Spots going fastBalmoral vs Seabourn Encore
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Balmoral is the larger vessel at 43,537 GT — 8% more than Seabourn Encore's 40,350 GT. Seabourn Encore offers more personal space with a space ratio of 66.8 GT per passenger versus 32.9. Built in 2016, Seabourn Encore is 28 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
Scroll to compare
Category
Balmoral
Seabourn Encore
Size
43,537 GT
40,350 GT
Passengers
1,325
604
Year Built
1988
2016
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:1.3
Space Ratio
32.9
66.8
Decks
—
—
Length
218m
210m
From Price
—
$2,639/pp
Comparison Verdict
Balmoral is the larger vessel at 43,537 GT — 8% more than Seabourn Encore's 40,350 GT. Seabourn Encore offers more personal space with a space ratio of 66.8 GT per passenger versus 32.9. Built in 2016, Seabourn Encore is 28 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Balmoral |
| Capacity | Balmoral |
| Modernity | Seabourn Encore |
| Service | Seabourn Encore |
| Spaciousness | Seabourn Encore |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Balmoral |
| Fleet Power | Balmoral |
Bottom line: Balmoral leads 4–3 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Balmoral for overall superiority; pick Seabourn Encore if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Balmoral if...
- Size matters to you (43,537 GT)
- More onboard variety (1,325 guests)
Choose Seabourn Encore if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2016, 28yr newer)
- Better service ratio (1.3:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (66.8 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
We may earn a commission from partner bookings at no extra cost to you.
Sailing Prices
| Balmoral | Seabourn Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $2,639 pp |
| Departing | — | Jul 31 |
| Duration | — | 7 nights |
| View Deal |
Prices from Cruisebound. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Seabourn Encore
Spots going fast
Leaves in 10 days
Leaves in 10 daysHotels & Accommodations Near Miami Cruise Port
Compare prices from 100+ booking sites
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.
