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A look inside the Icon of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship, as it prepares for voyage

By Kris Van Cleave , Analisa Novak

January 18, 2024 / 12:14 PM EST / CBS News

Royal Caribbean is redefining the cruise industry with its latest ship, the Icon of the Seas. This $2 billion floating resort is largely booked until 2026.

Spanning nearly 1,200 feet, the cruise ship has 20 decks, which makes the Icon of the Seas the world's largest cruise ship.

It's a city at sea, accommodating up to 7,600 passengers in 2,805 staterooms and nearly 10,000 people, including the crew. The ship offers different experiences that include seven pools — one is the largest on any ship — the world's first onboard water park with six water slides, theaters, a casino and over 40 dining and drinking spots.

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Chief Product Innovation Officer, says the cruise ship is more than just its amenities.

"It's really about iconic experiences," he said.

And despite its massive size, Schneider said the ship is designed to avoid feeling overcrowded.

"We have purposely designed the ship to give more space for people," he said. "We believe, even at 7,500 guests, it won't feel to you like your entire hometown has joined the ship," said Schneider.    

Luxury comes at a price on the Icon. A weeklong Caribbean cruise costs about $3,500 for two people in an average stateroom. For those seeking more luxury, the Ultimate Family Townhouse – a three-story suite complete with touchscreen tables and a slide – can go for up to $100,000 per trip. The Royal Loft, aimed at high-rolling adults, offers two bedrooms, a private hot tub, and a spacious balcony starting at $40,000.

Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief at Cruise Critic, said that bigger ships benefit both passengers and cruise lines.

"It means more people can experience something. It means that there's a lot more amenities and activities onboard the cruise ship," McDaniel said. "The more people they can put on a cruise ship, of course, the better business they do, the more money they make."

Kevin Curran says the Icon took his breath away. Having followed the ship's construction for over a year, the Oregon resident said he's thrilled to be on its inaugural cruise from Miami.

"The more I watched the videos, the more I understood this was something special," he said.

Cruising is surging in popularity. Last year, passenger volume outpaced pre-pandemic numbers, and this year is expected to hit a new high of 36 million as spending on experiences has climbed 65% since 2019.

From the bridge, Captain Hendrik Loy is overseeing what amounts to a three-day test drive to the Bahamas.

"There is still fine-tuning that needs to take place," said Loy.

The Icon also champions environmental responsibility. It's powered by liquefied natural gas, treats its own waste, and produces its own water.

Emmy Award-winning journalist Kris Van Cleave is the senior transportation correspondent for CBS News based in Phoenix, Arizona, where he also serves as a national correspondent reporting for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms.

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Icon of the Seas: Everything you need to know about the largest cruise ship in the world

The world's largest cruise ship, complete with 20 decks and six waterslides, is getting ready to set sail for the first time.

Royal Caribbean's "Icon of the Seas" is in Port Miami getting ready for its maiden voyage into the Caribbean. NBC News correspondent Sam Brock got a firsthand look at the breathtaking ship on TODAY on before it heads out to sea.

Here's what to know about the record-setting cruise ship.

How big is the Icon of the Seas ship?

A seven-year building process in Finland resulted in a ship that's 1,198 feet long and features 20 decks. It can carry more than 7,000 passengers, and combined with the crew, will hold nearly 10,000 people — the size of a small city.

At 250,800 gross tons and nearly 1,200 feet long, it makes the Titanic look like a tugboat. For comparison, the Titanic was 882.9 feet long and 46,328 gross tons.

What are some of the amenities on the Icon of the Seas?

There are eight "neighborhoods" geared to all different experiences, from the shopping area of "Central Park" to the pools and cabanas of "Chill Island."

They also are in proximity to one another so parents can relax in the pool while the kids go flying down one of the six slides in the nearby water park area of "Thrill Island."

“You’re not competing with another cruise, you’re competing with any other vacation a family would want to do," Royal Caribbean senior vice president Jay Schneider told Brock on TODAY.

"So we purposely put a more adult-centric pool next to the slide structure so you know mom, dad can sit and immerse in the water while the kid goes on like 50 slides."

In keeping with the theme of the ship, a bar named "Swim & Tonic" is the largest swim-up bar ever put on a cruise ship, according to Schneider.

There also is a three-story glass structure known as "The Pearl," which Schneider said is the world's largest "kinetic" art sculpture.

The vessel also includes a theater that features performances of Broadway's "Wizard of Oz."

For the more adventurous, there's the "Crown's Edge" walk, which Brock tested out on TODAY. He strapped into a harness that took him along a zipline that allows passengers to dangle along the side of the ship, 150 feet above the water.

How much does a trip on the Icon of the Seas cost?

A seven-night round trip from Miami to the eastern Caribbean that includes a stop at Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas costs an average of $2,019 per person, according to the cruise line's website . It's an average of $1,809 for the package without the stop at the island.

That package also includes stops in St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The demand for that journey is so overwhelming that the earliest trip currently being booked is for Oct. 11, 2025.

There's also a trip to the western Caribbean for $1,759 per person with a stop at the island, which is called Perfect Day at Coco Cay.

When is the Icon of the Sea's release date?

The maiden voyage for the gargantuan vessel is coming up on Jan. 27, leaving out of Port Miami.

Royal Caribbean is taking bookings for the alternating trips to the eastern and western Caribbean, with the earliest available being a seven-night trip that departs on Feb. 24 and costs an average of $2,297 per person, according to its website.

Scott Stump is a trending reporter and the writer of the daily newsletter This is TODAY (which you should subscribe to here! ) that brings the day's news, health tips, parenting stories, recipes and a daily delight right to your inbox. He has been a regular contributor for TODAY.com since 2011, producing features and news for pop culture, parents, politics, health, style, food and pretty much everything else. 

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The world’s largest cruise ship has 20 decks, 7 pools and would cover almost 4 city blocks

The ship is the size of almost four city blocks and runs nearly 1,200 feet (365 meters) from bow to stern. AP Video by Daniel Kozin.

FILE - The Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, sits docked after arriving to its home port in Miami, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is leaving South Florida on Saturday, Jan. 27, for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

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FILE - Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, sits at dock as it prepares for its inaugural public voyage later this month, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at PortMiami in Miami. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is leaving South Florida on Saturday, Jan. 27, for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

FILE - Waterslides are seen atop a deck overlooking floors of rooms aboard Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, during a media day preview as it prepares for its inaugural public voyage later this month, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Miami. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is leaving South Florida on Saturday, Jan. 27, for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

FILE - Employees and visitors walk in the Royal Promenade area of Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, during a media day preview as it prepares for its inaugural public voyage later this month, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at PortMiami in Miami. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is leaving South Florida on Saturday, Jan. 27, for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

Inter Miami soccer player Lionel Messi, center, bumps fists with a member of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers bagpipe band, left, during a naming ceremony for Royal Caribbean International’s new cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Miami. Inter Miami CF has formed a partnership with the cruise line Royal Caribbean International. At right is Jason Liberty, president and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

MIAMI (AP) — The world’s largest cruise ship — the size of almost four city blocks — is set to begin its maiden voyage Saturday as it leaves from the Port of Miami.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas runs nearly 1,200 feet (365 meters) from bow to stern.

The ship, which is leaving South Florida for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics, was officially christened Tuesday with help from soccer legend Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates.

At a glance

The Icon of the Seas:

• can carry up to 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members

The ship has:

• six waterslides
• seven swimming pools
• an ice-skating rink
• more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges

“Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of dreaming, innovating and living our mission – to deliver the world’s best vacation experiences responsibly,” Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said earlier this week. “She is the ultimate multigenerational family vacation, forever changing the status quo in family travel and fulfilling vacation dreams for all ages on board.”

The ship sets sail as Royal Caribbean’s cruises are having a moment online. Since December, the company’s 9-month “Ultimate World Cruise” has captivated — and confused — a following of avid watchers on social media.

Millions are following the journey through the eyes of the passengers, as they live and post their lives aboard a vessel they’ll be on for nearly a year. If it sounds like a reality show, that’s exactly what some watchers have turned it into.

When the Icon of the Seas was first revealed in October 2022, the ship spurred the single largest booking day and the highest volume booking week in Royal Caribbean’s then 53-year history, according to the cruise line.

A dancer performs in front of Inter Miami soccer player Lionel Messi, second from left, seated, during an event on the world’s largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Miami. The MLS soccer team Inter Miami CF has formed a partnership with the cruise line Royal Caribbean International. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The Icon of the Seas is divided into eight neighborhoods across 20 decks. The ship includes six waterslides, seven swimming pools, an ice skating rink, a theater and more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges. The ship can carry up to 7,600 passengers at maximum capacity, along with 2,350 crew members.

It is powered by six dual-fuel engines, which can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a fuel alternative that the Cruise Lines International Association says reduces sulfur and greenhouse gas emissions. However, some environmentalists worry LNG-powered ships increase methane emissions . Other say that vacationers generate eight times more carbon on a cruise than they do on land.

Royal Caribbean says every kilowatt used on the Icon of the Seas “is scrutinized for energy efficiencies and emission reductions.”

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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

Tags: Travel , Cruises

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• # 4 Bora Bora

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The World’s Largest Cruise Ship Is Nearly 1,200 Feet Long

Scheduled to debut in January, the vessel can accommodate 5,600 guests and 2,350 crew members

Daily Correspondent

The world’s largest cruise ship is almost ready to set sail.

Royal Caribbean’s massive new ship, Icon of the Seas , passed its inaugural round of sea trials with flying colors, bringing it one step closer to hitting the open ocean with passengers, the cruise line  announced late last month. If all goes as planned, the record-breaking vessel will begin sailing in the Caribbean in January 2024.

Just how big is Icon of the Seas ? Really big. As Jalopnik ’s Ryan Erik King writes, it’s the size of five Titantics. More specifically, Icon of the Seas measures 1,198 feet long—nearly a quarter of a mile—and has a gross tonnage of 250,800. All that space means it can accommodate 5,600 guests and 2,350 crew members.

The cruise line is positioning the vessel as “the ultimate family vacation,” as CEO Michael Bayley told reporters earlier this year, per  CNN ’s Maureen O’Hare.

“When you step back and look at all the energy and time that has gone into creating this ship, it is mind-blowing,” he added.

The previous world’s largest cruise ship was also a Royal Caribbean vessel, Wonder of the Seas , which spanned 1,188 feet long and featured 18 decks.

Crews in Turku, Finland, began work on Icon of the Seas in 2021. Last month, the vessel sailed the open ocean for the first time, as staffers spent four days testing the main engines, hull, brakes, steering system and other components. They also measured noise and vibration levels. 

The vessel will undergo another round of sea trials later this year before officially launching in Miami early next year, according to Royal Caribbean. Icon of the Seas will primarily take cruisers to the islands of the eastern and western Caribbean on seven-night itineraries.

With progress on Icon of the Seas moving along, Royal Caribbean has already started building another large “icon class” ship. The cruise line expects that unnamed vessel to launch in 2025, per a  statement .

Icon of the Seas has 20 total decks, 7 swimming pools and 8 “neighborhoods,” or distinct areas with entertainment and dining. Another noteworthy feature is Category 6, which will be the largest waterpark at sea when Icon of the Seas sets sail.

The ship will be equipped with a special grooming robot that will clean the hull whenever it’s in port to help reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency by 3 to 4 percent, reports  TTG Media ’s Charlotte Cullinan.

Icon of the Seas will also be the first ship in the cruise line’s fleet to run on liquefied natural gas and  fuel cells , which are similar to batteries but do not need to be recharged. Water is the main byproduct of fuel cells—which combine oxygen and hydrogen to produce energy—which should help the ship reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Liquefied natural gas , meanwhile, is a controversial energy source that involves cooling natural gas to a liquid state to make it easier to transport. The liquid version is “actually worse than ordinary gas,” writes the  Natural Resources Defense Council . “The energy required to chill, ship and regasify the fossil fuel makes it far more carbon-intensive and increases the potential for leakage of dangerous methane,” according to the organization.

Royal Caribbean’s leaders say they view liquified natural gas as a “ transitional fue l,” and that they hope to continue to  reduce the environmental impact of their ships moving forward. 

"[Liquefied natural gas] is about 20-30 percent better for the environment [than heavy fuel oil], but it’s still not going to be the solution,” Bayley tells TTG Media . “We don’t know the answer, but the whole industry is working towards the answer.”

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Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.

The 20 Biggest Cruise Ships in the World in 2023

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: March 1, 2022  - Last updated: January 6, 2023

Cruise ships have been getting bigger—and adding lots of attractions that were unheard of just a few years ago. To help you pick which megaship is right for you, I’ve rounded up the 20 biggest cruise ships in the world in 2023.

Along with a ranking of the top 20 cruise ships by size , I’ve included important stats and unique features for each ship. If you’re considering sailing on one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, you’ll want to read this guide before you choose!

How do we determine the size of cruise ships for comparison?

Cruise ships can be measured by a variety of factors. You might assume that a ship’s size is determined by its length, weight, or even its passenger capacity.

But the size of a cruise ship is generally determined by gross tonnage —and (confusingly) that’s not a measurement of weight!

Gross tonnage, or GT, is a measure of the ship’s internal volume . To calculate GT, first a ship’s volume is calculated by measuring from keel to funnel to the outside of the hull framing. That number (in cubic meters) is then run through several mathematical formulas to determine GT. (I won’t go into all of that here, but if you’re interested the US Coast Guard has a simplified guide to measuring gross tonnage ).

The world’s 20 largest cruise ships in 2023

Currently, the top 20 biggest cruise ships have four sets of ties in the rankings, all between sister ships that share the same cruise line and class. So although we’ll start our list at #16, there are twenty ships in total!

Cruise fans will notice there are several new ships on the list this year. Have any of these newer ships bumped your favorites down in the rankings? Read on to find out!

16. (tie) MSC Seascape

• Cruise line: MSC
• Year built: 2022
• Gross tonnage: 170,412
• Length: 1112 ft / 339 m
• Max. beam: 135 ft / 41 m
• Staterooms: 2270
• Max. passengers: 5877
• Passenger decks: 15

Just making this year’s list of the world’s 20 largest cruise ships, MSC Seascape is tied for #16. The second Seaside EVO class ship launched by MSC Cruises in just over a year, Seascape features a glam New York City vibe.

The ship’s four-story Atrium is at the heart of the action on board, and boasts a sparkling staircase set with 10,000 Swarovski crystals—the perfect spot for a photo op on formal nights !

But MSC Seascape isn’t all glitz and glamour—the family-friendly ship offers 13 pools and water features and more than 140,000 square feet (13006 m²) of public outside space. Kids will love Pirates Cove Aquapark , a play space with slides, a rope bridge, and plenty of water sprayers and dumping buckets to beat the heat.

Seascape is also the first ship to feature the new thrill ride Robotron , a robotic virtual rollercoaster ride perched on the top deck.

Foodie guests on MSC Seascape will enjoy the ship’s eleven restaurants, including a massive Market Place Buffet and several specialty dining venues grouped together at Chef’s Court .

Related: MSC Cruises Launches MSC Seascape in New York City

16. (tie) MSC Seashore

• Year built: 2020 (launched 2021)
• Max. beam: 134.5 ft / 41 m

Almost identical to her sister ship Seascape , MSC Seashore is tied for #16 on the list of the largest cruise ships. The first in the EVO subclass of MSC’s Seaside class ships, Seashore and her sister are larger than other ships in their class and offer expanded outdoor spaces.

As an EVO ship, MSC Seashore offers improved technology to increase efficiency and reduce her carbon footprint. The energy-efficient equipment includes an advanced wastewater purification system and Safe Air , a new sanitation system that eliminates viruses and bacteria.

Seashore was purpose-built for the American market, but still offers the European flair that MSC is famous for. Guests can enjoy a taste of Italy at the ship’s Venchi 1878 gelato bars , offering twenty flavors of the decadent frozen treat in flavors like tiramisù and stracciatella.

MSC Seashore also features a gorgeous aft infinity pool—one of the largest at sea—with luxurious submerged sunbeds. The spot is a tranquil adults-only oasis by day, but it comes alive in the evening as the setting for the always-popular Silent Disco .

15. (tie) MSC Bellissima

• Year built: 2019
• Gross tonnage: 171,598
• Length: 1,036.2 ft / 315.83 m
• Max. beam: 141 ft / 43 m
• Staterooms: 2,217
• Max. passengers: 5,686
• Passenger decks: 14

Tied for the fifteenth spot in the list of the world’s largest cruise ships, MSC’s Bellissima is as tall as thirteen double-decker buses!

Perfect for a family cruise, Bellissima offers a wealth of kids’ activities for children aged one through seventeen. Parents can track kids’ whereabouts on board via an RFID bracelet synced with MSC’s app. For adults who want to enjoy a leisurely meal, there’s the Happy Dinner program where the little ones are escorted to the kids club as soon as they finish eating!

MSC Bellissima is home to a thrilling Grand Canyon-themed waterpark with three waterslides—two racing tubes as well as a champagne bowl-style slide. The younger set will love the Aquaplay spray area, and guests of all ages can climb the Himalayan bridge, a rope course that crosses the ship high above the water.

Guests aboard Bellissima also have access to an electronic cruise assistant, similar to Siri or Alexa. A first in the cruise industry, Zoe —who speaks seven languages and adapts to each passenger’s preference—provides information and help booking shows, spa treatments, and shore excursions, as well as notifications of events and promotions.

15. (tie) MSC Meraviglia

• Year built: 2017
• Staterooms: 2,244
• Max. passengers: 5,655

When MSC’s Meraviglia entered service in 2017, she was the sixth-largest cruise ship in the world—but has since fallen to #15, tied with her newer sister ship Bellissima .

The namesake of the Meraviglia class of cruise ships, she was the first to offer an expanded dining experience with fourteen restaurants, including a whopping four complimentary main dining rooms. Celebrity chef Carlo Cracco was enlisted to improve the quality of the ship’s cuisine.

On Meraviglia entertainment options abound—the Broadway Theatre hosts six unique shows each cruise, along with the Carousel Lounge where you can experience Cirque du Soleil at sea. The crew also puts on an impressive amount of activities and events, so there’s always something to do on a sea day .

The ship’s Amusement Park has a full-size bowling alley, 4-D cinema, F1 simulators, an arcade, as well as a sportplex that becomes a disco spot for young cruisers in the evening.

14. (tie) MSC Virtuosa

• Year built: 2020
• Gross tonnage: 181,541
• Length: 1,087.4 ft / 331.43 m
• Max. beam: 160 ft / 50 m
• Staterooms: 2,421
• Max. passengers: 6,334

MSC’s ship Virtuosa , built in 2020, is one of the newer offerings by the Swiss-Italian cruise line and is tied for number fourteen on our list of the world’s biggest cruise ships.

Virtuosa offers five pools in total, plus a water park with three waterslides, so water babies of all ages can spread out and enjoy the fun. The pools can accommodate over a thousand guests at a time!

If relaxing with a cocktail is more your style, stop by and see Rob the bartender at Starship Club . He’s the first humanoid bartender at sea, and speaks six languages!

Cruisers can also wander the Galleria Virtuosa —the pretty indoor promenade with restaurants and shops features an arched ceiling with the longest LED dome at sea , presenting an ever-changing light display.

14. (tie) MSC Grandiosa

• Staterooms: 2,632
• Max. passengers: 6,761

Tied for number 14, Grandiosa was the first vessel in MSC’s Meraviglia-Plus class , later joined by her sister ship MSC Virtuosa .

With 200 more staterooms than previous MSC ships, Grandiosa has expanded the number of accessible cabins on board, and added groups of up to three connecting staterooms as well as new family balcony cabins. Some spacious family staterooms can sleep up to twelve!

Grandiosa also has some innovative environmental features, including systems to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 80%, and sulfur emissions by 97%. She has a fuel-efficient hull and can run on shore power when docked.

Fun fact: Grandiosa ‘s godmother is Italian screen legend and longtime MSC ambassador Sophia Loren. She actually holds that honor for most of MSC’s fleet!

13. Mardi Gras

• Cruise line: Carnival
• Gross tonnage: 181,808
• Length: 1,130 ft / 344 m
• Max. beam: 138 ft / 42 m
• Staterooms: 2,641
• Max. passengers: 6,630

The 13th biggest cruise ship in the world is Carnival Cruise Line’s widely-anticipated Mardi Gras (currently the cruise line’s second-largest ship) which took her maiden voyage in July 2021.

Mardi Gras debuted several new concepts for Carnival, including three new dining venues. Big Chicken by Shaq serves up fried chicken and more, while quick-service Street Eats offers three food stations, each specializing in a different type of cuisine.

Emeril’s Bistro 1396 , created in partnership with celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse (Carnival’s new Chief Culinary Officer ), serves up New Orleans-style Creole dishes.

The Grand Central Atrium reinvented the central area of the ship, with a larger space featuring bars, cafés, and shops with aerial performances overhead.

She also boasts the first rollercoaster at sea —BOLT is an open-air coaster with spectacular sea views. Riders can control their speed using pedals inside each two-person motorcycle-themed car.

12. AIDAcosma

• Cruise line: AIDA
• Year built: 2021
• Gross tonnage: 183,200
• Length: 1,106 ft / 337 m
• Staterooms: 2,626
• Max. passengers: 6,600
• Passenger decks: 16

Setting sail on her maiden voyage in February 2022, Carnival Corporation’s German brand AIDA ‘s newest ship AIDAcosma makes #12 on the list.

AIDAcosma ‘s unique features include the Ocean Deck , a four-story relaxation oasis with an infinity pool and panoramic ocean views.

The ship also has a reinvented Fun Park , complete with a ropes course, rock-climbing wall, and a large indoor playground.

Her seventeen restaurants and 23 bars and cafés ensure that guests have plenty of variety on their cruise vacation! Notable is the new Mamma Mia specialty restaurant, serving fresh Italian cuisine including homemade pasta dishes.

11. Carnival Celebration

• Gross tonnage: 183,521
• Length: 1130 ft / 340 m
• Max. beam: 137 ft / 42 m
• Staterooms: 2687
• Max. passengers: 6631

Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship Carnival Celebration launched in 2022 as the second member of the Excel class , joining her sister Mardi Gras . The new ship almost made the top 10 of the largest cruise ships, landing at number 11.

Celebration pays homage to her homeport of Miami with the 820 Biscayne zone, named after the cruise line’s first headquarters. The zone will feature the Deco Deli and 820 Bar , serving up Cuban sandwiches and tropical drinks.

Pizza fanatics will want to try the brand new Miami Slice , a free pizzeria that replaces the Pizza Pirate or Pizzeria del Capitano venues found on all other Carnival ships. The walk-up pizza joint features vibrant décor reminiscent of late-night eateries on Miami Beach’s Ocean Drive. 

Younger guests can check out Space Cruisers , a new program offered in partnership with the Kennedy Space Center. Kids age 2 to 11 will have the opportunity to try NASA-inspired activities tailored to their age group.

Celebration is the second ship in Carnival’s fleet to be completely powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Related: Cassidy Gifford Becomes Godmother of Carnival Celebration in Miami

10. AIDAnova

• Year built: 2018
• Gross tonnage: 183,858
• Max. passengers: 6,654

In tenth place is AIDAnova , sister ship to AIDAcosma . The first of AIDA’s ships to use liquefied natural gas (LNG), AIDAnova has nearly zero emissions.

Wellness-minded cruisers will love AIDAnova ‘s 3545 square meters dedicated to fitness and relaxation. The new Body & Soul Spa features five ocean-view saunas, a sun terrace with three jacuzzis, and a tepidarium. Over 30 free exercise classes are offered each week in the Sport area, or train solo in the open-air gym.

Or take a leisurely stroll on the Lanai deck, where guests can walk almost all the way around the ship, stopping at restaurants and bars including the Lanai Bar at the stern.

• Cruise line: P&O
• Gross tonnage: 184,089
• Length: 1,130 ft / 344.5 m
• Staterooms: 2,614

Number nine is P&O UK’s Iona , the largest cruise ship built specifically for the British market. One of the newer ships on the list, Iona was delivered in 2020 but made her first voyage in August 2021.

Family-friendly Iona features the enclosed SkyDome pool area, kids’ splash zone, and a shallow pool for little cruisers. Hosted by specially-trained Reef Rangers, the Reef kids’ club is a fun environment for children aged 2-17, open from early morning until late.

But Iona ‘s not all about the kids! She’s actually home to the world’s first gin distillery at sea , producing the Marabelle label. Inspired by the Scottish island of Iona, the gin contains 18 botanicals. Guests can attend two unique gin masterclasses on board, including one that allows you to craft your own gin with expert guidance.

8. (tie) Costa Toscana

• Cruise line: Costa
• Gross tonnage: 185,010
• Staterooms: 2,612
• Max. passengers: 6,554

Italian line Costa Cruises’ newest ship, Costa Toscana , comes in at the eighth-largest cruise ship in the world. The Tuscan-inspired vessel features furnishings, fabrics, and accessories all made in Italy. Even the driftwood used to craft dining tables at Archipelago restaurant was harvested from the Italian shoreline by Guardians of the Coast .

Food is a major focus of the ship, with many of her 21 restaurants offering authentic local cuisine by chefs including Bruno Barbieri, Hélène Darroze, and Ángel León. Even the littlest cruisers have a special place to eat— Squok Restaurant is dedicated to families with kids.

If all the amazing food on board inspires you, be sure to check out Toscana ‘s Food LAB , where guests can learn to prepare their own culinary creations alongside the ship’s chefs.

8. (tie) Costa Smeralda

Tied for eighth place is Costa Smeralda , a favorite of sustainability-minded cruisers. Smeralda was the first in Costa’s fleet powered by liquefied natural gas (sister ship Toscana now also shares this feature), a fuel source that reduces the ship’s environmental impact.

Other eco-friendly features include LED lighting throughout the ship, an onboard desalinization plant that sustainably harvests onboard water directly from the sea, and systems that recover the engines’ heat to reduce energy use.

Costa Smeralda earned the coveted Green Plus notation from RINA, only awarded to the most environmentally friendly cruise ships.

• Cruise line: P&O Cruises
• Gross tonnage: 185,581
• Length: 1130 ft / 344.5 m
• Staterooms: 2614
• Max. passengers: 6685

P&O UK ‘s newest ship Arvia is also the cruise line’s largest, and debuts at #7 on the 2023 list of biggest cruise ships. An Excel-class ship like Iona , Arvia is similar but boasts some key differences.

Like her sister, this ship also features a Sky Dome over the pool area—but Arvia ‘s is retractable to allow for alfresco swimming, dining, and entertainment when the weather is right.

Arvia is home to the fleet’s first swim-up bar , complete with plenty of in-water seating, allowing guests to order and enjoy a cocktail right in the pool.

The new ship debuted several new restaurant concepts, including Green & Co featuring Mizuhana , featuring fish and plant-based cuisine. Also new are Roast at The Quays for traditional British lunches and the 6th Street Diner , an American-style diner serving breakfast,brunch, and dinner.

Arvia also has the first rum distillery at sea ! The Tidal Rum has partnered with P&O to produce the unique rum blend on the ship at Anderson’s Bar .

6. MSC World Europa

• Gross tonnage: 215,863
• Length: 1094 ft / 333.3 m
• Max. beam: 154 ft / 47 m
• Staterooms: 2626
• Max. passengers: 6762

With the debut of MSC World Europa in December of 2022, MSC Cruises now has a whopping seven ships on the list of the top 20 biggest cruise ships in the world—the most of any cruise line!

The Geneva-based company has been working diligently to expand the fleet and MSC’s newest cruise ship is a whopper of a vessel.

The ship is an astounding 21 decks high (there’s a deck 22, but cruise superstition skips deck 13), four decks taller than the largest cruise ship in 2023. Sixteen of those decks are passenger-accessible.

Much like the megaships offered by Royal Caribbean, MSC World Europa is divided into several districts that contain similar offerings—a must-have on any gargantuan cruise ship. Guests can visit the adults-only Zen district for a bit of calm, or the Family district with ten kids’ facilities offering fun for little cruisers and their grownups.

Ranking among the top ships with the most water features at sea, World Europa offers six pools and 14 hot tubs , along with an aquapark featuring multiple waterslides.

MSC World Europa is also the line’s first LNG-powered cruise ship —and the biggest liquefied natural gas powered cruise ship in the world! This cleaner alternative to traditional marine fuel significantly reduces carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen oxide emissions.

5. Allure of the Seas

• Cruise line: Royal Caribbean
• Year built: 2010
• Gross tonnage: 225,282
• Length: 1,180 ft / 360 m
• Max. beam: 198 ft / 60.5 m
• Staterooms: 2,742
• Max. passengers: 6,780

Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas ranks as the fifth largest cruise ship in 2022. She’s the second (and smallest) of the Oasis-class ships.

Allure of the Seas features seven themed “neighborhoods”—the Royal Promenade, Central Park, Entertainment Place, Boardwalk, Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea, and the Youth Zone.

With a ten-deck-high zip line and the interactive H2O Zone waterpark, Allure of the Seas is a favorite ship for adventurous cruisers of all ages.

4. Oasis of the Seas

• Year built: 2009
• Gross tonnage: 226,838

Number four is Oasis of the Seas , the first of the namesake Oasis class, and the oldest ship to make the top 15 list. Built in 2009, she was then the largest cruise ship in the world, and the first to have a maximum capacity of over 6000 passengers!

Oasis of the Seas may be an older ship, but she doesn’t look like one! In 2019 she had a $165 million transformation that brought the ship up to date.

Entertainment abounds on this ship, from the splashy Aqua80 show in the AquaTheater to Music Hall , a live music venue with plenty of floor space for dancing. Or try one of the four onboard water slides including the ten-story-high Ultimate Abyss .

3. Harmony of the Seas

• Year built: 2016
• Gross tonnage: 226,963
• Length: 1,188.1 ft / 362.12 m
• Max. beam: 215.5 ft / 65.7 m
• Staterooms: 2,747
• Max. passengers: 6,687

Coming in at number three is Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas , built in 2016 at a cost of 1.3 billion dollars.

With her three pool decks containing an impressive collection of pools and hot tubs, you’ll never feel crowded taking a dip. You can even learn how to SCUBA dive , right on the ship! Aboard Harmony of the Seas , guests have the opportunity to take the PADI® Open Water Diver Course, culminating with open water dives at various ports of call.

After you’ve worked up an appetite in the pool, try one of Harmony of the Seas ‘ twenty restaurants, serving over 200 different dishes on a daily basis.

2. Symphony of the Seas

• Gross tonnage: 228,081
• Length: 1,184.42 ft / 361.011 m
• Staterooms: 2,759
• Max. passengers: 6,680

The largest cruise ship in the world until 2022, Symphony of the Seas comes in second—but is still a behemoth at 1184 feet and 228,081 gross tons!

Built in 2018, Symphony of the Seas boasts some fun tech! Check out the Big Wonder , a seven-ton canopy lit with color-changing LEDs that cast a glow over the ship’s Solarium at night.

Enjoy a cocktail at Bionic Bar , where one of two robot bartenders can shake you up the perfect martini. But don’t worry, the ship’s 13 other bars and lounges are staffed by friendly humans.

Or play a lively game of glow-in-the-dark laser tag to battle for control of Planet Z —when the ship’s ice rink is temporarily transformed into an alien world, of course.

1. Wonder of the Seas

• Gross tonnage: 236,857
• Length: 1,187.8 ft / 362.04 m
• Max. beam: 210 ft / 64 m
• Staterooms: 2,859
• Max. passengers: 6,988

Wonder of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International is the cruise line’s newest—and the world’s biggest cruise ship, at almost 1188 feet long and 236,857 gross tons!

Delivered in February 2022, Wonder of the Seas made her maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale on March 4, 2022.

Like the other Oasis-class ships, she’s organized into neighborhoods, but with the addition of an eighth unique section. This new neighborhood is dedicated to suite guests, with a plunge pool and bar as well as the suites-only Coastal Kitchen and Suites Lounge .

Wonder of the Seas offers some exciting new features—in addition to boasting the largest poolside movie screen of any RCCL ship there’s also The Vue , a cantilevered bar offering panoramic ocean views.

For the kids, there’s the new Wonder Playscape —an underwater-themed play area with climbing walls and an interactive puzzle mural.

Comparing the 20 biggest cruise ships in the world

Largest cruise ships faq.

How is the size of a cruise ship measured?

Ships are measured by gross tonnage, which is a measure of internal volume.

What does maximum beam mean on a ship?

Maximum beam is the measurement at the widest part of a ship’s hull.

Which cruise ship is the biggest?

Royal Caribbean’s  Wonder of the Seas  is the world’s largest cruise ship, with a gross tonnage of 236,857.

Which cruise ship is the longest?

Royal Caribbean’s  Wonder of the Seas  is the world’s longest cruise ship at 1,187.8 ft (362.04 m).

Which cruise ship can hold the most passengers?

Royal Caribbean’s  Wonder of the Seas  can hold the most passengers, with a maximum occupancy of 6,988.

Which cruise ship has the most staterooms?

Royal Caribbean’s  Wonder of the Seas  has the most passenger staterooms, at 2,859.

Have you sailed on one of the largest cruise ships in the world? Or do you prefer cruising on a smaller ship? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

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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.

Giant new cruise ship will be the biggest ever to sail Alaska

Megaship fans are about to have a major new option for an Alaska cruise .

Princess Cruises on Wednesday announced that its next giant new ship, the 4,300-passenger Star Princess, will spend its first summer sailing to Alaska out of Seattle.

Scheduled to debut in October 2025, the vessel will begin Alaska sailings in May of 2026, the line said.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Star Princess, notably, will be the biggest cruise ship ever to sail to Alaska.

At around 178,000 gross tons, it will be about 5% bigger than the current size leader in the Alaska market, Norwegian Cruise Line 's Norwegian Encore . That ship measures 169,116 gross tons.

The next-biggest ships in the Alaska market are Royal Caribbean 's Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas, each of which measures 168,666 gross tons.

All three of the vessels sail to Alaska from Seattle, which is traditionally home to the biggest cruise ships sailing to Alaska.

Two other vessels that are almost as large, Norwegian's 168,028-ton Norwegian Bliss and 167,725-ton Norwegian Joy, will also sail to Alaska out of Seattle in 2026.

Thus, the arrival of Star Princess in Seattle in 2026 will set up a six-way "battle of the megaships" out of Seattle for the summer of 2026.

When it launches, Star Princess will be the second vessel in Princess' long-awaited new Sphere Class of ships. Under development for more than six years, the Sphere Class includes the just-unveiled Sun Princess .

Related: The best Alaska shore excursions

The Sphere Class ships are significantly bigger than previous Princess ships and offer several notable new-for-the-line features, including suites that come with exclusive access to a private restaurant, a lounge and a sundeck.

Additionally, the Sphere Class ships have been designed with an innovative new type of "cabana cabin" along their extra-wide 10th deck that comes with access to a private deck area. Plus, the top decks of the ships have some unusual-for-Princess sizzle with the addition of a glass-dome-topped pool area that transforms into a nightspot after the sun goes down.

Princess on Wednesday announced that Star Princess would be one of eight ships it sends to Alaska for the summer of 2026 — its biggest Alaska deployment ever.

Princess has long been the leader in Alaska cruises along with its sister company, Holland America.

The line on Wednesday didn't reveal the specific itinerary that Star Princess would sail in Alaska, but a spokesperson told TPG the itineraries would be seven-night sailings. The itineraries will go live and be available to book on Princess's website Aug. 1.

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Fabulous photos: The world's 25 largest cruise ships

Call them the new titans of the seas. 

The cruise industry has been rolling out a new crop of mega-ships in recent years that dwarf anything that came before. As much as 46% larger than the largest cruise vessels of just a decade ago, they offer all the trappings of the biggest resorts on land, including multiple pools, water slides and other outdoor amusements, Broadway shows, comedy clubs, and a wide choice of eateries, bars and nightspots.   

What are these new ships like? See for yourself with a scroll through our new photo tour in the carousel above, which offers a vessel-by-vessel look at the 25 biggest cruise ships at sea. 

The list includes Royal Caribbean's just-unveiled  Symphony of the Seas  — at 228,081 tons, the biggest cruise ship ever — as well as Norwegian Cruise Line's new, 168,028-ton Norwegian Bliss . The latter ranks at No. 9.

Both of the vessels just arrived in March. 

RELATED:   Is an even bigger ship than Symphony on the way?   

Indeed, the list is changing fast. As can be seen in the tour, eight of the 10 largest cruise ships now at sea have arrived in just the past five years. And more giants are on the way. In just the next few months, both MSC Cruises and German line Aida Cruises will debut new ships that make the Top 25.

For a more in-depth look at the biggest cruise ships ever built for Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises — all of which have debuted in the past year — scroll through the carousels below. 

RELATED:  Peek inside new world's biggest ship Symphony of the Seas   

RELATED:   Inside the new Norwegian Bliss, world's ninth largest cruise ship 

RELATED:   Inside the new MSC Meraviglia, world's fifth largest cruise ship  

• Cruise Advice

Holland America Line Cruise Ships by Size

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• January 4, 2023

It can be difficult to keep track of all of Holland America’s current ships, mainly because the cruise line dates all the way back to 1873.

At the time of publishing, Holland America had 11 vessels in its fleet, ranging in size from 61,000 to nearly 100,000 gross tons.

In this article, we’ve organized all of the Holland America ships by size from smallest to largest and included statistics and highlights for each ship.

Holland America Ships By Size

1. ms volendam.

Key Features: BBC Earth in Concert, Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Canaletto Italian restaurant, EXC Port to Table programming, and Explorations Café

2. ms Zaandam

Key Features: BBC Earth in Concert, Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Canaletto Italian Restaurant, EXC Port to Table programming, and Explorations Café

3. ms Zuiderdam

Key Features: Tamarind Asian restaurant, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, BBC Earth in Concert, Canaletto Italian restaurant, Lincoln Center Stage music venue, Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, Club HAL kids’ clubs, and Billboard Onboard piano lounge

4. ms Oosterdam

Key Features: High Score! family game room, Dive-in poolside grill, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Canaletto Italian Restaurant, BBC Earth in Concert, Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse, Billboard Onboard Piano Lounge, and Club HAL kids’ clubs

5. ms Westerdam

Key Features: Canaletto Italian Restaurant, B.B. King’s Blues Club, EXC Port to Table programming, BBC Earth in Concert, Tamarind Asian restaurant, Club HAL kids’ clubs, Lincoln Center Stage Music Venue, and Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse

6. ms Noordam

Key Features: Explorations Café, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, Lincoln Center Stage music venue, BBC Earth in Concert, Canaletto Italian restaurant, Club HAL kids’ clubs, and Billboard Onboard piano lounge

MORE: Viking Ocean and Expedition Ships: 11 Similarities and Differences

7. ms Eurodam

Key Features: B.B. King’s Blues Club, Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse, EXC Port to Table programming, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Nami Sushi, Club HAL kids’ clubs, Billboard Onboard piano lounge, Rudi’s Sel De Mer, and Tamarind Asian restaurant

8. ms Nieuw Amsterdam

Key Features: EXC Port to Table programming, Nami Sushi, BBC Earth in Concert, Club HAL kids’ clubs, New York Pizza, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Canaletto Italian restaurant, B.B. King’s Blues Club, Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, and Billboard Onboard piano lounge

9. ms Koningsdam

Key Features: Rolling Stone Rock Room, Rudi’s Sel De Mer, BBC Earth in Concert, New York Pizza, Nami Sushi, Club HAL Kids’ Clubs, Canaletto Italian restaurant, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Pinnacle Grill restaurant, and Lincoln Center Stage music venue

10. ms Nieuw Statendam

Key Features: Rudi’s Sel De Mer, Club HAL Kids’ Clubs, Nami Sushi, Rolling Stone Rock Room, Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, BBC Earth in Concert, Canaletto Italian restaurant, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, and B.B. King’s Blues Club

11. ms Rotterdam

Key Features: Rudi’s Sel De Mer, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Tamarind Asian Restaurant, BBC Earth in Concert, Rolling Stone Rock Room, Nami Sushi, Club HAL Kids’ Clubs, B.B. King’s Blues Club, and Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse

RELATED: 9 Hits And Misses of Holland America’s Rotterdam

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Carnival Cruise Line to get 3 new ships with near 8,000-passenger capacity

C arnival Cruise Line’s parent company inked a deal for three new ships powered by liquefied natural gas that will be the largest ever built for the fleet.

Carnival Corp. signed an agreement with Italian shipyard Fincantieri for the three LNG-powered ships that will be delivered in 2029, 2031 and 2023. The deal is contingent on financing, which the company expects to complete by next year.

Their addition would build on a fleet of 13 LNG ships already sailing among Carnival and its sister brands including the new Sun Princess from Princess Cruises that is set to sail from Port Everglades in Florida later this year. LNG is a cleaner burning fuel the cruise industry has been trying out on its ships in an effort to reduce carbon emissions.

The first LNG-powered cruise ship in North America was Carnival’s Mardi Gras, which debuted out of Port Canaveral, Florida, in 2021. It was followed in 2022 by the Disney Wish at the port, which also just welcomed its third homeported LNG-powered ship with the debut of Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas last week.

The new Carnival ships are a new class set to weigh in at nearly 230,000 gross tons. In comparison, Mardi Gras comes 180,800 gross tons, so the new vessels will be closer to the massive Oasis-class vessels from Royal Caribbean.

“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,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy in a press release. “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.”

Carnival already had two other ships on order, sister ships to Mardi Gras, Celebration and Jubilee in the Excel class that are due in 2027 and 2028.

The Carnival fleet is also in the midst of growth by five existing vessels that it had either already inherited or will inherit from sister cruise brands between 2023-2025.

“We are doubling down on the growth of Carnival Cruise Line – our highest-returning brand – to keep up with the incredibly strong demand we continue to see for the world’s most popular cruise line,” said Carnival Corp. CEO Josh Weinstein. “At this point, our newbuild pipeline is just one delivery in each of 2025, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2031 and 2033. We continue to take a disciplined approach to growth, strategically directing new capacity to the areas of highest demand at a rate of one to two new ships per year.”

The line currently sails 27 vessels and stands to add on another seven now in the next nine years, which will average about 1.5% growth in capacity per year through 2033, Weinstein said.

“This gives us the headroom to strategically provide new capacity to the brands in our portfolio like Carnival Cruise Line, which provide outsized returns while continuing to execute against our responsible capital strategy, using our strong free cash flow over the next several years to improve our balance sheet, significantly reduce our debt, and continue to transfer value from debt holders to shareholders,” he said.

The new vessels will have more than 3,000 staterooms with a maximum passenger capacity of close to 8,000, which would top passenger capacity of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.

“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,” said the shipyard’s CEO Pierroberto Folgiero. “We are proud of the role Fincantieri has played in helping Carnival Corporation secure its position as the world’s largest cruise company and look forward to continuing this success story together.”

©2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit at orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Utopia of the Seas makes big waves at Port Canaveral (and Meghan Trainor is its godmother)

Royal Caribbean International executive Jay Schneider loves to talk about his company's newest ship, Utopia of the Seas .

But he'll defer when asked to talk about his favorite thing on the ship, which is the second-largest cruise ship in the world and boasts award-winning singer Meghan Trainor of "All About That Bass" and "Made You Look" fame as its godmother.

It would be like saying who your favorite child is, said Schneider, Royal Caribbean's senior vice president and chief product innovation officer.

But there's lots to choose from on the ship, which was starting its regular twice-weekly sailings from Port Canaveral this weekend.

"Utopia of the Seas is one of the most anticipated new cruise ships in the industry,” Port Canaveral CEO John Murray said. "We’re proud to be Royal Caribbean's partner for this industry-first experience and excited to support the strong market demand for short itineraries. Our team is ready and committed to providing high-quality experiences to help all cruise guests launch their memorable journeys from our port."

Royal Caribbean is marketing the ship as "the world's biggest weekend," in reference to its size, combined with its three- and four-night sailings.

Murray said basing such a large ship at Port Canaveral — and debuting it with twice-weekly sailings ― "exemplifies the trust and commitment our valued cruise partners have in our port and this community to deliver a high-quality guest experience."

Port Canaveral is the world's second-busiest cruise port, behind PortMiami.

Just how big is Utopia of the Seas?

Utopia of the Seas is the world's second-largest cruise ship, behind Royal Caribbean's Miami-based Icon of the Seas, which debuted there in January.

Utopia has 18 decks (including 16 passenger decks); 2,834 staterooms; a double-occupancy capacity of 5,668; a crew of 2,290; and is 1,188 feet long.

Where does Utopia of the Seas sail?

The ship offers three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas, with departures on Fridays and Mondays. Most of the sailings will have port-of-call stops in Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island.

What's on CocoCay?

CocoCay includes a recently opened, adults-only area, Hideaway Beach, with a private beach, pools, venues for drinks and snacks, cabanas and a DJ.

The island also has 14 waterslides in Thrill Waterpark; the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean and the Bahamas; a swim-up bar; and overwater cabanas.

What can you find on Utopia of the Seas?

Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. said: “We set out to create a utopian playground at sea that delivers the perfect short getaway and ultimate vacation. I’m immensely proud of our dream team that turned this vision into reality. Utopia of the Seas embodies our commitment to push boundaries and deliver the best vacation experiences responsibly.”  

Utopia has 22 restaurants; 13 bars and lounges; six special areas for young children and teens, including the Splashaway Bay water play area; eight themed neighborhoods; five pools; eight hot tubs; a spa and fitness center; a solarium; two casinos with more than 370 slot machines and nearly 30 table games; two rock-climbing walls; and a mini-golf course.

The ship also features the FlowRider surf simulator; a 10-story-high zip line; three high-speed water slides at The Perfect Storm; and The Ultimate Abyss, which is the longest dry slide at sea at 259 feet, plummeting 10 decks, through zoom booster rollers and transparent racing windows.

In detailing the features of Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said: "We have created the ultimate weekend getaway for everyone. Every day on the Utopia will feel like the weekend."

What's your culinary cruising pleasure?

Sure, where you're headed, and the accommodations you'll enjoy as you cruise, play a role in choosing the ship on which you'll sail.

But other than the destinations, the main reason people choose a cruise is the food onboard the ship, according to Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's senior vice president and chief product innovation officer.

And for those traveling on Utopia of the Seas, with 22 restaurants and 13 bars and lounges, there's a feast of choices.

Here's just a sampler of the menu of dining options for Utopia guests:

Royal Railway – Utopia Station: Royal Caribbean says the new venue combines adventure, food and technology to transport travelers ― in an "immersive train dining car experience” ― to various places and time periods.

"It's eat-ertainment," rather than a more conventional dinner and a show, said Schneider. "It's just a mind-blowing experience."

The first theme, Schneider said: The Wild West.

Izumi and Izumi in the Park: The Japanese restaurant features a private omakase multicourse experience, guided by the chef, as well as teppanyaki tables and al fresco seating.

Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar: The Italian eatery spans two stories, and also debuts Gio’s Terrazza, an outdoor terrace area.

The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar: This restaurant features a Southern-themed menu and live country music.

What are Utopia's entertainment venues?

The cruise line said its original productions are performed "across air, ice, water and theater," including high-diving, slacklining and acrobatics at the AquaTheater; ice-skating feats at Studio B; and theatrical productions at the Royal Theater.

Where can you listen to live music on Utopia of the Seas?

Live music venues include Spotlight Karaoke; Latin hotspot Boleros; Music Hall, featuring rock cover bands; Bell & Barley, the English pub with a guitarist; and the classic piano bar, Schooner Bar.

How varied are the accommodations?

The ship has more than 20 types of accommodations for various-sized groups, with views of the ocean or "neighborhoods" like the open-air Central Park and the Boardwalk. Among them are suites, such as the Royal Loft Suite, the Ultimate Family Suite and two Solarium Suites.

What's Utopia of the Sea's full capacity?

Royal Caribbean isn't saying, only revealing that the capacity of the ship, based on double-occupancy of its cabins, is 5,668.

But some clues can be gathered by the full capacity listed on its previous Oasis-class ships. Those ships have double-occupancy capacity ranging from 5,479 to 5,734 — and full capacity ranging from 6,680 to 7,084.

Where was Utopia of the Seas built?

The ship underwent more than two years of construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Who is the godmother of the Utopia of the Seas?

Royal Caribbean selected Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Meghan Trainor as the ship's godmother. She participated in the naming ceremony for the ship, then performed in the open-air AquaTheater. She also performed for passengers on a special three-night preview cruise that sailed out of Port Canaveral on Monday, performing while the ship was docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

“It’s an incredible honor to join the Royal Caribbean family as godmother of Utopia of the Seas and set the tone for the parties to come,” Trainor said in a statement released by the cruise line. “The best part is that we get to bring that weekend energy to the stage with my family and fans. What’s better than being on vacation with the people you love and dancing to your favorite music? Becoming Utopia’s godmother and being here for this incredible celebration with Royal Caribbean is a dream come true.”

As godmother, Trainor joined a long-standing maritime tradition of bestowing safekeeping onto the ship, its crew and its passengers.

Why did Royal Caribbean select Trainor as ship godmother?

Royal Caribbean CEO Bayley explained it this way: "This is the short getaway that’s all about celebrations, celebrating friends, family and the memories you make together. Meghan embodies that in every way, from who she is to how she shares her music with the world, making her the perfect godmother to match Utopia’s big weekend energy. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the family and host a party of epic proportions fit for the ultimate short getaway.”

What is Royal Caribbean's presence at Port Canaveral?

The Utopia is one of three Royal Caribbean ships based at Port Canaveral, joining the Adventure of the Seas and the Wonder of the Seas. The Utopia replaced Port Canaveral-based Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas, which was redeployed to Miami.

In addition, Royal's Symphony of the Seas makes port-of-call stops at Port Canaveral.

A fourth Royal Caribbean ship, Voyager of the Seas, will be based at Port Canaveral, beginning Nov. 26.

Why are twice-a-week sailings important for the port?

The twice-a-week sailings of Utopia of the Seas ― as opposed to once-a-week sailings ― are important for Port Canaveral. That's because the port's cruise revenue is based in part on fees tied to dockings of cruise ships and to passenger counts. The more sailings per month, the more potential revenue.

The port added about 1,000 parking spaces at Cruise Terminal 1 to accommodate the increased demand for Royal Caribbean's twice-weekly sailings of the Utopia of the Seas and, before that, the Allure of the Seas.

What does Royal Caribbean think about Port Canaveral?

Schneider said Port Canaveral is in "a great location," near the Orlando attractions and closer than the South Florida ports of Miami and Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale for people driving to their cruise port from the Atlanta area.

He said Port Canaveral's Royal Caribbean ships are a draw for international travelers, particularly from Mexico, Colombia and Australia.

Will Port Canaveral get more Royal Caribbean ships in the future?

Schneider won't make a specific commitment, but said: "As our fleet grows, will we try to maximize the presence in our ports," including Port Canaveral, PortMiami, Port Everglades and Galveston, Texas. "You'll see us grow in these markets equally."

What's an unconventional environmental feature of the ship?

The Utopia will be the third ship based at Port Canaveral to be powered by liquefied natural gas, a fuel that is cleaner-burning that traditional marine fuels.

The other LNG-powered ships at Port Canaveral are the Carnival's Mardi Gras and Disney's Wish. The Disney Treasure, which will join the Port Canaveral lineup in December, also will be LNG-powered.

How are cruise shipa ranked in size?

Not by number of passengers or number of cabins. But rather by gross tonnage. Utopia weighs in at 236,473 gross tons.

In all, Royal Caribbean operates the world's seven largest cruise ships, with No. 3 through No. 7 being Wonder of the Seas (debuted in 2022), Symphony of the Seas (debuted in 2018), Harmony of the Seas (debuted in 2016), Oasis of the Seas (debuted in 2009) and Allure of the Seas (debuted in 2010). These five ships all are "Oasis-class" ships, as is Utopia of the Seas.

So, with Wonder of the Seas also based at Port Canaveral, the port now is home to two of the three largest cruise ships. And the fourth-largest, Symphony of the Seas, makes regular port-of-call stops there.

Star of the Seas will replace Wonder of the Seas in July 2025. At 250,800 gross tons, it will become the world's largest cruise ship when it goes into service. The Icon-class Star of the Seas is expected to make six- and seven-night cruises to the Western Caribbean, as well as seven- and eight-night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean.

Dave Berman is business editor at  FLORIDA TODAY.  Contact Berman at  [email protected] , on X at  @bydaveberman  and on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54

New Carnival Ships Among the World’s Largest

• July 25, 2024

According to the latest edition of the Global Cruise Ship Index by Cruise Industry News , Carnival Cruise Line’s recently announced new ships will be among the largest in the world.

Scheduled to enter service between 2029 and 2033 , the vessels will be built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy as part of a new ship class.

At 230,000 tons, the LNG-powered ships will be similar in size to Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis-class.

Currently ranked second in terms fo ship size, the Oasis series includes a total of six ships with tonnage ranging between 220,000 and 231,000 tons.

First introduced in 2009, the series of ships includes vessels built by STX Turku in Finland and by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France.

As part of a recent order , a seventh vessel of similar design is set to be delivered by the French shipbuilder in 2028.

Cruise Industry News’ 2025 Global Cruise Ship Index points out that Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is currently the world’s largest ship.

Set to be followed by two sister ships through 2026, the 250,800-ton ship is part of the company’s new Icon-class and entered service in January 2024.

With the Star of the Seas set to follow in 2025 , the series of ships is currently being built by the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

The new Carnival vessels will be larger than MSC Cruises’ World class, which boasts 205,700 tons, and the Disney Adventure, Disney Cruise Line’s new 208,000-ton vessel scheduled for delivery in 2025 .

Ordered earlier this year , Norwegian Cruise Line’s next ship series will also be smaller, with a planned 200,000 tons.

In terms of capacity, Carnival’s next ship series will also be among the largest in the world. According to the company , each vessel will have 3,000 staterooms for a full capacity of approximately 8,000 guests.

To reduce their environmental footprint, the ships will feature advanced energy efficiency, waste management, and emission reduction technologies, Carnival Corporation added.

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