September 5, 2026
5-Night Bahamas Cruise
Departing from Jacksonville
From
$388
Price / day
$78
Carnival Elation|Carnival Sensation
Carnival Elation vs Carnival Sensation
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
Carnival Elation
Carnival Cruise Line
Check prices on CruiseDirectVS
Newer Ship
Carnival Elation
Built in 1998
5 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
More Spacious Ship
Carnival Sensation
34.2 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
Carnival Elation vs Carnival Sensation: Quick Comparison
Carnival Elation is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 1998, it is 5 years newer than Carnival Sensation, which entered service in 1993. Carnival Elation is approximately 2% larger by gross tonnage at 71,909 GT. Carnival Elation also carries 74 more passengers. Carnival Elation has upcoming sailings in Bahamas. The sailings shown cover different itineraries, so the price per day figures are not a like-for-like comparison. 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 Elation | Carnival Sensation |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 1998Newer | 1993 |
| Gross Tonnage | 71,909 GT | 70,367 GT |
| Passenger Capacity | 2,130 | 2,056 |
| Space per Passenger | 33.8 GT | 34.2 GT |
| Length | 260.6 m | 261 m |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Key Differences: Carnival Elation vs Carnival Sensation
Age
Carnival Elation was built in 1998, making it 5 years newer than Carnival Sensation, which was built in 1993.
Size
At 71,909 GT, Carnival Elation is approximately 2% larger by gross tonnage than Carnival Sensation at 70,367 GT.
Passenger capacity
Carnival Elation carries up to 2,130 passengers compared with 2,056 aboard Carnival Sensation, a difference of 74 passengers.
Passenger space
Carnival Sensation offers more space per passenger: 34.2 GT per guest, compared with 33.8 aboard Carnival Elation. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.
Itineraries
The upcoming sailings shown for Carnival Elation (Bahamas) and Carnival Sensation currently cover different regions or departure ports.
Compare Ports of Call
Carnival Elation
5-Day The Bahamas from Jacksonville, FL
- Departure Port
- Jacksonville
- Region
- Bahamas
- Nights
- 5
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 5, 2026Jacksonville
- Day 2 · Sep 6, 2026At Sea
- Day 3 · Sep 7, 2026Princess Cays
- Day 4 · Sep 8, 2026Celebration Key™
- Day 5 · Sep 9, 2026At Sea
- Day 6 · Sep 10, 2026Jacksonville
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Upcoming Cruises & Prices
Carnival Elation
September 10, 2026
4-Night Bahamas Cruise
Departing from Jacksonville
From
$404
Price / day
$101
Carnival Sensation
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
Carnival Elation
Average
$90 / day
VS
Carnival Sensation
Average
$0 / day
Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose Carnival Elation 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 Bahamas.
- Departing from Jacksonville works for your plans.
Choose Carnival Sensation if…
- You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
- You value having more space per passenger (higher GT-per-guest ratio).
- You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than Carnival Elation.
Carnival Elation vs Carnival Sensation: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
Carnival Elation
Built in 1998
5 years newer
Bigger
Carnival Elation
71,909 GT
2% larger by gross tonnage
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
- Carnival Elation is 5 years newer.
- Carnival Elation is 2% larger by gross tonnage.
- Carnival Elation carries 74 more passengers.
- Carnival Sensation offers more space per passenger (34.2 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Carnival Elation or Carnival Sensation?
Carnival Elation is newer. It was built in 1998, while Carnival Sensation was built in 1993, making Carnival Elation 5 years newer.
Which is bigger, Carnival Elation or Carnival Sensation?
Carnival Elation is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 71,909 GT compared with Carnival Sensation at 70,367 GT.
Which ship carries more passengers?
Carnival Elation has a passenger capacity of approximately 2,130, compared with 2,056 for Carnival Sensation.
Which ship is more spacious, Carnival Elation or Carnival Sensation?
Carnival Sensation has the higher passenger space ratio at 34.2 GT per passenger, versus 33.8 for Carnival Elation. The ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity; a higher number means more ship space per guest.
Where does Carnival Elation sail?
The upcoming Carnival Elation sailings currently listed cover Bahamas, departing from Jacksonville.
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