Cruise Frog guide
Costa Cruises vs Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line rates higher than Costa Cruises on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.6 to 3.1 out of 5 across their rated ships. Costa Cruises leads on value; Norwegian Cruise Line on cabins, dining, entertainment and pools & decks. Pick Costa Cruises for couples and value seekers; Norwegian Cruise Line for friends and groups and solo travelers.
Comparison updated
| Fact | Costa Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Mainstream | Mainstream |
| Best for | Families, Couples, Value seekers, First-time cruisers | Families, First-time cruisers, Friends and groups, Solo travelers, Multigenerational groups |
| Fleet rating | 3.1 / 5 | 3.6 / 5 |
| Cabins | 3.1 | 4.2 |
| Dining | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Entertainment | 3.3 | 4.3 |
| Service | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Pools & decks | 2.4 | 3.0 |
| Value | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Ships in service | 8 | 20 |
| Ships on the way | — | 1 |
| Largest ship | Costa Toscana (186,364 GT) | Norwegian Encore (169,116 GT) |
| Newest ship | Costa Toscana (2022) | Norwegian Luna (2026) |
| Guests per ship, average | 4,100 | 3,071 |
| Usually sails | Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords | Caribbean, Bahamas, Transatlantic, Mediterranean |
| 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 | Latitudes Rewards |
| Owner | Carnival Corporation & plc | Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings |
| Headquarters | Genoa, Italy | Miami, Florida, United States |
| Founded | 1948 | 1966 |
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 Norwegian Cruise Line?
Norwegian Cruise Line rates higher than Costa Cruises on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.6 to 3.1 out of 5 across their rated ships. Costa Cruises leads on value; Norwegian Cruise Line on cabins, dining, entertainment and pools & decks.
Is Costa Cruises or Norwegian Cruise Line better value?
Costa Cruises scores higher for value, 4.0 to 3.0 out of 5 (what you get for the fare, extras included).
Is Costa Cruises or Norwegian Cruise Line better for dining?
Norwegian Cruise Line scores higher for dining, 4.0 to 3.0 out of 5 (good food in the main dining room and the specialty venues).
Is Costa Cruises or Norwegian Cruise Line better for entertainment?
Norwegian Cruise Line scores higher for entertainment, 4.3 to 3.3 out of 5 (shows, music, and things to do at sea).
Is Costa Cruises or Norwegian Cruise Line better for cabins?
Norwegian Cruise Line scores higher for cabins, 4.2 to 3.1 out of 5 (comfortable, quiet, well kept).
Which has bigger ships, Costa Cruises or Norwegian Cruise Line?
Costa Cruises's largest ship, Costa Toscana, measures 186,364 gross tons, against 169,116 for Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Cruise Line's largest. An average Costa Cruises ship carries 4,100 guests, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship 3,071.
How many ships do Costa Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line have?
Costa Cruises has 8 ships in service; Norwegian Cruise Line has 20 ships in service and 1 on the way.
Are Costa Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line owned by the same company?
No. Costa Cruises is part of Carnival Corporation & plc; Norwegian Cruise Line is part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.