Spots going fastNorwegian Encore vs Queen Mary 2
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
Norwegian Encore is the larger vessel at 169,116 GT — 14% 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 42.3. Built in 2019, Norwegian Encore is 15 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
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Category
Norwegian Encore
Queen Mary 2
Size
169,116 GT
148,528 GT
Passengers
3,998
2,691
Year Built
2019
2004
Crew Ratio
1:2.3
1:2.1
Space Ratio
42.3
55.2
Decks
—
—
Length
333m
345m
From Price
$1,129/pp
$1,349/pp
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Encore is the larger vessel at 169,116 GT — 14% 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 42.3. Built in 2019, Norwegian Encore is 15 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Encore |
| Capacity | Norwegian Encore |
| Modernity | Norwegian Encore |
| Service | Queen Mary 2 |
| Spaciousness | Queen Mary 2 |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Queen Mary 2 |
| Fleet Power | Norwegian Encore |
Bottom line: Norwegian Encore leads 4–3 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Encore for overall superiority; pick Queen Mary 2 if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Encore if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2019, 15yr newer)
- Size matters to you (169,116 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,998 guests)
- Save $220/person on sailings
Choose Queen Mary 2 if...
- Better service ratio (2.1:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (55.2 GT/pax)
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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.
