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The 15 Largest Cruise Lines In The World

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Largest Cruise Lines Research Summary

The largest cruise line in the world is Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) , with a revenue of $22.86 billion .

As of 2022, the global cruise line industry has a market size of $7.67 billion.

A person can spend between $1,300 – $2,000 on the average 7-day sailing with a mainstream cruise line.

The global cruise line market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% through 2028.

Cruise lines or cruise companies are classified as passenger shipping corporations, associations, or organizations. The cruise line industry offers individuals leisure travel without needing to hop on a plane.

The cruise ships developed for these organizations are massive, offering everything from a travel experience, great food, company, entertainment, and tours. Many of the individual brands provide unique activities and signature amenities to their clients aboard the vessels.

The four top cruise lines own much of the cruise line market, with their market share projected to grow to 87.6% by 2021. Many of these companies are well-established passenger shipping brands, founded in the latter half of the 20th century when cruise ships became more popular.

There are a variety of different cruise lines, but typically, they can be classified into 3 different types: mainstream, premium, and luxury.

From luxury brands to budget deals, there’s something for everyone on a cruise ship. The 15 largest cruise lines in the world are as follows:

Diving Deeper into the Top 15 Cruise Lines in the World

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)

2022 Annual Revenue : $22.86 billion Number of Passengers : 1.4 million

Founded in 1970 in Naples, Italy, MSC is a Swiss-Italian-owned shipping line with a presence in all the major ports of the world. Their cruise line division, MSC Cruises focuses on holiday cruises for their passengers.

MSC Cruises is the world’s largest privately held cruise company, and fourth-largest in the world, boasting a 7.2% share of all cruise line passengers in the market.

In 2019, MSC Cruises rolled out the world’s first personal cruise assistant , called ZOE. This device is found in every room on the ship and is available to ask questions about your stay, reserve excursions, check your bill, and more.

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Carnival Corporation

2022 Annual Revenue : $12.2 billion Number of Passengers : 5.8 million

Founded in 1972, Carnival Corporation is a British-American cruise operator and currently holds the title of the world’s largest travel leisure company .

Carnival boasts over 100 vessels over ten different cruise line brands. It is a dual-listed company, meaning it operates as two companies, Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc, functioning as a single entity.

The company was initially publicly offered on the New York Stock Exchange in 1987 with the intention to generate capital for future acquisitions. During the 1990s, Carnival acquired a variety of companies including Holland America Line, Windstar Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, among others.

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Royal Caribbean Group

2022 Annual Revenue : $8.8 billion Number of Passengers : 3.3 million

Founded in 1997 when Royal Caribbean Cruise Line purchased Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean Group is an American-owned global cruise company based out of Miami, Florida . It holds the title of second-largest cruise line operator in the world.

This organization owns three cruise lines, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. In addition to their cruise lines, Royal Caribbean Group has a 50% stake in TUI Cruises in a joint venture with TUI AG.

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NCLH-Norweigan

2022 Annual Revenue : $4.844 billion Number of Passengers : 1.3 million

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) is a holding company domiciled in Bermuda and headquartered in Miami, Florida . This organization owns and operates three different cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

In February 2011, NCLH was incorporated as a Bermuda exempt company before debuting on the NASDAQ in 2013. NCLH is the third-largest cruise operator in the world, controlling 9.5% of the cruise market’s share.

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Viking Cruises

2022 Annual Revenue : $2.1 billion Number of Passengers : 143,700

Based in Switzerland and headquartered in Los Angeles, California , Viking Cruises is a cruise line that provides adventures on rivers, ocean, and expeditions. Their three divisions are named Viking River Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, and Viking Expeditions.

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Disney Cruise Line (DCL)

2022 Annual Revenue : $1.6 billion Number of Passengers : 312,200

This cruise line is a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company. In 1996, the Magical Cruise Company Limited launched their first vessel in London, with headquarters in Celebration, Florida .

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TUI Cruises

2022 Annual Revenue : $1.32 billion Number of Passengers : 330,100

TUI cruises is a German-based cruise company, formed in 2007 between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises as a joint venture. This specific line is targeted towards German tourists and competes heavily with AIDA Cruises.

Their fleet features cruise ships across three brands, TUI Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and Marella Cruises. This is a premium cruise line and its amenities include food, entertainment, and amenities, all tailored for a German experience.

Virgin Cruises

2022 Annual Revenue : $973.3 million Number of Passengers : 111,100

Headquartered in Florida, Virgin Voyages was the result of Virgin Group and Bain Capital merging together to form the organization in 2015. In June 2020, there was only one single ship in their fleet, with three more scheduled to make their debut for up to 2,700 passengers each.

Genting Hong Kong: Dream Cruises

2021 Annual Revenue : $723 million Number of Passengers : 264,100

This holding company operates cruise and resort businesses, with their largest cruise line being Dream Cruises. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Genting established Dream Cruises in 2015 as an Asian luxury cruise line, debuting their first cruise in November of 2016.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

2022 Annual Revenue : $327.3 million Number of Passengers : 110,700

This Norwegian-owned cruise shipping line is based in Suffolk, UK. Currently, its operation includes four cruise ships, but the company was founded in 1848 by three Olsen brothers.

Hurtigruten AS

2021 Annual Revenue : $334 million Number of Passengers : 122,300

This Norwegian-based company is a ferry service and cruise line operating out of Norway. Part of their business is operating a ferry service along the Norweigan coast, while the other part is their cruise line.

Marella Cruises

2021 Annual Revenue : $281 million Number of Passengers : 102,900

This British cruise line entered the cruise line market in 1973 but due to financial difficulties, shut down its operations in 1976. In 1995, they were in a position to open up their line again, after a competitor entered the cruise line industry.

Ponant/Paul Gauguin Cruises

2021 Annual Revenue : $233 million Number of Passengers : 85,400

Founded in 1988, Ponant, or Compagnie du Ponant is a French-owned cruise ship operator. Founded by officers from the French Merchant Navy, this organization now operates eleven ships. This luxury cruise company offers all kinds of cruises, including Antarctica.

Star Cruises

2021 Annual Revenue : $219 million Number of Passengers : 80,200

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Star Cruises operates primarily in the Asia Pacific market including destinations to Japan, Vietnam, and other Asian destinations. This organization is another offshoot of Genting Group in Malaysia.

Celestyal Cruises

2021 Annual Revenue : $175 million Number of Passengers : 64,100

Founded in 2014, Celestyal Cruises is the only cruise company based in Greece. Currently, their fleet consists of four ships with expeditions to Greek, Turkish, and Cuban ports.

Largest Cruise Lines FAQ

How much does the average person spend on a cruise?

The average cruise can cost someone $237 per day. For the average 7-day sailing with a mainstream cruise line, a person can spend between $1,300 and $2,000. This typically includes both fare and onboard spending.

What is the most popular cruise line?

The most popular cruise line is Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), with an average revenue of $22.86 billion. The second most popular cruise line is Carnival Corporation with a revenue of $12.2 billion, followed by Royal Caribbean Group with $8.8 billion in annual revenue.

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Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.

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15 Largest Cruise Line Companies

The Largest Cruise Line Companies boast spectacular cruise ships with top-notch amenities and entertainment options. They handle millions of passengers annually and offer diverse destinations and onboard experiences.

From family-oriented Disney Cruise line, loved by all children to an adult-oriented luxury cruise line Seabourn, the cruise industry has many options you can choose from, as per one’s travel needs.

According to Cruise Market Watch, the 2024 ocean cruise industry is estimated at 66.2 billion dollars, a 13.8% rise from 2023 with 30.1 million passengers carried annually, a rise of 4.2% from the previous year.

The industry is dominated by a few major players like Carnival Corporation which handled 42.9% of passengers, a total of 12.9 million in 2024 along with a revenue share of 37.3%.

It is followed by Royal Caribbean Group with a 25.7% passenger share amounting to 7.7 million passengers and a revenue share of 23.9%.

These cruise ship operators have many cruise lines under them, each having several ships in their fleets.

Read this article to learn more about the 15 Largest Cruise Line Companies in the World, ranked according to the number of passengers handled.

1. Carnival Cruise Line

A subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc, Carnival Cruise Line is based in Doral, Florida. It was founded in 1972 and has 27 ships in its fleet which sail on 2 to 29-day long trips, leaving from every U.S Coast.

Carnival is famous for its Caribbean cruises, but it also sails to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Bahamas and Europe.

It promises fun vacations with day and nighttime entertainment including stage shows, musicals, deck parties, casinos, waterslides and more.

It saw 6.1 million passengers in 2024 and recorded a revenue of 6.2 billion dollars.

2. Royal Caribbean International (RCI)

It was established in 1968 in Norway and is wholly owned by Royal Caribbean Group which also owns Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises.

It is based in Miami, Florida and has 28 ships in its fleet with cruises to the Caribbean, Asia, Europe, Singapore, Thailand, Bahamas, Mediterranean, Baltic, Alaska, Spain, Mexico, Hawaii etc.

RCI is one of the few cruise lines offering full-length Broadway productions onboard, including the famous CATS, Saturday Night Fever, MAMMA MIA! and Grease.

The cruise line saw 5.7 million passengers in 2024 and a revenue of 8.5 billion dollars, making it the largest cruise line by revenue and second-largest in terms of passengers.

3. MSC Cruises

Founded in 1988, MSC Cruises is a part of the MSC Group which is a privately held Swiss-based shipping conglomerate with more than 300 years of rich maritime heritage.

MSC Cruises is based in Geneva, Switzerland and employs over 30,000 people. It has 23 ships which offer year-round trips to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, including Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve , a private island in the Bahamas.

Seasonal itineraries include South America, Asia, Dubai, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Red Sea , Egypt, North America and South Africa.

It handled 2.55 million passengers in 2024 and generated a revenue of 4.7 billion dollars.

4. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

This American cruise line was founded in 1966 and is based in Miami. NCL was the first to do away with set dining times and offer guests the freedom to cruise on their schedule with more than 450 destinations to choose from.

It has 20 ships in its fleet which will increase with the arrival of their Prima Class Ships.

NCL is known for its fun, laid-back and innovative freestyle cruising concept that means no enforced dress code, no fixed dining time and many onboard entertainment options and family-friendly activities.

The cruise line saw 2.51 million passengers in 2024 and recorded a revenue of 6.3 billion dollars.

5. Celebrity Cruises

Based in Miami, Celebrity Cruises is a premium line known for offering a refined experience to its guests, especially elevated services and dining.

It was established in 1988 and now offers cruises to around 300 destinations around the globe, including Alaska and Antarctica.

They have both small and massive ships in their fleet comprising a total of 15 vessels, so one can choose as per their requirements.

Celebrity offers a Resort Deck where you can take a swim while a live band plays at the poolside, relax in the adults-only Solarium or play pickleball. You can also enjoy at a silent disco or go for star gazing while enjoying a cocktail on the Magic Carpet.

On the Retreat, one can access exclusive areas such as Luminae, a private-suites-only restaurant.

Celebrity Cruises welcomed 1.7 million guests in 2024 and had a revenue of 4.8 billion dollars.

6. Princess Cruises

Owned by Carnival Corporation, Princess Cruises is based in Santa Clarita, California and has a fleet of 17 ships which travel to 330 destinations in 7 continents.

The cruise line became popular after an American TV Show called The Love Boat was set on its ship the Pacific Princess.

Princess Cruises is known for offering a personalised hospitality service to their guests. They also promise freshly made multicourse meals, original shows from the most talented artists, comedy shows, band performances and much more.

They also organise family activities inspired by popular Discovery and Animal Planet shows.

Princess Cruises catered to 1.6 million guests this year and generated a revenue of 3.5 billion dollars.

7. P&O Cruises

This British Cruise Line is based in Southampton, England and offers cruises to 300 destinations, such as Iceland, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Canary Islands, Spain and Portugal, Northern Europe, Scandinavia, North and South America and the British Isles.

It has 7 ships, of which Arvia, Iona, Azura, Britannia and Ventura are family-friendly while Arcadia and Aurora are exclusively for adults.

Iona is the biggest ship in their fleet, which boasts multiple dining venues, a SkyDome which is an entertainment space, a grand atrium and an array of activities for all age groups.

P&O Cruises served 1.5 million guests this year and generated 4.2 billion dollars in revenue.

8. Costa Cruises

This Cruise Line was established in 1948 and is headquartered in Genoa, Italy. It caters to the Italian market and has 9 ships in service mainly on routes in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea , Northern Europe, the Americas, the Arab Emirates and the Far East.

It is different from other European cruise lines as it offers a Mediterranean-inspired design and atmosphere. Itineraries last from one night to 130 nights and the cruise line attracts many families, couples and retired people, especially in summer.

Their main attraction is affordable cabins which are easy to find in their fleet and then there are casinos, gyms, pools, hot tubs, and live shows. You can also go on excursions by paying extra fees like gondola rides in Venice, or boating and snorkelling in Barbados.

It received 1.4 million guests this year and generated $2.5 billion in revenue.

9. AIDA Cruises

This German Cruise Line was founded in the 1960s and caters to the German-speaking population. AIDA ships are designed with various amenities to attract young and active travellers.

It has a fleet of 13 ships which offer trips to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Central America, Africa, Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia.

AIDA is known for innovation and adoption of new technologies. Of its 13 vessels, 12 have advanced sewage treatment plants and all ships have plug-in capability. 12 can dock at ports with shoreside power. No AIDA vessel travelled to Alaska from 2010 to 2021 and 10 have scrubbers installed.

AIDA served 1.1 million guests and made $3.1 billion in revenue this year.

10. Disney Cruise Line

A subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company, this cruise line was incorporated in 1996 with its headquarters in Celebration, Florida.

The Cruise Line is famous among families with kids as it provides Disney-themed experiences from dining to entertainment and even Disney-inspired accommodations onboard its ships.

This cruise line has 5 ships, each distinct in style and design offering Disney character greetings, themed pools and play spaces for children, activity clubs, Disney movie screenings, deck parties and much more. However, it also has a lot to offer adults and teens.

It welcomed 848,000 passengers in 2024 and made $2.7 billion in revenue.

11. Holland America Line

With a 150-year heritage, this cruise line offers over 500 sailings annually onboard its 11 ships which visit all seven continents.

It offers shorter getaways to 128-day itineraries to popular and less-crowded ports in Alaska, Europe, South America, New Zealand, Asia, Panama Canal etc. They also offer unique trips to Antarctica and the Amazon.

Its mid-size cruise ships have one crew for every two guests, providing attentive service and a classic cruising experience.

It mainly caters to adults who can take up enrichment programs like digital photography, cooking workshops or Pilates sessions onboard their cruise ships.

Holland America Line handled 796,500 passengers this year and generated $2.6 billion in revenue.

12. TUI Cruises

This Cruise line is based in Germany and was created in 2007 as a joint venture between tourism company TUI AG and cruise line operator Royal Caribbean Group, both of which have a 50% stake in the company.

TUI Cruises began operating in 2009 and competes for the German market, offering a premium experience onboard including food, entertainment etc tailored mainly for German taste.

TUI Cruises has 6 ships in its fleet and in 2023, they announced the new InTUItion class, which would include ships with a new name, the first being Mein Schiff Relax which will be delivered by the end of 2024.

The cruise line welcomed 517,000 passengers and generated $1.3 billion in revenue.

13. Virgin Voyages

Based in Plantation, Florida, this is a joint venture between Virgin Group and Bain Capital. This adult-only cruise line has a fleet of 4 cruise ships built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri SpA.

It was voted the No.1 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Line of 2023 in the Travel & Leisure World’s Best Awards.

Virgin Voyages is great for couples who can spend some quality time away from their kids and even for solo travellers who wish to take a break from their daily routine.

This cruise line offers top-notch entertainment with its nightclub, drinking games in the Korean BBQ Restaurant, group fitness classes, karaoke sessions, pyjama parties and other events like a shipwide bar crawl.

Virgin Voyages saw 324,000 guests and approximately $ 840 million in revenue this year.

14. Marella Cruises

Earlier called Thomson Cruises, this British Cruise Line operated by TUI UK, offers cruise experiences around Europe, the Caribbean and Asia.

It has 5 ships, all of which have everything one needs for a laidback, relaxed vacation at sea, including pool areas, spas, restaurants with live music, west-end style shows, cookery lessons, fitness sessions and much more.

You can choose from 120 destinations with Marella Cruises. Their fleet has family-friendly and also adults-only ships, plus they are all-inclusive, with tips and service charges covered.

Marella Cruises welcomed 272,300 guests this year and generated $706 million in revenue.

15. Cunard Line

This cruise line is based in Southampton, England and has a maritime heritage dating back to a century. Its fleet consists of 4 ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and their newest Queen Anne.

In 2025 and 2026, the cruise line will offer grand, world voyages to Asia, Africa, Australasia, Europe, Americas and overnight calls in famous cities.

Cunard is a reputable name and many of Hollywood’s biggest names like Cary Grant, Charlie Chaplin and Elizabeth Taylor have sailed onboard its vessels.

Cunard ships have libraries, open-air pools and feature theatre performances, guest speaker events, deck games, board games, quizzes, children’s clubs, sports facilities, film screenings, planetarium shows and the famous Gala evenings.

Cunard saw 250,400 passengers and made $1.1 billion in revenue this year.

The largest cruise line companies are pivotal for the hospitality and tourism sector. They not only offer thrilling vacations but contribute to the global economy by providing jobs to thousands of people, supporting small businesses and promoting cultural exchanges too.

They have something for everyone, right from dining to fun and entertainment onboard cruise ships, which are massive floating cities laden with the latest technologies. However, the industry has its challenges too, the biggest being reducing its carbon footprint.

Looking ahead, we can say that these companies will likely reshape leisure travel in the maritime sector, and develop more eco-friendly ships and technologies to protect marine environments.

You might also like to read-

• Understanding Stability of Cruise Ships
• Top 24 Largest Cruise Ships In The World
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• 10 Top Eco-Friendly Cruise Ships

About Author

Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

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Largest Cruise Ships

See here the world's largest cruise ships list (including vessels under construction ) owned by the best cruise line companies . This article is also integrated with our ship dimensions , passenger capacity , and old cruise ships surveys.

CruiseMapper's list of biggest cruise ships includes all vessels with gross tonnage/volume over 150,000 GT-tons .

Each one of these behemoth ships is an engineering marvel produced by our contemporary age of fun and super technologies. Kudos to their builders and double kudos to their proud owners who have invested so much in these newbuild projects!

Note: In the following table, all links are internal (CruiseMapper) and redirect to the liner's itinerary schedule where you can compare dates and prices per person (double occupancy cabin rates).

The world's largest river cruise ship is Victoria Sabrina . The 2020-launched riverboat is China-built, owned by Victoria Cruises China and deployed year-round on Yangtze River. The vessel has the impressive volume of 17000 GT-tons, LOA length 150 m (492 ft), width 22 m (72 ft), 7 decks (5 with cabins), 270 staterooms, max capacity 690 passengers plus 195 crew/staff.

Oasis-class - biggest cruise ship in the world ever built

World's currently largest cruise ship class is produced exclusively for RCI-Royal Caribbean andin 2 sub-series - Oasis-Class (Allure OTS, Oasis OTS) and Oasis-Plus (Harmony OTS, Symphony OTS, Wonder OTS). These are sisterships from the fleet of the second- largest cruise shipping company in the world - RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (as shipowner) that follows only Carnival Corporation (as shipowner).

As to vessels' dimensions, each boasts the unimaginable weight of 227,000-230,000 GT / gross tons, LOA length 362 m (1187 ft) and waterline width 47 m (154 ft). The extreme breadth is over 60 m (198 ft). As the GT is a volume measurement, the ship's actual mass (called displacement) is approx 100,000 tons (the hull alone weighs about 54,000 tons). Surpassing all passenger ship standards, building cost and all previous ship travel vacation concepts, the Oasis-class ships are currently the only passenger shipping vessels of such immense size.

Other interesting numbers are the above waterline height (72 m / 236 ft), depth (23 m / 74 ft below waterline), 16 passenger decks, draft/draught (9,3 m / 31 ft), cruising/service speed 23 knots (26 mph / 42 kph), capacity 5400 passengers at double occupancy (max 6296 / 6870) and officers+crew capacity 2165.

The world's biggest cruise ship propulsion system guarantees the perfect maneuverability by 3 rotatable Azipod thrusters (suspended under the ship's stern), each with a huge electric motor and a 6 m (20 ft) propeller. The ship offers great stability due to its enormous size. And in times of need - there are 18 lifeboats, each with a capacity of 370 people.

Oasis-Plus class is also currently the world's most technologically advanced and energy-efficient cruise vessel ever built. It is equipped with a new-generation exhaust gas cleaning system (multi-stream scrubbers) and with a hull lubrication system allowing the ship to float on air bubbles (created around the hull) thus reducing drag and increasing fuel efficiency.

Regarding cruise accommodations , this class of vessels has some of the largest suites at sea - measuring 150 m2 (over 1600 ft2, balcony included). Another signature feature is the 7 "neighborhoods" (theme-park-like areas), 5 large swimming pools, a huge casino, a full-size volleyball/basketball court, large-capacity bars, and lounges. Oasis-Plus ships additionally have waterslides (created by Aquatic Design & Engineering) and a total of 23 "water fun" areas (swimming pools, large-size outdoor jacuzzies, waterslides, flowriders/surf simulators). The stern-located Ultimate Abyss water slide is 150 ft (45,70 m) above sea level. It features 31 sections, two 360-degree circles, 27-degree slide incline, 28 m (92 ft) serpentine-like drop, 13,14 seconds average sliding time (top to bottom), around 300 small LED lights and graffiti artworks throughout.

These phenomenal ships were manufactured by STX Europe (shipyard Turku Finland / Oasis-class) and in by STX France (shipyard Saint-Nazaire France / Oasis-Plus). The new Oasis ships are 2,15 m (7 ft) longer.

Biggest Carnival cruise ship - "Carnival Pinnacle" class

Watch this amazing YouTube video about the "Carnival Pinnacle cruise ship". The project was designed by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri as their biggest ever passenger ship - GT tonnage 200,000 tons, capacity 6000 passengers, length 380 m (1246 ft), The "Pinnacle Project" was initiated by Carnival Corporation in 2004 to tip the scales in the "Carnival vs Royal Caribbean" competition.

Carnival Pinnacle was never built as the project was officially canceled (mainly due to the vessel's incredible cost at that time). However, many of the project's elements and innovative design features were later adapted for other large-sized cruise liners built for rival companies.

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World's Leading Cruise Lines

World’s Leading Cruise Lines is a part of Carnival Corporation & plc, the largest cruise vacation company in the world. Our goal is to help guests experience the best vacation possible by visiting the most desirable destinations at an outstanding value across all 9 brands. Those brands include AIDA, Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, P&O Cruises UK and Seabourn.

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AIDA Cruises is the market leader in the German-speaking cruise market. Home of the smile, AIDA Cruises is the epitome of a premium-quality, relaxing cruise and operates one of the world’s most state-of-the-art fleets. Visit: www.aida.de

Carnival Cruise Line, also known as America’s Cruise Line, is a leader in contemporary cruising and operates a fleet of ships designed to provide fun and memorable vacation experiences at a great value. Visit: www.carnival.com

Costa Cruises delivers Italy’s finest at sea, bringing modern Italian lifestyle to its ships to provide guests with a true European experience that embodies a unique passion for life through warm hospitality, entertainment and gastronomy. Visit: www.costacruise.com

Cunard is the epitome of British refinement for travelers who relish the line’s impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining, world-class entertainment, and the legacy of historic voyages and transatlantic travel. Visit: www.cunard.com

Holland America Line's premium fleet of spacious, elegant mid-sized ships feature sophisticated five-star dining, extensive entertainment and activities, innovative culinary enrichment programs and compelling worldwide itineraries. Visit: www.hollandamerica.com

P&O Cruises (UK) is Britain’s favorite cruise line with a fleet of ships combining genuine service and a sense of occasion and attention to detail, ensuring passengers have the holiday of a lifetime, every time. Visit: www.pocruises.co.uk

P&O Cruises (Australia) provides a quintessential holiday experience for Australians and New Zealanders, taking them to some of the world's most idyllic and hard-to-reach places across Asia and the South Pacific. Visit: www.pocruises.co.au

Princess is the world’s leading international cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of modern cruise ships, renowned for the innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities. Visit: www.princess.com

Seabourn provides ultraluxury cruising vacations in a unique, small-ship style that focuses on genuine, intuitive service, all-suite accommodations, superb cuisine and unique experiences in destinations worldwide. Visit: www.seabourn.com

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Full List: The 10 Current Largest Cruise Ships on the Planet

If you think cruise ships have gotten bigger, it’s not just your imagination. 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.

Today, any new ship from a major line will be at least 140,000 gross tons, with many much larger than that. Passenger counts have also swelled, with many new ships carrying 5,000 cruisers when completely full.

But the largest cruise ships on the planet are in another league altogether. 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.

Why Are Cruise Ships So Big?

Truth be told, while the size of massive modern ships is staggering, not everyone likes the large ship experience. Some people can find them too crowded and too hard to navigate. But not everyone feels that way, and cruise lines have invested literally billions into building ships that are as large as possible. So what is the appeal of a mega ship?

Amenities/Activities: For passengers, the big advantage of size comes with everything that can be fit onto the ship. Instead of the old days where there was a pool, some loungers, and a buffet, modern mega ships are literal resorts at sea.

There are multiple pools, more than a dozen restaurants, casinos, ziplines, literal parks, ice-skating rinks, rock-climbing walls, spas, and more bars than you can count on your fingers and toes.

All of that combines into an experience that can exceed expectations and keep passengers coming back for more.

Efficiencies of Scale: For cruise lines, one big positive about a larger ship are greater efficiencies. Instead of having the cost of building two smaller ships — and the costs of having two sets of crew to run them both — one larger ship offers the chance for just as many passengers at a lower cost.

Marketing: Finally, one overlooked aspect of why cruise ships are bigger than ever has to do with marketing and publicity. There’s a certain awe and interest that comes with the world’s largest ships. Seeing them in port is essentially a giant billboard for a cruise line. And the largest ships also get significant press due to their size. All of that can translate into more interest, ticket sales, and prices for the newest — and biggest — ships.

With that in mind, here is the current list of the world’s largest cruise ships as of now…

Icon of the Seas

When it comes to the largest ships, Royal Caribbean is the undisputed leader with the six biggest cruise ships in the world. But the king of the fleet — and the largest cruise ship in the world — is Icon of the Seas .

Icon of the Seas doesn’t sail with passengers until 2024, but it’s already made waves. It’s not just the massive size (250,800 gross tons and 7,600 passengers at maximum capacity), but what’s onboard. A full-fledged waterpark, seven different pools, and eight different neighborhoods offer a spot for everyone. This ship looks to change cruising forever.

• Gross Tonnage: 250,800
• Length: 1,198 feet
• Passenger Capacity: 5,610 double occupancy; 7,600 max capacity
• Year Built: 2023

Wonder of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas is the latest edition of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships (until Utopia of the Seas arrives in 2024), which were the largest class in the world until the new Icon class took the torch. Still, it’s not as if Wonder of the Seas is a slouch.

At 235,600 gross tons, there’s room for 7,084 passengers and an amazing amount to see and do onboard. This includes Central Park, the mid-ship outdoor promenade that winds through lush gardens, and the AquaTheater, where performers put on aquatic shows, including towering high dives at sea.

• Gross Tonnage: 235,600
• Length: 1,188 feet
• Passenger Capacity: 5,734 double occupancy; 7,084 max capacity
• Year Built: 2022

Symphony of the Seas

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.

Today, it’s the third-largest cruise ship on the planet, but it’s no slouch. It holds seven different neighborhoods, nearly 3,000 staterooms, three waterslides, and Ultimate Abyss — a 10-story dry slide.

• Gross Tonnage: 228,081
• Passenger Capacity: 5,518 double occupancy; 6,680 max capacity
• Year Built: 2018

Harmony of the Seas

Built in 2016, Harmony of the Seas features 18 decks, more than 225,000 gross tons (about 10% smaller than Icon of the Seas) and can carry nearly 6,700 passengers when completely full. That’s good enough to make it the fourth-largest cruise ship in the world.

It features many of the same components of other ships in the class, like the adults-only Solarium, Central Park, and the AquaTheater. That’s not to mention 17 different spots to grab a bite to eat.

• Gross Tonnage: 226,963
• Passenger Capacity: 5,479 double occupancy; 6,687 max capacity
• Year Built: 2016

Oasis of the Seas

The ship that started the trend of truly mega ships is also the namesake of the Oasis class — Oasis of the Seas. If you notice, most of the largest ships on our list were built recently. This ship first began sailing in 2009 and set off the “arms race” of larger ships that continues today.

Following a refurbishment, it now features three waterslides, a dozen lounges, 2,801 cabins (including one with a panoramic view right above the ship’s bridge), a splash pad for kids, and even an escape room themed like the 1960s NASA mission control. And did we mention 20 different places to find something to eat?

• Gross Tonnage: 226,838
• Length: 1,187 feet
• Passenger Capacity: 5,602 double occupancy; 6,771 max capacity
• Year Built: 2009

Allure of the Seas

Following a refurbishment of Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas — which was the second ship in the class and built in 2010 — is actually now the smallest of the group based on tonnage. Still, that’s good enough for sixth largest in the world at “just” 225,000 gross tons.

On the ship, you’ll find 18 decks, 2,748 staterooms and more than 6,800 passengers when completely full. That’s definitely a lot of people, but remember that you also have a lot more space to spread out, giving plenty of elbow room.

• Gross Tonnage: 225,282
• Passenger Capacity: 5,496 double occupancy; 6,826 max capacity
• Year Built: 2010

MSC World Europa

While Royal Caribbean has a lock on the largest ships, the title of largest cruise ship from outside that cruise line goes to MSC World Europa.

Coming in at almost 216,000 gross tons, it’s roughly 14% smaller than Icon of the Seas. But don’t think it’s some slouch. 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.

This ship will be joined in 2025 by sister-ship MSC World America, set to sail stateside.

• Gross Tonnage: 215,863
• Length: 1,094 feet
• Passenger Capacity: 5,231 double occupancy; 6,762 max capacity

Costa Smeralda/Costa Toscana (Tie)

These two ships come in at a tie for the eighth-largest cruise ship in the world. Built in 2019 and 2021, respectively, they both belong to Costa Cruises. And if the shape of the ship looks familiar, that’s because Costa is a sister line to Carnival. A similar design is used for Carnival’s largest ships, Mardi Gras, Celebration, and Jubilee. However, those ships come in just under the 185,000 gross tons seen with Smeralda and Toscana.

Both ships offer 13 pools and hot tubs, nearly a dozen restaurants and just under 20 bars and lounges. And if you like balcony views? There are 1,550 balcony rooms on each, providing plenty of options for the roughly 6,500 passengers that can sail at full capacity.

• Gross Tonnage: 185,010
• Length: 1,106 feet
• Passenger Capacity: 5,224 double occupancy; 6,554 max capacity
• Year Built: 2019/2021

P&O Arvia

Taking the crown as the 10th-largest cruise ship in the world is Arvia from P&O Cruises. Measuring just under 185,000 gross tons, it offer a similar design to ships like Costa Smeralda and Carnival Celebration, but don’t think these ships are all the same.

For instance, Arvia features a unique Skydome area that is a pool area with retractable roof by day and an entertainment venue by night. It also features its own rum distillery onboard, meaning you can take home rum literally made on the ship. Kids will love the Altitude zone that features a ropes course, mini-golf, and more. There’s also Mission Control, a submarine-themed escape room.

All told, a reported 6,685 passengers can enjoy the ship at one time.

• Gross Tonnage: 184,700
• Length: 1,130 feet
• Passenger Capacity: 5,200 double occupancy; 6,685 max capacity

More on Large Ships:

• The World’s Largest Cruise Ship Compared to Famous Places
• The World’s Largest Cruise Ships Sailing For Each Line (With Photos)
• Photos: See the New Icon of the Seas Sail for the First Time

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

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Royal Caribbean cruise ships ranked by size from biggest to smallest — the complete list

Are you looking for the most activity-packed, megaresort-like Royal Caribbean cruise ships at sea? If so, you'll want to get on one of the biggest Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

The biggest Royal Caribbean cruise ships are, by nature, the Royal Caribbean ships with the most pools, waterslides and other deck-top activities, as well as the most onboard restaurants, bars and showrooms. They have the biggest casinos and spas among ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet as well as the most cabins and suites — and the most variation in cabin and suite types.

With room for 6,000 passengers or more, the biggest Royal Caribbean ships are truly massive resorts like you find at such landlocked destinations as Orlando and Las Vegas. If you're in the "bigger is better" camp when it comes to a resort experience, these are the Royal Caribbean ships for you.

Still, Royal Caribbean doesn't just operate massive vessels. The Miami-based cruise giant also operates quite a few relatively small cruise ships that carry just 2,000 or 3,000 people and have a much more intimate feel. In some cases, these vessels are just half or a third of the size of Royal Caribbean's biggest ships. These ships, notably, have far fewer deck-top activities and interior venues than the biggest Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

The smallest Royal Caribbean cruise ships are best for vacationers who like a more intimate, less crowded resort experience.

Related: The 6 classes of Royal Caribbean ships, explained

To ensure you end up on the right Royal Caribbean ship for you, it pays to study which Royal Caribbean ships are the biggest and which are the smallest before booking.

Here is every Royal Caribbean ship currently in operation ranked from biggest to smallest.

1. Icon of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2024 Size: 248,663 gross tons Passenger capacity : 5,610

2. Utopia of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2024 Size: 236,473 gross tons Passenger capacity: 5,668

3. Wonder of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2022 Size: 235,600 gross tons Passenger capacity : 5,734

4. Symphony of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2018 Size: 228,081 gross tons Passenger capacity: 5,518

5. Harmony of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2016 Size: 226,963 gross tons Passenger capacity: 5,479

6. Oasis of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2009 Size: 226,838 gross tons Passenger capacity: 5,602

7. Allure of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2010 Size: 225,282 gross tons Passenger capacity: 5,484

8. Spectrum of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2019 Size: 169,379 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,246

9 (tied). Ovation of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2016 Size: 168,666 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,180

9 (tied). Anthem of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2015 Size: 168,666 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,180

9 (tied). Quantum of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2014 Size: 168,666 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,180

12. Odyssey of the Seas

Maiden voyage : 2022 Size: 167,704 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,284

13. Freedom of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2006 Size: 156,271 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,926

14 (tied). Independence of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2008 Size: 154,407 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,634

14 (tied). Liberty of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2007 Size: 154,407 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,798

16. Navigator of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2002 Size: 139,999 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,388

17. Mariner of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2003 Size: 139,863 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,000

18. Explorer of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2000 Size: 137,308 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,286

19 (tied). Voyager of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 1999 Size: 137,276 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,602

19 (tied). Adventure of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2001 Size: 137,276 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,114

21 (tied). Jewel of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2004 Size: 90,090 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,191

21 (tied). Serenade of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2003 Size: 90,090 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,143

21 (tied). Brilliance of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2002 Size: 90,090 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,142

21 (tied). Radiance of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 2001 Size: 90,090 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,143

25. Enchantment of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 1997 Size: 82,910 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,252

26. Rhapsody of the Seas

Maiden voyage : 1997 Size: 78,419 gross tons Passenger capacity: 1,998

27. Vision of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 1998 Size: 78,340 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,050

28. Grandeur of the Seas

Maiden voyage: 1996 Size: 73,817 gross tons Passenger capacity: 1,992

What is the biggest Royal Caribbean ship?

The biggest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is the just-unveiled Icon of the Seas . Measuring 248,663 gross tons, it's not only the biggest Royal Caribbean ship but also the biggest cruise ship ever built by any line. It's loaded with more bars, restaurants, theaters and deck-top attractions than you'll find on any other ship at sea.

Icon of the Seas is the first in a new series of ships at Royal Caribbean that are bigger than anything seen before. The series is called the Icon Class. A second ship in the Icon Class, Star of the Seas , is due to debut in 2025.

How big is Icon of the Seas?

At 248,663 gross tons, Icon of the Seas is more than 6% larger than Royal Caribbean's 1-year-old Wonder of the Seas , which previously was the biggest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet (and the biggest ship operated by any line). Icon of the Seas can carry up to 7,600 passengers — a new record for a passenger ship. That's about 7% higher than the maximum capacity of Wonder of the Seas, which can hold up to 7,084 passengers.

The bigger passenger capacity is partly due to the ship's greater focus on family travelers. Icon of the Seas was built with a lot more cabins that have plenty of extra bunks to accommodate families with many children. It also has more amenities geared toward families. This includes a new-for-the-line outdoor "neighborhood" called Surfside dedicated to families with young children.

What is the smallest Royal Caribbean ship?

The smallest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Grandeur of the Seas. Measuring just 73,817 tons, it's just a third the size of Icon of the Seas.

Grandeur of the Seas dates to 1996, a time when cruise ships were built far smaller than they are today and with far fewer venues. At 28 years old, it's the oldest vessel in the Royal Caribbean fleet and probably will be phased out sometime in the next few years.

Except for a rock climbing wall, Grandeur of the Seas has none of the gee-whiz Royal Caribbean top-deck attractions found on newer Royal Caribbean vessels, such as skydiving simulators and giant water parks. For the most part, its top deck is lined with pools, whirlpools and sunning areas, as is typical for ships built in the 1990s.

That said, Grandeur of the Seas has a loyal following among Royal Caribbean fans who prefer smaller and more intimate ships.

Royal Caribbean has hinted of late that it might build a new series of smaller ships that could replace Grandeur of the Seas and other older small vessels in the line's fleet.

Are bigger Royal Caribbean ships coming?

Royal Caribbean currently has three new cruise ships on order, all of which will be among its biggest cruise ships ever — if not the biggest.

The ships on order include two more vessels in the line's Icon Class series that will be similar to Icon of the Seas. They're on order from a shipyard for delivery in 2025 and 2026, respectively. Both ships are expected to be as big or bigger than Icon of the Seas.

Related: The ultimate guide to Icon of the Seas itineraries, attractions and more

Royal Caribbean also has one more ship in its popular Oasis Class series on order for delivery in 2028.

Launched in 2009 with the debut of Oasis of the Seas, the Oasis-class ships have dominated the world of mega-size cruise ships since that year. At the time the class began rolling out, the vessels were around 40% bigger than the next-biggest cruise ships, and they have continued to be among the biggest and most amenity-laden ships in the world ever since.

The new Oasis Class vessel, which is as-yet unnamed, is expected to be roughly the same size as Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's second-biggest cruise ship. But it'll be smaller than the line's biggest ship, Icon of the Seas.

What's the difference between bigger and smaller Royal Caribbean ships?

Royal Caribbean's biggest ships have room for many more onboard venues and attractions than Royal Caribbean's older ships. That makes them more alluring for vacationers who prefer a big, bustling megaresort experience to a stay at a smaller resort.

On Royal Caribbean's biggest Oasis-class vessels, for instance, you'll find three separate main pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, a miniature golf course, a basketball court and even a zip line. And that's just on their top decks. Inside the vessels, you'll find more lounges, bars, restaurants and shops than you can imagine — plus huge casinos, spas and showrooms with Broadway-style shows. They even have indoor ice skating rinks.

The line's new Icon of the Seas has a similar array of amenities.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean's smallest ships are a half to a third smaller than the Oasis Class and Icon Class vessels and lack many of the above features. They have a much more intimate feel, at least in the pantheon of relatively big, mass-market ships, and they hold far fewer people. While Oasis Class and Icon Class ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at double occupancy, the line's four oldest vessels (known as the Vision class) are only designed to carry about 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.

Royal Caribbean's smallest ships are a good choice for someone who wants to try Royal Caribbean but isn't eager to travel with huge crowds. The smallest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet thus appeal to a subset of Royal Caribbean fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive on a per-day basis for cruisers.

Related: Don't miss out on these Royal Caribbean loyalty perks

Additionally, because of their size, the smallest Royal Caribbean ships can operate itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of Icon of the Seas.

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The biggest cruise ships in the world

When it comes to vacation getaways, the concept of the sea cruise is a fairly new phenomenon. It was well into the 19th century before the idea took hold of travelling the seas for leisure and comfort in large vessels accommodating hundreds, and later thousands, of passengers.

Mark Twain popularized the concept in the late 1800s with his travel books, “The Innocents Abroad” and “Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World.” The sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912 still captures popular interest. At 882 feet long, 92 feet wide and 175 feet tall , with a volume of 46,328 gross tons, the Titanic was at the time the largest ship ever built.

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Today’s largest cruise ships can be more than 1,100 feet long, more than 200 feet wide and tall enough to require elevators. The largest cruise ships in operation have gross tonnages well over 200,000. While the Titanic could accommodate up to about 2,500 non-crew passengers, the largest cruise ships can handle well over twice that number. And they do a lot more than just get people from one destination to another – these are the cruises that are better than most vacations . 

Royal Caribbean, the cruise line that boasts some of the largest cruise ships afloat, announced in May it was building the biggest of all and plans for it to sail in 2021. Little is known about the ship under construction. It is the fifth in its Oasis class – the largest class of vessels in the Royal Caribbean fleet – and is being built at a shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. A sixth Oasis-class ship is to be launched in 2023.

The following is a list of the top 20 largest cruise ships based on the number of non-crew passengers they can accommodate.

20. MSC Fantasia

Non-crew passenger capacity: 3,274

Year deployed: 2008

When it was launched, the MSC Fantasia was the largest cruise ship built for a European ship owner. Today, Geneva, Switzerland-based MSC Cruises has four cruise ships that are larger, including the MSC Bellissima, the world’s third-largest cruise ship by non-crew passenger capacity. The Fantasia serves the Mediterranean cruise market, with embarkations from Marseille, France; Mallorca, Spain; and Naples, Livorno, and Genoa in Italy.

19. World Dream

Non-crew passenger capacity: 3,348

Year deployed: 2017

The newer of the two largest ships based on passenger capacity from Hong Kong-based Dream Cruises has helped to strengthen Hong Kong as an Asian cruise hub. Focused on the growing number of Chinese leisure travelers, the World Dream also operates out of Guangzhou, the populous southern Chinese city. World Dream's sister ship, the Genting Dream, was launched in 2015 and has the same passenger capacity.

18. Majestic Princess

Non-crew passenger capacity: 3,560

Princess Cruises might be best known in the U.S. as the namesake brand of the ABC romantic sitcom “The Love Boat,” which ran for nine seasons in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In Asia, it might be better known as one of the premiere cruise ships for Australian journeys. In addition to embarking from Australia’s major port cities, it offers packages from Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, and Auckland, New Zealand.

17. Carnival Dream

Non-crew passenger capacity: 3,646

Year deployed: 2009

Carnival’s first Dream-class cruise ship is the smallest Carnival ship by passenger capacity on this list. Clearly, Carnival wasn’t going for any records for weight or passenger numbers – at the time the Dream went into service, Royal Caribbean had much larger ships. Like the larger and newer Carnival Vista, the Dream is based in Galveston, Texas, and offers western Caribbean cruises.

16. Britannia

Non-crew passenger capacity: 3,647

Year deployed: 2015

The Britannia is owned and operated by P&O Cruises, the world’s oldest existing cruise line, founded in 1837. It’s now a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company. Featuring a three-tier atrium centered by a massive chandelier, the Britannia is more subdued than its U.S.-based counterparts that brim with activities. The largest cruise ship ever built specifically for the U.K. market, the Britannia offers transatlantic cruises between Southampton and Barbados.

15. Carnival Breeze

Non-crew passenger capacity: 3,690

Year deployed: 2012

Carnival’s third Dream-class vessel shares the number 15 spot with its predecessor, the Carnival Magic, which is a year older. Both can accommodate slightly more non-crew passengers than the first Dream-class cruise ship, which set sail in 2009. Both vessels offer Caribbean cruises from Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

14. Carnival Vista

Non-crew passenger capacity: 3,934

Year deployed: 2016

Miami-based Carnival Corporation is the world’s largest cruise line operator, but the largest vessel bearing the Carnival name ranks as the 13th largest by passenger capacity. The Carnival Vista is based in Galveston, Texas, and offers cruises to the western Caribbean, including ports of call to Cozumel, Mexico and Belize. The Vista was recently taken out of service temporarily for repairs using a new floating dry dock facility in the Bahamas that completed the work ahead of schedule.

13. Norwegian Bliss

Non-crew passenger capacity: 4,004

Year deployed: 2018

The only vessel on this list from Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line just barely edges into the family of 17 cruise ships that can accommodate more than 4,000 non-crew passengers. The Norwegian Bliss operates Alaskan tours. It also features a 21-day cruise from Los Angeles to New York City via the Panama Canal, with 10 ports of call along the west coast of Mexico, Central America and the southern Caribbean.

12. MSC Meraviglia

Non-crew passenger capacity: 4,500

The Meraviglia is one of the smallest of the five MSC Cruises ships on this list, but edges into the list of ships that can carry more than 4,000 passengers, excluding crew. The Meraviglia mostly focuses on Miami-embarked cruises through the Caribbean and Antilles, but in the fall offers New England and Canadian tours from New York City.

11. Freedom of the Seas

Non-crew passenger capacity: 4,515

Year deployed: 2006

Royal Caribbean’s smallest cruise ship (based on guest capacity) on this list is also the oldest. When launched, this Freedom class vessel was the largest cruise ship based on gross tonnage, a standard measure used to rank ships by the volume of enclosed space; today it doesn’t even make it into the top 10 most voluminous tourist ships. It has a gross tonnage of 154,407 compared with 228,081 for Symphony of the Seas, which can accommodate up to 6,680 non-crew passengers. Freedom of the Seas offers Caribbean cruises out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

10. Independence of the Seas

Non-crew passenger capacity: 4,560

Royal Caribbean is the second-largest cruise operator, but when it comes to behemoth cruise ships the company absolutely dominates. Ten of the 27 largest cruise ships by passenger capacity on this list are operated by the Miami-based company; the Independence is also one of the oldest. Based in Fort Lauderdale, the Independence offers cruises in the western Mediterranean and shorter trips to the Bahamas.

9. Ovation of the Seas

Non-crew passenger capacity: 4,905

The ninth-largest cruise ship by passenger capacity is a three-way tie among Royal Caribbean's massive Quantum class cruise ships. The Ovation of the Seas is the newest of the three; the other two are the Anthem of the Seas (2015) and Quantum of the Seas (2014). The Ovation currently serves the Pacific Rim region, with embarkations at Vancouver, Canada; Sydney, Australia; Seattle, Washington; and Tokyo, including a 14-night transpacific cruise from Japan to Seattle via ports of call in Russia and Alaska.

8. Costa Diadema

Non-crew passenger capacity: 4,947

Year deployed: 2014

The smaller of Costa Cruises' two biggest cruise ships is billed as children-friendly and focuses on attracting passengers from the United Arab Emirates to and from Mediterranean port cities, including Genoa, Rome and Savona in Italy; Marseille, France; and Barcelona, Spain. The ship also has shorter regional routes among ports in Qatar, the UAE and Oman.

7. Costa Venezia

Non-crew passenger capacity: 5,100

Year deployed: 2019

The Costa Venezia is the first cruise ship delivered to Costa Cruises, the Italian brand owned by Carnival Corporation, that’s focused exclusively on the Chinese market. That’s appropriate since famed explorer Marco Polo came from Venice. The interior is inspired by its Italian namesake, with interior Venetian “streets” and “squares,” along with carnival-like entertainment inspired by Venice’s annual costumed spectacle. In March, the Costa Venezia offered its first cruise, a three-stage cruise from the northeast Italian port city of Trieste to Yokohama, Japan, with several ports of call in between.

6. MSC Seaview

Non-crew passenger capacity: 5,179

The Seaview is the newer of two cruise ships from Geneva-based MSC Cruises that can carry a company-reported 5,179 passengers (excluding crew). The Miami-based MSC Seaside began operations in late 2017, delivering tours to the Caribbean and the Antilles. The MSC Seaview began Mediterranean operations last summer, embarking from Barcelona, Mallorca, Genoa, Civitavecchia and Cannes.

5. AIDAnova

Non-crew passenger capacity: 5,200

The world's first cruise ship powered by liquefied natural gas was delivered late last year to Rostock, Germany-based AIDA Cruises, a subsidiary of Miami-based Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company. The AIDAnova is the first of seven LNG-powered cruise ships Carnival has on order as part of an industry-wide push away from the dirtier heavy fuels that power most ships today. The AIDAnova is booking trips around southern Europe's Mediterranean coast and jaunts out to the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

4. Spectrum of the Seas

Non-crew passenger capacity: 5,622

In a nod to the importance of the rising Chinese leisure class, Royal Caribbean chose Shanghai to be the home port for the world's first so-called Quantum Ultra cruise ship, a pricier model of the Quantum class cruise ship that includes newer, exclusive amenities like private elevators and roped-off restaurants. The ship's foodie options are heavily Asian focused and entertainment includes a Silk Road-inspired extravaganza and a fancy karaoke lounge.

3. MSC Bellissima

Non-crew passenger capacity: 5,686

MSC Cruises has one of the newest behemoth cruise ships in operation after the Bellissima took its maiden voyage in March from Southampton to Barcelona, with three Iberian stopovers in between. The Bellissima is the third-largest cruise ship by passenger capacity and is currently booking Mediterranean cruises embarking from Marseille in France, Genoa, Naples and Messina in Italy, Valletta in Malta and Barcelona, Spain.

2. Symphony of the Seas

Non-crew passenger capacity: 6,680

Last year, Royal Caribbean outdid itself with Symphony of the Seas. With a gross tonnage that's slightly higher than Harmony of the Seas, Symphony is currently the largest and heaviest cruise ship ever put into service. But what it gained in space it lost (slightly) in maximum passenger capacity compared to its other big Royal Caribbean siblings. Symphony currently operates exclusively out of Miami with Caribbean cruises, including three-night jaunts to the Bahamas.

1. Harmony, Oasis, Allure of the Seas (tied)

Non-crew passenger capacity: 6,780

Miami-based Royal Caribbean International operates the world's largest cruise ships by passenger capacity and gross tonnage, and three of those ships are in a first-place tie for total number of guests they can accommodate, including Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, which began operating in 2009 and 2010, respectively. All three of these floating giants operate mainly in the Caribbean region. Oasis and Allure also offer transatlantic and Mediterranean tours.

24/7 Tempo reviewed cruise company websites and industry publications to determine the largest cruise ships based on the maximum number of non-crew passengers they can accommodate. In the event vessels share the same passenger capacities, the newest ship is listed and others are mentioned in the summary descriptions. For all but three vessels on the list, we used the passenger capacity numbers provided by the cruise companies rather than third-party estimates, which sometimes include crew numbers or are based on preliminary estimates published before a ship was configured. 

For the three ships whose companies did not provide non-crew passenger numbers (the Costa Diadema, the World Dream and the Genting Dream), we relied on passenger capacity numbers from Ship Technology, a shipping industry publication. 

Because much of the interior volume of a cruise ship is used for amenities other than passenger cabins, like water parks, restaurants and nightclubs, larger and heavier ships do not necessarily carry more passengers. 

While the largest ships on the list have the highest gross tonnage, a standard measure used to rank sea vessels by the volume of enclosed space, lighter ships with less interior volume and weight can in some cases accommodate more passengers.

24/7 Wall Street is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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The 21 largest cruise ships in the world.

Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts.

The Largest Cruise Ships in the World

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

With every year comes bigger and grander cruise ships.

Just when you think cruise ships can't get any larger, a major cruise line unveils yet another longer, taller and grander state-of-the-art vessel – with the capacity to carry the population of a small town. To put the size of today's megaships into perspective: They often stretch three times longer than a 120-yard football field, and some feature nearly two dozen decks or measure more than 215 feet wide.

So, if you're looking for a vacation aboard a large-scale vessel, consider booking a voyage on one of the biggest cruise ships in the world. With cutting-edge technology and entertainment, world-class dining, and endless attractions and activities for cruisers of all ages, you may not even want to leave the ship. Here are the biggest cruise ships, arranged by gross tonnage.

• 1. Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas
• 2. Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas
• 3. Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas
• 4. Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas
• 5. Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas
• 6. Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas
• 7. Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas
• 8. MSC World Europa
• 9. Costa Smeralda
• 10. Costa Toscana
• 11. P&O Cruises Arvia
• 12. AIDAcosma
• 13. P&O Cruises Iona
• 14. AIDAnova
• 15. Carnival Jubilee
• 16. Carnival Celebration
• 17. MSC Euribia
• 18. MSC Virtuosa
• 19. Carnival Mardi Gras
• 20. MSC Meraviglia
• 21. Norwegian Encore

Find your perfect cruise

Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

Length: 1,198 feet

Width: 213 feet

Gross tons: 250,800

Maximum number of passengers: 7,600

Icon of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship afloat when it debuts in January 2024. The next-level megaship is Royal Caribbean 's first Icon-class vessel and the first of three ships powered by liquefied natural gas, or LNG, which is considered a more sustainable alternative to other fuel options. The ship will have 2,805 staterooms and carry up to 2,350 crew. There's no end to the fun with eight unique neighborhoods, including the new Surfside: a stay-all-day space designed specifically for families.

Other features on the ship include seven pools, nine whirlpools and six record-breaking waterslides. There are also more than 20 new dining venues, such as the swanky Empire Supper Club, which features an eight-course tasting menu; the AquaDome Market, the line's first food hall; and sushi restaurant Izumi in the Park. Cruisers will also find other international cuisine, including Japanese, Mexican and Italian fare, as well as The Lemon Post, the Surfside Eatery and Pier 7 in the Surfside neighborhood.

Read: The Newest Royal Caribbean Ships

Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas

Length: 1,188 feet

Width: 211 feet

Gross tons: 236,860

Maximum passengers: 6,788

Royal Caribbean's first LNG-powered Oasis-class ship will sail its debut voyage in July 2024. The new ship will have 2,834 staterooms and up to 2,290 crew members, as well as eight neighborhoods to keep passengers entertained. Ten complimentary dining venues include the line's new food truck concept, The Spare Tire, which serves up handheld eats on the pool deck. The ship will also feature sloping beach-entry and resort-style pools, plus three Lime & Coconut bars on the outdoor deck.

In total, there are more than 40 dining options, bars and lounges on Utopia of the Seas. Many of Royal Caribbean's specialty dining and bar favorites are returning, such as Chops Grille, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Rising Tide Bar and Vue Bar. Guests will also find familiar entertainment offerings with rock climbing walls, the AquaTheater, Splashaway Bay, laser tag, mini-golf, the Sports Court, Studio B and much more. With two casinos, five pools and a visit to private island Perfect Day at CocoCay, you'll never run out of things to do.

Read: The Top New Cruise Ships

Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Gross tons: 235,600

Maximum passengers: 7,084

Royal Caribbean's current largest ship at sea, Wonder of the Seas , first set sail in March 2022. The Oasis-class vessel has 2,867 staterooms and carries as many as 2,204 crew members. While you may get lost on this ship, you'll never be bored. Features include eight unique neighborhoods – such as Central Park, the Boardwalk, and the new Suite Class neighborhood, an exclusive space for suite guests.

Take advantage of the AquaTheater, an outdoor live entertainment venue with a 30-foot diving platform and incredible ocean views. Wonder Playscape is an underwater-themed outdoor space for kids filled with slides, climbing walls, games and more. You can also enjoy a few of Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class favorites, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, the rock climbing wall or laser tag at the Battle for Planet Z. If you dare, head into the Ultimate Abyss: Billed as the tallest waterslide at sea, it towers 150 feet above sea level and features an exhilarating 13-second ride through 10 stories of dark, winding tunnels.

When hunger strikes, dine at your pick of more than 20 complimentary and specialty restaurants, including the new Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar. If you're craving a cold beer, a cocktail or a cup of Starbucks coffee, you'll have roughly a dozen bars and lounges at your disposal.

Read:  The Top Party Cruises

Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas

Width: 215.5 feet

Gross tons: 228,081

Maximum passengers: 6,680

Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas , another Oasis-class ship, debuted in April 2018. This ship features 2,759 passenger staterooms and accommodates 2,200 crew members. There are seven distinct neighborhoods, four pools, roughly 20 restaurants (about half of which are specialty venues), and about a dozen bars and lounges. The ship even boasts two robotic bartenders that whip up drinks at the Bionic Bar.

Adults can enjoy Broadway-style shows in the onboard theaters and major international sports games at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. Meanwhile, kids can cool down at the Splashaway Bay water park, soar on a zip line nine decks high through the Boardwalk neighborhood, try out rock climbing or attend a show at the AquaTheater.

Read:  Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival

Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas

Gross tons: 226,963

Maximum passengers: 6,687

Another Oasis-class ship, Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas has been sailing since May 2016. The vessel features 2,747 staterooms and up to 2,200 crew members. Cruisers have plenty of places to dine thanks to eight complimentary venues – including the main dining room and Windjammer Marketplace, a globally inspired buffet – as well as nine specialty restaurants serving everything from burgers and shakes to Italian fare. The Boardwalk, one of the ship's seven neighborhoods, is a favorite spot for cruisers; it contains casual eateries, retail shops and carnival games.

Harmony of the Seas also has Splashaway Bay, the Ultimate Abyss waterslide and a trio of slides called The Perfect Storm. In the evening, don't miss a pre-dinner cocktail at the Rising Tide Bar, which offers a ride between the Central Park neighborhood and the Royal Promenade with dazzling skylight views. Sit back and sip your drink while the entire bar slowly floats between the decks.

Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas

Simon Brooke | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Length: 1,187 feet

Width: 215 feet

Gross tons: 226,838

Maximum passengers: 6,771

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world when it was launched in 2009. The line's debut Oasis-class ship is nearly five times bigger than the Titanic by gross tonnage; it has 2,801 staterooms and carries 2,109 crew members.

Oasis of the Seas was reimagined in 2019, with many added amenities that are on newer Oasis-class ships, such as FlowRider simulators, the Perfect Storm waterslides, the Ultimate Abyss and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. Across the ship's seven distinct neighborhoods, you'll also find state-of-the-art technology such as VOOM, billed as the fastest internet connection on the high seas – plus exciting live performances and theater productions, laser tag, escape rooms and more.

Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas

Gross tons: 225,282

Maximum passengers: 6,826

Embarking for the first time in 2010, Allure of the Seas was Royal Caribbean's second Oasis-class vessel. The ship underwent a refurbishment in 2015. Allure of the Seas has 2,748 staterooms and 2,054 crew. Onboard highlights include seven neighborhoods, four pools, and several whirlpools and hot tubs, plus more than 20 dining venues and too many bars and lounges to count.

There are also plenty of entertainment options for guests of all ages, including an ice skating rink, the Sports Court, a nine-deck-high zip line, two rock climbing walls and two FlowRider simulators (a Royal Caribbean favorite). Kids will especially enjoy the interactive H2O Zone Water Park. Adults on this ship will appreciate Broadway productions like "Mamma Mia!," aerial acrobatic performances in Oceanaria (an original AquaTheater production) and '70s disco dance parties. If you find yourself on board for business reasons, rest assured that the ship's conference facilities can host as many as 1,394 guests.

Find a Royal Caribbean cruise on GoToSea.

MSC World Europa

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Length: 1,093 feet

Width: 154 feet

Gross tons: 215,863

Maximum passengers: 6,762

MSC World Europa was one of the most anticipated new cruise ships when it launched in December 2022 as the first vessel in the line's MSC World-class fleet. It's also the first LNG-propelled ship by MSC Cruises , reaching a maximum cruising speed of 22.7 knots.

The ship's futuristic interior and exterior design features a 341-foot-long promenade. Half the promenade is covered with the Meraviglia-class LED sky screens, while the other half is open-air and offers ocean views. MSC World Europa features 2,626 staterooms and can house 2,138 crew members. As a special touch, each passenger deck is named after an international city, including London, Paris, Lisbon and Rome.

The ship is divided into distinct areas, with a quiet zen district for adults and a family zone that has bumper cars and roller skating. At the fleet's largest onboard water park, younger cruisers will find a twisty, stainless steel tunnel slide towering 11 decks high at the center of the ship. Luna Park Arena, the ship's 300-seat multifunction entertainment venue, can accommodate almost any performance or event.

When you're exhausted from all of the action, grab a bite to eat at one of 13 restaurants or a drink at a selection of bars and cafes. Then, take time to relax and unwind with a signature treatment at the Balinese-inspired MSC Aurea Spa. For an all-inclusive VIP experience during your voyage, book stateroom accommodations in the MSC Yacht Club. This exclusive part of the ship boasts premium suites, a separate pool, a private restaurant and lounge, butler service, and other amenities.

Costa Smeralda

Courtesy of Costa Cruises

Length: 1,106 feet

Width: 138 feet

Gross tons: 185,000

Maximum passengers: 6,554

Costa Smeralda was the first of the two Excellence-class vessels in the Costa Cruises fleet. The vessel debuted in 2019 as the Italian cruise line's largest ship to date. It was also the line's first vessel to use LNG power at sea and in port. The ship has 2,612 staterooms and can carry as many as 1,678 crew members.

Cruisers will never go hungry or thirsty, thanks to the 11 restaurants and snack bars plus 19 bars and lounges on Smeralda . One of the most notable dining venues on board is Archipelago, which serves innovative cuisine created by three world-renowned chefs. If you're interested in culinary pursuits, join other passengers for a cooking class at sea in the Food LAB. When it comes to entertainment, centrally located Colosseo – modeled after the piazzas across Italy – is the place to go for socializing and live performances. What's more, the ship also has 13 pools and hot tubs, an aqua park, the Beauty Spa Solemio, and the Squok Club for kids ages 3 to 11.

Costa Toscana

Costa Toscana, Costa Cruises' newest flagship and the second Excellence-class vessel in the fleet, set sail on its debut voyage in March 2022. Similar in size and passenger capacity to Costa Smeralda, Toscana is also LNG-powered. This vessel has 2,663 staterooms, and there can be up to 1,678 crew members on board.

Similar to Smeralda, Colosseo is the centerpiece of Toscana; you'll find live entertainment and themed bars in this area. There are 11 restaurants and snack bars plus 19 bars and lounges on the ship. For a refreshing aperitif with a view, head to the Aperol Spritz Bar, which features special beach cocktails. Another dining highlight is Sushino at Costa, the line's new sushi bistro. After dinner, take in unparalleled views of the sea along the Volare Skywalk, the highest point of the ship, which towers more than 200 feet above sea level.

Explore Costa Cruises deals on GoToSea.

P&O Cruises Arvia

Courtesy of P&O Cruises

Length: 1,130 feet

Maximum passengers: 5,200

Arvia joined the P&O fleet as sister ship to Iona in December 2022. It is also LNG-powered, has 2,614 cabins and carries up to 1,800 crew. The family-friendly ship offers guests many firsts, including Altitude, a new activity area with an escape room, a high-ropes experience, the Splash Valley aqua zone, the Sports Arena and much more.

Arvia has 30 bars and restaurants. New dining venues include the American-inspired 6th Street Diner and Green & Co. feat. Mizuhana, which focuses on sushi and plant-based dishes. For entertainment, plan to see the line's production of "The Official Take That Musical," an adaptation of London West End musical "The Band." Guests can also head to the dome beneath the SkyDome retractable roof for live performances, aerial displays, movies on the giant SeaScreen and DJ parties under the starry skies.

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Courtesy of AIDA Cruises

Gross tons: 184,600

Maximum passengers: 6,654

The sister ship to AIDAnova, AIDAcosma set sail in early 2022. The partly LNG-powered AIDA Cruises vessel has 2,732 staterooms and the capacity for up to around 1,500 crew members. With 17 restaurants and 23 bars and cafes, AIDAcosma offers passengers a seemingly endless number of venues to dine and imbibe. Other onboard attractions include a four-deck outdoor area, complete with an infinity pool and an expansive area for sunbathing; an indoor playground with a bouldering wall and ropes course; the Body & Soul Spa; and a 360-degree stage at the Theatrium.

P&O Cruises Iona

Length: 1,129 feet

Gross tons: 184,000

P&O Cruises' Iona, which launched in spring 2021, has the distinction of being the first LNG-powered British cruise ship. The family-friendly vessel has 2,614 cabins and carries 1,800 crew members. Iona's top features include the two-story SkyDome, a gin distillery, four pools, 10 entertainment venues, and 30 restaurants and bars offering a wide variety of food and beverage options.

With selections ranging from casual eateries to gelaterias to Indian- and British-inspired cuisine at Sindhu, you won't get bored with the restaurant choices. For an especially unique meal, dine and sip wine while watching aerial performances in the Grand Atrium at The Glass House. Or, enjoy dinner at The Limelight Club, an adults-only supper club venue featuring vocal performances and other live music. After dinner, check out the entertainment around the ship, including aerial productions in the Grand Atrium, guest and crew shows in Headliners, late night dancing in The Club House, and performances in partnership with the entertainment company Creativiva in the SkyDome.

Gross tons: 183,900

When German line AIDA Cruises' first Helios-class ship, AIDAnova, debuted in December 2018, it was the first LNG-powered cruise ship in the world. The ship is equipped with 2,626 staterooms, including the two-deck Penthouse Suite, and carries around 1,500 crew members. You won't miss this ship when it's docked in port: It features the line's signature exterior design, with bold red lips at the ship's bow and blue-and-yellow eyes on the port and starboard sides.

While on board, passengers can check out 17 restaurants, along with 23 bars and lounges; party the night away at the Beach Club; and take in live performances on the 360-degree stage in the Theatrium. When it's time to relax, head to the Body & Soul Spa, where you can book a massage, spend time in one of the hot tubs or saunas, take a dip in the private pool, and chill out on the private spa sun deck.

Carnival Jubilee

Width: 137 feet

Gross tons: 183,521

Maximum passengers: 6,631

Carnival Jubilee, as sister ship to Carnival Celebration and Carnival Mardi Gras, will offer many of the same features and amenities as its two predecessors when it launches in December 2023. The new vessel will have 2,687 staterooms, 1,735 crew and six zones of fun. Currents and The Shores are new to Jubilee . Currents is inspired by the underworld of the ocean with mermaids and sea monsters; it's designed with new bars, restaurants, music venues and high-tech spaces, including a wave-shaped LED ceiling and six LED windows that virtually take guests under the sea. The Shores is all about the outdoors, inspired by beaches and boardwalks. Cruisers can grab a slice of pizza at Coastal Slice, a hot dog at Beach Buns and a cocktail at Marina Bar.

On Jubilee, you'll also find Carnival Cruise Line favorites such as BOLT, the first and fastest roller coaster at sea, as well as Waterworks, the onboard water park with twin racing slides, three spiraling slides and more. The line's "next-level fun" ship will also include familiar eateries and lounges like Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken, Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, Cucina del Capitano, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and more.

Carnival Celebration

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Celebration sailed its inaugural cruise in November 2022. Carnival's second-newest ship at sea is LNG-powered and the second in the line's Excel class, with 2,687 staterooms and as many as 1,735 crew. Guests will find new attractions to enjoy on the ship, such as the partnership with the Kennedy Space Center at Space Cruisers: This program is designed for children ages 2 to 11 at Camp Ocean.

Adults can check out the new bar at Latitudes, which features specialty cocktails and outdoor scenery through the virtual windows. Celebration has a variety of complimentary dining venues, including Shaq's Big Chicken, Guy's Burger Joint and Mexican favorites at BlueIguana Cantina. There is also a selection of specialty restaurants like Emeril's Bistro 1397, Rudi's Seagrill, the Steakhouse and Bonsai Teppanyaki. For action and 360-degree views of the ocean from the top of the ship, take a spin around the track on the BOLT roller coaster.

Compare Carnival Cruises on GoToSea.

MSC Euribia

Length: 1,087 feet

Width: 141 feet

Gross tons: 181,541

Maximum passengers: 6,327

MSC Euribia, the newest MSC Cruises ship, debuted in June 2023. The line's second LNG-powered vessel – and the fifth Meraviglia-class ship – has 2,419 cabins and can carry as many as 1,711 crew members. The ship's hull features Alex Flämig's artwork "#SaveTheSea" to highlight the company's dedication to preserving the marine ecosystem.

On board Euribia , guests will find five pools and 11 dining venues, offering everything from sushi and teppanyaki to Latin American street food. There are also 21 bars and lounges, the MSC Aurea Spa, the Ocean Cay Aquapark, luxury retail shopping and more. Two additional highlights are the longest – and most impressive – LED Dome at Sea, which covers the ceiling of Galleria Euribia, and the reimagined Carousel Lounge. The beautiful, updated space features floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor terraces and cozy seating to enjoy live entertainment, including performances by one of the largest big bands at sea.

MSC Virtuosa

Maximum passengers: 6,334

This vessel launched in 2021 as a sister ship to MSC Grandiosa , the line's other Meraviglia Plus-class ship. MSC Virtuosa has 2,421 staterooms and carries around 1,704 crew members. It offers cruisers 11 dining venues plus 21 bars and lounges. At the heart of the ship, Galleria Virtuosa houses the largest shopping area on a cruise ship, with more than 12,500 square feet of retail space. In this area, you'll also find entertainment venues, restaurants and cocktail bars. And don't forget to look up: An impressive LED dome, one of the longest at sea, spans the ceiling of the promenade.

Another highlight to check out during your voyage is the MSC Starship Club, which features Rob, the first humanoid robotic bartender on a cruise ship. The multilingual expert mixologist even tells jokes and will show you a dance move or two. After all the indoor fun, head outside for a cool dip in one of MSC Virtuosa's five pools or take a ride on the slide at the Savannah Aquapark.

Book an MSC Cruise on GoToSea.

Carnival Mardi Gras

Gross tons: 180,000

Maximum passengers: 6,465

One of Carnival Cruise Line's newest ships, Mardi Gras , debuted in July 2021. Its name honors the line's first ship, the TSS Mardi Gras, which launched in 1972. The original Mardi Gras was around 27,000 gross tons and 650 feet long – in contrast, the new Carnival Mardi Gras weighs more than six times as much and is nearly twice as long. This ship also holds the title as North America's first LNG-powered ship. It has 2,641 staterooms and holds up to 1,745 crew members.

Six themed areas each offer unique dining and entertainment experiences. For New Orleans -inspired cuisine, head to the French Quarter; there, you'll find Emeril's Bistro 1396 and The Brass Magnolia, a bar reminiscent of The Big Easy's jazz culture and Garden District. Don't miss one of the ship's top onboard attractions: the BOLT roller coaster, where riders can hit speeds of nearly 40 mph at 187 feet above sea level.

Read: The Top Themed Cruises

MSC Meraviglia

Courtesy of Port Miami for MSC Cruises

Length: 1,036 feet

Gross tons: 171,598

Maximum passengers: 5,655

MSC Cruises' Meraviglia first set sail in 2017 with an impressive 2,244 staterooms and the capacity to carry 1,536 crew members. A dozen restaurants offer a wide variety of cuisines, including a Spanish tapas bar with dishes created by a Michelin-starred chef, Japanese teppanyaki, Italian fare, fresh seafood, steaks and more. There are also 20 bars, lounges and cafes serving everything from Champagne and cocktails to ice cream and crepes.

The central highlight of the ship is Galleria Meraviglia, a 315-foot promenade with eateries, boutiques and evening parties. Nightly entertainment includes live performances and shows in the Broadway Theatre and the Carousel Lounge. Kids will find plenty to do, as well: There's an Aquapark, an F1 simulator, a flight simulator, LEGO play areas, bowling and more. When it's time to wind down, book a signature treatment at the MSC Aurea Spa.

Norwegian Encore

Length: 1,094 feet

Width: 136 feet

Gross tons: 169,116

Maximum passengers: 3,998 (double occupancy)

Norwegian Encore was built in 2019 as one of Norwegian Cruise Line 's Breakaway Plus-class ships. The vessel has 2,040 staterooms and carries 1,735 crew members. There are several complimentary culinary venues on board, including three main dining rooms, The Local Bar & Grill, the Garden Café buffet, and grab-and-go options. Specialty dining restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, from seafood to steak to Japanese teppanyaki.

When it's time for cocktail hour, 14 bars and lounges serve up everything from cold brews to fine wine and whiskey. For a pre-dinner option, head up to the Observation Lounge for panoramic ocean views. Norwegian Encore is also home to several entertainment venues featuring award-winning live shows and performances.

You'll find the most fun on the ship's top decks. First, head to the Encore Speedway race track, which takes thrill-seekers on a heart-pumping ride through high-speed curves extending 13 feet off the side of the ship. Also at the top of the vessel you'll find The Haven: Norwegian's exclusive "ship within a ship" concept boasts luxurious suites, villas and penthouses with balconies. These luxe accommodations include perks like 24-hour butler service, a concierge and a private sun deck.

Find a Norwegian Cruise Line cruise on GoToSea.

Frequently Asked Questions

The largest cruise ship currently in service is Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, at more than 235,000 gross tons. Icon of the Seas will become the largest cruise ship in the world at 250,000-plus gross tons after its launch, set for January 2024.

Carnival Jubilee, scheduled to debut in December 2023, and Carnival Celebration are the line's largest ships at 183,521 gross tons.

The line's largest ship is Disney Wish at about 144,000 gross tons. The vessel is 1,119 feet in length and 128 feet wide; it has 1,254 staterooms and carries up to 4,000 passengers and 1,555 crew.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, paddle-wheelers on the Mississippi River, and an 18-stateroom river ship on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. She has also cruised on a traditional masted sailing ship and on a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica crossing the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top World Cruises
• The Top Cruises on Small Ships
• The Top Gay Cruises
• Cruise Packing List Essentials
• The Top Cruise Insurance

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The 10 Biggest Cruise Ships in the World

Wonder of the seas.

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean

Length: 1,188 feet

Width: 215 feet

Guest capacity: 7,084

A true wonder, the current biggest ship in the world delights guests every week with a feast of activities, shows, meals and memories. Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas , an Oasis-class ship that is a city at sea, has 16 guest decks, 2,204 crew members from every corner of the planet and more than 10 bars and 20 dining destinations—nine of which are complimentary. Curiously, even though the Icon of the Seas will eventually take the mantle as the largest cruise ship, Wonder will still have more staterooms than its new big sister, a whopping 2,867 of them.

It also features a carousel on a real boardwalk, a dry slide that twists down 10 decks, surfing simulators, a laser tag arena, an ice skating rink and a zip line that spans the interior width of the ship. It also has interior rooms with balconies that look out over the restaurant and a tree-lined neighborhood that looks like Central Park. Wonder of the Seas will soon lose its crown as the biggest cruise ship in the world, but it’ll never lose its ability to provide unique vacations thanks to affordable cruises for every kind of traveler.

World Europa

Cruise line: MSC

Length: 1,093 feet

Width: 154 feet

Guest capacity: 6,762

MSC is not only a privately held shipping company, the largest in the world, they are also the maker of some of the largest cruise ships in the world. The World Europa , which took to the sea for the first time in 2022, is currently escorting passengers all over the Mediterranean, using one of the cleanest marine fuels to do so.

The World Europa features some of the best rooms on a cruise ship, thanks to having the most cabins with a balcony. It also has the world’s longest dry slide at sea, taking adventurous cruisers down 12 decks in a shiny, twisting stainless steel tube, and bumper cars in a SportsPlex arena that also hosts rollerblading—not at the same time, however. People looking for something a little less dramatic will enjoy six pools, some surrounded by tropical greenery, 14 whirlpools and MSC’s first-ever department store at sea. Finally, you’ll never go hungry on this ship , given its 10 restaurants, including four main dining rooms and three buffets.

Cruise line: P&O Cruises

Length: 1,130 feet

Width: 138 feet

Guest capacity: 6,685

Whether you want the sunshine of the Caribbean or the culture found in and around Mediterranean ports, Arvia is P&O’s largest cruise ship and one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, with 1,800 crew members, a three-screen cinema complex, a wide range of staterooms to choose from and four pools, including an infinity pool with a swim-up bar. There are also nearly two dozen whirlpool spas, a sauna, steam room and a hydrotherapy pool.

This means that whether you’re taking a singles cruise or have children in tow—the Arvia is a family-friendly ship with age-specific kids clubs on board—serious rest and relaxation are definitely on the agenda. Then, when you’re feeling spry and ready for some adventure during your vacation at sea, you can try an escape room or ropes course, play in the sports arena or strut your stuff in a dance class.

Costa Toscana

Cruise line: Costa Cruises

Length: 1,105 feet

Width: 137 feet

Guest capacity: 6,600

A sister to the Smeralda , the Costa Toscana became the fleet’s largest cruise ship when it took to the water in March 2022. The ship uses LNG propulsion engines to make sea travel more sustainable, both while cruising and in ports of call around the world. An international crew of 1,678 works to deliver dream vacations for up to 6,600 passengers who will love to discover all there is to do, see and experience on board.

The ship has 1,550 staterooms ranging from interior cabins to elaborate suites, a baker’s dozen pools and whirlpools, and a total of 20 restaurants, bars and lounges. Costa’s new flagship vessel is a smart city at sea, offering subtly high-tech sailings that provide fun for the whole family, thanks to Peppa Pig character parties, an aqua park with water slides and a mind-bending skywalk 213 feet above the ocean! So book a vacation on one of the largest cruise ships in the world, then pack your cruise ducks and your appetite for learning how to cook at Toscana ‘s Food LAB cooking school, among other adventures at sea.

Celebration

Cruise line: Carnival

Guest capacity: 6,631

As cruise lines jockey for position at the top of the biggest cruise ship in the world leaderboard, the original family-fun ships are also getting larger. A total of 1,735 international crew, famously considered the best in the business, will ensure that every family’s cruise on the Celebration not only maximizes the fun but also the memories, and all at some of the most affordable prices in the cruise industry.

This ship has BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, Dr. Seuss children’s themed cruises with character appearances, and incredible water parks with multiple slides. Delicious food is made fast-and-fresh at Guy’s Burger Joint, Shaq’s Big Chicken and the Seafood Shack, as well as tasty street-food carts located near the pools. Plus, with all the extra space on the largest cruise ship in their fleet, Carnival’s Playlist Productions has more stages to dazzle you and your kids with famously fantastic live music and musical theater.

Cruise line: Norwegian

Length: 1,094 feet

Width: 136 feet

Guest capacity: 3,998

With 1,700 crew members and more than 2,000 staterooms, including suites in The Haven—Norwegian’s luxurious, private and tranquil ship-within-a-ship concept high atop the ship, which comes with 24-hour butler service and its own lavish sundeck—the Encore ranks among the largest cruise ships in the world. Curiously, this vessel from 2019 is still the largest in the Norwegian fleet! Both Prima  and the forthcoming Viva were built after Encore but are considerably smaller in size, bucking the cruise industry trend of “bigger is better.”

Encore shines as a superior and super big ship, the fourth in the Breakaway Plus class, and features a multi-deck go-kart track, the Cavern Club music venue, fashioned after the famous Liverpool room where The Beatles became big, a virtual-reality gaming room, an outdoor laser-tag arena and some of the best food at sea. No doubt, this will become one of every passenger’s favorite cruises.

Symphony of the Seas

Width: 216 feet

Guest capacity: 6,680

None of the many all-inclusive cruises take place on the largest cruise ships, but you may be forgiven for thinking you’re enjoying an all-inclusive experience on Symphony of the Seas . The ship’s many spectacular activities include a zip line that soars above the boardwalk many decks below, an old-fashioned carousel, Broadway-style theater shows, surfing simulators and the 10-story Abyss dry slide. There’s also delicious food all over the ship that is 100% complimentary. And while you may fly on the zip line over and over again, you’ll probably still wonder, Why do cruise ships have wings ?

After its maiden voyage in April 2018, Symphony was the biggest cruise ship in the world. But because of its ingenious neighborhood concept, guests rarely feel overcrowded. Seven distinct areas carve up the ship into unique spaces to play, eat, stroll, sleep and enjoy live entertainment, and the traffic flows brilliantly to make passengers feel as though they’re on a more intimate ship and not cruising with upward of 6,680 other people in more than 2,700 staterooms, some of which are interior cabins with balconies that boast views of the Central Park neighborhood’s greenery and eateries.

Cruise line: AIDA

Guest capacity: 6,654

While American travelers looking to cruise the Caribbean may not encounter her, the AIDAnova is not only the largest cruise ship in the AIDA fleet, she’s also a revolutionary lady. The ship’s Four Elements adventure deck, with its three water slides and climbing garden under the dome of a retractable glass roof, drops jaws on every sailing. The ship’s more than 2,600 staterooms with 20 different types, ranging from a glorious two-deck penthouse to budget-friendly interior cabins, allow guests to sleep well and arrive in port well rested, and the two-deck spa offering 80 different treatments provides even more healing and luxury.

But AIDAnova is also impressive because it made history as the world’s first cruise ship to be powered in port and at sea by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the world’s cleanest burning fossil fuel. It’s important that big ships can be more sustainable, but did you ever wonder why there are big balls on cruise ships ?

Sun Princess

Cruise line: Princess

Length: 1,133 feet

Guest capacity: 4,300

The Love Boat is getting much, much bigger! Yes, this is the namesake ship from the beloved ’70s TV show. With 2,150 cabins, the Sun Princess is close to carrying 4,300 passengers to Europe for its inaugural season later this year. And then all around the world, people will be asking, “Why do cruise ships have to stop in Canada?”

The third ship in the history of the fleet to be graced with the iconic name, the S un Princess is poised to be a fan favorite. There are more than 29 bars, lounges and restaurants on board, with the Sea View Terrace and Bar ensconced in glass at the top and front of the ship, book-ended by the Wake View Terrace at the back, which has a stunning infinity pool hanging off the edge. Drawing inspiration from the tiered terraces of Santorini, Greece, this evocative area will have an indoor/outdoor pool to enjoy supreme relaxation during the day. But once the sun says goodbye, the pool becomes a stage and the dome above transforms into an entertainment venue with eye-popping lighting effects.

Length: 1,085 feet

Width: 141 feet

Guest capacity: 6,334

Come June 2023, one of the newest and biggest cruise ships at sea will be carrying eager pasengers, and more than 1,700 dedicated crew members, to world-class destinations in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. While on board the Euribia , cruisers will enjoy a massive amount of personal space (100-plus square feet per person) at any one of five unique pools, including one of the most intricate waterparks at sea, covering more than 10,000 square feet.

These watery areas of rest, relaxation and revelry will comfortably accommodate more than 1,000 guests at a time. Indoors, a 360-foot-long Mediterranean-style promenade is lined with myriad shops, along with some of the 20 bars and 10 restaurants found on the ship. It also features a domed LED screen that magically displays the sky and other animations throughout the day and night. MSC continues to be a favorite cruise line of environmentalist travelers looking to ease their mind and minimize their footprint, as the Euribia has an advanced onboard wastewater treatment system that doesn’t allow any water to leave the ship without being treated and cleaned.

What is largest cruise ship in the world?

The current reigning champion is Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas. But next year, there will be a brand-new biggest cruise ship, the Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas . Planned with 20 decks, 2,805 staterooms, seven pools and nine hot tubs, the future largest ship in the world is currently being built in Finland. Here are the details about the biggest and grandest ships to sail on.

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10 Largest Cruise Operators in 2023

Table of Contents

This article discusses the ten largest cruise operators in 2023. If you wish to know the previous largest cruise operators in the world click here .

01. Carnival Corporation & PLC

The Carnival Corporation & PLC is a British American major ship operator in the world. The company was founded in 1972 and since then caters for millions of travellers per year around the world. The Carnival Corporation & PLC consists of several sister companies including the Carnival Cruise line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and the Cunard Line.

Initially, nine cruise ships were owned by the Carnival Corporation & PLC and provided thousands of travellers with a wide range of travel opportunities and a wide range of leisure activities. Further, the company is expecting to acquire a total of eight additional ships in the future. The main headquarters of the company is in Miami, United States. In order to support the operation, there are various regional headquarters established across the globe.

The Carnival Corporation & PLC offers special vacations at a remarkable value to tourists all over the world. Mainly the company’s fleet of ships calls on over 700 ports globally.  

02. Royal Caribbean cruise Ltd

In the cruise world, Royal Caribbean cruise Ltd is considered one of the leading shipping companies which was founded in 1968 in Norway. The company owns a fleet of 64 ships that cater to 1000 destinations by providing a high luxury experience for travellers.

Silversea Cruises , Royal Caribbean International, Azamara and Celebrity Cruises are some of its well-known shipping lines. Cruise liner provides a variety of onboard entertainment options, services and facilities for their customers. All of the major cities in Asia, North America, Europe, South America and Australia are served by the Royal Caribbean cruise Ltd.

Royal Caribbean cruise Ltd is headquartered in Miami, USA. By the passengers and the revenue, the Royal Caribbean cruise Ltd controlled 19.5% and 14% of the global cruise market respectively. The company operated 26 ships as of January 2022 and four more ships are currently in the order book. 

03. Norwegian cruise line holding Ltd

The Norwegian cruise line holding Ltd is a cruise company that provides a world class memorable vacations for its customers. The company is mainly engaged in the hospitality and leisure sectors. The Norwegian cruise line holding Ltd. has its headquarters in the United States and its registration is in Bermuda.

On February 21, 2011, it was established as a Bermuda exempt corporation.  Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruise and Regent Seven Seas Cruises are three cruise lines are fully owned subsidiaries of Norwegian cruise line holding.

It is the third largest cruise operator in the world, once all its subsidiaries are taken into account. Currently, the company owns 29 ships and nearly 500 destinations are globally visited. Since the company is in its growing stage the Norwegian cruise line holding Ltd is expecting to own new ships and keep 8 new ships in order to acquire through 2027.

04. MSC Cruise

 MSC Cruise is the world’s largest privately held cruise company. The company is a global Italian cruise line with headquarters in Geneva, and registration in Switzerland. To support the businesses of the company, the operational hubs are maintained in Naples, Genoa, and Venice.

It was established in 1989 as a subsidiary of the Mediterranean shipping company in Naples, Italy. The MSC Cruise has a worldwide workforce of around 23500 from 45 different countries. The company began operating two cruise ships, MS Angelina Lauro and MS Achille Lauro. Currently, it holds a 10.2% market share of all the passengers in the cruise business. 

05. Celebrity Cruises 

 The Celebrity Cruises is mainly involved with tourism and transportation. Even though the company was founded in Greece in 1988, the headquarters of Celebrity Cruises is based in Miami, Florida. The merger contract of Celebrity Cruises and Caribbean Cruises Ltd was held in 1997.

Family of Celebrity Cruises consists of several cruises including Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Apex. The most recent member of the Celebrity family is Celebrity Beyond which was launched in 2022. Most of the ships of Celebrity Cruises are operating under Malta and Ecuador flags. As an expansion of the fleet, the company is to introduce Celebrity Ascent in 2023 and another cruise ship in 2025 whose name is not yet announced. 

06. Holland America Line 

The Holland America line is a cruise company with 150 years of legacy within the industry. It is an American owned company. The parent company of the Holland America company is Carnival Corporation & PLC and Holland operates as a subsidiary company. In 1873, the company was established as a Netherlands- America steamship company and provided services in the hospitality and tourism industries.

In 1989 the company became a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & PLC. The headquarters of the company shifted to the United States once the company became an American owned company. Holland has 11 modern classic ships to provide an unforgettable cruise experience to its customers. For more piously the Holland America line has several class ships. As Rotterdam class (R class) MS Volendam and MS Zaandam operate. Under Vista class (V class) 4 ships are in operation including MS Zuiderdam and MS Oosterdam.

Further, there are three pinnacle class ships that are owned by the Holland America line.  And 2 signature class curies, MS Eurodam and MS Nieuw Amsterdam also operated by Holland America.

07. Princess Cruises 

 In 1965 Stanley McDonald founded Princess cruises and has been sailing around the world since then. The company was merged with Carnival Corporation & PLC in 2003 and then became an American-owned cruise company.  The Princess cruise has the ability to cater to over 330 destinations per year.

The main business of the company is tourism. The headquarters of the Princess cruise is in Santa Clarita, California and is incorporated in Bermuda. In order to provide a worldwide service, the company owned a fleet of 15 cruises.  A few vessels of the current fleet of Princess cruises are Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Sky Princess, Diamond Princess and most recently introduced, Discovery Princess. Additionally, two other ships will be added in the upcoming years 2024 and 2025.

08. Costa Cruises 

The Costa cruises are also part of the Carnival Corporation & PLC.  It was founded in 1854 as an Italian cruise company. Initially, company operated cargo ships and engaged in commercial activities. Later joined the Italian cruise markets.

At its peak as a leading European Cruise line, the Carnival Corporation & PLC acquired the company in 1997. The headquarters of Costa cruises is established in Genoa, Italy. Costa cruises acquired AIDA cruise which is in Germany. The current fleet of Costa cruises is operated under the Italian flag and consists of 11 ships sailing around the world.  Few of them are Costa Toscana, Costa Smeralda and Costa Firenze

09. Cunard 

 183 years ago, in 1840 the Cunard was founded as the British and North American Royal Mail steam Packet Company. The company is a British company which is operated by Carnival UK.  The parent company of the Cunard is the Carnival Corporation & PLC as it acquired the Cunard in 1998.

The company is basically engaged in the shipping and transportation sectors. Even though the headquarters of the Cunard is situated in Southampton, United Kingdom, the company served Northern Europe, Caribbean Mediterranean and the Transatlantic.

The Cunard’s fleet of cruises consists of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Currently, all the ships are operated under the Bermuda flag. When considering the future fleet of the Cunard, the company is expecting to have Queen Anne as their newcomer in 2024. 

10. Disney Cruise Line 

 The Disney cruise line is operated by the Walt Disney company, and it was founded in 1996. The operational headquarters of the Disney cruise line was founded in Florida, United States. However, the company is catering to markets in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

The company owns five ships. Disney magic is the first ship of the company, and the others are Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney wish. Disney Cruise is expecting to add three new cruises to the industry and, in 2024 the Disney Treasure is expected to be introduced.

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The world’s biggest cruise ships, as newcomer takes top spot

Record breaking vessel sets sail on its first voyage this afternoon, article bookmarked.

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As the newly crowned world’s largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas, prepares to take its first voyage on Friday afternoon, the league table of mega-ships has once again shifted.

But you may be surprised to know that the whole top five - in terms of size and weight - is now dominated by the same operator, Royal Caribbean .

The 18-deck Wonder of the Seas departs Florida’s Fort Lauderdale this afternoon for its inaugural sailing, travelling to Labadee, Haiti, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Nassau, Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay - a private island in the Bahamas - over a seven-day itinerary.

It is followed in the size stakes by four of its RC siblings - and will be overtaken in 2024 by another “Oasis-class” ship from the brand, which is yet to be named.

Here’s the lowdown on the Big 10 when it comes to cruising, and their larger-than-life features - from onboard surfing lessons to ziplines.

The world’s top 10 biggest cruise ships

1. wonder of the seas.

Operated by: Royal Caribbean

Weighing in at 236,857 gross tonnes and measuring 362m long and 64m wide, this hulking liner has capacity for 6,988 passengers, with more than 20 dining venues and 11 bars catering to them. Its mind-boggling facilities include the tallest waterslide at sea (the Ultimate Abyss), a casino, a carousel, a Flowrider surf machine, jogging track, zipline and outdoor cinema. The fifth in the operator’s “Oasis class” series of mega-ships has eight “neighbourhoods” or leisure zones, while all other Oasis ships have seven. The new ’hood is the “Suite Class” zone - essentially a lavish VIP area over three decks, where suite-class guests can bask on their own sundeck, plunge pool, bar and lounge.

2. Symphony of the Seas

This 362m-long vessel weighs in at 228,081 gross tonnes - 8,776 less than its gigantic new sibling. It has capacity for 6,680 passengers, to Wonder’s 6,988. But its facilities are no less showy: a laser-tag attraction, an ice-skating rink and AquaTheatre, rock-climbing walls, a FlowRider, an escape room and 21 food and drink outlets. Symphony also made a splash with its Ultimate Family Suite, which was deemed “cool” but also incredibly expensive by critics. Costing from $25,492 (£19,210) for a seven-night cruise for four, this multi-level candyland stateroom has its own tube slide, cinema, gaming tables and “genie” butler.

3. Harmony of the Seas

Only a metre shorter in size than both Wonder and Symphony (361m), Harmony weighs in at 227,000 gross tonnes and can accommodate 6,780 guests. It has many of the same headline features of its bigger siblings: the Ultimate Abyss waterslide, the FlowRider, zipline, and seven distinct “neighbourhoods”. Of the diverse crew, RC says: “there is one ice skate sharpener, a face painter, seven high divers, and two tight-rope walkers - not to mention two robots who staff the Bionic Bar.”

4. Oasis of the Seas

Getting marginally smaller at this stage, Oasis is 362m long and weighs 226,838 gross tonnes, with room for “just” 5,400 passengers. There are plenty of places to take a dip onboard, with four pools and 10 whirlpools, while its full-service spa, basketball court, ice rink and climbing walls all stack up to the top three’s facilities. The ship underwent a refurbishment in late 2019, with the cruise line’s first barbecue restaurant, Portside BBQ, added, along with the Ultimate Abyss slide and Music Hall theatre.

5. Allure of the Seas

The 16-deck Allure is 362m long and weighs 225,282 gross tonnes, hosting 6,780 passengers. It held the title of world’s largest cruise ship for six years, before its hefty siblings set sail. It delighted fans with its world-beating kids’ club and also has the seven “neighbourhood” zones shared by all Oasis-class ships, including a youth zone and a Coney Island-style boardwalk. Its swish 150 Central Park restaurant (a premium add-on) has a six-course tasting menu, but there are 10 food outlets included in your cruise price.

6. Costa Smeralda/Costa Toscana

Operated by: Costa Cruises

Costa Smeralda (337m long, 180,000 gross tonnes) was christened in February 2020, with Rome-inspired features such as a “Trastevere” area and “Piazza di Spagna” steps. Costa ships tend to have a more muted, traditional and grown-up look than RC’s “colour explosion” vibes - Smeralda also has a waterpark, spa and swanky restaurant with menus by top global chefs Bruno Barbieri, Hélène Darroze and Ángel León. It was awarded Green Plus status by certification body RINA for its compliance with sustainability measures, including the use of LNG (liquefied natural gas) and onboard desalination for water use. Twin ship the Costa Toscana - the same length, with just 5 more gross tonnes to its name - will set sail later this month.

Operated by: P&O Cruises

The 344m-long, 184,700 gross tonne Iona launched in February 2020, with room for 5,200 guests. It’s double-height “Sky Dome” area serves as a pool, bar and leisure area by day, and is used for entertainment at night. The vessel’s new “Conservatory mini suites” also added an affordable suite option for passengers. The greenest member of P&O’s fleet, and the first British cruise ship to be powered by LNG, it has a four-screen cinema, a teen “Scene” area, spa and 30 restaurants. Iona will depart on many European itineraries this year, including the Norwegian Fjords, Northern Europe, Spain and Portugal, and the Canary Islands.

8. AIDAnova

Operated by: Aida Cruises

The first of seven next-generation LNG-powered cruise ships ordered by Carnival Corporation - to sail under its German Aida brand - AIDAnova is 337m long and weighs in at 183,900 gross tonnes. Mostly serving itineraries around the Canary Islands, Germany, Norway and Madeira, she has specially designed single occupancy cabins and a “time travel” dinner experience. An onboard TV studio can produce its own quiz or game shows, with guests as the audience, while its foodie streak extends across 17 restaurants, including a teppanyaki bar and “Street Food Mile” serving global bites.

9. AIDAcosma

At 337m long, 183,200 GT heavy and 20 decks high, accommodating 5,200, Cosma is the only-marginally little sister to Nova. This cruiser launched on 26 February with a climbing wall and running track for fitness devotees, a waterpark area with slide that families love, and a sea-view sauna. It’s the second sustainable, LNG-run vessel in the series, with a pampering Body & Soul organic spa as well as lots of kid-friendly restaurants. Its standout “Ocean Deck” zone is a wraparound area of pools and sun terraces spread over four decks.

10. Mardi Gras

Operated by: Carnival

At 181,808 gross tonnes and 340m long, Mardi Gras is a mere minnow compared to some of the new-generation megaships. But she packs a lot into that size: housing 6,500 passengers, she has a spa and casino, six themed areas - including one zone inspired by New Orleans’ French Quarter, and a high-ceilinged, glassy atrium known as Grand Central - plus the first-ever rollercoaster at sea. She was North America’s first ship to be powered by LNG, and has the largest water park of Carnival’s fleet.

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5 Largest Cruise Companies in the World

Published on March 3, 2021 at 3:56 am by Trish Novicio in Lists , News

In this article, we are going to list the  5 Largest Cruise Companies in the World . To read our detailed analysis of the cruise industry and its path to recovery following the coronavirus crisis, go to 15 Largest Cruise Companies in the World .

5. MSC Cruises

Geneva-based MSC Cruises is owned and operated by the private shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Co Ltd in Switzerland. MSC Cruises offers trips in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Seasonal itineraries are available as well which include South America, China, and the Emirates. MSC Cruises will start sailing again in May 2021 in Northern Europe. 

In 2019, MSC Cruises reported an increase of 42% in its total assets to $13.5 billion from $9.5 billion. In the same year, the company posted a $3.9 billion net income. The company has a total of 17 vessels, as of 2019.

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16 largest cruise ships in the world in 2022.

In this article, we will be taking a look at the 16 largest cruise ships in the world in 2022. To skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to see the 5 Largest Cruise Ships in the World in 2022 .

Cruise ships remained at the center of the Covid-19 pandemic news when it started to spread globally. Ships with cases of coronavirus were refused entry at ports by several countries. The first cruise ship to have a major outbreak was the Diamond Princess, where over 700 people out of 3,700 people ended up being infected, with 9 dying. Cruise ships were among the first to suspend their operations after most governments advised people to not travel on them, which has greatly affected the industry, but with things mostly returning to normal in 2022, smooth sailing for the industry may be ahead.

The cruise ship industry is dominated by a few top companies which own many of the biggest cruise ships in the world. Some of the biggest cruise ship companies include Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH ) and Disney Cruise Line, operated by one of the biggest media companies in the world, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS ).

mandritoiu/Shutterstock.com

In this article we list some of the largest cruise ships in the world. We took three metrics into account during our selection: total size in gross tonnes, total length in meters and maximum capacity in terms of number of passengers.

16. MSC Meraviglia

Total size of the ship (in gross tonnes): 171,598

Total length of the ship (in meters): 316

Maximum capacity of the ship: 5,655 people

MSC Meraviglia's port of registry is in Malta, and is owned by MSC Cruises. Delivered in 2017, the ship's ranking used to be much higher but has been displaced over the years with newer, bigger cruise ships.

15. MSC Virtuosa

Total size of the ship (in gross tonnes): 181,541

Total length of the ship (in meters): 331

Maximum capacity of the ship: 6,334 people

Owned by MSC Cruises, MSC Virtuosa was launched in 2019. The ship's construction was delayed due to the pandemic and instead of 2020, it entered service in 2021.

14. Carnival Celebration

Total size of the ship (in gross tonnes): 180,000

Total length of the ship (in meters): 344

Maximum capacity of the ship: 6,500 people

Owned by one of the biggest cruise ship companies in the world, Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL ), it is the second of the company's Excel class of cruise ships.

13. Mardi Gras

Often referred incorrectly as the Carnival Mardi Gras, due to being owned by Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL), Mardi Gras faced several delays in its construction and launch due to the Covid-19 pandemic, beginning its weekly sailings in July 2021.

12. MSC Grandiosa

Maximum capacity of the ship: 6,761 people

Indirectly owned by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, one of the biggest shipping companies in the world, MSC Grandiosa is directly owned by MSC Cruises and was built in France. Launched in 2019, it is easily one of the largest cruise ships in the world. The cruise ship currently has a crew of more than 1,700 people.

11. AIDAcosma

Total size of the ship (in gross tonnes): 183,200

Total length of the ship (in meters): 337

Maximum capacity of the ship: 6,600 people

AIDAcosma is the second biggest cruise ship owned by AIDA Cruises, which was launched in 2021. The giant floating building has 20 decks and a crew more than 1,500. It is part of the Helios Class production series and among the facilities offered are a running track for morning joggers and a bouldering wall, in addition to the usual facilities such as swimming pools, theaters and several bars and restaurants.

10. AIDAnova

Total size of the ship (in gross tonnes): 183,858

Maximum capacity of the ship: 6,654 people

Built in 2018 in Germany, AIDAnova is owned by AIDA Cruises, which is a listed Germany cruise line and which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL). While AIDA Cruises operates 14 ships, the AIDAnova is the biggest cruise ship in its lineup.

9. Costa Toscana

Total size of the ship (in gross tonnes): 185,010

Maximum capacity of the ship: 6,554 people

Costa Toscana was built in 2021 after a delay as it was originally supposed to launch in 2020. It is run by Costa Cruises.

8. Costa Smerelda

The Costa Smerelda is one of the largest cruise ships in the world in 2022 and is owned by Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL). It is also one of the biggest cruise ships to be powered purely by liquefied natural gas. The first cruise of the ship took place in 2019.

Total size of the ship (in gross tonnes): 184,089

Total length of the ship (in meters): 345

Owned by Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) and operated by P&O Cruises, a British cruise line, MS Iona was built in Germany and was delivered in 2020, with its construction cost overing £730 million. It is the biggest cruise ship operated by P&O Cruises and has one of the biggest entertainment venues of any cruise ship. Its maiden voyage took place in 2021.

6. MSC World Europa

Total size of the ship (in gross tonnes): 215,863

Total length of the ship (in meters): 333

Maximum capacity of the ship: 6,762 people

Owned by the privately held MSC Cruises, an Italian company, MSC World Europa is the biggest cruise ship in Europe. It is one of the most recent cruise ships in our list and is set to begin operations from the 20th of December in 2022, after initially serving as a hotel ship during the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Doha, Qatar. MSC World Europa is set to be joined by multiple sister ships through the 2020s.

Please click to continue reading and see the  5 Largest Cruise Ships in the World in 2022 .

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Disclosure: None. 16 largest cruise ships in the world in 2022 is originally published at Insider Monkey.

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• Main cruise lines chosen by cruise travelers in the U.S. 2024

According to a 2024 survey, Carnival Cruise Line was the cruise operator most frequently used by U.S. travelers, with four in 10 respondents having taken a trip with the company before. Royal Carribean and Disney Cruise Line followed in the ranking.

Main cruise lines chosen by cruise travelers in the United States as of February 2024

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Additional Information

Show sources information Show publisher information Use Ask Statista Research Service

CivicScience

February 2024

United States

February 15 to 20, 2024

1,660 respondents

18 years and older

respondents who have been on a cruise vacation before

Other statistics on the topic Cruise industry in the United States

• Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2009-2027
• Revenue of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 1988-2023
• Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide 2008-2023
• Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2019-2023, by source market

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Statistics on " Cruise industry in the United States "

• Main global cruise destinations 2019-2023, by number of passengers
• Revenue of the cruises industry in the U.S. 2020-2029
• Revenue growth of cruises in the U.S. 2020-2029
• Direct spending in the cruise industry in the U.S. 2021-2022, by type
• Businesses in the cruise line operator industry in the U.S. 2022-2024
• Employment in the cruise line operator industry in the U.S. 2023-2024
• Number of cruise passengers from North America 2016-2023
• Number of cruise passengers from the U.S. 2016-2023
• Growth rate of the cruise passenger volume from the U.S. 2017-2023
• Cruise passenger movements at leading ports worldwide 2019-2023
• Interest in taking a cruise vacation in the U.S. 2024
• Net income of Carnival Corporation & plc 2008-2023
• Net income of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2007-2023
• Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023
• Net income of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023
• Tour revenue of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings worldwide 2014-2023
• Net income of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings worldwide 2014-2023
• Key factors that would enhance the appeal of cruises in the U.S. 2024
• Ideal length of time to spend on a cruise vacation in the U.S. 2024
• Best-rated mega-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Best-rated large-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Best-rated midsize-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Best-rated small-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Best-rated river cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023

Other statistics that may interest you Cruise industry in the United States

• Premium Statistic Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2009-2027
• Premium Statistic Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2019-2023, by source market
• Premium Statistic Main global cruise destinations 2019-2023, by number of passengers
• Premium Statistic Revenue of the cruises industry in the U.S. 2020-2029
• Premium Statistic Revenue growth of cruises in the U.S. 2020-2029
• Premium Statistic Direct spending in the cruise industry in the U.S. 2021-2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Businesses in the cruise line operator industry in the U.S. 2022-2024
• Premium Statistic Employment in the cruise line operator industry in the U.S. 2023-2024

Cruise passengers

• Premium Statistic Number of cruise passengers from North America 2016-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of cruise passengers from the U.S. 2016-2023
• Premium Statistic Growth rate of the cruise passenger volume from the U.S. 2017-2023
• Premium Statistic Cruise passenger movements at leading ports worldwide 2019-2023
• Premium Statistic Interest in taking a cruise vacation in the U.S. 2024

Cruise companies

• Premium Statistic Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide 2008-2023
• Premium Statistic Net income of Carnival Corporation & plc 2008-2023
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 1988-2023
• Premium Statistic Net income of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2007-2023
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023
• Premium Statistic Net income of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023
• Premium Statistic Tour revenue of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings worldwide 2014-2023
• Premium Statistic Net income of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings worldwide 2014-2023

Consumer opinions

• Premium Statistic Key factors that would enhance the appeal of cruises in the U.S. 2024
• Premium Statistic Ideal length of time to spend on a cruise vacation in the U.S. 2024
• Premium Statistic Main cruise lines chosen by cruise travelers in the U.S. 2024
• Basic Statistic Best-rated mega-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Best-rated large-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Best-rated midsize-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Best-rated small-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Best-rated river cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023

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People have one question as world's largest cruise ship makes its grand entrance

Royal caribbean's icon of the seas cruise ship boasts a whopping 20 decks and weighs 248,663 gt.

Brenna Cooper

People have been left with the same question on their minds after seeing footage of mega cruise ship Icon of the Seas arriving at a US harbour.

The Icon of the Seas - also known as the world's biggest cruise ship - has been making headlines since it set sail earlier this year as people simply cannot get over its size.

The Royal Caribbean International ship first set sail on 27 January and constantly amazes people by the fact it's so bl**dy massive.

Measuring 364.75 m (1,196.7 ft) long and 66 m (217 ft) at its biggest points, the Icon is often referred to as a sailing city, thanks to the fact that it has a water park, a mini shopping mall and even an ice arena.

The ship was recently filmed arriving at the Port of Miami, showing off its phenomenal size for all to see. The clip has since circulated across social media , with the majority of viewers absolutely baffled as to how a ship of this size is able to remain afloat in the ocean.

"How tf does this float," one person wrote on X, while a second person added: "World's largest Cruise Ship. Icon of the Seas, somebody tell me how does this thing manage to float."

"You could explain it to me in a billion different ways... I still don't understand how this thing can float," a third person commented.

Of course cruise ships are specifically designed not to tip over, but it's still difficult to see a picture of Icon of the Seas and not worry that a large wave or strong gust of wind would flip the boat sideways.

Thankfully the beauty of the internet means there is always an engineering expert readily available to spell things out in layman's terms.

Replying to a tweet asking someone to explain to them 'like a five-year-old' how the ship manages to stay upright and afloat, an engineering student replied : "The water is pushing up on the ship with a force equal to the weight of water it pushes aside. Because the ship is so big, it pushes aside a lot of water, creating a strong upward force."

Explaining why the bottom of the ship doesn't need to be majorly submerged in water, they continued: "The ship only needs to sink a little bit into the water to float. You can see the waterline - everything below that is pushing water out of the way, creating the upward force that keeps it afloat.

"While parts of the ship (like the hull) are very dense, the overall density of the entire vessel is less than water due to its largely hollow design. This lower average density is what allows such a giant structure to float effortlessly on water."

So there you have it, the Icon of the Seas is perfectly safe to travel the world's oceans - no matter how ginormous it looks.

Topics:  Viral , World News , Travel , Cruise Ship

Brenna Cooper is a journalist at LADbible. She graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in History, followed by an NCTJ accredited masters in Journalism. She began her career as a freelance writer for Digital Spy, where she wrote about all things TV, film and showbiz. Her favourite topics to cover are music, travel and any bizarre pop culture.

@ _brencoco

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Carnival Cruise Line will launch biggest ships ever starting in 2029

Carnival Cruise Line is going bigger than ever before with a new class of ships.

The cruise line will welcome the first of the three new vessels in the summer of 2029, each with more than 3,000 cabins and a full capacity of nearly 8,000 guests. The others will follow in 2031 and 2033, and the class will mark the largest ships in the history of the line and its parent company, Carnival Corp.

“We are proud to be known as America’s cruise line with tremendous guest loyalty and an outstanding team that has enabled us to deliver memorable vacations to over 100 million guests,” the line’s president, Christine Duffy, said in a news release Tuesday. “For this next generation ship, we are focused on creating innovative guest experiences that will take Carnival Cruise Line into the future with new fun features and excitement that we know our guests will love.”

The ships will be constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.

“We are excited to join forces with Carnival Cruise Line to debut a new class of ship, which will be the largest cruise ship ever constructed by Fincantieri and the largest ship ever built in Italy,” Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero said. The cruise line will share additional specifics about the design and itineraries at a later date.

A roller coaster in the ocean: What Carnival Cruise Line's BOLT ride is like

The news comes after Carnival announced orders for two more Excel class ships earlier this year, scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028. Those will join current Excel class ships Carnival Mardi Gras, Celebration and Jubilee.

Carnival will also add two existing ships to its fleet from sister brand P&O Cruises Australia, which Carnival Corp. plans to retire in March 2025.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].