Leaves in 8 daysAzamara Journey vs Viking Polaris
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Viking Polaris offers more personal space with a space ratio of 79.4 GT per passenger versus 43.1. Built in 2022, Viking Polaris is 22 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Viking Polaris edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 1.5:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
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Category
Azamara Journey
Viking Polaris
Size
30,277 GT
30,000 GT
Passengers
702
378
Year Built
2000
2022
Crew Ratio
1:1.8
1:1.5
Space Ratio
43.1
79.4
Decks
—
—
Length
181m
205m
From Price
$3,409/pp
$15,195/pp
Comparison Verdict
Viking Polaris offers more personal space with a space ratio of 79.4 GT per passenger versus 43.1. Built in 2022, Viking Polaris is 22 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Viking Polaris edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 1.5:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Viking Polaris |
| Capacity | Azamara Journey |
| Modernity | Viking Polaris |
| Service | Viking Polaris |
| Spaciousness | Viking Polaris |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Viking Polaris |
| Fleet Power | Azamara Journey |
Bottom line: Viking Polaris leads 5–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Viking Polaris for overall superiority; pick Azamara Journey if Capacity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Azamara Journey if...
- Size matters to you (30,277 GT)
- More onboard variety (702 guests)
- Save $11,786/person on sailings
Choose Viking Polaris if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2022, 22yr newer)
- Better service ratio (1.5:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (79.4 GT/pax)
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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.
