Spots going fast7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Sep 20, 2026 · 7 nights
Iberian Peninsula
$2,026/person$289/night
View Deal →MSC Splendida vs Norwegian Aqua
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
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 travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 3 – 4
Quick Compare
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Category
MSC Splendida
Norwegian Aqua
Size
137,936 GT
156,300 GT
Passengers
4,363
3,571
Year Built
2009
2025
Crew Ratio
1:3.3
1:2.4
Space Ratio
31.6
43.8
Decks
—
—
Length
333m
322m
From Price
$1,362.99/pp
$699/pp
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 travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Aqua |
| Capacity | MSC Splendida |
| Modernity | Norwegian Aqua |
| Service | Norwegian Aqua |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Aqua |
| Decks | Tie |
| 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.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Aqua if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2025, 16yr newer)
- Size matters to you (156,300 GT)
- Better service ratio (2.4:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (43.8 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on MSC Splendida
Spots going fast
Spots going fast7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Sep 21, 2026 · 7 nights
Iberian Peninsula
$2,352/person$336/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 8 days7 Night Mediterranean - Western Cruise
MSC Cruises • MSC Splendida
Sep 23, 2026 · 7 nights
Iberian Peninsula
$1,363/person$195/night
View Deal →Upcoming Sailings on Norwegian Aqua
Spots going fast$789/person$158/night
View Deal →Leaves in 8 days$769/person$154/night
View Deal →Leaves in 13 days$699/person$140/night
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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.
