Spots going fast$274/person
View Deal →Carnival Sunrise vs Costa Serena
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Costa Serena is the larger vessel at 114,500 GT, 13% more than Carnival Sunrise's 101,509 GT. Carnival Sunrise offers more personal space with a space ratio of 36.7 GT per passenger versus 30.3. Built in 2007, Costa Serena is 8 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
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Category
Carnival Sunrise
Costa Serena
Size
101,509 GT
114,500 GT
Passengers
2,764
3,780
Year Built
1999
2007
Crew Ratio
1:2.5
1:3.4
Space Ratio
36.7
30.3
Decks
—
14
Length
272m
290m
From Price
$274/pp
$527/pp
Comparison Verdict
Costa Serena is the larger vessel at 114,500 GT, 13% more than Carnival Sunrise's 101,509 GT. Carnival Sunrise offers more personal space with a space ratio of 36.7 GT per passenger versus 30.3. Built in 2007, Costa Serena is 8 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Costa Serena |
| Capacity | Costa Serena |
| Modernity | Costa Serena |
| Service | Carnival Sunrise |
| Spaciousness | Carnival Sunrise |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Costa Serena |
| Fleet Power | Costa Serena |
Bottom line: Costa Serena leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Costa Serena 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)
- More space per guest (36.7 GT/pax)
- Save $253/person on sailings
Choose Costa Serena if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2007, 8yr newer)
- Size matters to you (114,500 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,780 guests)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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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.
