Following modern trends, super yachts are getting bigger and bigger and there are ships even as big as several city blocks with all the most luxurious entertainment and dining amenities.
Icon of the Seas
On November 27, 2023, Icon of the Seas was transferred from Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland to Royal Caribbean cruise line . This is one of the first ships to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) power, with many improvements and new features. Highlights include a record six slides, the first pool bar at sea, the first suspended infinity pool, a sundeck, a spectacular AquaDome, a three-story entertainment area and more than 40 dining venues.
– Go into operation: January 2024
– Total tonnage: 250,800 tons
– Length: 365 meters
– Passenger deck: 18 floors
– Guest rooms: 2,805 rooms
– Passenger capacity: 5,610 people
– Crew capacity: 2,350 people
Utopia of the Seas
On June 13, 2024, Utopia of the Seas joined the Royal Caribbean fleet from Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard. This ship has many of the same features as the company’s other cruise ships but stands out with the largest Ultimate Abyss dry slide. It was also the first ship to offer 3- or 4-night weekend cruises.
– Go into operation: June 2024
– Total tonnage: 236,860 tons
– Length: 362 meters
– Passenger deck: 16 floors
– Guest rooms: 2,834 rooms
– Passenger capacity: 5,668 people
– Crew capacity: 2,290 people
Wonder of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas, which held the title of world’s largest cruise ship from Symphony of the Seas in 2022, lost the crown when Icon of the Seas arrived. The ship was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard in Saint Nazaire, France and delivered on January 27, 2022. Wonder of the Seas is divided into themed areas, with the Royal Suite Guest Residences including the Sun Deck Suite with plunge pool, private restaurant, bar and lounges. This area also has the largest Ultimate Family Suite. Other new amenities include Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar, Wonder Playscape and The Vue Bar. The ship departed on its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 4, 2022.
– Go into operation: March 2022
– Total tonnage: 236,857 tons
– Length: 362 meters
– Passenger deck: 16 floors
– Guest rooms: 2,867 rooms
– Passenger capacity: 5,734 people
– Crew capacity: 2,300 people
Symphony of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas is the 25th cruise ship of Royal Caribbean, the 4th largest cruise ship in the world. The ship was built at STX France yard and handed over to the company on March 23, 2018. The first special preview tour took place on March 31, 2018.
– Go into operation: March 2018
– Total tonnage: 228,081 tons
– Length: 362 meters
– Passenger capacity: 5,518 people
– Crew capacity: 2,100 people
Harmony of the Seas
This is the 5th largest cruise ship in the world, and the first ship in the Oasis class to have a 10-story high abyss slide located at the back of the ship.
– Go into operation: May 2016
– Total tonnage: 227,500 tons
– Length: 362 meters
– Passenger capacity: 5,480 people
– Crew capacity: 2,100 people
Oasis of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas took the cruise industry to new heights when it launched in late 2009. Built at the STX yard in Turku, Finland, the ship features groundbreaking features such as Zip-line and AquaTheater. In 2019, Oasis of the Seas underwent a $165 million upgrade, adding new waterslides, The Ultimate Abyss slide, new dining venues and a fresh look.
– Go into operation: December 2009
– Total tonnage: 226,838 tons
– Length: 362 meters
– Passenger capacity: 5,400 people
– Crew capacity: 2,394 people
Allure of the Seas
Allure of the Seas broke Royal Caribbean’s record at the time with 7 separate neighborhoods and countless dining and entertainment spaces. This ship is different from other large ships in the cruise industry thanks to features such as Zip-line and AquaTheater.
– Go into operation: October 2010
– Total tonnage: 225,282 tons
– Length: 362 meters
– Passenger capacity: 5,400 people
– Crew capacity: 2,384 people
MSC World Europa
MSC World Europa is MSC Cruises’ first world-class ship, built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique factory in St. Nazaire, France. Delivered in October 2022, it became MSC’s largest cruise ship ever. It is the second largest cruise ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), bringing MSC into a new era of sustainability. The world’s 8th largest ship has more than 30 dining venues and a 76-meter long Drop slide at the back of the ship.
– Go into operation: October 2022
– Total tonnage: 215,863 tons
– Length: 333 meters
– Passenger capacity: 6,762 people
– Crew capacity: 2,138 people
Arvia
Arvia is the second Excel class cruise ship from UK-based P&O Cruises. Built at the Meyer Werft yard in Papenburg, Germany, the ship is currently the largest ship in P&O’s fleet and the largest ship ever built exclusively for the UK market.
– Go into operation: 2022
– Total tonnage: 184,700 tons
– Length: 344 meters
– Passenger capacity: 5,200 people
– Crew capacity: 1,800 people
Emerald Coast
Costa Smeralda is Costa Cruises’ first cruise ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), and is also the largest ship ever built for the company. Delivered from the Meyer Turku yard in Finland on December 5, 2019, the ship’s maiden voyage left Savona on December 31, 2019.
– Go into operation: December 2019
– Total tonnage: 185,000 tons
– Length: 337 meters
– Passenger capacity: 6,600 people
– Crew capacity: 1,500 people
– Number of guest cabins: 2,600
