Spots going fast$767/person
View Deal →Carnival Horizon vs Norwegian Dawn
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Carnival Horizon is the significantly larger vessel at 133,500 GT, 45% more than Norwegian Dawn's 92,250 GT. Norwegian Dawn offers more personal space with a space ratio of 39.4 GT per passenger versus 33.8. Built in 2018, Carnival Horizon is 16 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 5 – 2
Quick Compare
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Category
Carnival Horizon
Norwegian Dawn
Size
133,500 GT
92,250 GT
Passengers
3,954
2,340
Year Built
2018
2002
Crew Ratio
1:2.7
1:2.3
Space Ratio
33.8
39.4
Decks
—
—
Length
323m
294m
From Price
$509/pp
$1,049/pp
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Horizon is the significantly larger vessel at 133,500 GT, 45% more than Norwegian Dawn's 92,250 GT. Norwegian Dawn offers more personal space with a space ratio of 39.4 GT per passenger versus 33.8. Built in 2018, Carnival Horizon is 16 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Carnival Horizon |
| Capacity | Carnival Horizon |
| Modernity | Carnival Horizon |
| Service | Norwegian Dawn |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Dawn |
| 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 Norwegian Dawn if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Horizon if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2018, 16yr newer)
- Size matters to you (133,500 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,954 guests)
- Save $540/person on sailings
Choose Norwegian Dawn if...
- Better service ratio (2.3:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (39.4 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Carnival Horizon
Upcoming Sailings on Norwegian Dawn
Spots going fast7 Night Europe - Western Mediterranean
Norwegian • Norwegian Dawn
Sep 13, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$1,079/person$154/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 9 days$1,219/person$174/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 16 days7 Night Europe - Western Mediterranean
Norwegian • Norwegian Dawn
Sep 27, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$1,049/person$150/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.
