$571/person
View DealShip comparison
Carnival Sunshine vs Norwegian Dawn
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Norwegian Dawn wins 5 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Carnival Sunshine
Norwegian Dawn
Size
102,853 GT
92,250 GT
Passengers
3,002
2,340
Year built
1996
2002
Crew ratio
2.6 guests per crew
2.3 guests per crew
Space ratio
34.3 GT per guest
39.4 GT per guest
Decks
13
No data
Length
272 m
294 m
From price
$571 pp
$249 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Sunshine is the larger vessel at 102,853 GT, 11% more than Norwegian Dawn's 92,250 GT. Norwegian Dawn offers more personal space with a space ratio of 39.4 GT per passenger versus 34.3. Built in 2002, Norwegian Dawn is 6 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Dawn |
| Capacity | Carnival Sunshine |
| Modernity | Norwegian Dawn |
| Service | Norwegian Dawn |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Dawn |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Norwegian Dawn |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Sunshine |
Bottom line: Norwegian Dawn leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Dawn 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 Norwegian Dawn if
- You want the newer ship (built 2002, 6 years newer)
- More crew per guest (2.3 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (39.4 GT per guest)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Carnival Sunshine | Norwegian Dawn |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $571 pp | $249 pp |
| Per night | No data | $50 pp |
| Departing | Oct 31 | Nov 15 |
| Duration | null nights | 5 nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
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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.
