Spots going fast7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Orchestra
Sep 11, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$946/person$135/night
View Deal →Costa Magica vs MSC Orchestra
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Costa Magica is the larger vessel at 102,587 GT, 11% more than MSC Orchestra's 92,409 GT. Built in 2007, MSC Orchestra is 3 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Costa Magica accommodates 166 more guests (2,716 vs 2,550), making it the larger resort-at-sea. MSC Orchestra trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
Score: 3 – 4
Quick Compare
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Category
Costa Magica
MSC Orchestra
Size
102,587 GT
92,409 GT
Passengers
2,716
2,550
Year Built
2004
2007
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:2.6
Space Ratio
37.8
36.2
Decks
—
—
Length
272m
293m
From Price
—
$872.37/pp
Comparison Verdict
Costa Magica is the larger vessel at 102,587 GT, 11% more than MSC Orchestra's 92,409 GT. Built in 2007, MSC Orchestra is 3 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Costa Magica accommodates 166 more guests (2,716 vs 2,550), making it the larger resort-at-sea. MSC Orchestra trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | MSC Orchestra |
| Capacity | Costa Magica |
| Modernity | MSC Orchestra |
| Service | MSC Orchestra |
| Spaciousness | Costa Magica |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | MSC Orchestra |
| Fleet Power | Costa Magica |
Bottom line: MSC Orchestra leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose MSC Orchestra for overall superiority; pick Costa Magica if Capacity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Costa Magica if...
- Size matters to you (102,587 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,716 guests)
- More space per guest (37.8 GT/pax)
Choose MSC Orchestra if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2007, 3yr newer)
- Better service ratio (2.6:1 crew ratio)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| Costa Magica | MSC Orchestra | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $872.37 pp |
| Departing | — | Sep 15 |
| Duration | — | 7 nights |
| View Deal |
Prices from Cruisebound. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on MSC Orchestra
Spots going fast
Spots going fast7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Orchestra
Sep 12, 2026 · 7 nights
Iberian Peninsula
$896/person$128/night
View Deal →
Spots going fast7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Orchestra
Sep 15, 2026 · 7 nights
Iberian Peninsula
$872/person$125/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.
