$537/person
View DealShip comparison
Carnival Dream vs Rhapsody of the Seas
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Carnival Dream wins 5 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Carnival Dream
Rhapsody of the Seas
Size
130,000 GT
78,491 GT
Passengers
3,646
2,000
Year built
2009
1997
Crew ratio
2.7 guests per crew
2.6 guests per crew
Space ratio
35.7 GT per guest
39.3 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
306 m
279 m
From price
$537 pp
$636.16 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Dream is the significantly larger vessel at 130,000 GT, 66% more than Rhapsody of the Seas's 78,491 GT. Rhapsody of the Seas offers more personal space with a space ratio of 39.3 GT per passenger versus 35.7. Built in 2009, Carnival Dream is 12 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Carnival Dream |
| Capacity | Carnival Dream |
| Modernity | Carnival Dream |
| Service | Rhapsody of the Seas |
| Spaciousness | Rhapsody of the Seas |
| 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 Rhapsody of the Seas 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, 12 years newer)
- Size matters to you (130,000 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,646 guests)
Choose Rhapsody of the Seas if
- More crew per guest (2.6 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (39.3 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 | Rhapsody of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $537 pp | $636.16 pp |
| Per night | No data | $91 pp |
| Departing | Oct 31 | Nov 14 |
| Duration | null nights | 7 nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
Go deeper
Deep Dive
Sailings
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Rhapsody of the Seas
7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Rhapsody of the Seas
Nov 7, 2026 · 7 nights
Caribbean
$738/person$105/night
View Deal
7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Rhapsody of the Seas
Nov 14, 2026 · 7 nights
Caribbean
$636/person$91/night
View Deal
7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Rhapsody of the Seas
Nov 21, 2026 · 7 nights
Caribbean
$878/person$125/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.
