Spots going fast$223/person
View Deal →Carnival Firenze vs Independence of the Seas
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
Independence of the Seas is the larger vessel at 154,407 GT, 14% more than Carnival Firenze's 135,156 GT. Built in 2020, Carnival Firenze is 12 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Firenze edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.9:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 2 – 5
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Category
Carnival Firenze
Independence of the Seas
Size
135,156 GT
154,407 GT
Passengers
4,126
4,370
Year Built
2020
2008
Crew Ratio
1:2.9
1:3.2
Space Ratio
32.8
35.3
Decks
14
—
Length
323.6m
339m
From Price
$223/pp
$1,225.89/pp
Comparison Verdict
Independence of the Seas is the larger vessel at 154,407 GT, 14% more than Carnival Firenze's 135,156 GT. Built in 2020, Carnival Firenze is 12 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Firenze edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.9:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Independence of the Seas |
| Capacity | Independence of the Seas |
| Modernity | Carnival Firenze |
| Service | Carnival Firenze |
| Spaciousness | Independence of the Seas |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Independence of the Seas |
| Fleet Power | Independence of the Seas |
Bottom line: Independence of the Seas leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Independence of the Seas for overall superiority; pick Carnival Firenze if Modernity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Firenze if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2020, 12yr newer)
- Better service ratio (2.9:1 crew ratio)
- Save $1,002.89/person on sailings
Choose Independence of the Seas if...
- Size matters to you (154,407 GT)
- More onboard variety (4,370 guests)
- More space per guest (35.3 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Carnival Firenze
Upcoming Sailings on Independence of the Seas
Spots going fast$1,226/person$245/night
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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.
