News & Trending Travel News

The 15 Largest Cruise Ships in the World (7 Belong to One Line)

Discover unparalleled luxury aboard the planet's most colossal floating resorts.

By Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore

Edited by Chris Kissell

Updated Dec. 17, 2024

Today, bigger is much better in the world of vacation cruises. Cruise companies around the world are super-sizing their ships and packing in extra amenities.

If you are ready to step up your travel game and take a trip on a huge boat, here are the 15 biggest cruise ships afloat today.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources

Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.

How to become a member today:

Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean

Icon of the Seas has made quite a splash since it set sail for the first time in January.

The ship says it is the largest cruise ship in the world, at an incredible 1,198 feet in length and weighing 250,800 gross tons.

Royal Caribbean says the massive ship has 20 total decks, seven pools and nine whirlpools, and a waterpark with “record-breaking” slides.

It’s also powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is reportedly more sustainable.

Who really has the cheapest auto insurance in your area? Check your zip code here.

Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas

Currently a work in progress with plans for a maiden voyage in the summer of 2024, Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Sea is another of the company’s huge cruise ships.

Weighing 236,860 gross tons and measuring 1,188 feet in length, the ship has 18 decks and more than 2,800 staterooms. Like the Icon, it is also an LNG-powered ship.

Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas

The massive Wonder of the Seas is also a Royal Caribbean ship.

The ship took its maiden voyage in March 2022 and weighs a whopping 235,600 gross tons. It's 1,188 feet long, and has 18 decks and more than 2,800 staterooms.

Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.

If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas

In the spring of 2018, Royal Caribbean launched another giant: Symphony of the Seas, which weighs in at 228,081 gross tons. Like Wonder and Utopia, Symphony is 1,188 feet long.

The ship also has 18 decks and more than 2,700 staterooms.

Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas took its maiden voyage back in 2016, weighing 226,963 gross tons.

It also measures 1,188 feet long and features 18 decks and more than 2,700 staterooms.

Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas weighs in at just slightly less than the Harmony — 226,838 gross tons.

The 1,187-foot-long ship is a bit older and took its maiden voyage back in 2009.

Like many of Royal Caribbean’s other giants, the Oasis has 18 decks and boasts around 2,800 staterooms.

Earn Points and Miles: Find the best travel credit card for nearly free travel

Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas

The last Royal Caribbean ship on the list is the Allure of the Sea. The ship took its first trip back in 2010. It weighs 225,282 gross tons and has 18 total decks spread across its 1,187-foot length.

The ship has more than 2,700 staterooms.

MSC World Europa

European company MSC owns the massive World Europa, which weighs 205,700 gross tons and is 1,093 feet long.

It features 21 decks, seven pools, and more than 2,600 cabins.

Costa Smeralda

Costa Cruises, an Italian subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, is home to the Costa Smeralda. It weighs 185,000 gross tons and is 1,106 feet long.

The ship boasts more than 2,600 staterooms, 13 pools and hot tubs, and dozens of restaurants, bars, and lounges.

Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)

Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.

No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.

Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.

Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.

Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.

But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).

Apply for the SELECT card today

Costa Toscana

Tying the Smeralda, the Costa Toscana is also 185,000 gross tons and 1,106 feet long and features roughly 2,600 staterooms.

Like its sister ship, the Toscan is LNG-powered.

P&O Cruises Arvia

P&O Cruises, a British subsidiary of Carnival, offers the massive Arvia. The ship weighs 184,700 gross tons, is 1,131 feet long, and has 15 guest decks.

With dozens of places to eat and drink, four pools, a swim-up bar, and multiple hot tubs, there’s plenty to do.

P&O Cruises Iona

P&O;’s Iona weighs 184,000 gross tons and measures 1,128 feet in length.

With 15 guest decks and more than 2,600 cabins, it offers amenities and perks similar to those of the Arvia.

Grow Your $$: 11 brilliant ways to build wealth after 40

AIDAnova

German cruise line AIDA’s mighty AIDAnova ship was the first in the world to be powered by LNG. The ship weighs 183,900 gross tons and is 1,105 feet long.

With 20 decks, pools, waterslides, a huge array of restaurants and entertainment, and more than 5,200 passenger cabins, AIDAnova is truly a marvel at sea.

Carnival Jubilee

Carnival’s new ship, Jubilee, weighs 183,521 gross tons and measures 1,130 feet in length.

The ship set sail for the first time in December 2023 and offers many of the same perks as its sister ships, Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. It is broken up into six “zones of fun.”

AIDAcosma

Nova’s sister ship, the slightly smaller AIDAcosma, took the final spot on the list. It first set sail in 2021, weighing 183,200 gross tons and measuring 1,105 feet long.

The ship boasts 20 decks, over 2,600 cabins, and amenities like an indoor track and a sea-view sauna.

Bottom line

Whether you choose a mega-ship or a smaller vessel, prioritize experiences that align with your budget and interests.

Cruises can be surprisingly affordable, especially if you book with one of the top travel credit cards that lets you earn rewards and other perks.

Remember, a little planning and flexibility can go a long way in making your dream cruise a reality.

More from FinanceBuzz:

Benefits

Card Details

$0 annual fee
Simple, flat-rate rewards
Flexible redemption options
Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
Apply Now

Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.49% - 28.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Bank of <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>America<sup>®</sup></span> Travel Rewards credit card

4.1

Apply Now

on Bank of America’s secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Annual Fee

Why we like it