Departs in 4 days$542/person$135/night
View DealShip comparison
Iona vs MSC Virtuosa
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Iona wins 4 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Iona
MSC Virtuosa
Size
184,700 GT
181,541 GT
Passengers
5,200
6,334
Year built
2020
2021
Crew ratio
2.9 guests per crew
3.7 guests per crew
Space ratio
35.5 GT per guest
28.7 GT per guest
Decks
No data
19
Length
345 m
331 m
From price
No data
$541.77 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Iona offers more personal space with a space ratio of 35.5 GT per passenger versus 28.7. Iona edges ahead in service at 2.9 guests per crew, meaning more crew per guest. MSC Virtuosa accommodates 1,134 more guests (6,334 vs 5,200), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Iona trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Iona |
| Capacity | MSC Virtuosa |
| Modernity | MSC Virtuosa |
| Service | Iona |
| Spaciousness | Iona |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Iona |
| Fleet Power | MSC Virtuosa |
Bottom line: Iona leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Iona for overall superiority; pick MSC Virtuosa if its strengths matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Iona if
- Size matters to you (184,700 GT)
- More crew per guest (2.9 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (35.5 GT per guest)
Choose MSC Virtuosa if
- You want the newer ship (built 2021, 1 year newer)
- More onboard variety (6,334 guests)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Iona | MSC Virtuosa |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | No sailings | $541.77 pp |
| Per night | No data | $135 pp |
| Departing | No data | Sep 29 |
| Duration | No data | 4 nights |
| View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
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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.
