Spots going fastCaribbean Princess vs Pacific Encounter
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Pacific Encounter offers more personal space with a space ratio of 41.4 GT per passenger versus 36.0. Built in 2004, Caribbean Princess is 2 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Pacific Encounter edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.4:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 4 – 2
Quick Compare
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Category
Caribbean Princess
Pacific Encounter
Size
112,894 GT
109,000 GT
Passengers
3,140
2,636
Year Built
2004
2002
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:2.4
Space Ratio
36.0
41.4
Decks
—
—
Length
290m
290m
From Price
$631/pp
—
Comparison Verdict
Pacific Encounter offers more personal space with a space ratio of 41.4 GT per passenger versus 36.0. Built in 2004, Caribbean Princess is 2 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Pacific Encounter edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.4:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Caribbean Princess |
| Capacity | Caribbean Princess |
| Modernity | Caribbean Princess |
| Service | Pacific Encounter |
| Spaciousness | Pacific Encounter |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Tie |
| Fleet Power | Caribbean Princess |
Bottom line: Caribbean Princess leads 4–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Caribbean Princess for overall superiority; pick Pacific Encounter if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Caribbean Princess if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2004, 2yr newer)
- Size matters to you (112,894 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,140 guests)
Choose Pacific Encounter if...
- Better service ratio (2.4:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (41.4 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Sailing Prices
| Caribbean Princess | Pacific Encounter | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $631 pp | — |
| Departing | Aug 2 | — |
| Duration | 7 nights | — |
| View Deal |
Prices from Cruisebound. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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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.
