Cruise Frog guide
Carnival Cruise Line vs Costa Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line rates higher than Costa Cruises on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.7 to 3.1 out of 5 across their rated ships. Carnival Cruise Line leads on entertainment, service, pools & decks and value, with the rest level. Pick Carnival Cruise Line for friends and groups; Costa Cruises for couples.
Comparison updated
| Fact | Carnival Cruise Line | Costa Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Mainstream | Mainstream |
| Best for | Families, First-time cruisers, Friends and groups, Value seekers | Families, Couples, Value seekers, First-time cruisers |
| Fleet rating | 3.7 / 5 | 3.1 / 5 |
| Cabins | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| Dining | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Entertainment | 4.0 | 3.3 |
| Service | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Pools & decks | 2.9 | 2.4 |
| Value | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Ships in service | 29 | 8 |
| Ships on the way | 3 | — |
| Largest ship | Carnival Celebration (183,521 GT) | Costa Toscana (186,364 GT) |
| Newest ship | Carnival Jubilee (2023) | Costa Toscana (2022) |
| Guests per ship, average | 3,253 | 4,100 |
| Usually sails | Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexican Riviera, Bermuda | Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords |
| Solo cabins | None | None |
| Single supplement | Fares are quoted per person based on double occupancy, and a solo guest pays a single supplement that varies by sailing and cabin. In a… | Costa's cabin categories run from inside to suites with no cabins built for one. A solo guest books a double cabin and pays a single… |
| Loyalty program | Carnival Rewards | C|Club |
| Owner | Carnival Corporation & plc | Carnival Corporation & plc |
| Headquarters | Doral, Florida, United States | Genoa, Italy |
| Founded | 1972 | 1948 |
Ratings are Cruise Frog's editorial scores of each line's ships in service, 1 to 5, averaged; the higher figure is highlighted. How we rate.
Quick answers
Which is better, Carnival Cruise Line or Costa Cruises?
Carnival Cruise Line rates higher than Costa Cruises on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.7 to 3.1 out of 5 across their rated ships. Carnival Cruise Line leads on entertainment, service, pools & decks and value, with the rest level.
Is Carnival Cruise Line or Costa Cruises better value?
Carnival Cruise Line scores higher for value, 5.0 to 4.0 out of 5 (what you get for the fare, extras included).
Is Carnival Cruise Line or Costa Cruises better for dining?
They score the same for dining, 3.0 out of 5.
Is Carnival Cruise Line or Costa Cruises better for entertainment?
Carnival Cruise Line scores higher for entertainment, 4.0 to 3.3 out of 5 (shows, music, and things to do at sea).
Is Carnival Cruise Line or Costa Cruises better for cabins?
They score the same for cabins, 3.1 out of 5.
Which has bigger ships, Carnival Cruise Line or Costa Cruises?
Costa Cruises's largest ship, Costa Toscana, measures 186,364 gross tons, against 183,521 for Carnival Celebration, Carnival Cruise Line's largest. An average Carnival Cruise Line ship carries 3,253 guests, a Costa Cruises ship 4,100.
How many ships do Carnival Cruise Line and Costa Cruises have?
Carnival Cruise Line has 29 ships in service and 3 on the way; Costa Cruises has 8 ships in service.
Are Carnival Cruise Line and Costa Cruises owned by the same company?
Yes. Both are part of Carnival Corporation & plc.