Spots going fastMS Nordlys vs MS Santa Cruz II
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
MS Nordlys is the significantly larger vessel at 11,200 GT — 357% more than MS Santa Cruz II's 2,452 GT. MS Santa Cruz II offers more personal space with a space ratio of 27.2 GT per passenger versus 23.4. Built in 2002, MS Santa Cruz II is 8 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
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Category
MS Nordlys
MS Santa Cruz II
Size
11,200 GT
2,452 GT
Passengers
479
90
Year Built
1994
2002
Crew Ratio
1:8.4
1:1.8
Space Ratio
23.4
27.2
Decks
—
—
Length
123m
72m
From Price
$2,343/pp
—
Comparison Verdict
MS Nordlys is the significantly larger vessel at 11,200 GT — 357% more than MS Santa Cruz II's 2,452 GT. MS Santa Cruz II offers more personal space with a space ratio of 27.2 GT per passenger versus 23.4. Built in 2002, MS Santa Cruz II is 8 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | MS Nordlys |
| Capacity | MS Nordlys |
| Modernity | MS Santa Cruz II |
| Service | MS Santa Cruz II |
| Spaciousness | MS Santa Cruz II |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | MS Nordlys |
| Fleet Power | MS Nordlys |
Bottom line: MS Nordlys leads 4–3 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose MS Nordlys for overall superiority; pick MS Santa Cruz II if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose MS Nordlys if...
- Size matters to you (11,200 GT)
- More onboard variety (479 guests)
Choose MS Santa Cruz II if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2002, 8yr newer)
- Better service ratio (1.8:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (27.2 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| MS Nordlys | MS Santa Cruz II | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $2,343 pp | — |
| Departing | Aug 12 | — |
| Duration | 5 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.
