$799/person$89/night
View DealShip comparison
Marella Explorer vs Nieuw Amsterdam
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Nieuw Amsterdam wins 6 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Marella Explorer
Nieuw Amsterdam
Size
77,499 GT
86,700 GT
Passengers
1,924
2,106
Year built
1996
2010
Crew ratio
2.1 guests per crew
2.3 guests per crew
Space ratio
40.3 GT per guest
41.2 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
264 m
286 m
From price
No data
$799 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Nieuw Amsterdam is the larger vessel at 86,700 GT, 12% more than Marella Explorer's 77,499 GT. Built in 2010, Nieuw Amsterdam is 14 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design. Marella Explorer edges ahead in service at 2.1 guests per crew, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Capacity | Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Modernity | Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Service | Marella Explorer |
| Spaciousness | Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Fleet Power | Nieuw Amsterdam |
Bottom line: Nieuw Amsterdam leads 6–1 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Nieuw Amsterdam for overall superiority; pick Marella Explorer if Service matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Nieuw Amsterdam if
- You want the newer ship (built 2010, 14 years newer)
- Size matters to you (86,700 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,106 guests)
- More space per guest (41.2 GT per guest)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Marella Explorer | Nieuw Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | No sailings | $799 pp |
| Per night | No data | $89 pp |
| Departing | No data | Oct 30 |
| Duration | No data | 9 nights |
| View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
Go deeper
Deep Dive
Sailings
Upcoming Sailings
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.
