Spots going fastCosta Mediterranea vs Norwegian Spirit
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Costa Mediterranea is the larger vessel at 86,000 GT — 13% more than Norwegian Spirit's 75,904 GT. Norwegian Spirit offers more personal space with a space ratio of 37.6 GT per passenger versus 32.1. Built in 2003, Costa Mediterranea is 5 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 5 – 2
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Category
Costa Mediterranea
Norwegian Spirit
Size
86,000 GT
75,904 GT
Passengers
2,680
2,018
Year Built
2003
1998
Crew Ratio
1:3.0
1:2.2
Space Ratio
32.1
37.6
Decks
—
—
Length
292m
268m
From Price
—
$1,078/pp
Comparison Verdict
Costa Mediterranea is the larger vessel at 86,000 GT — 13% more than Norwegian Spirit's 75,904 GT. Norwegian Spirit offers more personal space with a space ratio of 37.6 GT per passenger versus 32.1. Built in 2003, Costa Mediterranea is 5 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Costa Mediterranea |
| Capacity | Costa Mediterranea |
| Modernity | Costa Mediterranea |
| Service | Norwegian Spirit |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian 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 Norwegian Spirit if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Costa Mediterranea if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2003, 5yr newer)
- Size matters to you (86,000 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,680 guests)
Choose Norwegian Spirit if...
- Better service ratio (2.2:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (37.6 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| Costa Mediterranea | Norwegian Spirit | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $1,078 pp |
| Departing | — | Jul 31 |
| Duration | — | 16 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.
