Royal Caribbean
Adventure of the Seas
- Cruises
- 55
- From
- $406
Ship comparison
Adventure of the Seas vs Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Sunshine
- Cruises
- 37
- From
- $423
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Adventure of the Seas is a large Royal Caribbean ship carrying 3,114 passengers, in service since 2001. Carnival Sunshine is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 3,002 passengers, in service since 2013.
Choose Adventure of the Seas if you want a more romantic trip, more adventure and nature or more space per passenger: it outscores Carnival Sunshine for romantic (4.0 vs 2.0) and adventure & nature (4.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 45.6 gross tons per passenger (vs 34.3).
Choose Carnival Sunshine if you want more of a party, a more active cruise or a newer ship: it outscores Adventure of the Seas for party (8.0 vs 5.0) and active (6.5 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2013 (vs 2001).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Adventure of the Seas | Carnival Sunshine | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Royal Caribbean | Carnival Cruise Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2001 | 2013 (better) |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | — | 2021 |
| Gross tonnage | 142,000 | 102,853 |
| Passengers | 3,114 | 3,002 |
| Crew | 1,185 | 1,040 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.6 (better) | 2.9 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 45.6 (better) | 34.3 |
| Decks | 15 | 12 |
| Length | 1,020 ft | 892 ft |
| Beam | 161 ft | 116 ft |
| Speed | 26 mph | 26 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 (better) | 7 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 55 | 37 |
| Upcoming sailings | 95 | 76 |
| Cruise lengths | 4–9 nights | 4–15 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $406 (better) | $423 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Adventure of the Seas leads on 5 of the ten, Carnival Sunshine on 3, with 2 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Royal Caribbean
Adventure of the Seas
Adventure of the Seas from Royal Caribbean is one of the largest cruise ships that call on some of the most desirable islands in the Southern Caribbean.
Highlights
- The Royal Promenade is the internal hub of the ship with different shopping venues, four themed bars and 24-hour snacks at the Café Promenade.
- The ship has one of the largest arcades at sea, a plus for families with active kids.
- Make sure to see the ice show in Studio B; it is definitely a must-do.
- Climb the rock wall 200 feet above the ocean.
Sailing now
55 cruises on sale, from $406.
About Adventure of the Seas Plan my cruise on Adventure of the Seas
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Sunshine offers something for everyone in your family or group. First, there's the biggest Serenity Adult-Only Retreat on any of the Carnival ships, featuring three decks, plenty of recliners and even a waterfall. Carnival WaterWorks, the onboard water park, features waterslides such as the slick Speedway Splash.
Highlights
- Relaxing at Carnival's largest Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
- Grabbing a burger from Guy's Burger Joint
- Playing some ping pong at SportSquare
Sailing now
37 cruises on sale, from $423.
Questions
Adventure of the Seas or Carnival Sunshine?
Which is bigger, Adventure of the Seas or Carnival Sunshine?
Adventure of the Seas is bigger at 142,000 gross tons, against 102,853 gross tons for Carnival Sunshine. Adventure of the Seas carries 3,114 passengers and Carnival Sunshine carries 3,002.
Which ship is newer, Adventure of the Seas or Carnival Sunshine?
Carnival Sunshine is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2013 against 2001 for Adventure of the Seas.
Which has more space per passenger?
Adventure of the Seas, with 45.6 gross tons per passenger against 34.3 on Carnival Sunshine. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Adventure of the Seas, with one crew member for every 2.6 passengers against one for every 2.9 on Carnival Sunshine.
Which is better for families?
Adventure of the Seas scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10, against 7.8 for Carnival Sunshine.
Still deciding?
Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing
Send your dates, budget and who is travelling, and our partner travel agency will come back to you about Adventure of the Seas, Carnival Sunshine or a ship that suits you better.