Spots going fast$839/person$120/night
View Deal →Nieuw Amsterdam vs Norwegian Sky
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Nieuw Amsterdam is the larger vessel at 86,700 GT, 12% more than Norwegian Sky's 77,104 GT. Built in 2010, Nieuw Amsterdam is 11 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Nieuw Amsterdam accommodates 104 more guests (2,106 vs 2,002), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Norwegian Sky trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
Score: 6 – 1
Quick Compare
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Category
Nieuw Amsterdam
Norwegian Sky
Size
86,700 GT
77,104 GT
Passengers
2,106
2,002
Year Built
2010
1999
Crew Ratio
1:2.3
1:2.3
Space Ratio
41.2
38.5
Decks
—
—
Length
286m
258m
From Price
$499/pp
—
Comparison Verdict
Nieuw Amsterdam is the larger vessel at 86,700 GT, 12% more than Norwegian Sky's 77,104 GT. Built in 2010, Nieuw Amsterdam is 11 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Nieuw Amsterdam accommodates 104 more guests (2,106 vs 2,002), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Norwegian Sky trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Capacity | Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Modernity | Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Service | Norwegian Sky |
| Spaciousness | Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Fleet Power | Nieuw Amsterdam |
Bottom line: Nieuw Amsterdam leads 6–1 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Nieuw Amsterdam for overall superiority; pick Norwegian Sky if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Nieuw Amsterdam if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2010, 11yr newer)
- Size matters to you (86,700 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,106 guests)
- More space per guest (41.2 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Sailing Prices
| Nieuw Amsterdam | Norwegian Sky | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $499 pp | — |
| Departing | Sep 27 | — |
| Duration | 5 nights | — |
| View Deal |
Prices from Cruisebound. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Nieuw Amsterdam
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Leaves in 17 days$2,699/person$129/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 17 days5 Night U. S. Pacific Coast Cruise
Holland America • Nieuw Amsterdam
Sep 27, 2026 · 5 nights
North America
$499/person$100/night
View Deal →Hotels & Accommodations Near Miami Cruise Port
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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.
