Leaves in 8 days$1,009/person$144/night
View Deal →Costa Mediterranea vs Norwegian Gem
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Norwegian Gem is the larger vessel at 93,530 GT, 9% more than Costa Mediterranea's 86,000 GT. Norwegian Gem offers more personal space with a space ratio of 39.1 GT per passenger versus 32.1. Built in 2007, Norwegian Gem is 4 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 2 – 5
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Category
Costa Mediterranea
Norwegian Gem
Size
86,000 GT
93,530 GT
Passengers
2,680
2,394
Year Built
2003
2007
Crew Ratio
1:3.0
1:2.3
Space Ratio
32.1
39.1
Decks
—
—
Length
292m
294m
From Price
—
$989/pp
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Gem is the larger vessel at 93,530 GT, 9% more than Costa Mediterranea's 86,000 GT. Norwegian Gem offers more personal space with a space ratio of 39.1 GT per passenger versus 32.1. Built in 2007, Norwegian Gem is 4 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Gem |
| Capacity | Costa Mediterranea |
| Modernity | Norwegian Gem |
| Service | Norwegian Gem |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Gem |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Norwegian Gem |
| Fleet Power | Costa Mediterranea |
Bottom line: Norwegian Gem leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Gem for overall superiority; pick Costa Mediterranea if Capacity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Gem if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2007, 4yr newer)
- Size matters to you (93,530 GT)
- 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 Mediterranea | Norwegian Gem | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $989 pp |
| Departing | — | Oct 4 |
| 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 Gem
Leaves in 8 days
Leaves in 15 days$1,069/person$153/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.
