Over the past three decades, cruise ships have evolved into massive floating cities, eclipsing aircraft carriers. Some are even longer than popular landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty.
For nearly 20 years, Royal Caribbean has consistently pushed the boundaries of size, amenities, and onboard experiences, holding onto the title of building the largest cruise ships in the world since Freedom of the Seas in 2006 (they briefly lost the title from 2003-2006 when the RMS Queen Mary II launched).
Cruise ships are evaluated based on their gross registered tonnage (GRT), a metric that measures a ship’s total interior volume. Here's a look at the 25 biggest cruise ships currently sailing throughout the world, based on GRT.
1. Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
Gross tonnage: 248,663
Length: 1,196 feet
Width: 219 feet
Passengers: 5,610 double occupancy
2. Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
Gross tonnage: 248,663
Length: 1,196 feet
Width: 219 feet
Passengers: 5,610 double occupancy
3. Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
Gross tonnage: 236,473
Length: 1,188 feet
Width: 211 feet
Passengers: 5,668 double occupancy
4. Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
Gross tonnage: 235,600
Length: 1,188 feet
Width: 211 feet
Passengers: 5,734 double occupancy
5. Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
Gross Tonnage: 228,081
Length: 1,188 feet
Width: 215.5 feet
Passengers: 5,518 double occupancy
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
Gross Tonnage: 225,282
Length: 1,187 feet
Width: 215 feet
Passengers: 5,496 double occupancy
9. MSC World America, MSC Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 216,638
Length: 1,092 feet
Width: 155 feet
Passengers: 6,762 double occupancy
10. MSC World Europa, MSC Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 215,863
Length: 1,094 feet
Width: 154 feet
Passengers: 6,762 maximum capacity
11. Costa Toscana, Costa Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 185,010
Length: 1,106 feet
Width: 138 feet
Passengers: 5,224 double occupancy
12. P&O Arvia
Gross Tonnage: 184,700
Length: 1,131 feet
Width: 138 feet
Passengers: 5,200 double occupancy
13. Costa Smeralda, Costa Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 185,000
Length: 1,106 feet
Width: 138 feet
Passengers: 6,554 maximum capacity
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.
14. 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 Scottish island of Iona, which was decided upon in a public contest.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Carnival Celebration
Gross Tonnage: 183,521
Length: 1,130 feet
Width: 137 feet
Passengers: 5,374 double occupancy
18. MSC Euribia, MSC Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 183,500
Length: 1,085 feet
Width: 141 feet
Passengers: 6,327 maximum capacity
19. AIDAcosma, AIDA Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 183,200
Length: 1,105 feet
Width: 138 feet
Passengers: 5,228 double occupancy
20. MSC Virtuosa, MSC Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 181,541
Length: 1,085 feet
Width: 141 feet
Passengers: 6,334 maximum capacity
21. MSC Grandiosa, MSC Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 181,541
Length: 1,087 feet
Width: 141 feet
Passengers: 6,334 maximum capacity
22. Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruise Line
Gross Tonnage: 180,100
Length: 1,130 feet
Width: 137 feet
Passengers 5,282
23. MSC Meraviglia, MSC Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 171,598
Length: 1,034 feet
Width: 141 feet
Passengers: 5,642 maximum capacity
24. Spectrum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
Gross Tonnage: 168,666
Length: 1,139 feet
Width: 136 feet
Passengers: 4,246 double occupancy
25. Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Cruise Line
Gross Tonnage: 169,116
Length: 1,094 feet
Width: 136 feet
Passengers: 3,998 double occupancy
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 traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
