MSC Cruises
MSC Grandiosa
- Cruises
- 43
- From
- $308
Ship comparison
MSC Grandiosa vs MSC Virtuosa
MSC Cruises
MSC Virtuosa
- Cruises
- 55
- From
- $70
The verdict
Which should you choose?
MSC Grandiosa is a mega MSC Cruises ship carrying 4,842 passengers, in service since 2019. MSC Virtuosa is a mega MSC Cruises ship carrying 4,842 passengers, in service since 2021.
Choose MSC Virtuosa if you want a more family-friendly ship, a lower starting fare or better-rated dining: it outscores MSC Grandiosa for family friendly (8.0 vs 4.0) and dining (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $70 (vs $308).
MSC Grandiosa does not lead by a clear margin on any measure we track, so pick it for its itinerary or its dates.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| MSC Grandiosa | MSC Virtuosa | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | MSC Cruises | MSC Cruises |
| Ship size | Mega | Mega |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2019 | 2021 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 181,541 | 181,541 |
| Passengers | 4,842 | 4,842 |
| Crew | 1,704 | 1,704 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| Decks | 19 | 18 |
| Length | 1,087 ft | 1,087 ft |
| Beam | 141 ft | 141 ft |
| Speed | 26 mph | 25 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 7 / 10 | 8 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 43 | 55 |
| Upcoming sailings | 233 | 433 |
| Cruise lengths | 3–21 nights | 1–25 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $308 | $70 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. MSC Grandiosa leads on 0 of the ten, MSC Virtuosa on 6, with 4 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
MSC Cruises
MSC Grandiosa
MSC Grandiosa launched in November 2019 as the flagship and largest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet. The megaship holds 4,842 passengers at double capacity and 6,334 people at maximum capacity.
Sailing now
43 cruises on sale, from $308.
MSC Cruises
MSC Virtuosa
MSC Virtuosa debuted in May 2021 as the largest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, equalizing the size of twin sister MSC Grandiosa. It's a dazzling megaship with room for 4,842 passengers at double occupancy and 6,334 at maximum capacity.
Sailing now
55 cruises on sale, from $70.
Questions
MSC Grandiosa or MSC Virtuosa?
Which is bigger, MSC Grandiosa or MSC Virtuosa?
They are the same size, 181,541 gross tons each. MSC Grandiosa carries 4,842 passengers and MSC Virtuosa carries 4,842.
Which ship is newer, MSC Grandiosa or MSC Virtuosa?
MSC Virtuosa is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2021 against 2019 for MSC Grandiosa.
Which has more space per passenger?
They are level at 37.5 gross tons per passenger.
Which has more crew per passenger?
They are level, with one crew member for every 2.8 passengers.
Which is better for families?
MSC Virtuosa scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10, against 4.0 for MSC Grandiosa.
Still deciding?
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