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View Deal →Carnival Splendor vs Mein Schiff 4
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Carnival Splendor is the larger vessel at 113,323 GT — 14% more than Mein Schiff 4's 99,436 GT. Built in 2015, Mein Schiff 4 is 7 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Mein Schiff 4 edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.5:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 3 – 4
Quick Compare
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Category
Carnival Splendor
Mein Schiff 4
Size
113,323 GT
99,436 GT
Passengers
3,012
2,506
Year Built
2008
2015
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:2.5
Space Ratio
37.6
39.7
Decks
13
—
Length
290m
294m
From Price
$383/pp
—
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Splendor is the larger vessel at 113,323 GT — 14% more than Mein Schiff 4's 99,436 GT. Built in 2015, Mein Schiff 4 is 7 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Mein Schiff 4 edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.5:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Carnival Splendor |
| Capacity | Carnival Splendor |
| Modernity | Mein Schiff 4 |
| Service | Mein Schiff 4 |
| Spaciousness | Mein Schiff 4 |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Mein Schiff 4 |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Splendor |
Bottom line: Mein Schiff 4 leads 4–3 across our categories — strongest in Modernity. Choose Mein Schiff 4 for overall superiority; pick Carnival Splendor if Size matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Splendor if...
- Size matters to you (113,323 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,012 guests)
Choose Mein Schiff 4 if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2015, 7yr newer)
- Better service ratio (2.5:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (39.7 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| Carnival Splendor | Mein Schiff 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $383 pp | — |
| Departing | Aug 17 | — |
| Duration | null nights | — |
| View Deal |
Prices from Cruisebound. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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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.
