I’m a longtime Carnival cruiser. Here’s what I thought of my first MSC cruise

I just cheated on my favorite cruise line.

I’ve cruised with Carnival Cruise Line since 1998, beginning with the inaugural sailing of Carnival Paradise. Most of my family’s many cruises over the years have been on board a Carnival ship. We often chose the line because of its budget-friendly fares and the convenience of driving to its many U.S. home ports. Plus, we love the variety of food options and the celebratory vibe, and can never seem to get enough of the Alchemy Bar.

But lately, I’ve been thinking about another cruise line. MSC Cruises is often compared to Carnival because it offers a reasonably priced cruise vacation and provides many onboard activities that appeal to families and cruisers seeking a fun atmosphere. Ever since this Europe-based cruise line began cruising from the U.S., it’s been on my radar.

I finally had the chance to sample MSC for myself during a seven-night Caribbean cruise on MSC Seascape. My cabin was located within the MSC Yacht Club, the line’s upscale retreat found on MSC Cruises’ larger ships. However, my weeklong sailing provided ample time to explore the ship beyond my Yacht Club cocoon.

Would MSC become my new favorite line, or will Carnival forever remain my first-choice cruise line? Read on to discover what I loved about MSC and what made me miss being on a Carnival cruise.

MSC Yacht Club is where it’s at

I was completely smitten with the MSC Yacht Club. Of the nearly 30 cruises I’ve taken across several lines, this was my favorite overall cabin experience. As a Yacht Club guest, I enjoyed a private pool and sundeck area, exclusive dining at the Top Sail restaurant (which was top notch), and dedicated lounge and bar areas with free drinks. I also had access to 24-hour concierge and butler services (dining and spa reservations, unpacking and repacking, morning coffee delivery, and more), as well as a dedicated concierge and guest services desk.

Related: Everything you need to know about MSC Cruises cabins and suites

Yacht Club cabins and suites also come with bathrobes and slippers, which I wore every day. I also made good use of the in-cabin Nespresso machine and a complimentary minibar stocked with juice, beer, soda and bottled water (flat and sparkling), as well as mixed nuts, Pringles and Toblerone chocolate. Other Yacht Club perks I appreciated were free Wi-Fi, premium alcohol packages and complimentary access to Aurea Spa’s thermal suite.

Carnival doesn’t have a product that comes close to MSC Yacht Club. Passengers who book an Excel Suite on select Carnival ships will have access to Loft 19, a retreat-style deck space that features an infinity whirlpool. However, the space lacks complimentary dining and free drinks. Also, folks not staying in Excel Suites can buy passes to Loft 19, which sort of minimizes the exclusivity factor.

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My week in the MSC Yacht Club made me rethink my cabin needs, and I might actually book a suite on my next Carnival cruise.

Related: Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Carnival’s free food takes the cake

I’m convinced that Carnival provides the most value to its customers through its food offerings. The line’s complimentary dining venues are extensive and offer an impressive array of cuisines — all included in the fare. I’ve eaten many meals across eight Carnival ships over the past several years, and they’ve been consistently good, if not great.

Beyond fantastic main dining and buffet offerings, we always find delicious free options at Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina (burritos, tacos and bowls). In fact, these two outposts are our traditional first-meal-on-the-ship lunch spots on embarkation day.

The only included-in-fare dining on MSC Seascape is in the main dining venues and at the Marketplace Buffet area. The remaining five restaurants were added-fee options — Hola! Tacos & Cantina (Mexican), Kaito Sushi Bar and Kaito Teppanyaki (Asian), Butcher’s Cut (steakhouse), and Ocean Cay (seafood).

I sampled complimentary sea-day brunch on both Carnival and MSC. I found Carnival to offer a better experience — the food was tastier, and the service was more efficient.

I also made a point to try MSC’s version of the chocolate lava cake offered on the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse menu. While the dessert was delicious, I prefer Carnival’s take on it — the line’s famous melting chocolate cake. The “lava” component of MSC’s dessert was runnier than Carnival’s version. So, when I combined the vanilla ice cream with the cake, it quickly became a soupy mess. Carnival’s cake-to-lava ratio — a bit heavier on the cake with the right amount of lava — soaks up the ice cream a bit better.

One menu item where MSC stole the spotlight from Carnival is the made-to-order plant-based burger offered at Marketplace Buffet on MSC Seascape. The soy-based burger was fantastic and tasted similar to a beef burger. Every veggie burger this pescatarian has ordered on a Carnival cruise was a disappointment — dry and flavorless.

Pools and splash zones were a near-tie

It’s easy to have a blast on both lines’ waterslides and splash areas. Our kids are grown, but I believe you’re never too old to hit the waterslides. That’s why I like it when top-deck watery zones are near a main pool area, as they often are on Carnival ships. When the sun gets to be too much, a quick zip down a waterslide is just steps away.

I loved MSC Seascape’s main pool, especially the circular water fountain island at one end. I also liked that the pool had an extended shallow-water ledge around it for cooling off without jumping in. However, the ship’s main waterslides were in the Pirates Cove pool area, separate from the main pool. The Pirates Cove space felt more like an indoor water park than a sunny cruise ship pool, which made it less appealing to me.

Carnival is still my favorite when it comes to water-based, top-deck fun … with one exception.

In my book, MSC Seascape’s adults-only infinity pool area wins the bliss prize over Carnival’s Serenity Retreat. The aft infinity pool features half-submerged loungers and offers an expansive deck area with plenty of spots to take in remarkable views of the horizon.

Carnival’s Serenity Retreat area mainly features hot tubs, as well as a slew of loungers, daybeds, hammocks and clamshells. Only select ships have pools on their adults-only decks. While the Serenity Retreat area provides a relaxing, kid-free experience, Seascape’s infinity pool feels more upscale and exclusive.

I’d have fun with either line

Carnival might be the Fun Ship line, but I did have a blast on MSC Seascape. Both lines showcase a bevy of theme parties, theater productions and crew-led activities, and I did my best to hit as many celebrations and gatherings as possible.

I’m well versed in Carnival’s ’80s parties, which are some of the liveliest soirees I’ve ever attended. However, Seascape’s white party definitely matched Carnival’s energy. The activities staff members with both lines did an incredible job hyping everyone up and encouraging us all to let loose and have a great time.

As for overall nightlife, I prefer Carnival. Seascape’s bars and lounges constantly buzzed with guests, but none of them offered a “theme,” which is something I gravitate toward.

For example, the ship’s Champagne & Wine Bar on Deck 7 pretty much resembled a standard atrium bar. With the exception of two nearby high-top tables with permanent Champagne bottles as decor, nothing seemed to give it that extra “oomph” to make you feel like you’re in a special venue. I missed having a “go-to” venue like Carnival’s Alchemy Bar or the lively sing-along Piano Bar. While I enjoyed Seascape’s watering holes (especially the sports bar, which is unusual for me), I pined a bit for Carnival’s bar scene.