For many, sailing off into the sunset with a luxury cruise is a dream vacation. But what are the biggest and most impressive vessels out there? From superliners to mega-vessels, these are ten of the largest cruise ships in the world.
10 Largest Cruise Ships in the World
Symphony of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas measures an incredible 1,184 feet in length. It can accommodate up to 6,680 passengers on its 18 decks. This colossal vessel can also carry up to 2,200 crew members. It one of the largest cruise ships in operation today.
Symphony of the Seas’ energy-efficient design necessitates less shipboard power generation. With 85 MW as opposed to the 100 MW typically found on Oasis class ships. The use of exclusively LED or fluorescent lights is one of the main design elements since it prevents the heat generated by incandescent bulbs. This lessens the demand on air conditioning systems.
Symphony of the Seas has three electric thrusters called azipod main engines that have a combined output of 20,000 kilowatts. Each of these engines propels rotating propellers that are 20 feet wide and positioned beneath the stern of the ship. The ship also has four 5,500 kilowatt (or 7,380 horsepower) bow thrusters, which are utilized for docking in addition to the three main engines.
Due to design modifications, Symphony of the Seas uses 25% less fuel than other ships in the Oasis-class. One of these involves putting in place a new system that lets off tiny air bubbles under the hull to make the ship glide over the water more easily.
Harmony of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s second entry on our list is Harmony of the Seas. Like her sister ship Symphony of the Seas, this superliner measures an impressive 1,184 feet in length and can accommodate 6,680 passengers and 2,200 crew members.
Compared to her sister ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas uses 20% less energy. The keel’s tiny air bubbles reduce drag and hence fuel consumption by 7 to 8%. The hull’s smooth surface further lowers resistance. Celebrity Reflection and Quantum of the Seas both feature the bubble system, which also lessens propeller noise. Incandescent light bulbs are replaced by LED and fluorescent lamps, which lowers power usage and the requirement for air conditioning. The engine system powers three Azipod propellers using a waste heat recovery mechanism.
Allure of The Seas
Royal Caribbean’s third entry on our list is Allure of The Seas. At 1,187 feet long and with a capacity for 6,780 passengers and 2,100 crew members aboard its 16 decks, this mega-ship is truly a sight to behold!
The weight of her steel hull alone is over 54,000 tons.
The ship has 25 dining options, a Starbucks coffee shop at sea, a two-deck dance hall, a theatre with 1,380 seats, an ice rink, and 7 unique “neighbourhoods.” Clarissa Parish, a muralist, adorned the ship’s interiors in great detail in several places.
Oasis Of The Seas
At 1,187 feet long and with a capacity for 6 780 passengers aboard its 16 decks. Oasis Of The Seas is another impressive vessel from Royal Caribbean International that makes our list at number 4. With a range of onboard amenities designed to keep everyone entertained. During their voyage including rock climbing walls, zip lines and water slides—it’s no wonder why this ship is so popular!
The designers built the ship with a wide hull to maintain stability without significantly increasing the draft. Only 9.3 meters (31 feet) of the ship’s entire height is submerged. It can be uncomfortable to ride in wide, shallow ships like this one because they have a tendency to “snap” back upright once a wave has passed. However, the size of the vessel offsets this effect. The cruise ship’s officers were delighted with the vessel’s stability and performance. Throughout the transatlantic passage, when the ship slowed down and changed course in the face of gusts “nearly up to hurricane force”. Seas greater than 12 meters in order to allow finishing work to proceed (39 ft).
MSC Meraviglia
MSC Cruises‘ 5th entry on our list is MSC Meraviglia which measures 1 182 feet long. It can accommodate up to 5 574 passengers plus over 1000 crew members across its 19 decks. It is one of Europe’s largest cruise ships ever built! With plenty of onboard activities such as laser tag games virtual reality experiences plus more – MSC Meraviglia has something for everyone!
The ship, which has previously cruised in Northern Europe and the western Mediterranean. The ship made its first move to the United States in the fall of 2019 to New York and Miami in order to sail to the Caribbean as part of MSC’s North American growth program.
Anthem Of The Seas
Royal Caribbean’s sixth ship on our list is Anthem Of The Seas which measures 1 142 ft long & can accommodate up to 4 180 passengers plus 1800 crew members across its 18 decks. It made its one of Europe’s largest cruise ships ever built! From onboard theatre shows & swimming pools to thrill rides & virtual reality experiences. Anthem Of The Sea will have you feeling like royalty throughout your voyage!
On February 11, 2011, Royal Caribbean stated that they had placed an order for a new class of ships from the Papenburg, Germany-based Meyer Werft shipyard. It is anticipated that the first vessel would be completed and delivered by the end of 2014. Project Sunshine was the codename for the endeavour throughout its development. Later in the year, two ABB Azipod XO propulsion units, each producing 20.5 megawatts, were ordered for the vessel.
Quantum Of The Seas
At 1 138 ft long & with capacity for 4 180 passengers plus 1800 crew members across its 17 decks – Quantum Of The Sea offers high-energy entertainment options like skydiving simulators & bumper cars as well as luxurious spa amenities that are sure to make your stay aboard even more special! Now let’s take a look at some other large vessels…
As of February 11th, 2011, Royal Caribbean has already placed an order with the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, for the first of a new class of ships, with delivery expected in the autumn of 2014. Project Sunshine was the codename for the endeavor throughout its development. Later that year, the ship got two ABB Azipod XO propulsion units, each of which made 20.5 megawatts.
On January 31, 2013, Meyer Werft cut the ship’s steel. The new ship’s name, Quantum of the Seas, was also announced on the same day. She will be the flagship of the Quantum class.
Norwegian Escape
Norwegian Cruise Line’s eighth entry on our list is Norwegian Escape which measures 1 068 ft long & can accommodate up to 4 266 passengers. Over 2000 crew members across its 19 decks making it one of North America’s largest cruise ships ever built! From live music performances & waterslides to shopping centers & spas – Norwegian Escape has something for everyone who loves cruising in style!Navigator Of The Sea
The 164,998 gross tonnage ship offers a variety of accommodations, including 407 inside rooms, 114 oceanview cabins, 1,168 balcony cabins, 308 “mini-suite” cabins, and 82 studio suites for solo travellers. Fourty-seven of the staterooms on the ship are accessible via wheelchair. The ship was supposed to include 95 luxury suite accommodations spread over two decks, all having access to the ship’s posh facilities. The addition of a cabin deck raised the ship’s capacity for double occupancy from the 3,969 found on her older sister ships to around 4,270. The ship’s breadth was increased by 5 feet (1.5 m), and balconies were made 40 centimetres wider as a result (1.3 ft).
On the middle three decks of the Norwegian Escape, passengers will find the bulk of the ship’s specialty dining and entertainment venues. It was first launched on the Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway and included an outdoor promenade perfect for dining under the stars.The complex has a casino as well as a lot of pubs, restaurants, and lounges.
At 1020 feet long & with capacity for 3 114 passengers plus 1600 crew members across its 15 decks – Navigator Of The Sea. It offers exciting entertainment options like wave pool surfing simulators rock climbing walls plus much more! It’s no wonder why Navigator Of The Sea has been voted as one of North America’s favorite large vessels since 2004!
Explorer Of The Sea
Last but not least, we have Explorer of the Seas from Royal Caribbean, which measures 962 ft long. It can accommodate up to 3,114 guests plus 1,600 crew members.
Since 2004 due to all its amazing onboard amenities such as rock climbing walls mini golf courses virtual reality experiences etc…
Cruise ships that have sunk in recent history, include
The Costa Concordia in 2012, which capsized and sank off the coast of Italy, resulting in 32 deaths.
The MS München in 1978, which was lost in a storm with all hands.
The MS Estonia in 1994, which capsized and sank in the Baltic Sea, resulting in 852 deaths.
It’s worth noting that the ships that have sunk were older ships and the incidents were caused by human errors or natural disasters. These events have led to stricter regulations and better safety measures for cruise ships.
A number of safety features like lifeboats, life rafts, and emergency evacuation procedures ensures the safety of passengers and staff aboard modern cruise ships. These measures have made it rare for a cruise ship to sink.
How big are cruise ships?
Cruise ships can vary greatly in size. The size of a cruise ship is determined by the ship’s length, width, and height as well as the number of decks and passenger capacity.
Smaller ships, such as river cruises, can be around 100-200 feet long and carry around 100-200 passengers. These ships are typically more intimate, and can sail on smaller waterways such as rivers and canals.
Medium-sized ships, such as those operated by smaller cruise lines, can be around 600-800 feet long and carry around 1,000-2,000 passengers.
Large ships, such as those operated by major cruise lines, can be over 1,000 feet long and carry over 3,000 passengers. These are the world’s biggest cruise ships.
The largest cruise ship in the world currently is the Symphony of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean, which is over 1,180 feet long and can carry over 6,000 passengers and crew.
It’s worth noting that the size of the ship has no relation with the quality of the service, safety or the experience, it depends on the cruise line and the specific ship.
These ten behemoths are some of the most impressive vessels afloat today. They certainly show how far cruising technology has come since those early days. When people would set sail without any idea where they would end up next or if they would even reach their destination safely at all! If you’re looking for an amazing vacation experience that combines luxury comfort with adventure. Choose any one these giant ships should be your first port-of-call (no pun intended!). From thrilling waterslides and wave pool surfing simulators to shopping centres and spas—there really is something here for everyone wanting an unforgettable holiday experience!”
More to Explore
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Related FAQs
The typical top speed for a cruise ship is 25 knots (or around 29 mph). However, the speed can vary depending on the size and type of ship, as well as the specific voyage and weather conditions. Some newer, larger ships may be able to travel at faster speeds, while older ships may be limited to slower speeds. Additionally, ships may need to slow down or even stop in certain areas, such as for sightseeing or to avoid hazards like rough seas or bad weather.
Cruise ships float on the water because of a principle called buoyancy. According to this rule, an object will float if the weight of the water it pushes aside is greater than or equal to its own weight. When a cruise ship is in the water, it displaces a certain amount of water, which weighs more than the entire ship. The weight of the water that the ship displaces is called the “displacement” of the ship. This displacement is greater than the weight of the ship itself, so the ship floats on the surface of the water.
It is difficult to provide an exact number of how many cruise ships have sunk throughout history, but it is rare for modern cruise ships to sink. The cruise industry has strict safety regulations and modern ships are built with multiple safety features such as watertight compartments and lifeboats.
As of 2021, there were over 400 cruise ships operating worldwide. However, the number of ships can change over time as new ships are built and older ships are retired. The total number of ships also fluctuates depending on the season and the current state of the cruise industry.
The largest cruise ships in the world include Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas as well as MSC Cruises’ MSC Bellissima and MSC Meraviglia. Other large cruise ships include Carnival’s Carnival Vista, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, and Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess. These ships can accommodate thousands of passengers and offer a range of amenities, including dining options, entertainment, and recreation facilities. These cruise ships are operated by some of the world’s leading cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises.
