Spots going fastAmerican Star vs Le Ponant
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
American Star is the larger vessel at 1,600 GT — 11% more than Le Ponant's 1,443 GT. Le Ponant offers more personal space with a space ratio of 22.6 GT per passenger versus 16.0. Built in 2007, American Star is 16 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 3 – 4
Quick Compare
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Category
American Star
Le Ponant
Size
1,600 GT
1,443 GT
Passengers
100
64
Year Built
2007
1991
Crew Ratio
1:2.9
1:2.1
Space Ratio
16.0
22.6
Decks
—
—
Length
53m
88m
From Price
—
$13,060/pp
Comparison Verdict
American Star is the larger vessel at 1,600 GT — 11% more than Le Ponant's 1,443 GT. Le Ponant offers more personal space with a space ratio of 22.6 GT per passenger versus 16.0. Built in 2007, American Star is 16 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Le Ponant |
| Capacity | American Star |
| Modernity | American Star |
| Service | Le Ponant |
| Spaciousness | Le Ponant |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Le Ponant |
| Fleet Power | American Star |
Bottom line: Le Ponant leads 4–3 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Le Ponant for overall superiority; pick American Star if Capacity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose American Star if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2007, 16yr newer)
- Size matters to you (1,600 GT)
- More onboard variety (100 guests)
Choose Le Ponant if...
- Better service ratio (2.1:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (22.6 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Sailing Prices
| American Star | Le Ponant | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $13,060 pp |
| Departing | — | Aug 15 |
| Duration | — | 7 nights |
| View Deal |
Prices from Cruisebound. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We compute scores across 8 categories using real spec data — gross tonnage, passenger capacity, crew capacity, year built, length, deck count, space ratio, and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship.
What is the space ratio and why does it matter?
Space ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity. A higher number means more space per guest. Luxury lines typically score above 40; mass-market ships often fall in the 30-40 range.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
Passengers per crew member. Lower is better — more staff per guest means better service. Luxury lines aim below 2:1; large mainstream ships may be 3-4:1.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices are sourced from Cruisebound and reflect real-time availability. They may change based on cabin type, date, and demand. Click through to see the latest fares.
Can I compare more than two ships?
Yes — up to four ships. Use the search tool on the compare hub page to add additional ships.
How current is the ship data?
Specifications come from our database of 380+ vessels, revalidated every 5 minutes via ISR. The "Updated" timestamp shows when records were last modified.
