Spots going fast$646/person
View Deal →Carnival Sunshine vs Norwegian Dawn
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
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 travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
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Category
Carnival Sunshine
Norwegian Dawn
Size
102,853 GT
92,250 GT
Passengers
3,002
2,340
Year Built
1996
2002
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:2.3
Space Ratio
34.3
39.4
Decks
13
—
Length
272m
294m
From Price
$597/pp
$1,059/pp
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 travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Dawn |
| Capacity | Carnival Sunshine |
| Modernity | Norwegian Dawn |
| Service | Norwegian Dawn |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Dawn |
| Decks | Tie |
| 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.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Sunshine if...
- Size matters to you (102,853 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,002 guests)
- Save $462/person on sailings
Choose Norwegian Dawn if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2002, 6yr newer)
- Better service ratio (2.3:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (39.4 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Carnival Sunshine
Upcoming Sailings on Norwegian Dawn
Spots going fast7 Night Europe - Western Mediterranean
Norwegian • Norwegian Dawn
Sep 13, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$1,059/person$151/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 10 days$1,219/person$174/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 17 days7 Night Europe - Western Mediterranean
Norwegian • Norwegian Dawn
Sep 27, 2026 · 7 nights
Mediterranean
$1,079/person$154/night
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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.
