Spots going fastMS Kong Harald vs MS Polarlys
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Built in 1996, MS Polarlys is 3 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. MS Kong Harald edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 7.8:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
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Category
MS Kong Harald
MS Polarlys
Size
11,200 GT
11,200 GT
Passengers
470
479
Year Built
1993
1996
Crew Ratio
1:7.8
1:8.4
Space Ratio
23.8
23.4
Decks
—
—
Length
121m
123m
From Price
$2,303/pp
$2,418/pp
Comparison Verdict
Built in 1996, MS Polarlys is 3 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. MS Kong Harald edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 7.8:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | MS Polarlys |
| Capacity | MS Polarlys |
| Modernity | MS Polarlys |
| Service | MS Kong Harald |
| Spaciousness | MS Kong Harald |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | MS Polarlys |
| Fleet Power | MS Polarlys |
Bottom line: MS Polarlys leads 5–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose MS Polarlys for overall superiority; pick MS Kong Harald if Service matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose MS Kong Harald if...
- Better service ratio (7.8:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (23.8 GT/pax)
- Save $115/person on sailings
Choose MS Polarlys if...
- You want the newer ship (built 1996, 3yr newer)
- More onboard variety (479 guests)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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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.
