The Largest Cruise Ships in the World
While some seasoned cruisers may refuse to set foot on them, extra-large cruise ships are starting to dominate the industry. In a way, these new megaships really are small floating cities; Royal’s Oasis and Quantum-class ships are even divided into distinct “neighborhoods,” as is Carnival's upcoming Mardi Gras. We’ve broken down the world’s largest cruise ships by class for those of you looking to hop aboard one of these modern marvels of engineering.
1. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class
Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas - Photo by Royal Caribbean
Gross Tonnage: 225,282 - 226,000
Passenger Capacity: 5,400 to 5,479 based on double occupancy
Years Launched: Oasis of the Seas - 2009, Allure of the Seas - 2010, Harmony of the Seas - 2016, Symphony of the Seas - 2018
Highlights: Over 20 dining options, zipline, AquaTheater high-diving shows, ice skating rink, water park, and 3D movie theater.
Fun Fact: Each new ship in the Oasis class is slightly bigger than the previous ship, and thus has become the largest cruise ship in the world when it debuts.
2. MSC's World Class
MSC World Class ship - Rendering by MSC Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 205,700
Passenger Capacity: 6,850 based on double occupancy
Years Launching: The first ship of four will be launched in 2022
Highlights: Water park, glass pool lounge, and a split aft with interior-facing balcony cabins; powered by liquefied natural gas
3. Excellence Class
AIDA Cruises - AIDAnova, Costa Cruises - Costa Smeralda
Costa Smeralda - Rendering by Costa Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 183,900
Passenger Capacity: 5,200 based on double occupancy
Year Launched: AIDAnova - 2018, Costa Smeralda - 2019
AIDAnova Highlights: Jungle-themed water park with three waterslides and a lazy river, a 40,000 square foot organic spa, a ropes course, live TV studio, and the steampunk-themed Time Machine Restaurant
Costa Smeralda Highlights: Panoramic walkway at the top of the ship, an onboard design museum, a Nutella Cafe, a teppanyaki restaurant, and a piazza-like space called the Colosseo lined with lounges and bars
Both ships are powered by liquefied natural gas.
4. XL Class
Carnival - Mardi Gras, P&O Cruises - Iona
Mardi Gras - Rendering by Carnival Cruise Line
Gross Tonnage: 183,900
Passenger Capacity: 5,200 based on double occupancy
Year Launched: 2020
Mardi Gras Highlights: A roller coaster, a New Orleans-inspired restaurant created with Emeril Lagasse, a water park, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, and the Havana Bar and Pool
Iona Highlights: The SkyDome, a transitional glass domed space that offers casual poolside dining and beverages by day, and a party and entertainment space at night, the Keel and Cow gastropub, British fare at Brodie’s, The Glass House with charcuterie and cheese plates, and a spa with destination-themed treatments such as a Baltic & Ice Massage in the Baltics
Both ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas.
5. MSC's Meraviglia Class
MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima
MSC Meraviglia - Photo by MSC Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 170,000
Passenger Capacity: 4,500 based on double occupancy
Year Launched: Meraviglia - 2017, Bellissima - 2019
Highlights: Cirque du Soleil at Sea, Formula 1 racecar simulators, a water park, and Italian restaurant Eataly
6. Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class
Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas (Quantum-Ultra Class)
Quantum of the Seas in New York - Photo by Royal Caribbean
Gross Tonnage: 168,666
Passenger Capacity: 4,180 based on double occupancy
Years Launched: Quantum of the Seas - 2014, Anthem of the Seas - 2015, Ovation of the Seas - 2016, Spectrum of the Seas - 2019
Highlights: North Star observation capsule, RipCord skydiving simulator (Spectrum has the bungee-jumping VR SkyPad instead), bumper cars, a water park, and over a dozen dining venues
7. Norwegian’s Breakaway Plus Class
Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Encore
Norwegian Escape in St. Thomas - Photo by Norwegian Cruise Line
Gross Tonnage: 164,600 to 169,145
Passenger Capacity: 3,883 to 4,266 based on double occupancy
Years Launched: Escape - 2015, Joy - 2017, Bliss - 2018, Encore - 2019
Norwegian Escape Highlights: An enormous water park, over 25 dining experiences, ropes course, The Cellars wine bar, Snow Room, and The Waterfront oceanside promenade
Norwegian Joy Highlights: A go-kart racetrack, laser tag, Q barbecue restaurant, a water park, and the adults-only Spice H2O deck
Norwegian Bliss Highlights: A go-kart racetrack, laser tag, Coco's chocolate shop, Margaritaville at Sea, Q barbecue restaurant, a water park, and a massive observation lounge
8. Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class
Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas
Independence of the Seas sails out of Miami - Photo by Royal Caribbean
Gross Tonnage: 160,000
Passenger Capacity: 3,782 to 4,370 based on double occupancy
Years Launched: Freedom of the Seas - 2006, Liberty of the Seas - 2007, and Independence of the Seas - 2008
Highlights: Water park, ice-skating rink, 10 dining options, 3D movie theater, and FlowRider surfing simulator.
9. Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Epic - Photo by Royal Caribbean
Gross Tonnage: 155,889
Passenger Capacity: 4,100 based on double occupancy
Year Launched: 2009
Highlights: Aqua Park, studio cabins, massive sports complex, 18 dining venues, Skyy Ice Bar, and The Haven.
10. MSC's Seaside Class
MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview
MSC Seaside - Photo by MSC Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 154,000
Passenger Capacity: 5,179 based on double occupancy
Year Launched: Seaside - 2017, Seaview - 2018
Highlights: Waterfront boardwalk, zip line, water park, exclusive South Beach-inspired Yacht Club area, and Asian Market Kitchen created with Chef Roy Yamaguchi
Previously included in this list:
Genting Dream and World Dream
Queen Mary 2
Norwegian Cruise Line's Breakaway Class
Article updated in March 2019.
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