Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Freedom
- Cruises
- 19
- From
- $261
Ship comparison
Carnival Freedom vs Carnival Splendor
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Splendor
- Cruises
- 21
- From
- $323
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Carnival Freedom is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 2,980 passengers, in service since 2006. Carnival Splendor is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 3,006 passengers, in service since 2008.
Choose Carnival Freedom if you want a more active cruise, more culture or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Carnival Splendor for active (8.0 vs 4.0), cultural (6.0 vs 3.0) and family friendly (9.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Carnival Splendor if you want a better-rated spa and gym: it outscores Carnival Freedom for spa & fitness (10.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Carnival Freedom | Carnival Splendor | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | Carnival Cruise Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2006 | 2008 (better) |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2015 | — |
| Gross tonnage | 110,000 | 113,300 |
| Passengers | 2,980 | 3,006 |
| Crew | 1,150 | 1,150 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.6 | 2.6 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 36.9 | 37.7 (better) |
| Decks | 13 | 13 |
| Length | 952 ft | 952 ft |
| Beam | 116 ft | 144 ft |
| Speed | 24 mph | 24 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 7 / 10 (better) | 6 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 19 | 21 |
| Upcoming sailings | 91 | 102 |
| Cruise lengths | 3–15 nights | 2–15 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $261 (better) | $323 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Freedom leads on 3 of the ten, Carnival Splendor on 1, with 6 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Freedom
The last Conquest-class ship to be built for Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Freedom is inspired by and pays tribute to decades of the past, so passengers feel as if they are stepping into not only a different place, but a different time entirely.
Highlights
- Splash down the spiraling Twister Waterslide, filled with twists, turns and squeals of thrilled delight from kids and adults alike.
- Guy's Burger Joint, a partnership between Guy Fieri and Carnival, brings all the authentic appeal of a roadside burger shack to the poolside.
Sailing now
19 cruises on sale, from $261.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Splendor offers a host of innovative onboard features and facilities, highlighted by a 21,000-square-foot health and fitness center — one of the largest at sea — which features Carnival Cruise Line's first thermal suite and thalassotherapy pool covered by a glass dome.
Highlights
- Relaxing at the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
- Testing your luck at the onboard casino
- Splishing and splashing on the Twister Waterslide
Sailing now
21 cruises on sale, from $323.
Questions
Carnival Freedom or Carnival Splendor?
Which is bigger, Carnival Freedom or Carnival Splendor?
Carnival Splendor is bigger at 113,300 gross tons, against 110,000 gross tons for Carnival Freedom. Carnival Freedom carries 2,980 passengers and Carnival Splendor carries 3,006.
Which ship is newer, Carnival Freedom or Carnival Splendor?
Carnival Splendor is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2008 against 2006 for Carnival Freedom.
Which has more space per passenger?
Carnival Splendor, with 37.7 gross tons per passenger against 36.9 on Carnival Freedom. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
They are level, with one crew member for every 2.6 passengers.
Which is better for families?
Carnival Freedom scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10, against 8.0 for Carnival Splendor.
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