September 6, 2026
6-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Departing from Miami
From
$559
Price / day
$93
Carnival Horizon|Mardi Gras
Carnival Horizon vs Mardi Gras
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
Carnival Horizon
Carnival Cruise Line
Check prices on CruiseDirectVS
Newer Ship
Mardi Gras
Built in 2020
2 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Carnival Horizon
$95 / day
$2 less per day
More Spacious Ship
Both ships are the same
Carnival Horizon vs Mardi Gras: Quick Comparison
Mardi Gras is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2020, it is 2 years newer than Carnival Horizon, which entered service in 2018. Mardi Gras also carries 2,378 more passengers. Carnival Horizon has upcoming sailings in Western Caribbean and Southern Caribbean, while Mardi Gras has sailings in Eastern Caribbean. Based on the upcoming cruises currently displayed, Carnival Horizon has the lower average starting price per day. 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 Horizon | Mardi Gras |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 2018 | 2020Newer |
| Gross Tonnage | 133,500 GT | — |
| Passenger Capacity | 3,960 | 6,338 |
| Space per Passenger | 33.7 GT | — |
| Length | 321.5 m | — |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Key Differences: Carnival Horizon vs Mardi Gras
Age
Mardi Gras was built in 2020, making it 2 years newer than Carnival Horizon, which was built in 2018.
Passenger capacity
Mardi Gras carries up to 6,338 passengers compared with 3,960 aboard Carnival Horizon, a difference of 2,378 passengers.
Itineraries
The upcoming sailings shown for Carnival Horizon (Western Caribbean and Southern Caribbean) and Mardi Gras (Eastern Caribbean) currently cover different regions or departure ports.
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 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.
Mardi Gras
7-Day Eastern Caribbean from Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL
- Departure Port
- Port Canaveral
- Region
- Eastern Caribbean
- Nights
- 7
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 5, 2026Port Canaveral
- Day 2 · Sep 6, 2026Celebration Key™
- Day 3 · Sep 7, 2026Nassau
- Day 4 · Sep 8, 2026At Sea
- Day 5 · Sep 9, 2026Amber Cove
- Day 6 · Sep 10, 2026Grand Turk
- Day 7 · Sep 11, 2026At Sea
- Day 8 · Sep 12, 2026Port Canaveral
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Upcoming Cruises & Prices
Carnival Horizon
September 12, 2026
8-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Departing from Miami
From
$767
Price / day
$96
Mardi Gras
September 5, 2026
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise
Departing from Port Canaveral
From
$675
Price / day
$96
September 12, 2026
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise
Departing from Port Canaveral
From
$680
Price / day
$97
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
Carnival Horizon
Average
$95 / day
VS
Mardi Gras
Average
$97 / day
Carnival Horizon has the lower price per day among the sailings shown
$95/day vs $97/day
About $2 less per day
This comparison is based on the upcoming sailings currently shown and may not represent like-for-like itineraries.
Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose Carnival Horizon if…
- You prefer the ship with the lower 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.
- You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than Mardi Gras.
Choose Mardi Gras if…
- You prefer the newer ship.
- You do not mind sailing on a ship with a higher passenger capacity.
- You want to sail in Eastern Caribbean.
- Departing from Port Canaveral works for your plans.
Carnival Horizon vs Mardi Gras: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
Mardi Gras
Built in 2020
2 years newer
Bigger
Both ships are the same
Lower Price Per Day
Carnival Horizon
$95 / day
About $2 less per day
- Mardi Gras is 2 years newer.
- Gross tonnage is not available for both ships.
- Mardi Gras carries 2,378 more passengers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Carnival Horizon or Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras is newer. It was built in 2020, while Carnival Horizon was built in 2018, making Mardi Gras 2 years newer.
Which ship carries more passengers?
Mardi Gras has a passenger capacity of approximately 6,338, compared with 3,960 for Carnival Horizon.
Which ship is cheaper, Carnival Horizon or Mardi Gras?
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Carnival Horizon has the lower average starting price per day at $95 per day versus $97 per day. Fares vary by itinerary, departure date, cabin type and availability.
Where does Carnival Horizon sail?
The upcoming Carnival Horizon sailings currently listed cover Western Caribbean and Southern Caribbean, departing from Miami.
Where does Mardi Gras sail?
The upcoming Mardi Gras sailings currently listed cover Eastern Caribbean, departing from Port Canaveral.
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