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View Deal →Norwegian Spirit vs Riviera
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Norwegian Spirit is the larger vessel at 75,904 GT, 15% more than Riviera's 66,084 GT. Riviera offers more personal space with a space ratio of 52.9 GT per passenger versus 37.6. Built in 2012, Riviera is 14 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
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Category
Norwegian Spirit
Riviera
Size
75,904 GT
66,084 GT
Passengers
2,018
1,250
Year Built
1998
2012
Crew Ratio
1:2.2
1:1.6
Space Ratio
37.6
52.9
Decks
—
—
Length
268m
239m
From Price
$779/pp
$2,749/pp
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Spirit is the larger vessel at 75,904 GT, 15% more than Riviera's 66,084 GT. Riviera offers more personal space with a space ratio of 52.9 GT per passenger versus 37.6. Built in 2012, Riviera is 14 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Spirit |
| Capacity | Norwegian Spirit |
| Modernity | Riviera |
| Service | Riviera |
| Spaciousness | Riviera |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Norwegian Spirit |
| Fleet Power | Norwegian Spirit |
Bottom line: Norwegian Spirit leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Spirit for overall superiority; pick Riviera if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Spirit if...
- Size matters to you (75,904 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,018 guests)
- Save $1,970/person on sailings
Choose Riviera if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2012, 14yr newer)
- Better service ratio (1.6:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (52.9 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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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.
