Spots going fast$699/person$140/night
View Deal →Norwegian Aqua vs Queen Mary 2
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
Norwegian Aqua is the larger vessel at 156,300 GT, 5% more than Queen Mary 2's 148,528 GT. Queen Mary 2 offers more personal space with a space ratio of 55.2 GT per passenger versus 43.8. Built in 2025, Norwegian Aqua is 21 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 3 – 4
Quick Compare
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Category
Norwegian Aqua
Queen Mary 2
Size
156,300 GT
148,528 GT
Passengers
3,571
2,691
Year Built
2025
2004
Crew Ratio
1:2.4
1:2.1
Space Ratio
43.8
55.2
Decks
—
—
Length
322m
345m
From Price
$699/pp
$739/pp
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Aqua is the larger vessel at 156,300 GT, 5% more than Queen Mary 2's 148,528 GT. Queen Mary 2 offers more personal space with a space ratio of 55.2 GT per passenger versus 43.8. Built in 2025, Norwegian Aqua is 21 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Queen Mary 2 |
| Capacity | Norwegian Aqua |
| Modernity | Norwegian Aqua |
| Service | Queen Mary 2 |
| Spaciousness | Queen Mary 2 |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Queen Mary 2 |
| Fleet Power | Norwegian Aqua |
Bottom line: Queen Mary 2 leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Queen Mary 2 for overall superiority; pick Norwegian Aqua if Capacity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Aqua if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2025, 21yr newer)
- Size matters to you (156,300 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,571 guests)
- Save $40/person on sailings
Choose Queen Mary 2 if...
- Better service ratio (2.1:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (55.2 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Norwegian Aqua
Spots going fast
Spots going fast$789/person$158/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 12 days$769/person$154/night
View Deal →Upcoming Sailings on Queen Mary 2
Spots going fast$2,269/person$162/night
View Deal →Spots going fast$739/person$106/night
View Deal →Leaves in 8 days$4,349/person$150/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.
