Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Encounter
- Cruises
- 23
- From
- $355
Ship comparison
Carnival Encounter vs MSC Musica
MSC Cruises
MSC Musica
- Cruises
- 66
- From
- $79
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Carnival Encounter is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 2,600 passengers. MSC Musica is a large MSC Cruises ship carrying 2,550 passengers, in service since 2006. Carnival Encounter has no Bliss scores yet, so the verdict rests on the figures we do hold.
Choose Carnival Encounter if you want more space per passenger: it has 41.9 gross tons per passenger (vs 35.1).
Choose MSC Musica if you want a lower starting fare or more cruises to choose from: its cruises start from $79 (vs $355) and it has 66 cruises on sale (vs 23).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Carnival Encounter | MSC Musica | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | MSC Cruises |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | — | 2006 |
| Gross tonnage | 108,977 | 89,600 |
| Passengers | 2,600 | 2,550 |
| Crew | 1,100 | 987 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.4 (better) | 2.6 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 41.9 (better) | 35.1 |
| Decks | — | 13 |
| Length | 950 ft | 961 ft |
| Beam | 118 ft | 106 ft |
| Speed | — | 26 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | — | 7 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 23 | 66 |
| Upcoming sailings | 166 | 417 |
| Cruise lengths | 3 to 14 nights | 1 to 25 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $355 | $79 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday.
Carnival Encounter has no Bliss scores yet.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Encounter
Sailing now
23 cruises on sale, from $355.
About Carnival Encounter Plan my cruise on Carnival Encounter
MSC Cruises
MSC Musica
MSC Musica is the first of MSC Cruises' Musica-class vessels. She became the belle of the ball in Venice in mid-2006 when a display of lights and colors celebrated her inauguration. With Sophia Loren as her godmother, MSC Musica is designed with sophistication and luxury in mind.
Highlights
- The central foyer, aglow with a three-tier waterfall and piano suspended over a crystal floor
- The tennis court, jogging track and two swimming pools, plus a pool and play area for kids
- Delicious sushi prepared by hand at Kaito Sushi Bar
Sailing now
66 cruises on sale, from $79.
Questions
Carnival Encounter or MSC Musica?
Which is bigger, Carnival Encounter or MSC Musica?
Carnival Encounter is bigger at 108,977 gross tons, against 89,600 gross tons for MSC Musica. Carnival Encounter carries 2,600 passengers and MSC Musica carries 2,550.
Which has more space per passenger?
Carnival Encounter, with 41.9 gross tons per passenger against 35.1 on MSC Musica. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Carnival Encounter, with one crew member for every 2.4 passengers against one for every 2.6 on MSC Musica.
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