Spots going fastBrilliance of the Seas vs Carnival Sunshine
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Carnival Sunshine is the larger vessel at 102,853 GT — 14% more than Brilliance of the Seas's 90,090 GT. Built in 2002, Brilliance of the Seas is 6 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Sunshine edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.6:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
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Category
Brilliance of the Seas
Carnival Sunshine
Size
90,090 GT
102,853 GT
Passengers
2,501
3,002
Year Built
2002
1996
Crew Ratio
1:3.0
1:2.6
Space Ratio
36.0
34.3
Decks
—
13
Length
293m
272m
From Price
$1,071.97/pp
$632/pp
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Sunshine is the larger vessel at 102,853 GT — 14% more than Brilliance of the Seas's 90,090 GT. Built in 2002, Brilliance of the Seas is 6 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Sunshine edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.6:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Brilliance of the Seas |
| Capacity | Carnival Sunshine |
| Modernity | Brilliance of the Seas |
| Service | Carnival Sunshine |
| Spaciousness | Brilliance of the Seas |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Brilliance of the Seas |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Sunshine |
Bottom line: Brilliance of the Seas leads 4–3 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Brilliance of the Seas for overall superiority; pick Carnival Sunshine if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Brilliance of the Seas if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2002, 6yr newer)
- More space per guest (36.0 GT/pax)
Choose Carnival Sunshine if...
- Size matters to you (102,853 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,002 guests)
- Better service ratio (2.6:1 crew ratio)
- Save $439.97/person on sailings
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Brilliance of the Seas
Spots going fast
Leaves in 13 days7 Night Italy, Croatia & The Adriatic
Royal Caribbean • Brilliance of the Seas
Aug 10, 2026 · 7 nights
Leaves in 20 daysUpcoming Sailings on Carnival Sunshine
Spots going fast$632/person
View Deal →
Leaves in 9 days$1,014/person
View Deal →
Leaves in 13 days$911/person
View Deal →Hotels & Accommodations Near Miami Cruise Port
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We compute scores across 8 categories using real spec data — gross tonnage, passenger capacity, crew capacity, year built, length, deck count, space ratio, and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship.
What is the space ratio and why does it matter?
Space ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity. A higher number means more space per guest. Luxury lines typically score above 40; mass-market ships often fall in the 30-40 range.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
Passengers per crew member. Lower is better — more staff per guest means better service. Luxury lines aim below 2:1; large mainstream ships may be 3-4:1.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices are sourced from Cruisebound and reflect real-time availability. They may change based on cabin type, date, and demand. Click through to see the latest fares.
Can I compare more than two ships?
Yes — up to four ships. Use the search tool on the compare hub page to add additional ships.
How current is the ship data?
Specifications come from our database of 380+ vessels, revalidated every 5 minutes via ISR. The "Updated" timestamp shows when records were last modified.
