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Ship comparison

MSC Armonia vs Westerdam

Holland America Line

Westerdam

Cruises
36
From
$769

The verdict

Which should you choose?

MSC Armonia is a large MSC Cruises ship carrying 1,950 passengers, in service since 2001. Westerdam is a large Holland America Line ship carrying 1,916 passengers, in service since 2004.

Choose MSC Armonia if you want a lower starting fare, more of a party or a more active cruise: it outscores Westerdam for party (5.0 vs 3.0) and active (5.0 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $82 (vs $769).

Choose Westerdam if you want more culture, better-rated entertainment or a more romantic trip: it outscores MSC Armonia for cultural (7.0 vs 4.0), entertainment (7.1 vs 5.5) and romantic (6.5 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Side by side

Specifications

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

MSC ArmoniaWesterdam
Cruise line MSC Cruises Holland America Line
Ship size Large Large
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2001 2004 (better)
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted — 2017
Gross tonnage 65,542 82,348
Passengers 1,950 1,916
Crew 700 817
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 2.8 2.3 (better)
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 33.6 43.0 (better)
Decks 9 11
Length 902 ft 936 ft
Beam 95 ft 106 ft
Speed 24 mph 25 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 7 / 10 9 / 10 (better)
Cruises on sale 30 36
Upcoming sailings 204 77
Cruise lengths 1 to 31 nights 7 to 49 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $82 (better) $769

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. MSC Armonia leads on 2 of the ten, Westerdam on 6, with 2 level.

  • Active MSC Armonia: 5.0 Westerdam: 4.0
  • Adventure & nature MSC Armonia: 4.0 Westerdam: 5.0
  • Cultural MSC Armonia: 4.0 Westerdam: 7.0
  • Dining MSC Armonia: 5.8 Westerdam: 6.5
  • Entertainment MSC Armonia: 5.5 Westerdam: 7.1
  • Family friendly MSC Armonia: 5.0 Westerdam: 6.0
  • Party MSC Armonia: 5.0 Westerdam: 3.0
  • Romantic MSC Armonia: 5.0 Westerdam: 6.5
  • Spa & fitness MSC Armonia: 8.0 Westerdam: 8.0
  • Staterooms MSC Armonia: 8.0 Westerdam: 8.0

MSC Cruises

MSC Armonia

MSC Armonia is the first of four MSC Cruises ships to enter the line’s Renaissance Program. Emerging newly refreshed (and bigger due to a "stretching" that added a new 80-foot section to the ship's midship), you can expect an updated ship that has been updated to current industry standards.

Highlights

  • Two outdoor pools
  • Relaxing in the MSC Armonia spa
  • Gaming in the Palm Beach Casino

Sailing now

30 cruises on sale, from $82.

Holland America Line

Westerdam

The ms Westerdam is the third in Holland America Line's series of Vista class ships. As such, it embraces the latest industry and environmental technologies such as its use of a diesel-electric power plant for optimal energy efficiency and an Azipod propulsion system. Most staterooms have ocean views and many have private verandas.

Highlights

  • Andy Warhol, Dutch classics and pre-Columbian and Ecuadorian art dazzle the senses on board.
  • Learn to cook or pick up some new techniques at America's Culinary Arts Center Program

Sailing now

36 cruises on sale, from $769.

Questions

MSC Armonia or Westerdam?

Which is bigger, MSC Armonia or Westerdam?

Westerdam is bigger at 82,348 gross tons, against 65,542 gross tons for MSC Armonia. MSC Armonia carries 1,950 passengers and Westerdam carries 1,916.

Which ship is newer, MSC Armonia or Westerdam?

Westerdam is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2004 against 2001 for MSC Armonia.

Which has more space per passenger?

Westerdam, with 43.0 gross tons per passenger against 33.6 on MSC Armonia. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Westerdam, with one crew member for every 2.3 passengers against one for every 2.8 on MSC Armonia.

Which is better for families?

Westerdam scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 6.0 out of 10, against 5.0 for MSC Armonia.

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