MSC Cruises
MSC Opera
- Cruises
- 47
- From
- $209
Ship comparison
MSC Opera vs Norwegian Spirit
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Spirit
- Cruises
- 45
- From
- $779
The verdict
Which should you choose?
MSC Opera is a large MSC Cruises ship carrying 1,756 passengers, in service since 2003. Norwegian Spirit is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 2,018 passengers, in service since 1997.
Choose MSC Opera if you want a lower starting fare, a more active cruise or a newer ship: it outscores Norwegian Spirit for active (5.0 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, its cruises start from $209 (vs $779) and its maiden voyage was in 2003 (vs 1997).
Choose Norwegian Spirit if you want more culture, a better-rated spa and gym or more of a party: it outscores MSC Opera for cultural (4.0 vs 2.0), spa & fitness (8.0 vs 6.5) and party (7.0 vs 5.5) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| MSC Opera | Norwegian Spirit | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | MSC Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2003 (better) | 1997 |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2015 | 2021 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 58,600 | 75,338 |
| Passengers | 1,756 | 2,018 |
| Crew | 750 | 962 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.3 | 2.1 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 33.4 | 37.3 (better) |
| Decks | 9 | 14 |
| Length | 824 ft | 881 ft |
| Beam | 94 ft | 106 ft |
| Speed | 25 mph | 28 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 (better) | 6 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 47 | 45 |
| Upcoming sailings | 286 | 63 |
| Cruise lengths | 3–25 nights | 4–20 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $209 (better) | $779 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. MSC Opera leads on 1 of the ten, Norwegian Spirit on 9.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
MSC Cruises
MSC Opera
MSC Opera certainly lives up to its name — classic, grand, opulent. It's a cruise ship with something to sing about! A true sense of grandeur and spaciousness prevails on MSC Opera, one of the most welcoming ships in the fleet of Italy-based MSC Cruises.
Highlights
- Chic and contemporary public areas
- Some of the best staterooms at sea
- Drinks package options available
- Will be "stretched" in 2015 with the addition of new cabins and a new water park
Sailing now
47 cruises on sale, from $209.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Spirit
With excellent service and cool ambiance, the Norwegian Spirit may be one of the older ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, but it hasn't changed the ship's quality. This 2,018-passenger ship still offers solid restaurants, bars and lounges as well as plenty of family-friendly services.
Highlights
- A hilarious who-done-it lunch show "Presumed Murdered"-- passengers get involved in the mystery
- Shoot hoops or join a pick up game at the net enclosed, outdoor basketball court
- Visit the splendid Canary Islands
Sailing now
45 cruises on sale, from $779.
Questions
MSC Opera or Norwegian Spirit?
Which is bigger, MSC Opera or Norwegian Spirit?
Norwegian Spirit is bigger at 75,338 gross tons, against 58,600 gross tons for MSC Opera. MSC Opera carries 1,756 passengers and Norwegian Spirit carries 2,018.
Which ship is newer, MSC Opera or Norwegian Spirit?
MSC Opera is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2003 against 1997 for Norwegian Spirit.
Which has more space per passenger?
Norwegian Spirit, with 37.3 gross tons per passenger against 33.4 on MSC Opera. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Norwegian Spirit, with one crew member for every 2.1 passengers against one for every 2.3 on MSC Opera.
Which is better for families?
Norwegian Spirit scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10, against 7.5 for MSC Opera.
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