| Cruise Style | Mainstream-premium cruising on large ships with MedallionClass technology; Love Boat heritage | Mainstream large-ship cruising from a Swiss-Italian line; third-largest cruise company globally | — | — |
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| Target Audience | — | Families and couples; kids and teens clubs; MSC Yacht Club ship-within-a-ship for suite guests | — | — |
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| Fleet | 17 ships; classes: Sphere (Sun Princess 2024, Star Princess 2025, LNG-powered), Royal, Grand, Coral; Voyager class (3 ships) ordered for 2035-2039 | 25 ships per MSC (Oct 2026); classes incl. World, Meraviglia/Meraviglia Plus, Seaside/Seaside EVO, Fantasia, Musica; MSC World Asia due Dec 2026, MSC World Atlantic winter 2027 | — | — |
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| Destinations | 330+ destinations: Alaska, Caribbean, Europe, Japan & Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, South America & Antarctica, Tahiti & South Pacific | 250+ destinations: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Grand Voyages; terminals in Miami, Barcelona, Galveston | — | — |
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| Price Positioning | Mainstream to premium | Mainstream; MSC Yacht Club tier sold as a premium all-inclusive option | — | — |
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| What's Included | Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages bundle drinks, dining and Wi-Fi; MedallionNet internet sold separately | MSC Yacht Club fares include premium drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi, 24/7 butler and Thermal Area spa access; drinks packages sold separately on standard fares | — | — |
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| Onboard Highlights | MedallionClass wearable (keyless entry, food and drink delivery, find companions); Sanctuary Collection staterooms (Sun, Star; Royal Princess from Jan 2027); Local Connections shore experiences | MSC Yacht Club private restaurant and pool deck, kids and teens programmes with sports, games and parties | — | — |
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| Gratuities | Automatic US$18-20 per person per day depending on cabin category (as of Oct 2026) | Automatic daily service charge varies by region; about US$17 per person per day on US sailings, US$19 South America (TPG, Oct 2026) | — | — |
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| Loyalty Programme | Captain's Circle; 4 tiers incl. Platinum and Elite | MSC Voyagers Club; 6 levels, top tier Blue Diamond | — | — |
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| Private Destinations | Princess Cays (Eleuthera, Bahamas), shared with Carnival and Holland America | Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Bahamas; opened Dec 2019) | — | — |
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| Parent Company | Carnival Corporation & plc | MSC Group (Mediterranean Shipping Company); sister luxury brand Explora Journeys | — | — |
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| Founded | 1965; headquarters Santa Clarita, California | 1988, Naples, Italy; headquarters Geneva, Switzerland | — | — |
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