The international cruise business has grown significantly in recent years, and there were no indicators that it would slow down until the coronavirus pandemic rocked the world. The globe saw something it had never seen before: a complete shutdown of the cruise industry.
However, cruise shipping companies are doing all possible to weather the storm, and the sector is anticipated to rebound in 2021 with some of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced cruise ships. The cruise industry is becoming more suited to provide the best vacation experiences to its clients all around the world as more new ships enter the market.
Table of Contents
Here’s a rundown of the 8 largest cruise ships in the world –
1. Symphony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
Tonnage: 227,625 tons
Capacity: 5,400 passengers
Built: 2018
Length: 362.1 meters
Beam: 47.4 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Caribbean
Symphony of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s fourth Oasis-class and 25th cruise ship, and she is somewhat larger than her sisters, making her the world’s largest cruise ship.
On March 23, 2018, the cruise line received Symphony of the Seas, which was built at the STX France shipyard at the time. On March 31, 2018, the ship set sail on her maiden one-time special preview sailing.
The world’s largest cruise ship gives the opportunity to compete in a glow-in-the-dark laser tag game, ride the Ultimate Abyss – the world’s tallest slide at sea, standing 10 stories high – or relax in the sun after soaking wet on gigantic waterslides and FlowRider surf simulators. In April 2018, the world’s largest cruise ship was delivered.
2. Harmony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
Tonnage: 227,625 tons
Capacity: 5,400 passengers
Built: 2016
Length: 362.1 meters
Beam: 47.4 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Caribbean and Mediterranean
Harmony of the Seas narrowly surpasses the other Oasis-class ships to become the world’s second largest cruise ship. The ship is the first of two new STX France orders that will bring the total number of big class ships to four. The 10-story Ultimate Abyss slide is located aft above the AquaTheater on the Harmony of the Seas.
Harmony of the Seas has a length of 362.12 meters and a maximum beam of 66 meters, with a gross tonnage of 226,963 GT. This largest ship, with 2,747 cabins with virtual balconies, can seat 5,479 passengers at double occupancy.
Harmony of the Seas, like its sister ships, includes all of Royal Caribbean’s distinctive attractions, such as Central Park, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Centre, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, and Entertainment Place.
3. Allure of the Seas
Tonnage: 220,000 tons
Capacity: 5,400 passengers
Built: 2010
Length: 362 meters
Beam: 47 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Caribbean
This ship is massive, and it is the second in Royal Caribbean’s record-breaking Oasis class. There are seven unique neighborhoods on the Allure of the Seas, as well as far too many food options to count! The ship is unlike any other major cruise ship in the business, and it has attractions such as the Zipline and the AquaTheater.
Allure of the Seas was launched in October 2010 and has a capacity of 5,400 people in double occupancy. The opulent cruise ship has a two-deck dance hall, a 1,380-seat theatre, an ice rink, a concierge club and spa, and workout facilities, among other amenities.
There are 25 food options onboard, including the world’s first Starbucks coffee shop at sea. The Allure of the Seas has a state-of-the-art Fitness Center with classes like yoga and tai chi, as well as multiple whirlpools, including some with views of the ocean.
4. Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International
Tonnage: 220,000 tons
Capacity: 5,400 passengers
Built: 2008
Length: 361.6 meters
Beam: 47 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Caribbean, Bahamas, and East Coast
This ship was instrumental in propelling the cruise industry to new heights. When Oasis of the Seas opened at the end of 2009, it was the first of its type. The STX shipyard in Turku, Finland, produced the ground-breaking yacht. The Zip-line and the AquaTheater are two other attractions on the Oasis of the Seas.
The vessel was ordered in February 2006 and launched in 2008 from STX Europe’s Turku Shipyard, heralding the arrival of new class vessels in Royal Caribbean International’s fleet.
The Oasis of the Seas is 361.6 metres long overall, 72 metres tall above the waterline, and 22.55 metres deep, with a gross tonnage of 225,282.
The yacht can carry 5,400 passengers at double occupancy on its 16 passenger decks and can service a maximum of 6,296 passengers. Two-story loft suites and deluxe suites with balconies are available on the Oasis of the Seas.
5. Mardi Gras (Carnival Cruise Line)
Tonnage: 183,900
Capacity: 5,200 passengers
Built: 2021
Length: 337 meters
Beam: 42 meters
Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras is an Excellence-class cruise ship. The ship is Carnival’s flagship of the Excel-class, a subclass of the Excellence class, and was built in Turku, Finland, by Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku. She is the largest ship in Carnival’s fleet, with a displacement of 181,808 GT.
Although Carnival has indicated that the ship’s name does not include the “Carnival” prefix, the ship has been wrongly referred to as Carnival Mardi Gras, a first since the Fantasy-class boats deleted “Carnival” in their names upon their debuts. The COVID-19 pandemic and its accompanying impact on tourism have caused significant delays in the development, delivery, and debut of Mardi Gras.
She was originally slated to be delivered and debut in the summer of 2020, however, she was delivered to Carnival on December 18, 2020. Mardi Gras commenced weekly sailings on July 31, 2021, after her debut had been postponed several times.
6. P&O Iona(P&O Cruises)
Tonnage: 183,900 tons
Capacity: 5,200 passengers
Built: 2020
Length: 337 meters
Beam: 42 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Northern Europe and the Canaries
In October 2020, P&O Cruises, based in the United Kingdom, received delivery of its largest cruise ship to date, as well as the first to be fueled by LNG. After delays caused by the global epidemic and its influence on the shipyard, this was accomplished.
Despite the fact that Iona was delivered, she was put on hold for several months as the cruise industry, including P&O Cruises, shut down. The ship is based in Southampton, United Kingdom, and will set sail on August 7, 2021.
With 183,900GT and a length of 337 meters and a width of 42 meters, it is Costa Cruises’ largest cruise ship. In October 2020, P&O Cruises, based in the United Kingdom, received delivery of its largest cruise ship to date, as well as the first to be fueled by LNG.
7. AIDAnova (AIDA Cruises)
Tonnage: 183,900 tons
Capacity: 5,000 passengers
Built: 2018
Length: 337 meters
Beam: 42 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: the Mediterranean and the Canaries
Aida Cruises, located in Germany, operates the cruise liner, which is the first of a new generation type ordered by Carnival Corporation. AIDAnova debuted in December 2018, ushering in a new era of cruise ship architecture for the cruise line.
The ship was built at the well-known Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and is totally powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, and P&O Cruises are all sister cruise lines with comparable class ships.
Following AIDAnova, Carnival Corporation has placed an order for ten further next-generation “green” cruise ships that will be powered by LNG in port and at sea, with delivery dates ranging from 2019 to 2025, putting the cruise industry on the forefront of LNG utilization.
8. Costa Smeralda (Costa Cruises)
Tonnage: 182,700 tons
Capacity: 5,224 passengers
Built: 2019
Length: 337 meters
Beam: 42 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Mediterranean
The Costa Smeralda is the first cruise ship in the line’s history to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). She is also the largest cruise ship ever built for the Italian cruise line. After a lengthy delay, the ship was ultimately delivered from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland on December 5, 2019. Her maiden regular journey left Savona on December 31, 2019, but she also had a special voyage for travel agencies on December 18, 2019.
The Costa Smeralda is a highly advanced LNG-powered cruise ship operated by Italian cruise line Costa Cruises and named after Sardinia’s Emerald Coast.
The ship is developed with several sustainable technologies in mind, resulting in a “Smart floating City” that gives luxury to its passengers while also reducing the ship’s carbon impact. This is one of the ships that was delivered right before the COVID 19 Pandemic broke out.
Sister ships make up the majority of the world’s largest ships. A family of ships, such as Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class, to which the Symphony belongs, is built to the same standards and differs very slightly.
The reason they’ve grown so large is not simply to accommodate more passengers, but also to pack them with extras like water shows to keep everyone entertained.
These ships are jam-packed with several things to do.