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View Deal →Carnival Dream vs Disney Fantasy
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
Carnival Dream offers more personal space with a space ratio of 35.7 GT per passenger versus 32.4. Built in 2012, Disney Fantasy is 3 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Disney Fantasy accommodates 354 more guests (4,000 vs 3,646), making it the larger resort-at-sea — Carnival Dream trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
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Category
Carnival Dream
Disney Fantasy
Size
130,000 GT
129,750 GT
Passengers
3,646
4,000
Year Built
2009
2012
Crew Ratio
1:2.7
1:2.8
Space Ratio
35.7
32.4
Decks
—
—
Length
306m
340m
From Price
$676/pp
$1,796.86/pp
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Dream offers more personal space with a space ratio of 35.7 GT per passenger versus 32.4. Built in 2012, Disney Fantasy is 3 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Disney Fantasy accommodates 354 more guests (4,000 vs 3,646), making it the larger resort-at-sea — Carnival Dream trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Disney Fantasy |
| Capacity | Disney Fantasy |
| Modernity | Disney Fantasy |
| Service | Carnival Dream |
| Spaciousness | Carnival Dream |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Disney Fantasy |
| Fleet Power | Disney Fantasy |
Bottom line: Disney Fantasy leads 5–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Disney Fantasy for overall superiority; pick Carnival Dream if Service matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Dream if...
- Size matters to you (130,000 GT)
- Better service ratio (2.7:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (35.7 GT/pax)
- Save $1,120.86/person on sailings
Choose Disney Fantasy if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2012, 3yr newer)
- More onboard variety (4,000 guests)
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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.
