What Are The Biggest Cruise Ships In The World in 2023?

Have you ever asked yourself what the Biggest Cruise Ships In The World Are? It could be perceived as a geeky question, but it’s essential. Incredibly year after year, this answer to this changes. However, we are in 2023, and all of our research is up to date and looking at the latest cruise ship information.

Why do you need to know this? Because one size doesn’t suit all. Some love the larger ships’ sparkle with all the facilities, entertainment venues and bustle. Yet, some love more intimate ships with fewer passengers or a higher passenger-to-crew ratio.

We have done the research and have got all of the information direct from the cruise lines such as the length, weight and how many passengers they can take to ensure it’s as accurate as can be. Passenger numbers can however change yearly as and when cruise lines add or remove cabins from ships; yes, they do that!

So grab a coffee and let our guide help you to decide which is the best cruise ship for you and your cruise vacation.

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What Are The Biggest Cruise Ships In The World In 2023?

How Big Is A Cruise Ship?

Cruise ships are HUGE, of course; they come in all shapes and sizes. However, your first time on a cruise ship blows your mind. The current largest cruise ship in the world has 18 decks and 24 guest elevators, weighs 236,857 gross tons and is 1,188 ft long.

 Cruise ships are floating cities. However, it’s important to remember they are well-designed and easy to navigate. Our advice is to spend the first day getting your bearings, and no matter how old your family or travel companions are, have a meeting place should anyone ever get lost.

The Race For The Largest Passengers Ships In The World

The race for the largest passenger ships in the world has always fascinated me, but there is only one horse in the race; the cruise line with all the biggest ships in the world is Royal Caribbean. Costa, P&O, NCL, and Aida follow behind, offering some of the biggest passenger ships.

However, as much as we are huge advocates for Royal and book many cruises with them, we are also aware some cruisers prefer smaller but still new and innovative, and there are plenty of new smaller ships to enjoy too.

Which Is The Worlds Biggest Cruise Ship in 2023

The biggest cruise ship in the World in 2023 is Wonder of the Seas, an Oasis Class Royal Caribbean Ship that has just launched, and the reviews are excellent. The Wonder of the Seas is HUGE, at 236,857 GT, which also makes Wonder Of The Seas the heaviest passengers cruise ship in the world. Additionally, she holds 6998 passengers; this again is a world-beating number. Icon of the Seas will take over as the biggest ship in the world when she launches in 2024.

Royal Caribbean has also created one of the best-dedicated suite areas at sea, thus creating a ship within a ship feel. The Wonder of the Seas has something to suit everyone, from dining bars to family activities and pools.

The 15 Biggest Cruise Ships In The World At A Glance

Here are the largest passenger cruise vessels at a glance, but if you want to know more, check out our chart with all the facts and figures further down.

1. Currently Wonder Of The Seas (Icon of the Seas launches in 2024)
2. Symphony of the Seas
3. Harmony of the Seas
4. Oasis of the Seas
5. Allure Of The Seas
6. MSC World Europa
7. Costa Smeralda
8. Costa Toscana
9. P&O Arvia
10. P&O Iona
11. Aida Nova
12. Carnival Jubilee
13. Aida Cosmo
14. MSC Grandiosa
15. MSC Cruises, MSC Virtuosa

The Biggest Cruise Ships In The World In 2023

This table details the largest cruise ship in the world in 2023. But more than that, the largest 28. We stopped at just under 165,00 gross tons as we had the biggest ships represented and covered here. The chart and seeing it in writing brought some surprises for me; in my mind, I had NCL nearer the top.

It’s also great to see which cruise lines are more generous with their passenger-crew ratios.

The Five Biggest Ships in the World Facts

1. Wonder of the Seas is the World’s Biggest Cruise Ship at sea as of 2023

• Class: Oasis-Class Ship
• Gross Tonnage: 236,857 GT
• Length: 1,188 ft
• Width: 215.5 ft
• Speed: 22 Knots Cruising Speed
• No of Decks: 18, 16 guest decks, 2 passenger
• No of Cabins: 2,878
• Capacity: Passengers 5734 at double 7,084 at full
• Crew: 2204 crew
• Built: 2022
• Shipbuilder: Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Saint-Nazareth, France
• Maiden voyage: 4 March 2022
• Cost: USD 1,35 billion
• Godmother: Marie McCrea

2. Symphony of the Seas

• Class: Oasis Class
• Gross Tonnage: 228,081 GT
• Length: 1,188 ft
• Beam: 215.5
• Speed: 22 Knots Cruising Speed
• No of Decks: 18, 16 guests, 2 crew
• No of Cabins/Staterooms: 2,759
• Capacity: 5,518 passengers at double capacity, 6,680 at full
• Crew Members: 2,200 crew
• Built: 2018
• Shipbuilder: Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Saint-Nazareth, France
• Maiden voyage: 7 April 2018
• Cost: US$1.35 billion
• God Parents: Alexa, Carlos and Ocean Penavega

3. Harmony of the Seas

• Class: Oasis Class
• Gross Tonnage: 226,963 GT
• Length: 1,188.1 ft
• Width:  215.5 ft
• Speed: 22 Knots Cruising Speed
• No of Decks: 18, 16 guests, 2 crew
• No of Cabins: 2,747
• Capacity: 5,479 passengers a double capacity, 6,687 at full
• Crew: 2200 crew
• Built: 2016
• Shipbuilder: Chantiers de l’Atlantique
• Maiden voyage: 29 May 2016
• Cost: US$1.35 billion
• Godmother: Brittany Affolter

4. Oasis of the Seas  (Oasis of the Seas is heavier than Sister Ship Allure of the Seas)

• Class: Oasis Class
• Gross Tonnage: 226,838  GT
• Length: 1,187 ft
• Width 215 ft
• Speed: 22 Knots Cruising Speed
• No of Decks: 18 (16 passenger decks)
• No. of Cabins: 2,801
• Capacity: 5,602 passengers at double capacity, 6,771 a full capacity
• Crew: 2,109 crew
• Built: 2009
• Shipbuilder: STX Europe, Turku Shipyard, Finland
• Maiden voyage: 5 December 2009
• Cost: US$1.4 billion
• Godmothers: Daisy Fuentes, Dara Torres, Gloria Estefan, Jane Seymour, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Michelle Kwan, Shawn Johnson

5. Allure of the Seas

• Class: Oasis Class
• Gross Tonnage: 225,282  GT
• Length: 1,187 ft
• Width: 215 ft
• Speed: 22 Knots Cruising Speed
• No of Decks: 18 (16 passenger decks)
• No of Cabins: 2,748
• Capacity: 5,466 passengers at double capacity, 6,828 at full.
• Crew: 2,054 Crew
• Built: 2010
• Shipbuilder: STX Europe, Turku Shipyard, Finland
• Maiden voyage: 5 December 2010
• Cost: US$1.2 billion
• Godmother: Princess Fiona

In 2024 Icon of the Seas will be the World’s Largest Cruise Ship

Icon of the Seas is set to become the world’s largest cruise ship when it launches in 2024. It belongs to Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class and will have a gross tonnage of 250,800 GT. It will also hold the largest waterpark at sea, doing seven-night sailings in the Western Caribbean.

• Class: Icon Class
• Gross Tonnage: 250,800  GT
• Length: 1,198 ft
• No of Decks: 20 (18 passenger decks)
• No of Cabins: 2,805
• Capacity: 5,610 passengers at double capacity, 7,600 at full.
• Crew: 2,350 Crew
• Built: 2023
• Shipbuilder:  Meyer Turku Shipyard, Finland
• Cost: $2 Billion
• Godmother: Erin Brown