7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Nov 1, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$1,865/person$266/night
View DealShip comparison
MSC Splendida vs Norwegian Aqua
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Norwegian Aqua wins 4 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
MSC Splendida
Norwegian Aqua
Size
137,936 GT
156,300 GT
Passengers
4,363
3,571
Year built
2009
2025
Crew ratio
3.3 guests per crew
2.4 guests per crew
Space ratio
31.6 GT per guest
43.8 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
333 m
322 m
From price
$668.59 pp
$509 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Aqua is the larger vessel at 156,300 GT, 13% more than MSC Splendida's 137,936 GT. Norwegian Aqua offers more personal space with a space ratio of 43.8 GT per passenger versus 31.6. Built in 2025, Norwegian Aqua is 16 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Aqua |
| Capacity | MSC Splendida |
| Modernity | Norwegian Aqua |
| Service | Norwegian Aqua |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Aqua |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | MSC Splendida |
| Fleet Power | MSC Splendida |
Bottom line: Norwegian Aqua leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Aqua for overall superiority; pick MSC Splendida if Capacity matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Aqua if
- You want the newer ship (built 2025, 16 years newer)
- Size matters to you (156,300 GT)
- More crew per guest (2.4 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (43.8 GT per guest)
Prices
See Current Prices
You have compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
Cruise and flight packages
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | MSC Splendida | Norwegian Aqua |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $668.59 pp | $509 pp |
| Per night | $96 pp | $73 pp |
| Departing | Nov 3 | Nov 15 |
| Duration | 7 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 MSC Splendida
7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Nov 2, 2026 · 7 nights
Iberian Peninsula
$1,353/person$193/night
View Deal
7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Nov 3, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$669/person$96/night
View DealUpcoming Sailings on Norwegian Aqua
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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.
