$3,499/person$269/night
View DealShip comparison
Balmoral vs Viking Sea
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Viking Sea wins 5 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Balmoral
Viking Sea
Size
43,537 GT
47,800 GT
Passengers
1,325
930
Year built
1988
2016
Crew ratio
2.6 guests per crew
1.7 guests per crew
Space ratio
32.9 GT per guest
51.4 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
218 m
229 m
From price
No data
$3,499 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Viking Sea is the larger vessel at 47,800 GT, 10% more than Balmoral's 43,537 GT. Viking Sea offers more personal space with a space ratio of 51.4 GT per passenger versus 32.9. Built in 2016, Viking Sea is 28 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Viking Sea |
| Capacity | Balmoral |
| Modernity | Viking Sea |
| Service | Viking Sea |
| Spaciousness | Viking Sea |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Viking Sea |
| Fleet Power | Balmoral |
Bottom line: Viking Sea leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Viking Sea for overall superiority; pick Balmoral if Capacity matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Viking Sea if
- You want the newer ship (built 2016, 28 years newer)
- Size matters to you (47,800 GT)
- More crew per guest (1.7 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (51.4 GT per guest)
Prices
See Current Prices
You have compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Balmoral | Viking Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | No sailings | $3,499 pp |
| Per night | No data | $269 pp |
| Departing | No data | Mar 6 |
| Duration | No data | 13 nights |
| View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
Go deeper
Deep Dive
Sailings
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Viking Sea
20 Night Mediterranean & Atlantic Crossing
Viking Ocean • Viking Sea
Mar 6, 2027 · 20 nights
Mediterranean
$7,498/person$375/night
View Deal
$3,599/person$514/night
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We score 8 categories from spec data: size, capacity, modernity, service, spaciousness, decks, length and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship. A category where either ship has no data is marked No data and left out of the score.
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, and mass-market ships often fall between 30 and 40.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
It is the number of guests for each crew member, shown as "3.0 guests per crew". Lower is better: more staff per guest usually means more attentive service. Luxury lines aim for fewer than 2 guests per crew, and large mainstream ships often carry 3 to 4.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices come from Cruisebound and are per person for the sailing shown. They change with cabin type, date and demand, so open the sailing to see the current fare.
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+ ships, and this page refreshes daily. An "Updated" date appears at the top when either ship's record changed in the last 30 days.
