$4,333/person$867/night
View DealShip comparison
MSC Magnifica vs Viking Star
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. MSC Magnifica wins 4 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
MSC Magnifica
Viking Star
Size
95,128 GT
47,800 GT
Passengers
2,518
930
Year built
2010
2015
Crew ratio
2.4 guests per crew
1.7 guests per crew
Space ratio
37.8 GT per guest
51.4 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
293 m
229 m
From price
$747 pp
$3,424 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
MSC Magnifica is the significantly larger vessel at 95,128 GT, 99% more than Viking Star's 47,800 GT. Viking Star offers more personal space with a space ratio of 51.4 GT per passenger versus 37.8. Built in 2015, Viking Star is 5 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | MSC Magnifica |
| Capacity | MSC Magnifica |
| Modernity | Viking Star |
| Service | Viking Star |
| Spaciousness | Viking Star |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | MSC Magnifica |
| Fleet Power | MSC Magnifica |
Bottom line: MSC Magnifica leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose MSC Magnifica for overall superiority; pick Viking Star if its strengths matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose MSC Magnifica if
- Size matters to you (95,128 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,518 guests)
- Lower fares per night (from $93 per person per night)
Choose Viking Star if
- You want the newer ship (built 2015, 5 years newer)
- More crew per guest (1.7 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (51.4 GT per guest)
Prices
See Current Prices
You have compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | MSC Magnifica | Viking Star |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $747 pp | $3,424 pp |
| Per night | $93 pp | $489 pp |
| Departing | Nov 5 | Nov 14 |
| Duration | 8 nights | 7 nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
Go deeper
Deep Dive
Sailings
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Viking Star
$5,199/person$743/night
View Deal
$4,149/person$593/night
View Deal
7 Night Ancient Mediterranean Treasures
Viking Ocean • Viking Star
Nov 14, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$3,424/person$489/night
View DealFAQ
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.
