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Ship comparison

Nieuw Statendam vs Sapphire Princess

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Nieuw Statendam is a large Holland America Line ship carrying 2,650 passengers, in service since 2018. Sapphire Princess is a large Princess Cruises ship carrying 2,670 passengers, in service since 2004.

Choose Nieuw Statendam if you want a newer ship, a better-rated spa and gym or a more romantic trip: it outscores Sapphire Princess for spa & fitness (9.0 vs 8.0) and romantic (9.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2018 (vs 2004).

Choose Sapphire Princess if you want a more family-friendly ship, better-rated entertainment or a lower starting fare: it outscores Nieuw Statendam for family friendly (8.0 vs 5.0) and entertainment (7.8 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $228 (vs $719).

Side by side

Specifications

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

Nieuw StatendamSapphire Princess
Cruise line Holland America Line Princess Cruises
Ship size Large Large
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2018 (better) 2004
Gross tonnage 99,500 115,875
Passengers 2,650 2,670
Crew 1,025 1,238
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 2.6 2.2 (better)
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 37.5 43.4 (better)
Decks 12 13
Length 935 ft 952 ft
Beam 115 ft 121 ft
Speed 28 mph 25 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 9 / 10 (better) 8 / 10
Cruises on sale 189 107
Upcoming sailings 201 113
Cruise lengths 7–42 nights 2–42 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $719 $228 (better)

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Nieuw Statendam leads on 5 of the ten, Sapphire Princess on 4, with 1 level.

  • Active Nieuw Statendam: 6.0 Sapphire Princess: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature Nieuw Statendam: 5.0 Sapphire Princess: 4.0
  • Cultural Nieuw Statendam: 7.0 Sapphire Princess: 8.0
  • Dining Nieuw Statendam: 8.0 Sapphire Princess: 7.0
  • Entertainment Nieuw Statendam: 5.0 Sapphire Princess: 7.8
  • Family friendly Nieuw Statendam: 5.0 Sapphire Princess: 8.0
  • Party Nieuw Statendam: 5.0 Sapphire Princess: 5.0
  • Romantic Nieuw Statendam: 9.0 Sapphire Princess: 8.0
  • Spa & fitness Nieuw Statendam: 9.0 Sapphire Princess: 8.0
  • Staterooms Nieuw Statendam: 9.0 Sapphire Princess: 8.0

Holland America Line

Nieuw Statendam

The 2,650-passenger Nieuw Statendam from Holland America debuted in December 2018 as the second in the new Pinnacle class for the cruise line. The ship features several of the innovative venues that were introduced on sister ship Koningsdam as well as a few firsts, including a new specialty restaurant.

Sailing now

189 cruises on sale, from $719.

Princess Cruises

Sapphire Princess

Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises is the perfect ship for sightseeing, featuring more than 700 balconies from which passengers can step out and enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze.

Highlights

  • Cooking demonstrations and photography classes via ScholarShip@Sea
  • Rest and relaxation in the Lotus Spa

Sailing now

107 cruises on sale, from $228.

Questions

Nieuw Statendam or Sapphire Princess?

Which is bigger, Nieuw Statendam or Sapphire Princess?

Sapphire Princess is bigger at 115,875 gross tons, against 99,500 gross tons for Nieuw Statendam. Nieuw Statendam carries 2,650 passengers and Sapphire Princess carries 2,670.

Which ship is newer, Nieuw Statendam or Sapphire Princess?

Nieuw Statendam is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2018 against 2004 for Sapphire Princess.

Which has more space per passenger?

Sapphire Princess, with 43.4 gross tons per passenger against 37.5 on Nieuw Statendam. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Sapphire Princess, with one crew member for every 2.2 passengers against one for every 2.6 on Nieuw Statendam.

Which is better for families?

Sapphire Princess scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10, against 5.0 for Nieuw Statendam.

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