Does size really matter? The cruise industry thinks so. For more than a century, cruise lines have competed to claim the title of world’s largest cruise ship.
When it set sail in 1912, ill-fated Titanic was the largest and grandest passenger vessel of its time. But since 2009, when Royal Caribbean debuted its first Oasis Class ship, those superlatives have applied to vessels more than five times Titanic’s size.
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Today, the largest cruise ships are floating cities, offering a plethora of bars and restaurants, expansive spas and sun deck retreats. They feature scores of recreation opportunities, including zip lines, surf simulators, rock climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, escape rooms, laser tag, top-deck go-karts, virtual reality gaming and even roller coasters.
So, what is the largest cruise ship in the world, and how do other cruise ships compare? Here’s a quick rundown of the world’s biggest cruise ships by both gross registered tons and maximum passenger capacity. Unsurprisingly, Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class and Oasis Class dominate the top five in both categories, with only two other lines joining Royal Caribbean.
What is the world’s largest cruise ship?
Currently, it’s Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. At 250,800 gross registered tons and carrying up to 7,600 passengers (plus 2,350 crew members), the ship is a true behemoth. It includes neighborhoods that feature everything from waterslides, an indoor AquaTheater, a carousel and an adults-only sun deck to lavish suites, retail shops, thousands of live plants and more than two dozen bars and restaurants.
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The rest of the world’s largest cruise ships
Note: This article excludes ships from lines like Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises and Aida, which do not cater to the North American market.
World’s biggest cruise ships by tonnage
- Icon of the Seas: 250,800 gross registered tons
- Wonder of the Seas: 236,857 gross registered tons
- Symphony of the Seas: 228,081 gross registered tons
- Harmony of the Seas: 226,963 gross registered tons
- Oasis of the Seas: 226,838 gross registered tons
- Allure of the Seas: 225,282 gross registered tons
- MSC World Europa: 205,700 gross registered tons
- Carnival Celebration: 183,521 gross registered tons
- Carnival Jubilee: 183,521 gross registered tons
- MSC Grandiosa: 181,541 gross registered tons
- MSC Virtuosa: 181,541 gross registered tons
- Carnival’s Mardi Gras: 180,000 gross registered tons
World’s biggest cruise ships by passenger capacity
- Icon of the Seas: 7,600 passengers
- Wonder of the Seas: 6,988 passengers
- Allure of the Seas: 6,780 passengers
- Oasis of the Seas: 6,771 passengers
- MSC World Europa: 6,762 passengers
- Harmony of the Seas: 6,687 passengers
- Symphony of the Seas: 6,680 passengers
- Carnival’s Mardi Gras: 6,631 passengers
- Carnival Celebration: 6,631 passengers
- Carnival Jubilee: 6,631 passengers
- MSC Grandiosa: 6,334 passengers
- MSC Virtuosa: 6,334 passengers
- MSC Bellissima: 5,686 passengers
What is the biggest cruise ship in the world today (2024)?
Currently, the largest cruise ship in the world by both tonnage and passenger capacity is Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. It takes the title from fleetmate Wonder of the Seas. Several other Royal Caribbean vessels — including Freedom Class and Oasis Class namesakes Freedom of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas — were also the largest at one time.
What is the world’s biggest cruise ship price?
Royal Caribbean paid about $2 billion to build Icon of the Seas. At press time, the least expensive cabins on Icon of the Seas started at $1,210 per person for a seven-night voyage ($173 per person, per night). If that’s out of your price range, check out my recommendations for ships to try instead of Icon of the Seas.
What cruise ship is 5 times bigger than Titanic?
All of the ships in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class and Icon Class are at least five times larger than Titanic was, in terms of size. As far as passenger numbers, Titanic had capacity for 2,453 people, while Icon of the Seas can hold 7,600.
What is the largest cruise ship capacity?
Icon of the Seas can hold up to 7,600 guests at maximum capacity or 5,610 guests on a double occupancy basis (two people per cabin). The ship also employs more than 2,300 crew members. That means the ship can carry nearly 10,000 people when it’s fully crewed and every passenger bed is occupied.
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