As Of December 2023

The Largest Cruise Ships in the World

As of December 2023

The Icon of the Seas Takes the Crown

As of December 2023, the largest cruise ship in the world is the Icon of the Seas, with a gross tonnage of 248,336. This leviathan of the seas is 365 meters (1,198 feet) long and can accommodate up to 7,600 passengers. The Icon of the Seas is a testament to the ever-increasing size of cruise ships, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down.

Symphony of the Seas Slips to Fourth Place

Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, which held the title of the world's largest cruise ship from 2018 to 2022, has now slipped to fourth place. This still-impressive vessel boasts a gross tonnage of 228,081 and a length of 362 meters (1,188 feet).

A Fleet of Giants

Today, any new ship from a major cruise line will be at least 140,000 gross tons, with many much larger than that. The Allure of the Seas, an Oasis-class cruise ship owned and operated by Royal Caribbean International, is one such vessel. As of 2018, the Oasis-class ships were the largest in the world, but they have since been surpassed by the Icon of the Seas.

The Future of Cruising

The Icon of the Seas is just the latest in a long line of ever-larger cruise ships. As technology advances and passenger demand grows, it is likely that we will see even larger and more luxurious cruise ships in the years to come. The future of cruising is bright, with new and exciting destinations to explore and a wide range of ships to choose from.