Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Prima
- Cruises
- 52
- From
- $419
Ship comparison
Norwegian Prima vs Scarlet Lady
Virgin Voyages
Scarlet Lady
- Cruises
- 59
- From
- $545
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Norwegian Prima is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 3,215 passengers, in service since 2022. Scarlet Lady is a large Virgin Voyages ship carrying 2,770 passengers, in service since 2021.
Choose Norwegian Prima if you want a more family-friendly ship, better-rated entertainment or a lower starting fare: it outscores Scarlet Lady for family friendly (8.0 vs 1.0) and entertainment (7.0 vs 3.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $419 (vs $545).
Choose Scarlet Lady if you want a better-rated spa and gym, a more romantic trip or more of a party: it outscores Norwegian Prima for spa & fitness (8.0 vs 7.0), romantic (8.0 vs 7.0) and party (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Norwegian Prima | Scarlet Lady | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Norwegian Cruise Line | Virgin Voyages |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2022 (better) | 2021 |
| Gross tonnage | 142,500 | 110,000 |
| Passengers | 3,215 | 2,770 |
| Crew | 1,388 | 1,160 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.3 (better) | 2.4 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 44.3 (better) | 39.7 |
| Cabins | 1,646 | — |
| Decks | 20 | 17 |
| Length | 965 ft | 909 ft |
| Beam | 133 ft | 135 ft |
| Speed | — | 23 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 52 | 59 |
| Upcoming sailings | 98 | 111 |
| Cruise lengths | 3–17 nights | 4–14 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $419 (better) | $545 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Norwegian Prima leads on 2 of the ten, Scarlet Lady on 3, with 5 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Prima
First in a new class of smartships from Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Prima sailed its maiden voyage in August 2022. The next-generation ship was Norwegian's first major redesign in nearly 10 years.
Sailing now
52 cruises on sale, from $419.
Virgin Voyages
Scarlet Lady
Scarlet Lady, the first ship from billionaire Richard Branson's upstart Virgin Voyages, debuted in August 2021 in England and made its U.S. debut out of Miami in October 2021.
Sailing now
59 cruises on sale, from $545.
Questions
Norwegian Prima or Scarlet Lady?
Which is bigger, Norwegian Prima or Scarlet Lady?
Norwegian Prima is bigger at 142,500 gross tons, against 110,000 gross tons for Scarlet Lady. Norwegian Prima carries 3,215 passengers and Scarlet Lady carries 2,770.
Which ship is newer, Norwegian Prima or Scarlet Lady?
Norwegian Prima is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2022 against 2021 for Scarlet Lady.
Which has more space per passenger?
Norwegian Prima, with 44.3 gross tons per passenger against 39.7 on Scarlet Lady. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Norwegian Prima, with one crew member for every 2.3 passengers against one for every 2.4 on Scarlet Lady.
Which is better for families?
Norwegian Prima scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10, against 1.0 for Scarlet Lady.
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