$537/person
View DealShip comparison
Carnival Dream vs Carnival Encounter
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Carnival Dream wins 5 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Carnival Dream
Carnival Encounter
Size
130,000 GT
109,000 GT
Passengers
3,646
2,600
Year built
2009
2002
Crew ratio
2.7 guests per crew
2.4 guests per crew
Space ratio
35.7 GT per guest
41.9 GT per guest
Decks
No data
18
Length
306 m
290 m
From price
$537 pp
$435 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Dream is the larger vessel at 130,000 GT, 19% more than Carnival Encounter's 109,000 GT. Carnival Encounter offers more personal space with a space ratio of 41.9 GT per passenger versus 35.7. Built in 2009, Carnival Dream is 7 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Carnival Dream |
| Capacity | Carnival Dream |
| Modernity | Carnival Dream |
| Service | Carnival Encounter |
| Spaciousness | Carnival Encounter |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Carnival Dream |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Dream |
Bottom line: Carnival Dream leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Carnival Dream for overall superiority; pick Carnival Encounter if its strengths matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Dream if
- You want the newer ship (built 2009, 7 years newer)
- Size matters to you (130,000 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,646 guests)
Choose Carnival Encounter if
- More crew per guest (2.4 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (41.9 GT per guest)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Carnival Dream | Carnival Encounter |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $537 pp | $435 pp |
| Per night | No data | No data |
| Departing | Oct 31 | Nov 19 |
| Duration | null nights | null nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We score 8 categories from spec data: size, capacity, modernity, service, spaciousness, decks, length and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship. A category where either ship has no data is marked No data and left out of the score.
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, and mass-market ships often fall between 30 and 40.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
It is the number of guests for each crew member, shown as "3.0 guests per crew". Lower is better: more staff per guest usually means more attentive service. Luxury lines aim for fewer than 2 guests per crew, and large mainstream ships often carry 3 to 4.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices come from Cruisebound and are per person for the sailing shown. They change with cabin type, date and demand, so open the sailing to see the current fare.
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+ ships, and this page refreshes daily. An "Updated" date appears at the top when either ship's record changed in the last 30 days.
