Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Sunshine
- Cruises
- 37
- From
- $423
Ship comparison
Carnival Sunshine vs Navigator of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
Navigator of the Seas
- Cruises
- 28
- From
- $267
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Carnival Sunshine is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 3,002 passengers, in service since 2013. Navigator of the Seas is a large Royal Caribbean ship carrying 3,114 passengers, in service since 2002.
Choose Carnival Sunshine if you want more of a party or a newer ship: it outscores Navigator of the Seas for party (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2013 (vs 2002).
Choose Navigator of the Seas if you want a more romantic trip, better-rated staterooms or more adventure and nature: it outscores Carnival Sunshine for romantic (4.0 vs 2.0), staterooms (8.0 vs 6.0) and adventure & nature (4.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Carnival Sunshine | Navigator of the Seas | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2013 (better) | 2002 |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2021 (better) | 2019 |
| Gross tonnage | 102,853 | 138,000 |
| Passengers | 3,002 | 3,114 |
| Crew | 1,040 | 1,185 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.9 | 2.6 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 34.3 | 44.3 (better) |
| Decks | 12 | 15 |
| Length | 892 ft | 1,020 ft |
| Beam | 116 ft | 157 ft |
| Speed | 26 mph | 25 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 7 / 10 | 8 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 37 | 28 |
| Upcoming sailings | 76 | 112 |
| Cruise lengths | 4–15 nights | 2–17 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $423 | $267 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Sunshine leads on 2 of the ten, Navigator of the Seas on 7, with 1 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
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.
Royal Caribbean
Navigator of the Seas
As the fourth ship in Royal Caribbean’s Voyager class, the 3,114-passenger Navigator of the Seas has plenty to offer. Refurbished in 2019, the ship features the longest waterslide at sea, a revamped pool area, new nightlife venues and updated dining options. The best way to enjoy this ship is to take advantage of the amenities.
Highlights
- Duty-free shopping on the Royal Promenade
- Recreational facilities such as the ice-skating rink and rock-climbing wall
- More than 100 treatments at Vitality Spa
- Solarium pool, an adults-only retreat
Sailing now
28 cruises on sale, from $267.
About Navigator of the Seas Plan my cruise on Navigator of the Seas
Questions
Carnival Sunshine or Navigator of the Seas?
Which is bigger, Carnival Sunshine or Navigator of the Seas?
Navigator of the Seas is bigger at 138,000 gross tons, against 102,853 gross tons for Carnival Sunshine. Carnival Sunshine carries 3,002 passengers and Navigator of the Seas carries 3,114.
Which ship is newer, Carnival Sunshine or Navigator of the Seas?
Carnival Sunshine is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2013 against 2002 for Navigator of the Seas.
Which has more space per passenger?
Navigator of the Seas, with 44.3 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?
Navigator 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?
Navigator of the Seas scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10, against 7.8 for Carnival Sunshine.
Still deciding?
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