September 5, 2026
8-Night Bahamas Cruise
Departing from Galveston
From
$775
Price / day
$97
Carnival Dream|Carnival Horizon
Carnival Dream vs Carnival Horizon
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
VS
Newer Ship
Carnival Horizon
Built in 2018
9 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Carnival Horizon
$95 / day
$1 less per day
More Spacious Ship
Carnival Dream
35.7 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
Carnival Dream vs Carnival Horizon: Quick Comparison
Carnival Horizon is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2018, it is 9 years newer than Carnival Dream, which entered service in 2009. Carnival Horizon is approximately 3% larger by gross tonnage at 133,500 GT. Carnival Horizon also carries 314 more passengers. Carnival Dream has upcoming sailings in Bahamas and Western Caribbean, while Carnival Horizon has sailings in Western Caribbean and Southern Caribbean. Based on the upcoming cruises currently displayed, Carnival Horizon has the lower average starting price per day. The sailings shown cover a similar region and trip length, so the price per day figures are reasonably close to like-for-like. Cruise fares vary significantly by itinerary, departure date and cabin availability, so any price difference should be treated as a snapshot rather than a permanent gap.
Ship Comparison
| Spec | Carnival Dream | Carnival Horizon |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 2009 | 2018Newer |
| Gross Tonnage | 130,000 GT | 133,500 GT |
| Passenger Capacity | 3,646 | 3,960 |
| Space per Passenger | 35.7 GT | 33.7 GT |
| Length | 306 m | 321.5 m |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Key Differences: Carnival Dream vs Carnival Horizon
Age
Carnival Horizon was built in 2018, making it 9 years newer than Carnival Dream, which was built in 2009.
Size
At 133,500 GT, Carnival Horizon is approximately 3% larger by gross tonnage than Carnival Dream at 130,000 GT.
Passenger capacity
Carnival Horizon carries up to 3,960 passengers compared with 3,646 aboard Carnival Dream, a difference of 314 passengers.
Passenger space
Carnival Dream offers more space per passenger: 35.7 GT per guest, compared with 33.7 aboard Carnival Horizon. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.
Itineraries
The upcoming sailings shown for Carnival Dream and Carnival Horizon cover a similar region and trip length.
Price
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Carnival Horizon has the lower average starting price per day at $95 per day.
Compare Ports of Call
Carnival Dream
8-Day The Bahamas from Galveston, TX
- Departure Port
- Galveston
- Region
- Bahamas
- Nights
- 8
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 5, 2026Galveston
- Day 2 · Sep 6, 2026At Sea
- Day 3 · Sep 7, 2026Key West
- Day 4 · Sep 8, 2026Celebration Key™
- Day 5 · Sep 9, 2026RelaxAway
- Day 6 · Sep 10, 2026Nassau
- Day 7 · Sep 11, 2026At Sea
- Day 8 · Sep 12, 2026At Sea
- Day 9 · Sep 13, 2026Galveston
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Carnival Horizon
6-Day Western Caribbean from Miami, FL
- Departure Port
- Miami
- Region
- Western Caribbean
- Nights
- 6
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 6, 2026Miami
- Day 2 · Sep 7, 2026Celebration Key™
- Day 3 · Sep 8, 2026At Sea
- Day 4 · Sep 9, 2026Montego Bay
- Day 5 · Sep 10, 2026Grand Cayman
- Day 6 · Sep 11, 2026At Sea
- Day 7 · Sep 12, 2026Miami
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Upcoming Cruises & Prices
Carnival Dream
September 13, 2026
6-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Departing from Galveston
From
$571
Price / day
$95
Carnival Horizon
September 6, 2026
6-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Departing from Miami
From
$559
Price / day
$93
September 12, 2026
8-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Departing from Miami
From
$767
Price / day
$96
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
Carnival Dream
Average
$96 / day
VS
Carnival Horizon
Average
$95 / day
Carnival Horizon is currently 1% cheaper per day for comparable sailings
$95/day vs $96/day
About $1 less per day
This comparison is based on the upcoming sailings currently shown.
Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose Carnival Dream if…
- You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
- You value having more space per passenger (higher GT-per-guest ratio).
- You want to sail in Bahamas and Western Caribbean.
- Departing from Galveston works for your plans.
- You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than Carnival Horizon.
Choose Carnival Horizon if…
- You prefer the newer ship.
- You prefer the larger ship by gross tonnage.
- You do not mind sailing on a ship with a higher passenger capacity.
- You want to sail in Western Caribbean and Southern Caribbean.
- Departing from Miami works for your plans.
- The lower price per day among the sailings currently shown matters to you.
Carnival Dream vs Carnival Horizon: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
Carnival Horizon
Built in 2018
9 years newer
Bigger
Carnival Horizon
133,500 GT
3% larger by gross tonnage
Lower Price Per Day
Carnival Horizon
$95 / day
About $1 less per day
- Carnival Horizon is 9 years newer.
- Carnival Horizon is 3% larger by gross tonnage.
- Carnival Horizon carries 314 more passengers.
- Carnival Dream offers more space per passenger (35.7 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Carnival Dream or Carnival Horizon?
Carnival Horizon is newer. It was built in 2018, while Carnival Dream was built in 2009, making Carnival Horizon 9 years newer.
Which is bigger, Carnival Dream or Carnival Horizon?
Carnival Horizon is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 133,500 GT compared with Carnival Dream at 130,000 GT.
Which ship carries more passengers?
Carnival Horizon has a passenger capacity of approximately 3,960, compared with 3,646 for Carnival Dream.
Which ship is more spacious, Carnival Dream or Carnival Horizon?
Carnival Dream has the higher passenger space ratio at 35.7 GT per passenger, versus 33.7 for Carnival Horizon. The ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity; a higher number means more ship space per guest.
Which ship is cheaper, Carnival Dream or Carnival Horizon?
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Carnival Horizon has the lower average starting price per day at $95 per day versus $96 per day. Fares vary by itinerary, departure date, cabin type and availability.
Where does Carnival Dream sail?
The upcoming Carnival Dream sailings currently listed cover Bahamas and Western Caribbean, departing from Galveston.
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