Spots going fast$571/person$82/night
View Deal →Caribbean Princess vs Rhapsody of the Seas
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Caribbean Princess is the significantly larger vessel at 112,894 GT, 44% more than Rhapsody of the Seas's 78,491 GT. Built in 2004, Caribbean Princess is 7 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Caribbean Princess accommodates 1,140 more guests (3,140 vs 2,000), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Rhapsody of the Seas trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
Score: 5 – 2
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Category
Caribbean Princess
Rhapsody of the Seas
Size
112,894 GT
78,491 GT
Passengers
3,140
2,000
Year Built
2004
1997
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:2.6
Space Ratio
36.0
39.3
Decks
—
—
Length
290m
279m
From Price
$549/pp
$583.29/pp
Comparison Verdict
Caribbean Princess is the significantly larger vessel at 112,894 GT, 44% more than Rhapsody of the Seas's 78,491 GT. Built in 2004, Caribbean Princess is 7 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Caribbean Princess accommodates 1,140 more guests (3,140 vs 2,000), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Rhapsody of the Seas trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Caribbean Princess |
| Capacity | Caribbean Princess |
| Modernity | Caribbean Princess |
| Service | Rhapsody of the Seas |
| Spaciousness | Rhapsody of the Seas |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Caribbean Princess |
| Fleet Power | Caribbean Princess |
Bottom line: Caribbean Princess leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Caribbean Princess for overall superiority; pick Rhapsody of the Seas if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Caribbean Princess if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2004, 7yr newer)
- Size matters to you (112,894 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,140 guests)
- Save $34.29/person on sailings
Choose Rhapsody of the Seas if...
- Better service ratio (2.6:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (39.3 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Caribbean Princess
Spots going fast
Leaves in 9 days$549/person$78/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 16 days$689/person$98/night
View Deal →Upcoming Sailings on Rhapsody of the Seas
Leaves in 8 days7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Rhapsody of the Seas
Sep 19, 2026 · 7 nights
Caribbean
$1,136/person$162/night
View Deal →Leaves in 15 days7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Rhapsody of the Seas
Sep 26, 2026 · 7 nights
Caribbean
$606/person$87/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 22 days7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Rhapsody of the Seas
Oct 3, 2026 · 7 nights
Caribbean
$583/person$83/night
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.
