Spots going fast$2,749/person$393/night
View Deal →Marella Discovery 2 vs Riviera
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Marella Discovery 2 is the larger vessel at 71,545 GT, 8% more than Riviera's 66,084 GT. Riviera offers more personal space with a space ratio of 52.9 GT per passenger versus 39.4. Built in 2012, Riviera is 17 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
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Category
Marella Discovery 2
Riviera
Size
71,545 GT
66,084 GT
Passengers
1,814
1,250
Year Built
1995
2012
Crew Ratio
1:2.5
1:1.6
Space Ratio
39.4
52.9
Decks
—
—
Length
264m
239m
From Price
—
$2,749/pp
Comparison Verdict
Marella Discovery 2 is the larger vessel at 71,545 GT, 8% more than Riviera's 66,084 GT. Riviera offers more personal space with a space ratio of 52.9 GT per passenger versus 39.4. Built in 2012, Riviera is 17 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Marella Discovery 2 |
| Capacity | Marella Discovery 2 |
| Modernity | Riviera |
| Service | Riviera |
| Spaciousness | Riviera |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Marella Discovery 2 |
| Fleet Power | Marella Discovery 2 |
Bottom line: Marella Discovery 2 leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Marella Discovery 2 for overall superiority; pick Riviera if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Marella Discovery 2 if...
- Size matters to you (71,545 GT)
- More onboard variety (1,814 guests)
Choose Riviera if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2012, 17yr newer)
- Better service ratio (1.6:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (52.9 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| Marella Discovery 2 | Riviera | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $2,749 pp |
| Departing | — | Sep 12 |
| Duration | — | 7 nights |
| View Deal |
Prices from Cruisebound. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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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.
