Two Carnival Cruise Line ships, head to head — specs, amenities, and what each one is genuinely better at.
Carnival Festivale (2027) is the newer ship by 25 years versus Carnival Encounter (2002). Carnival Festivale is the larger hull at 182,800 GT (~68% bigger). Carnival Encounter sails with fewer guests at double occupancy (2,600 vs 5,374).
| Spec | Carnival Encounter | Carnival Festivale |
|---|---|---|
| Year built | 2002 | 2027 |
| Tonnage | 108,977 GT | 182,800 GT |
| Guests (double occupancy) | 2,600 | 5,374 |
| Guests (max) | 3,100 | 6,631 |
Trophy marks the ship that wins each row. Smaller capacity = more space per guest.