$2,291/person$458/night
View DealShip comparison
Marella Explorer vs Ruby Princess
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Ruby Princess wins 5 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Marella Explorer
Ruby Princess
Size
77,499 GT
113,561 GT
Passengers
1,924
3,080
Year built
1996
2008
Crew ratio
2.1 guests per crew
2.8 guests per crew
Space ratio
40.3 GT per guest
36.9 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
264 m
290 m
From price
No data
$1,319 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Ruby Princess is the significantly larger vessel at 113,561 GT, 47% more than Marella Explorer's 77,499 GT. Built in 2008, Ruby Princess is 12 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 | Ruby Princess |
| Capacity | Ruby Princess |
| Modernity | Ruby Princess |
| Service | Marella Explorer |
| Spaciousness | Marella Explorer |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Ruby Princess |
| Fleet Power | Ruby Princess |
Bottom line: Ruby Princess leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Ruby Princess for overall superiority; pick Marella Explorer if Service matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Marella Explorer if
- More crew per guest (2.1 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (40.3 GT per guest)
Choose Ruby Princess if
- You want the newer ship (built 2008, 12 years newer)
- Size matters to you (113,561 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,080 guests)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Marella Explorer | Ruby Princess |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | No sailings | $1,319 pp |
| Per night | No data | $82 pp |
| Departing | No data | Nov 29 |
| Duration | No data | 16 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.
