When booking a cruise vacation many cruisers will choose a ship depending on the size so we’ve come up with this simple list of Royal Caribbean ships by size. It’s a great way to check and compare each ship with some statistics to go along.
As more Royal Caribbean cruise ship join the fleet we’ll keep updating the list with all the latest details.
Which is the Largest Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship?
To get straight to the point the largest Royal Caribbean ship at the moment is Symphony of the Seas. She is the fourth Oasis-class vessel and sister to Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and the original Oasis of the Seas. The large ship is massive at an impressive 230,000 gross tons and has a guest capacity of over 5,500.
The will change in the future when a fifth ship in the same class joins the fleet in 2021. Oh yes, and did we mention that Symphony of the Seas is also the world’s biggest cruise ship!
Symphony of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 230,000
- Guest Capacity: 5,518
- Length: 1,188 Feet
This ship needs no introduction as the world’s largest in gross tonnage. Symphony of the Seas is the same design as her sister ships but with some new modern additions, which is normal as the class evolves. You can find out all the things to do onboard right here.
Harmony of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 226,960
- Guest Capacity: 5,480
- Length: 1,188 Feet
Another huge mega-ship from Royal Caribbean, which was the world’s largest when she joined the fleet in Spring 2016. Harmony of the Seas was the first ever to feature the innovative 10-story high Ultimate Abyss Slide. The ship has 16 passenger decks, and there are 2,300 crew members working aboard.
Allure of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 225,282
- Guest Capacity: 5,400
- Length: 1,187 Feet
Allure of the Seas is almost exactly the same as sister ship Oasis of the Seas. The ship has seven neighborhoods with each one offering different public spaces and atmosphere. The ship was built at the STX shipyard in Turku Finland before it was sold and has 16 passenger decks. She joined the fleet towards the end of 2010.
Oasis of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 220,900
- Guest Capacity: 5,400
- Length: 1,181 Feet
The Original Oasis-class vessel and a ship which began a new trend of mega cruise ships! Oasis of the Seas was very innovative and there was no other cruise vessel like her when she entered service in 2009. The ship has 16 passenger decks and the first to introduce the seven neighborhoods concepts including Central Park, The Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, Youth Zone and Entertainment Place.
Spectrum of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 168,800
- Guest Capacity: 4,245
- Length: 1,139 Feet
This ship is the first Quantum Ultra class vessel which is an evolution of the Quantum-class ships. She has not yet joined the fleet and still under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.
Anthem of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 168,666
- Guest Capacity: 4,180
- Length: 1,142 Feet
Anthem of the Seas is slightly longer than her sister ships and is part of the innovative Quantum-class which includes Robotic Bartenders, North Star, and even a skydiving simulator. The ship has 16 passengers decks and began cruising in April 2015.
Ovation of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 168,666
- Guest Capacity: 4,180
- Length: 1,141 Feet
The third Quantum-class ship which entered service in Spring 2016. The ship is identical to her sister ships in the same class the length is one foot less even though she is newer than Anthem of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas.
Quantum of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 167,800
- Guest Capacity: 4,180
- Length: 1,141 Feet
A very innovative cruise ship from Royal Caribbean. Quantum of the Seas might not be as large as the Oasis-class but brought so many new features when she joined the fleet in October 2014. The ship was built at the popular Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany and was the first to introduce the Robotic Bartenders, SeaPlex space, Two70, North Star and a Skydiving simulator.
Liberty of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 160,000
- Guest Capacity: 3,798
- Length: 1,112 Feet
We now move into the Freedom-class Royal Caribbean ships. Liberty of the Seas is the largest in this class and was delivered to the cruise line in 2007. The ship has 15 passenger decks and it cost around $800 Million to build.
Freedom of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 160,000
- Guest Capacity: 3,634
- Length: 1,112 Feet
This is the first ship in the Freedom-class and was built at the then-named Aker Yards in Turku, Finland. The was the largest in the fleet at the time and an evolution to the popular Voyager class ships. The ship has 15 decks and sailed her maiden voyage in June 2006.
Independence of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 154,407
- Guest Capacity: 3,858
- Length: 1,112 Feet
The most recent Freedom-class ship built in 2008 at the popular yards in Turku, Finland. Independence of the Seas has 15 passenger decks and is one big ship with everything needed to have the best vacation at sea!
Navigator of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 142,000
- Guest Capacity: 3,114
- Length: 1,020 Feet
Navigator of the Seas is the biggest in the Voyager-class ships but isn’t the newest. The ship was built in Turku, Finland and began cruising in November 2002. She has just a slightly larger tonnage than her sister ships.
Voyager of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 142,000
- Guest Capacity: 3,114
- Length: 1,020 Feet
The original Voyager-class cruise ship which helped take Royal Caribbean into a new era of ship development and cruising experience. The ship was the first to feature a rock climbing wall and an Ice Skating rink at sea, these features are now iconic throughout the fleet. Voyager of the Seas was built in Finland and joined the fleet in November 1999.
Mariner of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 138,000
- Guest Capacity: 3,114
- Length: 1,020 Feet
Mariner of the Seas has had a lot of attention recently with a huge $120 Million upgrade. During the month-long dry dock, new spaces and features were added including the new SkyPad which is a bungee trampoline experience with virtual reality. The Voyager-class vessel joined the fleet in 2003.
Adventure of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 138,000
- Guest Capacity: 3,114
- Length: 1,020 Feet
Adventure of the Seas is the third ship in the class and started cruising for Royal Caribbean in November 2001. The ship has 15 decks for guests and is totally updated thanks two a major 30-day dry dock in January 2018.
Explorer of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 138,000
- Guest Capacity: 3,114
- Length: 1,020 Feet
Explorer of the Seas is the second Voyager class-ship which departed on her maiden voyage in October 2000. The large ship has been updated with a Flowrider and an Ice Rink in the past. There are 15 passenger decks not including the crew decks below.
Radiance of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 90,090
- Guest Capacity: 2,100
- Length: 1,050 Feet
We now move into the Radiance-class ships with the original Radiance of the Seas. This ship actually joined the fleet the same year as Adventure of the Seas in 2001. The vessel might have a smaller tonnage but still has a big ship feel to it. There are 12 decks for ship guests to enjoy.
Brilliance of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 90,090
- Guest Capacity: 2,188
- Length: 965 Feet
The second Radiance-class ship which joined Royal Caribbean in July 2002. She was constructed at the well known Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
Serenade of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 90,090
- Guest Capacity: 2,100
- Length: 965 Feet
Another Radiance-class vessel which provides guests with a cruise vacation which can rival those bigger Oasis-class ships. The ship was delivered from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany to the cruise line in July 2003.
Jewel of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 90,090
- Guest Capacity: 2,100
- Length: 962 Feet
The newest Radiance class ship which joined the fleet in May 2002. Even though she is the newest in the class she doesn’t have the highest guest capacity. Jewel of the Seas has 12 passenger decks and was last refurbished in 2016.
Enchantment of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 80,700
- Guest Capacity: 1,950
- Length: 919 Feet
Now we get to even smaller Royal Caribbean ships by size with Enchantment of the Seas. The ship is the third Vision-class and joined the fleet in 1997. She was constructed at the then-named Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Helsinki, Finland. She is the largest in the Vision class only just by tonnage.
Rhapsody of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 78,490
- Guest Capacity: 1,996
- Length: 919 Feet
The second Vision-class cruise ship which began sailing in May 1997. Rhapsody of the Seas has 12 passenger decks which is still the same as the larger Radiance-class ships.
Vision of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 78,490
- Guest Capacity: 1,996
- Length: 919 Feet
The ship might have the same name but isn’t the oldest Vision-class cruise ship. Vision of the Seas arrived in April 1998 and has 10 decks for passengers. She might not be the largest but many cruisers do enjoy the smaller ships more.
Grandeur of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 74,137
- Guest Capacity: 1,950
- Length: 919 Feet
The oldest ship in the Vision-class ships is Grandeur of the Seas, a popular vessel which was part of the Royal Caribbean leet from November 1996. The ship has had her fair share of problems over the years but still offers a great cruise vacation.
Majesty of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 73,940
- Guest Capacity: 2,356
- Length: 879 Feet
One of the smallest ships in the fleet but still much bigger than Empress of the Seas. Majesty of the Seas has 13 passenger decks and was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France. It is the same shipyard which now builds the massive Oasis-class ships so the cruise line has come full circle. The ship began service in April 1992.
Empress of the Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 48,560
- Guest Capacity: 1,588
- Length: 692 Feet
The smallest Royal Caribbean ship by size is Empress of the Seas. She has 9 passenger decks and first joined the fleet as Nordic Empress in 1999. The ship was built at the popular Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France and from 20018 to 2016 was operated by Pullmatur Cruises before returning back to Royal Caribbean.
Also Read: Carnival Cruise Ships by Size
The Ever Changing Fleet!
Royal Caribbean is constantly evolving with new ships on order and updating current ones. Keep a close eye on this page as the fleet changes. There are currently four ships on order not including Spectrum of the Seas which arrives in 2019 and already included in the list of Royal Caribbean ships by size.
Also, remember the difference between many of them are tiny and the sight tonnage difference with the same class ships doesn’t have any major difference.
