Spots going fast$271/person
View Deal →Carnival Radiance vs Serenade of the Seas
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Carnival Radiance is the larger vessel at 101,509 GT — 13% more than Serenade of the Seas's 90,090 GT. Serenade of the Seas offers more personal space with a space ratio of 42.0 GT per passenger versus 36.7. Built in 2003, Serenade of the Seas is 3 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 2 – 5
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Category
Carnival Radiance
Serenade of the Seas
Size
101,509 GT
90,090 GT
Passengers
2,764
2,143
Year Built
2000
2003
Crew Ratio
1:2.5
1:2.4
Space Ratio
36.7
42.0
Decks
—
13
Length
272m
293m
From Price
$271/pp
$854.89/pp
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Radiance is the larger vessel at 101,509 GT — 13% more than Serenade of the Seas's 90,090 GT. Serenade of the Seas offers more personal space with a space ratio of 42.0 GT per passenger versus 36.7. Built in 2003, Serenade of the Seas is 3 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Serenade of the Seas |
| Capacity | Carnival Radiance |
| Modernity | Serenade of the Seas |
| Service | Serenade of the Seas |
| Spaciousness | Serenade of the Seas |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Serenade of the Seas |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Radiance |
Bottom line: Serenade of the Seas leads 5–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Serenade of the Seas for overall superiority; pick Carnival Radiance if Capacity 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)
- Save $583.89/person on sailings
Choose Serenade of the Seas if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2003, 3yr newer)
- Better service ratio (2.4:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (42.0 GT/pax)
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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.
