Most cruise comparisons are written by people who’ve sailed one line and guessed at the other. This one isn’t.
We’ve sailed MSC Cruises three times — on MSC Seashore, MSC Fantasia, and MSC Sinfonia — and Princess Cruises once, on Discovery Princess on the Mexican Riviera. That’s four cruises across two very different lines, and the differences are real and worth knowing about before you book.
Short version: MSC wins on price and embarkation. Princess wins on food, service, and overall feel. Here’s the full picture.
Quick Comparison: MSC vs Princess
| MSC Cruises | Princess Cruises | Winner | |
| Food quality | Good buffet, solid included dining | Refined, flavourful — clearly a step up | Princess |
| Embarkation | Time slots — smooth and organised | Open 11–15:00 — can get crowded | MSC |
| Adult zone | Newer ships have one, decent | Large pool, multiple jacuzzis, very quiet | Princess |
| Service | Friendly and attentive | Higher level — breakfast brought to you proactively | Princess |
| Cabins | Depend on ship age — modern on newer ships | Depend on ship age — modern on newer ships | Tie |
| Entertainment | Excellent on all ships | Excellent + cooking show — a highlight | Princess |
| Price | Generally lower | Generally higher | MSC |
| Overall feel | International, lively | One class higher — more refined | Princess |
Food: The Biggest Difference Between the Two Lines
If there’s one area where Princess Cruises clearly outperforms MSC, it’s the food. And it’s not a small gap.
MSC’s included dining is good — the buffet is generous, the main restaurants are solid, and you won’t go hungry. But Princess operates at a noticeably higher level. The flavours are more refined, the presentation is more considered, and the ingredients feel a step up. Small things stick in the memory: delicate chocolate puddings, fresh mussels, tuna prepared properly. The kind of food that makes you look forward to dinner rather than just showing up for it.
If food matters to you on holiday — and on a cruise, where most meals are included, it should — Princess is the stronger choice.
Embarkation: MSC Does It Better
This is one area where MSC has a clear advantage. MSC assigns embarkation time slots — typically one-hour windows spread across the afternoon — which means the terminal never becomes overwhelmed and the process moves efficiently. You arrive, you board, you’re on the ship without a long wait.
Princess uses an open embarkation window, typically 11:00 to 15:00, with no assigned times. In practice, this means a significant number of passengers arrive at the same time and the terminal gets congested. It’s manageable, but noticeably less smooth than MSC’s approach.
For a stress-free start to the trip, MSC’s time-slot system is the better model.
Adult Zones and Pools
Both lines have dedicated adult areas, but Discovery Princess set a high bar. The adult zone on Discovery Princess features a large, quiet pool and several jacuzzis — genuinely peaceful, well away from the main pool deck energy. On a warm-weather sailing, this becomes one of the best spots on the ship.
MSC’s newer ships — including MSC Seashore — also have a separate adult area, but it doesn’t quite match the Princess version in size or atmosphere. On MSC’s older ships, the adult zone is more limited.
Worth noting: if the adult pool matters to you, check which MSC ship you’re booking. The experience varies significantly between the older and newer fleet.
Service: Princess Feels a Class Higher
Staff on both lines are friendly and professional. But Princess Cruises operates at a higher service level in a way that’s hard to miss.
The clearest example: at breakfast on Discovery Princess, staff would come to top up coffee and bring additional items without being asked — and this was standard service, not something reserved for suite passengers or those with a drinks package. It’s a small thing, but it changes the feel of the experience noticeably. On MSC, service is attentive when you engage with staff; on Princess, it’s more proactively anticipating what you need.
Cabins: It Depends on the Ship
This is the one category where neither line wins outright, because cabin quality on both MSC and Princess depends more on the age of the ship than the cruise line itself.
Newer ships on both lines have modern, well-designed cabins with good storage, updated bathrooms, and current technology. Older ships on both lines show their age. We’ve stayed in cabins on MSC Seashore (new, excellent), MSC Sinfonia (older, more basic), MSC Fantasia (mid-range), and Discovery Princess (newer, very comfortable).
Our advice: check the build year of the specific ship you’re booking rather than assuming the line sets the standard. For more on what to expect from different cabin types, see our guide to how to choose a cruise cabin.
Entertainment: Both Excellent, Princess Has One Highlight
MSC and Princess both invest heavily in onboard entertainment — Broadway-style shows, acrobatics, live music, and daily activity programmes. The quality on both lines is genuinely high, and neither disappoints in the evenings.
The one standout on Princess was a daytime cooking show — a proper demonstration by the ship’s chefs, with tasting and audience participation. It was one of the most enjoyable hours of the whole sailing. MSC offers cooking demonstrations too, but nothing quite at that level of production.
Price: MSC Is the Better-Value Line
MSC Cruises is generally the more affordable option. For comparable itineraries and cabin types, MSC tends to come in lower — sometimes significantly so. That price advantage is part of why MSC has become one of the most popular lines for European travellers, and why it makes sense as a starting point for first-time cruisers.
Princess commands a premium, and based on our experience, the premium is justified — particularly for the food and service. Whether it’s worth it depends on your budget and what you prioritise. For a honeymoon or a special occasion, Princess feels worth the extra cost. For a first cruise or a trip where you’re spending most of your time ashore, MSC offers excellent value.
Which Cruise Line Should You Choose?
Choose MSC if: you want strong value for money, you’re cruising for the first time, or you’re spending most of your time exploring ports rather than living on the ship. MSC’s route network is extensive — particularly in Europe and the Mediterranean — and the newer ships are genuinely impressive.
Choose Princess if: food and service quality matter to you, you’re planning a longer sailing where onboard experience is central, or you want that slightly more refined atmosphere. The higher price reflects a real difference in what’s on the plate and how you’re looked after.
We’ve enjoyed both lines, and we’d sail both again. But if someone asked us which felt like the better cruise — purely on the experience aboard — Princess would win.
FAQ: MSC vs Princess Cruises
Is Princess Cruises better than MSC?
In terms of food quality and service, yes — Princess operates at a noticeably higher level. MSC is the stronger choice for value and route variety. The best option depends on your budget and what matters most to you on a cruise.
Is MSC Cruises good for first-time cruisers?
Yes — MSC is one of the most popular choices for first-time cruisers in Europe, with a wide range of itineraries, competitive prices, and well-organised embarkation. The newer MSC ships (Seashore, World Europa) are particularly impressive.
How does the food compare on MSC vs Princess?
Princess Cruises offers noticeably better food in the included dining — more refined flavours, better presentation, and higher-quality ingredients. MSC’s buffet and main restaurants are good, but Princess is a clear step up for anyone who prioritises food on holiday.
Is Princess Cruises more expensive than MSC?
Generally yes. Princess commands a premium over MSC for comparable itineraries and cabin types. The difference varies by route and sailing date, but Princess is typically the pricier option — and in our experience, the quality difference justifies it.
Which cruise line has better service, MSC or Princess?
Princess. The service level on Discovery Princess was noticeably higher — proactive, attentive, and consistent. MSC staff are friendly and professional, but Princess feels a class above in how passengers are looked after day to day.
What ships did you sail on for this comparison?
We sailed MSC Cruises on MSC Seashore (17-day transatlantic, Barcelona to Miami), MSC Fantasia (Mediterranean), and MSC Sinfonia (Greek Islands). We sailed Princess Cruises on Discovery Princess (Mexican Riviera). All sailings were as a couple.