If you are considering a cruise with either P&O Cruises or MSC Cruises, you may be wondering how the cruise lines compare.
I’ve cruised with both cruise lines multiple times and regularly recommend both.
That said, there are some big differences between the two cruise lines.
In this article, we will look at differences in the onboard experience, food, ships, passengers, and more.
What is the Difference Between P&O Cruises and MSC Cruises?
Cruises with P&O, particularly on older ships, are more traditional. The newest ships, Iona and Arvia, are less formal and more family, but there are still dress codes and formal nights.
Of course, it is possible to skip the formal nights and eat at the buffet if you don’t want to dress up.
Multiple languages are usually spoken on an MSC Cruise, whereas on P&O cruises, only English is spoken.
P&O Cruises is a British cruise line, and MSC Cruises is Italian, which is reflected in the entertainment, activities, and food.
I’ve enjoyed the cruises I’ve taken with both cruise lines, but like any cruise line, neither will suit everybody.
The most important decision you will make when finding a cruise is picking the right cruise line.
| MSC Cruises | P&O Cruises | |
| Dress Codes | Relaxed | Enforced |
| Formal Nights | Yes | Yes |
| Passengers | Mixed | Mostly British |
| Daily Schedule | Busy | Relaxed/Busy – ship dependent |
| Price | ** | ** |
| Food | Primarily Italian | Primarily British |
Cruise Ship Design
MSC Cruises has considerably more ships in their fleet with 22 currently in operation compared to 7 P&O Cruises’ ships.
MSC has newer, bigger, more exciting ships coming out every year, it seems!
P&O’s newest ships are Iona, launched in 2020, and Arvia, launched in 2022. These are the largest ships in the fleet.
P&O’s smallest and oldest ship, Aurora, was built in 2000. Despite her age, she is very popular. She is an adult-only ship, with a more traditional feel.
Both cruise lines have ships of similar ages.
| Cruise Line | Number of Ships | Ship Design | Onboard Activities |
| P&O Cruises | 7 | Traditional, Elegant ,family | Relaxing |
| MSC Cruises | 22 | Sparkly | Active |
P&O Cruises – Cruise Ship Design
P&O Cruises has a variety of cruise ships, ranging in age and size. They have quite a few small traditional cruise ships, as well as their newest, largest ships, Arvia and Iona.
Iona and Arvia are the most exciting P&O ships, aimed at the family market and are increasingly focusing on the flexibility of cruising.
Find out how I got on when I went on a family trip on P&O’s newest ship, Arvia, here:
Some P&O cruise ships are adult-only.
Many of the older P&O cruise ships also have a tiered aft which is something that I particularly like in cruise ships.
The older ships have plenty of outside space and feel considerably less crowded than cruises on the newer ships.
Find out why this design feature is rarely built on new ships here:
My Favourite Cruise Ship Design Feature Isn’t Being Built Anymore – Here’s Why
Have a look at the cruise I took on P&O’s oldest ship, Aurora, below. It was a very different experience from sailing on P&O’s newer ships:
MSC Cruises
The design of MSC ships
MSC ships are very glamorous. They’re all about sparkles, have very clean lines, and have a modern look.
The MSC style is very distinctive, and no other line has ships like it. I would describe the style as Italian elegance.
Have a look at one of MSC’s largest, newest ships, World Europa in the video below:
All the ships in the MSC Cruises fleet were built after 2001. MSC Armonia is the oldest ship still sailing. She was built in 2001 and joined MSC in 2004.
MSC’s cruise ships are generally very modern. Many of them have a promenade in the middle that is lined with restaurants, shops, and, my personal favorite, a pub!
MSC are bringing out new cruise ships every year and has very ambitious shipbuilding plans moving forward.
P&O Cruises vs MSC Cruises Ship Comparison
Guests who are looking for adrenaline-filled activities and new, large ships may prefer MSC Cruises. If they want to sail with P&O, then Iona and Arvia would be the ships to focus on.
Guests who like traditional cruise ships may prefer an older P&O ship.
Cruisers who are used to cruising with MSC may find older P&O cruise ships lacking in activities.
There are none of the adrenaline-filled activities on board that you’ll find on MSC cruise ships such as ropes courses or waterslides.
Dress Codes and Dining
P&O Cruises provides a more traditional cruising experience. Dress codes are adhered to, and formal nights are very popular.
MSC Cruises do have formal nights of sorts, but they’re not as formal as the formal nights that you would find on a P&O cruise, and many people choose not to take part.
| Cruise Line | Evening Dress Codes | Enforced |
| P&O Cruises | Elegant | Yes |
| MSC Cruises | Relaxed | Rarely |
P&O Cruises Dress Codes
Guests who cruise with P&O Cruises usually enjoy the dressing-up element of formal nights.
Dress codes are strictly enforced on the older ships compared to many other cruise lines. Even when I sailed on P&O’s Arvia, the newest ship, I was asked to leave a bar as it had turned 6 pm and I was still wearing shorts!
P&O are increasingly offering flexible dining now but have traditionally always had fixed dining. During my cruise on P&O’s Britannia, we opted for flexible dining and it worked very well.
With their newer cruise ships, P&O is increasingly offering flexibility as an option, but on the smaller older P&O cruise ships, the majority of dining is still fixed.
The majority of guests take dress codes seriously, and even on non-formal nights, some dress codes are still in force.
MSC Cruises Dress Codes
MSC do have formal nights on every cruise, but the dress codes are incredibly relaxed.
I’ve seen other guests wearing tank tops and baseball caps in the main dining room on a formal night.
On a seven-night cruise, there will usually be one formal night; on cruises longer than seven nights, there will usually be two formal nights.
There is a dress code for the main dining room on all nights of an MSC cruise. MSC have both ‘gala’ and ‘dress to impress’ nights as well as informal nights.
To learn more about MSC’s dress codes, including what percentage of past MSC cruisers believe that the dress codes are not enforced, check out this post (spoiler, it isn’t very high!):
MSC Cruises Formal Nights – Everything You Need To Know
That said, just because the dress codes aren’t strictly enforced on MSC cruises that doesn’t mean that some guests don’t enjoy dressing up.
You definitely won’t look out of place if you do decide to wear your best formalwear.
P&O Cruises vs MSC Cruises – Dress Codes and Dining
Guests looking for a traditional cruise experience with formal nights and dress codes would enjoy a P&O cruise.
Guests who prefer a more flexible and relaxed dining experience may prefer an MSC cruise.
Passenger Demographics
P&O Cruises tends to attract an older passenger demographic than MSC Cruises, despite also being popular with families.
The majority of guests on P&O Cruises are British as opposed to MSC Cruises, where you will find Italians, Spanish, French, Americans, British, and almost all nationalities on board.
| Cruise Line | Target Market | Nationalities |
| P&O Cruises | Families, Solo Cruisers, Adults | Mostly British |
| MSC Cruises | Families, Friendship Groups, Young Cruisers, Adults | Varied |
P&O Cruise Demographics
On a P&O cruise, you can realistically expect 99% of the Passengers to be British.
P&O are the largest British cruise line by passenger numbers. It advertises heavily in the UK.
P&O Cruises advertise regularly to families and are very popular with them. That said, P&O cruises tend to have an older passenger demographic than MSC Cruises.
P&O Cruises attracts passengers who enjoy traditional dining, dress codes, and a classic cruising experience, as well as families who want a good value cruise that suits everyone.
MSC Cruises Demographics
MSC Cruises primarily targets families, friendship groups, and couples. The average age of an MSC cruiser is much younger than the industry average.
Their ships are designed with children in mind and have watersides, kids clubs, and children’s activities on the daily schedule. The ropes courses aren’t just for kids! I gave it a go too.
Passengers from many countries will be on board an MSC cruise, regardless of where the cruise is sailing.
P&O Cruises vs MSC Cruises – Passenger Demographics
The P&O Cruises experience is tailored towards a British market, so you’ll find UK plug sockets in the cabins, kettles in the staterooms, and Yorkshire puddings on the menu.
You won’t find these things on an MSC cruise in quite the same way. (Although you will find kettles in the cabin, if the ship is sailing from the UK).
MSC tend to attract a younger passenger demographic than P&O cruises, but cruisers of all ages love both.
I continually recommend both cruise lines to families. Both lines often offer discounted or even free places for children. To find out more about why I recommend both to families, check out this post:
Best Cruise Lines For Families (Tried & Tested, Pros & Cons!)
Itineraries
The majority of P&O cruises depart from the UK. MSC ships are stationed worldwide, and there is usually at least one ship based in the UK.
Most of MSC cruise ships are located in and around the Mediterranean, but they also have a presence in the Caribbean and further afield.
| Cruise Line | Itineraries |
| P&O Cruises | Mostly from the UK (or including UK flights) |
| MSC Cruises | Worldwide |
P&O Cruises Itineraries
P&O cruises worldwide, but most cruises either leave from the UK or include flights from the UK.
It is assumed that the majority of passengers on a P&O cruise will be British so will either want to cruise from the UK or book a cruise package which includes flights from the UK.
P&O Cruises cruises to places like the Caribbean, and a very popular itinerary is to fly from the UK to the Caribbean, take a P&O cruise, and then fly home.
Random fact: I was featured on the entertainment on the plane for guests heading over to join Britannia in the Caribbean!
When I cruised on Britannia I took part in a cookery class and it was recorded and shown on the plane as an advert for other guests.
P&O also cruise to the Norwegian Fjords, northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, and more.
MSC Cruises Itineraries
MSC cruises often in the Mediterranean and has ships stationed there year-round. I’ve taken many MSC cruises that complete Mediterranean loops.
On MSC cruises, guests are usually able to board at any point during the cruise, making the itineraries extremely flexible.
You will find MSC cruises from the UK too, and many sail from the US.
P&O Cruises vs MSC Cruises – Itineraries
Guests looking to cruise from the UK may have more choices when cruising with P&O cruises.
P&O has multiple ships that sail from Southampton year-round, which can be a very easy option for passengers from the UK.
Guests looking to cruise in other parts of the world may prefer an MSC cruise, as MSC Cruises cruises to many destinations that P&O cruises do not.
If itinerary flexibility is needed, MSC may be a better option as they allow guests to board and disembark at different points during the cruise.
Food
The food on a P&O cruise is often different from that on an MSC cruise, although there are, of course, some similarities.
The majority of food on a P&O cruise is geared towards a British palate, whereas food on a MSC cruise is more ‘Mediterranean’. Think pasta, pizza, bread, and vegetables.
In my experience, the food quality on both cruise lines is good, with a range of options available for every meal.
| Cruise Line | Food | Quality |
| P&O Cruises | Primarily British | Good |
| MSC Cruises | Primarily Italian | Good |
P&O Cruises
On a P&O cruise, you will find foods like Beef Wellington, Shepherd’s Pie, Toad in the Hole, Fish and Chips, and Carvery meats in the buffet and dining room.
Note the chunky chips in the photo below of my lunch in the main dining room! There are no fries here. It’s chunky chips all the way.
P&O Cruises also offers American-style food and other food from across Europe.
The buffet on P&O Cruises is mostly good, but I did find the late night snack selection on Arvia very limited and the buffet was extremely crowded.
P&O Cruises are good for vegetarian and vegan options. They also have a variety of different types of milk and alternative products for those who have food intolerances.
MSC Cruises Food
On an MSC cruise, you’ll find a variety of free food in the main dining room, buffet, and poolside grill. MSC also has a number of speciality restaurants for those wanting something extra.
The buffet on MSC cruises is open almost all the time, so if you want pizza at 2 a.m., it’s no problem!
I was lucky enough to cruise over Christmas one year, the Christmas dinner wasn’t exactly what I was used to but it was brilliant to be at sea over Christmas!
As well as Mediterranean staples such as pasta dishes MSC does also serves American favourites like hot dogs and burgers.
To learn more about the food availble on an MSC cruise, check out this post:
Everything I Ate on my MSC Cruise (Photos and Menus) – Food Review
P&O Cruises vs MSC Cruises – Food
If you are from the UK and like home comforts when it comes to food, a P&O cruise would be a great option for you.
If you would like to try something a little different a MSC Cruise cruise may be a better fit.
Both P&O cruises and MSC Cruises have specific menus for children, and dishes can be adapted where necessary.
Pricing
MSC cruises and P&O cruises both have very competitive pricing.
Both P&O Cruises and MSC Cruises include taxes, fees, and gratuities in their cruise fares. However, gratuities are not included if booking an MSC cruise from outside the UK.
| Cruise Line | Pricing | Includes Gratuities? |
| P&O Cruises | ** | Yes |
| MSC Cruises | ** | Yes |
P&O Cruises Pricing
The P&O cruise fare includes gratuities and taxes/fees. The only things that guests will have to pay extra for, if they want to is:
- Drinks (There is free tea, coffee, and water available in the buffet but all drinks from the bars are chargeable)
- Excursions
- Specialty Meals
P&O Cruises pricing is mid-range, there are some bargains to be found, I managed to book a 14-night cruise on the newest P&O ship for around £900!
MSC Cruises Pricing
If booked from the UK, MSC cruises also include gratuities. Food, basic drinks and entertainment are included in the cruise fare.
MSC often offers discounted prices for children, and it’s possible to find a very cheap MSC cruise out of season.
A few years ago, I took a week-long cruise on board the MSC Meraviglia. The cost, including flights from the UK and a hotel in Barcelona, was only £400.
P&O Cruises vs MSC Cruises – Pricing
P&O and MSC Cruises prices are often pretty comparable. Generally speaking, I’ve found that it’s easier to find a cheaper cruise with MSC, but there are bargains to be had with both.
Both P&O and MSC Cruises include gratuities when being booked from the UK and are usually considerably cheaper than American cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line.
MSC Yacht Club
MSC has an exclusive “ship within a ship” area called the Yacht Club. Staying in this area of the ship is considerably more expensive than the standard fare.
Find out whether I thought it was worth the extra money here:
Onboard Schedule
The onboard schedule on an MSC cruise is slightly busier than that of a P&O cruise.
You won’t be bored on a P&O cruise, but compared to an MSC cruise, it is more relaxing.
| Cruise Line | Onboard Schedule | |
| P&O Cruises | Relaxing | |
| MSC Cruises | Busy |
P&O Cruises Onboard Schedule
On a P&O cruise, there is a daily schedule of things like trivia, game shows, and entertainment in the theatre.
I’ve always really enjoyed the theatre entertainment on P&O cruises, the musicians, tribute acts, and theatre shows.
There will be a variety of live music and singers performing throughout the cruise and things like football are often shown in the onboard pub.
Guests who cruise with P&O Cruises often like to relax by the pool and with a good book and a nice drink.
The pace of life on a P&O cruise is slower than that of an MSC cruise, but guests are very rarely bored. I personally enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere of P&O cruises.
MSC Cruise Onboard Schedule
On a MSC cruise, there are lots of things to keep everybody busy.
The ships are full of adrenaline-filled activities and the daily schedule on an MSC cruise has activities happening every hour, multiple things per hour in fact.
It is almost impossible to be bored on an MSC cruise. The problem is trying to fit all of the events you want to attend into your day!
The entertainment on an MSC cruise is different from that which you’ll find on P&O or any American cruise line.
Because multiple languages are spoken on an MSC cruise, you’ll find that the entertainment tries to avoid the use of language as much as possible.
It’s very ‘interpretive’ and I’d say strange. Many people love it, but it isn’t my favorite.
MSC do have Cirque Du Soleil shows available on many of their ships, but for an extra cost.
P&O Cruises vs MSC Cruises – Onboard Schedule
Guests who like to be entertained constantly with many activities to do throughout the day may prefer an MSC cruise.
Guests who want to relax and recharge may prefer a P&O cruise.
Technology
MSC Cruises has a lot of technology on its ships. It has an app with many functions and a wristband technology called MSC for Me.
P&O don’t have an app or wearable technology. They have a webpage you can connect to, once on board the ship. It isn’t as good as a proper app, in my opinion.
Both cruise lines have interactive TV’s on some newer ships. Here you can watch tv, check your onboard account and see the daily schedule.
Which is Better?
P&O Cruises offer a great option for cruisers looking to relax and sail from the UK.
The cruises are tailored towards a British market so you’ll find the food and entertainment onboard is catered to British tastes.
The newer P&O ships, Arvia and Iona. are more relaxed and family oriantated.
Guests who want a busier cruise on a sparkly cruise ship with multiple languages spoken onboard would enjoy an MSC cruise.
MSC cruises are usually cheaper and more relaxed with a younger passenger demographic than P&O cruises.
I would very happily cruise with either company, given the opportunity.
Before You Go
I compare an older and newer P&O ship in the article below:
I Cruised on P&O’s Iona and Ventura – Here’s How They Compare
Find out about 12 free things to try on an MSC cruise here:
12 Free Things You Have to Try on MSC Cruises (Tried and Tested!)
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