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We look at the top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world by gross tonnage. Each iteration of Oasis-class ships has arrived just slightly larger than the previous when it comes to gross tonnage. That means they each had their time as the largest in the world before another arrived on the scene. In this case, Symphony of the Seas (228,000 gross tons and the ability to hold 6,680 passengers) took the crown in 2018. When it comes to the largest ships, Royal Caribbean is the undisputed leader with the six biggest cruise ships in the world.
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It features 20 decks (18 guest-accessible decks), a record-setting six water slides and the largest swimming pool at sea. Keep in mind that this list of biggest cruise ships in the world changes annually, as cruise lines update their fleets. While Royal Caribbean continues to dominate the top (and the bottom) of the list, new entries may surprise you.
Majestic Princess
After retiring from our successful careers as Financial and IT Executives, respectively, we have decided to become digital part-time nomads, traveling roughly half our time. The first official maiden voyage departed on April 7, 2018, on a 7-night Mediterranean voyage from Barcelona, Spain. Symphony of the Seas has been based in PortMiami, Florida since November 10, 2018. This ship will be joined in 2025 by sister-ship MSC World America, set to sail stateside. The Celebrity Beyond Cruise Ship is a luxury vessel that is part of the Edge-Class Ship owned by Celebrity Cruises. Currently, the Wonder of the Seas sails on Caribbean itineraries that visit destinations such as St. Thomas, Puerto Plata, Falmouth, Cozumel, and more.
P&O Cruises Iona
This article will compare cruise ship sizes in terms of length, weight (tonnage), height, and width/beam. It will also provide information on the passenger capacity, amenities, and destinations that each size of ship is best suited for. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, this guide will help you choose the perfect cruise ship for your next vacation. Small oceangoing cruise ships are squarely in the luxury camp, with prices to match their high levels of service, fare inclusions, gourmet dining and spacious suites.
Height is less frequently discussed but equally remarkable; mega-ships can tower above the waterline. Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas was previously the world's largest cruise ship, starting in January 2022. Its first voyage was in March 2022, becoming the fifth member of Royal's Oasis-class ships. The aptly named Wonder of the Seas has 18 decks (16 guest-accessible decks), 2,867 staterooms and 19 pools.
Carnival Elation
But just because a ship carries more passengers doesn’t mean it’s more crowded. Remember, the overall size has gone up as well meaning more space on the ship. Head to any cruise line website or look at any brochure, and you’re sure to see people having fun on the ship… but noticeably absent are any other passengers.

They can measure up to 250,000 gross tons (roughly triple the size of a ship built 30 years ago!) and when at full capacity with crew, have nearly 10,000 people onboard. Smaller ships tend to excel at off-the-beaten-path itineraries since the vessels can comfortably access more intimate ports. Smaller ship size does not allow for a lot of onboard extras, but lines often splurge for more plush appointments in cabins and public spaces. Onboard atmosphere is more intimate, with fewer guests and more personalized staff attention, but that attention and exclusivity can come with a price. Intriguing itineraries are more often the focus of the voyage and often include some ports of call, such as St. Barts or Portofino, Italy, which are not suited for larger ships. Currently, the largest Carnival ship is Carnival Jubilee, in terms of both tonnage and passenger capacity.
Still, for those who have watched cruising evolve over the years, it is fascinating to compare the sheer size of these feats of engineering. We’ve compiled a brief history of ship size as well as the scope of engine rooms, anchors, and more for readers to marvel over. The third largest ship to date is Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas.
The ship’s first cruise is set for February 2024, and will debut Princess Cruises' largest number of dining options, offering guests 29 choices. In some cases, these vessels are nearly 40% smaller than the size of Princess Cruises' biggest ships. These smaller ships, notably, have less deck-top pool space and fewer interior venues than the biggest Princess cruise ships. When planning a cruise vacation, one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the right cruise ship size. The size of the ship can greatly impact your vacation experience, from the number of fellow passengers you'll share your vacation with to the onboard dining options and entertainment. Overall, the size of a cruise ship can greatly impact the amenities and facilities available to passengers.

The average size of a cruise ship is 1,000 feet in length, or roughly three football fields. Each ship size comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on what type of experience you are looking for. One of the biggest differences is that Carnival's tiniest ships carry between 2,100 and 3,000 passengers, while its biggest can accommodate more than 5,000 people. In addition, the largest vessels measure more than 180,000 gross tons, while the smallest measure less than 90,000 gross registered tons. The smallest Carnival cruise ship is Carnival Elation, the line's second-oldest vessel.
MSC Cruises ships ranked by size from biggest to smallest — the complete list - The Points Guy
MSC Cruises ships ranked by size from biggest to smallest — the complete list.
Posted: Mon, 06 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
They're tied in terms of size, each coming in at 183,521 gross tons and carrying 5,374 passengers at capacity. This will be the first of an all-new Sphere class of vessels for the line that will be made up of ships that will be notably bigger than anything Princess has had in its fleet before. Discovery Princess is the sixth and final vessel in the Royal class of Princess ships that began rolling out in 2013. They all are roughly the same size, but Discovery Princess is just a tad bigger than its sister ships at 145,000 gross tons.
But the king of the fleet — and the largest cruise ship in the world — is Icon of the Seas. Cruise ships are often admired for their size, and a significant aspect is their ability to accommodate thousands of guests. The average number of passengers on a cruise ship varies according to the vessel’s size and design. For instance, Wonder of the Seas sets the bar high with a staggering capacity of 6,988 passengers.
It’s worth noting that the distinction between cruise ships and ocean liners has become less pronounced in recent years due to changes in ship designs and the evolution of the industry. Cruise ships come in different sizes to cater to different needs and preferences. In this section, I will categorize cruise ships by size and provide some information about each category. Coming in at almost 216,000 gross tons, it’s roughly 14% smaller than Icon of the Seas. From bumper cars to seven pools to an 11-story slide, there’s no shortage of things for kids to do. Adults will love the 13 different dining options and an indoor promenade or Panorama Lounge for shopping, having a drink, or just relaxing.
Whereas a ship built in the 1990s might hold 2,500 passengers and come in at around 75,000 gross tons (a measure of ship size), that’s nowhere near the ships built today. Cruise ships come in a variety of sizes, from large mega-ships to smaller, more intimate vessels. Larger ships offer more amenities and activities, while smaller ships provide a more intimate feel and personalized service. Luxury cruises often rank higher in terms of service and amenities, but they come with a higher price tag. In conclusion, understanding cruise ship sizes is an important part of choosing the right cruise for your needs. By considering factors such as gross tonnage, length, height, draft, and passenger capacity, you can make an informed decision about which ship is right for you.
At 71,909 gross tons, it carries just 2,190 passengers — less than half the amount accommodated on ships in Carnival's Excel class. Measuring 175,500 gross tons, Sun Princess will be about 21% bigger than the biggest Princess cruise ship currently at sea — a significant increase. It'll be nearly double the size of the smallest Princess ships currently at sea. In our list of more than 100 ships, only 16 (around 15%) of ships meet this benchmark. The ships at the top of the list include Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ships -- Prima and Viva -- which come in at 142,500 gross tons and carry 3,100 passengers at double occupancy. Having sailed on mega, large, medium and small sized cruise ships, we can honestly say that you can enjoy yourself on any kind of cruise ship.
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