Royal Caribbean is known for having the largest cruise ships at sea, having held the title since Freedom of the Seas launched in 2006. Since then, their ships have only gotten larger.
Royal Caribbean boasts a fleet of 29 ships with another expected to join the fleet in August. Though you can expect the same service on ships as old as Vision of the Seas, the amenities onboard vary greatly. The line's newest ships have more restaurants, activities, and innovative features compared to older vessels.
Ships like Icon of the Seas, the largest ship in the fleet, offer expansive features like multiple neighborhoods, a variety of dining venues, thrilling onboard attractions, and even dedicated spaces for families.
How big is Icon of the Seas?
Royal Caribbean's largest ship Icon of the Seas. Not only is Icon Royal's biggest ship but she's also the largest in the world, measuring 248,663 gross registered tons (GRT). In comparison, the world's second-largest ship, Utopia of the Seas, comes in at 236,473 GRT. Wonder of the Seas comes in third at 235,600 GRT.
Icon also measures 1,196 feet in length and is 219 feet wide with a passenger capacity of over 7,000 at maximum occupancy. She is truly an engineering marvel with its staggering size and impressive features.
Onboard, guests can explore a wide range of dining options, entertainment venues, and activities like the largest waterpark at sea, a mini-golf course, a FlowRider surf simulator, and more.
Some design elements were influenced by the widely popular Oasis Class ships, including the Central Park neighborhood and the revamped Royal Promenade. However, many aspects take things to the next level, incorporating new concepts and technologies to enhance the guest experience.
One brand-new area is Thrill Island, home to the record-breaking Category 6 Waterpark. All the waterslides are included in your cruise fare, so you can race down the Frightening Bolt, the tallest slide at sea, or the Pressure Drop, the first open free-fall slide at sea, as many times as you'd like.
There's also the AquaDome, which hosts indoor AquaTheater shows. That's right—for the first time aboard Icon of the Seas, the AquaTheater isn't found at the aft of the ship. Because of the high diving show's location, it offers an entirely different experience with new technology.
Will Royal Caribbean build bigger cruise ships?
Currently, Icon of the Seas is one-of-a-kind. She debuted in January 2024 as the world's largest cruise ship. However, Star of the Seas, the second-ever Icon Class ship, is scheduled to debut in August 2025, followed by Legend of the Seas in August 2026.
Star will sail exclusively from Port Canaveral, Florida, while Legend of the Seas will begin her career offering European cruises from Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy.
Icon of the Seas' homeport is in Miami, Florida. Once Legend of the Seas moves from Europe, Royal Caribbean's Icon Class ships will dominate the eastern coast of Florida, from Port Canaveral to Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
According to Star of the Seas' fact sheet, she isn't expected to be larger than Icon of the Seas. She, too, will measure around 248,663 GRT. She could end up weighing a little more. However, Royal Caribbean isn't making Star substantially larger than Icon.
It will be years before Royal Caribbean announces a new ship class for vessels larger than Icon, Star, and Legend.
For example, Icon of the Seas was initially ordered in 2016 and only alluded to as "Project Icon" for years. It wasn't until over five years later that Royal Caribbean finally divulged information about the world's largest cruise ship.
Royal Caribbean's smallest cruise ship is Grandeur of the Seas
Grandeur of the Seas is also the cruise line's oldest ship in operation. She embarked on her maiden voyage in December 1996, making her over 28 years old.
Grandeur measures 73,817 GRT and is 916 feet long. With a maximum capacity of 2,440 guests and 760 crew, she offers a more intimate cruising experience compared to the mega Icon of the Seas.
Currently, the Vision Class cruise ship sails from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. However, in April 2025, she'll move to Tampa, where she will be stationed through at least April 2026. Sailings on Grandeur of the Seas range from 3 to 10 nights.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
