Over the years, investors appear to be in a race to design mega and spectacular cruise ships in a bid to woo passengers.
Below are the top 10 largest cruise ships in the world;
Icon of the Seas
Having entered service on 27th January 2024, Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. Built for Royal Caribbean International, the ship has a crew of 2,350.
At double occupancy, it has the ability to carry 5,610 passengers and at maximum occupancy 7,600.
The ship features twenty decks with 7 swimming pools and 6 water slides. They boast of having the tallest waterfall, tallest water slide and largest water park than any other cruise ship.
Powered by Liquefied Natural Gas( LNG), it has six multi-fuel Wärtsilä engines.
Wonder of the Seas
Before being outranked by Icon of the seas, this was the largest cruise ship by gross tonnage, with a gross tonnage of 236,857.
Its maximum passenger capacity is 6,988 while at double occupancy, it accommodates 5,734 passengers.
Powered by six marine-diesel sets: two 16-cylinder Wärtsilä 16V46D common rail engines and four 12-cylinder Wärtsilä 12V46D engines, the ship is the flagship of Royal Caribbean International.
It is fitted with an: ice skating rink, a basketball court, a theater that sits 1,400 people, a children’s water park and playground, an outdoor aquatic theatre, two rock- climbing walls and a central park with more than 10,000 plants and flowers.
Symphony of the Seas
With a gross tonnage of 228, 081, the third largest cruise ship can accommodate 6,680 passengers at maximum occupancy and 5,518 passengers at double occupancy.
It is powered onboard by six marine-diesel sets each composed of three 16-cylinder Wärtsilä 16V46D common rail engines and three 12-cylinder Wärtsilä 12V46D engines and has 22 restaurants, 2,759 cabins, 4 pools and 16 decks available to guests.
The cruise ship comes with an ice skating rink, a basketball court, a park with over 20,000 tropical plants and a zip line.
Harmony of the Seas
Made for Royal Caribbean International, it has a gross tonnage of 226, 963. At double occupancy, the ship carries 5,479 guests who are accommodated in 2,479 staterooms of different sizes. It has a 1,400- seat theatre, 20 dinning rooms,3 swimming pools and three water slides.
The ship has been involved in several incidences including: when a lifeboat broke loose and dropped from the fifth deck during a security drill killing one employee and injuring four. There was also the time when it collided with a jetty in Jamaica and sustained minimal damage.
Oasis of the Seas
Operated by Royal Caribbean International, she has a gross tonnage of 226,838 and is powered by six medium-speed, marine-diesel generating sets: three 16-cylinder Wärtsilä 16V46D common rail engines producing 18,860 kilowatts (25,290 hp) each and three similar 12-cylinder Wärtsilä 12V46D engines producing 13,860 kilowatts (18,590 hp) each.
The ship’s amenities include: an ice skating rink, a zip line, a karaoke bar, five swimming pool, several bars, a casino, children nurseries and basketball and volleyball courts.
Allure of the seas
It was the largest passenger ship in the world upon its launch in November 2009. Owned by Royal Caribbean International, it has a gross tonnage of 225,282. It features about 25 dinning options, 7 neighbourhoods, an ice skating rink, a theatre that sits over 1,300 people and a two-deck dance hall.
The ship has faced a number of incidents including a passenger committing suicide and fire in the engine room.
MSC World Europa
The world class cruise ship has a tonnage of 215,863 and is powered by LNG.
It signed a deal with Qatar in November 2019, in order to become an accommodations vessels for fans attending the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It officially began operations on 20th December 2022. The ship features a water park, 7 swimming pools, various dining places and bars.
Costa Smeralda
Operated by Costa Cruises, the ship has a tonnage of 185, 010. Costa Smeralda is the second cruise ship in the world to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The ship is fitted with four 16-cylinder, MaK 16VM46DF models, with each cylinder rated for a maximum output in excess of 960 kilowatts.
It has a capacity of 5, 224 with double occupancy and 6, 554 at maximum capacity. It comes fitted with various amenities including health and fitness centers, and kids entertainment area.
In January 2021, it collided with a crane which resulted in the destruction of one of its life boats.
Costa Toscana
It has the same tonnage as its sister ship Costa Smeralda. The ship, whose first voyage was in March 2022, displays a tribute to the most popular regions in Italy. It has a crew of over 1,500 and is fitted with 17 decks.
MS Arabia
The tenth largest ship has a gross tonnage of 184,700 and is operated by P&O cruises. She is featured with over thirty restaurants and bars, four swimming pools (2 infinity pools), 20 whirlpools (10 infinity) and an activity zone that features adventure golf.
