Leaves in 29 days$468/person
View Deal →Carnival Encounter vs Grand Princess
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Built in 2002, Carnival Encounter is 4 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Grand Princess edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.3:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 4 – 2
Quick Compare
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Category
Carnival Encounter
Grand Princess
Size
109,000 GT
108,806 GT
Passengers
2,600
2,600
Year Built
2002
1998
Crew Ratio
1:2.4
1:2.3
Space Ratio
41.9
41.9
Decks
18
—
Length
290m
290m
From Price
$411/pp
$459/pp
Comparison Verdict
Built in 2002, Carnival Encounter is 4 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Grand Princess edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.3:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Carnival Encounter |
| Capacity | Grand Princess |
| Modernity | Carnival Encounter |
| Service | Grand Princess |
| Spaciousness | Carnival Encounter |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Tie |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Encounter |
Bottom line: Carnival Encounter leads 4–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Carnival Encounter for overall superiority; pick Grand Princess if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Encounter if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2002, 4yr newer)
- Size matters to you (109,000 GT)
- More space per guest (41.9 GT/pax)
- Save $48/person on sailings
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
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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.
