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View Deal →Costa Magica vs Norwegian Star
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Costa Magica is the larger vessel at 102,587 GT, 12% more than Norwegian Star's 91,740 GT. Built in 2004, Costa Magica is 3 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Star edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.3:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 3 – 4
Quick Compare
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Category
Costa Magica
Norwegian Star
Size
102,587 GT
91,740 GT
Passengers
2,716
2,348
Year Built
2004
2001
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:2.3
Space Ratio
37.8
39.1
Decks
—
—
Length
272m
294m
From Price
—
$999/pp
Comparison Verdict
Costa Magica is the larger vessel at 102,587 GT, 12% more than Norwegian Star's 91,740 GT. Built in 2004, Costa Magica is 3 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Star edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.3:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Star |
| Capacity | Costa Magica |
| Modernity | Costa Magica |
| Service | Norwegian Star |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Star |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Norwegian Star |
| Fleet Power | Costa Magica |
Bottom line: Norwegian Star leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Star 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, 3yr newer)
- Size matters to you (102,587 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,716 guests)
Choose Norwegian Star if...
- Better service ratio (2.3:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (39.1 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| Costa Magica | Norwegian Star | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $999 pp |
| Departing | — | Sep 27 |
| Duration | — | 10 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.
