Top 25 Biggest Cruise Ships in the World

Ships today, mega ships as they are known, are as big as some aircraft carriers, but how big are they and how do we measure them?

Cruise ships are evaluated based on their gross registered tonnage, which despite its name is a volume calculation, basically how much inside space on a ship.

Royal Caribbean continues to dominate the top spots for the biggest ships, coming in at around 250,800 gross registered tons. For context, the Titanic was a mere 46,329 gross tons, which means you could fit almost 5 Titanics in today’s biggest ship.

Here's a look at the 25 biggest cruise ships currently sailing throughout the world.

1. Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean

Gross tonnage: 250,800

Length: 1,198 feet

Width: 213 feet

Passengers: 5,610 double occupancy

Icon of the Seas recently surpassed Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas as the largest cruise ship in the world. She sails out of Miami, Florida to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Star of the Seas will join the fleet in 2025 as the second Icon Class ship, as well as a third unnamed ship in 2026.

2. Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean

Gross tonnage: 235,600

Length: 1,188 feet

Width: 211 feet

Passengers: 5,734 double occupancy

Currently the second largest cruise ship in the world, Wonder of the Seas will be demoted to third after Utopia of the Seas launches in July 2024.

3. Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean

Gross Tonnage: 228,081

Length: 1,188 feet

Width: 215.5 feet

Passengers: 5,518 double occupancy

4. Harmony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean

Gross Tonnage: 226,963

Length: 1,188 feet

Width: 215.5 feet

Passengers: 5,479 double occupancy

Harmony of the Seas was the first ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet to feature the Ultimate Abyss dry slide. Since then, it was added to Oasis of the Seas, the namesake ship of the Oasis Class, as well as Symphony and Wonder of the Seas as new builds.

5. Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean

Gross Tonnage: 226,838

Length: 1,187 feet

Width: 215 feet

Passengers: 5,602 double occupancy

Still a giant among cruise ships, Oasis of the Seas was the first ship at sea to have a zip line. With a length of 82 feet, it has a great view of the Boardwalk 9 decks below.

6. Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean

Gross Tonnage: 225,282

Length: 1,187 feet

Width: 215 feet

Passengers: 5,496 double occupancy

7. MSC World Europa, MSC Cruises

Gross Tonnage: 215,863

Length: 1,094 feet

Width: 154 feet

Passengers: 6,762 maximum capacity

MSC World Europa is the first ship in MSC Cruises' ground-breaking World Class. She'll be joined by sister-ship MSC World America in 2025. Onboard, you'll find the World Galleria, a main thoroughfare that's a hub of activity, as well as an 11-story dry slide located at the aft of the ship.

8. Costa Smeralda, Costa Cruises

Gross Tonnage: 185,010

Length: 1,106 feet

Width: 138 feet

Passengers: 5,224 double occupancy

This Italian cruise line (owned by Carnival) is inspired by the Dolce Vita and carefree cruising. lt is named for Smeralda, a well-known tourist area in Sardinia, Italy.

9. Costa Toscana, Costa Cruises

Gross Tonnage: 185,000

Length: 1,106 feet

Width: 138 feet

Passengers: 6,554 maximum capacity

10. Arvia, P&O Cruises

Gross Tonnage: 185,000

Length: 1,130 feet

Width: 138 feet

Passengers: 5,200 maximum capacity

11. Iona, P&O Cruises

Gross Tonnage: 184,700

Length: 1,130 feet

Width: 138 feet

Passengers: 5,250 double occupancy

P&O is a British cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation. Iona has its own gin distillery onboard and is named after the Sottish Island of Iona, which was decided upon in a public contest.

12. AIDAnova, AIDA Cruises

Gross Tonnage: 183,900

Length: 1,105 feet

Width: 138 feet

Passengers: 5,228 double occupancy

AIDA is a German cruise line that has been in operation since the 1960s, it is now owned by Carnival Corporation.

13. Carnival Jubilee

Gross Tonnage: 183,521

Length: 1,130 feet

Width: 137 feet

Passengers: 5,374 double occupancy

Having set sail in December 2023, Carnival Jubilee is Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship. It's the third ship in their Excel Class and features the third roller coaster at sea. The ship sails out of Galveston, Texas.

14. Carnival Celebration

Gross Tonnage: 183,521

Length: 1,130 feet

Width: 137 feet

Passengers: 5,374 double occupancy

15. MSC Euribia, MSC Cruises

Gross Tonnage: 183,500

Length: 1,085 feet

Width: 141 feet

Passengers: 6,327 maximum capacity

16. AIDAcosma, AIDA Cruises

Gross Tonnage: 183,200

Length: 1,105 feet

Width: 138 feet

Passengers: 5,228 double occupancy

17. MSC Virtuosa, MSC Cruises

Gross Tonnage: 181,541

Length: 1,085 feet

Width: 141 feet

Passengers: 6,334 maximum capacity

18. MSC Grandiosa, MSC Cruises

Gross Tonnage: 181,541

Length: 1,087 feet

Width: 141 feet

Passengers: 6,334 maximum capacity

19. Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruise Line

Gross Tonnage: 180,100

Length: 1,130 feet

Width: 137 feet

Passengers 5,282

20. MSC Meraviglia, MSC Cruises

Gross Tonnage: 171,598

Length: 1,034 feet

Width: 141 feet

Passengers: 5,642 maximum capacity

Currently, MSC Meraviglia sails out of New York City.

21. Spectrum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean

Gross Tonnage: 168,666

Length: 1,139 feet

Width: 136 feet

Passengers: 4,246 double occupancy

Designed for the Asian market, Spectrum of the Seas has several upscale offerings, such as a one-of-a-kind suite area that includes private elector access, shopping, and lounges. Plus, you'll find venues that cater more toward Asian clientele, rather than American or European.