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L'Austral vs MS Nordkapp

Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026

L'Austral offers more personal space with a space ratio of 41.5 GT per passenger versus 24.5. Built in 2011, L'Austral is 15 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. L'Austral edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 1.9:1, meaning more crew per guest.

Score: 52

Quick Compare

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Category
L'Austral
MS Nordkapp
Size
10,944 GT
11,386 GT
Passengers
264
464
Year Built
2011
1996
Crew Ratio
1:1.9
1:7.7
Space Ratio
41.5
24.5
Decks
Length
142m
123m

Comparison Verdict

L'Austral offers more personal space with a space ratio of 41.5 GT per passenger versus 24.5. Built in 2011, L'Austral is 15 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. L'Austral edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 1.9:1, meaning more crew per guest.

CategoryWinner
SizeL'Austral
CapacityMS Nordkapp
ModernityL'Austral
ServiceL'Austral
SpaciousnessL'Austral
DecksTie
LengthL'Austral
Fleet PowerMS Nordkapp

Bottom line: L'Austral leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose L'Austral for overall superiority; pick MS Nordkapp if its strengths matter more to you.

Which Ship Is Right for You?

Choose L'Austral if...

  • You want the newer ship (built 2011, 15yr newer)
  • Better service ratio (1.9:1 crew ratio)
  • More space per guest (41.5 GT/pax)
Book L'Austral

Choose MS Nordkapp if...

  • Size matters to you (11,386 GT)
  • More onboard variety (464 guests)
Book MS Nordkapp

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L'Austral

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MS Nordkapp

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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.