at the end of their trip.

I’ve been on one MSC Cruise, and it was a bargain and a beautiful ship. You can read about my experience here.

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