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Ship comparison

Le Jacques Cartier vs Scenic Pearl

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Le Jacques Cartier is an intimate Ponant Cruises ship carrying 184 passengers, in service since 2020. Scenic Pearl is an intimate Scenic ship carrying 167 passengers, in service since 2011.

Choose Le Jacques Cartier if you want more space per passenger, more crew per passenger or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Scenic Pearl for family friendly (5.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, it has 54.2 gross tons per passenger (vs 16.3) and it has a crew member for every 1.6 passengers (vs 3.3).

Choose Scenic Pearl if you want better-rated staterooms, a more active cruise or more cruises to choose from: it outscores Le Jacques Cartier for staterooms (9.0 vs 6.0) and active (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 63 cruises on sale (vs none).

Side by side

Specifications

marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.

Le Jacques CartierScenic Pearl
Cruise line Ponant Cruises Scenic
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2020 (better) 2011
Gross tonnage 9,976 2,721
Passengers 184 167
Crew 112 51
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 1.6 (better) 3.3
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 54.2 (better) 16.3
Decks 7 4
Length 430 ft 442 ft
Beam 59 ft 38 ft
Speed 14 mph 14 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 9 / 10 (better) 8 / 10
Cruises on sale — 63
Upcoming sailings — 125
Cruise lengths — 7 to 34 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted — $3,088

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Le Jacques Cartier leads on 3 of the ten, Scenic Pearl on 2, with 5 level.

  • Active Le Jacques Cartier: 7.0 Scenic Pearl: 8.0
  • Adventure & nature Le Jacques Cartier: 7.0 Scenic Pearl: 7.0
  • Cultural Le Jacques Cartier: 7.0 Scenic Pearl: 4.0
  • Dining Le Jacques Cartier: 8.0 Scenic Pearl: 8.0
  • Entertainment Le Jacques Cartier: 5.0 Scenic Pearl: 4.0
  • Family friendly Le Jacques Cartier: 5.0 Scenic Pearl: 2.0
  • Party Le Jacques Cartier: 5.0 Scenic Pearl: 5.0
  • Romantic Le Jacques Cartier: 8.0 Scenic Pearl: 8.0
  • Spa & fitness Le Jacques Cartier: 6.0 Scenic Pearl: 6.0
  • Staterooms Le Jacques Cartier: 6.0 Scenic Pearl: 9.0

Ponant Cruises

Le Jacques Cartier

The 184-passenger Le Jacques Cartier expedition ship from Ponant debuted in July 2020 and offers a superior small-ship cruising experience, complete with stylish interior and exterior spaces, state-of-the-art technology aimed at sustainability, and boutique staterooms and comfortable suites with large windows and either a private balcony…

Scenic

Scenic Pearl

The luxury river ship Scenic Pearl from the Scenic fleet voyages is the ideal ship for taking in the Black Sea via a scenic river cruise. The ship features luxury suites with large private balconies and "Sun Lounges," HDTVs linked to Mac mini computers and complimentary Wi-Fi access.

Highlights

  • "Space ship" layout, giving passengers plenty of room to wander & enjoy the scenery
  • Balconies and "Sun Lounge" in most staterooms
  • Plenty of dining options from informal to elegant

Sailing now

63 cruises on sale, from $3,088.

Questions

Le Jacques Cartier or Scenic Pearl?

Which is bigger, Le Jacques Cartier or Scenic Pearl?

Le Jacques Cartier is bigger at 9,976 gross tons, against 2,721 gross tons for Scenic Pearl. Le Jacques Cartier carries 184 passengers and Scenic Pearl carries 167.

Which ship is newer, Le Jacques Cartier or Scenic Pearl?

Le Jacques Cartier is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2020 against 2011 for Scenic Pearl.

Which has more space per passenger?

Le Jacques Cartier, with 54.2 gross tons per passenger against 16.3 on Scenic Pearl. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Le Jacques Cartier, with one crew member for every 1.6 passengers against one for every 3.3 on Scenic Pearl.

Which is better for families?

Le Jacques Cartier scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 5.0 out of 10, against 2.0 for Scenic Pearl.

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