Holland America Line
Noordam
- Cruises
- 44
- From
- $824
Ship comparison
Noordam vs Rhapsody of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
Rhapsody of the Seas
- Cruises
- 54
- From
- $353
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Noordam is a large Holland America Line ship carrying 1,924 passengers, in service since 2006. Rhapsody of the Seas is a large Royal Caribbean ship carrying 1,998 passengers, in service since 1997.
Choose Noordam if you want a newer ship or more adventure and nature: it outscores Rhapsody of the Seas for adventure & nature (5.0 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2006 (vs 1997).
Choose Rhapsody of the Seas if you want a more active cruise, a lower starting fare or more of a party: it outscores Noordam for active (8.0 vs 4.0) and party (5.0 vs 3.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $353 (vs $824).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Noordam | Rhapsody of the Seas | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Holland America Line | Royal Caribbean |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2006 (better) | 1997 |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2019 (better) | 2016 |
| Gross tonnage | 82,318 | 78,491 |
| Passengers | 1,924 | 1,998 |
| Crew | 800 | 765 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.4 (better) | 2.6 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 42.8 (better) | 39.3 |
| Decks | 11 | 11 |
| Length | 936 ft | 915 ft |
| Beam | 106 ft | 117 ft |
| Speed | 25 mph | 25 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 (better) | 7 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 44 | 54 |
| Upcoming sailings | 78 | 115 |
| Cruise lengths | 7 to 43 nights | 4 to 14 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $824 | $353 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Noordam leads on 4 of the ten, Rhapsody of the Seas on 4, with 2 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Holland America Line
Noordam
Launched in 2006, ms Noordam became the newest member of Holland America's renowned Vista class ships.
Highlights
- Varied itineraries including Oceania and the South Pacific as well as the Panama Canal.
- Fine, curated classic and modern art; don't miss the great photography collection.
- Dining options are plentiful and you can even learn to cook or experience state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen offering interactive gourmet cooking lessons taught by Master Chefs or culinary guests
Sailing now
44 cruises on sale, from $824.
Royal Caribbean
Rhapsody of the Seas
Rhapsody of the Seas from Royal Caribbean delivers an unforgettable cruise experience, no matter the hemisphere. Get out to sea and relax away the stress of life on land at the Vitality Spa or glass-canopied Solarium adults-only pool.
Highlights
- Solarium, an adults-only retreat
- Vitality Spa's extensive treatment menu
- Broadway-style entertainment in the Main Theater
- Gaming at the Vegas-style Casino Royale
Sailing now
54 cruises on sale, from $353.
About Rhapsody of the Seas Plan my cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas
Questions
Noordam or Rhapsody of the Seas?
Which is bigger, Noordam or Rhapsody of the Seas?
Noordam is bigger at 82,318 gross tons, against 78,491 gross tons for Rhapsody of the Seas. Noordam carries 1,924 passengers and Rhapsody of the Seas carries 1,998.
Which ship is newer, Noordam or Rhapsody of the Seas?
Noordam is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2006 against 1997 for Rhapsody of the Seas.
Which has more space per passenger?
Noordam, with 42.8 gross tons per passenger against 39.3 on Rhapsody of the Seas. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Noordam, with one crew member for every 2.4 passengers against one for every 2.6 on Rhapsody of the Seas.
Which is better for families?
Rhapsody of the Seas scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 7.5 out of 10, against 6.0 for Noordam.
Still deciding?
Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing
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