Spots going fast$261/person
View Deal →Carnival Sunrise vs Costa Pacifica
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Costa Pacifica is the larger vessel at 114,500 GT — 13% more than Carnival Sunrise's 101,509 GT. Built in 2009, Costa Pacifica is 10 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Sunrise edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.5:1, meaning more crew per guest.
Score: 1 – 6
Quick Compare
Scroll to compare
Category
Carnival Sunrise
Costa Pacifica
Size
101,509 GT
114,500 GT
Passengers
2,764
3,012
Year Built
1999
2009
Crew Ratio
1:2.5
1:2.7
Space Ratio
36.7
38.0
Decks
—
—
Length
272m
290m
From Price
$261/pp
$1,125/pp
Comparison Verdict
Costa Pacifica is the larger vessel at 114,500 GT — 13% more than Carnival Sunrise's 101,509 GT. Built in 2009, Costa Pacifica is 10 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Sunrise edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.5:1, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Costa Pacifica |
| Capacity | Costa Pacifica |
| Modernity | Costa Pacifica |
| Service | Carnival Sunrise |
| Spaciousness | Costa Pacifica |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Costa Pacifica |
| Fleet Power | Costa Pacifica |
Bottom line: Costa Pacifica leads 6–1 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Costa Pacifica for overall superiority; pick Carnival Sunrise if Service matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Sunrise if...
- Better service ratio (2.5:1 crew ratio)
- Save $864/person on sailings
Choose Costa Pacifica if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2009, 10yr newer)
- Size matters to you (114,500 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,012 guests)
- More space per guest (38.0 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
We may earn a commission from partner bookings at no extra cost to you.
Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Carnival Sunrise
Upcoming Sailings on Costa Pacifica
Spots going fast
Spots going fast
Spots going fastHotels & Accommodations Near Miami Cruise Port
Compare prices from 100+ booking sites
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.
