What is the biggest cruise ship globally? - The Points Guy

What is the biggest cruise ship globally? – The Points Guy

Is size truly important? The cruise industry certainly believes so. For over a hundred years, cruise companies have vied for the honor of possessing the world’s largest cruise ship.

When it embarked on its maiden voyage in 1912, the ill-fated Titanic was the most enormous and magnificent passenger ship of its era. However, starting in 2009, when Royal Caribbean introduced its inaugural Oasis Class ship, those accolades have been attributed to ships that are over five times the size of the Titanic.

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Icon of the Seas. Photo by ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Nowadays, the biggest cruise ships are like cities on water, providing numerous bars and restaurants, spacious spas, and sun deck retreats. They offer a wide range of recreational activities such as zip lines, surf simulators, rock climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, escape rooms, laser tag, top-deck go-karts, virtual reality games, and even roller coasters.

So, which cruise ship holds the title of the largest in the world, and how do other cruise ships stack up against it? Here is a brief overview of the world’s largest cruise ships, considering both gross registered tonnage and maximum passenger capacity. It’s no surprise that Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class and Oasis Class lead the top five in both metrics, with only two other cruise lines making an appearance alongside Royal Caribbean.

Which cruise ship holds the record for being the world’s largest?

At this time, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas holds the title. Weighing in at 250,800 gross registered tons and accommodating as many as 7,600 guests (along with 2,350 crew members), this vessel is truly colossal. It offers neighborhoods boasting a variety of attractions, such as waterslides, an indoor AquaTheater, a carousel, and an adults-only sun deck. Additionally, it features luxurious suites, retail outlets, thousands of live plants, and over two dozen bars and dining establishments.

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The remaining largest cruise ships in the world

This article does not include ships from lines such as Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises, and Aida, as they do not target the North American market.

Largest cruise ships by gross tonnage

  • Icon of the Seas: 250,800 gross tons of registration
  • Wonder of the Seas: 236,857 gross registered tonnes
  • Symphony of the Seas: 228,081 gross tonnage
  • Harmony of the Seas: 226,963 gross tonnage
  • Oasis of the Seas: 226,838 gross tons registered
  • Allure of the Seas: 225,282 GRT
  • MSC World Europa: 205,700 gross tonnage
  • Carnival Celebration: 183,521 gross tons
  • Carnival Jubilee: 183,521 gross tons registered
  • MSC Grandiosa: 181,541 gross tonnage
  • MSC Virtuosa: 181,541 gross tonnage
  • The Carnival Mardi Gras has a gross registered tonnage of 180,000.

Largest cruise ships by passenger capacity in the world

  • Icon of the Seas: Capacity of 7,600 passengers
  • Wonder of the Seas: Capacity of 6,988 passengers
  • Allure of the Seas: capacity of 6,780 passengers
  • Oasis of the Seas: 6,771 guests
  • MSC World Europa can accommodate 6,762 passengers.
  • Harmony of the Seas: 6,687 guests
  • Symphony of the Seas: capacity of 6,680 guests
  • Carnival’s Mardi Gras: 6,631 guests
  • 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 largest cruise ship in the world as of today (2024)?

At present, the world’s largest cruise ship by both tonnage and passenger capacity is Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, surpassing its sister ship, Wonder of the Seas. Many other Royal Caribbean ships, such as Freedom Class and Oasis Class flagships Freedom of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, have also held the title of the largest at various points in time.

What is the cost of the largest cruise ship in the world?

Royal Caribbean invested approximately $2 billion to construct the Icon of the Seas. As of the latest information, the most affordable cabins on Icon of the Seas are priced from $1,210 per person for a seven-night journey ($173 per person, per night). If this exceeds your budget, consider looking at my suggestions for alternative ships to try instead of Icon of the Seas.

Which cruise ship is five times the size of the Titanic?

All the ships in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class and Icon Class are at least five times larger in size compared to the Titanic. Regarding passenger capacity, the Titanic could accommodate 2,453 people, whereas the Icon of the Seas has a capacity for 7,600.

What is the maximum capacity of a cruise ship?

The Icon of the Seas can accommodate up to 7,600 guests at full capacity or 5,610 guests based on double occupancy (two people per cabin). Additionally, the ship has a crew of more than 2,300 members. This implies that the ship can transport almost 10,000 individuals when fully staffed and all passenger beds are utilized.

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