$505/person
View DealShip comparison
Carnival Splendor vs Costa Serena
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Costa Serena wins 4 of 8 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Carnival Splendor
Costa Serena
Size
113,323 GT
114,500 GT
Passengers
3,012
3,780
Year built
2008
2007
Crew ratio
2.6 guests per crew
3.4 guests per crew
Space ratio
37.6 GT per guest
30.3 GT per guest
Decks
13
14
Length
290 m
290 m
From price
$505 pp
$1,513 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Splendor offers more personal space with a space ratio of 37.6 GT per passenger versus 30.3. Carnival Splendor edges ahead in service at 2.6 guests per crew, meaning more crew per guest. Costa Serena accommodates 768 more guests (3,780 vs 3,012), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Carnival Splendor trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Costa Serena |
| Capacity | Costa Serena |
| Modernity | Carnival Splendor |
| Service | Carnival Splendor |
| Spaciousness | Carnival Splendor |
| Decks | Costa Serena |
| Length | Tie |
| Fleet Power | Costa Serena |
Bottom line: Costa Serena leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Costa Serena for overall superiority; pick Carnival Splendor if Modernity matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Splendor if
- You want the newer ship (built 2008, 1 year newer)
- More crew per guest (2.6 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (37.6 GT per guest)
Choose Costa Serena if
- Size matters to you (114,500 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,780 guests)
- More decks to explore (14 decks)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Carnival Splendor | Costa Serena |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $505 pp | $1,513 pp |
| Per night | No data | $168 pp |
| Departing | Nov 21 | Jan 5 |
| Duration | null nights | 9 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.
