$577/person
View DealShip comparison
Carnival Dream vs Mariner of the Seas
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Mariner of the Seas wins 4 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Carnival Dream
Mariner of the Seas
Size
130,000 GT
139,863 GT
Passengers
3,646
3,807
Year built
2009
2003
Crew ratio
2.7 guests per crew
3.2 guests per crew
Space ratio
35.7 GT per guest
36.7 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
306 m
311 m
From price
$577 pp
$397.55 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Mariner of the Seas is the larger vessel at 139,863 GT, 8% more than Carnival Dream's 130,000 GT. Built in 2009, Carnival Dream is 6 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Dream edges ahead in service at 2.7 guests per crew, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Mariner of the Seas |
| Capacity | Carnival Dream |
| Modernity | Carnival Dream |
| Service | Carnival Dream |
| Spaciousness | Mariner of the Seas |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Mariner of the Seas |
| Fleet Power | Mariner of the Seas |
Bottom line: Mariner of the Seas leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Mariner of the Seas for overall superiority; pick Carnival Dream if Capacity matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Dream if
- You want the newer ship (built 2009, 6 years newer)
- More crew per guest (2.7 guests per crew)
Choose Mariner of the Seas if
- Size matters to you (139,863 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,807 guests)
- More space per guest (36.7 GT per guest)
Prices
See Current Prices
You have compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Carnival Dream | Mariner of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $577 pp | $397.55 pp |
| Per night | No data | $66 pp |
| Departing | Oct 31 | Nov 1 |
| Duration | null nights | 6 nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
Go deeper
Deep Dive
Sailings
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Mariner of the Seas
4 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Mariner of the Seas
Oct 26, 2026 · 4 nights
Caribbean
$1,260/person$315/night
View Deal
6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Mariner of the Seas
Nov 1, 2026 · 6 nights
Caribbean
$398/person$66/night
View Deal
$719/person$103/night
View DealHotels & Accommodations Near Port of Galveston
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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.
