$571/person
View DealShip comparison
Carnival Sunshine vs MSC Poesia
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. MSC Poesia wins 5 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Carnival Sunshine
MSC Poesia
Size
102,853 GT
92,627 GT
Passengers
3,002
2,550
Year built
1996
2008
Crew ratio
2.6 guests per crew
2.6 guests per crew
Space ratio
34.3 GT per guest
36.3 GT per guest
Decks
13
No data
Length
272 m
293 m
From price
$571 pp
$498 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Sunshine is the larger vessel at 102,853 GT, 11% more than MSC Poesia's 92,627 GT. Built in 2008, MSC Poesia is 12 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design. Carnival Sunshine accommodates 452 more guests (3,002 vs 2,550), making it the larger resort-at-sea. MSC Poesia trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | MSC Poesia |
| Capacity | Carnival Sunshine |
| Modernity | MSC Poesia |
| Service | MSC Poesia |
| Spaciousness | MSC Poesia |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | MSC Poesia |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Sunshine |
Bottom line: MSC Poesia leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose MSC Poesia for overall superiority; pick Carnival Sunshine if Capacity matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Sunshine if
- Size matters to you (102,853 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,002 guests)
Choose MSC Poesia if
- You want the newer ship (built 2008, 12 years newer)
- More crew per guest (2.6 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (36.3 GT per guest)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Carnival Sunshine | MSC Poesia |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $571 pp | $498 pp |
| Per night | No data | $50 pp |
| Departing | Oct 31 | Nov 12 |
| Duration | null nights | 10 nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
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Upcoming Sailings on MSC Poesia
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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.
