Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Splendor
- Cruises
- 21
- From
- $323
Ship comparison
Carnival Splendor vs MSC World America
MSC Cruises
MSC World America
- Cruises
- 13
- From
- $443
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Carnival Splendor is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 3,006 passengers, in service since 2008. MSC World America is a mega MSC Cruises ship carrying 5,240 passengers, in service since 2025.
Choose Carnival Splendor if you want a better-rated spa and gym, better-rated staterooms or a lower starting fare: it outscores MSC World America for spa & fitness (10.0 vs 6.0) and staterooms (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $323 (vs $443).
Choose MSC World America if you want a more romantic trip, more adventure and nature or a newer ship: it outscores Carnival Splendor for romantic (6.0 vs 2.0) and adventure & nature (5.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2025 (vs 2008).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Carnival Splendor | MSC World America | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | MSC Cruises |
| Ship size | Large | Mega |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2008 | 2025 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 113,300 | 215,863 |
| Passengers | 3,006 | 5,240 |
| Crew | 1,150 | 2,138 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.6 | 2.5 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 37.7 | 41.2 (better) |
| Decks | 13 | 20 |
| Length | 952 ft | 1,093 ft |
| Beam | 144 ft | 154 ft |
| Speed | 24 mph | 26 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 6 / 10 | 8 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 21 | 13 |
| Upcoming sailings | 102 | 218 |
| Cruise lengths | 2–15 nights | 6–15 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $323 (better) | $443 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Splendor leads on 2 of the ten, MSC World America on 8.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Splendor offers a host of innovative onboard features and facilities, highlighted by a 21,000-square-foot health and fitness center — one of the largest at sea — which features Carnival Cruise Line's first thermal suite and thalassotherapy pool covered by a glass dome.
Highlights
- Relaxing at the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
- Testing your luck at the onboard casino
- Splishing and splashing on the Twister Waterslide
Sailing now
21 cruises on sale, from $323.
MSC Cruises
MSC World America
MSC World America became a notable addition to the MSC Cruises fleet in April 2025 with voyages from Miami to the Caribbean. This ship is the Swiss-based cruise line's second World Class ship, marking a milestone as the first in the class dedicated specifically to the U.S. market.
Sailing now
13 cruises on sale, from $443.
Questions
Carnival Splendor or MSC World America?
Which is bigger, Carnival Splendor or MSC World America?
MSC World America is bigger at 215,863 gross tons, against 113,300 gross tons for Carnival Splendor. Carnival Splendor carries 3,006 passengers and MSC World America carries 5,240.
Which ship is newer, Carnival Splendor or MSC World America?
MSC World America is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2008 for Carnival Splendor.
Which has more space per passenger?
MSC World America, with 41.2 gross tons per passenger against 37.7 on Carnival Splendor. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
MSC World America, with one crew member for every 2.5 passengers against one for every 2.6 on Carnival Splendor.
Which is better for families?
MSC World America scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10, against 8.0 for Carnival Splendor.
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