Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Celebration
- Cruises
- 19
- From
- $358
Ship comparison
Carnival Celebration vs Costa Smeralda
Costa Cruises
Costa Smeralda
- Cruises
- 105
- From
- $296
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Carnival Celebration is a mega Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 5,374 passengers, in service since 2022. Costa Smeralda is a mega Costa Cruises ship carrying 5,224 passengers, in service since 2019.
Choose Carnival Celebration if you want more of a party, a more active cruise or a better-rated spa and gym: it outscores Costa Smeralda for party (9.0 vs 5.0), active (7.0 vs 5.0) and spa & fitness (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Costa Smeralda if you want more cruises to choose from or a lower starting fare: it has 105 cruises on sale (vs 19) and its cruises start from $296 (vs $358).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Carnival Celebration | Costa Smeralda | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | Costa Cruises |
| Ship size | Mega | Mega |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2022 (better) | 2019 |
| Gross tonnage | 180,000 | 180,000 |
| Passengers | 5,374 | 5,224 |
| Crew | 1,735 | 1,646 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 3.1 (better) | 3.2 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 33.5 | 34.5 (better) |
| Cabins | — | 2,612 |
| Decks | 19 | 20 |
| Length | 1,130 ft | 1,105 ft |
| Beam | 137 ft | 137 ft |
| Speed | 20 mph | — |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 (better) | 6 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 19 | 105 |
| Upcoming sailings | 77 | 334 |
| Cruise lengths | 7–8 nights | 2–17 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $358 | $296 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Celebration leads on 7 of the ten, Costa Smeralda on 0, with 3 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Celebration
Carnival Celebration, the first megaship from Carnival Cruise Line with 5,374 passengers (double occupancy), debuted in November 2022 with short splash-and-dash sailings to the Caribbean out of Miami.
Sailing now
19 cruises on sale, from $358.
About Carnival Celebration Plan my cruise on Carnival Celebration
Costa Cruises
Costa Smeralda
The new flagship of the Costa Cruises fleet, Costa Smeralda debuted in December 2019 with hallmark Made in Italy touches throughout, from the public areas to the cabins.
Sailing now
105 cruises on sale, from $296.
Questions
Carnival Celebration or Costa Smeralda?
Which is bigger, Carnival Celebration or Costa Smeralda?
They are the same size, 180,000 gross tons each. Carnival Celebration carries 5,374 passengers and Costa Smeralda carries 5,224.
Which ship is newer, Carnival Celebration or Costa Smeralda?
Carnival Celebration is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2022 against 2019 for Costa Smeralda.
Which has more space per passenger?
Costa Smeralda, with 34.5 gross tons per passenger against 33.5 on Carnival Celebration. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Carnival Celebration, with one crew member for every 3.1 passengers against one for every 3.2 on Costa Smeralda.
Which is better for families?
They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10.
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