Although both MSC and Royal Caribbean’s biggest cruise ships offer unique experiences and a variety of different activities onboard, one is definitely a better bang for your buck.
I recently cruised on both MSC World America and Icon of the Seas, but I felt one of those ships gave me more for the price I paid.
In April 2025, I cruised on Icon of the Seas. About three months later, in July of 2025, I embarked on my first-ever MSC cruise aboard MSC World America. There were noticeable differences on each ship, but the main one was the price tag.
Onboard both ships, you’ll find a diverse selection of restaurants, family-friendly activities, bars and lounges, and cabins. It would be difficult to make a wrong decision between these two ships, but they have their own individual pros and cons.
I enjoyed both cruises, but I'd argue that MSC offered a better overall value without sacrificing quality.
Read more: 10 best things about MSC World America, Miami's newest mega-ship
Our suite was a better value than our interior-facing cabin on Icon of the Seas
MSC is known for its affordable fares, and that remains true with its newest ship, MSC World America. During my cruise on Icon, my partner and I paid $3,802.46 for a Central Park infinite balcony with no other perks included. Once we paid for our drink and internet packages, we had spent around $7,400.
In comparison, we paid $7,010.32 on MSC World America for a Yacht Club Deluxe Suite that included Wi-Fi, a premium drink package, and access to yacht club areas.
All things considered, it's easy to conclude that MSC offered a much more upscale experience for nearly the same price as Icon of the Seas. We had access to three private restaurants, reserved seating at shows, a private lounge and pool deck, and a 24-hour butler on call.
Read more: I spent $7,400 on a 7-night trip on the world’s biggest cruise ship. Here's what everything cost
We also had access to the thermal suite in MSC's spa. I had never been to a thermal spa before my cruise on MSC World America, and now I understand why they're a must-do for so many people. Lounging in the salt room was one of my favorite things to do on the ship!
Another key difference was the type of room we had. Even though both rooms had balconies, we had an ocean view room on MSC, whereas our balcony on Icon of the Seas overlooked the Central Park neighborhood.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to people watch, but watching the crystal blue water on your balcony is a feeling like no other! I definitely missed that on my Icon cruise.
We had room to splurge on add-ons
We loved all the benefits included with our Yacht Club suite, but there was even more to see and do elsewhere on the ship.
Because we had to pay for so many other add-ons on Icon, I was much more conscious of my spending. Even though our fare on MSC World America was pricey, MSC has much more competitive pricing that often includes basic Wi-Fi and drinks.
For example, in July 2026, a balcony cabin (including drinks and Wi-Fi) costs around $1,825 per person. Comparatively, a weeklong cruise on Icon starts at $2,113 – and that's for a windowless interior stateroom! No drinks or Wi-Fi included, either.
There's a lot on both ships that you might want extra spending money for. For example, during our sailing on MSC World America, we got an invitation to the speakeasy on board where drinks were not included. It was such a fun experience, and I felt at ease spending around $50 extra on specialty crafted cocktails. They were worth it!
I was also very excited to try the Cliffhanger on MSC World America. The over-the-water swing hangs off the side of the ship and propels you over the water. We paid $9 each for this experience, and it was totally worth it!
On the other hand, I opted to avoid purchasing any drinks on Icon that were not included in the drink package. For our 7-day sailing, we paid $990.92 for the Deluxe Beverage Package. I avoided, as did my partner, any drinks that were over the $16 that was allowed.
We did purchase an unlimited specialty dining package for $665.48. More specifically, however, my dad was gracious enough to pay for it as a birthday present.
Initially, I was excited to try the different specialty restaurants on Icon, but this was one of my biggest regrets from the trip. Constantly eating at specialty restaurants made me feel bloated.
Another activity we paid extra for on Icon was the Crown’s Edge ropes course. It includes a free fall and swing over the water. This experience was $35 per person. Even though I loved it, it was quite expensive for such a short experience!
MSC World America was the prettiest cruise ship I've ever been on
Upon boarding MSC World America, I was not sure what to expect since this was my first time sailing with MSC. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see how elegant the ship was.
Our cabin had a very modern feel with sleek designs. Our vanity was incredibly big with ample space to get ready for the night ahead. It was easily one of the biggest cabins I have ever stayed in as well.
The bathroom was incredibly spacious, and the rainball shower was my favorite part. I wasn’t fighting a sticky shower curtain or fighting to turn around while showering since I had so much space!
The ship itself was very bright and welcoming. There were sparkly staircases, chandeliers, and thoughtfully designed entertainment spaces that set it apart from any other ship I have seen.
Icon of the Seas was not as elegant in design. Instead, it was more playful, colorful, and brighter. Royal Caribbean’s ships usually strike me as being designed with families and kids in mind. For some, this is an added benefit. For me, however, I enjoyed the mature, modern design of MSC.
Comparable activities
The main reason the price difference was so baffling to me was the similarity of the innovations on each ship. The ships offer very similar activities and experiences, including water slides, unique over-the-water attractions, theater shows, parades, and more.
Upon seeing the price differences between the two ships, I assumed that MSC World America didn’t have as many activities as Icon of the Seas, but I was wrong.
I thought the diverse array of attractions on MSC World America was a plus, too. There wasn’t just an arcade or water slides.
Onboard, there’s everything from bumper cars to a family-friendly LEGO building zone, a massive dry slide (that’s better than the Ultimate Abyss), and a Formula 1 simulator. It’s really, really hard to be bored!
I felt that I got more for my money on MSC’s new mega ship
Overall, there were many similarities between Icon of the Seas and MSC World America, but the latter was a better value, and I didn’t feel like the experience was all that different.
Sure, MSC and Royal Caribbean are two different cruise lines, but if you are looking for a mega-ship sailing to the Caribbean with unique activities, quality dining options, and modern accommodations, MSC World America will surprise you.
If I were to choose between the two ships in the future, I would choose MSC World America for the value, especially if I could score a Yacht Club cabin for the price of a stateroom on Icon, plus all the add-ons.
Sarah Cinq-Mars
Sarah is a 5th-grade teacher based in North Carolina. When she isn't teaching or being taught the latest slang by her students, she's catching up on the latest true crime podcast, playing with her 12-year-old dog, or checking out the area's newest restaurants.
Since she began cruising in October 2023, she has hit the high seas 10 times. Her favorite ship has been Celebrity Ascent, and her favorite itinerary was a 7-night voyage to Norway.
