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View Deal →Carnival Elation vs Norwegian Sun
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Norwegian Sun is the larger vessel at 78,309 GT — 11% more than Carnival Elation's 70,367 GT. Norwegian Sun offers more personal space with a space ratio of 40.5 GT per passenger versus 34.3. Built in 2001, Norwegian Sun is 3 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
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Category
Carnival Elation
Norwegian Sun
Size
70,367 GT
78,309 GT
Passengers
2,052
1,936
Year Built
1998
2001
Crew Ratio
1:2.2
1:2.1
Space Ratio
34.3
40.5
Decks
—
—
Length
262m
258m
From Price
$339/pp
$1,385/pp
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Sun is the larger vessel at 78,309 GT — 11% more than Carnival Elation's 70,367 GT. Norwegian Sun offers more personal space with a space ratio of 40.5 GT per passenger versus 34.3. Built in 2001, Norwegian Sun is 3 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Sun |
| Capacity | Carnival Elation |
| Modernity | Norwegian Sun |
| Service | Norwegian Sun |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Sun |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Carnival Elation |
| Fleet Power | Norwegian Sun |
Bottom line: Norwegian Sun leads 5–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Sun for overall superiority; pick Carnival Elation if Capacity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Elation if...
- More onboard variety (2,052 guests)
- Save $1,046/person on sailings
Choose Norwegian Sun if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2001, 3yr newer)
- Size matters to you (78,309 GT)
- Better service ratio (2.1:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (40.5 GT/pax)
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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.
