Costa Toscana or Costa Smeralda: which ship should you choose?
Published: Catalog data current as of: 16.10.2026, 04:55
Costa Toscana and Costa Smeralda offer a close vacation format: Italian cuisine, entertainment, family areas, and different cabin categories. For most travelers, the route, port of embarkation, cabin location, and the tariff structure will be decisive. The ship’s name alone does not determine the quality of your trip.
A noticeable difference is in the public spaces: on Costa Toscana there is Piazza del Campo, and on Costa Smeralda - Piazza di Spagna. In both cases, these are open areas with sea views where you can spend time between excursions and evening sunsets.
Exact figures for available cruises and prices are calculated automatically and shown in the up-to-date table below. The final offer composition, cabin availability, and any mandatory add-on charges must be checked before booking.
Quick answer
- I want to vacation in the Piazza del Campo space.: Costa Toscana
- I like Piazza di Spagna with a view of the wake trail.: Costa Smeralda
- I want to visit Carlsberg Club & Bistro, as mentioned in the official description.: Costa Toscana
- The family format of Costa suits me, and the itinerary and cabin on Smeralda are more convenient.: Costa Smeralda
5 key differences
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Piazza del Campo
Costa Toscana
We choose Costa Toscana for the reader who values this open space above all.
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Spain Square
Costa Smeralda
We’re choosing Costa Smeralda for readers who like this area with the stairs and views of the wake trail.
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Carlsberg Club & Bistro
Costa Toscana
The official description of Toscana confirms this venue, so it can be an argument for supporters of this kind of format.
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Choosing a Family Cruise
Family options are available on both liners; cabin choice and convenience of the specific itinerary may be decisive.
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Practical value of the proposal
The itinerary, port of embarkation, and total budget need to be compared for specific bookings, so there is no permanent winner.
What they have in common
- Italian style and the combination of port excursions with onboard entertainment.
- Colosseum as one of the central public spaces.
- Gastronomic concepts Archipelago, Food LAB and Pummid'Oro.
- Children’s and family spaces, including the Squok Baby Area.
- Water park, spa, and fitness options.
- VIP Deck 19, as specified by Costa among the suite guests’ privileges on both liners.
| Criterion | Costa Toscana | Costa Smeralda |
|---|---|---|
| Live catalog data | ||
| Build year | 2021 | 2019 |
| Capacity | 6730 | 6554 |
| Cruises on sale | 382 | 384 |
| Minimum price of any cruise, from | €138 | €198 |
| Nearest departure | 22.10.2026 | 21.10.2026 |
| Editorial rating | ||
| Atmosphere and vacation format | Italian style, vibrant interiors, open spaces, and a variety of onboard activities. Suitable for those who want to alternate excursions with active recreation. | Italian style, public spaces for meeting, entertainment and relaxation by the water. It will be ideal for the same combination of port excursions and life onboard. |
| Open area with a sea view | Piazza del Campo. Be sure to pay attention to this space if you enjoy open areas for relaxation and events. | Piazza di Spagna. An open area with stairs and a view of the wake trail, also intended for games and entertainment activities. |
| Entertainment Center | Colosseo combines performances, entertainment events, and bars. The specific program is determined by the cruise. | The Colosseum is also a hub for performances, entertainment events, and bars. The mere fact of its existence does not give an advantage to one liner over another. |
| Gastronomy | Costa presents Archipelago, Sushino Lounge, Food LAB and Pummid'Oro Pizzeria. Please check the visit conditions and what’s included in the fare separately. | Costa presents Archipelago, Sushino at Costa, Food LAB, and Pummid'Oro Pizzeria. The presence of a venue does not mean that visiting it is included in the booking. |
| A special gastronomic highlight | Carlsberg Club & Bistro is listed among the venues on the official page of Costa Toscana. This is an additional reason if you’re specifically interested in this type of format. | On the official Costa Smeralda page used for the comparison, Carlsberg Club & Bistro is not listed. This is not an assessment of the quality of other venues. |
| Family vacation with children | Squok Club, teen programs, and the Squok Baby Area. Costa also describes a special restaurant for families on both of the liners being compared. | Squok Club, teen programs and the Squok Baby Area. The proven family format provides no grounds to consider this ship worse for children. |
| Water Activities | Splash Aqua Park and relaxation areas by the water. Check the ride operating hours and the children’s restrictions onboard. | Aqua Park Smeralda and rest areas by the water. For families, the rules for specific attractions and weather conditions are important. |
| Spa and workouts | Solemio Spa and the fitness center. Spa treatments and access conditions must be checked against the booking details. | Solemio Spa and the gym. There is no basis to choose a winner based only on the availability of these services. |
| Cabins and private leisure time | Choose a specific category, layout, and location. For quiet, check the neighboring rooms, and for outdoor relaxation, look for a private balcony or terrace. | Compare the equivalent category and location. A cabin that’s more convenient for you can be a stronger argument than differences in public areas. |
| Suite Privileges | An official certificate from Costa states that suite guests have access to VIP Deck 19. Please check the full list of privileges for your specific booking. | Costa’s official document also mentions VIP Deck 19 for suite guests. Having access to this area is not an exclusive advantage of Toscana. |
Who is Costa Toscana for?
- For travelers who are drawn to Piazza del Campo.
- For those who want to include Carlsberg Club & Bistro in their vacation plans.
- For families for whom Costa’s kids’ spaces and the specific accommodation on this sailing are a good fit.
- For couples and friends for whom the Toscana offer is the best choice by itinerary, cabin, or route to the port.
Who is Costa Smeralda for?
- For travelers who enjoy the Piazza di Spagna and a vacation with a view of the wake.
- For families looking for kids’ clubs, family spaces, and water fun.
- For those who want to combine Colosseo, dining establishments, and Solemio Spa.
- For couples and friends for whom the Smeralda sailing is more convenient by dates, boarding port, or available cabin.
What’s more important: the ship’s name or the specific itinerary?
If you don’t have a specific interest in a particular space or venue, start with your itinerary, cabin, and full budget.
Both liners make it possible to combine a family vacation, gastronomy, entertainment, and spa experiences. That’s why your choice should start with what will directly affect your trip: the desired ports, the length of port stays, the route to embarkation, and the cabin location.
The extra charge makes sense if it gives you a specific advantage: a more convenient flight, the cabin you want, an appropriate itinerary, or the opportunity to visit the venue you’re choosing the ship for.
Recommendations
- Compare routes by ports and time in port.
- Calculate the journey to the port with luggage, transfer, and a buffer time.
- Match equivalent cabins and check their location on the deck plan.
- Ask for a complete list of included services and mandatory charges.
- After that, evaluate how important the differences between public spaces are to you.
Cruise-Life editorial pick
Cruise-Life Editors' Choice: choose Costa Toscana if you’re drawn to Piazza del Campo and Carlsberg Club & Bistro. Costa Smeralda is worth choosing if you like Piazza di Spagna or if its specific sailing fits your plans better.
In the absence of any special preferences for these venues, we recommend choosing based on the itinerary, an easy route to the port, and a specific cabin. For family getaways, dining, and spa, there isn’t enough reason to declare one of these liners an unquestionable winner.
Current offers
Costa Toscana
382 cruises on sale
From €138 for 1 night
Nearest departure: 22.10.2026 from Civitavecchia, Italy
Costa Smeralda
384 cruises on sale
From €198 for 2 nights
Nearest departure: 21.10.2026 from Cagliari, Cerdeña
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth paying extra just for the name Costa Toscana?
There is no universal basis for such a surcharge. Compare the itinerary, the route to the port, cabin category and location, the composition of the fare, and the facilities you need. If the differences between public areas are insignificant for you, evaluate the overall offering.
Which of these liners is better for children?
Both have a confirmed family format with kids’ areas and water entertainment. The choice should be made based on the children’s ages, the sleeping arrangements, the itinerary, and the convenience of getting to the port. Please check the terms for small children in the clubs separately.
Is it quieter and less crowded on one of the ships?
Trusted sources do not provide grounds for such a general conclusion. The feeling of calm depends on the specific itinerary, the time you visit public areas, and the location of the cabin. Check what is above the cabin, below it, and next to it.
Does the price include all restaurants, drinks, and the spa?
Do not draw such a conclusion from the list of onboard venues. Inclusion of services depends on the fare, packages, and booking privileges. Before paying, ask the Cruise-Life manager to separately check food, drinks, the spa, the internet, and the mandatory charges.
How to correctly compare the cost of cruises Toscana and Smeralda?
Take close dates, the same duration, the composition of the tour group, and equivalent cabin categories. Add the mandatory payments, required packages, flights, baggage, transfers, and an overnight stay before embarkation. The price and availability may change until booking is confirmed.
What documents are required for Ukrainian tourists?
Requirements depend on all countries of the itinerary, transit points, and the immigration status of each traveler. Check the documents for the specific trip and route to the port, or contact a Cruise-Life manager.
Materials to help you choose
Update history
- Prepared a comparison based on Costa’s official descriptions; ship keys were verified using the Cruise-Life page addresses.
Sources and data freshness
- Costa Cruises: official description of spaces and activities aboard Costa Toscana Checked: officially verified
- Costa Cruises: official page of Costa Smeralda Checked: officially verified
- Costa Cruises: Kids’ Clubs and Family Spaces on Toscana and Smeralda Checked: officially verified
- Costa Cruises: information on services, cabins and suite privileges Checked: officially verified
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