$521/person
View DealShip comparison
Carnival Horizon vs Carnival Sunshine
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Carnival Horizon wins 5 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Carnival Horizon
Carnival Sunshine
Size
133,500 GT
102,853 GT
Passengers
3,954
3,002
Year built
2018
1996
Crew ratio
2.7 guests per crew
2.6 guests per crew
Space ratio
33.8 GT per guest
34.3 GT per guest
Decks
No data
13
Length
323 m
272 m
From price
$521 pp
$571 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Horizon is the significantly larger vessel at 133,500 GT, 30% more than Carnival Sunshine's 102,853 GT. Built in 2018, Carnival Horizon is 22 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Sunshine edges ahead in service at 2.6 guests per crew, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Carnival Horizon |
| Capacity | Carnival Horizon |
| Modernity | Carnival Horizon |
| Service | Carnival Sunshine |
| Spaciousness | Carnival Sunshine |
| Decks | No data |
| 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 Sunshine if its strengths matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Horizon if
- You want the newer ship (built 2018, 22 years newer)
- Size matters to you (133,500 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,954 guests)
Choose Carnival Sunshine if
- More crew per guest (2.6 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (34.3 GT per guest)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Carnival Horizon | Carnival Sunshine |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $521 pp | $571 pp |
| Per night | No data | No data |
| Departing | Nov 1 | Oct 31 |
| Duration | null nights | null nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We score 8 categories from spec data: size, capacity, modernity, service, spaciousness, decks, length and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship. A category where either ship has no data is marked No data and left out of the score.
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, and mass-market ships often fall between 30 and 40.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
It is the number of guests for each crew member, shown as "3.0 guests per crew". Lower is better: more staff per guest usually means more attentive service. Luxury lines aim for fewer than 2 guests per crew, and large mainstream ships often carry 3 to 4.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices come from Cruisebound and are per person for the sailing shown. They change with cabin type, date and demand, so open the sailing to see the current fare.
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+ ships, and this page refreshes daily. An "Updated" date appears at the top when either ship's record changed in the last 30 days.
