If you’ve ever browsed cruise deals online and spotted a Costa cruise for what looks like pocket change, you’re not alone in wondering if it’s legit.
On one of my own sailings, I managed to snag a balcony cabin as a solo traveler for just £30 a night.
That’s cheaper than a budget hotel room on land! At first glance, it feels almost suspicious — how can a cruise line possibly make money offering fares like that?
When I compared Costa’s prices to other major cruise lines, I found that they’re often about 40% cheaper than the industry average.
That’s not just a small discount — it’s a massive price difference that naturally raises the question:
Are Costa Cruises genuinely a bargain, or is there a catch waiting for you once you step onboard?
Let’s dive into what you can actually expect on a Costa cruise — from ships and pricing quirks to food, entertainment, and those little hidden costs that can sneak up on you.
Why Costa Cruises Are So Cheap
So how do fares get as low as £30 a night? A big part of it comes down to how Costa structures its cruises.
Unlike most North American cruise lines, Costa (and its competitor, MSC) allows passengers to embark and disembark at multiple ports throughout the itinerary.
Imagine this: instead of everyone joining in Barcelona and sailing round-trip, some guests hop on in Marseille, others in Savona, and more in Rome.
It’s almost like a floating hop-on-hop-off bus. This setup has some advantages — it draws passengers from across Europe, making cruises more accessible.
But it also creates awkward itineraries that don’t always sell well, like short three-day cruises from Marseille to Savona.
These sailings are harder to fill, so Costa slashes the price to avoid sailing with empty cabins.
Where You’ll Find the Biggest Deals
- Short one-way cruises: These tend to be the cheapest since fewer people want them.
- Transatlantic crossings: If you don’t mind starting in a random place like Guadeloupe, you could sail for two weeks back to Europe for as little as £300 total.
- Last-minute bookings: Because Costa doesn’t want empty cabins, last-minute fares often drop dramatically.
Of course, the trade-off is flexibility. You might need to book odd flights or adjust your schedule, but the savings can be incredible.
First Impressions: Costa’s Ships Are Pretty Decent
When I boarded Costa Smeralda, one of Costa’s newest ships, my first thought was how sleek and modern it felt.
The design is fresh, colorful, and eye-catching, and the overall vibe is more stylish than I expected from such a budget cruise line.
Everything looked clean and well-kept, with quirky touches like a replica of the Statue of Liberty in the atrium and plenty of lush greenery indoors.
Costa is part of the Carnival Corporation family, which also owns brands like P&O Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, and AIDA.
Because many of these ships share the same hull design, Costa benefits from economies of scale.
In other words, they save money by reusing the same basic ship design across brands. That helps keep fares low without skimping too much on the “wow factor” in décor.
That said, not everything is perfect. On Costa Smeralda, for example, the theater had some odd sightline issues (I had trouble seeing the stage from my seat), and my stateroom came with a slightly bizarre feature: a shower with a window facing into the room. Let’s just say it wasn’t the most private setup!
Choosing the Right Ship Matters
Costa operates around 10 ships, and while the newer ones like Costa Smeralda feel stylish and modern, the older vessels tell a different story.
Take Costa Fortuna, for example. At over 20 years old and about half the size of the newer ships, it doesn’t exactly deliver the same experience.
In fact, it’s been ranked among the worst cruise ships in the world by multiple review platforms.
On the flip side, Costa Smeralda was ranked in the top 10 on some review lists.
So while booking a newer ship is generally a safer bet, even that doesn’t guarantee everything will be flawless.
Pro Tip: If you’re booking Costa, always check the ship’s launch year and size before you hit confirm. Newer = better experience (in most cases).
The Downsides: Maintenance While You Sail
Here’s where the budget side starts to show. On one of my Costa cruises, it was clear that the ship was mid-maintenance, with paying guests on board.
The main pool, the only outdoor hot tub, a big stretch of the promenade, and even some outdoor cafés were closed during my sailing.
Cruise lines normally schedule refurbishments during “dry dock” periods when no passengers are onboard.
But sometimes, especially with Costa, it seems they try to squeeze in maintenance while still operating cruises.
This isn’t the end of the world, but it can feel disappointing when half the venues you expected to enjoy are closed.
If your heart is set on lounging by the pool every day, you’ll want to double-check that your ship isn’t undergoing repairs during your sailing.
Life Onboard: Service and Crew-to-Guest Ratio
One thing you’ll notice quickly on a Costa cruise is that the service feels a little stretched.
Luxury cruise lines often have more crew members than passengers, while most mainstream cruise ships average about three crew members per guest.
Costa? It’s closer to four guests for every one crew member.
That difference may not sound like much, but it really shows up in the day-to-day experience:
- Expect longer lines at guest services.
- Service in the dining rooms can be slower than usual.
- Cabin areas and common spaces might take a bit longer to be tidied up.
It’s not that the crew isn’t hardworking — they are. In fact, they’re running on overdrive to serve more people than crew on many other lines.
But this is one of the ways Costa keeps its fares so cheap: fewer staff means lower payroll costs.
Watch Out for Extra Costs: Gratuities & Hidden Fees
Here’s something to know before you step onboard: Costa’s advertised prices don’t tell the full story.
While some cruise lines now bundle gratuities into the fare, Costa still adds them at the end of your cruise.
- Adults: €11 per day
- Kids: €5.50 per day
You can technically ask to have gratuities removed, but I personally wouldn’t recommend it.
Many crew members depend on these tips to supplement their low wages, and removing them often hurts the behind-the-scenes workers you never meet.
On top of that, every drink you order comes with a 15% service charge added to the bill. So if you’re budgeting based on menu prices, remember they’re not the final number.
Food on Costa Cruises: A Mixed Bag
If food is a highlight of cruising for you, Costa may not be the right fit. The culinary experience is one of the biggest compromises you make for those rock-bottom fares.
The buffet is small and unlabelled, which is tricky if you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or picky eaters in your family.
Crew members aren’t always able to answer ingredient questions either, partly because they’re dealing with guests in a dozen different languages.
The main dining room offers four-course meals, but not every dish hits the mark.
On my cruise, I was served:
- Chicken that was still pink inside
- Soups that arrived lukewarm
- A few dishes that just felt a bit… strange
That said, it wasn’t all bad. Some of the pasta dishes were genuinely delicious — easily some of the best I’ve had on a ship buffet.
And there were nights when the dining room food was really tasty. It’s just a gamble, and consistency isn’t Costa’s strong suit.
Another thing to note: food items you might expect to be included, like poolside pizza, chips, and ice cream, cost extra.
They’re only a few euros, but it adds up and is another way Costa balances out those low fares.
Even Water Costs Extra
This was probably the biggest shocker for me: Costa actually charges for water in the main dining room. Yep, plain old water.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Buffet: Free water (when open) + free tea, coffee, and juice at breakfast.
- Cabin: Tap water is drinkable, so you can refill a bottle there.
- Restaurants: You’ll need to buy bottled water (about €4 per litre).
The odd thing is that if you don’t finish your bottle of water or wine at dinner, the staff will save it for you and bring it back the next night.
So at least you don’t waste what you’ve paid for.
Tip: If you’re someone who drinks a lot throughout the day, a drinks package might save you money — but you’ll need to calculate carefully to see if you’ll actually break even.
Entertainment: Lower Your Expectations
Entertainment is where you really see how Costa struggles to cater to such an international crowd.
Comedy doesn’t work because of language barriers, and live singers are tricky when your guests come from a dozen different countries.
The solution? Mostly dance troupes in sparkly costumes with the occasional backflip.
It’s fine, but if you’re used to Broadway-style productions on ships like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian, you’ll probably find Costa’s shows underwhelming.
It’s not terrible — there’s music, lights, and a bit of fun — but it won’t be the highlight of your cruise.
Costa Cruises: Quick Pros & Cons Recap
Sometimes it helps to see everything at a glance, so here’s a breakdown of what you’ll love (and not love) about Costa Cruises:
Pros
- Super cheap fares – often 40% less than average cruise lines.
- Modern ships available – newer vessels like Costa Smeralda look stylish and fresh.
- Unique itineraries – embark and disembark at multiple ports across Europe.
- Fantastic deals on repositioning cruises – two weeks at sea for as little as £300.
- Solid pasta and Italian dishes – when the food hits, it really hits.
- Fun European vibe – mix of Italian, Spanish, German, French, and British guests.
Cons
- Inconsistent food quality – hit-and-miss meals and limited buffet options.
- Extra charges everywhere – even water in the main dining room costs extra.
- High guest-to-crew ratio – service can feel slow and stretched.
- Entertainment is basic – don’t expect Broadway-level shows.
- Older ships vary in quality – Costa Fortuna has been ranked among the worst ships.
- Surprise maintenance – venues may be closed for refurbishment during your sailing.
So, Is Costa Worth It?
Here’s the truth: Costa Cruises can be an amazing value if you snag the right deal.
If you’re cruising for under £40 a day, your options are basically Costa or camping, and I know which one I’d pick.
But if you find a sailing where Costa is priced the same as another mainstream line like MSC, Norwegian, or Royal Caribbean, I’d personally go with the alternative. You really do get what you pay for.
Costa is best for:
- Travelers who prioritize low cost above all else
- People who don’t mind quirky rules and hidden fees
- Cruisers who just want a cheap way to see Europe without spending much time in their cabin or worrying about gourmet food
If you fall into those categories, you’ll probably walk away happy. But if food, service, and entertainment are top of your list, you may find Costa’s cutbacks a bit too noticeable.
Should You Try Costa Cruises?
If you’re chasing the cheapest possible way to cruise Europe, Costa is hard to beat.
For budget-conscious travelers who don’t mind a few quirks, it can be a fun, affordable getaway.
But if dining, service, and top-notch entertainment matter more to you, Costa’s cost-cutting will be noticeable.
In that case, it may be worth paying a little more for another cruise line.
At the end of the day, Costa really is what it says on the tin: a budget-friendly cruise experience. Just go in with realistic expectations, and you’ll avoid that “too good to be true” disappointment.
