Cruise ships have transformed into enormous vessels, now surpassing the size of aircraft carriers. So, what are the top 10 largest cruise ships globally?
Modern cruise ships continue to expand in size, with the largest, the Icon of the Seas, making its debut at the beginning of this year. Its sister ship, the Star of the Seas, is expected to surpass it in size upon its launch.
Both of these massive vessels are operated by Royal Caribbean International, which owns five of the ten largest cruise ships globally. Carnival Corporation, often regarded as the largest cruise company worldwide, appears three times on the list through its subsidiaries, P&O Cruises and Costa Cruises.
All the world’s heaviest cruise ships have been constructed within the last two decades, with the majority—six out of ten—being built in the past five years.
Here are the ten largest cruise ships in the world, ranked by gross tonnage.
1. Royal Caribbean International – Icon of the Seas: 248,663 gross tonnes
Weighing in at 248,663 gross tonnes and stretching 365 meters (1,1967 feet), the Icon of the Seas holds the title of the largest cruise ship in the world. Christened on January 23, 2024, the Icon can accommodate up to 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members across its 20 decks. This vessel is the flagship of the new Icon-class, with a sister ship, the Star of the Seas, expected to debut in 2025, and another planned for 2026.
Constructed by Meyer Turku in Finland, the Icon is the first in the Royal Caribbean fleet to be powered by LNG. It features three Wärtsilä 14V46DF and three Wärtsilä 12V46DF main generator engines, generating a total of 67.5 megawatts of energy to operate the ship. Propulsion is provided by three 20-megawatt Azipod thrusters and five 4.8-megawatt Wärtsilä WTT-45 CP bow thrusters, allowing the ship to cruise at 22 knots.
After embarking on her maiden voyage on January 27, 2024, the Icon now offers year-round seven-night itineraries throughout the Eastern and Western Caribbean, departing from her homeport in Miami, Florida.
Also Read:- Top 10 World’s Largest Countries: A Global Guide
2. Royal Caribbean International – Wonder of the Seas: 235,600 gross tonnes
Royal Caribbean’s flagship, Wonder of the Seas, is the fifth vessel in the Oasis-class series constructed for the cruise line. With a gross tonnage of 235,600, the Wonder was the largest ship globally upon her completion in January 2022. Spanning 362 meters (1,187 feet) in length, the 18-deck Wonder can accommodate up to 7,084 guests within its 2,867 staterooms and houses a crew of 2,369.
Constructed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, the Wonder is powered by two Wärtsilä 16V46D engines and four Wärtsilä 12V46D engines. For propulsion, it employs three 20-megawatt electric Azipod engines, delivering a combined propulsion power of 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) and enabling a standard cruising speed of 22 knots.
The Wonder embarked on her maiden voyage in March 2022 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has since operated itineraries throughout the Caribbean from her homeports in Miami and Cape Canaveral.
Also Read:- Top 10 Largest Deserts In The World By Area 2024
3. Royal Caribbean International – Symphony of the Seas: 228,081 gross tonnes
Launched in 2018, the Symphony of the Seas overtook the Harmony as the largest cruise ship, boasting a weight of 228,081 gross tonnes. With a length of 361 meters (1,185 feet), the Symphony can accommodate up to 6,680 passengers and 2,200 crew members across 18 decks. This ship also served as the testing ground for Royal Caribbean’s innovative muster drill. At 361 meters (1,185 feet) in total length, the Symphony is approximately 30 meters (98 feet) longer than the largest military vessels, such as the US Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and the USS Gerald R. Ford.
The keel-laying ceremony for the Symphony of the Seas took place in October 2015 at STX’s shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, with the ship launching in June 2017. She is powered by six diesel sets, which include three Wärtsilä 16V46D engines and three Wärtsilä 12V46D engines, along with three 20-megawatt electric Azipod main engines. This combination provides a total of 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) of propulsion power, allowing the ship to cruise at a standard speed of 22 knots.
The Symphony began her seven-day inaugural voyage from Barcelona in April 2018 and has primarily operated Caribbean itineraries from her homeports in Miami, New York, and Fort Lauderdale since then.
4. Royal Caribbean International – Harmony of the Seas: 226,963 gross tonnes
Harmony of the Seas, the third Oasis-class ship built by Royal Caribbean, launched in 2016 and initially surpassed her sister ships with a gross tonnage of 226,963. However, she has since been outdone by newer vessels. Measuring a total length of 362 meters (1,188 feet), Harmony can accommodate up to 6,780 passengers and 2,300 crew members across 18 decks.
Royal Caribbean commissioned the construction of Harmony of the Seas from STX France in December 2012. The first steel was cut at STX France’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard in September 2013, followed by the keel-laying ceremony in May 2014.
Harmony is equipped with three 18.9-megawatt Wärtsilä 16V46 16-cylinder main generator diesel engines and three 13.9-megawatt Wärtsilä 12V46 12-cylinder engines. Propulsion is provided by three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters, with additional maneuvering support from four 5.5-megawatt Wärtsilä CT 3500 tunnel thrusters. This setup delivers 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower), allowing the ship to cruise at a standard speed of 23 knots.
In June 2016, Harmony of the Seas embarked on her inaugural seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, Spain. She now sails itineraries around the Western Caribbean from her homeport in Galveston, Texas, USA.
Also Read:- Top 10 Largest Economies In The World In 2024
5. Royal Caribbean International – Oasis of the Seas: 226,838 gross tonnes
The Oasis of the Seas, the oldest vessel on this list, has been serving passengers for over a decade. Launched in 2009, it held the title of the largest cruise ship at the time, boasting a gross tonnage of 226,838 GT and a length of 360 meters (1,181 feet). The ship can accommodate up to 6,699 passengers and 2,181 crew members across its 18 decks.
Constructed over two years at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, the keel for the Oasis was laid on November 12, 2007, and it reached its homeport of Port Everglades in Florida, US, on November 13, 2009.
The Oasis is driven by eight Wärtsilä V12 diesel engines, each generating 5.6 megawatts (7,500 horsepower), along with four bow thrusters. Its main propulsion system includes three 20-megawatt (26,820 horsepower) electric Azipod motors, providing a total propulsion power of 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) and enabling a cruising speed of 23 knots.
Primarily, the Oasis of the Seas navigates routes in the Caribbean, but it occasionally relocates to offer itineraries in the Mediterranean.
6. Royal Caribbean International – Allure of the Seas: 225,282 gross tonnes
The Allure of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships operated by Royal Caribbean, has a gross tonnage of 225,282. Stretching 362 meters (1,187 feet) in length, it surpasses its sister ship, the Oasis of the Seas, by a mere 50 millimeters (2 inches). The Allure can accommodate up to 6,780 passengers and 2,200 crew members across its 18 decks.
Constructed at the Turku Shipyard in Finland, the building process of the Allure spanned two years, culminating in its launch in 2010. The ship is powered by six Wärtsilä 46 diesel engines, generating a total output of 97 megawatts (130,053 horsepower), and is driven by three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters. The Allure cruises at a speed of 22 knots.
Currently, the Allure is homeported in Galveston, Texas, and typically operates itineraries around the Bahamas. However, it is slated to embark on Mediterranean routes in 2025.
7. MSC Cruises – MSC World Europa: 215,863 gross tonnes
The MSC World Europa, the only entry in the top ten from MSC Cruises, stretches 333 meters (1,094 feet) in length. With a gross tonnage of 215,863, it can accommodate more passengers than any other ship in the MSC fleet: up to 6,762 guests across 2,633 cabins on 22 decks, along with 2,138 crew members.
Constructed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, the World Europa’s LNG-powered propulsion system was subcontracted to the Finnish company Wärtsilä. The vessel is powered by five LNG-powered, 14-cylinder Wartsila 46DF dual-fuel engines, providing a propulsion power of 44 megawatts (59,005 horsepower). It also features nitrogen oxide reduction (NOR) units, two Wartsila LNGPac fuel storage and supply systems, seven thrusters, and two fixed-pitch propellers.
The MSC World Europa was floated out at the end of 2021 and initially served as accommodation for fans attending the 2022 FIFA World Cup, berthed at Doha Port in Qatar during the tournament. After the competition, the ship sailed various routes around the UAE before heading to the Mediterranean, where it has been operating itineraries since.
Also Read:- Exploring the 10 Largest Cricket Stadiums in the World
8. Costa Cruises – Costa Toscana: 186,364 gross tonnes
The Costa Toscana is a sister ship to the Costa Smeralda, both powered by LNG. Stretching 337 meters (1,106 feet) in length and weighing 186,364 gross tonnes, the Toscana can accommodate up to 6,338 passengers and 1,678 crew members across her 20 decks.
Like the Costa Smeralda, the Toscana was constructed at the Meyer shipyard in Finland, with completion in 2021. She is driven by four MaK-Caterpillar engines, generating a total power output of 57.2 megawatts (76,706 horsepower), along with two ABB Azipod motors, allowing her to cruise at a service speed of 17 knots.
Named to honor the Tuscany region of Italy, the Costa Toscana primarily navigates the Mediterranean Sea. However, Costa Cruises also deploys the ship for itineraries in other regions, such as Brazil and the UAE.
9. Costa Cruises – Costa Smeralda: 185,010 gross tonnes
Costa Smeralda stands as Costa Cruises’ pioneering LNG-powered vessel, boasting a vast size of 185,010 gross tons and 20 decks, stretching 337 meters (1,106 feet) in length. This Excellence-class ship, with a maximum capacity for 6,554 passengers and 1,646 crew members, cruises at a service speed of 21.5 knots.
Beginning its construction in September 2017 at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, Costa Smeralda is the second LNG-powered cruise ship to commence operations worldwide. Meyer Turku collaborated with the Meyer Werft Papenburg shipyard to develop and incorporate the ship’s LNG propulsion plant. Equipped with four 16-cylinder Caterpillar MaK 16VM46DF engines, each producing 15.4 megawatts (20,710 horsepower), the vessel boasts a total maximum power output of 37 megawatts (50,000 horsepower).
Named after the stunning Emerald Coast of Sardinia, Costa Smeralda embarked on its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean from Savona in December 2019, where it continues to sail.
10. P&O Cruises MS Arvia: 185,581 gross tonnes
The MS Arvia represents P&O Cruises’ latest collaboration with the renowned German shipyard Meyer Werft, marking the fourth ship built by this partnership. With an impressive 185,581 gross tonnes, the 345m (1,130-foot) long vessel surpasses its sister ship, the MS Iona, in size. Boasting 20 decks, the MS Arvia is the largest ship specifically designed for the British cruise market, offering a maximum capacity of 6,264 passengers alongside a crew of 1,800.
This vessel is the second of P&O’s Excellence-class ships to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), following in the footsteps of the MS Iona. The MS Arvia features a 61,760kW LNG propulsion system, providing a formidable 37 megawatts of power for propulsion. Thanks to this advanced LNG technology, the MS Arvia can cruise at a top speed of 21.5 knots, ensuring a smooth and efficient voyage for its passengers.