Skip to main content
Tracking 380+ ships170+ ports

Ship comparison

MS Nordnorge vs MS Polarlys

Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. MS Nordnorge wins 4 of 7 scored categories.

At a glance

Quick Compare

Category
MS Nordnorge
MS Polarlys
Size
11,386 GT
11,200 GT
Passengers
623
479
Year built
1997
1996
Crew ratio
12.0 guests per crew
8.4 guests per crew
Space ratio
18.3 GT per guest
23.4 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
123 m
123 m

The verdict

Comparison Verdict

MS Polarlys offers more personal space with a space ratio of 23.4 GT per passenger versus 18.3. MS Polarlys edges ahead in service at 8.4 guests per crew, meaning more crew per guest. MS Nordnorge accommodates 144 more guests (623 vs 479), making it the larger resort-at-sea. MS Polarlys trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.

CategoryWinner
SizeMS Nordnorge
CapacityMS Nordnorge
ModernityMS Nordnorge
ServiceMS Polarlys
SpaciousnessMS Polarlys
DecksNo data
LengthTie
Fleet PowerMS Nordnorge

Bottom line: MS Nordnorge leads 4–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose MS Nordnorge for overall superiority; pick MS Polarlys if its strengths matter more to you.

Decide

Which Ship Is Right for You?

Choose MS Nordnorge if

  • You want the newer ship (built 1997, 1 year newer)
  • Size matters to you (11,386 GT)
  • More onboard variety (623 guests)
Book MS Nordnorge

Choose MS Polarlys if

  • More crew per guest (8.4 guests per crew)
  • More space per guest (23.4 GT per guest)
Book MS Polarlys

Prices

See Current Prices

You have compared the ships. Now see what they cost.

MS Nordnorge

Check prices on Cruisebound

Book MS Nordnorge

MS Polarlys

Check prices on Cruisebound

Book MS Polarlys
Cruise and flight packages

We may earn a commission from partner bookings at no extra cost to you.

Go deeper

Deep Dive

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.