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View Deal →Carnival Splendor vs Costa Serena
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
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 with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.6:1, 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.
Score: 3 – 4
Quick Compare
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Category
Carnival Splendor
Costa Serena
Size
113,323 GT
114,500 GT
Passengers
3,012
3,780
Year Built
2008
2007
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:3.4
Space Ratio
37.6
30.3
Decks
13
14
Length
290m
290m
From Price
$300/pp
$260.3/pp
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 with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.6:1, 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.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Splendor if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2008, 1yr newer)
- Better service ratio (2.6:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (37.6 GT/pax)
Choose Costa Serena if...
- Size matters to you (114,500 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,780 guests)
- More decks to explore (14 decks)
- Save $39.7/person on sailings
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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.
