$830/person$119/night
View DealShip comparison
MSC Virtuosa vs Norwegian Sun
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. MSC Virtuosa wins 5 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
MSC Virtuosa
Norwegian Sun
Size
181,541 GT
78,309 GT
Passengers
6,334
1,936
Year built
2021
2001
Crew ratio
3.7 guests per crew
2.1 guests per crew
Space ratio
28.7 GT per guest
40.5 GT per guest
Decks
19
No data
Length
331 m
258 m
From price
$376.33 pp
$769 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
MSC Virtuosa is the significantly larger vessel at 181,541 GT, 132% more than Norwegian Sun's 78,309 GT. Norwegian Sun offers more personal space with a space ratio of 40.5 GT per passenger versus 28.7. Built in 2021, MSC Virtuosa is 20 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | MSC Virtuosa |
| Capacity | MSC Virtuosa |
| Modernity | MSC Virtuosa |
| Service | Norwegian Sun |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Sun |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | MSC Virtuosa |
| Fleet Power | MSC Virtuosa |
Bottom line: MSC Virtuosa leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose MSC Virtuosa for overall superiority; pick Norwegian Sun if its strengths matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose MSC Virtuosa if
- You want the newer ship (built 2021, 20 years newer)
- Size matters to you (181,541 GT)
- More onboard variety (6,334 guests)
Choose Norwegian Sun if
- More crew per guest (2.1 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (40.5 GT per guest)
- Lower fares per night (from $70 per person per night)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | MSC Virtuosa | Norwegian Sun |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $376.33 pp | $769 pp |
| Per night | $75 pp | $70 pp |
| Departing | Nov 7 | Nov 18 |
| Duration | 5 nights | 11 nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
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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.
