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

Sarah Kuta

Daily Correspondent

Large cruise ship with tug boats in the water nearby

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.

Illustration of colorful cruise ship deck

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. 

Cruise ship in construction yard

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.

Cruise ship in water

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

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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 World's Largest Cruise Ship Is Coming in January—Here's What It's Like Inside

By Jessica Puckett

A Look Inside the World's Largest Cruise Ship Launching January 2024

The biggest thing to ever hit cruising is coming in January 2024, when Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas —which will be the largest cruise ship in the world —will debut to passengers for the first time.

With capacity for nearly 10,000 passengers and crew, Icon of the Seas is billed as part all-inclusive resort, part theme park, and a massive destination unto itself . Clocking in at 250,380 gross tons and measuring nearly a quarter mile long (1,198 feet to be exact), the vast ship will sport a total of 20 decks, 18 of which will be accessible to guests.

The ship will be divided into eight different “neighborhoods,” each with their own distinct atmospheres, dining options, and activities. “ Icon of the Seas is truly what we call a white paper ship,” Anna Drescher, manager of architectural design, new building and innovation for Royal Caribbean group, said in a video statement . “The reason that we call it that is we start with a blank sheet of sketch paper, so it truly is starting fresh.”

In June 2023, the ship hit a major milestone when it completed its first sea trials outside the shipyard in Turku, Finland. Next up is the colossal new ship’s first voyage, slated to depart on January 27, 2024. It will sail roundtrip from Miami to the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas.

The ship's typical seven-day itineraries include three at-sea days, so passengers have time to fully enjoy the endless choices of amenities on board. “We want guests to walk up to the ship and just have this moment of: I can’t believe that’s where I’m going ,” said Jennifer Goswami, the line’s senior manager of product development.

Here's a look at the enormous scale of the new ship and what to expect on board.

exterior and top deck icon of the seas

When it begins sailing, the Icon of the Seas will offer a total of 2,805 staterooms that can hold 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, or a maximum of 7,600 guests. Passengers can choose from a whopping 28 different room types, including Sunset Suites with wraparound balconies and Family Infinite Balcony staterooms with bunkbeds fit for a family of up to six.

balconies of the ultimate family townhouse

The largest suite on board will be the three-story, 1,772-square-foot “Ultimate Family Townhouse,” which comes with its own movie theater, ping-pong table, karaoke, and a slide between floors. It can sleep up to eight people and costs approximately $75,000 per week.

central park neighborhood icon of the seas

Among the eight "neighborhoods," or sections of the ship with distinct ambiance, are Central Park, which offers greenery and sidewalk cafes, and The Hideaway, which aims for a European beach club aesthetic. There's also The Suite Neighborhood, Surfside, Thrill Island, Chill Island, The Royal Promenade, and the Aquadome.

The ship's 2,350 crew members will also get their own neighborhood, complete with amenities like a gaming room and hair salon.

thrill island waterpark icon of the seas

Another superlative for Icon will be sporting the largest waterpark at sea. The park, called Category 6, features six different record-breaking waterslides, including the tallest onboard waterslide. There will also be a free-fall slide, plus a raft-style slide for four passengers to ride together.

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royal bay pool icon of the seas

Seven pools and nine whirlpools will be located throughout the ship, including the first infinity pool on a cruise ship to be suspended in the air. The Royal Bay pool, located on the 15th deck, will break the record for largest pool at sea, holding an astounding 40,000 gallons of water.

main dining room icon of the seas

Across the towering vessel, there'll be more than 20 food venues and 15 bars and nightlife experiences, including a sweeping three-level main dining room.

Among the options for grabbing a drink will be the line's first onboard swim-up bar, a walk-up Champagne bar, and a bar specializing in coffee cocktails like espresso martinis.

aqua theater icon of the seas

On the entertainment front, Royal Caribbean has hired 75 performers to titillate guests across three cavernous theaters. The Absolute Zero ice arena will feature shows with Olympic-level skaters, while the AquaTheater will combine the talents of divers, robots, and skateboarders.

In the Royal Theater, a 16-piece orchestra (the largest one at sea), will accompany shows like the Wizard of Oz.

In smaller venues throughout the ship, like the dueling piano bar, 50 live musicians and comedians will perform each night, making it possible for every type of passenger to find something that fits their style.

Watch CBS News

World's largest cruise ship that's 5 times larger than the Titanic set to make its debut

By Li Cohen

July 12, 2023 / 8:38 AM EDT / CBS News

The RMS Titanic was once considered the largest ship in the world before it met its demise in the Atlantic Ocean. Now, Royal Caribbean International has created a "first-of-its-kind" ship nearly five times that size that will soon make its debut. 

The cruise ship, called Icon of the Seas, is massive – measuring 1,198 feet long with 250,800 gross tonnage. Capable of carrying 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members, the ship is equipped with 20 total decks, seven pools, and what Royal Caribbean describes as six "record-breaking" waterslides.

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When the RMS Titanic embarked on its ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912, it measured more than 852 feet long with 46,329 gross tonnage. Icon of the Seas' tonnage is more than five times that amount. 

The new ship will soon be ready for use, starting in January 2024, the cruise company says, after hitting a milestone last month with the successful completion of its i nitial round of sea trials . During those trials, the ship was put on the open ocean for the first time. 

The ship is divided into eight primary areas : 

  • The "AquaDome" sits atop the front of the ship, offering 220-degree views and a 55-foot waterfall
  • The "Suite Neighborhood" with a Mediterranean restaurant and two-floor sundeck
  • A five-deck-high open-air "Central Park" with living plant walls
  • "Chill Island" with four pools and a swim-up bar
  • "Thrill Island," featuring what the company says is the largest waterpark at sea, called "Category 6"
  • An area dedicated to families called "Surfside"
  • The "Royal Promenade" with ocean views
  • "The Hideaway," which offers 180-degree views at the back of the ship and an infinity pool

low-1683043136-rci-ic-central-park-cgi14-ret-lr-1.jpg

Icon of the Seas first opened up for reservations in October of last year while the cruise industry was still recovering from the downturn it faced during the coronavirus pandemic.  At the time, prices started at $1,537 a person, but they have since increased by a few hundred dollars. 

Royal Caribbean now lists the cheapest ticket at $1,851 for an interior room on a seven-night cruise from Miami to the Western Caribbean in September 2024. The most expensive is substantially higher – $10,864 for a suite on the same cruise in March. The ship also offers a seven-day trip to the Eastern Caribbean. 

Take laidback to another level. 🤩 #IconoftheSeas pic.twitter.com/0xIurFOMyD — Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) July 10, 2023

And while many are excited about the chance to ride the ship to the Caribbean, calling it "stunning" and like a "scene from sci-fi movie" on social media, some others have expressed otherwise. 

"Every time I see a picture of the Icon of the Seas cruise ship I am filled with an intense dread ," one person said. 

" Infection of the Seas by Royal Caribbean," another person jested, seemingly alluding to past COVID outbreaks on cruise ships during the pandemic. 

But for Royal Caribbean, it's all about the excitement. The day it opened up tickets for the ship in October, Royal Caribbean said it had the single largest booking day in the company's 53-year history.

"The enthusiasm and excitement for Icon are undeniable in more ways than one," Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said in October . "The incredible response we have received from our loyal guests, vacationers new to cruising, crew members and travel partners continues to come in, and this is just the beginning. We can't wait to share more of what Icon has in store in the coming months."

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  • RMS Titanic
  • Cruise Ship
  • Royal Caribbean

li.jpg

Li Cohen is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.

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large cruise ship being built

Icon of the Seas  Construction Update: A  Sphere  of Activity is Underway

May 2022 – Construction on Royal Caribbean International’s  Icon of the Seas  is underway in Turku, Finland, and one of the revolutionary ship’s state-of-the-art elements is on the move again. Watch as the unnamed, 175-metric-ton sphere – first seen in December 2021 – is lifted onto the ship after four days of preparation and a day-long transfer by barge. Currently 46 feet (14 metres) tall and 50 feet (15.3 metres) in diameter, the structure is now wrapped in protective material and ready for its next phase of construction. The cruise line’s next highly anticipated ship, Icon  is set to debut in fall 2023 with a lineup of firsts and signature favorites that will set a new standard for vacations.

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Related videos.

Icon of the Seas Construction Update: Royal Caribbean Celebrates Keel-Laying Milestone

November 2023 – After more than seven years of dreaming, Royal Caribbean International’s highly anticipated Icon of the Seas has become a reality. The recently completed construction of the first-of-its-kind vacation took place over the course of 900 days in Turku, Finland, starting with the first cut of steel in June 2021. Thousands involved have since accomplished a series of milestones and never-before-seen feats, like the installation of the single largest glass and steel structure to be lifted onto a cruise ship and engineering more water on board than ever before across seven pools, six record-breaking waterslides and more. Watch the highlights of the two-plus years of  Icon’s  construction to see how it all came together.

Icon Extra: Behind Icon of the Seas and the AquaDome Lift Teaser

June 2023 – The highly anticipated vacation, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas , is one step closer to its debut in January 2024. The all-new ship successfully sailed the open ocean for the first time after completing its first, crucial sea trials in Turku, Finland, where it is under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard. During the key milestone, more than 450 specialists ran four days of preliminary tests on the first Icon Class ship’s technical areas, like the main engines, bow and propellers, and even noise and vibration levels – all in preparation for the second sea trials that will push Icon to its limits later this year.  

Sneak Peek: Icon of the Seas Construction Tour

Sneak Peek:   Icon of the Seas  Construction Tour

Icon of the Seas Construction B-roll

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The world’s largest cruise ship will set sail in 2024.

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Featuring more than 40 restaurants, seven pools, an indoor aqua theater and the largest waterpark at sea, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is being billed as the “ultimate family vacation”

Royal Caribbean International has revealed the first look at the highly anticipated Icon of the ... [+] Seas, the Icon of Vacations. Arriving in late 2023 ahead of its January 2024 debut.

Go big or go home as the old adage goes.

That’s certainly been the mantra for Miami based cruise line Royal Caribbean, who just announced their largest ship Icon of the Seas will officially enter service in 2024. At maximum capacity, Icon will be capable of hosting 7,600 passengers on its inaugural sail on January 28, 2024.

“With each new ship, we raise the bar in the travel industry while enhancing what our guests know and love,” President and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group Jason Liberty said in a statement today. “From the moment they step on board, every experience is specifically designed to give them the best vacation anywhere on land and at sea. With Icon of the Seas, we’ve taken this to a new level and made the ultimate family vacation.”

Royal Bay Pool in the new Chill Island neighborhood on Icon of the Seas will be the largest pool at ... [+] sea.

Once it’s completed, the ship will measure in at 20-decks high, 1,200 feet long, and 250,800 gross tons. This floating mini-city is expected to sail year round and offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises out of Miami.

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Icon will feature the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides.

One of the most anticipated on-board amenities will be the largest waterpark at sea. With six “record-breaking” slides including Pressure Drop, the industry’s first open free-fall slide, a 46-foot-tall Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea, Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides at sea.

One of 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges along the ships promenade, Coastal Kitchen will be a ... [+] two-story dining experience on board.

The ship will offer more than 40-restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges including a two-story “Coastal Kitchen,” a Central Park, and an aqua dome perched atop the ship that will offer ocean views and a waterfall for guests to dine by day before transforming into an interactive aqua theater with live performances by night.

Perched at the top of Icon, the Aqua Theater will feature wraparound ocean views and an ... [+] awe-inspiring waterfall as guests enjoy a bite or drink.

Featuring 28-room types on board, layouts have been designed with for families in mind and can accommodate three, four, five guests in options like the Family Infinite Balcony and Surfside Family Suite.

With 28 ways to stay, rooms onboard will offer something for every type of traveler

There will also be a three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse complete with its own white picket fence and mailbox. For rooms with a view, the Sunset Corner Suites and Panoramic Ocean Views in AquaDome are expected to be some of the best on-board according to the cruise line.

When it comes to views, among the best are from the brand’s first Sunset Corner Suites and Panoramic ... [+] Ocean Views in AquaDome.

“Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable experiences and our next bold commitment to those who love to vacation,” President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley said. “Now more than ever, families and friends are prioritizing experiences where they can bond and enjoy their own adventures. We set out to create a vacation that makes all that possible in one place for the thrill-seekers, the chill enthusiasts and everyone in between, without compromise.”

Michelle Gross

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On the World’s Largest Cruise Ship, Thrills and Space to Chill

Our reporter joined thousands of passengers on the inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. Yes, the water rides were wild. But the most surprising thing she found? Some actual peace and quiet.

Ceylan Yeginsu, a reporter for the Travel section, tries out a ride in the sprawling water park on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas cruise ship. Credit...

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By Ceylan Yeğinsu

Photographs by Scott McIntyre

  • Published Feb. 9, 2024 Updated Feb. 22, 2024

One man got down on his knees and kissed the rug emblazoned with the ship’s logo. Another lifted his wife and swung her around, ecstatic to be among the roughly 5,000 passengers to embark on the inaugural sailing of the world’s largest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas.

For months, the 250,800-ton ship, which can carry nearly 8,000 people, has been making headlines — including some that have criticized its size and potential to damage the environment . But the passengers who plunked down $1,800 to $100,000 and boarded the ship at Port Miami in Florida on Jan. 27, said nothing could have prepared them for the vessel’s sheer scale.

“It’s stunning,” said Christina Carvalho, a 43-year-old accountant from Oakland, Calif., as she stood on the ship’s Royal Promenade, gaping up at “The Pearl,” a gigantic kinetic art installation. “It feels even bigger than I expected.”

While Royal Caribbean has packed the ship with amenities to craft “the ultimate family vacation,” the company’s design team has tried to defy negative stereotypes like crowded decks and long lines. Instead of steel walls, the interior is open and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows to bring passengers closer to the water and make the central thoroughfare feel less like a shopping mall.

large cruise ship being built

“Over the years our customers told us that despite being on the ocean, they did not feel connected to it, so with Icon we wanted to bring water everywhere,” said Jennifer Goswami, the director of product development at Royal Caribbean International.

I was on board the Icon of the Seas for five days of its seven-night inaugural sailing to the eastern Caribbean. Here are some of my takeaways:

Passengers board a ship, taking photos with their cellphones.

Embarkation

Embarkation starts through Royal Caribbean’s app. After some glitches, it took me 10 minutes to scan identification documents, fill out a health form and pick a time slot for boarding.

On the day of the sailing, I headed to Port Miami expecting chaos, but as I got out of the taxi, I was greeted by a porter who took my bag and ushered me to the terminal. I scanned my app, showed my passport and went through security in less than 10 minutes. I lingered, waiting to see if others had as smooth an experience as I did, but there was just a steady flow of passengers ascending the gangway.

The ship has the feel of a city, with eight distinct “neighborhoods.” My favorite, Central Park, was filled with more than 33,000 plants; it was the perfect place to stroll or read on a bench. The Royal Promenade, with karaoke and a piano bar, could get crowded and noisy at peak times.

The seven swimming pools are designed for different vibes and demographics: The Hideaway is an adults-only infinity pool, with D.J. sets and cocktails; another adult pool has an adjacent children’s splash pool. Empty lounge chairs were plentiful for sunbathers across the ship.

On our first sea day, I was so surprised by the relative absence of crowds that I walked the ship trying to find them. But with so many venues, including 40 restaurants, bars and entertainment spaces, passengers were constantly moving around.

Seeking a quiet space one afternoon, I found the Aquadome , a tranquil lounging area with wraparound windows. Fellow passengers napped there.

Entertainment and activities

From a sunrise surf simulator lesson to late-night dancing in the nightclub, the ship seems to offer something for everyone, most of it free. The water park with six slides was a big draw. One ride, the Crown’s Edge, is not complimentary: Starting at $49, it tosses you (in a harness) above the sea, leaving you dangling.

There is a fitness center, jogging track, a basketball and soccer court, a putt-putt course, pickleball, rock climbing and dancing. A wellness center and spa offers treatments for an additional cost. All can be reserved on the app; for popular attractions like the Crown’s Edge it’s helpful to book ahead because places fill up fast.

For nightly entertainment, “Aqua Action” was a standout, with aquatic entertainers performing under a 55-foot waterfall, as was the comedy club.

large cruise ship being built

Not surprisingly, some passengers felt overprogrammed. “There’s almost too much to do,” said Nancy Carter, 54, a nurse from Brighton, England. “It’s hard to plan your day and even when you are busy doing something, you feel like you are missing out on something else.”

At the Surfside neighborhood, there are pools and restaurants for both adults and children so that families can spend time together. For parents wanting alone time, the Adventure Ocean child-care facility has play areas and programs for ages 6 months to 12 years that is included in the fare.

There’s a social center for teenagers, too, with games and music. “It’s a great place to meet new people and make friends,” said Madison Foxx, 14, from Morrisville, N.C. Her mother, Ashley, a 38-year-old federal prosecutor, said the ship kept her two children entertained and allowed her both alone time and quality family time.

“I can relax and the kids are happy and busy all day," she said. “Then we have many special moments together.”

One of the biggest surprises was the array of dining choices.

The Windjammer Cafe and the main dining room were the busiest all-inclusive options. My daily go-to was the Aquadome food hall, with crepes made-to-order and a Greek food stand. Another favorite of mine was Pier 7, a restaurant in Surfside that served raw-tuna Buddha bowls, mango-lime shrimp tostadas and other dishes.

large cruise ship being built

Meals at specialty restaurants, such as Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Hooked Seafood, come at an additional cost, or are included in some food and beverages packages that range from $9.99 to $115 per day. Reservations are recommended.

The Empire Supper Club offers an eight-course meal paired with cocktails. At $200, the tasting menu included Wagyu rib-eye, rabbit and sea bass topped with parsnip and red beets.

Cabin prices — which recently increased, because of high demand — range from $2,699 per person for an interior cabin to over $100,000 for a three-story townhouse with an indoor slide and backyard. Some family accommodations have connecting rooms and large terraces.

Though only 204 square feet, my ocean balcony room did not feel cramped thanks to minimalist design and the views.

Environment

Royal Caribbean says it set a new standard for sustainability with this ship, installing advanced water-treatment and waste systems, among other features. But some environmental groups say that building a vessel this size is not compatible with the cruise industry’s long-term sustainability goals.

On board, I saw staff sorting through the trash to take out misplaced items to recycle, and single-use plastic appeared to be minimal; passengers were given reusable cups at drinking stations.

That the water slides remained on, even after they were closed to passengers, caught me by surprise. It seemed like an unnecessary waste of energy. (Royal Caribbean did not respond to a request for comment.)

Passengers I spoke to did not seem too concerned about the ship’s potential to harm the environment, with some arguing that land and air travel are not climate-friendly either.

Our seven-night itinerary started with two days at sea. The first stop was on Day 4 at Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts and Nevis. Excursions ranged from a hike up Mount Liamuiga to a food-and-rum tour, with prices from $39 to $249. I chose a sailing and snorkeling excursion ($155) and enjoyed the secluded bay, but the beach was crowded and touristy.

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An anticipated excursion for Ms. Foxx, the federal prosecutor, and others was Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s private island. When I asked about her visit — I called later, having to disembark before the excursion — Ms. Foxx said her children loved the slides and snorkeling.

And would she sail on the Icon of the Seas again?

“Yes, but I might wait a bit,” she replied. “I want everyone to get a chance to try it out.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

An earlier version of this article misstated the number of plants in the Central Park “neighborhood” of Icon of the Seas. It has more than 33,000 plants, not 20,000 plant species.

How we handle corrections

Ceylan Yeginsu is a travel reporter for The Times who frequently writes about the cruise industry and Europe, where she is based. More about Ceylan Yeğinsu

Come Sail Away

Love them or hate them, cruises can provide a unique perspective on travel..

 Icon of the Seas: Our reporter joined thousands of passengers on the inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas . The most surprising thing she found? Some actual peace and quiet .

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The biggest cruise ship ever built is about to touch water for the first time

Gene Sloan

The biggest cruise ship ever built will hit a major construction milestone this weekend.

Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas will touch water for the first time as it's "floated out" from a dry dock at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France, where it has been under construction for more than a year.

The 18-deck-high vessel -- the latest in the line's giant Oasis Class of ships -- will transfer to a "wet dock" where finishing work will continue into next year.

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

Wonder of the Seas had been scheduled to debut in 2021, but Royal Caribbean recently said the vessel's debut would be pushed back by around 10 months, citing the coronavirus pandemic . That would push its arrival into 2022.

The early stages of the construction of a cruise ship take place in a dry dock facility. Once the exterior of a vessel is complete, the dry dock is flooded and the ship is floated to a wet dock facility where construction continues. It's considered a significant turning point in the building of a vessel.

It may seem odd that cruise lines are continuing to build new ships even as most of their existing ships aren't sailing due to the coronavirus crisis. But cruise companies expect the cruise industry to resume growing at a significant pace once the crisis has passed, resulting in demand for additional vessels.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean ships and itineraries

While lines have been permanently retiring some older ships in recent months in anticipation of a slow restart to cruising, the leaders of the biggest cruise companies have said they have no plans to cancel orders for new ships. They've said they would rather keep the new ships and eliminate older ships if they need to cut capacity in the short term.

The float out of Wonder of the Seas is scheduled to take place around 7 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, according to French media outlet Ouest France .

Wonder of the Seas will be the fifth vessel in Royal Caribbean's groundbreaking Oasis Class series of ships, which are more than 20% bigger than any other cruise ships afloat.

The four existing Oasis Class vessels include the 228,081-ton Symphony of the Seas — the current size leader in the cruise world. Eighteen decks high and nearly 1,200 feet long, it can hold up to 6,680 passengers at maximum occupancy.

The vessel and its sisters resemble megaresorts on land with dozens of restaurants and bars, Broadway-style entertainment, casinos and lots of deck-top attractions. Symphony of the Seas has three pool areas, giant waterslides, rock climbing walls, surfing simulators, a miniature golf course and even an ice skating rink.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles

Wonder of the Seas

While Royal Caribbean has been coy as to just how big Wonder of the Seas will be, a top executive at Royal Caribbean hinted to The Points Guy last year that the newcomer (and another Oasis Class ship on order for 2023) are likely to set new size records.

"It's certainly a moniker that Royal Caribbean owns," Royal Caribbean's vice president for product development, Laura Hodges-Bethge, told TPG. "When you look at Symphony, it was, I don't know, a couple metric tons [bigger than its predecessor]?" For these new ships, she said, "I can't imagine that wouldn't be the same thing."

Every Oasis Class ship that has rolled out has been a little bigger than the last.

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Newest Cruise Ships

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Find here the answer to which is the newest cruise ships currently under construction or on order. You can jump directly to the lists of new vessels on order / under construction (2021-2028) , as well as new riverboats (2021-2026) and new cruiseferries (2021-2027).

Here you'll find them all - from small to big to the ever-largest passenger ships from the fleets of RCG-Royal Caribbean, Carnival Corporation, NCLH-Norwegian and MSC. We list also all the major cruise lines' orders for building new vessels (with GT/volume between ~2000 and ~240000 tons), with information on their design , building cost , passenger capacity , and builders/yards .

Newest Cruise Ships - CruiseMapper

Newest cruise vessels on order (2021-2028 deliveries)

NEW companies and brands on the market are Resorts World Cruises (2022/Genting), Virgin Voyages (2017), Ritz-Carlton (2017), Norwegian Yacht Voyages (2017), Adora Cruises/CSSC Carnival China (2018), Alteza Cruises (2017), Anteros Cruises (2017), Zen Cruises (2018/Essel Group India), Abou Merhi Cruises Lebanon (2018), Well Star Travel Cruise China (2018), Blue World Voyages (2019), Mystic Cruises USA (2019), TUI River Cruises (2019), Cruise Retirement (2019), Style Cruise China (2019), Diamond Cruise China (2020), Ocean Residences (2020), Storylines Residences (2020), Arctic Cruise Line (2021), Aroya Cruise Saudi (2021), Selectum Blu Cruises (2021/ANEX Tours Turkey).

The largest "small ship" companies are Viking and Ponant .

The industry's estimated revenue for 2018 was USD 40 billion, with projected growth to USD 59 billion (2027). In terms of source passengers, the largest markets are North America (50+%) and Europe (30+%). The fastest-growing market is luxury cruising, with the largest companies being Viking Ocean, Viking Expeditions, Silversea, MSC Expeditions (separate fleet), Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd, RSSC-Regent.

In 2022, the ship orders with deliveries planned in 2023-2028 were 72 (units) amounting to ~USD/EUR 46 billion.

In 2023, the number of cruise vessels (ordered and scheduled for launches in 2023-2028) was 56 (~USD/EUR 39 billion, average cost per unit ~USD/EUR 680M), including 19 (2023-inaugurated), 10 (2024/30,000+ berths), 19 (2025), and 20 (2026-2028).

By 2028, the new vessels (2023-28) add to the global fleet 129000+ berths.

New MSC ships 2017-2027

On March 20, 2014, MSC and STX France signed in Paris a letter of intent for building 2 new mega-liners with scheduled deliveries in 2017 (Meraviglia) and 2019 (Bellissima), each with GT 167,600 tons (slightly smaller than Quantum-class / 167,800 GT), but with bigger passenger capacity - 4500 (vs 4180).

MSC Meraviglia-class cruise ship

In February 2016, MSC ordered two "Meraviglia Plus" liners with max capacity 6300 passengers (200 more cabins, 16 m longer compared to Meraviglia-Class). The order made MSC France's largest private foreign investor - with USD 8,6+ billion in export contracts over a 5-year period. On April 6, 2016, MSC signed with STX France for the construction of up to four World-Class vessels - LNG-powered , with GT tonnage 250,000 tons and max passenger capacity 6800.

MSC Cruises World-Class ship

In November 2017 MSC ordered 2x "Seaside EVO" class ships from Fincantieri (contract value EUR 1,8 billion). The new ships are bigger (16 m longer, 17,330 GT tons heavier, with 200 more cabins / 467 more passengers) in comparison to Seaview and Seaside. Newbuilds' deliveries were scheduled for 2021 (Seashore) and 2022 (Seascape). With Seaside EVO, MSC had a total investment of EUR 10,5 billion into 12 new vessels with scheduled deliveries by 2026. The first of four "World Class" vessels will be delivered in 2022.

In October 2018, MSC and Fincantieri signed an MoA for 4x ultra-luxury expedition (total value EUR 2+ billion). The newbuilds (EXPLORA-class/first unit delivery in 2023-Q3) have GT tonnage 64,000 and 500 cabins. The remaining 3 units are due to enter service one per year (2024-2025-2026).

MSC Explora-Class ship (Explora Journeys)

In 2023, MSC's fleet had 21 liners.

New Carnival Corporation ships 2019-2024

In March 2015 Carnival Corporation ordered 9 vessels to be built by two different companies. Fincantieri SpA (Italy) constructs 5 units (at Monfalcone and Marghera yards), while Meyer Werft BmbH constructs the other 4 units in Germany (Papenburg) and Finland (Turku).

All new liners feature next-generation designs and marine architecture and technologies, each designed accordingly to the brand it serves (Costa, AIDA, Princess, Holland America, CCL-Carnival).

In 2019 was established CSSC Carnival China/ADORA CRUISES - a Chinese-American joint venture company with a separate fleet of 2x ex-Costa ships (Atlantica, Mediterranea) plus 2 newbuilds (2023, 2024).

The next video is about Ponant's new Explorer-Class ships.

New cruise ships (2021-2028) under construction and on order

New riverboats 2021-2026, new river cruise ships 2021-2026.

This survey shows the list of the newest river cruise ships and luxury boats. These are all newbuilds, so the list excludes boats that are chartered to other companies (thus only refurbished and renamed).

new Russian river cruise ship design

For all riverboats tracked at CruiseMapper, you can visit our River Cruises hub where are listed all river shipping companies and their fleets.

European river cruise ship design

New cruiseferries (2021-2027)

Here are listed large-sized new cruise ferries built between 2010-2024. RoRo vessels as types can be ferries (car and passenger ships), cruise ferries (with passenger cabins), cargo ships and freight barges.

At the following taglink are listed all CruiseMapper's news related to new ships .

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The biggest cruise ship in the world is being built

What will cruise directors think of next?

large cruise ship being built

  • Haley Otman
  • June 9, 2017

Have you ever thought about taking a vacation with 7,000 of your closest friends? In just a few years, you’ll be able to. At that time, the world’s largest cruise ship will set sail, hosting a record number of guests.

MSC Cruises recently announced their order of two mega-ships. One will debut in 2022, and the other in 2024. “MSC Cruises’ World Class cruise ships will feature 2,760 cabins and a maximum occupancy of 6,850 guests, the highest passenger capacity in the global cruise fleet,” according to a press release . And the ship will be a whopping 330 meters long. Conde Nast Traveler calculates that this is almost as long as three football fields, and that it will hold about a hundred more guests than the leading cruise ships.

The ships will, of course, be outfitted with all of the latest cruise luxuries, which their customers expect. A different MSC ship, just unveiled this summer, includes amenities like an indoor promenade, water slides, a bowling alley and even a flight simulator, according to USA Today .

According to the cruise line, the look of the new World Class ships will be different than other cruise ships you’ve boarded. “The World Class’ futuristic ‘Y’ shape structure will enable panoramic sea views and increase the proportion of balcony cabins,” they wrote .

MSC Cruises are popular in the Mediterranean, South Africa and Brazil, they say , though they also offer sailings in the Caribbean, Northern Europe and other areas. You may have heard of MSC before as the provider of a forthcoming, buzzed-about 119-day itinerary . This “ World Cruise ” will allow travelers to see 49 stops in 32 countries. It leaves in January 2019 and will return in May.

This ship is just the latest innovation to the cruising industry. A different cruise provider, Ponant, recently shared its plans for underwater lounges . Guests will be able to check out the creatures swimming near the ship while sipping a drink on a sofa that vibrates to mimic the movements of the sea.

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Why Royal Caribbean isn't going all in on massive cruise ships despite the wild success of its new Icon of the Seas

  • Royal Caribbean International has unveiled a swath of giant cruise ships over the past few years.
  • Its CEO said its new world's largest ship, the  Icon of the Seas,  is its "best-selling product" ever.
  • But the cruise line doesn't plan on going all in on megaships forever.

Insider Today

Earlier this year, guests at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay private island were the first to revel at the historic sight of the world's largest cruise ships, Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, docked side-by-side.

The vessels towered over their communal dock like skyscrapers, casting a dark shadow over their relatively tiny shared pier.

Together, they can accommodate about 19,250 people.

At 1,196 feet long and weighing 248,663 gross tons, the Icon of the Seas is a sight to behold. When it launched in late January, the giant vessel upstaged its eight-foot shorter predecessor, the Wonder of the Seas , as the world's biggest.

At the time, it was no surprise: Every new Royal Caribbean ship seemed to dethrone another Royal Caribbean ship for this title.

But not for long.

The company's smaller ships, important for diverse trips, are aging.

The company is synonymous with its mega vessels. And they've been mega-hits: Michael Bayley, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, has repeatedly called the Icon of the Seas the "best-selling product" in the company's history.

Related stories

Royal Caribbean is set to launch four more megaships by 2028 — representing about a third of its total fleet. So far, most of the megaships' scheduled sailings are in the Caribbean.

The other 21 smaller vessels tend to have more specialized itineraries, Patrick Scholes, the managing director of lodging and leisure-equity research at Truist Securities, told Business Insider.

Given their trimmer sizes, these vessels can operate more sailings outside the Caribbean , which often reel in high fares and customer satisfaction for the company, Jay Schneider, the chief product-innovation officer at Royal Caribbean Group, told reporters in January. Think of the Mediterranean, Alaska, and South Pacific itineraries — the latter are especially important as the cruise line continues to ramp up business in Asia.

But these destination-flexible cruise liners are aging as Royal Caribbean continues to unveil their giant counterparts. The company launched its four oldest Vision-class ships, with a maximum 2,730-guest capacity, between 1996 and 1998.

They're tiny and old compared to the 2-month-old, 7,600-guest Icon of the Seas .

Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean plans to return to the basics: smaller cruise ships.

Despite the cruise line's success with mega-vessels, Schneider said Royal Caribbean is now considering a new class of ships that would start "smaller" — noting that he was "careful to say small, but less-than-large."

"The reality is, families want to go on vacations not just in the Western and Eastern Caribbean where a ship like Icon can get into," Schneider said. "They want to stay with our brand and journey to different destinations that require more versatility in ship size."

Desirable destinations such as French Polynesia and Venice, Italy, have limited visiting cruises , including size restrictions, to curb pollution and overcrowding. But, as Schneider said, small-vessel-enabled specialized itineraries are also important to travelers.

Giant mass-market floating resorts also often attract first-time cruisers, enamored by their family-friendly water parks and Broadway-style shows. But after a few good vacations at sea, these no-longer-new-to-cruising guests might start craving quieter ships or more bespoke itineraries.

"Alaska cruises tend not to be the first-time cruiser," Scholes told BI. "I don't really see Icon of the Seas doing a Norwegian Fjord or Alaska trip."

Plus, "there's probably only so much demand for these giant ships," Scholes said.

Royal Caribbean has already succeeded in the first part: bringing in a swath of new cruisers with its megaships. Now, it has to retain them.

Watch: Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail

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large cruise ship being built

The top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world

M odern cruise ships continue to grow in size, with the biggest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas , launching at the start of this year, and her sister ship the Star of the Seas expected to surpass her in size.

Both of these ships are operated by Royal Caribbean International, which operates five of the ten largest cruise ships in the world. Carnival Corporation, arguably the biggest cruise company in the world, features three times on the list through its subsidiaries P&O Cruises and Costa Cruises.

All of the heaviest cruise ships in the world were built within the last 20 years, although the majority – six of the ten – were built within the last five years.

So, here are the top ten biggest cruise ships in the world, by gross tonnage. 

10. P&O Cruises MS Arvia : 185,581 gross tonnes

The MS Arvia is P&O Cruises’ fourth ship to be built by German shipyard Meyer Werft. Weighing in at 185,581 gross tonnes, the 345m (1,130-foot) Arvia is slightly larger than her sister ship, the MS Iona . The 20-deck ship is the largest ship commissioned for the British cruise market and has a maximum passenger capacity of 6,264 passengers, with 1,800 crew onboard. 

The ship is the second liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered Excellence-class vessel for P&O, following the Iona . Arvia is powered by a 61,760kW LNG drive system, with a propulsion power of 37 megawatts. The LNG-powered propulsion system allows the vessel to sail at a maximum speed of 21.5 knots.

After being floated out in August 2022, the Arvia mainly operates itineraries around the Caribbean or the Mediterranean.

9. Costa Cruises – Costa Smeralda : 185,010 gross tonnes

The Costa Smeralda is the first LNG-powered vessel in the Costa Cruises fleet. With a gross tonnage of 185,010gt, the 20-deck Excellence-class ship measures 337m (1,106 feet) in length. The second LNG-powered cruise ship to enter operation in the world, she has a maximum capacity of 6,554 passengers with 1,646 crew and a service speed of 21.5 knots.

Construction of the Costa Smeralda began at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, in September 2017. Meyer Turku collaborated with the Meyer Werft Papenburg shipyard to develop and integrate the LNG propulsion plant for the ship. She is fitted with four 16-cylinder, Caterpillar MaK 16VM46DF engines, with 15.4 megawatts (20,710 horsepower) output per engine, resulting in a maximum power of  37 megawatts (50,000 horsepower).

The ship, which was named after the Emerald Coast of Sardinia, entered service in December 2019 , departing Savona on its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean, where it has sailed since.

8. Costa Cruises – Costa Toscana : 186,364 gross tonnes

The Costa Toscana is the sister ship of the Costa Smeralda and is also powered by LNG . measuring 337m (1,106 feet) long and weighing in at 186,364 gross tonnes, the Toscana has a maximum capacity of 6,338 passengers and 1,678 staff across her 20 decks.

Like her sister ship, the Toscana was also built at the Meyer shipyard in Finland, with construction completed in 2021. She is also powered by four MaK-Caterpillar engines, with a total power of 57.2 megawatts (76,706 horsepower), and two ABB Azipod motors , resulting in a service speed of 17 knots.

Named in homage to the Tuscany region of Italy, Costa Toscana mainly sails around the Mediterranean Sea but Costa Cruises has also used the ship to sail itineraries further afield, such as around Brazil and the UAE.

7. MSC Cruises – MSC World Europa : 215,863 gross tonnes

The only entry in the top ten from MSC Cruises, MSC World Europa measures 333m (1,094 feet) in length. With 215,863 gross tonnage, she can house more people than any other ship in the MSC fleet: up to 6,762 passengers across 2,633 cabins spread over 22 decks, in addition to 2,138 crew.

Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, the World Europa ’s LNG-power propulsion system was subcontracted to Finland-based Wärtsilä. Five LNG-powered, 14-cylinder Wartsila 46DF dual-fuel engines power the vessel, with a propulsion power of 44 megawatts ( 59,005 horsepower). She also features nitrogen oxide reduction (NOR) units, two Wartsila LNGPac fuel storage and supply systems, seven thrusters, and two fixed-pitch propellers. 

The MSC World Europa was floated out at the end of 2021 and was initially used as an accommodation vessel for fans attending the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the ship berthed at Doha Port in Qatar during the tournament. Following the competition, the ship subsequently travelled several routes around the UAE, before sailing to the Mediterranean, where it has sailed itineraries since.

6. Royal Caribbean International – Allure of the Seas : 225,282 gross tonnes

The first of many entries on this list operated by Royal Caribbean, Allure of the Seas weighs in at 225,282 gross tonnes. Measuring 362m (1,187 feet), she is only 50mm (2 inches) longer than her sister ship the Oasis of the Seas . The Allure has a maximum capacity of 6,780 passengers and 2,200 crew across 18 decks.

Built at the Turku Shipyard in Finland, the Allure took two years to build , floating out in 2010. She features six Wärtsilä 46 diesel engines with a total power output of 97 megawatts (130,053 horsepower). It is propelled by three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters. The ship can travel at a cruising speed of 22 knots.

With a homeport of Galveston, Texas in the US, the Allure mainly serves itineraries around the Bahamas but she is scheduled to sail routes around the Mediterranean in 2025.

5. Royal Caribbean International – Oasis of the Seas : 226,838 gross tonnes

The oldest ship on this list, the Oasis of the Seas has been in service for over a decade. She was the biggest cruise ship at the time when floated out in 2009, with a gross tonnage of 226,838gt and a length of 360m (1,181 feet). The Oasis has a maximum capacity of 6,699 passengers and 2,181 staff across 18 decks.

The Oasis took two years to build at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, with the keel laid on 12 November 2007 and the ship arriving at her homeport of Port Everglades in Florida, US, on 13 November 2009.

The Oasis is powered by eight Wärtsilä V12 diesel engines, which generate 5.6 megawatts (7,500 horsepower) each, alongside four bow thrusters. The main propulsion system consists of three 20-megawatt (26,820 horsepower) electric Azipod motors, resulting in a combined propulsion power of 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) and a standard cruising speed of 23 knots.

The Oasis mainly operates routes around the Caribbean, but occasionally repositions to offer itineraries in the Mediterranean.

4. Royal Caribbean International – Harmony of the Seas : 226,963 gross tonnes

The third Oasis-class ship built by Royal Caribbean, Harmony of the Seas weighed in bigger than her existing sister ships at launch in 2016, with 226,963 gross tonnage, but she has since been surpassed by newer vessels. With a total length of 362m (1,188 feet), Harmony has a maximum capacity of 6,780 passengers and 2,300 staff across 18 decks.

Royal Caribbean placed an order with STX France for the construction of Harmony of the Seas in December 2012. The first steel for the ship was cut at STX France’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard in September 2013, while the keel-laying ceremony was held in May 2014.

The Harmony is powered by three 18.9-megawatt Wärtsilä 16V46 16-cylinder main generator diesel engines and three Wärtsilä 12V46 12-cylinder engines producing 13.9 megawatts each. The propulsion power is provided by three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters and manoeuvring is assisted by four 5.5-megawatt Wärtsilä CT 3500 tunnel thrusters. The propulsion system results in 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) and enables the ship to sail at a standard speed of 23 knots.

Harmony of the Seas embarked on her inaugural seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, Spain, in June 2016, and currently operates itineraries around the Western Caribbean from her homeport of Galveston, Texas in the US.

3. Royal Caribbean International – Symphony of the Seas : 228,081 gross tonnes

At launch in 2018, 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 across 18 decks and was the testing ground for Royal Caribbean's new muster drill . With a total length of 361m (1,185 feet), She is roughly 30 metres (98 feet) longer than the largest military ships , the US Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and the USS Gerald R. Ford .

The keel-laying ceremony for the Symphony of the Seas was held in October 2015 at STX’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard in France, and the ship sailed out in June 2017. She is powered by six diesel sets, each composed of three Wärtsilä 16V46D engines and three Wärtsilä 12V46D engines, as well as three 20-megawatt electric Azipod main engines – resulting in 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) of propulsion power and a standard cruising speed of 22 knots.

The Symphony commenced her seven-day maiden voyage from Barcelona in April 2018, and since then has mainly operated itineraries around the Caribbean from her homeports of Miami, New York, and Fort Lauderdale.

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, the Wonder was the largest ship in the world when she was completed in January 2022. 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.

Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, 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 (109,964 horsepower and a standard cruising speed of 22 knots.

The Wonder sailed her maiden voyage in March 2022 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has since served itineraries around the Caribbean from her homeports of Miami and Cape Canaveral.

1. Royal Caribbean International – Icon of the Seas : 248,663 gross tonnes

Weighing 248,663 gross tonnes and measuring 365 metres (1,1967 feet), the Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. Christened on 23 January 2024, the Icon has a maximum capacity of 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew across 20 decks. She is the lead ship of the new Icon-class, with a sister ship the Star of the Seas due to be delivered in 2025 and another ship planned for delivery in 2026.

Built by Meyer Turku in Finland, 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, which provide 67.5 megawatts of energy to run the ship. She is propelled by three 20-megawatt Azipod thrusters as well as five 4.8-megawatt Wärtsilä WTT-45 CP bow thrusters, with a cruising speed of 22 knots.

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 from her homeport of Miami, Florida.

"The top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world" was originally created and published by Ship Technology , a GlobalData owned brand.

The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.

The top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world

On the world’s largest cruise ship, thrills and space to chill

Onlookers wave as Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, now the world's largest cruise ship, departs port in Miami.

With room for nearly 8,000 people on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, there are wild water rides, 40 dining and entertainment choices and, surprisingly, spaces for some actual peace and quiet

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One man got down on his knees and kissed the rug emblazoned with the ship’s logo. Another lifted his wife and swung her around, ecstatic to be among the roughly 5,000 passengers to embark on the inaugural sailing of the world’s largest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas.

For months, the 250,800-ton ship, which can carry nearly 8,000 people, has been making headlines — including some that have criticized its size and potential to damage the environment. But the passengers who plunked down $1,800 to $100,000 and boarded the ship at Port Miami in Florida on Jan. 27, said nothing could have prepared them for the vessel’s sheer scale.

“It’s stunning,” said Christina Carvalho, a 43-year-old accountant from Oakland, as she stood on the ship’s Royal Promenade, gaping up at “The Pearl,” a gigantic kinetic art installation. “It feels even bigger than I expected.”

Guests pose for photos by a floral display in "Icon" letter shapes on the promenade of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.

While Royal Caribbean has packed the ship with amenities to craft “the ultimate family vacation,” the company’s design team has tried to defy negative stereotypes like crowded decks and long lines. Instead of steel walls, the interior is open and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows to bring passengers closer to the water and make the central thoroughfare feel less like a shopping mall.

“Over the years our customers told us that despite being on the ocean, they did not feel connected to it, so with Icon we wanted to bring water everywhere,” said Jennifer Goswami, the director of product development at Royal Caribbean International.

I was on board the Icon of the Seas for five days of its seven-night inaugural sailing to the eastern Caribbean. Here are some of my takeaways:

Passengers board the ship at the port.

Embarkation

Embarkation starts through Royal Caribbean’s app. After some glitches, it took me 10 minutes to scan identification documents, fill out a health form and pick a time slot for boarding.

On the day of the sailing, I headed to Port Miami expecting chaos, but as I got out of the taxi, I was greeted by a porter who took my bag and ushered me to the terminal. I scanned my app, showed my passport and went through security in less than 10 minutes. I lingered, waiting to see if others had as smooth an experience as I did, but there was just a steady flow of passengers ascending the gangway.

A female passenger gazes out at the view from the deck of The Icon of the Seas.

The ship has the feel of a city, with eight distinct “neighborhoods.” My favorite, Central Park, was filled with more than 33,000 plants; it was the perfect place to stroll or read on a bench. The Royal Promenade, with karaoke and a piano bar, could get crowded and noisy at peak times.

The seven swimming pools are designed for different vibes and demographics: The Hideaway is an adults-only infinity pool, with DJ sets and cocktails; another adult pool has an adjacent children’s splash pool. Empty lounge chairs were plentiful for sunbathers across the ship.

The view from an upper deck of the Icon of the Seas cruise ship’s Central Park neighborhood.

On our first sea day, I was so surprised by the relative absence of crowds that I walked the ship trying to find them. But with so many venues, including 40 restaurants, bars and entertainment spaces, passengers were constantly moving around.

Seeking a quiet space one afternoon, I found the Aquadome , a tranquil lounging area with wraparound windows. Fellow passengers napped there.

Strolling through Central Park, one of the writer’s favorite neighborhoods on the ship.

Entertainment and activities

From a sunrise surf simulator lesson to late-night dancing in the nightclub, the ship seems to offer something for everyone, most of it free. The water park with six slides was a big draw. One ride, the Crown’s Edge, is not complimentary: Starting at $49, it tosses you (in a harness) above the sea, leaving you dangling.

Guests at a swim-up bar aboard Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas.

There is a fitness center, jogging track, a basketball and soccer court, a putt-putt course, pickleball, rock climbing and dancing. A wellness center and spa offers treatments for an additional cost. All can be reserved on the app; for popular attractions like the Crown’s Edge it’s helpful to book ahead because places fill up fast.

A water slide on Thrill Island, the ship’s water park, is one of the main attractions.

For nightly entertainment, “Aqua Action” was a standout, with aquatic entertainers performing under a 55-foot waterfall, as was the comedy club.

A guest takes a spin on the 40-foot-long FlowRider surf simulator.

Not surprisingly, some passengers felt overprogrammed. “There’s almost too much to do,” said Nancy Carter, 54, a nurse from Brighton, England. “It’s hard to plan your day and even when you are busy doing something, you feel like you are missing out on something else.”

At the Surfside neighborhood, there are pools and restaurants for both adults and children so that families can spend time together. For parents wanting alone time, the Adventure Ocean child-care facility has play areas and programs for ages 6 months to 12 years that is included in the fare.

Surfside is the ship’s neighborhood for families, with restaurants, swimming pools and other diversions.

There’s a social center for teenagers, too, with games and music. “It’s a great place to meet new people and make friends,” said Madison Foxx, 14, from Morrisville, N.C. Her mother, Ashley, a 38-year-old federal prosecutor, said the ship kept her two children entertained and allowed her both alone time and quality family time.

“I can relax and the kids are happy and busy all day,” she said. “Then we have many special moments together.”

One of the biggest surprises was the array of dining choices.

The main dining room of the Icon of the Seas.

The Windjammer Cafe and the main dining room were the busiest all-inclusive options. My daily go-to was the Aquadome food hall, with crepes made-to-order and a Greek food stand. Another favorite of mine was Pier 7, a restaurant in Surfside that served raw-tuna Buddha bowls, mango-lime shrimp tostadas and other dishes.

Meals at specialty restaurants, such as Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Hooked Seafood, come at an additional cost, or are included in some food and beverages packages that range from $9.99 to $115 per day. Reservations are recommended.

The Empire Supper Club offers an eight-course meal paired with cocktails. At $200, the tasting menu included wagyu rib-eye, rabbit and sea bass topped with parsnip and red beets.

Cabin balconies on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas.

Cabin prices — which recently increased, because of high demand — range from $2,699 per person for an interior cabin to more than $100,000 for a three-story town house with an indoor slide and backyard. Some family accommodations have connecting rooms and large terraces.

Though only 204 square feet, my ocean balcony room did not feel cramped thanks to minimalist design and the views.

Environment

Royal Caribbean says it set a new standard for sustainability with this ship, installing advanced water-treatment and waste systems, among other features. But some environmental groups say that building a vessel this size is not compatible with the cruise industry’s long-term sustainability goals.

On board, I saw staff sorting through the trash to take out misplaced items to recycle, and single-use plastic appeared to be minimal; passengers were given reusable cups at drinking stations.

Passengers ascend a stairway within “The Pearl,” a five-deck-tall functional sculpture.

That the waterslides remained on, even after they were closed to passengers, caught me by surprise. It seemed like an unnecessary waste of energy. (Royal Caribbean did not respond to a request for comment.)

Passengers I spoke to did not seem too concerned about the ship’s potential to harm the environment, with some arguing that land and air travel are not climate-friendly either.

Our seven-night itinerary started with two days at sea. The first stop was on Day 4 at Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts and Nevis. Excursions ranged from a hike up Mount Liamuiga to a food-and-rum tour, with prices from $39 to $249. I chose a sailing and snorkeling excursion ($155) and enjoyed the secluded bay, but the beach was crowded and touristy.

An anticipated excursion for Foxx, the federal prosecutor, and others was Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s private island. When I asked about her visit — I called later, having to disembark before the excursion — Foxx said her children loved the slides and snorkeling.

And would she sail on the Icon of the Seas again?

“Yes, but I might wait a bit,” she replied. “I want everyone to get a chance to try it out.”

Yeğinsu writes for The New York Times.

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Nation's 1st home-built large cruise ship undocks

large cruise ship being built

China's first domestically built large cruise ship, Adora Magic City , completed its undocking in Shanghai on Tuesday, bringing it a step closer to its long-awaited delivery by the end of 2023.

A ceremony was held on Tuesday to celebrate the vessel's complete transition to the dock mooring debugging stage. The cruise ship is scheduled to make its first trial voyage in July, and a second one will take place in August, according to its builder Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation.

"This is a new milestone in China's cruise ship manufacturing. Building large cruise ships is a symbolic accomplishment in China's shipbuilding industry, marking its transition from a large shipbuilding nation into a major shipbuilding power," said Chen Gang, general manager of Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding and the chief designer of the shipyard's large cruise ship project.

In what was a gigantic engineering project, the construction of the 323.6-meter-long and 37.2-meter-wide cruise ship required 12 million man-hours of labor. The mammoth cruise ship consists of 136 systems, more than 20,000 sets of equipment, 25 million components and parts, 4,200 kilometers of cable, 350 km of pipelines and 450 km of air pipes sourced from more than 500 global suppliers, according to CSSC.

"The first China-made cruise ship has overcome many challenges in its construction, and entered a new stage in accordance with the schedule," said Lin Guolong, director of Shanghai Maritime University's Logistics Research Center.

According to Lin, building large cruise vessels is seen in the shipbuilding industry as one of the most challenging tasks, equivalent to building aircraft carriers and liquefied natural gas carriers.

"During the past five years, Adora Magic City has overcome various challenges and become a vivid and colorful representative of China's cruise industry today," said Yang Guobing, chairman of CSSC Cruise Technology Development Co.

"In order to build this 'magic city' on the sea, we have cultivated project management capabilities to deal with huge and complex systems, established an independent cruise operation team, and promoted the localization of multiple core systems such as IT, interior decoration and cruise supply," Yang said.

Construction of the vessel, which has a gross tonnage of 135,500 tons, is 93 percent completed, and over 85 percent of the interior decoration has also been completed, according to the manufacturer.

"The successful delivery of the vessel will make China one of the few countries, including Italy, France, Germany and Finland, that can build a cruise ship on its own," said Zheng Weihang, executive vice-president and secretary-general of the China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association.

Since the launch of China's first home port cruise operation in 2006, it has been a long-awaited dream of the Chinese shipbuilding industry to have a domestically built cruise ship, and after 17 years, that dream is about to come true, said Zheng.

The jumbo ship can accommodate a maximum of 5,246 passengers with its 2,125 guest rooms ranging from standard rooms to presidential suites, and it will have a luxury hotel, cinemas and a water park on board.

In the meantime, it has the country's largest duty-free shopping center on board an oceangoing vessel, a 5G network, and the country's first live comedy theater at sea.

Aimed at offering a cruise experience blending Eastern and Western cultures, Adora Magic City has chosen Shanghai as its home port for its inaugural season. It plans to operate cruises by Adora Cruises to Southeast and Northeast Asian destinations before launching mid-to-long haul routes such as the "Maritime Silk Road".

Adora Cruises is a leading provider of premium cruise experiences under CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Ltd, a joint venture between China State Shipbuilding Corporation, the world's largest shipbuilding company, and Carnival Corp & plc, the world's largest leisure travel company.

"Building large cruise ships is a tremendous breakthrough in China's shipbuilding industry and a demonstration of the country's high-end equipment construction capabilities and comprehensive scientific and technological level," said Chen Rangfeng, managing director of CSSC Carnival, the ship's operator.

Construction of the country's second domestically built large cruise ship started in August 2022.

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IMAGES

  1. Video shows massive cruise ship assembled in seconds

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  2. China starts to build second large cruise ship, in show of rising

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  3. Odyssey of the Seas construction photo update

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  4. Exclusive: Inside the largest cruise ship ever built

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  5. Construction Update on Carnival Cruise Line's Third New Mega-Ship

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  6. Sneak peek: Inside the construction of the largest cruise ship ever

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COMMENTS

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

    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 ...

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  4. Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas will be world's biggest cruise

    Royal Caribbean has done it again. The cruise line has announced it's building the largest cruise ship ever — even bigger than its recently unveiled Wonder of the Seas, the current record-holder for world's largest cruise ship.The new Icon of the Seas will carry 7,600 passengers at maximum occupancy (or nearly 10,000 people when you account for the crew) when it first sets sail with guests ...

  5. A Look Inside the World's Largest Cruise Ship, Launching January 2024

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  6. Icon of the Seas, world's largest cruise ship, set to make its debut

    World's largest cruise ship, "Icon of the Seas," prepares to set sail 00:31. The RMS Titanic was once considered the largest ship in the world before it met its demise in the Atlantic Ocean.

  7. Icon of the Seas Construction Update: A Sphere of Activity is Underway

    June 2021 - A new, revolutionary era of cruising is setting sail in fall 2023 with the debut of Royal Caribbean International's first Icon Class ship, Icon of the Seas.Construction is now underway on the cruise line's first LNG-powered ship, which will include a lineup of other advanced environmental technologies and game-changing experiences and features for guests and crew.

  8. Royal Caribbean Unveils Details for World's Largest Cruise Ship

    The cruise ship, which is the first of three ordered for the class, is being built at Meyer Turku and scheduled for delivery at the end of 2023. ... the current largest cruise ship.

  9. 18 decks, 20,000 plants, 9,000 passengers: Inside the world's largest

    The ship measures an incredible 1,188 feet, and has capacity for almost 7,000 guests and 2,300 crew. Guests have their pick of 2,867 staterooms over 16 guest decks, and can make their way through ...

  10. Royal Caribbean to build the world's largest ship

    The ship, being built in Finland, will be 1,198 feet long with an internal volume of over 250,000. It will add over 2,300 jobs for the cruise industry and can have over 5,000 guests each sailing ...

  11. The World's Largest Cruise Ship Will Set Sail In 2024

    Featuring more than 40 restaurants, seven pools, an indoor aqua theater and the largest waterpark at sea, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is being billed as the "ultimate family vacation"

  12. The Insane Scale of the World's Biggest Cruise Ship

    The Icon of the Seas is bigger than some skyscrapers.Read about the creation of Royal Caribbean's striking Miami HQ - https://bit.ly/3EFTFUlFull story here -...

  13. On the World's Largest Cruise Ship, Thrills and Space to Chill

    But the passengers who plunked down $1,800 to $100,000 and boarded the ship at Port Miami in Florida on Jan. 27, said nothing could have prepared them for the vessel's sheer scale. Guests pose ...

  14. The biggest cruise ship ever built is about to touch water for the

    The biggest cruise ship ever built will hit a major construction milestone this weekend. Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas will touch water for the first time as it's "floated out" from a dry dock at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France, where it has been under construction for more than a year. ...

  15. Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas Under Construction: Photos

    May 17, 2023, 2:00 AM PDT. Royal Caribbean's upcoming Icon of the Seas mega cruise ship is over 70% complete. Brittany Chang/Business Insider. Royal Caribbean International invited a group of ...

  16. Newest cruise ships 2021-2028 on order/under construction

    Find here the answer to which is the newest cruise ships currently under construction or on order. You can jump directly to the lists of new vessels on order / under construction (2021-2028), as well as new riverboats (2021-2026) and new cruiseferries (2021-2027).. Here you'll find them all - from small to big to the ever-largest passenger ships from the fleets of RCG-Royal Caribbean, Carnival ...

  17. The Insane Size Of The World's Largest New Cruise Ship

    Royal Caribbean has built the world's largest cruise ship, The Icon Of The Seas, costing $2 billion to build, today we look at the insane engineering behind ...

  18. Stunning Satellite Photos of World's Largest Cruise Ship Being Built

    It total, the typical Oasis-class ship will measure nearly 1,200 feet and carry nearly 7,000 people! We recently uncovered a cool way to get a look at one of the newest ships in the fleet — Harmony of the Seas. Most people are familiar with Google Maps and their extensive satellite photos covering the entire planet.

  19. I saw Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas being built

    In January 2024, the ship will begin service as the world's largest cruise vessel with 2,805 rooms. These are the nine reasons I think the 7,600-guest floating resort will shake up the cruise ...

  20. Icon of the Seas

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  21. The biggest cruise ship in the world is being built

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  22. Why Royal Caribbean's Wave of New Megaships Won't Last Forever

    Royal Caribbean International has unveiled a swath of giant cruise ships over the past few years. Its CEO said its new world's largest ship, the Icon of the Seas, is its "best-selling product" ever.

  23. The top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world

    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, the Wonder was the largest ship in the world ...

  24. On the world's largest cruise ship, thrills and space to chill

    Onlookers wave as Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, now the world's largest cruise ship, departed port in Miami on Jan. 27. For years before it set sail, the Icon was making headlines, both ...

  25. Nation's 1st home-built large cruise ship undocks

    LONG WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY. China's first domestically built large cruise ship, Adora Magic City, completed its undocking in Shanghai on Tuesday, bringing it a step closer to its long-awaited delivery by the end of 2023. A ceremony was held on Tuesday to celebrate the vessel's complete transition to the dock mooring debugging stage.

  26. Where Are Cruise Ships Built?

    STX Europe, Meyer Werft and Fincantieri are the main builders of cruise ships. STX Europe is responsible for Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas, which was built in Finland, while Celebrity Edge ...