[Updated February 2020] The international cruise industry is expanding rapidly. It shows no signs of slowing down anytime in the near future. The world will be witnessing some of the largest and most technologically advanced cruise ships in the year 2019.
As more new ships enter the scene, the industry is more equipped to offer best vacation experiences to its guests across the world. In order to meet the various preferences of travellers, the new technologically advanced cruise ships come in bigger sizes, with better amenities, and indeed, as luxurious it can be. Here we have a list of the world’s largest cruise ships, ranked in terms of their gross tonnage and passenger capacity, among others in 2020.
1. Symphony Of the Seas
The 25th ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Symphony of the Seas is currently the world’s largest cruise ship. The giant cruise ship has 228,081 gross registered tons, measures 238 feet tall and spans 1,188 feet long. Symphony of the seas is termed as the ultimate family’s vacation destination with bold lineup of energy-filled, heart-pumping experiences. The largest cruise ship in the world offers the chance to go head-to-head in a glow-in-the-dark laser tag adventure, take the plunge down the Ultimate Abyss – the tallest slide at sea towering 10 stories high – or soak up some sun after getting drenched on epic waterslides and FlowRider surf simulators. The biggest cruise ship was delivered in April 2018.
2. Harmony of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-Class vessel, Harmony of the Seas, is currently the world’s second-biggest cruise ship. Built by STX France at its Saint-Nazaire shipyard, the third vessel in the series, Harmony of the Seas, was delivered in May 2016. Offering a seven-night western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Civitavecchia, the ship made her maiden voyage in June last year.
Image Credits: royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com
With a gross tonnage of 226,963 GT, Harmony of the Seas has a length of 362.12m and a maximum beam of 66m. Featuring 2,747 staterooms with virtual balconies, this biggest vessel is capable of accommodating 5,479 guests at double occupancy.
Similar to its sister vessels, Harmony of the Seas offers all Royal Caribbean’s exclusive features including Central Park, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Centre, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade and Entertainment Place, among others.
Watch: Harmony of The Seas Welcomed By Sister Ships
3. Allure of the Seas
Another 362m-long Oasis-class cruise ship, Allure of the Seas, stands third after her sister vessel on the list. Built at the STX Europe shipyards in Turku, Finland, Allure of the Seas is the second Royal Caribbean cruise ship in the Oasis-class series. Before the arrival of Harmony of the Seas, this was the largest passenger ships in service. The vessel has a gross tonnage of 225,282GT, height of 72m and a maximum beam of 60.5m.
Image Credits: wikimedia.org
Delivered in October 2010, Allure of the Seas has the capacity to house 5,400 passengers at double occupancy. Features of the luxurious cruise ship include a two-deck dance hall, a theatre with 1,380 seats, an ice skating rink, a concierge club and spa as well as fitness facilities, among others. The vessel also has 25 dining options that include the first Starbucks coffee shop at sea. A state-of-the-art Fitness Center that offers classes like yoga and tai chi, and a number of whirlpools, including those overlooking the ocean enriches the vacation experience roroad Allure of the Seas. The vessel recently underwent extensive drydock revitalisation.
4. Oasis of the Seas
The first vessel in the Oasis-class cruise ships of Royal Caribbean, Oasis of the Seas, was the largest cruise ship when it entered the service in 2009. Ordered in February 2006, the vessel was launched from STX Europe’s Turku Shipyard in 2008, marking the entry of new class vessels in the fleet of Royal Caribbean International. Oasis of the Seas measures 361.6m in overall length, 72m in height above the water line and 22.55m in depth, while it has a gross tonnage of 225,282.
Credits: cole85459/wikipedia.org
With 16 passenger decks, the vessel has the capacity to accommodate 5,400 passengers at double occupancy and serve a maximum 6,296 passengers. For its guests, Oasis of the Seas will offer options from two-story loft suites and luxury suites with balconies.
Introduced many amenities for the first time in the industry, Oasis of the Seas features an outdoor Aqua Theater and open-air corridor that is carved out along the length of the vessel and eatery-filled Central Park. In addition, Glass-covered Solarium with pool, surf simulators, Zipline and rock-climbing walls are the other best entertainment options available on the cruise ship, while the lists of sports amenities include five swimming pools, volleyball and basketball courts.
5. AIDA Nova
AIDAnova by AIDA Cruises is world’s first cruise ship that can be powered at sea and in port by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The AIDAnova has over 2,600 passenger cabins, with a gross tonnage of about 183,900 GT , a length of 337 metres and a width of 42 metres. AIDAnova is the first ship of the so-called Helios class that MEYER WERFT builds for the cruise line AIDA CRUISES.
Following AIDAnova, Carnival Corporation has an additional 10 next-generation “green” cruise ships on order that will be powered by LNG in port and at sea, with expected delivery dates between 2019 and 2025, leading the cruise industry’s use of LNG to power cruise ships.
6. MSC Meraviglia
MSC Meraviglia is 315 metres long, 43 metres wide and 65 metres high, measuring 171,598 GRT. She is able to travel up to 22.7 knots and has been designed to operate in all seasons and to be able to call in most of the world’s international cruise ports.
Since she came into service in June 2017, MSC Meraviglia has been making waves in the cruise and tourism industry and has been collecting prestigious awards for her superior product. The ship has been recognised for bringing to the sea some of the very latest advances in customer-centric technology, digital innovations and new guest experiences. In addition to this industry-wide recognition, the ship is now also awarded for her state-of-the-art Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) management.
7. Quantum of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas is the first of three cruise ships in the Quantum-Class. The 168,666 GT cruise ship was constructed by Meyer Werft and made its inaugural journey from New Jersey in November 2014. The vessel later repositioned to China in May 2015 and started sailing from Shanghai to Japan and Korea. The 347.08m long Quantum of the Seas has a maximum beam of 49.47m and draught of 8.8m.
Credits: Frank Schwichtenberg /wikipedia.org
With 16 passenger decks, Quantum of the Seas can house a total of 4,180 passengers in double occupancy, while the maximum guests the vessel can serve is 4905. The vessel has a total of 2,090 staterooms, including balcony staterooms, ocean-view staterooms and inside staterooms. The Quantum of the Seas transformed the cruise experiences to a new level with the introduction of innovative features including the North Star, Ripcord by iFLY, SeaPlex and Two70, among others.
8. Anthem of the Seas
The Anthem of the Seas, a sister vessel of Quantum of the Seas, has a gross tonnage of 168,666 and measures 348m in length and has a maximum beam of 49.4m. This Meyer Werft built vessel, which can cruise up to 22 knots, was launched in February 2015 and began its maiden voyage in April of the same year.
Credits: royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com
With 20 passenger-accessible decks, Anthem of the Seas can serve up to 4,905 passengers at a time, offering 1,570 balcony staterooms, 147 ocean-view staterooms, and 373 inside staterooms. Facilities aboard Anthem of the Seas includes a glass-canopied solarium pool, a new indoor pool with openable roof, 40ft long surf simulator, a children’s aqua park known as H2O Zone and a rock-climbing wall. It also houses one of the prominent features of the Quantum-class vessel, the North Star; a jewel-shaped glass capsule above the top deck that can hold 14 people and raises 300ft above the ocean, providing guests with 360° view of the sea.
9. Ovation of the Seas
Royal Caribbean Cruises’ third Quantum-class ship, Ovation of the Seas, was launched in February 2016 and entered service on 14 April 2016. The 168,666 GT vessel started her maiden 52-night Global Odyssey cruise from the Port of Southampton in the UK in the first week of May last year. The 348m long Ovation of the Seas has a maximum beam of 48.9 m and draught of 8.5m. Powered by Wartsilä 12V46F engines, the ship can travel at a top speed of 22 knots.
Image Credits: royalcaribbeanblog.com
Featuring 16 passenger decks, the Meyer Weft-built vessel can accommodate a maximum of 4,905 guests in 2,090 staterooms. Aboard Ovation of the Seas, in addition to North Star, the ship hosts a lounge with a bar and dance floor, SeaPlex multifunctional venue, whirlpools, H2O Zone kids’ water park, a casino and a 220ft outdoor poolside movie screen, among others.
10. Norwegian Bliss
Norwegian Cruise Line took delivery of the 168,028-gross-ton Norwegian Bliss in April 2018. Norwegian Bliss, the third ship in the line’s Breakaway Plus class, the most successful class in the company’s history, is the first cruise ship specifically designed with features and amenities for the ultimate Alaska cruising experience.
On board, guests are able to experience their favourite amenities by Norwegian Cruise Line, plus some new first-at-sea offerings. Norwegian Bliss thrills and excites guests with the largest competitive race track at sea, a first for any North America-based cruise ship. The two-level electric-car race track sits at the top of deck 19, offering guests amazing views while twisting and turning at a speed of up to 30 miles per hour.
After a thrilling ride, guests can then test their agility at the open-air laser tag course, or race side-by-side on the Aqua Racer waterslide at the expansive Aqua Park, with two multi-story waterslides, one of which extends over the edge of the ship and loops down to the deck below.
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