Spots going fast$839/person$120/night
View Deal →Nieuw Amsterdam vs Norwegian Pearl
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Norwegian Pearl is the larger vessel at 93,530 GT, 8% more than Nieuw Amsterdam's 86,700 GT. Built in 2010, Nieuw Amsterdam is 4 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Pearl accommodates 288 more guests (2,394 vs 2,106), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Nieuw Amsterdam trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
Score: 3 – 4
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Category
Nieuw Amsterdam
Norwegian Pearl
Size
86,700 GT
93,530 GT
Passengers
2,106
2,394
Year Built
2010
2006
Crew Ratio
1:2.3
1:2.3
Space Ratio
41.2
39.1
Decks
—
—
Length
286m
294m
From Price
$499/pp
$1,329/pp
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Pearl is the larger vessel at 93,530 GT, 8% more than Nieuw Amsterdam's 86,700 GT. Built in 2010, Nieuw Amsterdam is 4 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Pearl accommodates 288 more guests (2,394 vs 2,106), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Nieuw Amsterdam trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Pearl |
| Capacity | Norwegian Pearl |
| Modernity | Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Service | Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Spaciousness | Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Norwegian Pearl |
| Fleet Power | Norwegian Pearl |
Bottom line: Norwegian Pearl leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Pearl for overall superiority; pick Nieuw Amsterdam if Modernity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Nieuw Amsterdam if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2010, 4yr newer)
- Better service ratio (2.3:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (41.2 GT/pax)
- Save $830/person on sailings
Choose Norwegian Pearl if...
- Size matters to you (93,530 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,394 guests)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Nieuw Amsterdam
Spots going fast
Leaves in 16 days5 Night U. S. Pacific Coast Cruise
Holland America • Nieuw Amsterdam
Sep 27, 2026 · 5 nights
North America
$499/person$100/night
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Leaves in 21 days$2,849/person$178/night
View Deal →Upcoming Sailings on Norwegian Pearl
Spots going fast$1,329/person$190/night
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Leaves in 9 days$1,369/person$196/night
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Leaves in 16 days$1,449/person$207/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.
