Spots going fast$404/person
View Deal →Carnival Paradise vs Norwegian Sky
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Norwegian Sky is the larger vessel at 77,104 GT — 10% more than Carnival Paradise's 70,367 GT. Norwegian Sky offers more personal space with a space ratio of 38.5 GT per passenger versus 34.3.
Score: 3 – 4
Quick Compare
Scroll to compare
Category
Carnival Paradise
Norwegian Sky
Size
70,367 GT
77,104 GT
Passengers
2,052
2,002
Year Built
1998
1999
Crew Ratio
1:2.2
1:2.3
Space Ratio
34.3
38.5
Decks
—
—
Length
262m
258m
From Price
$224/pp
$899/pp
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Sky is the larger vessel at 77,104 GT — 10% more than Carnival Paradise's 70,367 GT. Norwegian Sky offers more personal space with a space ratio of 38.5 GT per passenger versus 34.3.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Sky |
| Capacity | Carnival Paradise |
| Modernity | Norwegian Sky |
| Service | Carnival Paradise |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Sky |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Carnival Paradise |
| Fleet Power | Norwegian Sky |
Bottom line: Norwegian Sky leads 4–3 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Sky for overall superiority; pick Carnival Paradise if Capacity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Paradise if...
- More onboard variety (2,052 guests)
- Better service ratio (2.2:1 crew ratio)
- Save $675/person on sailings
Choose Norwegian Sky if...
- You want the newer ship (built 1999, 1yr newer)
- Size matters to you (77,104 GT)
- More space per guest (38.5 GT/pax)
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 Paradise
Upcoming Sailings on Norwegian Sky
Spots going fast
Leaves in 12 days
Leaves in 23 daysHotels & 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.
