Spots going fast7 Night Europe - Western Mediterranean
Norwegian • Norwegian Epic
Sep 20, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$1,149/person$164/night
View Deal →Norwegian Epic vs Royal Princess
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Norwegian Epic is the larger vessel at 155,873 GT, 9% more than Royal Princess's 142,714 GT. Built in 2013, Royal Princess is 3 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Epic edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.3:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
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Category
Norwegian Epic
Royal Princess
Size
155,873 GT
142,714 GT
Passengers
4,100
3,560
Year Built
2010
2013
Crew Ratio
1:2.3
1:2.6
Space Ratio
38.0
40.1
Decks
—
—
Length
329m
330m
From Price
$739/pp
$2,039/pp
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Epic is the larger vessel at 155,873 GT, 9% more than Royal Princess's 142,714 GT. Built in 2013, Royal Princess is 3 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Epic edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.3:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Epic |
| Capacity | Norwegian Epic |
| Modernity | Royal Princess |
| Service | Norwegian Epic |
| Spaciousness | Royal Princess |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Royal Princess |
| Fleet Power | Norwegian Epic |
Bottom line: Norwegian Epic leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Epic for overall superiority; pick Royal Princess if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Epic if...
- Size matters to you (155,873 GT)
- More onboard variety (4,100 guests)
- Better service ratio (2.3:1 crew ratio)
- Save $1,300/person on sailings
Choose Royal Princess if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2013, 3yr newer)
- More space per guest (40.1 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Norwegian Epic
Spots going fast
Leaves in 12 days$959/person$137/night
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Leaves in 19 days$739/person$106/night
View Deal →Upcoming Sailings on Royal Princess
Leaves in 19 days$2,524/person$210/night
View Deal →
$2,039/person$157/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.
