Spots going fast$768/person$110/night
View Deal →MSC Poesia vs MSC Splendida
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
MSC Splendida is the significantly larger vessel at 137,936 GT, 49% more than MSC Poesia's 92,627 GT. MSC Poesia offers more personal space with a space ratio of 36.3 GT per passenger versus 31.6. MSC Poesia edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.6:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
Scroll to compare
Category
MSC Poesia
MSC Splendida
Size
92,627 GT
137,936 GT
Passengers
2,550
4,363
Year Built
2008
2009
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:3.3
Space Ratio
36.3
31.6
Decks
—
—
Length
293m
333m
From Price
$768/pp
$69/pp
Comparison Verdict
MSC Splendida is the significantly larger vessel at 137,936 GT, 49% more than MSC Poesia's 92,627 GT. MSC Poesia offers more personal space with a space ratio of 36.3 GT per passenger versus 31.6. MSC Poesia edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.6:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | MSC Splendida |
| Capacity | MSC Splendida |
| Modernity | MSC Splendida |
| Service | MSC Poesia |
| Spaciousness | MSC Poesia |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | MSC Splendida |
| Fleet Power | MSC Splendida |
Bottom line: MSC Splendida leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose MSC Splendida for overall superiority; pick MSC Poesia if Service matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose MSC Poesia if...
- Better service ratio (2.6:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (36.3 GT/pax)
Choose MSC Splendida if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2009, 1yr newer)
- Size matters to you (137,936 GT)
- More onboard variety (4,363 guests)
- Save $699/person on sailings
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
We may earn a commission from partner bookings at no extra cost to you.
Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on MSC Poesia
Spots going fast
Leaves in 10 days$3,799/person$543/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 17 days$2,050/person$85/night
View Deal →Upcoming Sailings on MSC Splendida
Spots going fast1 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Sep 13, 2026 · 1 night
Iberian Peninsula
$69/person$69/night
View Deal →
Spots going fast7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Sep 13, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$2,113/person$302/night
View Deal →
Spots going fast7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Sep 14, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$2,343/person$335/night
View Deal →Hotels & Accommodations Near Miami Cruise Port
Compare prices from 100+ booking sites
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.
