Cruise Frog guide
Costa Cruises vs MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises rates higher than Costa Cruises on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.4 to 3.1 out of 5 across their rated ships. MSC Cruises leads on cabins, entertainment and pools & decks, with the rest level. Pick Costa Cruises for couples; MSC Cruises for multigenerational groups and friends and groups.
Comparison updated
| Fact | Costa Cruises | MSC Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Mainstream | Mainstream |
| Best for | Families, Couples, Value seekers, First-time cruisers | Families, First-time cruisers, Value seekers, Multigenerational groups, Friends and groups |
| Fleet rating | 3.1 / 5 | 3.4 / 5 |
| Cabins | 3.1 | 3.3 |
| Dining | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Entertainment | 3.3 | 4.3 |
| Service | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Pools & decks | 2.4 | 2.7 |
| Value | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Ships in service | 8 | 23 |
| Ships on the way | — | 2 |
| Largest ship | Costa Toscana (186,364 GT) | MSC World America (216,638 GT) |
| Newest ship | Costa Toscana (2022) | MSC World America (2025) |
| Guests per ship, average | 4,100 | 3,896 |
| Usually sails | Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords | Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, South America |
| Solo cabins | None | — |
| Single supplement | 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 | C|Club | MSC Voyagers Club |
| Owner | Carnival Corporation & plc | MSC Group |
| Headquarters | Genoa, Italy | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Founded | 1948 | 1988 |
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, Costa Cruises or MSC Cruises?
MSC Cruises rates higher than Costa Cruises on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.4 to 3.1 out of 5 across their rated ships. MSC Cruises leads on cabins, entertainment and pools & decks, with the rest level.
Is Costa Cruises or MSC Cruises better value?
They score the same for value, 4.0 out of 5.
Is Costa Cruises or MSC Cruises better for dining?
They score the same for dining, 3.0 out of 5.
Is Costa Cruises or MSC Cruises better for entertainment?
MSC Cruises scores higher for entertainment, 4.3 to 3.3 out of 5 (shows, music, and things to do at sea).
Is Costa Cruises or MSC Cruises better for cabins?
MSC Cruises scores higher for cabins, 3.3 to 3.1 out of 5 (comfortable, quiet, well kept).
Which has bigger ships, Costa Cruises or MSC Cruises?
MSC Cruises's largest ship, MSC World America, measures 216,638 gross tons, against 186,364 for Costa Toscana, Costa Cruises's largest. An average Costa Cruises ship carries 4,100 guests, a MSC Cruises ship 3,896.
How many ships do Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises have?
Costa Cruises has 8 ships in service; MSC Cruises has 23 ships in service and 2 on the way.
Are Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises owned by the same company?
No. Costa Cruises is part of Carnival Corporation & plc; MSC Cruises is part of MSC Group.