Spots going fast$646/person
View Deal →Carnival Sunshine vs Norwegian Star
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
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 travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
Scroll to compare
Category
Carnival Sunshine
Norwegian Star
Size
102,853 GT
91,740 GT
Passengers
3,002
2,348
Year Built
1996
2001
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:2.3
Space Ratio
34.3
39.1
Decks
13
—
Length
272m
294m
From Price
$646/pp
$999/pp
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 travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Star |
| Capacity | Carnival Sunshine |
| Modernity | Norwegian Star |
| Service | Norwegian Star |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Star |
| Decks | Tie |
| 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.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Carnival Sunshine if...
- Size matters to you (102,853 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,002 guests)
- Save $353/person on sailings
Choose Norwegian Star if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2001, 5yr newer)
- Better service ratio (2.3:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (39.1 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
We may earn a commission from partner bookings at no extra cost to you.
Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Carnival Sunshine
Upcoming Sailings on Norwegian Star
Spots going fast$1,629/person$116/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 17 days$999/person$100/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 27 days$2,299/person$177/night
View Deal →Hotels & Accommodations Near Miami Cruise Port
Compare prices from 100+ booking sites
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.
