$326/person
View Deal →Carnival Radiance vs MSC Poesia
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Carnival Radiance is the larger vessel at 101,509 GT, 10% more than MSC Poesia's 92,627 GT. Built in 2008, MSC Poesia is 8 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Radiance accommodates 214 more guests (2,764 vs 2,550), making it the larger resort-at-sea. MSC Poesia trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
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Category
Carnival Radiance
MSC Poesia
Size
101,509 GT
92,627 GT
Passengers
2,764
2,550
Year Built
2000
2008
Crew Ratio
1:2.5
1:2.6
Space Ratio
36.7
36.3
Decks
—
—
Length
272m
293m
From Price
$326/pp
$768/pp
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Radiance is the larger vessel at 101,509 GT, 10% more than MSC Poesia's 92,627 GT. Built in 2008, MSC Poesia is 8 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Radiance accommodates 214 more guests (2,764 vs 2,550), making it the larger resort-at-sea. MSC Poesia trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | MSC Poesia |
| Capacity | Carnival Radiance |
| Modernity | MSC Poesia |
| Service | Carnival Radiance |
| Spaciousness | Carnival Radiance |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | MSC Poesia |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Radiance |
Bottom line: Carnival Radiance leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Capacity. Choose Carnival Radiance for overall superiority; pick MSC Poesia if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Radiance if...
- Size matters to you (101,509 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,764 guests)
- Better service ratio (2.5:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (36.7 GT/pax)
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Carnival Radiance
Upcoming Sailings on MSC Poesia
Spots going fast$768/person$110/night
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Leaves in 11 days$3,799/person$543/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.
