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What is the largest cruise ship in the world?

Feb. 26, 2025
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5 min read
20221019_ICON OF THE SEAS Renderings_Royal Caribbean_aft
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Does size really matter? The cruise industry thinks so. For more than a century, cruise lines have competed to claim the title of world’s largest cruise ship.

When it set sail in 1912, the ill-fated Titanic was the largest and grandest passenger vessel of its time. But since 2009, when Royal Caribbean debuted its first Oasis Class ship, those superlatives have applied to vessels more than five times Titanic’s size.

Icon of the Seas.
Icon of the Seas. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Today, the largest cruise ships are floating cities, offering a plethora of bars and restaurants, expansive spas and sundeck retreats. They feature scores of recreation opportunities, including zip lines, surf simulators, rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, escape rooms, laser tag, top-deck go-karts, virtual reality gaming and even roller coasters.

So, what is the largest cruise ship in the world, and how do other cruise ships compare? Here’s a quick rundown of the world’s biggest cruise ships by both gross registered tons and maximum passenger capacity. Unsurprisingly, Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class and Oasis Class dominate the top five in both categories, with only two other lines joining Royal Caribbean.

Note: This article excludes ships from lines like Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises and Aida, which do not cater to the North American market.

What is the world’s largest cruise ship?

Currently, it’s Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. At 250,800 gross registered tons and carrying up to 7,600 passengers (plus 2,350 crew members), the ship is a true behemoth. It includes neighborhoods that feature everything from waterslides, an indoor AquaTheater, a carousel and an adults-only sundeck to lavish suites, retail shops, thousands of live plants and more than two dozen bars and restaurants.

World’s biggest cruise ships by tonnage

World’s biggest cruise ships by passenger capacity

  • Star of the Seas: 7,600 passengers
  • Icon of the Seas: 7,600 passengers
  • Utopia of the Seas: 6,988 passengers (estimated)
  • Wonder of the Seas: 6,988 passengers
  • Allure of the Seas: 6,780 passengers
  • Oasis of the Seas: 6,771 passengers
  • MSC World America: 6,762 passengers
  • MSC World Europa: 6,762 passengers
  • Harmony of the Seas: 6,687 passengers
  • Symphony of the Seas: 6,680 passengers
  • Carnival’s Mardi Gras: 6,631 passengers
  • Carnival Celebration: 6,631 passengers
  • Carnival Jubilee: 6,631 passengers
  • MSC Grandiosa: 6,334 passengers
  • MSC Virtuosa: 6,334 passengers

What is the biggest cruise ship in the world today (2025)?

Currently, the largest cruise ships in the world by both tonnage and passenger capacity are Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas, which are tied for the title. They take the superlative from fleetmate Wonder of the Seas. Several other Royal Caribbean vessels — including Freedom Class and Oasis Class namesakes Freedom of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas — were also the largest at one time.

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What is the world’s biggest cruise ship price?

Royal Caribbean paid about $2 billion apiece to build Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas. At press time, the least expensive cabins on Icon of the Seas started at $1,452 per person ($207 per person, per night), including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean voyage. Similar cruises on Star of the Seas were going for $1,461 per person ($209 per person, per night). If that’s out of your price range, check out my recommendations for ships to try instead of Icon of the Seas.

What cruise ship is 5 times bigger than Titanic?

All of the ships in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class and Icon Class are at least five times larger than Titanic was, in terms of size. As far as passenger numbers, Titanic had capacity for 2,453 people, while Icon of the Seas can hold 7,600, meaning the latter holds more than three times the number of passengers Titanic was able to.

What is the largest cruise ship capacity?

Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas can each hold up to 7,600 guests at maximum capacity or 5,610 guests on a double occupancy basis (two people per cabin). The ship also employs more than 2,300 crew members. That means it can carry nearly 10,000 people when it’s fully crewed and every passenger bed is occupied.

Got more cruise questions? TPG has answers:

Featured image by ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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