Departs tomorrow$711/person$102/night
View DealShip comparison
Costa Smeralda vs MSC Splendida
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Costa Smeralda wins 7 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Costa Smeralda
MSC Splendida
Size
185,010 GT
137,936 GT
Passengers
5,224
4,363
Year built
2019
2009
Crew ratio
3.1 guests per crew
3.3 guests per crew
Space ratio
35.4 GT per guest
31.6 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
337 m
333 m
From price
$711 pp
$1,117.54 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Costa Smeralda is the significantly larger vessel at 185,010 GT, 34% more than MSC Splendida's 137,936 GT. Costa Smeralda offers more personal space with a space ratio of 35.4 GT per passenger versus 31.6. Built in 2019, Costa Smeralda is 10 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Costa Smeralda |
| Capacity | Costa Smeralda |
| Modernity | Costa Smeralda |
| Service | Costa Smeralda |
| Spaciousness | Costa Smeralda |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Costa Smeralda |
| Fleet Power | Costa Smeralda |
Bottom line: Costa Smeralda leads 7–0 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Costa Smeralda for overall superiority; pick MSC Splendida if its strengths matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Costa Smeralda if
- You want the newer ship (built 2019, 10 years newer)
- Size matters to you (185,010 GT)
- More onboard variety (5,224 guests)
- More crew per guest (3.1 guests per crew)
Choose MSC Splendida if
- A strong all-round cruise ship
Prices
See Current Prices
You have compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Costa Smeralda | MSC Splendida |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $711 pp | $1,117.54 pp |
| Per night | $102 pp | $160 pp |
| Departing | Sep 26 | Sep 27 |
| Duration | 7 nights | 7 nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
Go deeper
Deep Dive
Sailings
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Costa Smeralda
Upcoming Sailings on MSC Splendida
Departs in 2 days7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Sep 27, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$1,118/person$160/night
View Deal
Departs in 3 days7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Sep 28, 2026 · 7 nights
Iberian Peninsula
$1,251/person$179/night
View Deal
Departs in 5 days7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Sep 30, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$1,748/person$250/night
View DealHotels & Accommodations Near Port of Marseille
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We score 8 categories from spec data: size, capacity, modernity, service, spaciousness, decks, length and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship. A category where either ship has no data is marked No data and left out of the score.
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, and mass-market ships often fall between 30 and 40.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
It is the number of guests for each crew member, shown as "3.0 guests per crew". Lower is better: more staff per guest usually means more attentive service. Luxury lines aim for fewer than 2 guests per crew, and large mainstream ships often carry 3 to 4.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices come from Cruisebound and are per person for the sailing shown. They change with cabin type, date and demand, so open the sailing to see the current fare.
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+ ships, and this page refreshes daily. An "Updated" date appears at the top when either ship's record changed in the last 30 days.
