Spots going fast9 Night Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Fantasia
Sep 11, 2026 · 9 nights
Mediterranean
$1,749/person$194/night
View Deal →MSC Fantasia vs MSC Orchestra
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
MSC Fantasia is the significantly larger vessel at 137,936 GT, 49% more than MSC Orchestra's 92,409 GT. MSC Orchestra offers more personal space with a space ratio of 36.2 GT per passenger versus 31.6. MSC Orchestra edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.6:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 5 – 2
Quick Compare
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Category
MSC Fantasia
MSC Orchestra
Size
137,936 GT
92,409 GT
Passengers
4,363
2,550
Year Built
2008
2007
Crew Ratio
1:3.3
1:2.6
Space Ratio
31.6
36.2
Decks
—
—
Length
333m
293m
From Price
$1,387.51/pp
$872.37/pp
Comparison Verdict
MSC Fantasia is the significantly larger vessel at 137,936 GT, 49% more than MSC Orchestra's 92,409 GT. MSC Orchestra offers more personal space with a space ratio of 36.2 GT per passenger versus 31.6. MSC Orchestra edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.6:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | MSC Fantasia |
| Capacity | MSC Fantasia |
| Modernity | MSC Fantasia |
| Service | MSC Orchestra |
| Spaciousness | MSC Orchestra |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | MSC Fantasia |
| Fleet Power | MSC Fantasia |
Bottom line: MSC Fantasia leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose MSC Fantasia for overall superiority; pick MSC Orchestra if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose MSC Fantasia if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2008, 1yr newer)
- Size matters to you (137,936 GT)
- More onboard variety (4,363 guests)
Choose MSC Orchestra if...
- Better service ratio (2.6:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (36.2 GT/pax)
- Save $515.14/person on sailings
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on MSC Fantasia
Spots going fast
Spots going fast$1,977/person$220/night
View Deal →
Spots going fast9 Night Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Fantasia
Sep 15, 2026 · 9 nights
Mediterranean
$1,388/person$154/night
View Deal →Upcoming Sailings on MSC Orchestra
Spots going fast7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Orchestra
Sep 11, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$946/person$135/night
View Deal →Spots going fast7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Orchestra
Sep 12, 2026 · 7 nights
Iberian Peninsula
$896/person$128/night
View Deal →
Spots going fast7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Orchestra
Sep 15, 2026 · 7 nights
Iberian Peninsula
$872/person$125/night
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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.
