Carnival Cruise Line
Mardi Gras
- Cruises
- 12
- From
- $400
Ship comparison
Mardi Gras vs MSC World America
MSC Cruises
MSC World America
- Cruises
- 13
- From
- $443
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Mardi Gras is a mega Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 5,282 passengers, in service since 2021. MSC World America is a mega MSC Cruises ship carrying 5,240 passengers, in service since 2025.
Choose Mardi Gras if you want a better-rated spa and gym, a more active cruise or better-rated dining: it outscores MSC World America for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 6.0), active (7.0 vs 6.0) and dining (7.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose MSC World America if you want more space per passenger, better-rated entertainment or more crew per passenger: it outscores Mardi Gras for entertainment (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, it has 41.2 gross tons per passenger (vs 34.1) and it has a crew member for every 2.5 passengers (vs 3.0).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Mardi Gras | MSC World America | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | MSC Cruises |
| Ship size | Mega | Mega |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2021 | 2025 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 180,000 | 215,863 |
| Passengers | 5,282 | 5,240 |
| Crew | 1,745 | 2,138 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 3.0 | 2.5 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 34.1 | 41.2 (better) |
| Decks | 17 | 20 |
| Length | 1,130 ft | 1,093 ft |
| Beam | 137 ft | 154 ft |
| Speed | — | 26 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 (better) | 8 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 12 | 13 |
| Upcoming sailings | 109 | 218 |
| Cruise lengths | 4–7 nights | 6–15 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $400 (better) | $443 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Mardi Gras leads on 4 of the ten, MSC World America on 1, with 5 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Carnival Cruise Line
Mardi Gras
When you step on board Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras, which debuted in July 2021, you will see all the great features you have come to expect from Carnival Cruises and then find all the new treasures on this ship.
Sailing now
12 cruises on sale, from $400.
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
Mardi Gras or MSC World America?
Which is bigger, Mardi Gras or MSC World America?
MSC World America is bigger at 215,863 gross tons, against 180,000 gross tons for Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras carries 5,282 passengers and MSC World America carries 5,240.
Which ship is newer, Mardi Gras or MSC World America?
MSC World America is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2021 for Mardi Gras.
Which has more space per passenger?
MSC World America, with 41.2 gross tons per passenger against 34.1 on Mardi Gras. 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 3.0 on Mardi Gras.
Which is better for families?
They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10.
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