$571/person
View DealShip comparison
Carnival Sunshine vs Norwegian Star
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Norwegian Star wins 5 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Carnival Sunshine
Norwegian Star
Size
102,853 GT
91,740 GT
Passengers
3,002
2,348
Year built
1996
2001
Crew ratio
2.6 guests per crew
2.3 guests per crew
Space ratio
34.3 GT per guest
39.1 GT per guest
Decks
13
No data
Length
272 m
294 m
From price
$571 pp
$489 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Carnival Sunshine is the larger vessel at 102,853 GT, 12% more than Norwegian Star's 91,740 GT. Norwegian Star offers more personal space with a space ratio of 39.1 GT per passenger versus 34.3. Built in 2001, Norwegian Star is 5 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Star |
| Capacity | Carnival Sunshine |
| Modernity | Norwegian Star |
| Service | Norwegian Star |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Star |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Norwegian Star |
| Fleet Power | Carnival Sunshine |
Bottom line: Norwegian Star leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Star 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 Star if
- You want the newer ship (built 2001, 5 years newer)
- More crew per guest (2.3 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (39.1 GT per guest)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Carnival Sunshine | Norwegian Star |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $571 pp | $489 pp |
| Per night | No data | $82 pp |
| Departing | Oct 31 | Dec 20 |
| Duration | null nights | 6 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.
