The Largest Cruise Ships in the World: Top 30 Ranked for 2026

Any time one of the major cruise lines introduces a new ship, it seems like they’re aiming to go bigger than ever before. Whether debuting the largest of their fleet to date or the largest in the industry overall, bigger seems to be better. Of course, one cruise line dominates the cruise ship size rankings and has for a long time: Royal Caribbean. However, other brands hardly look shabby (or small) in comparison.

Let’s take a look at the top 30 cruise ships by size, ranked by gross tonnage.  

1. Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

When Icon of the Seas debuted in early 2024, it was a total industry gamechanger. The largest ship for Royal Caribbean to date and the largest in the industry overall, it’s a status that the massive ship has retained ever since. It also launched Royal Caribbean’s new Icon class, which is characterized by seemingly larger-than-life vessels. 

Notable “big” features include the largest swimming pool at sea, the tallest water slide at sea, and the largest waterpark at sea (with six waterslides). It further features the first suspended infinity pool at sea and the first open free-fall slide at sea. 

• Gross Tonnage: 248,663 GT
• Length: 1,196 feet/364 meters
• Width: 219 feet/66 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,610 (double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 2,350

2. Star of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

Okay, Star of the Seas isn’t technically in second place. Instead, it shares the title of biggest cruise ship in the world with Icon of the Seas. (Still, Icon came first, so it gets the first nod.) 

The Icon-class sister ship, first setting sail in 2025, continues what its predecessor started. It features those same big pools and waterparks, for example. That said, you will notice a few small differences between Star and Icon. For example, Star of the Seas’ dining options differ a bit, like those that you’ll find in the AquaDome Market; the theming in the supper club restaurant likewise differs.

• Gross Tonnage: 248,663 GT
• Length: 1,196 feet/364 meters
• Width: 219 feet/66 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,610 (double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 2,350

3. Legend of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

Continuing the trend, the third largest cruise ship in the world is Legend of the Seas, the third Icon-class ship and the newest ship for Royal Caribbean. 

Debuting in the summer of 2026, the ship is the same size and capacity as Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas. Again, though, with this third ship in the class, Royal Caribbean made subtle changes. 

The live entertainment is different (with a Broadway-style rendition of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”). New experiences are available at the AquaTheater and ice-skating arena. The dining options welcome the Royal Railway restaurant, which previously premiered on Utopia of the Seas. Additionally, the supper club restaurant has yet another new theme and there are new offerings in the AquaDome Market. 

• Gross Tonnage: 248,663 GT
• Length: 1,196 feet/364 meters
• Width: 219 feet/66 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,610 (double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 2,350

4. Utopia of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

Utopia of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, making its debut in June 2024. Even though it’s the sixth and largest of its class, however, Utopia of the Seas still lags behind the Icon-class ships by more than 10,000 GT. That said, at double occupancy, Utopia of the Seas can actually hold more guests, due to the types of staterooms available on the various ships. 

As already mentioned, Utopia of the Seas introduced the Royal Railway, a simulated railcar dining experience, to Royal Caribbean, and also brought in the new Pesky Parrot bar. When the ship debuted, it also had the longest dry slide at sea, with the Ultimate Abyss stretching 259 feet. Since then, though, other ships from MSC Cruises have claimed that honor with their own, longer dry slides. 

• Gross Tonnage: 236,473 GT
• Length: 1,188 feet/362 meters
• Width: 211 feet/64 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,668 (double occupancy) 
• Crew Capacity: 2,290 

5. Wonder of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

The fifth Oasis-class ship, Wonder of the Seas was actually the largest in the world for a time, when it was delivered in January 2022. It was dethroned by Icon of the Seas, however. 

Wonder of the Seas introduced the Suite Neighborhood to Royal Caribbean’s characteristic neighborhood-style layout, giving VIP suite guests a private place to mingle and relax. Now, you’ll find the neighborhood not only on Wonder, but also on Utopia of the Seas and on all Icon-class ships. 

• Gross Tonnage: 235,600 GT
• Length: 1,188 feet/362 meters
• Width: 215 feet/65 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,734 (double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 2,204

6. Symphony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

Another Oasis-class ship, Symphony of the Seas set sail on its maiden voyage in April 2018. One size-related feature that made its first appearance on this ship was the Ultimate Family Suite. 

This award-winning, ginormous suite, which Royal Caribbean has received quite a bit of acclaim and attention for, is a family vacation dream. It’s two stories tall and 1,350 square feet. It has its own in-room slide, a balcony with a hot tub, a TV room and more, for all the all-out awesomeness and next-level chill you could want or need.

• Gross Tonnage: 228,081 GT
• Length: 1,188 feet/362 meters
• Width: 215 feet/65 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,518 (double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 2,200

7. Harmony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

Harmony of the Seas, which entered service in May 2016, likewise introduced a feature that’s become pretty commonplace on new or recently updated Royal Caribbean vessels: the Ultimate Abyss slide. This very first dry slide measured in at around 216 feet, as compared to the 259-foot slide that’s on Utopia of the Seas. Still, it was impressive when it first launched!

Additionally, Harmony of the Seas was technically the largest cruise ship in the world between 2016 and 2018, before its sister ship, Symphony, took over.

• Gross Tonnage: 226,963 GT
• Length: 1,188 feet/362 meters
• Width: 215 feet/65 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,479 (double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 2,200

8. Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

The lead Oasis-class ship, Oasis of the Seas launched in 2009 and, when it did, it took the Royal cruise experience into a brand-new era. It introduced so much of what we now think of as just the Royal Caribbean standard.  

For one, it was the first to organize a ship using the neighborhood concept. It also brought in the AquaTheater, the first zip line at sea and the first carousel at sea. Of course, when it debuted, it was the largest in the world, too. 

Royal Caribbean Group continues to keep this ship spiffy, despite its age, with recent refurbishments that have added other, now-standard features such as the Ultimate Abyss slide.

• Gross Tonnage: 226,838 GT
• Length: 1,187 feet/361 meters
• Width: 215 feet/65 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,602 (double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 2,109

9. Allure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

Debuting in 2010, Allure of the Seas is just slightly smaller than Oasis of the Seas. However, as sometimes happens with these ships and their varying designs and stateroom categories, Allure of the Seas can actually fit more than a hundred additional cruisers, as compared to Oasis, despite its smaller gross tonnage.

Otherwise, the two ships are quite similar in terms of venues and attractions, and Allure of the Seas received a substantial refurbishment in 2025.

• Gross Tonnage: 225,282 GT
• Length: 1,187 feet/361 meters
• Width: 215 feet/65 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,718 (double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 2,103

10. MSC World America (MSC Cruises)

And finally! We make it to a non-Royal Caribbean cruise ship among the world’s biggest. MSC World America eked its way into the top 10 when it debuted in 2025. So just how big is this ship in comparison to No. 9? 

It’s not too far off. Compared to Allure of the Seas, MSC World America is only about 9,000 GT smaller, and about 90 feet shorter, though there’s a big discrepancy in passenger capacity, with room for about 500 fewer people. 

MSC World America brought a few cool features to the industry when it set sail, including the first Eataly at Sea and the first over-water ride at sea, dubbed Cliffhanger. 

• Gross Tonnage: 216,638 GT
• Length: 1,094 feet/333.3 meters
• Width: 154.2 feet/47 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,240 (double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 2,138

11. MSC World Europa (MSC Cruises)

Prior to MSC World America, MSC World Europa was MSC Cruises’ biggest ship ever. 

Entering service in 2022, it was the first World-class ship. As such, it introduced a few new features to the brand, including what was at the time the longest dry slide at sea (Venom Drop), the first hydroponic garden at sea, the line’s first onboard craft brewery, and the largest waterpark in the fleet.

The ship was also the line’s first LNG-fueled vessel. 

• Gross Tonnage: 215,863 GT
• Length: 1,094 feet/333.3 meters
• Width: 154.2 feet/47 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,240 (double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 2,138

 12. MSC World Asia (MSC Cruises)

The third World-class ship, MSC World Asia, debuts in late 2026, and will be similarly sized to MSC World Europa. However, it does offer some distinct features, such as an even bigger dry slide, the 266-foot Tree of Life, and an outdoor theme park that’s been christened The Harbour, alongside an expanded Aqua Deck.

• Gross Tonnage: 215,863 GT
• Length: 1,094 feet/333.3 meters
• Width: 154.2 feet/47 meters
• Guest Capacity: 6,758 (maximum capacity)
• Crew Capacity: 2,142

13. Disney Adventure (Disney Cruises)

Disney Cruise Line is a brand that’s definitely on the younger side, with a small fleet, but it’s growing and catching more attention. As of this year, it’s landed a ship within the top 15 largest cruise ships in the world.

Disney Adventure launched in 2026, as the first ship for the line serving Southeast Asia. It’s the largest vessel in the line’s fleet and its eighth ship overall. The ship is split into seven themed areas, and features new Marvel attractions on the upper deck, as well as more than 20 dining options.

Fun fact? Disney Adventure is the largest cruise ship ever to transit the Panama Canal.

• Gross Tonnage: 208,000 GT
• Length: 1,124 feet/342.7 meters
• Width: 152 feet/46.4 meters 
• Guest Capacity: 6,700 (maximum capacity)
• Crew Capacity: 2,500

14. P&O Arvia (P&O Cruises)

Continuing to spread the love around to various other cruise lines beyond Royal Caribbean and its family of icons, P&O Cruises finds itself in the 14^th spot with this ship that launched in 2022. The line’s second Excel-class ship, Arvia, is the largest P&O ship and the largest cruise ship ever constructed specifically to serve the British market.   

It features 30 bars and restaurants, eight entertainment venues, four pools and 15 decks accessible to cruisers (out of the 19 decks total). 

• Gross Tonnage: 185,581 GT
• Length: 1,131 feet/345 meters
• Width: 137 feet/42 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,200
• Crew Capacity: 1,800

15. Costa Smeralda (Costa Cruises)

Yet another cruise line makes the list with Costa Cruises’ snagging the 15th spot. Costa Smeralda launched in late 2019 and was the first Excellence-class ship for the brand. 

As was the case for so many ships to debut during this time period, it was the brand’s very first ship powered by Liquified Natural Gas. Further tech innovations include an onboard desalination system, LED lights and others.

• Gross Tonnage: 185,010 GT
• Length: 1,105 feet/336.94 meters
• Width: 137 feet/41.96 meters
• Guest Capacity: 6,554 (at maximum)
• Crew Capacity: 1,646

16. Costa Toscana (Costa Cruises)

Costa Toscana is actually the same size as Costa Smeralda, but the latter came first, so Costa Toscana is relegated to the 16^th spot on this list. 

The two ships, which make up 25% of the total Costa Cruises fleet, are pretty much identical in every way. Costa Toscana first set sail in March 2022, and, over its 17 decks, the ship features nearly 20 bars and lounges, 13 pools and hot tubs total, and a water park. 

• Gross Tonnage: 185,010 GT
• Length: 1,105 feet/336.94 meters
• Width: 137 feet/41.96 meters
• Guest Capacity: 6,554 (at maximum)
• Crew Capacity: 1,646

17. P&O Iona (P&O Cruises)

P&O Cruises makes its way onto this list again with the 17th-largest ship in the world, Iona. This ship is the lead for the brand’s Excel class. However, it’s only minimally smaller than Costa Toscana and Costa Smeralda, lagging behind by only 10 GT (meanwhile, it’s actually longer than the two previously discussed ships!). 

First-of-its-kind features on Iona at the ship’s debut included a two-deck SkyDome, with a glass roof and pool-by-day, entertainment-by-night vibes. The ship also featured the very first ever gin distillery at sea. The ship furthermore contains eight specialty restaurants, four pools, 16 hot tubs and 13 entertainment venues.

• Gross Tonnage: 185,000 GT
• Length: 1,131 feet/345 meters
• Width: 138 feet/42 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,200 (at double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 1,800

18. Carnival Jubilee (Carnival Cruises)

Carnival Cruises finally enters the lineup with its newest ship, Carnival Jubilee! Debuting in late 2023, the ship features the cruise lines’ third roller coaster at sea, as well as a three-deck atrium. It’s powered via liquified natural gas and, at its debut, was the first such powered ship to operate out of Galveston, Texas. 

Across its 17 passenger decks, the ship offers many of the celebrity-partnership dining brands that the cruise line has become known for, such as those from Guy Fieri and Shaq. Overall, the ship boasts more than 20 dining venues, more than 10 bars and lounges and more than 2,600 staterooms and suites. 

• Gross Tonnage: 183,521 GT
• Length: 1,130 feet/345 meters
• Width: 137 feet/42 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,362 (at double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 1,735

19. Carnival Celebration (Carnival Cruises)

Another Carnival Cruises ship, Carnival Celebration entered service in 2022 and is very similar to Carnival Jubilee. Both of the ships feature the BOLT roller coaster, and both are fueled via LNG. 

However, the theme-ing across the two ships differ just slightly, as Carnival Celebration really leans into its Miami connections, with an 820 Biscayne “neighborhood” that attempts to channel the vibes of Biscayne Bay. 

• Gross Tonnage: 183,521 GT
• Length: 1,130 feet/345 meters
• Width: 137 feet/42 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,362 (at double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 1,735

20. AIDAcosma (AIDA Cruises)

AIDA Cruises, another Carnival Cruises brand, enters our list for the first time with the 20^th-largest ship in the world, AIDAcosma. Delivered in 2021, the ship with its 20 decks is the sister ship to the just slightly older and slightly smaller AIDAnova. 

The ship includes 17 restaurants and 23 bars, and features such as a rock-climbing wall, waterslides and an infinity pool.

• Gross Tonnage: 183,200 GT
• Length: 1,105 feet/337 meters 
• Width: 138 feet/42 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,228 (double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 1,551

21. AIDAnova (AIDA Cruises)

While AIDAnova ranks rather further down in terms of size, it launched in November 2018 with one big distinction: It was the first cruise ship ever powered by LNG. 

While AIDA Cruises is owned by Carnival Corporation, it’s actually a German brand. This particular ship features 40 restaurants and bars, three water slides, a climbing garden, an escape room and the first TV studio at sea for AIDA (Studio X). Furthermore, cruisers can choose from more than 20 different types of staterooms. 

Additionally, while this ship is currently the 18th-largest in the world, at the time of its launch in 2018, it was actually the fifth-largest in the world.

• Gross Tonnage: 183,000 GT
• Length: 1,105 feet/337 meters 
• Width: 138 feet/42 meters
• Guest Capacity: 6,654 (at maximum)
• Crew Capacity: 1,646

 22. MSC Euribia (MSC Cruises)

Another MSC Cruises ship, MSC Euribia launched in 2023. In addition to being LNG-powered, the ship features four pools, nine hot tubs, 19 decks (15 being public) and a public area ratio of 7.8 square meters (or 25 square feet) per passenger.  

• Gross Tonnage: 181,541 GT
• Length: 1,087 feet/331.43 meters
• Width: 141 feet/43 meters
• Guest Capacity: 6,327 (at maximum occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 1,711

23. MSC Grandiosa (MSC Cruises)

This Meraviglia Plus-class cruise ship was the first of three such ships, and was launched in late 2019. (MSC Euribia is also in the Meraviglia Plus class, and the two ships are the same size by gross tonnage. However, MSC Euribia can fit more passengers, even with a lower crew capacity.)

MSC Grandiosa features 2,421 cabins across 19 decks (15 accessible to guests); four pools; nine hot tubs; and more than 20 dining and drinking options.

• Gross Tonnage: 181,541 GT
• Length: 1,087 feet/331.43 meters
• Width: 141 feet/43 meters
• Guest Capacity: 6,334 (at maximum occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 1,704

24. MSC Virtuosa (MSC Cruises)

Yet another Meraviglia Plus-class cruise ship, MSC Virtuosa launched in 2021. Like its sister ships, the vessel has a similar size and guest capacity. It also offers 2,421 staterooms across 15 passenger decks, with four pools and nine hot tubs. 

The second ship in the class, it was built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.

• Gross Tonnage: 181,541 GT
• Length: 1,087 feet/331.43 meters
• Width: 141 feet/43 meters
• Guest Capacity: 6,334 (at maximum occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 1,704

25. Mardi Gras (Carnival Cruise Line)

Entering service in 2021, Carnival Mardi Gras made waves as the very first passenger cruise ship in the Americas to be powered by liquified natural gas. Otherwise, it included a ton of Carnival-specific features, such as restaurants from Guy Fieri, Emeril Lagasse and Shaquille O’Neal. 

The ship is made up of six themed areas, and introduced myriad first-ever concepts for Carnival Cruises. For example, in addition to the multiple new restaurants and bars, the ship also features the first roller coaster at sea, BOLT. With its jaw-dropping thrills, BOLT measures in at 800 feet long, with a track that sits nearly 200 feet above sea level, taking riders on a journey at speeds that reach up to 40 miles per hour. 

Of course, all the other fan-favorite Carnival venues are still aboard the ship, but Mardi Gras really took Carnival Cruises into a new era of cruising with brand-new additions such as these. 

• Gross Tonnage: 180,800 GT
• Length: 1,130 feet/345 meters
• Width: 137 feet/42 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,270 (at double occupancy) 
• Crew Capacity: 1,735

26. Sun Princess (Princess Cruises)

Sun Princess, when it debuted in 2024, was the most modern and the largest of Princess Cruises’ ships to date. The lead ship in the Sphere Class, it introduced stand-out features such as The Dome (a literal glass dome that sits on the top of the ship) and The Sphere (a nine-deck glass sphere). 

This was also the first Princess Cruises ship to be LNG-powered, and it featured new stateroom categories (like the Sanctuary Collection), as well as more than 30 restaurants and bars. 

• Gross Tonnage: 177,882 GT
• Length: 1,133 feet/345 meters
• Width: 139 feet/42 meters
• Guest Capacity: 4,300 (at double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 1,600

27. Star Princess (Princess Cruises)

Star Princess is the second ship in the Sphere Class, and sister ship to Sun Princess. Debuting in 2025, it’s just a tad smaller than its predecessor, though not to any degree that the average cruiser would notice. 

The two ships are otherwise pretty much identical, with only a few tweaks made to improve upon the cruising experience. Star Princess, for example, has a larger Irish pub and a non-smoking casino.

• Gross Tonnage: 177,800 GT
• Length: 1,133 feet/345 meters
• Width: 139 feet/42 meters
• Guest Capacity: 4,300 (at double occupancy)
• Crew Capacity: 1,600

28. MSC Meraviglia (MSC Cruises)

In 2017, MSC Meraviglia debuted as the most futuristic and entertainment-packed MSC Cruises ship yet. The vessel launched a partnership with Cirque du Soleil, for exclusive, cruise ship-designed performances. The ship’s design grouped all of the family and children’s facilities into one area, for greater convenience. Additionally, the ship upgraded the MSC Yacht Club, for three decks with nearly 100 stateroom options. 

MSC Meraviglia also offers 12 dining options and boasts a 315-foot promenade with a 262-foot LED sky.

• Gross Tonnage: 171,598 GT
• Length: 1,036 feet/315.83 meters
• Width: 141 feet/43 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,714 (at maximum capacity)
• Crew Capacity: 1,536

29. MSC Bellissima (MSC Cruises)

A member of the Meraviglia class, and following MSC Meraviglia with a 2019 launch, MSC Bellissima is the same size by GT as its predecessor, but holds slightly fewer guests. 

Still, it offers many of the same great features, like the huge galleria/promenade, while also introducing its own firsts — notably Zoe, a voice-activated, digital cruise assistant that any cruiser can access from within their cabin.

• Gross Tonnage: 171,598 GT
• Length: 1,036 feet/315.83 meters
• Width: 141 feet/43 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,655 (at maximum capacity)
• Crew Capacity: 1,595

30. MSC Seashore (MSC Cruises)

Finally, rounding out our list of the top 30 largest cruise ships in the world is another MSC Cruises vessel: MSC Seashore. A member of the Seaside EVO-class, it first set sail in 2020. One of just two ships in this class, MSC Seashore is designed to bring the outdoors in, as much as possible, with tons of outdoor public spaces.

The ship encompasses 20 decks (with 15 open to guests), five pools, multiple hot tubs, myriad dining options, and 2,270 cabins.

• Gross Tonnage: 169,400 GT
• Length: 1,112 feet/339 meters
• Width: 134 feet/41 meters
• Guest Capacity: 5,877 (at maximum capacity)
• Crew Capacity: 1,648