Carnival Cruise Line
Mardi Gras
- Cruises
- 12
- From
- $363
Ship comparison
Mardi Gras vs Star of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
Star of the Seas
- Cruises
- 17
- From
- $897
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Mardi Gras is a mega Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 5,282 passengers, in service since 2021. Star of the Seas is a mega Royal Caribbean ship carrying 5,610 passengers, in service since 2025.
Choose Mardi Gras if you want a lower starting fare, a better-rated spa and gym or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Star of the Seas for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 6.0) and family friendly (9.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $363 (vs $897).
Choose Star of the Seas if you want more space per passenger, more crew per passenger or a more romantic trip: it outscores Mardi Gras for romantic (7.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, it has 44.7 gross tons per passenger (vs 34.1) and it has a crew member for every 2.4 passengers (vs 3.0).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Mardi Gras | Star of the Seas | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
| Ship size | Mega | Mega |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2021 | 2025 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 180,000 | 250,800 |
| Passengers | 5,282 | 5,610 |
| Crew | 1,745 | 2,350 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 3.0 | 2.4 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 34.1 | 44.7 (better) |
| Decks | 17 | 14 |
| Length | 1,130 ft | 1,196 ft |
| Beam | 137 ft | 219 ft |
| Speed | — | 25 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 | — |
| Cruises on sale | 12 | 17 |
| Upcoming sailings | 102 | 76 |
| Cruise lengths | 4 to 7 nights | 7 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $363 (better) | $897 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Mardi Gras leads on 4 of the ten, Star of the Seas on 4, with 2 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Carnival Cruise Line
Mardi Gras
When you step on board Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras, which debuted in July 2021, you will see all the great features you have come to expect from Carnival Cruises and then find all the new treasures on this ship.
Sailing now
12 cruises on sale, from $363.
Royal Caribbean
Star of the Seas
Star of the Seas from Royal Caribbean is basically a floating resort on a scale that rewrites what “big ship” means.
Sailing now
17 cruises on sale, from $897.
Questions
Mardi Gras or Star of the Seas?
Which is bigger, Mardi Gras or Star of the Seas?
Star of the Seas is bigger at 250,800 gross tons, against 180,000 gross tons for Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras carries 5,282 passengers and Star of the Seas carries 5,610.
Which ship is newer, Mardi Gras or Star of the Seas?
Star of the Seas is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2021 for Mardi Gras.
Which has more space per passenger?
Star of the Seas, with 44.7 gross tons per passenger against 34.1 on Mardi Gras. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Star of the Seas, with one crew member for every 2.4 passengers against one for every 3.0 on Mardi Gras.
Which is better for families?
Mardi Gras scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10, against 8.0 for Star of the Seas.
Still deciding?
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