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View Deal →Carnival Encounter vs Carnival Vista
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Carnival Vista is the significantly larger vessel at 133,500 GT — 22% more than Carnival Encounter's 109,000 GT. Carnival Encounter offers more personal space with a space ratio of 41.9 GT per passenger versus 33.9. Built in 2016, Carnival Vista is 14 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 3 – 5
Quick Compare
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Category
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Vista
Size
109,000 GT
133,500 GT
Passengers
2,600
3,936
Year Built
2002
2016
Crew Ratio
1:2.4
1:2.7
Space Ratio
41.9
33.9
Decks
18
15
Length
290m
323m
From Price
$572/pp
$590/pp
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Vista is the significantly larger vessel at 133,500 GT — 22% more than Carnival Encounter's 109,000 GT. Carnival Encounter offers more personal space with a space ratio of 41.9 GT per passenger versus 33.9. Built in 2016, Carnival Vista is 14 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Carnival Vista |
| Capacity | Carnival Vista |
| Modernity | Carnival Vista |
| Service | Carnival Encounter |
| Spaciousness | Carnival Encounter |
| Decks | Carnival Encounter |
| Length | Carnival Vista |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Vista |
Bottom line: Carnival Vista leads 5–3 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Carnival Vista for overall superiority; pick Carnival Encounter if Service matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Encounter if...
- Better service ratio (2.4:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (41.9 GT/pax)
- More decks to explore (18 decks)
- Save $18/person on sailings
Choose Carnival Vista if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2016, 14yr newer)
- Size matters to you (133,500 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,936 guests)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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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.
