World's 20 biggest cruise ships
From the archive. Published January 11, 2017. Details may have changed since.
-
01 Harmony of the Seas carries 5,479 passengers (double occupancy) on voyages in the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter. © Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International -
02 Allure of the Seas offers seven districts or "neighborhoods" full of distinctive features, several entertainment options and 25 different dining options for guests. © Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International -
03 Hop on one of Oasis of the Seas' jetskis and get an adrenaline rush of sights and sounds while zipping along the shoreline. © Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International -
04 Ovation of the Seas set sail last April and now cruises around China and Australia. © Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International -
05 A view of the main pool deck on Anthem of the Seas at sunset — beautiful! © Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International -
06 The 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas sails three- to eight-night itineraries year-round from Shanghai, China. © Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International -
07 The hull of Norwegian Escape features 12 marine species native to the Caribbean. © Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line -
08 Independence of the Seas' highlights include the FlowRider surf simulator, a rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, cantilevered whirlpool and mini golf course. -
09 Norwegian Epic sails in the Caribbean in winter and Mediterranean in summer. © Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line -
10 Liberty of the Seas' sports area offers plenty of fun in the sun, including time on the FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, mini-golf course and sports court. © Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International -
11 Freedom of the Seas sails to the Western and Eastern Caribbean, including Jamaica, Bahamas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Caymans and Cozumel, Mexico. © Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International -
12 It's a makeshift party as smaller vessels welcome Queen Mary 2 as she enters San Francisco Bay. © Courtesy of Cunard Line -
13 Miami artist David "Lebo" Le Batard created the colorful design for Norwegian Getaway's hull. © Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line -
14 Norwegian Breakaway sails out of New York Harbor to her next destination. © Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line -
15 The brilliantly lit deck of Royal Princess at night. © Courtesy of Princess Cruises -
16 Regal Princess during sea trials. © Filippo Vinardi -
17 A dolphin leaps through the air in Curacao during a port visit by Adventure of the Seas. © Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International -
18 With its real stone piazza and opulent public spaces, MSC Preziosa emanates Mediterranean style and grandeur. © Courtesy of MSC Cruises -
19 MSC Divina, sleek and modern, sails to Eastern and Western Caribbean destinations. © Courtesy of MSC Cruises -
20 Mariner of the Seas features three- and four-night cruises from Miami to the Bahamas. © Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International
I have been cruising for over 20 years now and have gotten away on a big ship at least once every two years during that time, on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess and Celebrity. I like big, bustling vacations filled with excitement and energy.
And now that there's a new Biggest Cruise Ship in the World this year (Harmony), I thought now would be a good time to do a photo album of the 20 largest cruise ships.
I suppose you can calculate this a few different ways — biggest in terms of number of passengers, or of gross tonnage — but I just went to your ship discovery tool and chose "biggest," then found a picture of the ship that I liked. (Trust me, your site has better photos than my shots...)
Hope you like my list!
Talk to a cruise specialist
Found the one? Let us plan it.
Tell us the ship, the dates and who is coming. A partner travel agent comes back with real fares and cabins, at no cost to you.