Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Splendor
- Cruises
- 21
- From
- $323
Ship comparison
Carnival Splendor vs Carnival Valor
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Valor
- Cruises
- 17
- From
- $298
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Carnival Splendor is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 3,006 passengers, in service since 2008. Carnival Valor is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 2,980 passengers, in service since 2004.
Choose Carnival Splendor if you want a better-rated spa and gym: it outscores Carnival Valor for spa & fitness (10.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Carnival Valor if you want more culture, a more active cruise or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Carnival Splendor for cultural (6.0 vs 3.0), active (6.0 vs 4.0) and family friendly (9.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Carnival Splendor | Carnival Valor | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | Carnival Cruise Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2008 (better) | 2004 |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | — | 2021 |
| Gross tonnage | 113,300 | 110,000 |
| Passengers | 3,006 | 2,980 |
| Crew | 1,150 | 1,180 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.6 | 2.5 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 37.7 (better) | 36.9 |
| Decks | 13 | 13 |
| Length | 952 ft | 952 ft |
| Beam | 144 ft | 116 ft |
| Speed | 24 mph | 26 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 6 / 10 | 7 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 21 | 17 |
| Upcoming sailings | 102 | 94 |
| Cruise lengths | 2–15 nights | 4–14 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $323 | $298 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Splendor leads on 2 of the ten, Carnival Valor on 3, with 5 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
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.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Valor
Hosting more than 3,000 passengers when fully booked, Carnival Valor features a heroes and heroics theme as it calls on sand-filled, sun-soaked ports in the Caribbean and Bahamas.
Highlights
- Laughing at jokes in the Punchliner Comedy Club
- Splishing and splashing on the Twister Waterslide
- Singing along at the onboard Piano Bar
- Tasting gourmet treats at the Chef's Table
Sailing now
17 cruises on sale, from $298.
Questions
Carnival Splendor or Carnival Valor?
Which is bigger, Carnival Splendor or Carnival Valor?
Carnival Splendor is bigger at 113,300 gross tons, against 110,000 gross tons for Carnival Valor. Carnival Splendor carries 3,006 passengers and Carnival Valor carries 2,980.
Which ship is newer, Carnival Splendor or Carnival Valor?
Carnival Splendor is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2008 against 2004 for Carnival Valor.
Which has more space per passenger?
Carnival Splendor, with 37.7 gross tons per passenger against 36.9 on Carnival Valor. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Carnival Valor, with one crew member for every 2.5 passengers against one for every 2.6 on Carnival Splendor.
Which is better for families?
Carnival Valor 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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