Spots going fast9 Night Canada & New England Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Independence of the Seas
Sep 17, 2026 · 9 nights
North America
$1,387/person$154/night
View Deal →Independence of the Seas vs MSC Splendida
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
Independence of the Seas is the larger vessel at 154,407 GT, 12% more than MSC Splendida's 137,936 GT. Independence of the Seas offers more personal space with a space ratio of 35.3 GT per passenger versus 31.6. Independence of the Seas edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 3.2:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 6 – 1
Quick Compare
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Category
Independence of the Seas
MSC Splendida
Size
154,407 GT
137,936 GT
Passengers
4,370
4,363
Year Built
2008
2009
Crew Ratio
1:3.2
1:3.3
Space Ratio
35.3
31.6
Decks
—
—
Length
339m
333m
From Price
$1,386.61/pp
$1,362.99/pp
Comparison Verdict
Independence of the Seas is the larger vessel at 154,407 GT, 12% more than MSC Splendida's 137,936 GT. Independence of the Seas offers more personal space with a space ratio of 35.3 GT per passenger versus 31.6. Independence of the Seas edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 3.2:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Independence of the Seas |
| Capacity | Independence of the Seas |
| Modernity | MSC Splendida |
| Service | Independence of the Seas |
| Spaciousness | Independence of the Seas |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Independence of the Seas |
| Fleet Power | Independence of the Seas |
Bottom line: Independence of the Seas leads 6–1 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Independence of the Seas for overall superiority; pick MSC Splendida if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Independence of the Seas if...
- Size matters to you (154,407 GT)
- More onboard variety (4,370 guests)
- Better service ratio (3.2:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (35.3 GT/pax)
Choose MSC Splendida if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2009, 1yr newer)
- Save $23.62/person on sailings
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Independence of the Seas
Spots going fast
Leaves in 11 days$2,766/person$553/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 16 days9 Night Canada & New England Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Independence of the Seas
Oct 1, 2026 · 9 nights
North America
$1,413/person$157/night
View Deal →Upcoming Sailings on MSC Splendida
Spots going fast7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Sep 20, 2026 · 7 nights
Iberian Peninsula
$2,026/person$289/night
View Deal →Spots going fast7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Sep 21, 2026 · 7 nights
Iberian Peninsula
$2,352/person$336/night
View Deal →Leaves in 8 days7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Sep 23, 2026 · 7 nights
Iberian Peninsula
$1,363/person$195/night
View Deal →Hotels & Accommodations Near Miami Cruise Port
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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.
