Spots going fast$2,539/person$282/night
View Deal →Norwegian Sun vs Silver Dawn
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Norwegian Sun is the significantly larger vessel at 78,309 GT, 92% more than Silver Dawn's 40,700 GT. Silver Dawn offers more personal space with a space ratio of 68.3 GT per passenger versus 40.5. Built in 2022, Silver Dawn is 21 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
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Category
Norwegian Sun
Silver Dawn
Size
78,309 GT
40,700 GT
Passengers
1,936
596
Year Built
2001
2022
Crew Ratio
1:2.1
1:1.4
Space Ratio
40.5
68.3
Decks
—
—
Length
258m
213m
From Price
$1,979/pp
$7,000/pp
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Sun is the significantly larger vessel at 78,309 GT, 92% more than Silver Dawn's 40,700 GT. Silver Dawn offers more personal space with a space ratio of 68.3 GT per passenger versus 40.5. Built in 2022, Silver Dawn is 21 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Sun |
| Capacity | Norwegian Sun |
| Modernity | Silver Dawn |
| Service | Silver Dawn |
| Spaciousness | Silver Dawn |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Norwegian Sun |
| Fleet Power | Norwegian Sun |
Bottom line: Norwegian Sun leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Sun for overall superiority; pick Silver Dawn if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Sun if...
- Size matters to you (78,309 GT)
- More onboard variety (1,936 guests)
- Save $5,021/person on sailings
Choose Silver Dawn if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2022, 21yr newer)
- Better service ratio (1.4:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (68.3 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Norwegian Sun
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Leaves in 12 days$2,109/person$234/night
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Leaves in 21 days$1,979/person$198/night
View Deal →Upcoming Sailings on Silver Dawn
Leaves in 20 days$9,250/person$771/night
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$7,200/person$600/night
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$7,000/person$1,000/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.
