Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Tropicale
- Cruises
- 5
- From
- $519
Ship comparison
Carnival Tropicale vs MSC Virtuosa
MSC Cruises
MSC Virtuosa
- Cruises
- 51
- From
- $70
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Carnival Tropicale is a mega Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 5,200 passengers, due to enter service in 2028. MSC Virtuosa is a mega MSC Cruises ship carrying 4,842 passengers, in service since 2021.
Choose Carnival Tropicale if you want a newer ship, a more family-friendly ship or more of a party: it outscores MSC Virtuosa for family friendly (9.0 vs 8.0) and party (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2028 (vs 2021).
Choose MSC Virtuosa if you want more culture, a lower starting fare or a more romantic trip: it outscores Carnival Tropicale for cultural (9.0 vs 4.0) and romantic (7.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $70 (vs $519).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Carnival Tropicale | MSC Virtuosa | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | MSC Cruises |
| Ship size | Mega | Mega |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2028 (better) | 2021 |
| Gross tonnage | 180,000 | 181,541 |
| Passengers | 5,200 | 4,842 |
| Crew | 1,735 | 1,704 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 3.0 | 2.8 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 34.6 | 37.5 (better) |
| Decks | 18 | 18 |
| Length | 1,128 ft | 1,087 ft |
| Beam | 138 ft | 141 ft |
| Speed | 26 mph | 25 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 5 | 51 |
| Upcoming sailings | 56 | 430 |
| Cruise lengths | 4 to 8 nights | 1 to 25 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $519 | $70 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Tropicale leads on 3 of the ten, MSC Virtuosa on 3, with 4 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Tropicale
Sailing now
5 cruises on sale, from $519.
About Carnival Tropicale Plan my cruise on Carnival Tropicale
MSC Cruises
MSC Virtuosa
MSC Virtuosa debuted in May 2021 as the largest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, equalizing the size of twin sister MSC Grandiosa. It's a dazzling megaship with room for 4,842 passengers at double occupancy and 6,334 at maximum capacity.
Sailing now
51 cruises on sale, from $70.
Questions
Carnival Tropicale or MSC Virtuosa?
Which is bigger, Carnival Tropicale or MSC Virtuosa?
MSC Virtuosa is bigger at 181,541 gross tons, against 180,000 gross tons for Carnival Tropicale. Carnival Tropicale carries 5,200 passengers and MSC Virtuosa carries 4,842.
Which has more space per passenger?
MSC Virtuosa, with 37.5 gross tons per passenger against 34.6 on Carnival Tropicale. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
MSC Virtuosa, with one crew member for every 2.8 passengers against one for every 3.0 on Carnival Tropicale.
Which is better for families?
Carnival Tropicale scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10, against 8.0 for MSC Virtuosa.
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