September 5, 2026
8-Night Canada Cruise
Departing from Norfolk
From
$845
Price / day
$106
Carnival Sunshine|Carnival Valor
Carnival Sunshine vs Carnival Valor
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
VS
Newer Ship
Carnival Valor
Built in 2004
8 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Carnival Sunshine
$109 / day
$3 less per day
More Spacious Ship
Carnival Valor
36.9 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
Carnival Sunshine vs Carnival Valor: Quick Comparison
Carnival Valor is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2004, it is 8 years newer than Carnival Sunshine, which entered service in 1996. Carnival Valor 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 Valor has sailings in Western Caribbean. Based on the upcoming cruises currently displayed, Carnival Sunshine 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 Sunshine | Carnival Valor |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 1996 | 2004Newer |
| 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 | 290.2 m |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Key Differences: Carnival Sunshine vs Carnival Valor
Age
Carnival Valor was built in 2004, making it 8 years newer than Carnival Sunshine, which was built in 1996.
Size
At 110,000 GT, Carnival Valor 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 Valor, a difference of 22 passengers.
Passenger space
Carnival Valor 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 (Canada and Bahamas) and Carnival Valor (Western Caribbean) currently cover different regions or departure ports.
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 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 Sunshine
September 13, 2026
6-Night Bahamas Cruise
Departing from Norfolk
From
$666
Price / day
$111
Carnival Valor
September 5, 2026
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Departing from New Orleans
From
$477
Price / day
$95
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 Sunshine
Average
$109 / day
VS
Carnival Valor
Average
$112 / day
Carnival Sunshine has the lower price per day among the sailings shown
$109/day vs $112/day
About $3 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 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 Valor.
Choose Carnival Valor 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 Western Caribbean.
- Departing from New Orleans works for your plans.
Carnival Sunshine vs Carnival Valor: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
Carnival Valor
Built in 2004
8 years newer
Bigger
Carnival Valor
110,000 GT
7% larger by gross tonnage
Lower Price Per Day
Carnival Sunshine
$109 / day
About $3 less per day
- Carnival Valor is 8 years newer.
- Carnival Valor is 7% larger by gross tonnage.
- Carnival Sunshine carries 22 more passengers.
- Carnival Valor offers more space per passenger (36.9 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Carnival Sunshine or Carnival Valor?
Carnival Valor is newer. It was built in 2004, while Carnival Sunshine was built in 1996, making Carnival Valor 8 years newer.
Which is bigger, Carnival Sunshine or Carnival Valor?
Carnival Valor 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 Valor.
Which ship is more spacious, Carnival Sunshine or Carnival Valor?
Carnival Valor 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 Valor?
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Carnival Sunshine has the lower average starting price per day at $109 per day versus $112 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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