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View Deal →Carnival Spirit vs Costa Mediterranea
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Carnival Spirit offers more personal space with a space ratio of 40.5 GT per passenger versus 32.1. Built in 2003, Costa Mediterranea is 2 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Spirit edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.3:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
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Category
Carnival Spirit
Costa Mediterranea
Size
85,920 GT
86,000 GT
Passengers
2,124
2,680
Year Built
2001
2003
Crew Ratio
1:2.3
1:3.0
Space Ratio
40.5
32.1
Decks
—
—
Length
290m
292m
From Price
$784/pp
—
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Spirit offers more personal space with a space ratio of 40.5 GT per passenger versus 32.1. Built in 2003, Costa Mediterranea is 2 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Spirit edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.3:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Costa Mediterranea |
| Capacity | Costa Mediterranea |
| Modernity | Costa Mediterranea |
| Service | Carnival Spirit |
| Spaciousness | Carnival Spirit |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Costa Mediterranea |
| Fleet Power | Costa Mediterranea |
Bottom line: Costa Mediterranea leads 5–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Costa Mediterranea for overall superiority; pick Carnival Spirit if Service matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Spirit if...
- Better service ratio (2.3:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (40.5 GT/pax)
Choose Costa Mediterranea if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2003, 2yr newer)
- Size matters to you (86,000 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,680 guests)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Sailing Prices
| Carnival Spirit | Costa Mediterranea | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $784 pp | — |
| Departing | Aug 18 | — |
| Duration | null nights | — |
| View Deal |
Prices from Cruisebound. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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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.
