$265/person
View DealShip comparison
Carnival Elation vs Carnival Sunshine
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Carnival Sunshine wins 4 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Carnival Elation
Carnival Sunshine
Size
70,367 GT
102,853 GT
Passengers
2,052
3,002
Year built
1998
1996
Crew ratio
2.2 guests per crew
2.6 guests per crew
Space ratio
34.3 GT per guest
34.3 GT per guest
Decks
No data
13
Length
262 m
272 m
From price
$265 pp
$571 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Sunshine is the significantly larger vessel at 102,853 GT, 46% more than Carnival Elation's 70,367 GT. Built in 1998, Carnival Elation is 2 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Elation edges ahead in service at 2.2 guests per crew, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Carnival Sunshine |
| Capacity | Carnival Sunshine |
| Modernity | Carnival Elation |
| Service | Carnival Elation |
| Spaciousness | Carnival Elation |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Carnival Sunshine |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Sunshine |
Bottom line: Carnival Sunshine leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Carnival Sunshine for overall superiority; pick Carnival Elation if Modernity matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Elation if
- You want the newer ship (built 1998, 2 years newer)
- More crew per guest (2.2 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (34.3 GT per guest)
Choose Carnival Sunshine if
- Size matters to you (102,853 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,002 guests)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Carnival Elation | Carnival Sunshine |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $265 pp | $571 pp |
| Per night | No data | No data |
| Departing | Oct 31 | Oct 31 |
| 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.
