Costa Cruises
Costa Smeralda
- Cruises
- 105
- From
- $296
Ship comparison
Costa Smeralda vs MSC World America
MSC Cruises
MSC World America
- Cruises
- 13
- From
- $443
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Costa Smeralda is a mega Costa Cruises ship carrying 5,224 passengers, in service since 2019. MSC World America is a mega MSC Cruises ship carrying 5,240 passengers, in service since 2025.
Choose Costa Smeralda if you want a lower starting fare or more cruises to choose from: its cruises start from $296 (vs $443) and it has 105 cruises on sale (vs 13).
Choose MSC World America if you want more of a party, better-rated entertainment or more crew per passenger: it outscores Costa Smeralda for party (9.0 vs 5.0) and entertainment (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has a crew member for every 2.5 passengers (vs 3.2).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Costa Smeralda | MSC World America | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Costa Cruises | MSC Cruises |
| Ship size | Mega | Mega |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2019 | 2025 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 180,000 | 215,863 |
| Passengers | 5,224 | 5,240 |
| Crew | 1,646 | 2,138 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 3.2 | 2.5 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 34.5 | 41.2 (better) |
| Cabins | 2,612 | — |
| Decks | 20 | 20 |
| Length | 1,105 ft | 1,093 ft |
| Beam | 137 ft | 154 ft |
| Speed | — | 26 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 6 / 10 | 8 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 105 | 13 |
| Upcoming sailings | 334 | 218 |
| Cruise lengths | 2–17 nights | 6–15 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $296 (better) | $443 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Costa Smeralda leads on 0 of the ten, MSC World America on 8, with 2 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
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.
MSC Cruises
MSC World America
MSC World America became a notable addition to the MSC Cruises fleet in April 2025 with voyages from Miami to the Caribbean. This ship is the Swiss-based cruise line's second World Class ship, marking a milestone as the first in the class dedicated specifically to the U.S. market.
Sailing now
13 cruises on sale, from $443.
Questions
Costa Smeralda or MSC World America?
Which is bigger, Costa Smeralda or MSC World America?
MSC World America is bigger at 215,863 gross tons, against 180,000 gross tons for Costa Smeralda. Costa Smeralda carries 5,224 passengers and MSC World America carries 5,240.
Which ship is newer, Costa Smeralda or MSC World America?
MSC World America is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2019 for Costa Smeralda.
Which has more space per passenger?
MSC World America, with 41.2 gross tons per passenger against 34.5 on Costa Smeralda. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
MSC World America, with one crew member for every 2.5 passengers against one for every 3.2 on Costa Smeralda.
Which is better for families?
MSC World America scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10, against 8.0 for Costa Smeralda.
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