The World's Largest Cruise Ship Explained: Royal Caribbean's Icon Of The Seas

Table Of Content

• List of largest cruise ships
• Meet the fleet
• Grandeur of the Seas Size

In June 2023, the ship hit a major milestone when it completed its first sea trials outside the shipyard in Turku, Finland. Next up is the colossal new ship’s first voyage, slated to depart on January 27, 2024. It will sail roundtrip from Miami to the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas. And take your holiday to new heights – literally – in a helium balloon ride above the island.

List of largest cruise ships

Star of the Seas will sail out of Port Canaveral; however, the home port for the third ship is currently unknown. Prior to arriving in Miami on January 10, the ship sailed to Cádiz, Spain and Ponce, Puerto Rico for some finishing touches. Instead, families can enjoy the complimentary Surfside Eatery buffet, grab some snacks at Surfside Bites, or splurge on an all-day brunch at Pier 7. Additionally, there's an aft pool, carousel, arcade, and kids splash zone.

Meet the fleet

Much is possible, all governed by the limits of time and money. In all, Icon of the Seas features seven pools and nine whirlpools. By offering a variety of experiences and atmospheres at the waterpark, it seems to represent a larger goal of the ship. Icon is also the cruise line’s first ship that can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a transitional fuel. The dual-fuel engines will work alongside a lineup of energy efficiency initiatives and industry-leading environmental programs on board, like the first waste-to-energy plant at sea.

Grandeur of the Seas Size

The smallest Royal Caribbean ship currently operating, both in terms of gross tonnage and passenger capacity, is Grandeur of the Seas, which is also the oldest ship in the fleet. It can carry 2,440 passengers at max capacity and measures 73,817 tonnes. We cruised on Mariner of the Seas for four nights and were never short of activities on board.

AquaDome, with spaces that blend inside and outside together, will host night events and also serve as a kind of observatory deck; while Central Park brings greenery and flora to the seafaring voyage. The more appropriate question might be, what can't you do on it? In essence, the ship is a like a floating city, and guests will never find themselves lacking for things to keep them entertained. The eight distinct neighborhoods offer passengers a variety of themes and experiences. AquaDome will serve many purposes — a lounge, a nightclub, an entertainment venue, and a great observation spot, allowing passengers to look through its 220-degree span of glass to marvel at the endless ocean.

Royal Caribbean Ships by Size with Infographic

I Went On The Biggest Cruise Ship In The World—Here's My Honest Review - Delish

I Went On The Biggest Cruise Ship In The World—Here's My Honest Review.

Posted: Mon, 29 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

That makes them more alluring for vacationers who prefer a big, bustling megaresort experience to a stay at a smaller resort. At 250,800 gross tons, Icon of the Seas is more than 6% larger than Royal Caribbean's 1-year-old Wonder of the Seas, which previously was the biggest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet (and the biggest ship operated by any line). Icon of the Seas can carry up to 7,600 passengers — a new record for a passenger ship. That's about 7% higher than the maximum capacity of Wonder of the Seas, which can hold up to 7,084 passengers. The smallest Royal Caribbean cruise ships are best for vacationers who like a more intimate, less crowded resort experience. Are you looking for the most activity-packed, megaresort-like Royal Caribbean cruise ships at sea?

(tied). Radiance of the Seas

At full capacity, the Grandeur of the Seas holds 2,752 passengers. The Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas total number of staterooms is 996. The Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas has a construction date of 1998 and a total size of 78,340 gross tons.

Wonder of the Seas Size

If your family is looking for a jam-packed kid-friendly cruise with enough amenities to stay entertained for a week, both ships are a great option. The rows of pools flowed perfectly into Thrill Island's waterpark, rock climbing walls, mini-golf course, and Crown's Edge. Some of Wonder of the Seas' enticing outdoor amenities — like the surf simulator, zipline, and mini-golf course — are clustered on the deck above and away from the pools and water slides.

The inaugural sailing will take place on January 27, 2024 from Miami, Florida when Icon of the Seas will sail to the Eastern Caribbean and Royal Caribbean’s private islands of Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. You'll find more than 40 restaurants and bars, industry-leading entertainment across the cruise line’s four signature stages and more. Delivery of the ship signifies transfer of ownership of a new cruise ship. Fortunately, Icon of the Seas' nighttime entertainment is also a great equalizer. Its ice skating performance, rendition of the Broadway hit "Wizard of Oz," and multi-disciplinary dance, swim, and dive show are complimentary to all guests.

Like eight unique neighbourhoods, including the Suite Neighbourhood. A totally redesigned pool deck with more ways to soak up the sun – or shade – than ever before. The most immersive AquaTheater ever, with a game-changing surround-stage that makes you feel like part of the action. For the first time ever, Symphony of the Seas® sails from Cape Liberty to captivating destinations.

Nonetheless, work on Icon of the Seas continued and while the original delivery date may have been pushed back, the revised date held firm and there were no other issues. The cruise line has referred to Icon as a "white paper" ship, meaning they started with a blank slate in terms of ideas for this ship.

At full capacity, the Symphony of the Seas holds 7,718 passengers. That includes 5,518 cruise vacationers and 2,200 staff members. The Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas total number of staterooms is 2,745. The Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas has a construction date of 2022 and a total size of 236,857 gross tons. The ship measures 1,188 feet (362 meters) in length and falls in line as number 3 among Royal Caribbean's 36 existing and former cruise ships.

For example, Carnival is known as the budget-friendly "fun" ship, whereas those that like luxury in the cruising experience might opt for Crystal Cruises or Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Disney Cruise Line caters mostly to families, while Princess Cruises often attract retirees and older cruisers. True to the name of the cruise line, the ship will start its life by sailing on seven-night itineraries in the western and eastern parts of the Caribbean.

Symphony of the Seas Cruise Ships

Table Of Content

• Navigator of the Seas
• List of Royal Caribbean Ship Classes by Size
• REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURE
• Both vessels feel more like amusement parks than traditional cruise ships.
• BIGGEST, BOLDEST SHIPS

Like eight unique neighborhoods, including the Suite Neighborhood. A totally redesigned pool deck with more ways to soak up the sun —or shade —than ever before. The most immersive AquaTheater ever, with a game-changing surround-stage that makes you feel part of the action. The biggest ships tend to be more expensive than the smaller, older ships. This means that in effect, you’re paying extra for the facilities that larger ships have.

Navigator of the Seas

I tried the newest ships from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian. Here's how they compare - Cruise Blog

I tried the newest ships from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian. Here's how they compare.

Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:57:15 GMT [source]

Both sets of routes, however, stop for a day at CocoCay, an island in The Bahamas that is used solely by Royal Caribbean. It's a cross between a water park and a traditional land-based resort, but without the overnight accommodations. On CocoCay, passengers will find beach clubs, large swimming pools, a whole network of water slides, a zip line, balloon rides, places to eat, and more. Royal Caribbean's smallest, active cruise ship is the Grandeur of the Seas with a gross tonnage measuring 73,817 GT. She measures 916 feet (279 meters) in length and can hold 1,992 passengers. On the Empress of the Seas, you'll find a total of 996 staterooms.

List of Royal Caribbean Ship Classes by Size

The largest cruise ship in the world, Symphony of the Seas doesn’t just win awards – it wins over everyone who sets foot onboard. The largest cruise ship in the world, Symphony of the Seas doesn’t just win awards — it wins over everyone who sets foot onboard. The previous record holder wasn’t Wonder, but actually Harmony of the Seas – but only by mere inches. Icon’s extra 10 feet makes it comfortably the biggest cruise ship in the world. Though she already has sister ships on order, which will likely break that record. Royal Caribbean's smallest ships are a half to a third smaller than the Oasis Class and Icon Class vessels and lack many of the above features.

REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURE

At full capacity, the Quantum of the Seas holds 5,660 passengers. That includes 4,160 cruise vacationers and 1,500 staff members. The Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas total number of staterooms is 2,090. The Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas has a construction date of 2016 and a total size of 168,666 gross tons. The ship measures 1,142 feet (348 meters) in length and falls in line as number 10 among Royal Caribbean's 36 existing and former cruise ships. At full capacity, the Ovation of the Seas holds 5,480 passengers.

Both vessels feel more like amusement parks than traditional cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas isn't just the cruise line's biggest ship at 230,000 tons with a length of 1,188 feet; it's the biggest cruise ship currently sailing the high seas. Symphony of the Seas carries 5,535 passengers at double occupancy and 6,870 at maximum capacity. There are so many reasons to get excited about a Royal Caribbean® cruise. Choose from itineraries that take you to top-rated vacation destinations, from sun-soaked Caribbean isles to ancient temples in Asia and everywhere in between.

It's where they can stay and play all day, especially since there's no need to head to the Windjammer for lunch. Whether you want to watch the ship pull into port or want clear views of the horizon while sipping on a cocktail, you will also find some of the best ocean views onboard here. Reimagined from bow to stern, the Amplified Oasis of the Seas® is loaded with fresh and exciting things to do to level up your romantic retreat – including bars, entertainment and dance floors that keep the fun going long into the night. Icon of the Seas has eight more bars, four more complimentary restaurants, and three more specialty dining choices. Icon has a six-slide waterpark complete with rafting and racing options.

At full capacity, the Jewel of the Seas holds 2,969 passengers. The Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas total number of staterooms is 1,142. The Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas has a construction date of 2003 and a total size of 90,090 gross tons.

With capacity for nearly 10,000 passengers and crew, Icon of the Seas is billed as part all-inclusive resort, part theme park, and a massive destination unto itself. Clocking in at 250,380 gross tons and measuring nearly a quarter mile long (1,198 feet to be exact), the vast ship will sport a total of 20 decks, 18 of which will be accessible to guests. The biggest thing to ever hit cruising is coming in January 2024, when Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas—which will be the largest cruise ship in the world—will debut to passengers for the first time. Below is a list of all Royal Caribbean cruise ships by size, ordered from largest to smallest in terms of volume (in gross tonnage) and length (in feet). This might depend on your interpretation of the word icon, but the Icon of the Seas is certainly not something that travelers are likely to forget, either when looking at its magnitude online or in person. The ship was put together in Finland, utilizing the strong tradition of Nordic shipbuilding prowess, with its keel (the equivalent of a boat's spine) laid in April 2022.

BIGGEST, BOLDEST SHIPS

At full capacity, the Oasis of the Seas holds 7,888 passengers. That includes 5,494 cruise vacationers and 2,394 staff members. The Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas total number of staterooms is 2,137. The Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas has a construction date of 2010 and a total size of 225,282 gross tons. The ship measures 1,181 feet (360 meters) in length and falls in line as number 6 among Royal Caribbean's 36 existing and former cruise ships.

You can see the vast difference in ships sizes below comparing the smallest to largest! Here's a visual representation showing the Empress of the Seas to the Symphony of the Seas. Construction of the brand-new vessel took over 900 days, and the delivery was met with a celebration with cruise line executives, crew members, and shipyard employees present. There's no shortage of both complimentary and specialty dining options for guests to enjoy onboard Icon. To avoid any surprises when you get on the ship, however, it is important that you understand what is and isn't included.

They have a much more intimate feel, at least in the pantheon of relatively big, mass-market ships, and they hold far fewer people. While Oasis Class and Icon Class ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at double occupancy, the line's four oldest vessels (known as the Vision class) are only designed to carry about 2,000 passengers at double occupancy. On Royal Caribbean's biggest Oasis-class vessels, for instance, you'll find three separate main pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, a miniature golf course, a basketball court and even a zip line. Inside the vessels, you'll find more lounges, bars, restaurants and shops than you can imagine — plus huge casinos, spas and showrooms with Broadway-style shows. Utopia of the Seas is expected to be roughly the same size as Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's second-biggest cruise ship. But it'll be smaller than the line's biggest ship, Icon of the Seas.

At 250,800 tons and nearly 1,200 feet in length (comparable to the height of the Empire State Building), the giant cruise ship did indeed float. Carrying hundreds of technicians over four days, the ship sailed for hundreds of miles on its first sea trial, with another sea trial due before its debut passenger sailing date from Miami in January 2024. The Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas has a construction date of 1996 and a total size of 73,817 gross tons. The ship measures 916 feet (279 meters) in length and falls in line as number 28 among Royal Caribbean's 36 existing and former cruise ships.

If they opt for one of the larger (by at least one square foot) interior cabins, it'll be an extra $100. A budget vacation on Royal Caribbean's new wildly popular Icon of the Seas is possible. Just be prepared to stay sober, repeat meals, and pay at least $265 a day. Gangwaze is your one-stop destination for shore tours, pre-cruise hotels, transfers, vacation insurance & more.

The website sometimes has sporadic sales, limited-time offers of discounted rates, or special promotions. These are just generalizations, but they tend to be true, and the cruises often market themselves as such. Historically and comparatively, young adults just don't go on many cruises. But this is starting to change, and Royal Caribbean, which has typically attracted active families and travelers in the age range, seems to be taking note. Among the 28 different types of cabins, the Icon of the Sea offers rooms catering to group travel, which you could surmise is intended to appeal to younger friend groups, though are equally suited to multi-generational trips. Cruises lead many to envision families, honeymooning couples, and older vacationers, and different cruise lines tend to cater to different crowds.

We’ve partnered with industry leaders to bring you the best deals and the most convenience. We hope that the above list of Royal Caribbean Ships by size help you to find your ideal cruise. If interested, we also have a post showing Royal Caribbean Ships by Class.