Costa vs MSC: Which Cruise Line Is Right for You?
Costa and MSC both earn a 3.8 out of 5 CruiseSheet guest rating, but MSC offers a larger selection with 7,326 cruises on sale across 25 active ships compared to Costa's 2,010 cruises across 15 ships. MSC features slightly lower costs, with an average night price of $155 and a typical inside cabin starting at $1,166, whereas Costa averages $158 per night with a typical starting price of $1,408. Costa offers longer voyages averaging 9.2 nights and sails heavily to South America alongside Europe and the Caribbean, while MSC averages 7.6 nights with major hubs in Florida, Europe, and the Caribbean.
🏁 At a Glance
📊 Head to Head
| Costa | MSC | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruises on saleHow many upcoming sailings CruiseSheet is tracking | 2,007 | 7,312 |
| Lowest priceCheapest inside cabin on any sailing | $115 | $70 |
| Typical priceAverage inside-cabin starting price | $1,405 | $1,166 |
| Price per nightAverage nightly cost — the fairest value yardstick | $158 | $155 |
| Average trip lengthLonger voyages vs. shorter getaways | 9.2 nights | 7.6 nights |
| Ships in fleetActive ships currently sailing | 15 | 25 |
| Typical ship sizeBig-ship amenities vs. a more intimate feel | 3,182 guests | 3,743 guests |
| Largest shipGuest capacity of the biggest vessel | 5,322 guests | 5,240 guests |
| Guest ratingCruiseSheet guest rating | 3.8 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
Figures are drawn from live CruiseSheet pricing and fleet data and update as new sailings are loaded.
🤔 Which Should You Choose?
Both cruise lines achieve an identical 3.8 out of 5 rating on CruiseSheet and share Italian hospitality roots, but their fleet scale and trip lengths differ significantly. Choose Costa if you prefer longer itineraries, as their sailings average 9.2 nights, or if you wish to depart for regions like South America alongside Europe and the Caribbean aboard smaller typical ships averaging 3,182 guests. Choose MSC if you want lower entry prices, such as inside cabins starting as low as $70 or a typical $1,166 starting rate, broader sailing options with over 7,000 choices, or a newer fleet averaging a 2014 build year with key departures out of Florida.
💰 Costa vs MSC: Current Deals
Costa
MSC
❓ Costa vs MSC: Common Questions
❓ Which cruise line is cheaper, Costa or MSC?
MSC is generally cheaper than Costa. MSC has an average per-night price of $155 with typical inside cabins starting at $1,166 and deals as low as $70, compared to Costa's $158 per night, typical inside cabin starting price of $1,408, and lowest deal of $115.
❓ Which line offers a larger selection of ships and sailings?
MSC provides significantly more choice, with 7,326 cruises on sale across 25 active ships compared to Costa's 2,010 cruises on 15 ships. MSC ships are also newer on average, with a build year of 2014 versus 2010 for Costa.
❓ How do the trip lengths and destinations compare between Costa and MSC?
Costa features longer voyages averaging 9.2 nights with popular departure regions in Europe, the Caribbean, and South America. MSC averages shorter trips of 7.6 nights and frequently sails from Florida, Europe, and the Caribbean.
