Spots going fast7 Night Europe - Western Mediterranean
Norwegian • Norwegian Dawn
Sep 13, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$1,059/person$151/night
View Deal →Costa Magica vs Norwegian Dawn
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Costa Magica is the larger vessel at 102,587 GT, 11% more than Norwegian Dawn's 92,250 GT. Built in 2004, Costa Magica is 2 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Dawn edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.3:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 3 – 4
Quick Compare
Scroll to compare
Category
Costa Magica
Norwegian Dawn
Size
102,587 GT
92,250 GT
Passengers
2,716
2,340
Year Built
2004
2002
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:2.3
Space Ratio
37.8
39.4
Decks
—
—
Length
272m
294m
From Price
—
$1,059/pp
Comparison Verdict
Costa Magica is the larger vessel at 102,587 GT, 11% more than Norwegian Dawn's 92,250 GT. Built in 2004, Costa Magica is 2 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Dawn edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.3:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Dawn |
| Capacity | Costa Magica |
| Modernity | Costa Magica |
| Service | Norwegian Dawn |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Dawn |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Norwegian Dawn |
| Fleet Power | Costa Magica |
Bottom line: Norwegian Dawn leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Dawn for overall superiority; pick Costa Magica if Capacity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Costa Magica if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2004, 2yr newer)
- Size matters to you (102,587 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,716 guests)
Choose Norwegian Dawn if...
- Better service ratio (2.3:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (39.4 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
We may earn a commission from partner bookings at no extra cost to you.
Sailing Prices
| Costa Magica | Norwegian Dawn | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $1,059 pp |
| Departing | — | Sep 13 |
| 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 Norwegian Dawn
Spots going fast
Leaves in 10 days$1,219/person$174/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 17 days7 Night Europe - Western Mediterranean
Norwegian • Norwegian Dawn
Sep 27, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$1,079/person$154/night
View Deal →Hotels & Accommodations Near Miami Cruise Port
Compare prices from 100+ booking sites
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.
