Spots going fastMSC Meraviglia vs MSC Splendida
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
MSC Meraviglia is the significantly larger vessel at 171,598 GT — 24% more than MSC Splendida's 137,936 GT. Built in 2017, MSC Meraviglia is 8 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. MSC Splendida edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 3.3:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
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Category
MSC Meraviglia
MSC Splendida
Size
171,598 GT
137,936 GT
Passengers
5,686
4,363
Year Built
2017
2009
Crew Ratio
1:3.7
1:3.3
Space Ratio
30.2
31.6
Decks
—
—
Length
315m
333m
From Price
$1,134.59/pp
$1,314.99/pp
Comparison Verdict
MSC Meraviglia is the significantly larger vessel at 171,598 GT — 24% more than MSC Splendida's 137,936 GT. Built in 2017, MSC Meraviglia is 8 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. MSC Splendida edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 3.3:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | MSC Meraviglia |
| Capacity | MSC Meraviglia |
| Modernity | MSC Meraviglia |
| Service | MSC Splendida |
| Spaciousness | MSC Splendida |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | MSC Splendida |
| Fleet Power | MSC Meraviglia |
Bottom line: MSC Meraviglia leads 4–3 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose MSC Meraviglia for overall superiority; pick MSC Splendida if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose MSC Meraviglia if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2017, 8yr newer)
- Size matters to you (171,598 GT)
- More onboard variety (5,686 guests)
- Save $180.4/person on sailings
Choose MSC Splendida if...
- Better service ratio (3.3:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (31.6 GT/pax)
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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.
