Balmoral vs Empress of the Seas
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
Balmoral
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Check prices on CruiseDirect
Newer Ship
Empress of the Seas
Built in 1990
2 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
More Spacious Ship
Balmoral
33.3 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
Balmoral vs Empress of the Seas: Quick Comparison
Empress of the Seas is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 1990, it is 2 years newer than Balmoral, which entered service in 1988. Empress of the Seas is approximately 12% larger by gross tonnage at 48,563 GT. Empress of the Seas also carries 293 more passengers. The sailings shown cover different itineraries, so the price per day figures are not a like-for-like comparison. Cruise fares vary significantly by itinerary, departure date and cabin availability, so any price difference should be treated as a snapshot rather than a permanent gap.
Ship Comparison
| Spec | Balmoral | Empress of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 1988 | 1990Newer |
| Gross Tonnage | 43,537 GT | 48,563 GT |
| Passenger Capacity | 1,309 | 1,602 |
| Space per Passenger | 33.3 GT | 30.3 GT |
| Length | 217.91 m | 210.81 m |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Key Differences: Balmoral vs Empress of the Seas
Age
Empress of the Seas was built in 1990, making it 2 years newer than Balmoral, which was built in 1988.
Size
At 48,563 GT, Empress of the Seas is approximately 12% larger by gross tonnage than Balmoral at 43,537 GT.
Passenger capacity
Empress of the Seas carries up to 1,602 passengers compared with 1,309 aboard Balmoral, a difference of 293 passengers.
Passenger space
Balmoral offers more space per passenger: 33.3 GT per guest, compared with 30.3 aboard Empress of the Seas. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.
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Upcoming Cruises & Prices
Balmoral
Empress of the Seas
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
Balmoral
Average
$0 / day
Empress of the Seas
Average
$0 / day
Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose Balmoral if…
- You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
- You value having more space per passenger (higher GT-per-guest ratio).
- You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than Empress of the Seas.
Choose Empress of the Seas if…
- You prefer the newer ship.
- You prefer the larger ship by gross tonnage.
- You do not mind sailing on a ship with a higher passenger capacity.
Balmoral vs Empress of the Seas: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
Empress of the Seas
Built in 1990
2 years newer
Bigger
Empress of the Seas
48,563 GT
12% larger by gross tonnage
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
- Empress of the Seas is 2 years newer.
- Empress of the Seas is 12% larger by gross tonnage.
- Empress of the Seas carries 293 more passengers.
- Balmoral offers more space per passenger (33.3 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Balmoral or Empress of the Seas?
Empress of the Seas is newer. It was built in 1990, while Balmoral was built in 1988, making Empress of the Seas 2 years newer.
Which is bigger, Balmoral or Empress of the Seas?
Empress of the Seas is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 48,563 GT compared with Balmoral at 43,537 GT.
Which ship carries more passengers?
Empress of the Seas has a passenger capacity of approximately 1,602, compared with 1,309 for Balmoral.
Which ship is more spacious, Balmoral or Empress of the Seas?
Balmoral has the higher passenger space ratio at 33.3 GT per passenger, versus 30.3 for Empress of the Seas. The ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity; a higher number means more ship space per guest.
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