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THE BATTLE OF THE ITALIANS ON THE HIGH SEAS—COSTA CRUISES VS.MSC CRUISES.    (A critical review)

            Although all cruise lines in the same market category compete to garner the lion-share of passengers, the two Italian-theme lines, Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises, uniquely offer similar products attracting similar clientele. During the past five years, each has introduced numerous extravagantly designed and decorated vessels, generations beyond the older ships in their respective fleets.

            In recent years, Costa has sold off most of its older ships, renovated others, and embarked upon a program of new builds ranging from 53,000 to 114,500 gross registered tons (G.R.T.). The most upscale and modern ships—the three Concordia-Class and two Luminosa-Class-- entered service between 2006 and 2010.

                         The first new cruise ship built by MSC, the MSC Lirica jointed the fleet in 2003, followed by the MSC Opera in 2004.  Also in 2004, the 2002-vintage European Vision and European Star were purchased from bankrupt Festival Cruises and renamed MSC Armonia and MSC Sinfornia. Thereafter, between 2006 and 2010, MSC introduced its larger, more lavish, upscale new-builds, the four Musica-Class and two Fantasia-Class beauties.

                         To evaluate the cruise experience on these two cruise lines, and, in order to compare ships with the most similar size and facilities, I chose Costa Luminosa vs. MSC Poesia and Costa Pacifica vs. MSC Fantasia. I had sailed on Costa ships numerous times over the years, and was most anxious to see how the MSC vessels compared. I had sailed on MSC Orchestra last year, and recently spent an afternoon exploring, a sister ship, MSC Poesia.. In late May of this year I was able to experience the MSC Fantasia and its widely publicized Yacht Club accommodations on a Mediterranean sailing.

ACCOMODATIONS AND SPAS:

      The Costa and MSC ships all have the usual variety of stateroom categories; i.e., interior, ocean view without a balcony, ocean view with balconies and suites. Sub-categories are based mostly on location. The MSC Fantasia-class ships boast balconies in 77% of her accommodations, compared to only 39% for the Costa Concordia-class vessels.  Both MSC Poesia and Costa Luminosa offer balconies in approximately 65-68% of their cabins and suites.

       On both the Costa and MSC ships I found the staterooms in almost every category to be somewhat smaller than on some competing cruise lines; although they all included twin beds convertible to Queens, flat-screen TVs, private safes, refrigerator/mini-bars, telephones and either a chair or a couch. The bathrooms on the MSC non-suite cabins are a bit pristine and the small showers had the clingy, wrap-around curtains.

            For the health- conscious, spa aficionado, both of the Costa ships featured special spa accommodations that enjoy private access to the Samsara Spa, special spa packages, special in-room spa amenities and the privilege to dine in the Samsara Spa Restaurant free of charge. The MSC ships feature impressive Balinese-theme spas and fitness facilities, but no special spa accommodations. However, Yacht Club passengers have an elevator providing special access to the Spa, as well as use of the saunas, relaxation and steam rooms free of charge. Other passengers not taking a treatment must pay to enjoy these facilities.

            Although the suites on both cruise lines are more spacious and better appointed than the other staterooms, they are not as large or luxurious as on many other cruise lines. However, when it comes to top of the line perks, I found that MSC Fantasia-Class ships’ “MSC Yacht Club” concept takes the prize.  This 46,000-square-foot area, accessible only by private elevator features 99 Yacht Club accommodations ranging in size from 223 to 572 square feet (most closer to the lower range), 75 % with balconies.  It was quite an experience staying in this area with “perks” that  included: butler and concierge services, 24-hour room service, complementary laundry, dry-cleaning and shoe care, complementary wines, beers, name-brand liquors and aperitifs, fresh flowers, spa packages, your choice of morning newspapers, priority check-in, tender service and access to shore excursions, front row seating for theater performances, complementary meals in the specialty restaurants, as well as  a private outdoor lounge area with a pool, two whirlpools and a snack and beverage bar. The stunning, multi-function observation lounge features specialty coffees, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and light meals and snacks throughout the day and evening.  For those that can afford the extra tariff, this is certainly the best way to go.

DINING:

 Both Costa and MSC  offer dinner in two main restaurants in two sittings at set tables and do not offer open seating or “dine when you wish” which has become the trend on other major cruise lines. This, of course, could change in the future. However, there is open seating at breakfast and lunch. Italian specialties are featured at lunch and dinner.

On MSC ships there are additional charges for specialty coffees, ice tea and bottle water. (Italians will not drink tap water; and therefore, it is not served when sailing in Europe.)

 On the two Costa ships (that only sail in Europe), Cappuccino and espresso are free with breakfast but there is a charge at other times; and bottle water incurs a charge but tap water is available at no charge.

The buffet-style eateries are also similar on all four ships. Instead of food stations that are scattered over the restaurant, the various offerings are presented side by side and passengers must queue up in long lines. This area often becomes quite crowded and not very desirable.

On the Costa ships, the alternative, fine dining venues feature steakhouse, continental menus designed by Michelin-star rated chef, Ettore Bochia, the originator of molecular cuisine with a la carte pricing. Additionally, non-spa guests can dine at the Samsara Spa restaurant for a fee. Room service is complementary in North America; however there is a small charge when sailing in Europe.

On MSC, the reservation-only, fine-dining restaurants feature French/continental offerings on Fantasia and Italian/continental fare on Poesia, both with a la carte pricing. Additional options for MSC passengers include coffee/pastry bistros, wine bars with antipasti, and a Tex-Mex restaurant on Fantasia and a Japanese restaurant on Poesia. A continental breakfast is available free of charge however room service thereafter is only free when sailing in North America or the Caribbean.  

The entire dining experience (cuisine, presentation, service, variety, etc) on both cruise lines seems to suffer when the ships are sailing in European and Middle-Eastern waters.

            FACILITIES, ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT:

            All of the ships have large Lido areas with several pools and Jacuzzis.  Costa Pacifica, MSC Fantasia and MSC Poesia have giant LED movie screens in the pool areas. These ships (other than MSC Poesia) have magrodomes over at least one pool. All four have children’s pools, multi-purpose sport courts, shuffleboard and jogging tracks. MSC Fantasia also features an Aqua Park with 150 illuminated magical fountains, a solarium/sunning terrace with cabanas, and a miniature golf course. Costa Luminosa has a roller blading track, and a putting green. Both Costa ships have Grand Prix Driving Simulators and multi-language head phones for guests watching movies by the pool.

     The interior  lounges and other facilities are very similar on all four ships and include multi-level show lounges offering  Broadway-style musicals, classical performances, cabaret shows and crew and passenger talent shows, casinos, numerous theme bars, wine bars, cigar lounges,  a variety of venues for listening and dancing, discos, libraries, internet facilities, card rooms, chapels, hospitals, art galleries, large spas, fully-equipped fitness centers, changing rooms, sauna and steam,  hairdresser/beauty salons, a variety of shops, special facilities for children with age appropriate activities and teen centers, as well as Play Stations, (the facilities and programs are not as extensive as on RCL, Carnival, Disney and Princess vessels), and a variety of activities throughout the day and evening (many geared to European tastes).

            Several unique facilities include: a professional recording studio on the Costa Pacifica where guests can record their own C/Ds with backup (35 euros); a 4-D cinema on the MSC Fantasia; the Samsara Spa on the Costa ships; and the Bali-inspired, Aurea Spa on the MSC vessels.

ITINERARIES AND SHORE EXCURSIONS:

            Inasmuch as both cruise lines enjoy large fleets, they are able to position their ships at various cruise grounds around the world. Both cruise lines have numerous ships in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, as well as, Dubai and the Middle East, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, South America, and Canada/New England. Costa also has ships in the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and the Canary Islands.

            The Costa Pacifica and MSC Fantasia offer year-round Mediterranean cruises. Costa Luminosa cruises from its home port of Dubai during the winter, Northern Europe in the summer and the Western Mediterranean during spring and fall. MSC Poesia sails in the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale during the colder months and in the Mediterranean the rest of the year.

            All the ships offer the usual array of shore excursions; however they do not provide much information for the passengers not wishing to take a tour; and generally they do not provide complementary shuttle service into the towns.

MAJOR SIMILARITIES (Good and Not So Good):

--When sailing in Europe, both cruise lines are marketed mainly to Europeans, and the passenger composition is predominantly Italians and other Europeans (often as high as 90%); the Euro is the shipboard currency; dining, entertainment, and shore excursions are geared to European tastes; there are separate charges for many items which are gratis in the Caribbean; and there are a greater number of smokers.

--When sailing in North America and the Caribbean, the majority of passengers are North American; the currency is the US dollar; and dining and entertainment are modified to appeal to the passenger demographics.

---Boat drill and most important announcements are given in five different languages.

--The main dining rooms feature Italian offerings, mediocre cuisine, and continue the practice of assigned tables at dinner offered in two sittings.

--Accommodations are a somewhat smaller and sparser than on many other cruise ships that have entered service during the past few years.

--The main officers and those holding jobs of authority are Italian and the crew is a mixture of Indonesian, Indian, South African, Filipino, Southeast Asian, Romanian, Hungarian, and Croatian, with a few Western Europeans in positions that require greater language expertise.

--There is an abundance of music and dancing venues—greater than on competing cruise lines.

--Prices in all stateroom categories are quite reasonable for these glamorous ships when compared to competing lines; although the divergence in “early booking”, “brochure rates”, and “special pricing” makes it difficult to discern what the average price is for any particular category of accommodation. Prices are quite a bit higher when the ships are sailing in Europe.

MAJOR DIFFERENCES ( Good and not so good);

--The newer Costa ships have been designed by Joe Farcus, the design genius who fashioned all of the Carnival ships. Thus, the décor is original, bold, brash and more fantasy-style. On the newer MSC vessels, the staterooms are more traditional; however the public areas on MSC Fantasia are lavishly and uniquely decorated in a style that could be described as a combination of modern, art deco and imaginative/eclectic. .  

--On MSC children 17 and under, sharing a cabin with two adults, sail free, and are visible in abundance.

--Costa’s Samsura Spa, the numerous Spa accommodations, and the Samsura Spa Restaurant will appeal to more health-conscious cruisers.

--The MSC Yacht Club on Fantasia-class ships provides a more exclusive, upscale experience for passengers willing to pay more for the additional perks, exclusivity and pampering.

            It does seem that the similarities (both favorable and unfavorable) are more prevalent than the differences. Accommodations, entertainment, dining, service, passenger mix and pricing are so similar, that one would not likely discern the difference between traveling on one cruise line or the other.

            The bottom line for English-speaking cruisers: The experience on both cruise lines will be more akin to that on U.S. and English owned ships when sailing in the Caribbean or North America; save for the fact that announcements are given in five languages, and there is a greater emphasis on Italian cuisine and European-style entertainment. By contrast, when sailing in the Mediterranean or elsewhere in Europe, expect to pay extra for items that are normally gratis; realize that it will be difficult to cultivate friendships or conversation with the non-English-speaking passengers; there will be many families with young children; and be prepared to appreciate and make allowances for the cultural differences.

                                                            SIDE BAR

BASIC STATISTICS FOR EACH CLASS OF RECENT NEW-BUILDS: 

COSTS LUMINOSA-CLASS:                                 MSC MUSICA CLASS:

Costa Luminosa(2009)                                              MSC Musica    (2006)

Costa Deliziosa (2010)                                              MSC Orchestra (2007)

                                                                                   MSC Poesia      (2008)

                                                                                   MSC Magnifica (2010)

                                                                                   MSC Meraviglia (2011)

92,600 G.R.T.                                                             92,400-93,300 G.R.T.

965’long x 106’wide                                                   963.9’long x 105.6’wide

2,826-passenger capacity                                           3,013-passenger capacity

(2,264 double occupancy.)                                         (2,550 double occupancy)

1,132 staterooms (68% balconies)                             1,275 staterooms (65%balconies)                                                                                                                                   Italian officers & international crew                          Italian officers & international crew.

 COSTA CONCORIA CLASS:                                MSC FANTASIA CLASS:

Costa Concordia (2006)                                           MSC Fantasia ( 2008)

Costa Serena (2007)                                                 MSC Splendida (2009)

Costa Pacifica ( 2009)

Costa Favolosa (2011)

114,000-114,500 G.R.T.                                           133,500 G.R.T.

950’long x 116’wide                                                 1,093’long x 124’wide

3,780-passenger capacity                                          4,100-passenger capacity

(3,000 double occupancy)                                         (3,274 double occupancy)

1,500 cabins (39% with balconies)                           1,637 cabins (77% with balconies)

Italian officers & international crew                         Italian officers & international crew.