Spots going fastMS Nordlys vs MS Vesteralen
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
MS Nordlys is the significantly larger vessel at 11,200 GT — 79% more than MS Vesteralen's 6,261 GT. MS Nordlys offers more personal space with a space ratio of 23.4 GT per passenger versus 19.7. Built in 1994, MS Nordlys is 11 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 6 – 1
Quick Compare
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Category
MS Nordlys
MS Vesteralen
Size
11,200 GT
6,261 GT
Passengers
479
318
Year Built
1994
1983
Crew Ratio
1:8.4
1:5.8
Space Ratio
23.4
19.7
Decks
—
—
Length
123m
108m
From Price
$2,343/pp
—
Comparison Verdict
MS Nordlys is the significantly larger vessel at 11,200 GT — 79% more than MS Vesteralen's 6,261 GT. MS Nordlys offers more personal space with a space ratio of 23.4 GT per passenger versus 19.7. Built in 1994, MS Nordlys is 11 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | MS Nordlys |
| Capacity | MS Nordlys |
| Modernity | MS Nordlys |
| Service | MS Vesteralen |
| Spaciousness | MS Nordlys |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | MS Nordlys |
| Fleet Power | MS Nordlys |
Bottom line: MS Nordlys leads 6–1 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose MS Nordlys for overall superiority; pick MS Vesteralen if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose MS Nordlys if...
- You want the newer ship (built 1994, 11yr newer)
- Size matters to you (11,200 GT)
- More onboard variety (479 guests)
- More space per guest (23.4 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| MS Nordlys | MS Vesteralen | |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
