Costa Cruise Ships By Age, Size, and Class

September 16, 2025

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Costa Cruise Ships by Age, Size, and Class

When most people think of cruising in Europe, lines like MSC or Royal Caribbean might spring to mind.

But if you’re hunting for a budget-friendly cruise without sacrificing the thrill of sailing across the Med or even the Caribbean, Costa Cruises should definitely be on your radar.

I’ve always thought of Costa as one of those lines that sneaks under the radar — it’s cheap, it’s accessible, and it offers surprisingly varied itineraries.

Beyond the classic Mediterranean routes, you’ll also find Costa ships exploring South America, the Caribbean, and further afield.

But before you book, it’s worth getting familiar with the fleet itself.

Costa’s ships vary significantly in size, age, and design — and the ship you choose can really shape the kind of experience you’ll have onboard.

In this guide, I’ll break down Costa Cruises’ ships by age, then we’ll look at them from biggest to smallest, explore the different ship classes, and finally cover which ships are the best picks depending on your style of cruising.

Costa Ships by Age: From Newest to Oldest

Now that we’ve covered the size of the ships, let’s take a look at their ages. For most travelers, the age of a cruise ship can impact everything from the décor to the onboard amenities.

Newer ships often feel fresher, more modern, and have a wider range of activities and dining options.

On the flip side, older ships might feel more traditional, but they can still offer a fantastic cruise experience — especially if you’re on a budget.

Here’s how the Costa fleet stacks up by age:

Ship	Class	Year Launched	Last Refurbished
Costa Toscana	Excellence	2021	N/A
Costa Smeralda	Excellence	2019	N/A
Costa Diadema	Diadema	2014	N/A
Costa Fascinosa	Concordia	2012	2018
Costa Favolosa	Concordia	2011	2018
Costa Deliziosa	Luminosa	2010	2018
Costa Pacifica	Concordia	2009	2017
Costa Serena	Concordia	2007	2023
Costa Fortuna	Fortuna	2003	2018

Breaking It Down:

Newest Ships – Costa Toscana (2021) and Costa Smeralda (2019) are the freshest faces in the fleet. If you’re after a brand-new ship with all the bells and whistles, these are the ships to choose.
Older Ships – Costa Fortuna (2003) might be the oldest, but she’s still a popular choice. If you don’t mind a slightly older vessel, she offers an affordable cruise experience, especially after her last refurbishment in 2018.
Recent Updates – Costa Serena received a major refurbishment in 2023, bringing her up to speed with more modern touches.

Costa Ships By Size: From Biggest to Smallest

Let’s start with size, because this is often the first thing people compare when choosing a ship.

Ship	Gross Tonnage	Length	Guest Decks	Guests (Max)	Crew
Costa Toscana	185,010	1105 ft / 337 m	16	6,554	1,646
Costa Smeralda	185,010	1105 ft / 337 m	16	6,554	1,646
Costa Diadema	133,019	1003 ft / 306 m	15	4,927	1,253
Costa Fascinosa	114,500	950 ft / 290 m	14	3,700	1,100
Costa Favolosa	114,500	950 ft / 290 m	14	3,700	1,100
Costa Pacifica	114,500	950 ft / 290 m	14	3,700	1,100
Costa Serena	114,500	950 ft / 290 m	14	3,700	1,100
Costa Fortuna	102,669	893 ft / 272 m	14	3,470	1,090
Costa Deliziosa	92,720	964 ft / 294 m	13	2,828	934

A Few Things to Keep in Mind:

Gross tonnage ≠ weight – GT is all about how much space is available onboard. That’s why Costa Deliziosa ranks last despite being longer than Costa Fortuna. With fewer decks, she simply has less usable space.
Maximum capacity is theoretical – The “guests” figure assumes every cabin is filled with 3–4 people. In reality, ships usually sail under that, since many cabins are occupied by couples or solo travelers.
Deck 0 quirk – Almost every Costa ship (except the two biggest) has a Deck 0 that passengers can access. The only thing there for guests? The medical center. Otherwise, it’s crew-only — and probably not where you’d want to spend your holiday.

The Giants: Costa Toscana & Costa Smeralda

The biggest stars of the Costa fleet are the Excellence Class twins, Costa Toscana and Costa Smeralda.

At 185,000 GT each, they’re massive — on par with the biggest ships in Carnival Corporation’s global fleet.

Why they stand out: They’re the first Costa ships powered by LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), a cleaner-burning fuel designed to reduce emissions.
Onboard vibe: Expect a bustling, modern atmosphere, with countless bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. These ships can feel crowded, but the trade-off is more variety and more things to do.

If you enjoy the big-ship energy — pool parties, nightlife, multiple dining options — these are the ships you’ll want to target.

The Smallest: Costa Deliziosa

At just under 93,000 GT, Costa Deliziosa is the smallest ship in Costa’s current fleet.

Don’t be fooled, though — she still carries nearly 3,000 passengers, so she’s not what most would consider a “small ship.”

Why she appeals: If you’re looking for a Costa cruise that’s a little less hectic, Deliziosa is your best bet.
The trade-off: With her size comes fewer dining and entertainment options compared to the Excellence Class ships.

Tip: Smaller ships like Deliziosa often appeal to those who want quieter spaces, easier navigation around the decks, and a slightly calmer atmosphere onboard.

The Costa Ship Classes: What’s the Difference?

Now that you know which ships are new or old, let’s dive into Costa’s ship classes.

Understanding the class of a ship can help you figure out what kind of onboard experience to expect.

Some classes focus on larger, more luxurious ships, while others are tailored to more budget-friendly options.

Here’s a breakdown of the five ship classes in Costa’s fleet and how they align with the broader Carnival Group:

Ship	Costa Class	Wider Carnival Group Class
Costa Toscana	Excellence	Excellence
Costa Smeralda	Excellence	Excellence
Costa Diadema	Diadema	Dream
Costa Deliziosa	Luminosa	Vista-Spirit
Costa Fascinosa	Concordia	Concordia
Costa Favolosa	Concordia	Concordia
Costa Pacifica	Concordia	Concordia
Costa Serena	Concordia	Concordia
Costa Fortuna	Fortuna	Destiny/Sunshine

Let’s Break Down Each Class:

Excellence Class (Costa Toscana & Costa Smeralda)
- These are the biggest and most modern ships in Costa’s fleet. They’re part of the same class as Carnival’s Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and P&O’s Iona. Expect luxurious amenities, more dining choices, and tons of activities. If you want the best of Costa, these ships are the way to go.
Diadema Class (Costa Diadema)
- Costa Diadema is part of the Dream Class, which includes Carnival’s Carnival Dream. While still large, the ships in this class are slightly smaller than the Excellence ships and focus on a mix of relaxation and entertainment.
Luminosa Class (Costa Deliziosa)
- Costa Deliziosa is the only ship in the Luminosa Class, which is connected to Carnival’s Carnival Luminosa (now part of the Carnival fleet). If you’re looking for something on the smaller side with a more traditional cruising feel, this is a great option.
Concordia Class (Costa Serena, Costa Pacifica, Costa Favolosa, Costa Fascinosa)
- The Concordia Class includes several mid-sized ships. They’re popular for a more traditional cruising experience, with a mix of family-friendly activities, entertainment, and a bit of old-school charm.
- Fun fact: The class was originally named after the ill-fated Costa Concordia, which sank in 2012.
Fortuna Class (Costa Fortuna)
- The Fortuna Class is the oldest class in Costa’s fleet and includes the Costa Fortuna. Ships in this class have a more classic cruising atmosphere and are usually the most affordable in the fleet, especially if you don’t mind an older ship.