Spots going fastNorwegian Pearl vs Viking Star
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Norwegian Pearl is the significantly larger vessel at 93,530 GT — 96% more than Viking Star's 47,800 GT. Viking Star offers more personal space with a space ratio of 51.4 GT per passenger versus 39.1. Built in 2015, Viking Star is 9 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
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Category
Norwegian Pearl
Viking Star
Size
93,530 GT
47,800 GT
Passengers
2,394
930
Year Built
2006
2015
Crew Ratio
1:2.3
1:1.7
Space Ratio
39.1
51.4
Decks
—
—
Length
294m
229m
From Price
$831/pp
$5,999/pp
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Pearl is the significantly larger vessel at 93,530 GT — 96% more than Viking Star's 47,800 GT. Viking Star offers more personal space with a space ratio of 51.4 GT per passenger versus 39.1. Built in 2015, Viking Star is 9 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Pearl |
| Capacity | Norwegian Pearl |
| Modernity | Viking Star |
| Service | Viking Star |
| Spaciousness | Viking Star |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Norwegian Pearl |
| Fleet Power | Norwegian Pearl |
Bottom line: Norwegian Pearl leads 4–3 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Pearl for overall superiority; pick Viking Star if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Pearl if...
- Size matters to you (93,530 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,394 guests)
- Save $5,168/person on sailings
Choose Viking Star if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2015, 9yr newer)
- Better service ratio (1.7:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (51.4 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.
