Spots going fastMarella Explorer vs Ruby Princess
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
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 travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Marella Explorer edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.1:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
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Category
Marella Explorer
Ruby Princess
Size
77,499 GT
113,561 GT
Passengers
1,924
3,080
Year Built
1996
2008
Crew Ratio
1:2.1
1:2.8
Space Ratio
40.3
36.9
Decks
—
—
Length
264m
290m
From Price
—
$1,101/pp
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 travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Marella Explorer edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.1:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Ruby Princess |
| Capacity | Ruby Princess |
| Modernity | Ruby Princess |
| Service | Marella Explorer |
| Spaciousness | Marella Explorer |
| Decks | Tie |
| 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.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Marella Explorer if...
- Better service ratio (2.1:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (40.3 GT/pax)
Choose Ruby Princess if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2008, 12yr newer)
- Size matters to you (113,561 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,080 guests)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| Marella Explorer | Ruby Princess | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $1,101 pp |
| Departing | — | Aug 11 |
| Duration | — | 10 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.
