Cruise ships are large passenger ships used mainly for vacationing. Unlike ocean liners, they typically embark on round-trip voyages to various ports of call, where passengers may go on tours known as "shore excursions". [1] They may carry thousands of passengers in a single trip, and are some of the largest ships in the world by gross tonnage (GT), bigger than many cargo ships. Cruise ships started to exceed ocean liners in size and capacity in the mid-1990s; [2] before then, few were more than 50,000 GT. [3] In the decades since the size of the largest vessels has more than doubled. [4] There have been nine or more new cruise ships added every year since 2001, most of which are 100,000 GT or greater. [5] In the two decades between 1988 and 2009, the largest cruise ships grew a third longer (268 m to 360 m), almost doubled their widths (32.2 m to 60.5 m), doubled the total passengers (2,744 to 5,400), and tripled in volume (73,000 GT to 225,000 GT). As of December 2023 [update], the largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, has a gross tonnage of 248,336, is 365 metres (1,198 ft) long and holds up to 7,600 passengers. [6] [7]
Cruise ships are organized much like floating hotels, with a complete hospitality staff in addition to the usual ship's crew. [8] They cater to nautical tourists, with recent vessels being described as "balcony-laden floating condominiums". [9] The "megaships" went from a single deck with verandas to all decks with verandas, [10] and feature ameneties such as theaters, fine-dining and chain restaurants, spas, fitness centers, casinos, sports facilities, and even amusement park attractions. [1] [11]
Cruise ships require electricity for powering both hotel services and for propulsion. [12] Cruise ships are designed with all the heavy machinery at the bottom of the ship and lightweight materials at the top, making them inherently stable even as ship designs are getting taller and taller, [13] and most passenger ships utilize stabilizer fins to further reduce rolling of tall ships in heavy weather. [14] While some cruise ships use traditional fixed propellers and rudders to steer, most larger ships use propellers that can swivel left and right to steer the ship, known as azimuth thrusters, which allow even the largest ship designs to have adequate maneuverability. [15]
Cruise ships are operated by cruise lines, which are companies that market cruises to the public. In the 1990s, many cruise lines were bought by much larger holding companies and continue to operate as brands or subsidiaries of the holding company. For instance, Carnival Corporation & plc owns both the mass-market Carnival Cruise Line, focused on larger party ships for younger travelers, and Holland America Line, whose smaller ships cultivate an image of classic elegance. [16] The common practice in the cruise industry in ship sales and orders is to list the smaller operating company, not the larger holding corporation, as the recipient cruise line of the ship. [17] [18]
As of February 2024 [update], there are 68 passenger ships with over 135,000 GT in service. The first ships over that size were the Voyager-class ships from Royal Caribbean Group's Royal Caribbean International (RCI). These ships, which debuted in 1998 at over 137,000 GT, were almost 30,000 GT larger than the next-largest cruise ships, and were some of the first ships designed to appeal to "non-cruisers", with features like a four-deck-high, 400-foot-long (120 m) atrium down the center of the ship, an ice rink, and a climbing wall. [1] In 2005, the five Voyager-class ships were overtaken by the 149,215 GT Queen Mary 2 (QM2), the first non-RCI passenger ship over 135,000 GT and the only passenger ship currently in service that classifies itself as an ocean liner. The QM2 was surpassed by RCI's 155,889 GT Freedom-class vessels in 2006, which were in turn overtaken by RCI's first of six planned Oasis-class vessels in 2009. [19] The Oasis-class ships, at over 225,000 GT, are at least 154 feet (47 m) wide, 240 feet (73 m) high, and accommodate over 5,400 passengers. [20] Oasis-class ships were surpassed by the first Icon-class ship, Icon of the Seas at 248,663 GT in 2023.
Since 2008, other cruise lines have been ordering 135,000+ GT ships. MSC Cruises introduced the first of four 137,936–139,072 GT Fantasia-class cruise ships in 2008, [21] followed in 2017 by both the 153,516 GT Seaside-class and the 171,598–181,541 GT Meraviglia class. [22] Norwegian Cruise Line debuted the 155,873 GT Norwegian Epic in 2010, the first ship outside of the Oasis class with a double-occupancy capacity of over 4,000, [23] Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises, debuted the first of seven 142,714 GT+ Royal-class ships in 2013, [24] and the corporation's Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, and AIDA Cruises debuted the first of seven planned 133,596–135,225 GT Vista-class ships in 2016. [25] AIDAnova, the first of Carnival Corporation's nine planned Excellence-class ships, debuted in 2018 at 183,858 GT, with future ships in the class planned for Costa, P&O, Carnival, and AIDA. [26] In 2016 and 2017, Genting Hong Kong's Dream Cruises introduced the 150,695 GT Genting Dream and World Dream, the first large ships from an Asian-owned cruise line. [27]
Rank [a] | Ship name | Cruise line [b] | Year [c] |
Gross tonnage [d] |
Length overall [d] [e] |
Beam [d] | Staterooms | Passenger capacity [f] | Image | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximum [g] | Waterline [h] | Double [i] | Maximum [j] | ||||||||
1 | Icon of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2024 [k] | 248,663 [6] | 364.75 m (1,196.7 ft) [6] |
66 m (217 ft) |
48.47 m (159.0 ft) [6] |
2,805 [7] | 5,610 [7] | 7,600 [7] | |
2 | Wonder of the Seas | 2022 [k] [28] | 235,600 [28] | 362.04 m (1,187.8 ft) [28] |
64 m (210 ft) [29] |
47.4 m (156 ft) [28] |
2,867 [29] | 5,734 [29] | 6,988 [29] | ||
3 | Symphony of the Seas | 2018 [k] [30] | 228,081 [30] | 361.011 m (1,184.42 ft) [30] |
65.7 m (215.5 ft) [31] |
47.78 m (156.8 ft) [30] |
2,759 [31] | 5,518 [31] | 6,680 [31] | ||
4 | Harmony of the Seas | 2016 [k] [32] | 226,963 [32] | 362.12 m (1,188.1 ft) [32] |
65.7 m (215.5 ft) [33] |
47.42 m (155.6 ft) [32] |
2,747 [33] | 5,494 [l] [33] | 6,687 [33] | ||
5 | Oasis of the Seas | 2009 [k] [34] | 226,838 [34] | 360 m (1,180 ft) [34] |
60.5 m (198 ft) [34] |
47 m (154 ft) [34] |
2,742 [35] | 5,484 [35] | 6,771 [35] | ||
6 | Allure of the Seas | 2010 [36] | 225,282 [36] | 360 m (1,180 ft) [36] |
60.5 m (198 ft) [36] |
47 m (154 ft) [36] |
2,742 [37] | 5,484 [37] | 6,780 [37] | ||
7 | MSC World Europa | MSC Cruises | 2022 | 215,863 [38] | 333.3 m (1,094 ft) [38] |
47 m (154 ft) [38] |
2,626 [38] | 5,231 [38] | 6,762 [38] | ||
8 | Costa Toscana | Costa Cruises | 2021 [39] | 186,364 [39] | 337 m (1,106 ft) [40] |
42 m (138 ft) [39] |
2,612 [40] | 5,224 [40] | 6,554 [40] | ||
9 | Arvia | P&O Cruises | 2022 [41] | 185,581 [41] | 344.5 m (1,130 ft) [41] |
42 m (138 ft) [41] |
2,614 [42] | 5,200 [42] | 6,685 [43] | ||
10 | Costa Smeralda | Costa Cruises | 2019 [44] | 185,010 [44] | 337 m (1,106 ft) [45] |
42 m (138 ft) [44] |
2,612 [45] | 5,224 [45] | 6,554 [44] | ||
11 | Iona | P&O Cruises | 2020 [46] | 184,089 [46] | 344.5 m (1,130 ft) [47] |
42 m (138 ft) [46] |
2,614 [47] | 5,206 [47] | 6,600 [48] | ||
12 | MSC Euribia | MSC Cruises | 2023 [49] | 184,011 [49] | 331.43 m (1,087.4 ft) [49] |
43 m (141 ft) [49] |
50 m (160 ft) [50] |
2,408 [51] | 4,816 [52] | 6,335 [53] | |
13 | AIDAnova | AIDA Cruises | 2018 [54] | 183,858 [55] | 337 m (1,106 ft) [55] |
42 m (138 ft) [55] |
2,626 [56] | 5,252 [56] | 6,654 [55] | ||
14 | Carnival Celebration | Carnival Cruise Line | 2022 [57] | 183,521 [57] | 340 m (1,130 ft) [58] |
42 m (137 ft) [58] |
42 m (138 ft) [57] |
2,687 [58] | 5,374 [58] | 6,631 [58] | |
15 | AIDAcosma | AIDA Cruises | 2021 [59] [60] | 183,774 [61] | 337 m (1,106 ft) [59] |
42 m (138 ft) [59] |
2,626 [59] | 5,228 [59] | 6,880 [61] | ||
16 | Carnival Jubilee | Carnival Cruise Line | 2023 [62] | 182,015 [62] | 345 m (1,132 ft) [63] |
42 m (138 ft) [62] |
2,626 [63] | 5,228 [63] | 6,631 [62] | ||
17 | Mardi Gras | Carnival Cruise Line | 2020 [64] | 181,808 [64] | 340 m (1,130 ft) [65] |
42 m (137 ft) [65] |
42 m (138 ft) [64] |
2,641 [65] | 5,282 [65] | 6,631 [64] | |
18 | MSC Grandiosa | MSC Cruises | 2019 [66] | 181,541 [66] | 331.43 m (1,087.4 ft) [67] |
43 m (141 ft) [67] |
2,632 [67] | 5,264 [67] | 6,761 [67] | ||
MSC Virtuosa | 2020 [68] | 181,541 [69] | 331.43 m (1,087.4 ft) [69] |
50 m (160 ft) [69] |
43 m (141 ft) [69] |
2,421 [68] | 4,842 [68] | 6,334 [68] | |||
20 | Sun Princess | Princess Cruises | 2024 [70] | 177,882 [70] | 345 m (1,132 ft) [70] |
49.9 m (164 ft) [70] |
42.2 m (138 ft) [70] |
2,162 [71] | 4,320 [71] | 5,189 [71] | |
21 | MSC Meraviglia | MSC Cruises | 2017 [72] | 171,598 [73] | 315.83 m (1,036.2 ft) [73] |
43 m (141 ft) [73] |
2,244 [72] | 4,488 [72] | 5,655 [72] | ||
MSC Bellissima | 2019 [74] | 171,598 [75] | 315.83 m (1,036.2 ft) [75] |
43 m (141 ft) [75] |
2,217 [74] | 4,434 [74] | 5,686 [74] | ||||
23 | MSC Seashore | MSC Cruises | 2021 [76] | 170,412 [76] | 339 m (1,112 ft) [77] |
41 m (135 ft) [76] |
2,270 [77] | 4,540 [77] | 5,632 [76] | ||
MSC Seascape | 2022 [78] | 170,412 [78] | 339 m (1,112 ft) [79] |
41 m (135 ft) [78] |
2,270 [79] | 4,540 [79] | 5,877 [78] | ||||
25 | Spectrum of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2019 [80] | 169,379 [81] | 347.11 m (1,138.8 ft) [81] |
49.24 m (161.5 ft) [81] |
41.39 m (135.8 ft) [81] |
2,137 [80] | 4,246 [l] [80] | 5,622 [80] | |
26 | Norwegian Encore | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2019 [82] | 169,116 [82] | 333.44 m (1,094.0 ft) [82] |
48.13 m (157.9 ft) [82] |
41.39 m (135.8 ft) [82] |
2,040 [83] | 3,998 [l] [83] | Unknown | |
27 | Quantum of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2014 [84] | 168,666 [84] | 347.08 m (1,138.7 ft) [84] |
49.47 m (162.3 ft) [84] |
41.4 m (136 ft) [84] |
2,090 [85] | 4,180 [85] | 4,905 [85] | |
Anthem of the Seas | 2015 [86] | 168,666 [86] | 347.06 m (1,138.6 ft) [86] |
49.4 m (162 ft) [86] |
41.4 m (136 ft) [86] |
2,090 [87] | 4,180 [87] | 4,905 [87] | |||
Ovation of the Seas | 2016 [88] | 168,666 [88] | 348 m (1,142 ft) [88] |
48.9 m (160 ft) [88] |
41.2 m (135 ft) [88] |
2,091 [89] | 4,180 [l] [89] | 4,905 [89] | |||
30 | Norwegian Bliss | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2018 [90] | 168,028 [90] | 333.32 m (1,093.6 ft) [90] |
48.1 m (158 ft) [90] |
41.4 m (136 ft) [90] |
2,043 [91] | 4,004 [91] | 4,200 [92] | |
31 | Norwegian Joy | 2017 [93] | 167,725 [93] | 333.46 m (1,094.0 ft) [93] |
41.4 m (136 ft) [93] |
1,925 [94] | 3,804 [l] [95] | 3,883 [94] | |||
32 | Odyssey of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2021 | 167,704 [96] | 347.08 m (1,138.7 ft) [96] |
49.39 m (162.0 ft) [96] |
41.39 m (135.8 ft) [96] |
2,105 [97] | 4,198 [97] | 5,510 [97] | |
33 | Norwegian Escape | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2015 [98] | 165,157 [98] | 325.9 m (1,069 ft) [98] |
46.5 m (153 ft) [98] |
41.4 m (136 ft) [98] |
2,124 [98] | 4,248 [98] | Unknown | |
34 | Freedom of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2006 [k] [99] | 156,271 [99] | 338.774 m (1,111.46 ft) [99] |
56 m (184 ft) [100] |
39.034 m (128.06 ft) [99] |
1,817 [100] | 3,634 [100] | 4,375 [100] | |
35 | Liberty of the Seas | 2007 [k] [101] | 155,889 [101] | 339 m (1,112 ft) [102] |
56 m (184 ft) [102] |
39.0 m (128.1 ft) [101] |
1,817 [102] | 3,634 [102] | 4,375 [102] | ||
Independence of the Seas | 2008 [103] | 155,889 [103] | 338.72 m (1,111.3 ft) [103] |
56 m (184 ft) [104] |
38.6 m (127 ft) [103] |
1,929 [104] | 3,858 [104] | 4,560 [104] | |||
37 | Norwegian Epic | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2010 [105] | 155,873 [105] | 329.5 m (1,081 ft) [106] |
40.6 m (133 ft) [106] |
2,114 [106] | 4,100 [l] [106] | 5,183 [107] [108] | ||
38 | MSC Seaview | MSC Cruises | 2018 [109] | 153,516 [109] | 323 m (1,060 ft) [110] |
41 m (135 ft) [109] |
2,066 [110] | 4,132 [110] | 5,336 [110] | ||
MSC Seaside | 2017 [111] | 153,516 [111] | 323 m (1,060 ft) [112] |
41 m (135 ft) [112] |
2,066 [112] | 4,132 [112] | 5,336 [112] | ||||
40 | Genting Dream | Resorts World Cruises | 2016 [113] | 150,695 [113] | 335.33 m (1,100.2 ft) [113] |
44.1 m (145 ft) [113] |
39.7 m (130 ft) [113] |
1,674 [114] | 3,348 [114] | 4,500 [114] | |
Manara | Aroya Cruises | 2017 [115] | 150,695 [115] | 335.2 m (1,100 ft) [115] |
44.35 m (145.5 ft) [115] |
39.75 m (130.4 ft) [115] |
1,686 [116] | Unknown | 3,376 [116] | ||
42 | Queen Mary 2 | Cunard Line | 2004 [k] [117] | 149,215 [117] | 345.03 m (1,132.0 ft) [117] |
45 m (147 ft) [118] |
41 m (135 ft) [117] |
1,353 [119] | 2,691 [l] [119] | 3,090 [118] | |
43 | Norwegian Breakaway | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2013 [120] | 145,655 [120] | 325.64 m (1,068.4 ft) [120] |
51.7 m (169.7 ft) [121] |
39.71 m (130.3 ft) [120] |
2,015 [122] | 3,963 [l] [121] | Unknown | |
Norwegian Getaway | 2014 [123] | 145,655 [123] | 325.65 m (1,068.4 ft) [123] |
44.39 m (145.6 ft) [123] |
39.73 m (130.3 ft) [123] |
2,015 [124] | 3,963 [l] [125] | Unknown | |||
45 | Discovery Princess | Princess Cruises | 2022 [126] | 145,281 [126] | 330 m (1,080 ft) [126] |
38.42 m (126.0 ft) [126] |
1,830 [127] | 3,660 [127] | Unknown | ||
Sky Princess | 2019 [128] | 145,281 [128] | 330 m (1,080 ft) [128] |
38.4 m (126 ft) [128] |
1,830 [129] | 3,660 [129] | 4,610 [129] | ||||
Enchanted Princess | 2020 [130] | 145,281 [130] | 329.92 m (1,082.4 ft) [130] |
38.42 m (126.0 ft) [130] |
1,830 [127] | 3,660 [127] | Unknown | ||||
48 | Disney Wish | Disney Cruise Line | 2022 [131] | 144,256 [131] | 340.89 m (1,118.4 ft) [131] |
37 m (121 ft) [131] |
40.3 m (132 ft) [131] |
1,250 [132] | 2,500 [132] | Unknown | |
49 | Majestic Princess | Princess Cruises | 2017 [133] | 144,216 [133] | 330 m (1,080 ft) [133] |
38.4 m (126 ft) [133] |
1,780 [134] | 3,560 [134] | 5,600 [134] | ||
50 | Britannia | P&O Cruises | 2015 [135] | 143,730 [135] | 330 m (1,080 ft) [135] |
Unknown | 38.38 m (125.9 ft) [135] |
1,837 [136] | 3,647 [l] [136] | Unknown | |
51 | Norwegian Prima | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2022 | 143,535 [137] | 299 m (981 ft) [137] |
51 m (167 ft) [137] |
40.5 m (133 ft) [137] |
Unknown | 3,099 [138] | Unknown | |
Norwegian Viva | 2023 | 143,535 [139] | 282.1 m (926 ft) [139] |
43.84 m (143.8 ft) [139] |
3,099 [138] | ||||||
53 | Royal Princess | Princess Cruises | 2013 [140] | 142,714 [140] | 330 m (1,080 ft) [140] |
47 m (155 ft) [141] |
38.4 m (126 ft) [140] |
1,780 [141] | 3,560 [141] | 4,340 [141] | |
Regal Princess | 2014 [142] | 142,714 [142] | 330 m (1,080 ft) [142] |
Unknown | 38.27 m (125.6 ft) [142] |
1,780 [143] | 3,560 [143] | 4,340 [143] | |||
55 | Celebrity Beyond | Celebrity Cruises | 2022 [144] | 141,420 [144] | 326.5 m (1,071 ft) [144] |
Unknown | 39.5 m (130 ft) [144] |
1,646 [145] | 3,292 [145] | ||
Celebrity Ascent | 2023 [146] | 141,420 [146] | 326.5 m (1,071 ft) [146] |
39.5 m (130 ft) [146] |
1,646 [147] | 3,260 [l] [147] | 3,731 | ||||
57 | Navigator of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2002 [k] [148] | 139,999 [148] | 311 m (1,020 ft) [148] |
48.0 m (157.5 ft) [149] |
38.6 m (127 ft) [148] |
1,693 [149] | 3,386 [149] | 4,000 [149] | |
58 | Mariner of the Seas | 2003 [150] | 139,863 [150] | 311.12 m (1,020.7 ft) [150] |
39.032 m (128.06 ft) [150] |
38.6 m (127 ft) [150] |
1,674 [151] | 3,344 [l] [151] | 4,000 [151] | ||
59 | MSC Divina | MSC Cruises | 2012 [152] | 139,072 [152] | 333.33 m (1,093.6 ft) [152] |
37.92 m (124.4 ft) [152] |
1,751 [153] | 3,502 [153] | 4,345 [153] | ||
MSC Preziosa | 2013 [154] | 139,072 [154] | 333.33 m (1,093.6 ft) [154] |
37.92 m (124.4 ft) [154] |
1,751 [155] | 3,502 [155] | 4,345 [155] | ||||
61 | Explorer of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2000 [k] [156] | 138,194 [156] | 311 m (1,020 ft) [156] |
49.1 m (161 ft) [156] |
38.6 m (127 ft) [156] |
1,557 [157] | 3,114 [157] | 3,840 [157] | |
Voyager of the Seas | 1999 [k] [158] | 138,194 [158] | 311.12 m (1,020.7 ft) [158] |
47.4 m (156 ft) [158] |
38.6 m (127 ft) [158] |
1,557 [159] | 3,114 [159] | 3,840 [159] | |||
63 | Adventure of the Seas | 2001 [160] | 138,193 [160] | 311 m (1,020 ft) [160] |
49.1 m (161 ft) [160] |
38.6 m (127 ft) [160] |
1,557 [161] | 3,114 [161] | 3,807 [161] | ||
64 | MSC Fantasia | MSC Cruises | 2008 [162] | 137,936 [162] | 333.33 m (1,093.6 ft) [162] |
37.92 m (124.4 ft) [162] |
1,637 [163] | 3,274 [163] | 4,363 [163] | ||
MSC Splendida | 2009 [164] | 137,936 [164] | 333.33 m (1,093.6 ft) [164] |
37.92 m (124.4 ft) [164] |
1,637 [165] | 3,274 [165] | 3,952 [165] | ||||
66 | Adora Magic City | Adora Cruises | 2023 [166] | 136,201 [166] | 323.6 m (1,062 ft) [166] |
37.2 m (122 ft) [166] |
2,125 [16] | 4,250 [16] | 5,246 [16] | ||
67 | Carnival Venezia | Carnival Cruise Line | 2019 [167] | 135,225 [167] | 323 m (1,060 ft) [167] |
Unknown | 37.2 m (122 ft) [167] |
2,116 [168] | 4,232 [168] | 5,260 [168] | |
68 | Carnival Firenze | 2020 [169] | 135,156 [169] | 323 m (1,060 ft) [170] |
37.2 m (122 ft) [169] |
Unknown | >5,200 [170] |
Company | Ships |
---|---|
Royal Caribbean International | 19 |
MSC Cruises | 14 |
Norwegian Cruise Line | 9 |
Princess Cruises | 7 |
Carnival Cruise Line | 4 |
Costa Cruises | 3 |
P&O Cruises | 3 |
AIDA Cruises | 2 |
Celebrity Cruises | 2 |
Resorts World Cruises | 1 |
Cunard | 1 |
Disney Cruise Line | 1 |
Adora Cruises | 1 |
Aroya Cruises | 1 |
As of April 2024 [update], 25 passenger ships were on order or under construction with a publicly announced size of over 135,000 GT. RCI has two Icon-class cruise ships on order, with expected delivery in 2025 and 2026. [171] RCI also has two Oasis-class ship on order for 2024 and 2028. First of them, Utopia of the Seas is on order for 2024, and while its exact size is not published, RCI has previously stated that each new Oasis-class ship will be a little larger than the last. [172] Celebrity Cruises, which is owned by RCI's parent company Royal Caribbean Group, will introduce a 140,600 GT Edge-class ships in 2025, [173] and TUI Cruises, a joint venture between Royal Caribbean Group and TUI Group, are introducing a new class of 161,000 GT cruise ships in 2024 and 2026. [174]
Asia-based Dream Cruises, which went bankrupt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had been planning to take delivery of two 208,000 GT Global-class ships in 2021 and 2022, which would have been the first ships over 200,000 GT not built for RCI, with the largest maximum passenger capacity, 9,500, of any ship. [175] [52] One unfinished ship, formerly the Global Dream, was sold to Disney Cruise Line and is expected to debut in 2025, [108] while the other was sent for scrapping. [53]
MSC Cruises has three additional World-class ships planned for 2024, 2025, and 2027, and at 215,800 GT and a capacity of 6,762 passengers; they will have the highest passengers capacities and will be the largest ships operated by a cruise line other than Royal Caribbean. [176] [177] [38]
Carnival Corporation has two more 183,200–183,900 GT Excellence-class cruise ships planned to debut in 2027 and 2028. [178]
Each year from 2023 to 2027, the Norwegian Cruise Line will debut additional ships from the Prima class. The Prima-class ships are expected to be 142,500 GT and carry 3,215 to 3,550 passengers. [179] Additonally, Norwegian Cruise Line is expected to take delivery of four approximately 200,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of nearly 5,000 guests, in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036, which are subject to financing. [180]
Disney Cruise Line will launch two more 144,000 GT Triton-class ships in 2024, and 2025. These ships will have 1,250 staterooms, like the line's previous two ships, but will be 14,000 GT larger than those ships and powered by liquified natural gas fuel. [132]
Rank [a] | Ship, class, or project name [b] | Cruise line [c] | Year (planned) [d] |
Gross tonnage [b] |
Length overall [b] |
Beam [b] | Staterooms [b] | Passenger capacity [b] [e] | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximum [f] | Waterline [g] | Double [h] | Maximum [i] | |||||||
1 | Star of the Seas [181] | Royal Caribbean International | 2025 | 250,800 [7] | 365 m (1,198 ft) [7] |
66 m (217 ft) [19] |
2,805 [7] | 5,610 [7] | 7,600 [7] | |
Icon class | 2026 | 250,800 [7] | ||||||||
3 | Utopia of the Seas | 2024 | 236,860 [182] | 362 m (1,188 ft) [182] |
64 m (210 ft) [183] |
2,834 [183] | 5,668 [183] | <7,000 [182] | ||
Oasis class | 2028 | 236,000 approx. | TBA | TBA | ||||||
5 | MSC World America | MSC Cruises | 2025 [177] [184] | 215,863 [51] | 333.3 m (1,094 ft) [51] |
47 m (154 ft) [51] |
2,632 [51] | 5,264 [51] | 6,774 [51] | |
MSC World Asia | 2025 [177] | 215,863 [51] | 333.3 m (1,094 ft) [51] |
47 m (154 ft) [51] |
2,632 [51] | 5,264 [51] | 6,774 [51] | |||
World class | 2027 [177] | 215,863 [51] | 333.3 m (1,094 ft) [51] |
47 m (154 ft) [51] |
2,632 [51] | 5,264 [51] | 6,774 [51] | |||
8 | Disney Adventure | Disney Cruise Line | 2025 [108] | 208,000 [108] | 342 m (1,122 ft) [52] |
46.4 m (152 ft) [52] |
2,500 [52] | 6,000 [108] | ||
9 | TBC | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2030 | approx. 200,000 [180] | approx. 5,000 [180] | |||||
2032 | ||||||||||
2034 | ||||||||||
2036 | ||||||||||
13 | Excel class | Carnival Cruise Line | 2027 | 183,300 | 344 m (1,129 ft) |
|||||
Excel class | 2028 | |||||||||
15 | Star Princess | Princess Cruises | 2025 [71] | 175,000 [71] | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | 4,300 [71] | Unknown |
16 | Prima class | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2027 | 172,000 | ||||||
Prima class | 2028 | 172,000 | ||||||||
18 | Mein Schiff Relax | TUI Cruises | 2024 [174] | 161,000 [174] | 326 m (1,070 ft) [174] |
42 m (138 ft) [174] |
2,050 [174] | 4,100 [174] | ||
InTUItion class | 2026 [174] | 161,000 [174] | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | ||
20 | Norwegian Aqua | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2025 | 158,000 | ||||||
Prima class | 2026 | 158,000 | ||||||||
22 | Disney Treasure [185] | Disney Cruise Line | 2024 [132] | 144,000 [132] | 341.13 m (1,119.19 ft) [132] |
39.00 m (127.95 ft) [132] |
1,250 [132] | 2,500 [132] | Unknown | |
Disney Destiny [186] | 2025 [132] | 144,000 [132] | 341.13 m (1,119.19 ft) [132] |
39.00 m (127.95 ft) [132] |
1,250 [132] | 2,500 [132] | Unknown | |||
24 | Vista class [187] [188] | Adora Cruises | 2024 [188] | 142,000 [187] | ||||||
25 | Celebrity Xcel [189] | Celebrity Cruises | 2025 [173] | 141,420 [173] | 327 m (1,073 ft) [173] |
Unknown | Unknown | 1,650 [173] | 3,300 [173] | Unknown |
(120,000+ GT)
Rank | Ship | Cruise Line | Year in service | Year out of service | Gross Tonnage | Length | Beam | Staterooms | Passenger capacity | Fate | Image | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Global-class | Dream Cruises | - | - | 208,000 [108] | 342 m (1,122 ft) [52] |
46.4 m (152 ft) [52] |
2,500 [52] | Scrapped during construction |
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Cruise ships are large passenger ships used mainly for vacationing. Unlike ocean liners, they typically embark on round-trip voyages to various ports of call, where passengers may go on tours known as "shore excursions". [1] They may carry thousands of passengers in a single trip, and are some of the largest ships in the world by gross tonnage (GT), bigger than many cargo ships. Cruise ships started to exceed ocean liners in size and capacity in the mid-1990s; [2] before then, few were more than 50,000 GT. [3] In the decades since the size of the largest vessels has more than doubled. [4] There have been nine or more new cruise ships added every year since 2001, most of which are 100,000 GT or greater. [5] In the two decades between 1988 and 2009, the largest cruise ships grew a third longer (268 m to 360 m), almost doubled their widths (32.2 m to 60.5 m), doubled the total passengers (2,744 to 5,400), and tripled in volume (73,000 GT to 225,000 GT). As of December 2023 [update], the largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, has a gross tonnage of 248,336, is 365 metres (1,198 ft) long and holds up to 7,600 passengers. [6] [7]
Cruise ships are organized much like floating hotels, with a complete hospitality staff in addition to the usual ship's crew. [8] They cater to nautical tourists, with recent vessels being described as "balcony-laden floating condominiums". [9] The "megaships" went from a single deck with verandas to all decks with verandas, [10] and feature ameneties such as theaters, fine-dining and chain restaurants, spas, fitness centers, casinos, sports facilities, and even amusement park attractions. [1] [11]
Cruise ships require electricity for powering both hotel services and for propulsion. [12] Cruise ships are designed with all the heavy machinery at the bottom of the ship and lightweight materials at the top, making them inherently stable even as ship designs are getting taller and taller, [13] and most passenger ships utilize stabilizer fins to further reduce rolling of tall ships in heavy weather. [14] While some cruise ships use traditional fixed propellers and rudders to steer, most larger ships use propellers that can swivel left and right to steer the ship, known as azimuth thrusters, which allow even the largest ship designs to have adequate maneuverability. [15]
Cruise ships are operated by cruise lines, which are companies that market cruises to the public. In the 1990s, many cruise lines were bought by much larger holding companies and continue to operate as brands or subsidiaries of the holding company. For instance, Carnival Corporation & plc owns both the mass-market Carnival Cruise Line, focused on larger party ships for younger travelers, and Holland America Line, whose smaller ships cultivate an image of classic elegance. [16] The common practice in the cruise industry in ship sales and orders is to list the smaller operating company, not the larger holding corporation, as the recipient cruise line of the ship. [17] [18]
As of February 2024 [update], there are 68 passenger ships with over 135,000 GT in service. The first ships over that size were the Voyager-class ships from Royal Caribbean Group's Royal Caribbean International (RCI). These ships, which debuted in 1998 at over 137,000 GT, were almost 30,000 GT larger than the next-largest cruise ships, and were some of the first ships designed to appeal to "non-cruisers", with features like a four-deck-high, 400-foot-long (120 m) atrium down the center of the ship, an ice rink, and a climbing wall. [1] In 2005, the five Voyager-class ships were overtaken by the 149,215 GT Queen Mary 2 (QM2), the first non-RCI passenger ship over 135,000 GT and the only passenger ship currently in service that classifies itself as an ocean liner. The QM2 was surpassed by RCI's 155,889 GT Freedom-class vessels in 2006, which were in turn overtaken by RCI's first of six planned Oasis-class vessels in 2009. [19] The Oasis-class ships, at over 225,000 GT, are at least 154 feet (47 m) wide, 240 feet (73 m) high, and accommodate over 5,400 passengers. [20] Oasis-class ships were surpassed by the first Icon-class ship, Icon of the Seas at 248,663 GT in 2023.
Since 2008, other cruise lines have been ordering 135,000+ GT ships. MSC Cruises introduced the first of four 137,936–139,072 GT Fantasia-class cruise ships in 2008, [21] followed in 2017 by both the 153,516 GT Seaside-class and the 171,598–181,541 GT Meraviglia class. [22] Norwegian Cruise Line debuted the 155,873 GT Norwegian Epic in 2010, the first ship outside of the Oasis class with a double-occupancy capacity of over 4,000, [23] Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises, debuted the first of seven 142,714 GT+ Royal-class ships in 2013, [24] and the corporation's Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, and AIDA Cruises debuted the first of seven planned 133,596–135,225 GT Vista-class ships in 2016. [25] AIDAnova, the first of Carnival Corporation's nine planned Excellence-class ships, debuted in 2018 at 183,858 GT, with future ships in the class planned for Costa, P&O, Carnival, and AIDA. [26] In 2016 and 2017, Genting Hong Kong's Dream Cruises introduced the 150,695 GT Genting Dream and World Dream, the first large ships from an Asian-owned cruise line. [27]
Rank [a] | Ship name | Cruise line [b] | Year [c] |
Gross tonnage [d] |
Length overall [d] [e] |
Beam [d] | Staterooms | Passenger capacity [f] | Image | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximum [g] | Waterline [h] | Double [i] | Maximum [j] | ||||||||
1 | Icon of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2024 [k] | 248,663 [6] | 364.75 m (1,196.7 ft) [6] |
66 m (217 ft) |
48.47 m (159.0 ft) [6] |
2,805 [7] | 5,610 [7] | 7,600 [7] | |
2 | Wonder of the Seas | 2022 [k] [28] | 235,600 [28] | 362.04 m (1,187.8 ft) [28] |
64 m (210 ft) [29] |
47.4 m (156 ft) [28] |
2,867 [29] | 5,734 [29] | 6,988 [29] | ||
3 | Symphony of the Seas | 2018 [k] [30] | 228,081 [30] | 361.011 m (1,184.42 ft) [30] |
65.7 m (215.5 ft) [31] |
47.78 m (156.8 ft) [30] |
2,759 [31] | 5,518 [31] | 6,680 [31] | ||
4 | Harmony of the Seas | 2016 [k] [32] | 226,963 [32] | 362.12 m (1,188.1 ft) [32] |
65.7 m (215.5 ft) [33] |
47.42 m (155.6 ft) [32] |
2,747 [33] | 5,494 [l] [33] | 6,687 [33] | ||
5 | Oasis of the Seas | 2009 [k] [34] | 226,838 [34] | 360 m (1,180 ft) [34] |
60.5 m (198 ft) [34] |
47 m (154 ft) [34] |
2,742 [35] | 5,484 [35] | 6,771 [35] | ||
6 | Allure of the Seas | 2010 [36] | 225,282 [36] | 360 m (1,180 ft) [36] |
60.5 m (198 ft) [36] |
47 m (154 ft) [36] |
2,742 [37] | 5,484 [37] | 6,780 [37] | ||
7 | MSC World Europa | MSC Cruises | 2022 | 215,863 [38] | 333.3 m (1,094 ft) [38] |
47 m (154 ft) [38] |
2,626 [38] | 5,231 [38] | 6,762 [38] | ||
8 | Costa Toscana | Costa Cruises | 2021 [39] | 186,364 [39] | 337 m (1,106 ft) [40] |
42 m (138 ft) [39] |
2,612 [40] | 5,224 [40] | 6,554 [40] | ||
9 | Arvia | P&O Cruises | 2022 [41] | 185,581 [41] | 344.5 m (1,130 ft) [41] |
42 m (138 ft) [41] |
2,614 [42] | 5,200 [42] | 6,685 [43] | ||
10 | Costa Smeralda | Costa Cruises | 2019 [44] | 185,010 [44] | 337 m (1,106 ft) [45] |
42 m (138 ft) [44] |
2,612 [45] | 5,224 [45] | 6,554 [44] | ||
11 | Iona | P&O Cruises | 2020 [46] | 184,089 [46] | 344.5 m (1,130 ft) [47] |
42 m (138 ft) [46] |
2,614 [47] | 5,206 [47] | 6,600 [48] | ||
12 | MSC Euribia | MSC Cruises | 2023 [49] | 184,011 [49] | 331.43 m (1,087.4 ft) [49] |
43 m (141 ft) [49] |
50 m (160 ft) [50] |
2,408 [51] | 4,816 [52] | 6,335 [53] | |
13 | AIDAnova | AIDA Cruises | 2018 [54] | 183,858 [55] | 337 m (1,106 ft) [55] |
42 m (138 ft) [55] |
2,626 [56] | 5,252 [56] | 6,654 [55] | ||
14 | Carnival Celebration | Carnival Cruise Line | 2022 [57] | 183,521 [57] | 340 m (1,130 ft) [58] |
42 m (137 ft) [58] |
42 m (138 ft) [57] |
2,687 [58] | 5,374 [58] | 6,631 [58] | |
15 | AIDAcosma | AIDA Cruises | 2021 [59] [60] | 183,774 [61] | 337 m (1,106 ft) [59] |
42 m (138 ft) [59] |
2,626 [59] | 5,228 [59] | 6,880 [61] | ||
16 | Carnival Jubilee | Carnival Cruise Line | 2023 [62] | 182,015 [62] | 345 m (1,132 ft) [63] |
42 m (138 ft) [62] |
2,626 [63] | 5,228 [63] | 6,631 [62] | ||
17 | Mardi Gras | Carnival Cruise Line | 2020 [64] | 181,808 [64] | 340 m (1,130 ft) [65] |
42 m (137 ft) [65] |
42 m (138 ft) [64] |
2,641 [65] | 5,282 [65] | 6,631 [64] | |
18 | MSC Grandiosa | MSC Cruises | 2019 [66] | 181,541 [66] | 331.43 m (1,087.4 ft) [67] |
43 m (141 ft) [67] |
2,632 [67] | 5,264 [67] | 6,761 [67] | ||
MSC Virtuosa | 2020 [68] | 181,541 [69] | 331.43 m (1,087.4 ft) [69] |
50 m (160 ft) [69] |
43 m (141 ft) [69] |
2,421 [68] | 4,842 [68] | 6,334 [68] | |||
20 | Sun Princess | Princess Cruises | 2024 [70] | 177,882 [70] | 345 m (1,132 ft) [70] |
49.9 m (164 ft) [70] |
42.2 m (138 ft) [70] |
2,162 [71] | 4,320 [71] | 5,189 [71] | |
21 | MSC Meraviglia | MSC Cruises | 2017 [72] | 171,598 [73] | 315.83 m (1,036.2 ft) [73] |
43 m (141 ft) [73] |
2,244 [72] | 4,488 [72] | 5,655 [72] | ||
MSC Bellissima | 2019 [74] | 171,598 [75] | 315.83 m (1,036.2 ft) [75] |
43 m (141 ft) [75] |
2,217 [74] | 4,434 [74] | 5,686 [74] | ||||
23 | MSC Seashore | MSC Cruises | 2021 [76] | 170,412 [76] | 339 m (1,112 ft) [77] |
41 m (135 ft) [76] |
2,270 [77] | 4,540 [77] | 5,632 [76] | ||
MSC Seascape | 2022 [78] | 170,412 [78] | 339 m (1,112 ft) [79] |
41 m (135 ft) [78] |
2,270 [79] | 4,540 [79] | 5,877 [78] | ||||
25 | Spectrum of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2019 [80] | 169,379 [81] | 347.11 m (1,138.8 ft) [81] |
49.24 m (161.5 ft) [81] |
41.39 m (135.8 ft) [81] |
2,137 [80] | 4,246 [l] [80] | 5,622 [80] | |
26 | Norwegian Encore | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2019 [82] | 169,116 [82] | 333.44 m (1,094.0 ft) [82] |
48.13 m (157.9 ft) [82] |
41.39 m (135.8 ft) [82] |
2,040 [83] | 3,998 [l] [83] | Unknown | |
27 | Quantum of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2014 [84] | 168,666 [84] | 347.08 m (1,138.7 ft) [84] |
49.47 m (162.3 ft) [84] |
41.4 m (136 ft) [84] |
2,090 [85] | 4,180 [85] | 4,905 [85] | |
Anthem of the Seas | 2015 [86] | 168,666 [86] | 347.06 m (1,138.6 ft) [86] |
49.4 m (162 ft) [86] |
41.4 m (136 ft) [86] |
2,090 [87] | 4,180 [87] | 4,905 [87] | |||
Ovation of the Seas | 2016 [88] | 168,666 [88] | 348 m (1,142 ft) [88] |
48.9 m (160 ft) [88] |
41.2 m (135 ft) [88] |
2,091 [89] | 4,180 [l] [89] | 4,905 [89] | |||
30 | Norwegian Bliss | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2018 [90] | 168,028 [90] | 333.32 m (1,093.6 ft) [90] |
48.1 m (158 ft) [90] |
41.4 m (136 ft) [90] |
2,043 [91] | 4,004 [91] | 4,200 [92] | |
31 | Norwegian Joy | 2017 [93] | 167,725 [93] | 333.46 m (1,094.0 ft) [93] |
41.4 m (136 ft) [93] |
1,925 [94] | 3,804 [l] [95] | 3,883 [94] | |||
32 | Odyssey of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2021 | 167,704 [96] | 347.08 m (1,138.7 ft) [96] |
49.39 m (162.0 ft) [96] |
41.39 m (135.8 ft) [96] |
2,105 [97] | 4,198 [97] | 5,510 [97] | |
33 | Norwegian Escape | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2015 [98] | 165,157 [98] | 325.9 m (1,069 ft) [98] |
46.5 m (153 ft) [98] |
41.4 m (136 ft) [98] |
2,124 [98] | 4,248 [98] | Unknown | |
34 | Freedom of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2006 [k] [99] | 156,271 [99] | 338.774 m (1,111.46 ft) [99] |
56 m (184 ft) [100] |
39.034 m (128.06 ft) [99] |
1,817 [100] | 3,634 [100] | 4,375 [100] | |
35 | Liberty of the Seas | 2007 [k] [101] | 155,889 [101] | 339 m (1,112 ft) [102] |
56 m (184 ft) [102] |
39.0 m (128.1 ft) [101] |
1,817 [102] | 3,634 [102] | 4,375 [102] | ||
Independence of the Seas | 2008 [103] | 155,889 [103] | 338.72 m (1,111.3 ft) [103] |
56 m (184 ft) [104] |
38.6 m (127 ft) [103] |
1,929 [104] | 3,858 [104] | 4,560 [104] | |||
37 | Norwegian Epic | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2010 [105] | 155,873 [105] | 329.5 m (1,081 ft) [106] |
40.6 m (133 ft) [106] |
2,114 [106] | 4,100 [l] [106] | 5,183 [107] [108] | ||
38 | MSC Seaview | MSC Cruises | 2018 [109] | 153,516 [109] | 323 m (1,060 ft) [110] |
41 m (135 ft) [109] |
2,066 [110] | 4,132 [110] | 5,336 [110] | ||
MSC Seaside | 2017 [111] | 153,516 [111] | 323 m (1,060 ft) [112] |
41 m (135 ft) [112] |
2,066 [112] | 4,132 [112] | 5,336 [112] | ||||
40 | Genting Dream | Resorts World Cruises | 2016 [113] | 150,695 [113] | 335.33 m (1,100.2 ft) [113] |
44.1 m (145 ft) [113] |
39.7 m (130 ft) [113] |
1,674 [114] | 3,348 [114] | 4,500 [114] | |
Manara | Aroya Cruises | 2017 [115] | 150,695 [115] | 335.2 m (1,100 ft) [115] |
44.35 m (145.5 ft) [115] |
39.75 m (130.4 ft) [115] |
1,686 [116] | Unknown | 3,376 [116] | ||
42 | Queen Mary 2 | Cunard Line | 2004 [k] [117] | 149,215 [117] | 345.03 m (1,132.0 ft) [117] |
45 m (147 ft) [118] |
41 m (135 ft) [117] |
1,353 [119] | 2,691 [l] [119] | 3,090 [118] | |
43 | Norwegian Breakaway | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2013 [120] | 145,655 [120] | 325.64 m (1,068.4 ft) [120] |
51.7 m (169.7 ft) [121] |
39.71 m (130.3 ft) [120] |
2,015 [122] | 3,963 [l] [121] | Unknown | |
Norwegian Getaway | 2014 [123] | 145,655 [123] | 325.65 m (1,068.4 ft) [123] |
44.39 m (145.6 ft) [123] |
39.73 m (130.3 ft) [123] |
2,015 [124] | 3,963 [l] [125] | Unknown | |||
45 | Discovery Princess | Princess Cruises | 2022 [126] | 145,281 [126] | 330 m (1,080 ft) [126] |
38.42 m (126.0 ft) [126] |
1,830 [127] | 3,660 [127] | Unknown | ||
Sky Princess | 2019 [128] | 145,281 [128] | 330 m (1,080 ft) [128] |
38.4 m (126 ft) [128] |
1,830 [129] | 3,660 [129] | 4,610 [129] | ||||
Enchanted Princess | 2020 [130] | 145,281 [130] | 329.92 m (1,082.4 ft) [130] |
38.42 m (126.0 ft) [130] |
1,830 [127] | 3,660 [127] | Unknown | ||||
48 | Disney Wish | Disney Cruise Line | 2022 [131] | 144,256 [131] | 340.89 m (1,118.4 ft) [131] |
37 m (121 ft) [131] |
40.3 m (132 ft) [131] |
1,250 [132] | 2,500 [132] | Unknown | |
49 | Majestic Princess | Princess Cruises | 2017 [133] | 144,216 [133] | 330 m (1,080 ft) [133] |
38.4 m (126 ft) [133] |
1,780 [134] | 3,560 [134] | 5,600 [134] | ||
50 | Britannia | P&O Cruises | 2015 [135] | 143,730 [135] | 330 m (1,080 ft) [135] |
Unknown | 38.38 m (125.9 ft) [135] |
1,837 [136] | 3,647 [l] [136] | Unknown | |
51 | Norwegian Prima | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2022 | 143,535 [137] | 299 m (981 ft) [137] |
51 m (167 ft) [137] |
40.5 m (133 ft) [137] |
Unknown | 3,099 [138] | Unknown | |
Norwegian Viva | 2023 | 143,535 [139] | 282.1 m (926 ft) [139] |
43.84 m (143.8 ft) [139] |
3,099 [138] | ||||||
53 | Royal Princess | Princess Cruises | 2013 [140] | 142,714 [140] | 330 m (1,080 ft) [140] |
47 m (155 ft) [141] |
38.4 m (126 ft) [140] |
1,780 [141] | 3,560 [141] | 4,340 [141] | |
Regal Princess | 2014 [142] | 142,714 [142] | 330 m (1,080 ft) [142] |
Unknown | 38.27 m (125.6 ft) [142] |
1,780 [143] | 3,560 [143] | 4,340 [143] | |||
55 | Celebrity Beyond | Celebrity Cruises | 2022 [144] | 141,420 [144] | 326.5 m (1,071 ft) [144] |
Unknown | 39.5 m (130 ft) [144] |
1,646 [145] | 3,292 [145] | ||
Celebrity Ascent | 2023 [146] | 141,420 [146] | 326.5 m (1,071 ft) [146] |
39.5 m (130 ft) [146] |
1,646 [147] | 3,260 [l] [147] | 3,731 | ||||
57 | Navigator of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2002 [k] [148] | 139,999 [148] | 311 m (1,020 ft) [148] |
48.0 m (157.5 ft) [149] |
38.6 m (127 ft) [148] |
1,693 [149] | 3,386 [149] | 4,000 [149] | |
58 | Mariner of the Seas | 2003 [150] | 139,863 [150] | 311.12 m (1,020.7 ft) [150] |
39.032 m (128.06 ft) [150] |
38.6 m (127 ft) [150] |
1,674 [151] | 3,344 [l] [151] | 4,000 [151] | ||
59 | MSC Divina | MSC Cruises | 2012 [152] | 139,072 [152] | 333.33 m (1,093.6 ft) [152] |
37.92 m (124.4 ft) [152] |
1,751 [153] | 3,502 [153] | 4,345 [153] | ||
MSC Preziosa | 2013 [154] | 139,072 [154] | 333.33 m (1,093.6 ft) [154] |
37.92 m (124.4 ft) [154] |
1,751 [155] | 3,502 [155] | 4,345 [155] | ||||
61 | Explorer of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 2000 [k] [156] | 138,194 [156] | 311 m (1,020 ft) [156] |
49.1 m (161 ft) [156] |
38.6 m (127 ft) [156] |
1,557 [157] | 3,114 [157] | 3,840 [157] | |
Voyager of the Seas | 1999 [k] [158] | 138,194 [158] | 311.12 m (1,020.7 ft) [158] |
47.4 m (156 ft) [158] |
38.6 m (127 ft) [158] |
1,557 [159] | 3,114 [159] | 3,840 [159] | |||
63 | Adventure of the Seas | 2001 [160] | 138,193 [160] | 311 m (1,020 ft) [160] |
49.1 m (161 ft) [160] |
38.6 m (127 ft) [160] |
1,557 [161] | 3,114 [161] | 3,807 [161] | ||
64 | MSC Fantasia | MSC Cruises | 2008 [162] | 137,936 [162] | 333.33 m (1,093.6 ft) [162] |
37.92 m (124.4 ft) [162] |
1,637 [163] | 3,274 [163] | 4,363 [163] | ||
MSC Splendida | 2009 [164] | 137,936 [164] | 333.33 m (1,093.6 ft) [164] |
37.92 m (124.4 ft) [164] |
1,637 [165] | 3,274 [165] | 3,952 [165] | ||||
66 | Adora Magic City | Adora Cruises | 2023 [166] | 136,201 [166] | 323.6 m (1,062 ft) [166] |
37.2 m (122 ft) [166] |
2,125 [16] | 4,250 [16] | 5,246 [16] | ||
67 | Carnival Venezia | Carnival Cruise Line | 2019 [167] | 135,225 [167] | 323 m (1,060 ft) [167] |
Unknown | 37.2 m (122 ft) [167] |
2,116 [168] | 4,232 [168] | 5,260 [168] | |
68 | Carnival Firenze | 2020 [169] | 135,156 [169] | 323 m (1,060 ft) [170] |
37.2 m (122 ft) [169] |
Unknown | >5,200 [170] |
Company | Ships |
---|---|
Royal Caribbean International | 19 |
MSC Cruises | 14 |
Norwegian Cruise Line | 9 |
Princess Cruises | 7 |
Carnival Cruise Line | 4 |
Costa Cruises | 3 |
P&O Cruises | 3 |
AIDA Cruises | 2 |
Celebrity Cruises | 2 |
Resorts World Cruises | 1 |
Cunard | 1 |
Disney Cruise Line | 1 |
Adora Cruises | 1 |
Aroya Cruises | 1 |
As of April 2024 [update], 25 passenger ships were on order or under construction with a publicly announced size of over 135,000 GT. RCI has two Icon-class cruise ships on order, with expected delivery in 2025 and 2026. [171] RCI also has two Oasis-class ship on order for 2024 and 2028. First of them, Utopia of the Seas is on order for 2024, and while its exact size is not published, RCI has previously stated that each new Oasis-class ship will be a little larger than the last. [172] Celebrity Cruises, which is owned by RCI's parent company Royal Caribbean Group, will introduce a 140,600 GT Edge-class ships in 2025, [173] and TUI Cruises, a joint venture between Royal Caribbean Group and TUI Group, are introducing a new class of 161,000 GT cruise ships in 2024 and 2026. [174]
Asia-based Dream Cruises, which went bankrupt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had been planning to take delivery of two 208,000 GT Global-class ships in 2021 and 2022, which would have been the first ships over 200,000 GT not built for RCI, with the largest maximum passenger capacity, 9,500, of any ship. [175] [52] One unfinished ship, formerly the Global Dream, was sold to Disney Cruise Line and is expected to debut in 2025, [108] while the other was sent for scrapping. [53]
MSC Cruises has three additional World-class ships planned for 2024, 2025, and 2027, and at 215,800 GT and a capacity of 6,762 passengers; they will have the highest passengers capacities and will be the largest ships operated by a cruise line other than Royal Caribbean. [176] [177] [38]
Carnival Corporation has two more 183,200–183,900 GT Excellence-class cruise ships planned to debut in 2027 and 2028. [178]
Each year from 2023 to 2027, the Norwegian Cruise Line will debut additional ships from the Prima class. The Prima-class ships are expected to be 142,500 GT and carry 3,215 to 3,550 passengers. [179] Additonally, Norwegian Cruise Line is expected to take delivery of four approximately 200,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of nearly 5,000 guests, in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036, which are subject to financing. [180]
Disney Cruise Line will launch two more 144,000 GT Triton-class ships in 2024, and 2025. These ships will have 1,250 staterooms, like the line's previous two ships, but will be 14,000 GT larger than those ships and powered by liquified natural gas fuel. [132]
Rank [a] | Ship, class, or project name [b] | Cruise line [c] | Year (planned) [d] |
Gross tonnage [b] |
Length overall [b] |
Beam [b] | Staterooms [b] | Passenger capacity [b] [e] | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximum [f] | Waterline [g] | Double [h] | Maximum [i] | |||||||
1 | Star of the Seas [181] | Royal Caribbean International | 2025 | 250,800 [7] | 365 m (1,198 ft) [7] |
66 m (217 ft) [19] |
2,805 [7] | 5,610 [7] | 7,600 [7] | |
Icon class | 2026 | 250,800 [7] | ||||||||
3 | Utopia of the Seas | 2024 | 236,860 [182] | 362 m (1,188 ft) [182] |
64 m (210 ft) [183] |
2,834 [183] | 5,668 [183] | <7,000 [182] | ||
Oasis class | 2028 | 236,000 approx. | TBA | TBA | ||||||
5 | MSC World America | MSC Cruises | 2025 [177] [184] | 215,863 [51] | 333.3 m (1,094 ft) [51] |
47 m (154 ft) [51] |
2,632 [51] | 5,264 [51] | 6,774 [51] | |
MSC World Asia | 2025 [177] | 215,863 [51] | 333.3 m (1,094 ft) [51] |
47 m (154 ft) [51] |
2,632 [51] | 5,264 [51] | 6,774 [51] | |||
World class | 2027 [177] | 215,863 [51] | 333.3 m (1,094 ft) [51] |
47 m (154 ft) [51] |
2,632 [51] | 5,264 [51] | 6,774 [51] | |||
8 | Disney Adventure | Disney Cruise Line | 2025 [108] | 208,000 [108] | 342 m (1,122 ft) [52] |
46.4 m (152 ft) [52] |
2,500 [52] | 6,000 [108] | ||
9 | TBC | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2030 | approx. 200,000 [180] | approx. 5,000 [180] | |||||
2032 | ||||||||||
2034 | ||||||||||
2036 | ||||||||||
13 | Excel class | Carnival Cruise Line | 2027 | 183,300 | 344 m (1,129 ft) |
|||||
Excel class | 2028 | |||||||||
15 | Star Princess | Princess Cruises | 2025 [71] | 175,000 [71] | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | 4,300 [71] | Unknown |
16 | Prima class | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2027 | 172,000 | ||||||
Prima class | 2028 | 172,000 | ||||||||
18 | Mein Schiff Relax | TUI Cruises | 2024 [174] | 161,000 [174] | 326 m (1,070 ft) [174] |
42 m (138 ft) [174] |
2,050 [174] | 4,100 [174] | ||
InTUItion class | 2026 [174] | 161,000 [174] | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | ||
20 | Norwegian Aqua | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2025 | 158,000 | ||||||
Prima class | 2026 | 158,000 | ||||||||
22 | Disney Treasure [185] | Disney Cruise Line | 2024 [132] | 144,000 [132] | 341.13 m (1,119.19 ft) [132] |
39.00 m (127.95 ft) [132] |
1,250 [132] | 2,500 [132] | Unknown | |
Disney Destiny [186] | 2025 [132] | 144,000 [132] | 341.13 m (1,119.19 ft) [132] |
39.00 m (127.95 ft) [132] |
1,250 [132] | 2,500 [132] | Unknown | |||
24 | Vista class [187] [188] | Adora Cruises | 2024 [188] | 142,000 [187] | ||||||
25 | Celebrity Xcel [189] | Celebrity Cruises | 2025 [173] | 141,420 [173] | 327 m (1,073 ft) [173] |
Unknown | Unknown | 1,650 [173] | 3,300 [173] | Unknown |
(120,000+ GT)
Rank | Ship | Cruise Line | Year in service | Year out of service | Gross Tonnage | Length | Beam | Staterooms | Passenger capacity | Fate | Image | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Global-class | Dream Cruises | - | - | 208,000 [108] | 342 m (1,122 ft) [52] |
46.4 m (152 ft) [52] |
2,500 [52] | Scrapped during construction |
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