$422/person$84/night
View DealShip comparison
MSC Magnifica vs Norwegian Sun
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. MSC Magnifica wins 5 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
MSC Magnifica
Norwegian Sun
Size
95,128 GT
78,309 GT
Passengers
2,518
1,936
Year built
2010
2001
Crew ratio
2.4 guests per crew
2.1 guests per crew
Space ratio
37.8 GT per guest
40.5 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
293 m
258 m
From price
$422.11 pp
$569 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
MSC Magnifica is the significantly larger vessel at 95,128 GT, 21% more than Norwegian Sun's 78,309 GT. Built in 2010, MSC Magnifica is 9 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Sun edges ahead in service at 2.1 guests per crew, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | MSC Magnifica |
| Capacity | MSC Magnifica |
| Modernity | MSC Magnifica |
| Service | Norwegian Sun |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Sun |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | MSC Magnifica |
| Fleet Power | MSC Magnifica |
Bottom line: MSC Magnifica leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose MSC Magnifica for overall superiority; pick Norwegian Sun if its strengths matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose MSC Magnifica if
- You want the newer ship (built 2010, 9 years newer)
- Size matters to you (95,128 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,518 guests)
Choose Norwegian Sun if
- More crew per guest (2.1 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (40.5 GT per guest)
- Lower fares per night (from $52 per person per night)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | MSC Magnifica | Norwegian Sun |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $422.11 pp | $569 pp |
| Per night | $84 pp | $52 pp |
| Departing | Oct 29 | Nov 18 |
| Duration | 5 nights | 11 nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
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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.
