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View Deal →Carnival Magic vs Costa Fascinosa
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Carnival Magic is the larger vessel at 130,000 GT, 14% more than Costa Fascinosa's 114,500 GT. Carnival Magic accommodates 678 more guests (3,690 vs 3,012), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Costa Fascinosa trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere. At 306 m, Carnival Magic stretches 16 m longer than Costa Fascinosa's 290 m, a meaningful difference in pier presence and onboard deck space.
Score: 5 – 2
Quick Compare
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Category
Carnival Magic
Costa Fascinosa
Size
130,000 GT
114,500 GT
Passengers
3,690
3,012
Year Built
2011
2012
Crew Ratio
1:2.7
1:2.7
Space Ratio
35.2
38.0
Decks
—
—
Length
306m
290m
From Price
$465/pp
$100/pp
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Magic is the larger vessel at 130,000 GT, 14% more than Costa Fascinosa's 114,500 GT. Carnival Magic accommodates 678 more guests (3,690 vs 3,012), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Costa Fascinosa trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere. At 306 m, Carnival Magic stretches 16 m longer than Costa Fascinosa's 290 m, a meaningful difference in pier presence and onboard deck space.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Carnival Magic |
| Capacity | Carnival Magic |
| Modernity | Costa Fascinosa |
| Service | Carnival Magic |
| Spaciousness | Costa Fascinosa |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Carnival Magic |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Magic |
Bottom line: Carnival Magic leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Carnival Magic for overall superiority; pick Costa Fascinosa if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Magic if...
- Size matters to you (130,000 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,690 guests)
- Better service ratio (2.7:1 crew ratio)
Choose Costa Fascinosa if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2012, 1yr newer)
- More space per guest (38.0 GT/pax)
- Save $365/person on sailings
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Carnival Magic
Upcoming Sailings on Costa Fascinosa
Leaves in 8 days$100/person$100/night
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We compute scores across 8 categories using real spec data: gross tonnage, passenger capacity, crew capacity, year built, length, deck count, space ratio, and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship.
What is the space ratio and why does it matter?
Space ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity. A higher number means more space per guest. Luxury lines typically score above 40; mass-market ships often fall in the 30-40 range.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
Passengers per crew member. Lower is better, more staff per guest means better service. Luxury lines aim below 2:1; large mainstream ships may be 3-4:1.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices are sourced from Cruisebound and reflect real-time availability. They may change based on cabin type, date, and demand. Click through to see the latest fares.
Can I compare more than two ships?
Yes, up to four ships. Use the search tool on the compare hub page to add additional ships.
How current is the ship data?
Specifications come from our database of 380+ vessels, revalidated every 5 minutes via ISR. The "Updated" timestamp shows when records were last modified.
