Cruise ships, over the last few decades, haven’t just grown in number, but also in size. Today’s biggest ships are nearly three times bigger than the 1988-built Sovereign of the Seas, considered the world’s first mega cruise ship.

1. Symphony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

Tonnage: 227,625 tons
Capacity: 5,400 passengers
Built: 2018
Length: 362.1 meters
Beam: 47.4 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Caribbean

2. Harmony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

Tonnage: 227,625 tons
Capacity: 5,400 passengers
Built: 2016
Length: 362.1 meters
Beam: 47.4 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Caribbean and Mediterranean

3. Allure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

Tonnage: 220,000 tons
Capacity: 5,400 passengers
Built: 2010
Length: 362 meters
Beam: 47 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Caribbean

4. Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

Tonnage: 220,000 tons
Capacity: 5,400 passengers
Built: 2008
Length: 361.6 meters
Beam: 47 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Caribbean, Bahamas, and East Coast

5. Mardi Gras (Carnival Cruise Line)

Tonnage: 183,900
Capacity: 5,200 passengers
Built: 2021
Length: 337 meters
Beam: 42 meters

6. Iona (P&O Cruises)

Tonnage: 183,900 tons
Capacity: 5,200 passengers
Built: 2020
Length: 337 meters
Beam: 42 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Northern Europe and the Canaries

7. AIDAnova (AIDA Cruises)

Tonnage: 183,900 tons
Capacity: 5,000 passengers
Built: 2018
Length: 337 meters
Beam: 42 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Mediterranean and the Canaries

8. Costa Smeralda (Costa Cruises)

Tonnage: 182,700 tons
Capacity: 5,224 passengers
Built: 2019
Length: 337 meters
Beam: 42 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Mediterranean

9. MSC Grandiosa (MSC Cruises)

Tonnage: 177,100 tons
Capacity: 4,888 passengers
Built: 2019
Length: 331 meters
Beam: 43 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: Mediterranean

10. Spectrum of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

Tonnage: 168,666 tons
Capacity: 4,100 passengers
Built: 2019
Length: 347 meters
Beam: 41.4 meters
Sailing regions in 2021: China and Southeast Asia

Coming Soon…

The ranking is slated for major changes in the next few years, with large cruise ships entering service for several brands.

1. Wonder of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

Tonnage: 227,625 tons
Capacity: 5,448 passengers
Built: 2022
Length: 362.1 meters
Beam: 47.4 meters

2. Global Dream (Genting Cruise Lines/Dream Cruises)

Tonnage: 208,000 tons
Capacity: 5,000 passengers
Built: 2022
Length: 342 meters
Beam: 46.4 meters

3. MSC World Europa (MSC Cruises)

Tonnage: 205,700 tons
Capacity: 5,400 passengers
Built: 2022
Length: 330 meters
Beam: 47 meters

4. Icon Class I (Royal Caribbean International)

Tonnage: 200,000
Capacity: 5,000 passengers
Built: 2022
Length: TBD
Beam: TBD