Mediterranean Cruises: MSC or Costa?
FR

Translated into English.

Original post
VA
Hi,

We’re planning a Mediterranean cruise with either MSC or Costa—any recommendations on which to choose? Could you share the pros and cons of each?

We’re 2 adults and 1 young adult (18). Thanks for your feedback! Val
MU Mum49 Regular ·
Hi there,

MSC: You have to pay the "onboard stay" package of 12 € per night per adult AT THE TIME OF RESERVATION. For excursions, you also have to pay when you want to book them, and they’re non-refundable if you cancel the cruise for any reason, even if it’s justified.

COSTA: "Onboard stay fee: 11 € per night per adult, payable EITHER at the time of booking or during the cruise. Excursions can be booked as soon as you sign up and are PAYABLE ONBOARD.

For both MSC and COSTA, excursions are more expensive if you book them onboard, but many can be done on your own—you’ll find plenty of tips on this site, among others. Happy cruising! Mum 49
IF Ifyoucruise Regular ·
The two companies are somewhat equivalent, but it's hard to give you a definitive opinion because it also depends on the ship and the itinerary.

MSC: Ships are more "sparkling," so generally more bling-bling (though again, this depends on the ship). The clientele is mostly international, with a strong Italian presence. Food on board is pretty good (though that obviously depends on taste). The newer ships are quite modern and offer plenty of activities for teens/kids, like arcade rooms and drone schools.

Costa: Mostly Italian clientele with fewer international passengers. Some ships can be quite old and less modern than MSC (but again, this depends on the ship). Ships are generally smaller than MSC’s (though, you guessed it, it depends on the ship).

Overall, both companies offer similar services and target the same market segment. For me, the choice should be based on the itinerary and the ship you like best. It’s hard to say one is better than the other because it really depends on what you like and what you’re looking for. That said, I’ll admit I prefer MSC over Costa—I find it’s generally better organized, the food is better, and the ships are more modern.
A chaque escale une nouvelle histoire - Agent de Voyage spécialisée en croisière
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
We want to take a cruise in the Mediterranean, MSC or Costa, which one to choose?

Hi, MSC of course!

In 2022, MSC Cruises' fleet alone emitted as much sulfur dioxide as nearly 300 million cars. The Carnival Group and its fleet of 63 ships emitted 43% more sulfur dioxide than all the cars in Europe!

https://www.futura-sciences.com/planete/actualites/trafic-maritime-pollutions-nuisances-decouvrez-face-cachee-paquebots-croisiere-106930/

A cruise ship docked for one hour emits as much pollution as about 30,000 vehicles driving at 30 km/h. The heavy fuel oil used by cruise ships contains 3,000 times more sulfur than automotive diesel.

https://www.senat.fr/questions/base/2023/qSEQ230607193.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
TO Tonyma Regular ·
Costa tends to cater more to families with kids who’ll spend money in the shops, at the ice-cream parlour, on drinks, etc. You’re constantly being pushed to buy extras (wine, beef ribs, lobster). It’s also noisier around the pool.

For couples, MSC is more attentive to our needs.

At MSC, you can eat pizza all afternoon—it’s made on the spot and really good—whereas at Costa, pizza costs extra. MSC docks in Genoa, Costa in Savona. Genoa is more interesting.

Also, with MSC, you keep your club points, but with Costa, you lose them quickly if you don’t take several cruises in a year. We’ve been upgraded multiple times on MSC, but never on Costa.

It’s better to depart from Marseille on a Sunday because if you leave on a Saturday, you’ll arrive at the first port on Sunday when everything in town is closed.
PE Peyregoue ·
Hi there, I’m familiar with both companies. I much prefer MSC over Costa because, onboard Costa, there are *a lot* of Italians—and that’s the issue. They’re loud, cheaters, liars who cut in line for restaurants or excursions, etc. Even though Italians are also on MSC, it’s less of a low-cost vibe like Costa.

Also, the excursions are way too expensive (double the real price you’d find at the port), as are the drinks and daily taxes.

Still, cruising is always fun, and for a young adult, there’s plenty to do!

We’re planning a Mediterranean cruise—MSC or Costa—which should we choose? Can you share the pros and cons of each?

We’re 2 adults + an 18-year-old. Thanks for your feedback! Val[]
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
Costa has a lot of Italians on board, and that's the problem. Noisy, cheaters, liars who cut in line for restaurants or excursions, etc....

Thanks! An Italian.

Have a great cruise because it's always fun, and for a young person, there's plenty to do

With the Italians!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
PE Peyregoue ·
Hi again. My mother is Italian, born in Modena. And what I say about Italians is true and widely shared by many cruisers. Italians are who they are, with their flaws and qualities, just like the French, but let's be honest—it's annoying to constantly get cut in line with unjustified excuses, or deal with noisy meals when you're trying to have lunch or dinner. Or hearing that the best seats on the buses are "reserved for Italians," etc. But of course, this message is friendly!
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
But of course this message is friendly

Same for mine ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
PE Peyregoue ·
Of course. Especially since, given your background, you have greetings from a qualified Alouette II and III helicopter pilot and former glider pilot who’s also Italian on his mother’s side. Best regards and *buona fine giornata*
AV Avionsol Regular ·
Djalma is right, and the judgment on Italians is really exaggerated. Sure, Italians do talk loudly—that’s true. But do you think we French are any more discreet?

We took a transatlantic cruise in November-December on the Costa Fortuna. There were between 2,300 and 2,500 passengers, including 1,300 French. Well, we noticed that some French people also talk very loudly. The only difference is that we understand what’s being said, and it’s not always highbrow.

We witnessed some "squabbles" in the restaurant. Some people were cheating. The arguments were in French. At the theater, a poor elderly lady had been tasked with reserving 9 seats—obviously very well-placed ones—for her friends who were supposed to arrive just before the show started. She didn’t succeed in her mission, which is understandable. This elderly lady was French, and so were her friends. On the deck, all the lounge chairs were reserved early in the morning with towels. When we passed by during the day, many of the chairs weren’t even occupied.

So, the problem isn’t about nationality. It’s common to see inappropriate behavior in a crowd, even though most people behave just fine. When you go on a cruise, you have to be aware of these issues. And once you know about them, everything goes smoothly. That’s just how the world is...
PE Peyregoue ·
Of course, as I was saying, the strengths and weaknesses of the Italians, just like the French, are fair and sometimes similar. Being half-French and half-Italian, and having been on over thirty cruises—mostly with Costa and a few with MSC—I can tell you that eating next to Italians is really tough, but that’s just how they live. The main thing is they’re always looking for tricks to skip the line, whether it’s at the restaurant or in queues. And that’s just the start… there’s a lot more. Since I’m from both nationalities, I can really tell the difference, especially on Costa. I was on the *Renaissance* with CFC, and there weren’t any big groups of Italians—just a few couples—and it was perfect for Christmas and New Year’s. Believe me, it was *so* much less stressful. Now, don’t get me wrong—I *love* Italy: the food, the sunshine, *la dolce vita*, ristretto coffee, pasta (especially the real carbonara), and their joy for life. Have a great rest of the day, and maybe we’ll run into each other on a cruise someday—but definitely not on Costa anymore, that’s for sure!
PO Poste42 Veteran ·
Hi there. I’ve noticed that French people don’t seem to mind queues—they’re even really patient in those situations. You see it at store checkouts, bakeries, government offices, and everywhere else.

Back in September, I’d booked an excursion to Marmaris. On the bus, there was a group of French people, a group of Germans, and a group of Brits. Right from the start, the French group kicked up a fuss over the seats. The guide, who spoke French, calmed everyone down with a smile, saying, “Oh, you French—don’t start complaining already!” After that, the situation settled down. Sometimes, all it takes is the right word and a bit of humor.

Similar discussions

You might also like