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Ship comparison

EXPLORA III vs MSC Musica

Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. MSC Musica wins 4 of 7 scored categories.

At a glance

Quick Compare

Category
EXPLORA III
MSC Musica
Size
64,000 GT
92,409 GT
Passengers
922
2,550
Year built
2026
2006
Crew ratio
1.4 guests per crew
2.6 guests per crew
Space ratio
69.4 GT per guest
36.2 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
248 m
293 m
From price
$5,400 pp
$368.35 pp

The verdict

Comparison Verdict

MSC Musica is the significantly larger vessel at 92,409 GT, 44% more than EXPLORA III's 64,000 GT. EXPLORA III offers more personal space with a space ratio of 69.4 GT per passenger versus 36.2. Built in 2026, EXPLORA III is 20 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design.

CategoryWinner
SizeMSC Musica
CapacityMSC Musica
ModernityEXPLORA III
ServiceEXPLORA III
SpaciousnessEXPLORA III
DecksNo data
LengthMSC Musica
Fleet PowerMSC Musica

Bottom line: MSC Musica leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose MSC Musica for overall superiority; pick EXPLORA III if Modernity matter more to you.

Decide

Which Ship Is Right for You?

Choose EXPLORA III if

  • You want the newer ship (built 2026, 20 years newer)
  • More crew per guest (1.4 guests per crew)
  • More space per guest (69.4 GT per guest)
Book EXPLORA III

Choose MSC Musica if

  • Size matters to you (92,409 GT)
  • More onboard variety (2,550 guests)
Book MSC Musica

Prices

See Current Prices

You have compared the ships. Now see what they cost.

EXPLORA III

from $5,400 per person

Book EXPLORA III

MSC Musica

from $368.35 per person

Book MSC Musica
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Fares

Sailing Prices

DetailEXPLORA IIIMSC Musica
Cheapest$5,400 pp$368.35 pp
Per nightNo data$123 pp
DepartingNov 1Nov 23
Durationnull nights3 nights
View sailingView sailing

Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.

Go deeper

Deep Dive

Sailings

Upcoming Sailings

Upcoming Sailings on EXPLORA III

EXPLORA III sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico

A Journey Into Caribbean Exploration & Island Delights

Explora Journeys • EXPLORA III

Nov 1, 2026

Caribbean

$5,400/person
View Deal
EXPLORA III sailing from Miami, Florida

A Journey Through Beguiling Caribbean Coastlines & Lush Landscapes

Explora Journeys • EXPLORA III

Nov 8, 2026

Caribbean

$5,680/person
View Deal
EXPLORA III sailing from Miami, Florida

An Extended Journey Of Blissful Escapes & Shoreline Splendour

Explora Journeys • EXPLORA III

Nov 8, 2026

Egypt & Red Sea

$14,690/person
View Deal
Powered by Cruisebound

Upcoming Sailings on MSC Musica

MSC Musica sailing from Santos (Sao Paulo), Brazil

4 Night South America Cruise

MSC Cruises • MSC Musica

Nov 16, 2026 · 4 nights

South America

$486/person$122/night
View Deal
MSC Musica sailing from Santos (Sao Paulo), Brazil

3 Night South America Cruise

MSC Cruises • MSC Musica

Nov 20, 2026 · 3 nights

South America

$588/person$196/night
View Deal
MSC Musica sailing from Santos (Sao Paulo), Brazil

3 Night South America Cruise

MSC Cruises • MSC Musica

Nov 23, 2026 · 3 nights

South America

$368/person$123/night
View Deal
Powered by Cruisebound

Hotels & Accommodations Near Port of Santos

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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.