September 5, 2026
8-Night Canada Cruise
Departing from Norfolk
From
$845
Price / day
$106
Carnival Sunshine|Carnival Conquest
Carnival Sunshine vs Carnival Conquest
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
VS
Newer Ship
Carnival Conquest
Built in 2002
6 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Carnival Sunshine
$109 / day
$126 less per day
More Spacious Ship
Carnival Conquest
36.9 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
Carnival Sunshine vs Carnival Conquest: Quick Comparison
Carnival Conquest is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2002, it is 6 years newer than Carnival Sunshine, which entered service in 1996. Carnival Conquest is approximately 7% larger by gross tonnage at 110,000 GT. Carnival Sunshine also carries 22 more passengers. Carnival Sunshine has upcoming sailings in Canada and Bahamas, while Carnival Conquest has sailings in Bahamas. Based on the upcoming cruises currently displayed, Carnival Sunshine 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 Sunshine | Carnival Conquest |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 1996 | 2002Newer |
| Gross Tonnage | 102,853 GT | 110,000 GT |
| Passenger Capacity | 3,002 | 2,980 |
| Space per Passenger | 34.3 GT | 36.9 GT |
| Length | 272.2 m | 290.5 m |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Key Differences: Carnival Sunshine vs Carnival Conquest
Age
Carnival Conquest was built in 2002, making it 6 years newer than Carnival Sunshine, which was built in 1996.
Size
At 110,000 GT, Carnival Conquest is approximately 7% larger by gross tonnage than Carnival Sunshine at 102,853 GT.
Passenger capacity
Carnival Sunshine carries up to 3,002 passengers compared with 2,980 aboard Carnival Conquest, a difference of 22 passengers.
Passenger space
Carnival Conquest offers more space per passenger: 36.9 GT per guest, compared with 34.3 aboard Carnival Sunshine. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.
Itineraries
The upcoming sailings shown for Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Conquest cover a similar region and trip length.
Price
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Carnival Sunshine has the lower average starting price per day at $109 per day.
Compare Ports of Call
Carnival Sunshine
8-Day Canada from Norfolk, VA
- Departure Port
- Norfolk
- Region
- Canada
- Nights
- 8
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 5, 2026Norfolk
- Day 2 · Sep 6, 2026At Sea
- Day 3 · Sep 7, 2026At Sea
- Day 4 · Sep 8, 2026Saint John
- Day 5 · Sep 9, 2026Halifax
- Day 6 · Sep 10, 2026Sydney
- Day 7 · Sep 11, 2026At Sea
- Day 8 · Sep 12, 2026At Sea
- Day 9 · Sep 13, 2026Norfolk
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Carnival Conquest
3-Day The Bahamas from Miami, FL
- Departure Port
- Miami
- Region
- Bahamas
- Nights
- 3
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 4, 2026Miami
- Day 2 · Sep 5, 2026At Sea
- Day 3 · Sep 6, 2026Celebration Key™
- Day 4 · Sep 7, 2026Miami
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Upcoming Cruises & Prices
Carnival Sunshine
September 13, 2026
6-Night Bahamas Cruise
Departing from Norfolk
From
$666
Price / day
$111
Carnival Conquest
September 4, 2026
3-Night Bahamas Cruise
Departing from Miami
From
$1,263
Price / day
$421
September 7, 2026
4-Night Bahamas Cruise
Departing from Miami
From
$191
Price / day
$48
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
Carnival Sunshine
Average
$109 / day
VS
Carnival Conquest
Average
$235 / day
Carnival Sunshine is currently 54% cheaper per day for comparable sailings
$109/day vs $235/day
About $126 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 Sunshine if…
- You do not mind sailing on a ship with a higher passenger capacity.
- You want to sail in Canada and Bahamas.
- Departing from Norfolk 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 Carnival Conquest.
Choose Carnival Conquest if…
- You prefer the newer ship.
- You prefer the larger ship by gross tonnage.
- 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.
- Departing from Miami works for your plans.
Carnival Sunshine vs Carnival Conquest: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
Carnival Conquest
Built in 2002
6 years newer
Bigger
Carnival Conquest
110,000 GT
7% larger by gross tonnage
Lower Price Per Day
Carnival Sunshine
$109 / day
About $126 less per day
- Carnival Conquest is 6 years newer.
- Carnival Conquest is 7% larger by gross tonnage.
- Carnival Sunshine carries 22 more passengers.
- Carnival Conquest offers more space per passenger (36.9 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Carnival Sunshine or Carnival Conquest?
Carnival Conquest is newer. It was built in 2002, while Carnival Sunshine was built in 1996, making Carnival Conquest 6 years newer.
Which is bigger, Carnival Sunshine or Carnival Conquest?
Carnival Conquest is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 110,000 GT compared with Carnival Sunshine at 102,853 GT.
Which ship carries more passengers?
Carnival Sunshine has a passenger capacity of approximately 3,002, compared with 2,980 for Carnival Conquest.
Which ship is more spacious, Carnival Sunshine or Carnival Conquest?
Carnival Conquest has the higher passenger space ratio at 36.9 GT per passenger, versus 34.3 for Carnival Sunshine. The ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity; a higher number means more ship space per guest.
Which ship is cheaper, Carnival Sunshine or Carnival Conquest?
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Carnival Sunshine has the lower average starting price per day at $109 per day versus $235 per day. Fares vary by itinerary, departure date, cabin type and availability.
Where does Carnival Sunshine sail?
The upcoming Carnival Sunshine sailings currently listed cover Canada and Bahamas, departing from Norfolk.
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