September 5, 2026
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Departing from New Orleans
From
$477
Price / day
$95
Carnival Splendor|Carnival Valor
Carnival Splendor vs Carnival Valor
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
VS
Newer Ship
Carnival Splendor
Built in 2008
4 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
More Spacious Ship
Carnival Splendor
37.6 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
Carnival Splendor vs Carnival Valor: Quick Comparison
Carnival Splendor is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2008, it is 4 years newer than Carnival Valor, which entered service in 2004. Carnival Splendor is approximately 3% larger by gross tonnage at 113,300 GT. Carnival Splendor also carries 32 more passengers. Carnival Valor has upcoming sailings in Western Caribbean. 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 Splendor | Carnival Valor |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 2008Newer | 2004 |
| Gross Tonnage | 113,300 GT | 110,000 GT |
| Passenger Capacity | 3,012 | 2,980 |
| Space per Passenger | 37.6 GT | 36.9 GT |
| Length | 290.2 m | 290.2 m |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Key Differences: Carnival Splendor vs Carnival Valor
Age
Carnival Splendor was built in 2008, making it 4 years newer than Carnival Valor, which was built in 2004.
Size
At 113,300 GT, Carnival Splendor is approximately 3% larger by gross tonnage than Carnival Valor at 110,000 GT.
Passenger capacity
Carnival Splendor carries up to 3,012 passengers compared with 2,980 aboard Carnival Valor, a difference of 32 passengers.
Passenger space
Carnival Splendor offers more space per passenger: 37.6 GT per guest, compared with 36.9 aboard Carnival Valor. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.
Itineraries
The upcoming sailings shown for Carnival Splendor and Carnival Valor (Western Caribbean) currently cover different regions or departure ports.
Compare Ports of Call
Carnival Valor
5-Day Western Caribbean from New Orleans, LA
- Departure Port
- New Orleans
- Region
- Western Caribbean
- Nights
- 5
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 5, 2026New Orleans
- Day 2 · Sep 6, 2026At Sea
- Day 3 · Sep 7, 2026Cozumel
- Day 4 · Sep 8, 2026Progreso
- Day 5 · Sep 9, 2026At Sea
- Day 6 · Sep 10, 2026New Orleans
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Upcoming Cruises & Prices
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Valor
September 10, 2026
4-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Departing from New Orleans
From
$514
Price / day
$129
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
Carnival Splendor
Average
$0 / day
VS
Carnival Valor
Average
$112 / day
Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose Carnival Splendor 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 value having more space per passenger (higher GT-per-guest ratio).
Choose Carnival Valor if…
- You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
- You want to sail in Western Caribbean.
- Departing from New Orleans works for your plans.
- You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than Carnival Splendor.
Carnival Splendor vs Carnival Valor: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
Carnival Splendor
Built in 2008
4 years newer
Bigger
Carnival Splendor
113,300 GT
3% larger by gross tonnage
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
- Carnival Splendor is 4 years newer.
- Carnival Splendor is 3% larger by gross tonnage.
- Carnival Splendor carries 32 more passengers.
- Carnival Splendor offers more space per passenger (37.6 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Carnival Splendor or Carnival Valor?
Carnival Splendor is newer. It was built in 2008, while Carnival Valor was built in 2004, making Carnival Splendor 4 years newer.
Which is bigger, Carnival Splendor or Carnival Valor?
Carnival Splendor is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 113,300 GT compared with Carnival Valor at 110,000 GT.
Which ship carries more passengers?
Carnival Splendor has a passenger capacity of approximately 3,012, compared with 2,980 for Carnival Valor.
Which ship is more spacious, Carnival Splendor or Carnival Valor?
Carnival Splendor has the higher passenger space ratio at 37.6 GT per passenger, versus 36.9 for Carnival Valor. The ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity; a higher number means more ship space per guest.
Where does Carnival Valor sail?
The upcoming Carnival Valor sailings currently listed cover Western Caribbean, departing from New Orleans.
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