The cruise industry is constantly pushing boundaries, and a key aspect of this is the sheer size of modern cruise ships. Currently, the Icon of the Seas holds the title of the biggest cruise ship in the world, but its reign may be challenged soon. Let’s explore the top 10 largest cruise ships, focusing on gross tonnage, and the companies behind them.
Royal Caribbean International dominates this list, operating five of the ten largest cruise ships globally. Carnival Corporation, a major player in the cruise industry, has three entries through its subsidiaries P&O Cruises and Costa Cruises.
The trend is clear: bigger is better, with all of these behemoths built within the last two decades, and most within the last five years. Here’s a look at the top contenders for the title of “biggest cruise ship,” ranked by gross tonnage:
10. P&O Cruises MS Arvia: 185,581 Gross Tonnes
The MS Arvia, a vessel of 185,581 gross tonnes and 345m (1,130 feet) in length, represents P&O Cruises’ commitment to innovation. As their fourth ship constructed by Meyer Werft, Germany, Arvia can accommodate up to 6,264 passengers and 1,800 crew members.
Powered by a 61,760kW LNG drive system, the Arvia boasts a maximum speed of 21.5 knots. Its LNG-powered propulsion offers a more environmentally friendly approach to cruising. This Excellence-class vessel operates primarily in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
9. Costa Cruises – Costa Smeralda: 185,010 Gross Tonnes
Costa Smeralda marked a milestone as Costa Cruises’ first LNG-powered vessel. Measuring 337m (1,106 feet) in length with a gross tonnage of 185,010, this ship can host 6,554 passengers and 1,646 crew.
Equipped with four Caterpillar MaK 16VM46DF engines, the Costa Smeralda achieves a service speed of 21.5 knots. Since entering service in December 2019, it has mainly sailed Mediterranean itineraries.
8. Costa Cruises – Costa Toscana: 186,364 Gross Tonnes
The Costa Toscana, sister ship to the Costa Smeralda, shares the distinction of being LNG-powered. With a gross tonnage of 186,364 and a length of 337m (1,106 feet), the Toscana accommodates 6,338 passengers and 1,678 staff.
Also built at the Meyer shipyard in Finland, she is powered by four MaK-Caterpillar engines, and two ABB Azipod motors. Named after the Tuscany region of Italy, Costa Toscana primarily sails the Mediterranean Sea, also itineraries around Brazil and the UAE.
7. MSC Cruises – MSC World Europa: 215,863 Gross Tonnes
MSC World Europa, measuring 333m (1,094 feet) in length with a gross tonnage of 215,863, stands as MSC Cruises’ sole entry in the top ten. It can accommodate 6,762 passengers and 2,138 crew members.
Powered by five LNG-powered Wartsila 46DF dual-fuel engines, the World Europa offers a propulsion power of 44 megawatts. Following its use as accommodation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the ship has sailed routes in the UAE and the Mediterranean.
6. Royal Caribbean International – Allure of the Seas: 225,282 Gross Tonnes
Allure of the Seas, weighing in at 225,282 gross tonnes and measuring 362m (1,187 feet), is one of Royal Caribbean’s impressive Oasis-class ships. It has a maximum capacity of 6,780 passengers and 2,200 crew members.
Featuring six Wärtsilä 46 diesel engines and three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters, the Allure cruises at 22 knots. Currently homeported in Galveston, Texas, it serves routes around the Bahamas.
5. Royal Caribbean International – Oasis of the Seas: 226,838 Gross Tonnes
The Oasis of the Seas, with a gross tonnage of 226,838 and a length of 360m (1,181 feet), marked a new era of cruise ship design when it launched. It hosts 6,699 passengers and 2,181 staff.
Powered by eight Wärtsilä V12 diesel engines and three electric Azipod motors, the Oasis achieves a cruising speed of 23 knots. It primarily operates routes around the Caribbean.
4. Royal Caribbean International – Harmony of the Seas: 226,963 Gross Tonnes
Harmony of the Seas, weighing in at 226,963 gross tonnes and measuring 362m (1,188 feet), offers a remarkable cruise experience. It can accommodate 6,780 passengers and 2,300 staff.
Equipped with three Wärtsilä 16V46 16-cylinder main generator diesel engines and three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters, Harmony sails at a standard speed of 23 knots. The ship currently operates itineraries around the Western Caribbean.
3. Royal Caribbean International – Symphony of the Seas: 228,081 Gross Tonnes
At launch, the Symphony of the Seas surpassed the Harmony as the biggest cruise ship, weighing in at 228,081 gross tonnes. Measuring 361m (1,185 feet), the Symphony has a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers and 2,200 staff.
Powered by six diesel sets and three 20-megawatt electric Azipod main engines, Symphony achieves a cruising speed of 22 knots. She commenced her seven-day maiden voyage from Barcelona in April 2018, and since then has mainly operated itineraries around the Caribbean.
2. Royal Caribbean International – Wonder of the Seas: 235,600 Gross Tonnes
Royal Caribbean’s flagship, Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis-class cruise ship built for the cruise company. Weighing in at 235,600 gross tonnes, Measuring 362m (1,187 feet) in length, the 18-deck Wonder has a maximum capacity of 7,084 guests across its 2,867 staterooms, as well as housing 2,369 crew.
Wonder is powered by two Wärtsilä 16V46D engines and four Wärtsilä 12V46D engines; and uses three 20-megawatt electric Azipod engines for propulsion, combining for a propulsion power of 82 megawatts. The Wonder sailed her maiden voyage in March 2022 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has since served itineraries around the Caribbean.
1. Royal Caribbean International – Icon of the Seas: 248,663 Gross Tonnes
Currently holding the title of the biggest cruise ship in the world, the Icon of the Seas weighs 248,663 gross tonnes and measures 365 metres (1,1967 feet). It has a maximum capacity of 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew across 20 decks.
The Icon is the first ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet that can be powered by LNG. It uses three Wärtsilä 14V46DF and three Wärtsilä 12V46DF for its main generator engines. After sailing her maiden voyage on 27 January 2024, the Icon now sails year-round itineraries of seven-night trips around the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
The race to build the biggest cruise ship in the world continues, with Royal Caribbean leading the charge. The Icon of the Seas currently holds the title, but with the constant innovation in the cruise industry, this may not last for long. One thing is certain: cruise ships will continue to get bigger and more impressive.
