Name: American Express® Gold Card
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MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean — how do they compare? Both cruise lines are known for offering affordable cruise fares and onboard fun for passengers of all ages, although Royal Caribbean’s prices can be considerably higher on its newer, more popular ships. Each has an extensive fleet that includes splashy megaships carrying more than 6,000 guests at full capacity and a wide range of itineraries in top cruise destinations, such as the Caribbean and Europe.

There are, however, key differences in the onboard experience. Both cruise lines offer thrilling activities (just not the same kind), and each has its own approach to entertainment, kids clubs and dining.

Which cruise line should you choose? Read on for a head-to-head comparison of MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. We’ll cover each brand’s onboard experience, itineraries and passenger profile to help you decide.

Meet the cruise lines: MSC vs. Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has better name recognition than MSC Cruises among Americans. The Miami-based cruise line, known for its groundbreaking innovations, operates nearly 30 vessels, including almost all of the top 10 largest cruise ships in the world. More megaships are slated to join the fleet in the coming years.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Italian-owned, Geneva-based MSC Cruises is part of MSC Group, the world’s largest container shipping company. This fast-growing cruise brand has launched more than a dozen cruise ships since 2012. It trails behind Royal Caribbean by a handful of vessels, but it's slowly catching up.

The U.S. market was largely introduced to MSC between 2017 and 2022 when it debuted four Seaside Class ships designed primarily to sail to the Caribbean from Miami. One of its sales strategies? Kids under 17 can frequently sail for free when staying in the same cabin with accompanying adults.

Size of ships

Neither Royal Caribbean nor MSC Cruises has a ship that carries fewer than 2,000 passengers at double occupancy — and their biggest ships accommodate more than three times that at full capacity.

Royal Caribbean’s oldest ships (in the Vision, Radiance, Voyager and Freedom classes) carry 2,000 to 3,900 guests at double occupancy, while its newest ships (in the Oasis, Quantum and Icon classes) accommodate 4,000 to 6,000.

Icon of the Seas debuted in 2024 as the largest ship in the world and Royal Caribbean's first to be powered by liquefied natural gas; the line's Oasis Class vessels are the second- through seventh-largest ships in the world. Both classes carry more than 7,000 guests at full capacity. They are distinctive for their split-hull design, allowing for interior-facing cabins with windows, and themed neighborhoods, which help disperse foot traffic and make it easier for guests to navigate the ships’ 18 decks.

Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class vessels, introduced between 2014 and 2021, accommodate 5,500 passengers at capacity. These five ships are distinguishable by the North Star sightseeing capsule that rises 300 feet above the sea.

Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class ships, which carry about 3,900 passengers at double occupancy, and its Voyager Class ships, which accommodate 3,100, offer some of the thrilling activities of its larger ships. Its Vision Class ships, which date to the 1990s and accommodate 2,400 to 2,500 guests, feature notably fewer onboard attractions. Radiance Class ships are the smallest in the fleet, carrying 2,100 guests at double occupancy.

Those who prefer a ship that’s not megasize might want to consider Royal Caribbean’s good-value Mediterranean, Caribbean and Alaska itineraries on its refreshed Radiance Class and Voyager Class vessels.

MSC Cruises likes big ships, too. It has several vessels ranked among the top 20 largest cruise ships in the world, including MSC World Europa, which comes in just behind Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class vessels. It accommodates 5,252 guests at double occupancy and 6,762 at capacity. World Europa features a Y-shaped design with a dramatic open-air atrium. It will be joined by sister MSC World America in 2025.

MSC World Europa cruise ship at sea — MSC World Europa. ACTIONDRONE/MSC

The next-largest ships in MSC’s fleet are its five Meraviglia Class ships, all introduced beginning in 2017. They carry 4,438 guests at double occupancy and as many as 6,327 at capacity.

The ships that U.S.-based cruisers are probably most familiar with are MSC’s four Seaside Class vessels, which accommodate 4,132 passengers at double occupancy and 5,119 at capacity. They’re almost identical (with close-to-identical names: Seaside, Seaview, Seashore and Seascape) and have a high-energy vibe and a dazzling, multideck central atrium.

MSC’s 12 oldest ships are divided among three classes — Lirica, Musica and Fantasia — and accommodate 2,000 to 3,500 guests at double occupancy.

Passengers

Traveling with kids? Perhaps even Grandma and Grandpa? Both Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises are leaders in family cruising, with passengers ranging from young parents with preschool children to multigenerational families. Both lines also attract couples and groups of friends who prefer a lively cruise ship ambience and don’t mind sharing their vacation with several thousand other passengers.

MSC and Royal Caribbean primarily appeal to value-focused guests seeking affordable cruise fares, but more-affluent cruisers can also book higher-priced suites featuring elevated amenities.

While both cruise lines attract travelers from around the globe, especially on Mediterranean and Asian itineraries, MSC’s passenger base is more international, even on ships cruising to the Caribbean from Miami. Depending on the itinerary, some MSC cruise ships make important safety and disembarkation announcements in multiple languages (English, Italian, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese). All staff and crew members speak English.

Figuring out which vibe appeals most to you — more North Americans (Royal Caribbean) or a more international crowd (MSC Cruises) — can help you choose between these two megaship cruise brands.

Cabins and suites

Cabins on most mainstream cruise lines are designed more with functionality than flashy design in mind. Both lines feature inside (no window), ocean-view, balcony and suite accommodations.

Royal Caribbean has an enormous selection of room and suite categories — as many as 34 types on its newer ships — offering some pretty slick amenities. These range from interior rooms with “Virtual Balcony” LED screens displaying views from outside the ship to two-level Loft Suites and even an Ultimate Family Suite featuring a gaming area and a slide from the sleeping area to the living room.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class and Icon Class ships include some balcony cabins without ocean views. That’s because they overlook some of the bustling indoor neighborhood areas.

Newer Royal Caribbean ships feature more balcony cabins and fewer ocean-view cabins than older ships. If you're booking an ocean-view cabin, the aft- or rear-facing cabins on many ships are generally the most spacious.

Six Royal Caribbean ships (Brilliance of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas) offer cabins designed for solo travelers. These range from a 101-square-foot Inside Studio Stateroom to a 199-square-foot Studio Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony.

Top-tier accommodations are known as Royal Suite Class and rank among some of the most spectacular suites in the mainstream cruise line sector. They are available on Icon Class, Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships and range from relatively modest 290-square-foot Junior Suites to two-level, 1,800-square-foot Royal Loft Suites that rival a contemporary penthouse apartment. Priced well above other accommodations, these concierge-serviced suites appeal to wealthy travelers, especially those cruising with their families, who prefer the lively ambience of a large ship to a smaller luxury vessel.

The two-level Ultimate Family Suite — a more playful and colorful option for families with younger kids and a very generous budget — is available on Wonder of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas. The line's Icon Class ships also have a similar suite, known as the Ultimate Family Townhouse, which offers a movie-viewing room, karaoke and more.

All Royal Suite Class guests enjoy access to exclusive venues, such as the Coastal Kitchen restaurant and a private lounge and/or sun deck. Additional amenities and VIP perks vary by the Royal Suite Class category booked.

Icon of the Seas offers 28 different cabin and suite categories, including 14 completely new room types. This ship was designed with families in mind, and 80% of its cabins are connecting or offer enough space to accommodate larger families.

The closest MSC comes to matching Royal Caribbean’s cabin and suite offerings is aboard MSC World Europa, which debuted in late 2022 and features 19 room categories, including seven new designs. The most impressive non-MSC Yacht Club accommodation on World Europa is the 377-square-foot Grand Suite Aurea with Terrace and Whirlpool. MSC World America will have similar accommodations when it rolls out.

A cruise ship suite balcony with a hot tub — The MSC Yacht Club Owner's Suite on MSC World Europa. IVAN SARFATTI/MSC

The largest suites on most MSC ships are in the MSC Yacht Club, an exclusive enclave on newer MSC ships offering private spaces and added amenities. This includes the MSC Yacht Club Owner’s Suite with Whirlpool Bath, offering 840 to 1,119 square feet of interior space with an 840-square-foot balcony, and the 495-square-foot MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite with Whirlpool Bath, featuring a 301- to 334-square-foot balcony. MSC Yacht Club perks include a private lounge and restaurant, a private sundeck, and butler service.

Because of World Europa’s design, the ship also features four balcony cabin categories with a view of its interior promenade, similar to the ones found on Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class and Oasis Class ships.

Unlike World Europa, MSC’s other newcomer, Euribia, doesn’t feature any suites larger than 700 square feet, but its MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite with Whirlpool does offer 635 square feet of living space with a 248-square-foot balcony. For more outdoor space, choose the 624-square-foot MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite with a 753-square-foot balcony.

For family-friendly accommodations, both ships offer a 269-square-foot Premium Balcony Aurea cabin. This cabin features stationary bunk beds just inside the entry, a king-size bed, a pull-out double sofa bed, and a larger bathroom with a bathtub-and-shower combo. It is ideal for a family of up to six. Some cabins also have a private whirlpool on the balcony.

For solo travelers, all five Meraviglia Class ships offer 129-square-foot Studio Balcony suites, which have the benefit of balcony access without a required single supplement.

Seaside Class vessels feature 16 cabin and suite categories. The largest option is the 1,055-square-foot MSC Yacht Club Owner’s Suite.

Dining

MSC Cruises’ dining program is pretty basic. Passengers can expect to dine most nights in one of the complimentary main dining rooms. Most ships have several, and guests are assigned to one, with dining times dependent on the “experience” guests purchase when they book. Bella and Fantastica passengers can request early or late seating, which will remain the same throughout the cruise, while Aurea guests can dine anytime during open hours in their designated dining room with My Choice dining.

Guests on World Class, Seaside Class and Meraviglia Class ships can expect dining room menus to change each night and offer a good selection of globally inspired selections. MSC’s food quality, presentation and portion sizes have improved with each new ship as the cruise line has adapted to U.S. customer feedback. Still, guests should plan to spend more time at the table, since MSC’s service tends toward a slower European pace.

Marketplace, MSC’s bustling buffet option, which on its newer ships can accommodate more than 1,300 guests at a time, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It features a selection of familiar yet often uninspiring hot and cold dishes and global specialties, with some of the best options being salads, pastas, pizzas (the mozzarella is made fresh daily) and desserts.

Unfortunately, those are the only complimentary dining options on MSC ships. It’s also worth noting that while the food quality is notably better in the restaurants on its newer ships, the free food options on older vessels, most of which offer cheap cruise fares, can be inconsistent and not very good.

MSC Cruises’ specialty dining venues vary by ship, but typically there are three to five options. These can include Butcher’s Cut for steaks and seafood, Kaito Sushi Bar and Kaito Teppanyaki for Japanese specialties, Hola! Tacos & Cantina for Latin-American-inspired street food, Ocean Cay for Mediterranean-style seafood, and Indochine for Vietnamese classics with a twist. On MSC’s newest ship, Euribia, French bistro-inspired steakhouse Le Grill has replaced Butcher’s Cut.

Guests can prepurchase dining packages ranging from one specialty meal to unlimited specialty dining, although some menu items will still incur a surcharge.

A note to chocoholics: MSC has partnered with both Italian chocolatier Venchi and U.S.-based French chocolatier Jean-Philippe Maury to offer a wide selection of freshly made chocolates, baked goods, crepes and gelato. World Class, Seaside Class and Fantasia Class ships feature Venchi while Meraviglia Class ships offer Jean-Philippe Maury. All these sweets, however, are available at an extra cost.

Royal Caribbean’s dining scene, in contrast, offers plenty of choices. The cruise line has been a pioneer in onboard specialty restaurants and some of its ships, especially its newer ones, feature as many as 12 extra-cost specialty dining options. On a budget? Don’t worry. Royal Caribbean also offers terrific complimentary casual dining venues in addition to its main dining room and Windjammer buffet.

Specialty restaurants vary from ship class to ship class, although a few, such as Chops Grille (for steaks and seafood), are aboard most vessels. Other options include Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen for family-style classics, Playmakers Sports Bar for casual snacks like burgers and chicken wings, Izumi for sushi and Japanese specialties, 150 Central Park for modern American fine dining, and the recently introduced The Mason Jar for Southern cuisine.

A cavernous-looking restaurant on a cruise ship — Royal Caribbean's Chops Grille steakhouse. ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Passengers can purchase specialty dining packages at a discounted price prior to sailing.

In its main dining room, Royal Caribbean recently rolled out seven nights of new themed menus (French, Italian, Caribbean, Mexican, Mediterranean, etc.). The Classics section, offering selections like grilled chicken breast and herb-crusted salmon every night, has been removed, although some of these favorites do appear at times on the new menus. This revamped format, with fewer choices, can limit options for picky eaters.

When booking, Royal Caribbean passengers must choose between traditional dining (either early or late seating for the entire cruise) or more flexible My Time Dining. With the latter, passengers can reserve a table of any configuration or show up at the main dining room and wait in line for a table.

Families with kids love Royal Caribbean’s free casual eateries. These vary by ship, with Icon Class, Oasis Class and Quantum Class vessels having the most. Options include Boardwalk Dog House for grilled frankfurters, Sorrento’s for pizza, El Loco Fresh for tacos and burritos, Park Cafe for grab-and-go sandwiches, and Vitality Cafe for healthy salads and wraps.

Onboard attractions

Big ships offer big thrills, and in the case of Royal Caribbean, these include some of the most memorable adrenaline rushes at sea.

Icon Class vessels offer a huge water park with six waterslides, an indoor AquaTheater, an ice skating rink — where you can watch professional shows or try your hand at skating yourself — and lots of classic Royal Caribbean fun, such as FlowRider surfing and a minigolf course.

On Oasis Class ships, guests can scream their way down 10 decks of corkscrew spirals on the Ultimate Abyss slide or be soaked on The Perfect Storm waterslides. Those without a fear of heights can tackle the rock climbing wall or zoom high above the Boardwalk neighborhood on a zip line. Other activities include escape rooms, a carousel and pickleball.

Quantum Class ships offer an almost entirely different roster of exciting attractions, although the FlowRider and the rock climbing wall are consistent across the fleet. On Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, active thrills include the sky-dive simulator RipCord by iFly, a two-level Seaplex with a sports court/bumper car rink and areas dedicated to Xbox, virtual reality gaming, and laser tag. Quantum Class ships also have the North Star, a sightseeing capsule. But if you’re looking for thrills on a waterslide, you won’t find any on ships in this class.

Royal Escape Rooms (available on seven ships) are fun for the entire family. (Kids, however, must be 12 or older.) A number of ships also feature Battle for Planet Z, a laser-tag game appropriate for kids ages 5 and older.

MSC’s biggest thrills include Robotron, a top-deck amusement park-style ride on MSC Seascape that sends riders tumbling and swooping in seats attached to a moving “arm,” and The Venom Drop @ The Spiral, a stainless-steel dry slide with a looping 11-deck drop on World Europa.

A robotic arm thrill ride on top of a cruise ship — MSC Seascape Robotron ride. ANTHONY DEVLIN/GETTY IMAGES/MSC CRUISES

Most MSC ships have an arcade-style complex with some cool games and attractions, including Formula 1 race car simulators and an exhilarating XD Interactive Theatre where viewers strapped into hydraulic seats battle zombies, clowns and other menaces. All games cost extra.

MSC’s ships are also known for their top-deck attractions, which include the longest zip line at sea (on Seaside and Seaview), elaborate Himalayan Bridge ropes courses (on Meraviglia Class ships) and an Aquapark with multiple waterslides (on both Seaside Class and Meraviglia Class ships). On MSC World Europa, passengers can check out the MSC Sportplex, which offers activities like roller skating and bumper cars.

Both brands’ megaships also feature multiple spaces designed for relaxation and fitness: casinos, expansive spas, fully equipped gyms, jogging tracks and multiple pools. They also host lively themed parties, such as the White Party on MSC and assorted decade-themed celebrations on Royal Caribbean.

As for bars and lounges, both offer a wide selection, including pool bars, piano and karaoke bars, and sophisticated lounges. MSC’s World Europa and Euribia have more than 20 places to imbibe, while Royal Caribbean’s 10 largest ships each have a dozen or more — and Icon of the Seas features 15, including a few bars exclusive to that class.

Kids activities

Both MSC and Royal Caribbean are family-friendly cruise lines offering plenty to keep junior cruisers occupied. Their ships have colorful and inviting kids clubs with a dedicated staff, as well as teen hangouts, gaming areas and organized activities.

Four people in an escape room — The escape room on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas.TIM AYLEN/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean youth program features expansive play spaces for kids ages 3-12. (The bigger the ship, the larger the kids facilities.) They can enjoy activities like art and science projects, games, and themed parties. The program is free during the day and early evening, but an hourly rate applies after 10 p.m.

The Royal Babies & Tots nursery accommodates little ones ages 6 to 36 months for drop-off (for an hourly fee).

Teens cruising with Royal Caribbean have plenty of options. They can enjoy teens-only lounges intended for dancing and hanging out. Some teens clubs even have exclusive outdoor decks. Teens can also spend time in the for-fee arcade.

MSC’s kids club, called Doremi, also focuses on games and activities by age group — Mini Club for ages 3 to 6, Junior Club for ages 7 to 11, Young Club for ages 12 to 14, and Teen Club for ages 15 to 17 — but its Baby Club (for kids under age 3) is complimentary.

The cruise line has a partnership with Lego, so creative kids who love to build will be thrilled. Mini Club participants can also partake in fun, family-inclusive events like the Doremi Disco, while Junior Club attendees can enter Masterchef at Sea Juniors or get in front of the camera with the Kelly & Khloe Onboard Green Screen Experience. Activities for Young Club and Teen Club attendees include sports tournaments, video gaming, dance competitions and karaoke.

Entertainment

What do Broadway musicals such as “Mamma Mia!” and “Hairspray," cover bands playing top hits of the ‘70s and ‘80s, high divers leaping into an onboard pool, and multimedia spectacles have in common? They’re all in the entertainment lineup on Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.

The cruise line is one of only two (the other being Norwegian Cruise Line) to feature productions of hit Broadway shows on board select ships. Other ships offer high-energy production shows with musical and pop-culture themes nightly. Game shows are also a Royal Caribbean thing, including some hilarious adults-only competitions focused on love and marriage.

Oasis Class and Icon Class ships offer two unique forms of entertainment: Thrilling high-dive performances and professional ice skating shows. Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class and Voyager Class ships also have ice rinks for performances and open skating.

For something a bit edgier, the cruise line’s Quantum Class ships feature Two70, a multilevel performance space where big-screen technology and daring acrobatics combine to create a unique kind of multisensory storytelling. These ships also have Music Hall, where cover bands channel the music of legendary rock bands like Bon Jovi and Journey.

Icon Class vessels offer many passenger favorites plus exciting new venues like AquaDome, home to an indoor AquaTheater featuring state-of-the-art technology.

MSC certainly doesn’t shirk its commitment to onboard entertainment. After dark, its ships’ theaters and lounges buzz with vibrant musical productions and even fearless acrobatics. All of its Meraviglia Class ships feature The Carousel Lounge, which on the first four ships is a theater-in-the-round setting originally designed for Cirque du Soleil performances. It now houses themed variations on that genre, such as an illusions-themed show.

A lounge with large windows overlooking the ocean on a cruise ship — The Carousel Lounge on MSC Euribia. IVAN SARFATTI/MSC CRUISES

MSC’s newest ship, Euribia, however, has swapped high-flying theatrics for retro-inspired kicks with its reimagined Carousel Lounge. The space is now a sophisticated home for Big Band at Sea, a 19-piece orchestra with a genre-spanning playlist (although mid-20th-century crooner classics best match the room).

Seaside Class ships have both a theater and a glittering multideck atrium with a stage, where live musical performances take place throughout the cruise.

And World Europa? This megaship features a new 300-seat multifunctional entertainment space called Luna Park Arena that hosts everything from movies and game shows to breakfast raves and stroller discos.

Itineraries

If cruising the world is on your travel agenda, perusing the itineraries offered by Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises will set your wanderlust in motion.

Royal Caribbean is the dominant line in its namesake Caribbean region, cruising there from multiple U.S. ports year-round, but it also offers dozens of itineraries geared toward North Americans in the Mediterranean, Greece, Alaska, Canada and New England, South America, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand. In all, Royal Caribbean’s ships visit more than 300 ports of call on itineraries spanning three to 14 nights. The line also completed its first-ever world cruise in 2024, lasting nine months.

MSC Cruises has deep roots in the Mediterranean, where it cruises year-round with a predominantly European passenger base. Its global reach extends to Northern Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Arabian Gulf; these cruises also attract mostly international travelers.

The line has made inroads into the Caribbean and Canada-New England cruise markets, with sailings out of U.S. home ports with a higher percentage of American guests, but it doesn’t yet cruise to Alaska. Across destinations, MSC’s itineraries range from three to 20 nights.

One unique booking feature MSC offers in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe is the option for guests to embark in any port visited on a looping seven-night itinerary as long as they disembark in the same port.

For example, on a World Europa cruise that visits Barcelona; Genoa, Naples and Messina in Italy; and Marseille, France, cruise fares are offered round-trip from each port. This offers flexibility, especially for Europeans, but it also means passengers embark and disembark daily. And since MSC makes all important announcements in six languages, hearing daily safety drills can quickly get tiresome.

Bottom line

Either of these cruise lines can be a good option for those seeking an action-packed, value-focused cruise vacation. Royal Caribbean might have the edge on innovative thrills, top-flight entertainment and a greater variety of included dining options, but MSC’s newest ships mix budget-friendly fares, an international passenger base and far-reaching itineraries to offer their own recipe for affordable exploration.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Meet the cruise lines: MSC vs. Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Size of ships

Neither Royal Caribbean nor MSC Cruises has a ship that carries fewer than 2,000 passengers at double occupancy — and their biggest ships accommodate more than three times that at full capacity.

The next-largest ships in MSC’s fleet are its five Meraviglia Class ships, all introduced beginning in 2017. They carry 4,438 guests at double occupancy and as many as 6,327 at capacity.

MSC’s 12 oldest ships are divided among three classes — Lirica, Musica and Fantasia — and accommodate 2,000 to 3,500 guests at double occupancy.

Passengers

MSC and Royal Caribbean primarily appeal to value-focused guests seeking affordable cruise fares, but more-affluent cruisers can also book higher-priced suites featuring elevated amenities.

Figuring out which vibe appeals most to you — more North Americans (Royal Caribbean) or a more international crowd (MSC Cruises) — can help you choose between these two megaship cruise brands.

Cabins and suites

Cabins on most mainstream cruise lines are designed more with functionality than flashy design in mind. Both lines feature inside (no window), ocean-view, balcony and suite accommodations.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class and Icon Class ships include some balcony cabins without ocean views. That’s because they overlook some of the bustling indoor neighborhood areas.

For solo travelers, all five Meraviglia Class ships offer 129-square-foot Studio Balcony suites, which have the benefit of balcony access without a required single supplement.

Seaside Class vessels feature 16 cabin and suite categories. The largest option is the 1,055-square-foot MSC Yacht Club Owner’s Suite.

Dining

Guests can prepurchase dining packages ranging from one specialty meal to unlimited specialty dining, although some menu items will still incur a surcharge.

Passengers can purchase specialty dining packages at a discounted price prior to sailing.

Onboard attractions

Big ships offer big thrills, and in the case of Royal Caribbean, these include some of the most memorable adrenaline rushes at sea.

Kids activities

The Royal Babies & Tots nursery accommodates little ones ages 6 to 36 months for drop-off (for an hourly fee).

Entertainment

Icon Class vessels offer many passenger favorites plus exciting new venues like AquaDome, home to an indoor AquaTheater featuring state-of-the-art technology.

Seaside Class ships have both a theater and a glittering multideck atrium with a stage, where live musical performances take place throughout the cruise.

Itineraries

If cruising the world is on your travel agenda, perusing the itineraries offered by Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises will set your wanderlust in motion.

Bottom line

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Meet the cruise lines: MSC vs. Royal Caribbean

Size of ships

Passengers

Cabins and suites

Dining

Onboard attractions

Kids activities

Entertainment

Itineraries

Bottom line

Comments

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TPG featured card

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

Meet the cruise lines: MSC vs. Royal Caribbean

Size of ships

Passengers

Cabins and suites

Dining

Onboard attractions

Kids activities

Entertainment

Itineraries

Bottom line

Comments

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons