September 5, 2026
9-Night Northern Europe Cruise
Departing from Copenhagen
From
$3,669
Price / day
$408
Norwegian Sun|Empress of the Seas
Norwegian Sun vs Empress of the Seas
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
Norwegian Sun
Cordelia Cruises
Check prices on CruiseDirectVS
Newer Ship
Norwegian Sun
Built in 2001
11 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
More Spacious Ship
Norwegian Sun
35.1 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
Norwegian Sun vs Empress of the Seas: Quick Comparison
Norwegian Sun is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2001, it is 11 years newer than Empress of the Seas, which entered service in 1990. Norwegian Sun is approximately 61% larger by gross tonnage at 78,309 GT. Norwegian Sun also carries 630 more passengers. Norwegian Sun has upcoming sailings in Northern Europe. 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 | Norwegian Sun | Empress of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 2001Newer | 1990 |
| Gross Tonnage | 78,309 GT | 48,563 GT |
| Passenger Capacity | 2,232 | 1,602 |
| Space per Passenger | 35.1 GT | 30.3 GT |
| Length | 258.06 m | 210.81 m |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Key Differences: Norwegian Sun vs Empress of the Seas
Age
Norwegian Sun was built in 2001, making it 11 years newer than Empress of the Seas, which was built in 1990.
Size
At 78,309 GT, Norwegian Sun is approximately 61% larger by gross tonnage than Empress of the Seas at 48,563 GT.
Passenger capacity
Norwegian Sun carries up to 2,232 passengers compared with 1,602 aboard Empress of the Seas, a difference of 630 passengers.
Passenger space
Norwegian Sun offers more space per passenger: 35.1 GT per guest, compared with 30.3 aboard Empress of the Seas. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.
Itineraries
The upcoming sailings shown for Norwegian Sun (Northern Europe) and Empress of the Seas currently cover different regions or departure ports.
Compare Ports of Call
Norwegian Sun
Baltic: Germany, Norway & Sweden
- Departure Port
- Copenhagen
- Region
- Northern Europe
- Nights
- 9
- Round Trip
- No
- Day 1 · Sep 5, 2026Copenhagen
- Day 2 · Sep 6, 2026Oslo
- Day 3 · Sep 7, 2026Berlin
- Day 4 · Sep 8, 2026Gdynia
- Day 5 · Sep 9, 2026Visby
- Day 6 · Sep 10, 2026Riga
- Day 7 · Sep 11, 2026Stockholm
- Day 8 · Sep 12, 2026Tallinn
- Day 9 · Sep 13, 2026Helsinki
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Upcoming Cruises & Prices
Norwegian Sun
September 14, 2026
9-Night Northern Europe Cruise
Departing from Helsinki
From
$2,879
Price / day
$320
Empress of the Seas
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
Norwegian Sun
Average
$364 / day
VS
Empress of the Seas
Average
$0 / day
Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose Norwegian Sun 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.
- You value having more space per passenger (higher GT-per-guest ratio).
- You want to sail in Northern Europe.
- Departing from Copenhagen and Helsinki works for your plans.
Choose Empress of the Seas if…
- You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
- You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than Norwegian Sun.
Norwegian Sun vs Empress of the Seas: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
Norwegian Sun
Built in 2001
11 years newer
Bigger
Norwegian Sun
78,309 GT
61% larger by gross tonnage
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
- Norwegian Sun is 11 years newer.
- Norwegian Sun is 61% larger by gross tonnage.
- Norwegian Sun carries 630 more passengers.
- Norwegian Sun offers more space per passenger (35.1 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Norwegian Sun or Empress of the Seas?
Norwegian Sun is newer. It was built in 2001, while Empress of the Seas was built in 1990, making Norwegian Sun 11 years newer.
Which is bigger, Norwegian Sun or Empress of the Seas?
Norwegian Sun is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 78,309 GT compared with Empress of the Seas at 48,563 GT.
Which ship carries more passengers?
Norwegian Sun has a passenger capacity of approximately 2,232, compared with 1,602 for Empress of the Seas.
Which ship is more spacious, Norwegian Sun or Empress of the Seas?
Norwegian Sun has the higher passenger space ratio at 35.1 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.
Where does Norwegian Sun sail?
The upcoming Norwegian Sun sailings currently listed cover Northern Europe, departing from Copenhagen and Helsinki.
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