Spots going fast$956/person
View Deal →Carnival Horizon vs Carnival Sunrise
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Carnival Horizon is the significantly larger vessel at 133,500 GT — 32% more than Carnival Sunrise's 101,509 GT. Built in 2018, Carnival Horizon is 19 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Sunrise edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.5:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 5 – 2
Quick Compare
Scroll to compare
Category
Carnival Horizon
Carnival Sunrise
Size
133,500 GT
101,509 GT
Passengers
3,954
2,764
Year Built
2018
1999
Crew Ratio
1:2.7
1:2.5
Space Ratio
33.8
36.7
Decks
—
—
Length
323m
272m
From Price
$490/pp
$261/pp
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Horizon is the significantly larger vessel at 133,500 GT — 32% more than Carnival Sunrise's 101,509 GT. Built in 2018, Carnival Horizon is 19 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Sunrise edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.5:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Carnival Horizon |
| Capacity | Carnival Horizon |
| Modernity | Carnival Horizon |
| Service | Carnival Sunrise |
| Spaciousness | Carnival Sunrise |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Carnival Horizon |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Horizon |
Bottom line: Carnival Horizon leads 5–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Carnival Horizon for overall superiority; pick Carnival Sunrise if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Horizon if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2018, 19yr newer)
- Size matters to you (133,500 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,954 guests)
Choose Carnival Sunrise if...
- Better service ratio (2.5:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (36.7 GT/pax)
- Save $229/person on sailings
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
We may earn a commission from partner bookings at no extra cost to you.
Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Carnival Horizon
Upcoming Sailings on Carnival Sunrise
Spots going fast$261/person
View Deal →
Spots going fast$494/person
View Deal →
Leaves in 11 days$338/person
View Deal →Hotels & Accommodations Near Miami Cruise Port
Compare prices from 100+ booking sites
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.
