MSC OR P&O Cruises: Which one is right for you?

MSC cruises and P&O Cruises are one of the biggest cruise companies out of the UK and many potential cruise passenger end up deciding which cruise company to choose for their cruise and hopefully we have some answers to help you make that cruise decision.
We have been on three P&O cruises including P&O Iona, P&O Arvia and P&O Ventura and have also been on Five MSC cruises including the uk favourite MSC Virtuosa, MSC Preziosa and the MSC World Europa.
We focus most of this video on MSC Cruise ships that are departing Southampton over next few years including the new ship MSC Euriba!
We will take a look at all the cruise essentials everything from food, drink, entertainment, general feel and the main thing we all look for, the cost and what you get for your precious cruise dollars.
So grad a cuppa and before you make that decision take a look at our twenty minute essential cruise guide to P&O and MSC cruise line.
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#Arvia #p&ocruises #msccruises
All music used Royalty free and purchased from Epidemic Sounds
LOOK!! check out some of our other videos:
Anthem of the seas FULL SHIP TOUR:
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Iona embarkation day vlog, click below:
• Get Ready to Set Sail ...
Our Iona Ship tour, click below:
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MSC Virtuosa ship tour:
• Virtuosa Cruise Ship T...
Southampton Cruise terminal guide:
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We are cruising with the four bs we love cruising and traveling so come along with us and pick up hints and tricks along the way.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

What’s your favourite MSC or P&O?? If you enjoyed this video please give it a like and if you have view or question let us know 👇 Have you checked out our P&O Arvia ship tour: The Essential Guide to MSC and P&O Cruises: Which one is right for you? kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4K3m3qLgcZnn8k

[@FraserAtSea]

This is such a good idea for a video. I'm all MSC'd out for now I think, but keen to try more P&O next year!

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hey Fraser, thanks for watching a commenting. All MSC’d out🤣 we thought that then found a bargain in yacht club. Look forward to your future P&O content buddy

[@carmelshepherd6739]

I prefer the glamour of MSC 😊

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

It certainly has more glitz and glam 🙂

[@jamesr8064]

Great work as always 4B’s and on this one, I’m loyal to P&O. Considering where we go next with them!

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Thanks for watching James. We reckon arvia….

[@JayneGadsby]

Thank you so much x

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

@@JayneGadsby thanks for watching

[@sarahgeyer2899]

I’m planning a cruise to the fjords currently from USA. Glad I found you and your channel! Right now Iona is in the lead and your explanation of P&O looking out to RCL looking in just pushed me over! I want all the outside views I can get but struggling with price of balcony for 3 along with airfare to Europe. Need to make sure we will have somewhere (inside in case of rain) to watch the scenery. Thank you! Plus the comment here on unlimited fish & chips got my 19 year old fully on board.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hi Sarah welcome along, thank-you for watching and your kind words. Delighted our video has helped you. P&O is very British and yes fish and chips is definitely one of high points of the food onboard. Iona has one of the best ocean view cabins at sea. May I recommend this video from one my favourite channels, their stayed in Oceanview on Iona and this is the tour kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4rMeYWBlp1sebMsi=_3sljnMJDhbpwWcL

[@jasonross-collins6033]

Very good and balanced assessment I think. I can only talk from an MSC perspective (Aurea and YC on Meraviglia) and sailing in the Med. Yes very busy at times (obviously not in YC) but definitely have the WOW factor and given we have teens in our family both the activities and late night parties went down really well. P&O seems a higher level version of Marella and seems to have similar entertainment. Definitely more traditional. Perfectly good I think for couples but not so engaging for families. We did find that many of the smaller bars (in particular the pub) and sky lounge were actually quite empty when we sailed the med last year with MSC....maybe that was to do with the large contingent of italians and spanish.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hi Jason thanks for watching and commenting. Your assessment is quite accurate, I would probably say level pegging with Marella. Going on Aurea and Yacht club you have seen the best of MSC. We have 6 weeks until a first yacht club experience, cannot wait!!

[@chriscliffordCH]

Trying out P&O for the first time on Arvia in February next year. Quite frankly, as someone who has not lived in the UK since the mid 90s and seems to put on a stone in weight everytime I visit the UK, the crew could tip a bucket of raw fish over my head on boarding, throw me overboard and I'd still have a thoroughly great time just due to unlimited fish and chips, black pudding, proper pork sausages and decent bacon. Nothing else matters. Except maybe HP sauce.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Thanks for watching Chris. That comment made me chuckle first thing!! Ooo the quays you will have black pudding one day white the next! As for the fish and chips and filled Yorkshire’s you will not be disappointed 😃

[@annwilson4160]

We have just been on Virtuosa for 2 weeks and couldn’t wait to get home, the amount of people on these ships now is horrendous, couldn’t get a seat or drinks we ordered so definitely P&O all the way for me .

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hi Ann thanks for watching and the comment, I’d say this is an issue on p&o and MSc in our experience unfortunately. Sorry you didn’t have a great cruise.

[@chriscliffordCH]

I think the MSC Meraviglia-Plus class ships such as Virtuosa are a step down from the basic Meraviglia class ships such as MSC Bellisima. I've been on both and the Virtuosa just feels like the Bellisima with a load more cabins and very little additional space reserved to bars, restaurants, etc. So just more people crammed into much the same space.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

@@chriscliffordCH yes agree with you here 🙂 preziosa felt like a completely different type of ship to virtuosa for this exact reason.

[@EverAfterAdventures]

Fab video guys, best description for me is with RCCL ships being inward looking like Vegas, whereas P&O are outside looking and homely. I never thought of it like it but it sums up why I really like Arvia!

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hey Sam, thanks for watching. Yeah most royal ships seems to be this way, I love the light pouring in on Arvia! Think it’s time you four tried MSC?

[@EverAfterAdventures]

@@cruisingwiththe4bs possibly, you never know! We’ve got a lot coming up though so it could well be a few years before we can squeeze it in ha! I worked on the Explorer Of The Seas and funnily enough don’t remember that being dark, but when I went on Anthem I found that really dark. Can’t beat the light in Arvia’s atrium!

[@ALifeintheParks]

This is a very fair assessment of the 2 cruise lines. I completely agree with the small venues on MSC, Iona/Arvia both have more views of the sea from inside the ship. The buffet on P&O is shocking, MSC win this hands down.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hey, as always thanks for watching and commenting. Yes the small venues can be a little strange, the masters of seas definitely needs to be bigger. The thing is buffet 10 years ago used to be great, theme nights etc. What’s next for you P&O or MSC?

[@ALifeintheParks]

@@cruisingwiththe4bs Ha ha, now that’s a good question. I’ve nearly booked both (and Disney) but currently nothing until the Sun Princess!

[@jaynemorris7600]

P and o for me I am on my own and to echo what you mentioned I feel safe and relaxed.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hi Jayne, thank-you for watching and commenting.

[@neilshayler3119]

On Arvia September, only done Brittania a couple of times and thoroughly enjoyed both breaks.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Enjoy Arvia, let us know what you think of her 🙂 thanks for watching

[@stevensimms1362]

Another great vid from the Bs. Hard for me to pick which one I’d prefer but if u put me on the spot I’ll go for MSC.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hey Steve. Thanks for watching as always. You would suit MSC, our mission to get you on!

[@70PaulK]

I tried the P&O Ventura and MSC Virtuosa this year, and found they both had a lot of strengths, but they also had limitations. The Ventura felt very comfortable, with lots of space in the lounges, bars and deck areas, making it relatively easy to find a seat and a drink. The Virtuosa felt quite cramped, while the service could be slow at times. I preferred the entertainment on the Virtuosa, and certainly found the choice and space in the buffet to be stronger than the P&O. I found that the Marella Explorer ships had a better overall balance for me, but the prices on MSC and P&O were much cheaper.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hi, thank-you for watching and your detailed response. Some excellent points we have done both as well and agree with you on the space and service on virtuosa. Entertainment can be random on MSC but on whole is of good quality. Not done Marella yet, do have favourite ship?

[@dbrook7763]

Msc for us

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Thanks for watching

[@Teatelechoc]

Only cruised royal before but considering another line next year due to price hikes. Good info thanks!

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Definitely worth trying both 🙂 we love royal but just find it so expensive, thanks for watching.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Thanks for watching, worth trying either one even just a short cruise. Yes royals prices are really rising..

[@robemery8091]

P & O for me. 👍

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Thanks for watching Rob

[@darreng0611]

Hi, great video and really informative. We are due to sail on MSC Virtuosa in Oct and have done P&O Iona and Ventura, which for you would you say is better, Iona/Virtuosa?

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hi thanks for watching, hmmm that’s a really tough one as both completely different! I would say virtuosa has a lot more of the wow factor and much more going on 🙂 we have done a fair few vlogs on virtuosa if you haven’t already seen them 🙂

[@JayneGadsby]

Do you mind me asking how you get the blue light discount can you apply on line or do you tell the company you book with x

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

@@JayneGadsby not at all, it just depends if certain companies are doing blue light discount at the time, princess currently are doing 10% off. When booking if through an agent you can tell Them you have blue light and they can let you know if there are any discounts 🙂 thanks for watching

[@michaelott3916]

P&O for me

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

As always thanks for watching Mike

[@user-we3mc5vt2g]

Definitely P&O for us although both companies have issues. P&O lacks choice in the buffet ( especially the choice of cheese) MSC buffet is excellent. P&O dining is excellent apart from the chefs table and MSC was really disappointing. Shows are fantastic on MSC although we didn't understand some of the shows. P&O shows are boring. I would go on MSC again but it would have to be a really good price like £70 a night for a balcony cabin.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hi, thanks for watching and your very detailed reply. Cannot disagree with most of what you say especially the comment on shows on MSC always leave and say wow that was impressive “no idea what it was” 🤣 . I think both companies for us are very price orientated on if we go on them. Thanks again.

[@user-we3mc5vt2g]

Not long before we go on Iona for 4 weeks so will let you know how we get on. @@cruisingwiththe4bs

[@chocoholic832]

Weve just got of a cruise on the p&0 Ventura & the enetertainment was excellent apart from one comedian. Food has declined over the years with less to choose from. Hasnt put us off as we've booked 2 cruises on the Aurora.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

@@chocoholic832 thanks for your review. I agree about food but yes on whole we like P&O entertainment

[@michaelshearer7692]

Have you tried Marella?

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hi Michael, thanks for watching. We have only done dream (rip) before b’s 7 years ago but for old ship we loved it. We really want to go back on, we think they will be our type of ships but every time we look for a family of four it’s just to expensive compared to others, we all seemed to get charged as adults, will keep looking though. Have you? Our friends at sailaway with Dan and Jay have done a few if want to find out more, kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWO0ZJ2Ed8trobM

[@kevindodds5441]

Did i hear you say Blue light card for MSC, i have one do you use it through your agent?

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hi Kevin thanks for watching. Yes blue light on MSC and Royal. Our travel agent has always managed to add it when booking. You can also normally add extra onboard credit with p&o with your blue light card, either call up or your travel agent should be able to add it. Hope this helps

[@kevindodds5441]

@@cruisingwiththe4bs just rang my agent this morning, we are on the Grandiosa in about two weeks, but Seaview next June so it may be possible to get something for the one further away, they have taken my card number, lets see, i logged into my blue light card account and noticed p&o were offering £200.00 onboard credit. Thank you for pointing this out in your vlog we will have had 4 MSC cruises this year and missed out, not in future!

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

@@kevindodds5441 ah that’s brilliant fingers crossed they can add it on! We’re glad that the vlog helped 😊

[@kevindodds5441]

@@cruisingwiththe4bs without turning this into a back and forth conversation, i would just like to say people like you, Frazer at sea and the Cruise Bouys are really helpful not just to new Cruisers but to those who have been around a while, you also seem to have fun with your lovely family whilst doing it. We only use MSC, perhaps you could use your influence to talk to cruise lines about solid sails?

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

@@kevindodds5441 thank you Kevin that really does mean a lot to hear, every vlog we do we just try to be honest and give facts 🙂 we’ll make sure we share this with the lovely cruisebuoys and Fraser. What do you mean by solid sails? Unfortunately we don’t have much influence though we are very small fry! 🙂