Spots going fast$180/person
View Deal →Carnival Conquest vs Rhapsody of the Seas
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Carnival Conquest is the significantly larger vessel at 110,000 GT, 40% more than Rhapsody of the Seas's 78,491 GT. Built in 2002, Carnival Conquest is 5 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Conquest accommodates 974 more guests (2,974 vs 2,000), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Rhapsody of the Seas trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
Score: 6 – 1
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Category
Carnival Conquest
Rhapsody of the Seas
Size
110,000 GT
78,491 GT
Passengers
2,974
2,000
Year Built
2002
1997
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:2.6
Space Ratio
37.0
39.3
Decks
—
—
Length
290m
279m
From Price
$180/pp
$563.57/pp
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Conquest is the significantly larger vessel at 110,000 GT, 40% more than Rhapsody of the Seas's 78,491 GT. Built in 2002, Carnival Conquest is 5 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Conquest accommodates 974 more guests (2,974 vs 2,000), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Rhapsody of the Seas trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Carnival Conquest |
| Capacity | Carnival Conquest |
| Modernity | Carnival Conquest |
| Service | Carnival Conquest |
| Spaciousness | Rhapsody of the Seas |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Carnival Conquest |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Conquest |
Bottom line: Carnival Conquest leads 6–1 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Carnival Conquest for overall superiority; pick Rhapsody of the Seas if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Conquest if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2002, 5yr newer)
- Size matters to you (110,000 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,974 guests)
- Better service ratio (2.6:1 crew ratio)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Carnival Conquest
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
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$564/person$81/night
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Leaves in 15 days7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Rhapsody of the Seas
Sep 26, 2026 · 7 nights
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$606/person$87/night
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Leaves in 22 days7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Rhapsody of the Seas
Oct 3, 2026 · 7 nights
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$583/person$83/night
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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.
